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
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 …
How to Wait on the Faithfulness of God
The earth lay silent, still covered in snow now frozen from last week’s storm. Darkness hovered, waiting on the morning light. I waited also … on the sunrise, but I was also learning how to wait on the faithfulness of God.
Sitting by the window, morning coffee in hand, I waited … anticipated … looked for the rising of the sun with its glorious shades of apricot and lavender.
Open My Ears Lord. I Can’t Hear Because of the Noise
Lord, You never slumber, nor sleep. And I’ve learned that Your eyes roam to and fro across the earth seeking after those who love You and need to be encouraged. I know You’re trying to comfort me, to lead me, to give me peace, but I can’t hear You. Open my ears Lord, there’s too much noise distracting me.
I am amazed how You pursue Your children with Your love.
Crackling Sound of Leaves. Were The Trees Clapping?
I walked beneath the pine canopy that rises above our country road. Boughs of oak limbs stretched into the arch above me, making themselves known among the evergreens. Aged split-railed fencing, silvered by the sun, ran alongside the road. I heard a sound and paused. A crackling sound of leaves behind me caught my attention. It seemed almost rhythmic.
Turning, I witnessed an amazing sight — hundreds of leaves in shades of burgundy and brown twirling and swirling to the ground. The crackling sound was heard as they bounced from limb to limb and then landed on the road below.