Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
Spring Up, O Well. I Know You’re There ~ Prayer
Lord, even though You are my peace, my sure place, the One who orders my steps … I find myself overwhelmed. I need You to spring up, O well.
I recognize I’m trying to do everything myself, in my own strength, in my own way. That’s where the problem is, isn’t it? That’s why I’m dry and parched — thirsty for Your living water.
Rain Was Coming. So Was Grace … a Brook of Blessing
I rounded the curve along the meadow’s edge, pressing into the blustery breeze. Dark clouds hovered overhead as treetops swayed to the rhythm of the wind. Rain was coming.
I pulled the collar of my jacket a little tighter.
Sometimes a girl just has to press in, keep one foot stepping in front of the other, and move forward.
Even when it’s difficult.
Make Me Holy Lord, But Pruning Sheers?
Lord, You search my heart and know all of my anxious thoughts, restless thoughts — thoughts that are not of You. Some days I’m just a mess. But deep inside, way down in my heart, I yearn to be holy as You are holy. Will You make me holy as You said? Will You transform me into the likeness of Christ?
Lord, You search my heart and know all of my anxious thoughts, restless thoughts — thoughts that are not of You. Some days I’m just a mess. But deep inside, way down in my heart, I yearn to be holy as You are holy. Will You make me holy as You said? Will You transform me into the likeness of Christ?
But those pruning sheers!
The Delicate Light Illuminating Tear-Stained Praise
A songbird perched in the stark branches of the old apple tree, winter still clinging, branches still bare. Her melody rang across the frost-laden earth, warming the atmosphere. A golden halo of sunrise lit up the crest of our mountain ridge with an amber glow and slowly spread across the forest, down the slope and grazed the top of the apple tree — the delicate light illuminating her feathers.
Light and song.
Winter awaiting spring.
For surely spring will come, hope will rebound across this land.
You Are My Shield God, But That Flaming Arrow Hurt
Lord, You are my light in the darkness, my song in the night. You are my shield God, but that flaming arrow that grazed me hurt.
I don’t know how it got past Your protection, but it did.
Oh wait …
I forgot to put on my armor today.
Change is Coming. It’s Inevitable. But God …
Change is coming. It’s inevitable. Some change brings hope, like the budding on our apple tree. But some change brings fear — fear of the unknown, fear of the difficult, fear of the challenge.
As I watch the cardinal and sparrow at my birdfeeder, the chickadees flitting in and out, I wonder … I wonder how they live in the now so beautifully, how they keep on singing, how they hop from branch to branch incessantly with apparent glee as they wait for their turn at the feeder.
Come on Sunshine! You Promise Joy in the Morning Lord
Lord, many of Your people are heavy-laden. A spirit of heaviness has fallen across our land, and perhaps the world. But I know You draw near to those who are crushed in spirit. You promise that joy comes in the morning, that weeping may endure for the night, but Your faithfulness will awaken the dawn. Come on sunshine!
With expectant hope I anticipate Your deliverance from the deception and depravity of mankind that is everywhere.
The Beginning and End I knew Not, But God …
I relaxed on the gentle slope alongside the river flowing through the mountain valley. Cupping my knees with my arms, I looked out across the liquid ribbon streaming in front of me — its beginning and end I knew not.
Its Creator, though, I know well.
Run the Race with Endurance You Say, but Mercy Goodness!
Lord, I know with You all things are possible. I know You are my strength consuming my weakness when I cry out to You. I also know You lead me in the ways I should go, expecting me to run the race with endurance.
But mercy goodness!
Sometimes that is very difficult. Some days I want to hide under a rock …