born to bear

waiting in line

to receive a blanket

she not quite able to stand 

straight after countless years

of heavy work that begins

in early girlhood

carrying small loads

upon the head

developing neck strength

and courage

some weeks ago

before the storms

I woke with the words

African women 

are born

to bear burdens

the evidence is clear

in the way they tend to

children, families

in the way they love

in the way they pray

in the way they remain 

standing

still

 Be prepared. 

You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, 

so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.  

Ephesians 6:13 The Message

 

A Light Shining by Glynn Young

It seems I have been away from my life and day to day routines.

First came the mind wrenching month of November and the NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words. Yes, I met the deadline and the word count, just in time to begin a road trip to visit my mother in the Chicago area.

After more than two weeks away it was a delight to be home.  I would finally have time to get back to doing the things that need to be done around here.  And then...

I dove head first into the pages of Glynn Young's new novel A Light Shining and was swallowed up in the continuing story of Michael Kent and Sarah Hughes who I came to know in his first book Dancing Priest.

I dare not say too much fearing that I would spoil all the twists, turns and surprises that await a hungry reader.

You will find love.  You will find unexpected suspense.  And always you will find that the arm of God is never to short to save.

I do not know if there will be another book in the future that will continue or complete this tale, but I do know that I would surely welcome it.