nature's old song

Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice,

 God's speaking from the whirlwind,

 nature's old song, and dance...

Annie Dillard

let me remain
silent, satisfied
in Him
let the wind blow
as it may
I will not be moved

sitting still with Sandy

 

tenacity

they take my breath

never failing

bright shining solid

gift from paradise 

this is not fragile beauty 

no, I am awed

by tenacity

I believe

 there is a lesson 

waiting here

 

settle in

Ask the world to reveal its quietude —

not the silence of machines when they are still,

but the true quiet by which birdsongs,

trees, bellworts, snails, clouds, storms

become what they are, and are nothing else.

Wendell Berry

in the center of the flood

grasping, gasping

may I find the still point

peace falling, as the dove 

Holy Spirit, settles in

for an extended stay

seeking the stillness with Sandy

love upturned

I felt a strange pull to listen to an old Suzanne Vega song, perhaps that which she was most known for.  In the lyrics to Luka she sings:

They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore

I was stopped, breathless
understanding the words 
in my own aching heart
in a way I never have before

why now?

I only pondered for a moment
before a deep knowing settled
for I can now add my name 
to the long list
of those who feel the sting
of the type of emotional abuse,
that leaves you shattered
tear-soaked, fragile
and uncertain if you are 
who you always thought you were

I made the temporary bed
in our place of refuge
this morning
without paying much attention
to the order of the throw pillows
not noticing I had allowed love
to be turned upside down

I have been blind
but my eyes are opening
what was taken, ripped away
is being restored
I was created, by His hand
the Master Designer
in His image
to love, as He loves

what the enemy has twisted
turned on edge
and used to harm me
is being restored
I have been claimed
reclaimed
and set free

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT



 

everything must change

day by day

we have watched
 the transformation

of a single rose

moving from glory

to glory

may it be unto us

the very same

as everything must change

 

new life for old

in the silence

the old fades

crumbles

falls away

yet something

new

springs forth

fresh, alive

and fragrant

stopping by to be quiet at Sandy's

 

rest, yes

we are away

for a time

of refocusing

refinement

and rest

without a vehicle

in an unfamiliar city

bowing low 

to be able receive care

from others

taking has not been easy

yesterday afternoon

I slipped, or tripped

and twisted my back

as pain spasms

the need for rest increases

and yet God Is

holding me, in control

pouring out His grace

saying yes

rest, yes

stay right here

at My feet

 

amid the razor wire

Today is a first! 

My beloved husband is guest posting here at Flickers.  

He has been moved by what his eyes have seen.

So, without delay, here's Rick!

Pretoria is a beautiful city.  Hilly, so challenging to walk.  But if you are able to walk there are a great many things to notice.  In the more prosperous areas the people love to have gardens with flowers, flowering trees, and rare, unique plants thriving in an area where anything grows.

However, practically everything is protected by either an electric fence or high fences topped with coils of razor wire and steel gates at the driveways!  Most homes also subscribe to the services of security businesses some of whom advertise that they respond armed.  Thus the homes are guarded and display ugly security system signs but there is still much beauty amid the razor wire.

 

reverse fade

 

tension and confusion

left cracks

in my spirit

the air grew thin

as light faded

harder each day

to inhale Him

but even as I was letting go

He held me strong

I grabbed hold

before all hope leaked away

 learning anew

 how to breathe

exhale anxiety

inhale peace

exhale defeat

inhale victory

exhale self

inhale Jesus

life, light and joy returning

not in drips 

now in cascades

 May the God of your hope 

so fill you with all joy and peace in believing 

[through the experience of your faith] 

that by the power of the Holy Spirit 

you may abound 

and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

Romans 15:13 Amplified

beauty strewn

beauty strewn

scattered, protected 

safety in the cracks

holding on to glory

not yet forgotten

As my glorious presence passes by, 

I’ll set you in a gap in the rock, 

and I’ll cover you with my hand until I've passed by

Exodus 33:22 CEB

 

I stand amazed

when I feel small

lost

uncertain

I open wide my eyes

humbled

amazed I stand

surrounded always

by His glory

His wondrous creation

small indeed

yet not lost

for I am found 

in Him

drinking in

Father

thank You

we are still before You

expecting

send refreshing

holy rain

to our thirsty souls

help us drink

to overflowing

returning to our source

over and again

as healing comes