Wednesday, April 13, 2011

If Rocking Chairs Could Talk


I have a favorite rocking chair. When I was pregnant with my 4th child 12 years ago, we got an unfinished wood rocking chair. We stained it and sealed it with a clear coat. It wasn't special and I didn't imagine that it would last this long but it's nearly good as new. This chair has rocked many hours. It has had at least 6 homes and traveled more than 7000 miles. Its rocked countless babies and comforted hundreds of guests. Its arms have held mine up during sleepless nights with nursing newborns, sick or injured toddlers, and scared orphans from afar.

If this chair could tell us stories, we'd likely find a world of adventures in its 12years lifetime. This chair has felt my tears, heard my prayers, held the weight of many children in my lap for a storybook. It has survived two wars and one tornado. It has enjoyed views from porches in the Amish country, and now faces Jerusalem the Holy City for my morning prayers. If this chair could talk, it would no doubt tell us how it has served faithfully to so many.

Some might think its silly to think that a chair could have stories, but I think everything has a story. And someday I'd like to write down the history, the stories that this chair has. It might get passed on to one of my children and grandchildren and this beloved chair will share even more adventures with them. This chair may not have a voice but it has a special place in my heart.