At a Loss for Words...

I'm finding myself at a loss for words... and the funny thing is... it's okay...

Finding myself in the midst of Him, beyond the music - beyond the noise

Word of God speak; pour down like rain; washing my eyes to see Your majesty

Be still and know that You're in this place...

Please let me stay at rest in Your holiness...

All that I need is to be with You and in the quiet to hear Your voice...

Word of God speak; pour down like rain; washing my eyes to see Your majesty

Be still and know that You're in this place...

Please let me stay at rest in Your holiness...

I'm finding myself at a loss for words... and the funny thing is... it's okay!

sunrise thoughts 10 October 2015

The outside air was in the upper 30's, the sun was just cresting the horizon & our daughter laughed at me as I walked outside in PJ's, the LOML's oversized robe & waterproof boots to take pics of the sunrise. "You picked a hard one this year Mom", she quipped as she giggled.


Sunrise thoughts... seriously...

Today... It Should Be Snowing...

The emotions were too raw the day I wrote this. I could not bear to publish it on that day. But, today I find myself missing & thinking about that friend who went HOME on December 6th... and is now made whole...

Today is cool & rainy. But, given my mood... it should be snowing today. It feels like winter. I feel like I need to hibernate in my home and come back out in the spring. My heart is full of emotions as I just learned from a dear friend that she will be turned over to hospice care next week.

PAIRINGS - Robbed of Riches

My life's been so crazy lately. There's more to do that I can even imagine. My reading time and blogging time has suffered greatly. I thank God that I read a recent Ann Voskamp post today. I was, once again, reminded of something that I know down, deep inside. One of her quotes was a perfect match to the picture I captured a few days ago of a double rainbow :) 

6-2-14 stuckinindiana

There will continue to be losses here on earth. There will be days when we are shaken to the ground by such losses. There will be days when we cry out to God in our loss & grief.

But amid the losses, there is comfort in knowing...

"There isn't a loss on earth that can ever rob us of the riches our Lord has saved us for in Him." ~ Ann Voskamp 

PAIRINGS - A Place of Quiet Rest

I don't know about you... but, some days I really need a place of quiet rest. Today is one of those days for me. And, on such days, I'm reminded of the lyrics of an old beloved hymn. "Near To the Heart of God" was written by Cleland B. McAfee in 1903!!! I looked it up & it says that the inspiration for the lyrics came from the following promise -- one of my favorites:

Those who trust in the lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:11

I'm trusting that God will draw near to my spirit today & give me assurance that He is working on my behalf even on the rough days!!

The lyrics to NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD:

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

PAIRINGS - Beginning of the Day

Some mornings... it's best to remind myself that the promises of God are NEVER broken! I need some peace & assurance today. I am going to focus on His promises today & turn my cares and concerns over to God! Will you pray with me today?

"Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided!

Great is Thy faithfulness, LORD, unto me!" 

~ Great is Thy Faithfulness lyrics by Thomas Chisholm, 1925

"The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'" Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

PAIRINGS - Certainties in an Uncertain World

I got a message from a friend this morning that she'd sent in the night. My heart broke as I read her words. Did I miss seeing signs that this was happening in her life? Aside from prayer, what can I do for her all these miles away. I wrote back and sent her my love, my prayers and a number where she could reach me. I thought, "What can I do to really help!?!?!"

I sent a second note...

I am so sorry if I missed the signs of this... I'm praying earnestly for you now though!!! Words are cold & hollow in times like these. But, I am praying that you will find peace, comfort, safety & strength in the only LIVING WORD!!

I looked back upon the darkest times in my life and remembered the nights when God's Word brought comfort and the name of JESUS was all I could cry out when my heart was speechless.

For my friend... for all of us... as we fight the battle each day...

Who really wants to hear the words, "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows"? But, what a wonderful reminder of the future... in the words of Jesus, "Take heart, I have overcome this world."

So often there's nothing we can do to change things in this world. In those times, we must hold tightly to the certainty of the world to come!

Be encouraged friends! God completes what He starts!!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

That SATURDAY Feeling!

