"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."
Proverbs 24:12

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Just One Touch

The heaviness of silence.
I sit waiting.
Weary.
The pain sets in.
Trapped in a cage,
waiting to be set free.
 My body aches.
Immersed in the emptiness this world holds.
Trying to breath.
Gripped in hopelessness.
Drowning.

All I long to do.
All I want to be.
All on the other side of pain.
It crashes down on me,
like waves in the ocean,
sucking me under.
Helplessly I am tossed about.
Darkness surrounds me.

Yet as I open my eyes,
I see you.
Everything is dim and blurry,
except your face.
Gentle yet fierce.
Stronger than the waves that hold me captive.
I am at my end.
Longing.
Waiting for just one touch.
You reach out.
Offering a retreat of safety.

I whisper your name
and let go of all that holds me.
All that is in me is released.
Surrender.
Warmth melts the fear and
light floods out despair.
Freedom.
Joy.
Life.
Hope.
My earthly body remains but does not stop me.

In just one touch.
I am restored.
Loved.
Alive.
And I lift my arms.
In praise.
In victory.





Friday, April 21, 2017

Finding Hope



Hope. This morning started with the everyday grumbles and fighting mixed with laughter and hurrying to get ready. However, Meski came running back from feeding our bunny in distress- someone or some animal came back, tore open the cage and Louie is now gone too. As we expressed our feelings- anger, sadness and frustration, Meski looked up at our hope tree (planted in honor of our first baby that died before we got to hold her) and announced that it was growing leaves. And so we talked a bit about the hope we feel when the buds burst open in spring and the hope we have in life as children of God.  Hope, even when their hearts are torn in sadness and there is anger over something out of our control. Hope as we remember their Great grandpa who passed on from this world one year ago last night. Hope that we will see him and other dearly missed loved ones in glory one day. Hope that the Holy Spirit goes with us each and every day. Hope in a weary and broken world.  And the words from the hymn "Great is thy Faithfulness" comes to mind 
"...pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!"  


And, below is a song that reminds me to hold on to hope.  Life won't always be easy.  There are moments such as this mornings discovery of our missing bunny, that will bring sadness but are also learning moments to push forward, to grab onto hope, to Jesus, the anchor of my soul and the One who can carry me through. I'd love to protect my kids from sadness and pain, to fix their problems and the world around them, but I cannot. Nor would I be helping if I did fix everything or shield them from loss and struggles.
   
 

So in whatever you face today, may you too be filled with hope. 

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from him"
psalm 62:5

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Hope


My heart is heavy for the way our world is full of pain, suffering and evil. The bombings in Egypt that killed dozens of people and left over 100 injured on Palm Sunday is just one example. ISIS has claimed they are not only responsible for the bombing, but  in a video in February claim that Coptic Christians are "our priority and our preferred prey".  We are not made to live In the fear terrorism creates. The people killed were gathered to celebrate the coming of their King and Messiah, they were gathered in peace and worshiping. 
My prayer is the family and neighbors of the victims and each of us we will choose love over hate and fear and that we will grab onto truth instead of the dark lies that create fear and hate. Hope, even in a weary, broken and sin filled world.  Hope like the plants (in my photo above) that break through the ground and burst into new life as the sun warms the ground.  Hope because of Jesus.  Hope because he is no longer dead, no longer buried in the grave but alive. 

"Cast your cares on the LORD
And he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall. 
But you, o God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit or corruption;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
will not live out half their days.

But as for me, I trust in You"
Psalm 55:22+23