Outdoors

Moonglow

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Thin, wispy clouds veil the bright moon as it sails high. The moonglow shining in the chilly air illuminates the garden casting eerie yet beautiful shadows – mysterious and exciting. The velvety black sky is the backdrop for the constellations and planets tossed into place by Your hands. Your divine fingerprints are everywhere. Your words continuously breathing life into all things – renewing, revealing, restoring.

The cold, bright moonlight falls across my pillow bathing my face in its glow. Chilly air puffs in through the partly open window above my bed. My thin quilt gives just enough warmth to be cozy and lovely. It feels peaceful and safe. I’m seen and known, even in seasons of darkness and shadows You will find me. The Light always pierces the darkness. Things unseen are always exposed by Your light. I’m never alone.

I drift off to sleep covered by moonlight, surrounded by Your whispers in the nighttime breeze. Your fingerprints dance over my face, my heart, and my spirit soothing, revealing, renewing, and healing. Hope flows and intertwines with deep peace and unconditional love, as Your lullabies of compassion and mercy swirl and gentle the hearts and minds of those You adore and carefully watch as they slumber.

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Refuge

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“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

So often, I find refuge in times of stress, loneliness, or mental fatigue in the midst of nature. It feels safe to be surrounded by the very things He created and called good; tucked into the living things that He spoke into life. I find that being in nature breathes new life into my weary soul – the breath of Jesus soothing, healing, renewing, and clearing away the debris that my spirit collects just by living in this world.

I imagine His delight when we step onto that forest path, the sandy beach, the wild backyard garden, and our breathing calms, heart rate slows, and our worries lift on the breeze.

I picture His gentle smile as we whisper our amazement at the beauty and thank Him for being our refuge. Oh, how He loves us!

I Took a Walk…

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I took a walk with Jesus today. He and I both had a lot to say.

 He spoke through the breeze as it whispered and danced at His will. I listened with my soul and felt His healing hands smoothing away the rough, prickly spots that needed His care. Living in this world leaves behind remnants of burdens and scars that need what only He can give.

As we walked, the gentle reminders of His love, attention, and authority were evident everywhere I looked. Trees dressed in their budding spring attire made me smile. The little stream that runs through the park in my neighborhood laughed and sang to me as I walked along its banks – perhaps sharing a joke with Jesus.

 Just trust, just believe – life is full of blessings and hope tucked away in ordinary places waiting to be found; waiting to heal. He’s still on the throne. He still sees, notices, and lavishes so much grace on us. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”

Mountain

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“God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”

Is there a mountain in front of you today that seems impossible to climb? With God as your Guide and Shepherd you will get to the top of it. You will stand upon that mountain and see all that He brought you through. You won’t lose your footing because He is right there protecting you. Rest from the climb is coming and the view from the pinnacle will be breathtaking!

Joy in His Presence

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Psalm 16:11 NLT “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

So many things can happen in a given day – surprises, delights, setbacks, and frustrations. Remember that the joy of His presence is right there with you in the middle of all of it. He will make a way over, around, under, and through and He will go with you. May the delights and joys be greater than the frustrations and difficulties.

You are so loved by the One who knows you best. Peace be with you.

Today

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Today, I pray you find moments of quiet serenity where the voices and noise of the world cease for a bit. I pray you sit in the peace of Christ that shields you, inviting you to rest your body, mind, and spirit as He ministers love, joy, and contentment to your soul.

You are safe with Him, you are enough, and so deeply loved. Peace be with you.

Friday blessing

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May your day unfold in lovely ways that delight your soul, brighten your face, and remind you how deeply you are loved.

All is Well

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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

I love this picture of my son fishing on the North Fork Stanislaus river on one of our many camping trips. It was running full speed with spring runoff – fast, cold, dangerous, yet beautiful in the incredible power of the water rushing to its destination.

This picture reminds me of this verse in Isaiah. Rushing powerful waters are no match for the One who created them, gave them their boundaries, and commands their course. How much more will He tuck us into the boundaries He sets up around us, the angels He commands to watch us, and the gentle compassion as He leads us along our life path. We are safe with Him. All is well.

It is Good

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Morning begins as the sky blushes pink.

Tinges of sunlight peek through tree branches brightening the dew that gathered on the leaf tips.

The first gentle birdsong of the day breaks through the quiet morning in the meadow.

Nature’s alarm clock for sleepy, nestled down creatures.

Twitching noses tentatively sniff the chilled air. Who’s passed through during the night?

With that first chirp, meadow life shifts into motion for another day.

Grasses and tall flowers sway with the breeze, their stems bending low as fat bumblebees sip and tiny birds snip at seeds and insects along the delicate leaves and petals.

A mountain stream chatters and sings as it makes its way over branches and rocks.

Teeming with life, furry creatures wait motionless along the edges of the stream for their breakfast of insects, tadpoles, and crawdads. A full smorgasbord!

Far off, the repetitive pecking of a woodpecker echoes off the surrounding trees, blending in harmony with the full chorus of birdsong that resounds in the meadow.

So much life, so much beauty. Divine fingerprints everywhere.

A warmer afternoon lulls and soothes the busy inhabitants of the meadow. The pace of hunting, gathering, and gossiping fades and slows.

Traveling along its Creator made path the sun begins the descent toward the horizon.

The light and air take on a different feel – cooling, dimming, winding down.

Ethereal. Supernatural.

The day dwellers begin their tasks of settling in as snug dens and cozy nests beckon.

Night falls and the moon and stars take over the sky.

 Night dwellers stretch, sniff the cooling air, and begin their routines. Their time in the meadow has a different energy than that of the day timers.

It is a time of quiet, stealth, and keen observation. Eyes and ears always alert.

They are just as busy as the day creatures, but go about things in a careful, hushed, and methodical way.

Moonlight and shadows are their friends as mystery and other worldliness take center stage.

His Divine Presence is here in the cover of night just as much as in the light of day.

He looks at all of creation and says, “It is good.”