I've been thinking a lot about SATURDAY this week... it seems to get over-looked in the story of Easter. And, many people in this world are living in the "Saturday" right now -- feeling as though the "Saturday" will never end. There are so many things which plague us in this fallen world:

• grief
• shame
• poverty
• guilt
• loneliness
• insecurity
• despair
• pain (physical, emotional, etc.)
• human trafficking
• sorrow
• depression
• persecution
• loss

Many know that Sunday is coming... but aren't feeling it at all! Seasons of brokenness can feel overwhelming & without end. Times of hopelessness can nearly consume us. Grief & pain can break us down, robbing us of the strength we need for even the simplest things in life. Many things can make us afraid to take chances again or take another path. And, it's easy to allow our poor choices or weaknesses to cause us to begin believing we don't even deserve a better life. Often we can become so weary from the battle that we want to throw in the towel... and just give up. We want to cry out "it is finished" without a glimmer of hope.

I can't imagine how the SATURDAY after Christ's crucifixion must have felt to so many. It had to be a day of much anguish... questioning... fear. I wonder about those who'd stood by the side of Jesus as he spoke the words to bring Lazarus back to life... to bring the daughter of Jairus back to life. I wonder if those people even considered the possibility that their Lord could also come back to life? Or were they overwhelmed with the knowledge of what was at that very moment. There was a separation on that day. And, that separation was horrible. 

I was able to capture this photo during the Good Friday service at
my church which was lead by Alanna Story.
What a blessing that service was!!

YES... I've been thinking a lot about SATURDAY this week... and about how so many people in this world are living in the "Saturday" right now. May our hearts be moved to walk alongside those who are going through that "Saturday" feeling.

"They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip and kill him, but after 3 days he will rise again." Mark 10:34

#JoyDare No. 2497. reflecting on SATURDAY

Cries in the Darkness

I've written before about a song by Christa Wells with lyrics which seem as if they were drawn from my life. Here are a few lines that I've lived...

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

You’re gonna soak the pillow for many weeks

You’re gonna cry Why? Why me?

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep 

‘cause for the moment all that you can see

Is what you’ve lost... lost... Why me? 

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

A thousand miracles you’ll have to wait and see...

A Thousand Things - Christa Wells

When my heart cries out in the darkness to God, I often speak the words...

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8

In the past five years, I've prayed that prayer many times. I hope I've done my share of crying out in the darkness - the physical darkness of night & the darkness which envelops me in times of trouble! There have been times when I was physically exhausted from crying to the Lord & many times when I've fallen asleep while claiming the promise that there will be word of God's unfailing love in the morning.

Regardless of what life brings into your path... don't hesitate to cry out to God in the darkness & remember to claim the promise that morning light will bring word of His unfailing, faithful love!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

PAIRINGS - Lamentations 3:23

Do you ever feel like you don't have the strength to face another day? I've had plenty of those days! And, I cry out to God for strength & mercy. Every morning, He's there waiting for me with new strength. I must admit, it's one of my favorite parts of being a follower of Christ for me. I tend to depend heavily upon God for each day's strength!

Have you ever thought things like this though? 

I wish they'd get what they deserve! 

Why can't they wake up in the morning & get what they deserve!

What if I got what I deserved for the choices I've made? That's another question!! As a Christian I'm thankful for the gifts which come from God. But, I need to be reminded that God gives those gifts FREELY to all.

God's word tells us...

"The faithful love of the lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:22-23

Used in...
Every Morning... A New Start! 
I Wish They'd Get What They Deserve!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Our Failures, Flesh & Faults

In keeping with my latest little passion, I've been going through my photos and pairing them with quotes & scriptures. I've bookmarked favorite verses and saved favorite quotes for years now. I've been an overly picky photographer for years too -- always trying to get the perfect angle or picture composition & balance. I wouldn't saying I've succeeded in becoming an accomplished photographer. But, I've certainly ended up with a multitude of photographs!!

Early this morning I read a quote I'd saved out of Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. I had lovingly placed it on my Favorite Quotes List when it jumped off the page at me 3 years ago! I've returned to read it on many occasions in the past few years. Today it jumped at me again :)

"Your Father is bigger than your failures, your flesh and your faults!" ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

Yes LORD... I am claiming those promises this morning!!! There's something about me that says I contribute to my failures & faults... but, what about my flesh when I'm doing the absolute best I can in this time? My flesh is weak from this most recent season. I've been "pitching in" a little more than usual lately. Our daughter has been working diligently on her senior show... while completing the last semester before she earns her Bachelor of Art's degree... while still working part-time at a day care center AND caring for her 14-month old. 

