rainless storm

rain threatened all afternoon

skies darkened in layers

the wind grew fierce

reversing waves, chasing

water away from shore

later, when stillness fell

sun blazed beneath the clouds

teach me to wait

for the promise of glory

psalm 35

psalm 35

so much time adrift

leaves my heart breathless

in the least predictable of winds

sails shape shifting

losing ground, dizzy

I have an anchor

held close and tight

my rock, strength

all that is solid and safe

but useless in my hand

I must let it go, release

the full weight of it

so it may sink deep and hold

in all that is true

all that Is You

psalm 19

psalm 19

only You, one hand raised

can calm this storm

only You, silent, still

can speak all things

only You, Lord and King

can Master me

only You

Waiting for a storm

Hot winds blowing strong
how long
before a storm moves in?

Branches almost sweeping ground
how soon
before the sound of cracking?

Safe but almost numb inside
how deep
this restless need to fly

Humidity haze honey thick
how long, how soon, how deep 
will fall the rain?


 

Waiting for the storm

It feels like the sky should burst
yet the sun returns again and again
this afternoon
waiting for a storm to arrive
static in the still heat
cracking as tension piles on tension
chaos just around the corner

I would perhaps
prefer the rain
the threats of large, damaging hail
to this holding on the edge

It feels like life should break wide open
yet normal returns again and again

I need not look for faces in the clouds
knowing He Is there. seen or unseen
all of this
in His mighty hands

 

April ends

Rick has seedlings growing in his basement planting room.  The yard was beginning to turn a welcome shade of green.  The mornings dawn fast and evening light lingers long.  Tomorrow we welcome in the month of May.  And just when we thought it might be safe to think about Spring...

Who says our God has no sense of humour?

We lost power in the storm at 3 this morning as did most of the towns surrounding us. I Recalled that many have been moved out of their houses due to floods, and more lost everything in storms down South.  So as I sat missing coffee and heat, assuming we might not be restored for days, I chose to thank God for our home.

I also remind myself, again and again - I chose to live here.

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT

Small waves

Reports for home list roads closed, freezing rain and blowing snow.

We walked on the beach this afternoon, where though there is still snow piled up in spots, looking much like dirty rocks, it felt as is we had truly gone South.

It looked much more like the Carolina seacoast than the suburban shore of Lake Michigan.

Small waves compared to the tsunami today.  Prayers extended for all who mourn, struggle and fear.

I hold fast to the truth that God knows.

Refresh Restore. Renew.

The winds again beat against our windows; create havoc with the large, low wind chimes that hang from the front eaves. All night we hear the music, both mellow and fierce.

Snow on the ground is nothing close to solid here, instead it is in constant change, shifting shapes, drifting and re-drifting recreating the landscape hourly.

We listen. We watch. We wonder.

And this morning the Lord said:

Just as the rains came and came and continued to fall in the Spring, so now blows the wind.

For I Am cleaning your land. And that which has been buried will be exposed. And that which has been hidden will be washed into the light. And all that has exalted itself will be brought low.

Confession is your place of safety as you run to Me. Do not allow the enemy to convince you to run from Me as if could hide.

I Am the only hiding place.

Refreshing.  Renewal.  Rebirth.  All this by His hand.  When we turn.  When we cry out as David did, confessing our sin, our need to be cleansed and restored.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.  Psalm 51:7-12 NLT

Here am I, Lord, help me be willing to be willing.  I am hungry for the joy that comes from resting in the palm of Your hand even as that hand sifts and strips away.  Here am I, humbled and struck with awe.

Refresh.  Restore.  Renew.  For the sake of Your name.

Visit Peter Pollock's to read what others are sharing this week on Renewal.

Drifting

If you had only heard the reported amount of snowfall yesterday you would not have believed what the world looked like around us last night and this morning.

Rick's truck didn't make it home yesterday, sliding to a stop across our gravel road about half a mile from the house.

The drifting continued along with new snow through the night. Rick phoned in to work to say "If you want me there, you're going to have to come get me" and we were both surprised when they did just that!

I never went out, even to take pictures, preferring the warmth inside. The picture above is another day, another year. I used the day to to try to write, with NaNoWriMo and an article on deadline for the Marriage Counter at Internet Cafe Devotions.

I sat to type, my head pounded. I got up to look out at the snow. My head pounded. I read emails, I looked at the snow. I wrote a few words. My head pounded. I chatted on the phone. I wept before the Lord. My head pounded. I read some blogs and prayed about the state of our yard. I got up to look out the window at the snow. Outside and inside, drifting continued. A friend prayed on the phone about my headache. I ate some cheese. I wrote the words God provided.

A neighbor arrived to plow and blow snow, working to clear the yard. Rick was delivered home, safe and sound and is back outside shoveling what can't be plowed.

Inside I remain, headache still hanging around on the fringes. More words will come as He wills. I am warm. I am sheltered. I am blessed.

And drifting continues.

Uncommon wind

Brittle twigs
and branches shatter
scatter
fill the ground
surround
old maples, dying
crying out
in the winds
far too strong
so long

abandoned.

The yard awaits
the promised blanket
of snow
the flow of white
not only covers
imperfection
but washes it away.

So too I

call out
for cleansing
a season of rest
then rebirth.

Stop by One Stop Poetry to read more One Shots

Storms forming...

This is what is waiting around the corner, perhaps only hours away, or days, but sure to come and always sooner than we'd like. Rain all day turning to snow tonight and lots of it.

It seems that more often than not, our first snow of the season isn't a scattering but a measureable accumulation. I shouldn't complain, however, but praise God that at least it's the end of October and not the beginning. Here's a look at October 9th last year:

I'm off to town today to shop, not knowing what roads will be like tomorrow. I might be snowed in...

Nowhere to go, stuck in the warmth of my home, time to worship, pray and rest....

Actually, I don't really mind the sound of that.