Fullness of Time

Beth (left), Daddy (center), Meg (right)

Daddy went home to heaven 50 years ago on this December day. 

I was 14 and Meg was 17. We talk about him a lot and even wonder how the two of us might continue to “flesh out” some of his visions and dreams. He was full of them. Daddy was the oldest of 10 children and played the clarinet. The Burkhalters loved music, and some of our fondest memories are gatherings around the piano listening to Aunt Libby and Aunt Glennie play their joyous duets. I can see his face as he soaked it all up. 

Meg and I sat together on her back porch the other day. We’ve said we need weekly sister “dream meetings” at least every week. There was a song she wanted me to hear that made her think of Daddy and his clarinet. ( The link is attached to this post.) Heaven and earth touched that day on her porch. As we listened, I could see him as clear as day. He was wearing a crisp white dress shirt, black slacks and polished black shoes. He looked so classy, relaxed and at ease. Just him and Meg and me were there that warm December afternoon. With no words and only an instrumental piece, he was affirming us and our “beyond what we could ask or think” dreams.

We’ve wondered about all the adventures and creative undertakings we have wished would come to pass that seem to have instead passed us by. But that afternoon there was a “what if ?”What if nothing has passed us by? What if all the years leading until now have been preparation for this very time? What if Daddy came with his song to give us a nod and a yes from heaven….

2000 plus years ago, there was a “fullness of time.” A 15 year old girl had a heavenly visitation, that with her “yes” would change her life and change the world forever. Galatians 4:4 says, “ But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman….” This may be a fullness of time for us, and for you. The dreams and ideas that God Himself has planted in your “womb” are ready to be born. Age obviously doesn’t matter to God. That’s beside the point. Mary was 15. Sarah was in her 90’s. God had world changing birthings in mind and needed a “yes”. It’s a fullness of time in the earth, and heaven is playing a song just for you. It’s a song that will stir your heart and awaken your perhaps forgotten dreams. Awaken to those dreams again. It’s time and it’s full.

P.S. I have a musician neighbor who I adore. I asked him what instrument was being played by Jamie Reid. He said it’s a soprano saxophone and sounds much like a b flat clarinet. 

Thank you, John Smart. I love you and Emilie.

Don Burkhalter (far left) with his high school orchestra