writing room

sitting on our veranda in Zambia
thinking about new life back in Canada
reading writer's books on writing
dreaming, I jotted down the following:

what do I need in my writing space

• a window
• coffee mug - often full
• water
• computer
• pens and highlighters (not sure why if I'm not using paper)
• journals (answer to above)
• comfy work chair
• comfy reading chair
• favourite bible
• books
• dog

in this house, as we settle
no matter how temporary
I have all but the dog

in time, in time

dry

May draws quickly to an end

the ground is dry, cries

for the nourishment of rain

farmers fret, gardeners

itch to plant, flats of flowers

packets of seed, wait

surely there is a time

for new life

so too my spirit thirsts

for promised refreshment

let it rain, let it pour

soak us again 

until joy overflows

not even the cyclone

I have questions, wondering 

about what the next months, years will hold

and the One Who has the answers

gently speaks

Be still

yes, even in the storm

even in the rushing wind

abide in Me

and the cyclone cannot remove you

from My hand

only you, little one

can choose to walk out of My hand

and into the maelstrom

Remain in the place of safety

even if the world is banging on the door

your refuge is wherever I Am

and I Am everywhere

and always.

Come. Stay. 

transition

day had come

but the moon hung strong

in the western sky

the new coming

before the old surrenders

we stop here to breathe

in the middle

while the changes cross

behind and before us

budding new

beauty lives in the fading

as edges begin the slow 

curl, hiding brown decay

full glory has passed

but here, waiting

life is budding fresh

as the cycle continues

so too must I trust

the new thing

that will outshine the old

while my frayed edges

crumble in the breeze

extended light

the horizon cracks early

light splinters, spills

evenings extend long

as the sun tarries

unwilling to retire

I am misled

by years of the equality

of African days and nights

unable to read the hours

dinners are late

as we too,unwilling

to miss a moment

soak in the fullness of time

little things

It is the first days of our return

to rural Canada

a mix of jet lag, laughter

hugs, tears, confusion

and lack of words

yesterday our prodigal suitcases

six large bags, all we could carry

made their way home

exhausted as we unpacked

we rejoiced that nothing was lost

today we opened

the few boxes we had left here

what joy to be reunited

with familiar treasures

a quilt, jewellery box

baking pans

it is little things that lift us

and little things that trip us

and there is One standing strong

calm, all knowing

in the middle of it all

I am returning

to His feet

ever in place

the page has turned

we have arrived back in Canada

as I try to breathe

in the strangeness this morning

the Lord was waiting for me

before I could pick up my pen

if you know you are in Me

in My hands

then even in the rapid fire changes

you need not feel out of place

you are where I have you and hold you

in Africa, In Canada, anywhere

your home is in Me

stay here, do not move

without Me

where could you find more safety

or more peace?

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. 

[Live in Me, and I will live in you.] 

Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself 

without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, 

neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

John 14:4 Amplified

tears soften the view

through the blur of tears

there is the rainbow promise

time to move on

farewell Africa

Canada - here we come.

red footprints

in 2007, the door swung wide

for us to first step into Uganda

onto Africa's red dirt, warned 

how profoundly we would be 

changed, and we were

it took seven years to return

not to Uganda, but Zambia 

and in Malawi, our hearts 

found home

our future, never certain

is solid as air, God's plans

always a mystery, our feet 

will soon leave the continent

but long the dust will linger

in our hearts

Many plans are in a man’s mind, 

but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 Amplified