storms in the mix

BEND

was the word I heard 

as 2015 dawned

I should perhaps 

have received it

as a warning

for the year would bring

fierce emotional storms

that tossed me about

tested and strained me

till I was certain

I would snap

but the God who creates the storms

also calms them

and there is always

a new season waiting

on the other side of the clouds

We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; 

we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do;

 we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; 

we've been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 The Message

my word for 2016

has not yet been revealed

when I know

I'll share

nothing predictable

January's middle when the ice 

settles deep in bones

we had snow last night

snow this morning

while the wind howls

swirls, sculpts drifts of white

and now 39 degrees fahrenheit

bright sun denying the forecasted storm

not snow, thunderstorms 

January 15 thunderstorm

with snow again to follow

diving wind chills

nothing predictable, or steady

only 100% chance

there will be weather of some sort

or another

 

awaiting storm

clouds slip in

soundless, quick

light muffled 

as all movement

stops, static pricks 

tense skin

thirsty ground

and hungry hearts

hold breath for the first

drop to nourish, refresh

hands, leaves, petals

reaching wide

for what sun's return denies

back at the bar, hanging with the poets

 

Who do you suppose?

Can you find your way to where lightning is launched,

or to the place from which the wind blows?

Who do you suppose carves canyons

for the downpours of rain, 

and charts the route of thunderstorms

Job 38:24-25 The Message

 

singing His praise with Deidra

 

there is a light

clouds press heavy

containing dark

threats of unpredictability

the air snaps electric

chills crack through

humid thickness

I hold my breath

waiting for the rain

yet there is a light

in the centre of the storm

a wind that elevates

allowing me to fly

hanging out at the pub today

 

Roof raking

Rick is out clearing snow off the roof of the house

The rake looks like a small push shovel 

on the end of an extra long expandable pole

He reaches up and out, then pulls

and the pile up of snow that weighs heavy on our home 

pours down like rain

blowing in the wind

a blizzard of his own making

leaves me pondering 

how often we avoid the cleaning

how the very storms that frighten us

are the same as those that clear the path 

for a brighter coming day

I sense that God is speaking here 

and again I feel the call 

to surrender to His hand

to whatever work He chooses to do 

in me, through me, around me

refining through snow, or wind or fire

may I bow low, my only cry

"not my will, but Yours be done, Lord"

 

Missing here....

Oh how I miss this white space here
the freedom to release whatever tumbles in my brain
or rests heavy in my heart

Tornado winds knocked out our power Tuesday night and restoration has not yet come
I plug in cell phone and laptop to recharge when I am able to go to town and find a place to plug in.
Today I find peace and hi-speed wireless in the coffee room of a friend's business and a bathroom with a flushing toilet!

Those of you familiar with country living will surely understand that no electricity also means no water as the pumps shut off.

One end of a downed power line started a fire in the back field Wednesday afternoon.  Good and watchful neighbors noticed the smoke and called Rick home from work.  Volunteer fire department contained things quickly.  Power to that line was shut off and we were placed on the emergency list for service work.

Yesterday afternoon, for reasons unknown, the power to that line was switched on again, and once more the field caught fire.  Same neighbor phoned, same fire workers returned, and this time two old graineries burned along with more hay, almost to a tree line.  Scary, scary stuff, but nothing of value hurt except my nerves.

I am reminded again and yet again that surely God is in control for we certainly are not.

Manitoba Hydro is busy working removing trees so they can replace power lines.  Perhaps as they said, service will be restored tonight, not quite trusting that yet.

Pictures will follow when I'm able.  Maybe after a nice hot shower......

Uncertainty

This morning, the Lord reminded me of the words He spoke to me yesterday, before I knew of the storms that would be crossing our path later in the day:

Learn to live in the uncertainty. 

Trust Me and Me only.

So today, I set my concerns about vehicle breakdowns and other financial obstacles into His hands and lean into the stillness that only He can provide.

 

Joining Sandy and the others seeking stillness today...