When pressing upon me, the world appears, to express from my lungs a song
May divine word spring forth in melody rising far above the fall
Photography
Running Clothes
Bring me to the place where nothing else matters
Where all I need is you
Where nothing else satisfies
Make me hungry
I take my fill and want for more
I cannot exhaust the spring from which the water flows
I run toward the source of my comfort
I escape the need for comfort knowing peace is given at the hand of the maker
My meat is to do his will
I’ll bring to you the tattered rags of my righteousness
The frayed edges of my accomplishments
And watch you smile and tell me that you aren’t after my clothes
You are after my heart
You want to watch me run
So I will run hard and know that you are smiling
Your smile is all that matters
Listen
The same phrase keeps resonating in my head this week, “Have you finished doing the last thing God asked you to do?” I’m thinking the answer is probably “no” but I can’t remember the last thing he asked me to do, which makes me realize I’m not listening as well as I think I am, which makes me resolve to tune in today, which makes me a better person, which makes the world a little bit better.
Peace
I’ve been looking for you all week. My souls been craving that moment of still when all is right and the soul is breathing as it listens to creation singing softly songs of praise.
Today, I found you in the rhythm of the waves.
The View from Above
What’s the view like from up there? I often marvel at the way you can love us with such depth despite the messes we’ve made. The problem of pain exists only because we seek to blame you for the bad without crediting you for the good. You see us reeling from the consequences of sin. Destruction, pain, sickness, tragedy abounds casting shadow on the weary hearts you seek to save. You call to us with the answer, with comfort, with peace beyond description and we accuse. “How can a God of love allow such tragedy?”
“For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)
We look at things so narrowly. All we see are the steep rocks around us and we fear we cannot make it through. We forget that you always clear a path. You never ask us to cross without making a way before us. Yet so often we turn back thinking it’s too hard so you must not be in it. There must be a wider opening that will lead us to the same destination. Still, you’re faithful to scoop us back up and lead us back where we belong. We must look so silly to you sometimes. Yet you love us immensely. You make a safe place for us in the cleft of the rock. You allow us to rest in your presence.
I can’t help but remember today how evil men caused our hearts so much sorrow. The problem with pain is that bad things still happen to good people. “For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45 NKJV)
I don’t claim to have all the answers but I know this, God is still good even when we aren’t. God is still there even when we can’t see him. God still loves even when hate seems to win. Just as the towers falling couldn’t break the spirit of a people, circumstances cannot change the immutable goodness of God. As we remember this day, let us not forget the one who holds us and looks upon us with abundant love, abounding mercy and infinite greatness. He sees us lovely.
What’s the view like from up there? Do you see us looking up? Lend us your smile and wrap us up in your peace today.
My Own Private Jungle
It’s been a whirlwind of a week. School’s back in session. The big kids started last Monday while the littlest guy comes to work everyday with me. I’ve been back at work for several weeks now since having the baby. Honestly, I didn’t really take a maternity leave at all. I stayed away from the office for about a week and a half, all the while answering calls and questions from home, then packed baby man up and headed in. I’m so thankful that having the baby with me at work is an option. I realize that I am blessed abundantly!
Still, I’d cut back on my hours of actual office time. I’ve been working from home a little more and also reminding myself that the world will not end if I don’t accomplish everything in one day. For some reason when school started on Monday, it felt like my (imagined) maternity leave was over. My hectic schedule is back in full swing. I’m busy with backpacks and lunch boxes and drop off and pick up. Now I’ve got diaper bags and feeding schedules and an infant screaming in car-rider line added to the mix. I know many of you can relate to this.
Let’s face it, life can get a bit chaotic from time to time. Yet, somehow in the midst of this, we are expected to dig deep and pull out the gifts within us and do something great with them. For years, I shelved most of my writing. I didn’t bother sharing many of my original songs because I knew I wouldn’t have time to invest in finishing them and performing them. I allowed the chaos to overtake me.
Thankfully I’ve learned that the only way I can truly live is to dig deep. All those things I shelved for later are the very things that bring me peace today. A life of order and balance includes our passions. If we don’t allow our passions the fuel and air they need, we will suffocate beneath the weight of the mundane.
This week, in the midst of the hectic, I took a few seconds to breathe, to write, to pray, to snap a picture or two in the yard. I am alive and free. Don’t let the jungle swallow your soul. Let your soul be the soil for beauty to flourish.
On Days When I Have No Words
Into the woods
Walk on…
This way…
Growth
Your turn
Give me love
Fortress
II Samuel 22:2 ““The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer“
There are days when my strength deceives me
I can manufacture the ability to stand my ground
I can rely on myself or those around me wrapped in skin
I grow tired
There are days the wind blows hard
I fight against it
I climb
I stumble
I fall
You pick me up and hide me in the cleft of the rock
Safe in your fortress, I surrender
I find rest
My back aches, my feet are tired and I am weary
Carry me
Flyboy
Flyboy finds a shell and sends it soaring helpless into the surf. He knows he can cause it to skip and skim instead of sink. When it disappears deep, he finds another and begins again, each time adjusting his angle, the spin of his wrist, the speed and thrust.
Finally, he looks up to Dad for an example. As the shell, gracefully leaves his hands, Flyboy watches with wonder as it jumps three times before falling deep.
Flyboy believes he can be just like daddy. He sees shell skipping on water in his mind and knows he can do it. Frustration is short-lived and only causes him to look up for instruction.
I pray I look at life just like Flyboy…knowing I can do anything…knowing when I’m sinking, I can look up. I pray I never lose the wonder of what surrounds me. I pray I always remember that I can fly. 
An Angel in Sock Monkey Slippers
She’s an angel in sock monkey slippers.
Her smile amazes me.
She sees the world in color without fear of what others may see.
She’s come along way since her little blond curls and her belief that apples made her superman.
She’s stronger than most and wiser than her peers.
She’s brilliant and discerning.
She’s conquering her fears.
She’s an angel in sock monkey slippers looking for the right angle.
I love her determined focus when she sees an opportunity.
I love her sense of humor, her integrity, the sound of her laughter.
I’m very proud of the young woman she’s becoming.
She’s my angel in sock monkey slippers.
We can drive each other mad at times.
Still, I love our time together, fake accents and spontaneous singing.
I love talking with her about random things.
I love that I get to be her mom.
Dream on Sock Monkey!
INSPIRED BY THE COMFORTER 