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

 

sleep in the mist

mist is heavy

thick in sun's first light

mothers bend low

tending to fields

keeping babies close

secure enough to rest deep

can we find such peace

in His presence

even as we labor?

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace 

whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, 

because he commits himself to You, leans on You, 

and hopes confidently in You.

Isaiah 26:3 Amplified

 

ever awed

clouds shape shifting

as rain teases

while I watch

again lost

awed

silenced

still

quietly stopping by at Sandy's place