By Robin Hayburn Korf Wiley
I grew up with the maiden name of Hayburn until my Mom married my step-dad, Delmer Korf, back in 1971. From then on – he became “Dad” to my two sisters and I. When I was nine years old, he came into our lives, and we took his last name even though he never officially adopted us. He was a hard man to love sometimes, who grew up in the Depression, and rarely showed his emotions to others. Besides teaching us a very strong work ethic and how to value & save money, he introduced me to Jesus. I originally grew up Catholic but really did not know what this “God, Son, & Holy Spirit” thing was all about or that I could even have a relationship with this Trinity. I felt convicted around the age of twelve to give my life and heart to Christ when I stepped forward in the aisle at First Baptist Church of Weslaco back in 1974 (yes, now you can probably figure out my age!!).
Without going into too much family history (water under the bridge so to speak) – Delmer, “Dad”, was a very controlling person who made it known that it was “his way or the highway” growing up. Needless to say, my other two sisters were estranged from him for most of their adult lives until his passing back in 2014. I was not.
He and I kept in touch over the years by writing letters (snail mail!), and I kept them all. Yes, I too can be a “pack-rat” when I want to be! LOL. Delmer wrote poetry over the years and even self-published a book. He told me one time it was the Holy Spirit who gave him the words for his many poems, and his main goal with writing them was to share the story of Jesus with whoever read them.
I would like to share with you a few favorites of mine over this month’s Tuesday devotionals from me. He passed away at the ripe old age of 98 years, and I would guess he is still writing poems in paradise with our Savior! Enjoy!
The Eclipse of the Son
By Del Korf
Have you ever seen the sun get darkened
as the moon got in its way?
Have you ever wondered how this happens?
Well, it happens come what may.
Have you ever seen the stars so bright
before the clouds appear?
Some seem so very far away
while others seem so near.
Have you ever wondered, “What is wrong,”
when things seem never right?
And things seem never to ‘come around’
try anything we might.
The Son of God is always there
shining so full and bright.
If we let Satan have his way
he’ll block our shining light.
Satan strives to eclipse God’s Holy Light
to cause His Son to dim,
But we can turn this all around
by listening to only Him.
Who will keep our feet upon the Rock
that keeps us from all wrong?
When we take Jesus by His hand
our days are filled with song.
He will set our paths aright
and point us in His way,
we then will travel on His road
to live on eternally.
Has Satan blocked the Son from you
so that what ere you do or say
will please old Satan and his imps
and cause our Lord dismay?
If we have done our “homework”
by reading God’s holy Word
we’ll know that God has sent His Son
so that we could be restored.
We know that Satan will be blocked
for Jesus is our Light.
He will cleanse us from all sin
if we but trust His might!
Let’s not let Satan eclipse our Son
because the only one is Christ
who paid the price to save our soul,
and can say to us, “well done”!
Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is our light in this dark world. Help me to shine that light to others by sharing the story of Christ’s love, forgiveness and sacrifice on the cross. Help me to be more obedient to you in my daily walk. Bless this day before me. In Jesus holy name - Amen.