OOPS, A BREAK... I'm back again - after a full morning with our little Princess after her Mommy headed out to school. The kitchen is still a mess but, I've seen it worse. It's 11:30am & I just rocked our little sweet one to sleep for a nap. I should probably eat something...

The LOML brought me coffee early this morning when the only ones awake were the two of us. Does coffee with real cream count as food? Then I hit the floor running (after a novice runner!) when she awoke -- fixing breakfast for her, cleaning her up, picking out an adorable outfit from the wonderful clothes we've been given. (Have I mentioned that I love hand-me-downs.) I wolfed down a Reese peanut butter egg & a large glass of milk for breakfast. I followed that almost immediately with a cold piece of pizza & a glass of juice. Does that satisfy the food groups for breakfast & lunch? I don't normally eat like this. But, sometimes in the recent weeks, I've almost forgotten to eat or opted for rest over food :)

AND, YET AGAIN, ANOTHER BREAK... someone is teething & getting over a little stomach virus from this past weekend. The nap lasted less than an hour. And, then our little red-head didn't want to do anything apart from her DeeDee's arms - which happen to be perfectly formed. I lugged her around as I cleared a table of dishes which should have been put away months ago. I sang to her... rocked her... attempted to wash a few dishes with her attached to my hip...

I could go on but, I'll spare you all the details. When I look at the way life is going for me lately, I doesn't make any sense that I should stay healthy in this cold & flu season. I'm not eating well. I'm not sleeping well. I'm not getting as much exercise as I should. Everything points to a total physical collapse... 

     everything... 

            BUT GOD!

I have a peace in my spirit - feeling as though this season is just where He wants me. It's a season where I am reminded that He who carries us, carries us in all the times. He's our strength, whether we acknowledge it or not, when life is waltzing along perfectly. And, He's our strength in the times when it makes no sense that would would have any strength.

TODAY I'm thanking God for His faithful loving kindness & lavish provision... and His reminder through Ann's words...

"Your Father is bigger than your failures, your flesh and your faults!" ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

God's TWO FOR ONE Sale - Happening Now...

God's TWO FOR ONE SALE - Happening Now!

God's TWO FOR ONE Sale is happening now 

... in a town near you

... actually IN your town

... actually IN your home

... actually IN YOUR LIFE!

As I've mentioned in other posts, I get a few devotionals in my email inbox daily which I read & meditate upon. One that I subscribed to recently isn't really a devotional as much as just a scripture from God's Word. Each morning I wake up to see a Bible verse from K-Love Radio waiting for me. They have it formatted so that it's easily shared via Twitter & Facebook and so that you can actually view it in context in the Bible. It's amazing how many times the scripture chosen hits me right square between the eyes. 

The one shared this morning summarized how I am feeling today after my GLORY DAY yesterday (CHECK BACK FOR THAT POST - IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS TODAY). I just had to match the scripture they shared with a picture of the sky that I took on a lovely August evening last summer. That seems to be my thing lately :) Here's what greeted me in my Inbox today from K-Love:

"Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles." Zechariah 9:12 NLT

I'm one of those strange women who does NOT enjoy shopping - you know, sometimes I hear voices! But, seriously... who can resist two good items for the price of one!?!?! 

Thank you LORD... for one of the best ever two for one promises!! 

What a blessing to see it today!!

My #JoyDare No. 2411. God's TWO FOR ONE Sale :)

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Morn Shall Tearless Be

Photo credit T. Getz

"Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth."  Genesis 9:12-13 

A few initial facts: 

• ... my parents played music on the record player (yeah, I'm that old) as my sisters & I were going to sleep most nights
• ... I am viscerally moved by music & lyrics - comforted in times of pain, encouraged in times of uncertainty, quieted in times of turmoil, etc.
• ... when music is paired with TRUTH, I'm often -- undone
• ... I look for ways to get as much music as possible in my normal day-to-day life 

I have a smart-phone and choose songs from my playlist instead of alarm tones for almost ALL of my alarms -- especially the alarms for waking up! My most frequently chosen song for my wake-up alarm is "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go." The version that is on my phone (and iPod) is the one recorded by Bryan Duncan on "Quiet Prayers" which was released in the "My Utmost for His Highest" CD set. Now that we have a little one living in our household, she gets to hear that song a lot.

