Snakes in the Grass

Garter snakes love the Meyer Creek area

I don't blame them, we love it too

We've walked this road many times yet I never tire of it

Watching Mike and Gabby walk ahead of me makes me feel this is prophetic somehow

The road is surrounded by country that speaks Montana with every breath

These are fair weather roads often scarred and rutted

Sometimes farmers use them but mostly it's untraveled and quiet

So...where are the snakes?

We found several actually

I've trained my kids which are harmless and which aren't...I'm glad they're not afraid to handle them

These Garter Snakes are mostly small

They are docile too

I think they're fascinating

We let them go near the creek and watch the sun begin to set

It's been a good day

A Thorny Proposition in Green Acres

Green valleys appear so peaceful

But I notice the growing things are tough

These things thrive because they can take diverse conditions

It can be very wet or very dry

Roads here often bear scars of passing off road vehicles

Who would consider green acres crucibles of affliction?

Pass here warily

For the first appearance may be deceiving

There's thorns among us

Follow the road though it curve and twist

Not all blossoms are friendly

In fact they can piece the skin when the unwise come in close

Yes other passed this way

But who knows their story?  What lessons can these markers give?

Temporary peace attached to circumstance is fleeting

Cling to the path near still waters for they lead to a deeper peace only God can give.

No Leaf Clover

There's a song by Metallica called No Leaf Clover.  It's a very cynical song saying that the light at the end of your tunnel is only a freight train coming your way.  I don't think things are really that bad but glib memes when you're struggling can certainly be more annoying than helpful.  Faith to me is more than positive reinforcement...it's essential to life.  Peace that God offers all too often passes understanding...we can have circumstances not conducive to peace but His peace surpasses circumstance.  Peace is like a mountain blossom in a sea of green grass

It's a bit of color in an unexpected place

It's plain to some...beautiful to me

God's peace is a precious thing

It's to be cherished

I found peace on the well named Stillwater area

Here silence is truly golden

The only sounds are wind and babbling brooks and wildlife

The mountains silent majesty testify of God

These lonely roads beckon

Will you notice the small treasures?

Or will life's troubles block your view?

Sunsets Before Sunrises

There's an order to life...a supernatural order that we often neglect to see because of familiarity perhaps.  I used to quietly despise such says as:  "It's always darkest before the dawn"  but lately it seems fitting

There's magic in dusks

Broad daylight never holds this mystery for me

There's seldom fear of natural darkness for me

Life's real costs hold far more challenges for me

There's times to find refuge outside of what we know and see every day

The next few blogs will give you a glimpse into our place like that where we go every year

This is where I often find the dawns I seek