Window Views - White

Snow is falling again today, soft but constant, adding a stillness to this First Week of Advent - a week of preparation.  Journaling this morning I asked the Lord what more He wants me to do to remember His coming and ready myself for His return:

Continue to turn -
Turn away from the things of the world
turn to Me
with all your heart
all your mind
all your strength.
Turn away from darkness
and turn into the light.
Turn away from endless noise and chatter
turn to My silence - My peace.
Turn away from artifice
turn to what is real
not the wrappings
but the gift.
Turn away from the wide road
and turn to the narrow path.

And indeed you will be ready and there will be great joy on our communion as I welcome you as you have welcomed Me.

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Window Views - Visitor

I am stepping back a few days to share with you the view from the door (a door is like a window, right?) Sunday morning as we spent our last hours of retreat at a lovely getaway cabin.

While snuggling in bed was inviting we didn't want to waste the little time we had left. We rose just before dawn, wrapped ourselves in sweatshirts and blankets and took our coffee out to the screened in porch. In the chilly stillness we watched the light of the sun rise over the lake, keeping our ears and eyes alert to catch any critters that might be wandering about.

We were happy to see a red fox pass by, catching our scent and stopping to look up at us. Soon, the wind that blew the coldness through us was enough to drive us back to the warmth of the fireplace inside. Stopping to refill coffee mugs we looked out the window to find the fox right outside, hoping, we assumed that we had something for him to eat.

Rick rolled a couple of fresh eggs onto the deck which the little fox relished quickly. A few minutes later, fox was at the door of another cabin and was rewarded with a strip of bacon. We also noticed a much larger fox taking some of the food also. More eggs from us, a bit of discarded baked potato we recovered from our trash can and leftover buns provided quite a breakfast.

We learned later from lodge keepers that there are four foxes that hang about regularly. What a blessing to get to share part of our morning with one or two of them, adding to the wonderful memories we had already stored up from this special time.

O Lord, how many and varied are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures. Psalm 104:24 Amplified

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Window Views - October begins

The first day of October comes to an end
with brilliant light falling away in the West
the man I love coming in from his evening chores
and a sense beyond peace,
for even when we don't quite understand
all is as He plans

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Window Views - Rain Sun Rain

No photos of today. A stiff and sore lower back has restricted movement so I have no digital capture.

The view from our windows has shifted from cloud to sun and back again. Trees dance in the wind scattering their leaves. The vegetable garden is stripped of all but carrots and potatoes, those safe and protected underground. The frost warning that came mid-week prompted Rick to harvest anything that might be lost to the cold.

But the flowers bloom on, pinks and purples vibrant against a sky grown grey.

Yesterday as I was journaling the Lord told me:

This, this is transformation, when in your yieldedness I can have My way - accomplishing My purposes - far beyond anything you've dreamed - more than you could ever do on your own.

Why? Yes, little one, yes - for the glory of My name.
Flowers bloom to the glory of the roots that feed them.

So too will your light and life and beauty be for My glory.

It is time to soak up the colours, store away memories much the same way we preserve our fruits and vegetables. Summer will indeed come again... but today, I feel the heart of winter in the wind.

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Window Views - Watching

The view out the window of my back door today looks quite a bit tamer than what Cass Frear writes about seeing at the Moonboat Cafe.

This is one of our two new barn kittens Pepper, feeling somewhat protected by shovels, brooms and a trash can, while he looks to see what Faith (the dog) is doing.

He may indeed be small, but in his heart he is every bit the wild bobcat that went running through Cass's yard. Or perhaps he thinks himself a lynx. We have those in these parts as well.

Safe in the shadow of the trash can Pepper is free to imagine adventures of various sorts, where he is ever victorious.

But... he will never truly conquer his fear of Faith unless he steps away from his covering, his shelter, his feeling of protection.

Couldn't the same be said of us all? It's time to take a step out of the shadow, knowing that our God is with us and for us.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV

It's time to respond to His command. The same words He spoke to Joshua, He speaks still to us today:

Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take. Joshua 1:9 The Message

Ask the Lord what step He's asking you to take this day. Then grab hold of His promises - and go!

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Window Views - Harvest

Click on picture to enlarge view

Today as I gaze out my window, the skies alternate between sun and clouds, the view first hazy then sharp and clear. My ears settle on the rumble of heavy equipment. No matter the weather, it is time.

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. Ecclesiastes 3:2 NLT

Harvest time is predictable in its coming, yet sudden as well. The fields are checked, rechecked. There is a sense in the air, something tangible. The urge to go like an itch you can't reach to scratch.

It is time to gather in what has been scattered; to rejoice in what God has done; to roll up our sleeves and toil, knowing Who sustains us.

It is time to think about the Kingdom that is yet to come and pray for the labourers.

"What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" Matthew 9:37-38 The Message

This was written as part of Cassandra Frear's The Moonboat Cafe Window Views.