At various seasons of life, certain stanzas of that song pop out to me. Since I've battled depression & anxiety most of my life, I'd have to say that the following stanza is probably my all time favorite:

Oh JOY that seekest me through pain 

I cannot close my heart to Thee

I trace the rainbow through the rain

And feel the promise is not vain that morn' shall tearless be

I just love the image of JOY seeking me -- no matter what is happening in my life. I have felt that JOY seek me when I have been hiding in my pain. It's something that has helped me go on when I've felt there's no way I could. How did someone come up with those words that bring me to my knees filling me with strength, hope & peace?

George Matheson wrote the lyrics in 1882 and said this about the song:

My hymn was com­posed in the manse of In­ne­lan [Ar­gyle­shire, Scot­land] on the ev­en­ing of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at that time. It was the night of my sister’s mar­ri­age, and the rest of the fam­i­ly were stay­ing over­night in Glas­gow. Some­thing hap­pened to me, which was known only to my­self, and which caused me the most se­vere men­tal suf­fer­ing. The hymn was the fruit of that suf­fer­ing. It was the quick­est bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the im­press­ion of hav­ing it dic­tat­ed to me by some in­ward voice ra­ther than of work­ing it out my­self. I am quite sure that the whole work was com­plet­ed in five min­utes, and equal­ly sure that it ne­ver re­ceived at my hands any re­touch­ing or cor­rect­ion. I have no na­tur­al gift of rhy­thm. All the other vers­es I have ever writ­ten are man­u­fact­ured ar­ti­cles; this came like a day­spring from on high.

Some nights I lay awake & ask the hard questions of God. He whispers to me, "Sleep my child. I am at work on these things." Some mornings I awake & my eyes begin to fill with tears as I remember the struggles I face or the struggles faced by ones I hold close to my heart. God whispers to me & reminds me that He is at work in all of it - even now. In the times my mind questions... may my heart speak the words of the Psalmist:

"I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me." Psalm 13:5 

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go... sung by the Gaither Vocal Band:

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow; May richer, fuller be. 

O light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day; May brighter, fairer be. 

O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be. 

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red; Life that shall endless be.

 

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

 

In A Moment

Today I awoke with a yearning to be by myself - just me & God for some quiet time. I imagined myself looking out from the side of a tall mountain - just admiring God's beauty from that perch. I opted to miss a wonderful weekly gathering of women at our church - a Bible study called RefresHer. I'm ministered to by being there. But, the yearning to be silent won out. And, I began to talk with God... and write.

I'm feeling a bit withdrawn today... thinking about friends with whom I've lost touch... some due to long distances between us in location... others due to reasons I do not understand. I'm missing ones who've gone on to be with God.

I've begun 4 posts already today -- each with words spilling out from my heart almost faster than I can type them. I've limited my time online and checked only from time to time for specific things. As I hopped over to Facebook to copy one of my pics to use for a post I'd begun, the top status in the feed was from a young woman of God in our church...

California Baptist sang this song at my church two years ago. Gives me chills every time! He's making all things new!

I clicked on the YouTube link provided. I listened and, I worshiped. I was refreshed, renewed, encouraged. I was challenged to let people see my story... to proclaim where I find my strength & hope.

It's a 6-minute video. But, if you're weary, hurting or seeking help today, take a listen. If you long to be with loved ones who've gone on, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of His promises, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of that day when all things are made new, take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO2vFbYY8qw

Here are the lyrics taken from In A Moment by Rebecca St. James & as it's sung by the California Baptist University choir:

In a moment everyone falls silent to hear the mighty trumpet split the eastern sky.
Just imagine, the King of all creation riding through the heavens returning for His bride.

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring.
Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

All the broken, they're no longer broken as they dance before Him a radiant debut. 
And the lion walks beside the lamb and all is well again. He's making all things new. 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria!

Sing Glory, Sing Glory, Sing Gloria!

Gloria, Sing Gloria!
Hear the sound of the crowd sing Gloria!

Face down, on the ground, sing Gloria! 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

In a moment everyone falls silent.

All is well again.

He's making all things new.

I'm encouraged by this song & God's Word... promising brokenness being replaced with dancing... promising the lion & the lamb walking side by side... promising overwhelming awe, JOY & celebration!

