Turning Tide

Recently I felt that.  For no natural reason...no circumstance I can point to things feel different.  I can only attribute this to faith and prayer.  It's been a very dark month now for us.  Times like this try your soul they say.  Sometimes I wondered if it would be the twilight of my life

Some things hurt so bad that you wonder if it will kill you

These bruised and bleeding skies reminded me of my heart

But somehow God assures me this isn't the end of me

I'll live and not die

and declare the works of the Lord

See things in a new light

It makes so much difference...almost cartoon-like

A new dawn is approaching

The Eye of the Storm

That's where I believe I am.  You see that storm approaching and you know it's bad.

Rough seas ahead and there's nothing to stop its approach.

You know your world will be rocked and your faith tested.

You cling to the island of peace as though for dear life.

Anticipation and the fear of the unknown grip the heart.

Finally a the last peace before the maelstrom.

The fury is breathtaking.

Then as quickly as that it's fury seems spent.

You know it's over but how sweet this respite.

Few storm relics remain

We look out waiting for the next onslaught.

Soon the other half will be here

Prepare...it's not yet over.

Life in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

We all hit valley's and they often are places of intimidation and require decisions on our part.  These places can seem to have way out but if you look up you may see beauty you didn't expect even here

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger?  I think that's not something that just happens...you must decide to live and be stronger.  Clouds make a better sunset you might say

You can't stop the setting of the sun but you can appreciate it's beauty knowing the sun will rise again

Emotions spasm, circumstances change, people betray but truth is truth

Truth bends for no one...it's universal and unavoidable so we must align with it.  See the aphids and ignore the ladybug and risk being negative

As for me I choose the sunny face of truth

Fiery Darts & Still Waters

I'm a day late posting...hopefully not a dollar short.  Our family is going through a crisis...plain and simple.  Those times come to us all.  Like smoke from the fires in summer

The smoke can sting the eyes and cloud the vision.  There's bright spots of peace to be found but you must be willing to look for it

Smoke lets you know there's fire

But it doesn't have bring only misery

Right now in our difficulty the bright point of God's mercy and comfort warm me.  The kids...oh how thankful I am for them.  My son returned from driver's ed.  and saw a large bull frog in the middle of the road.  we brought him home to show Gabby

Biggest I've seen around here.  We took one more picture before releasing him in the pond

Little simple flowers caught my eye and somehow brightened my personal darkness

Even thistles have their beauty

Subtle purples

This is simple pleasure but it fuels peace.  Like a flicker of faith in desperate need the morning sun kissed this flower

May our light so shine.