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8

Here are some promises that will NEVER be broken:

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life." Revelation 22:17

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

HOPE, Angels Watching Over Us 10-30-13

When my children were babies, I would sing them to sleep with several songs. One of my favorite songs back then is being sung a lot in my home again these days. I'm not even sure where I learned it. But, here's how I sing it:

All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord, 

All night, all day, angels watching over me. 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

Angels watching over me, my Lord.

Pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Angels watching over me. 

All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord.

All night, all day, angels watching over me.

If I should die before I wake,

Angels watching over me, my Lord.

Pray the Lord my soul to take,

Angels watching over me.

All night, all day, angels watching over me my Lord.

All night, all day, angels watching over me.

Those are comforting words - knowing that the Lord's angels are watching over us around the clock.

Our first child was a girl - whom, at some point, I began calling Angel. She's almost 24 now & I can still be heard calling her Angel from time to time. Over the years, I have given her a few angel figurines & gotten a few for myself. I'm always reminded of the promises of God when I see angels. They are with us, watching over us, wherever we go!!

"He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go." Psalm 91:11 NCV

And, I am so touched by the love of the Father for children:

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” Matthew 18:10 NLT

I believe that God has angels watching over each of us. The Bible tells of how they protect us, encourage us, guide us... all at the direction of God.

When I think of the day I'll be a part of the celebration in heaven, my heart leaps with joy...

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12 NIV

Linking October 2013 with The Nesting Place

 for the 31-day Challenge

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

Spring in February?

photo by T. Getz

There are some wonderful hints of SPRING today even in the middle of February...

the fresh smell of the air, 

the warmth of the bright sun, 

seeing the grass (even though it's brown), 

a few birds singing...

What a blessing to see hint of the coming spring in the months of the year where we, in Indiana, know that SNOW is just a cloud away.  

Sometimes the HINT of something good gives us strength to face the day. And, lest we forget the origin of all blessings... all joys... Is it due to our hard work or our efforts?

"Neither he who plants is anything,

nor he who waters,

but God who gives the increase."

1 Corinthians 3:7

Another translation says, 

"It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow." NLT  

We can play a part in God's plans. We need to play a part in His plans, as He directs. What we must recognize is that the value of OUR help comes from being used by God to bring His plans about.

My Darkest Days

My darkest days were those when I hid behind my shame.

I fled from community & into the arms of solitude.

I reasoned that I was alone in my struggle... that it was a struggle of the unworthy, of the weak, of the lost.

In those darkest of days I sought to be healed but, refused any human help!

I believed in God's power of healing but... I would only accept His complete healing... on my own terms.

He would have to heal me quietly -- without the knowledge or involvement of others.

They say that when something hurts you enough... that then, and only then, will you truly change.

When the struggle's worn you down for countless hours, weeks, months, years... how can strength to begin such a change be found? And, what's the source of that kind of strength?

The strongest chord of a strand is the deepest one. When all the others unravel, the strongest remains. The chord that ties us to the eternal. The chord that binds us to the source of of all strength.

Light began to dawn the moment I stepped out from behind my shame & said,

• "God, I will accept Your healing on Your terms."

• "I will allow others to see my wounds."

• "I will no longer define what is unworthy, weak, lost..."

• "I will trust in the chord at the center of my being that can never be severed by this world or the powers below."

I cling tenaciously and with complete hope & acceptance of this promise...

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." 

Philippians 1:6

When Dreams Die

"Yes, it is cancer."
     "We are getting divorced."
          "It's time to turn him/her over to hospice care."
               "The baby didn't make it."

When you hear words you prayed you'd never hear... 

and you have no idea what to say when you pray... 

and you can't possibly conceive how good can come from "this". 

When you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and never leave home... and never utter a sound beyond the walls of your mind. 

When you feel the pain in a loved one's heart but, have no comfort to give... and see the hopelessness in the eyes of another but are no longer regarded as a source of hope by that loved one. 

When dreams are shattered... when dreams die... hope can only be found in resurrection -- new life, after death. Hope can only be felt if you believe in & expectantly look for miracles. 

When you are stubborn in believing in & expecting miracles, you wrap yourself in the blanket...

of God's love...

and, you wait... expectantly!

photo by T. Getz

Shared with the Ann Voskamp Community on Wednesday, 9/19/12