The forest knows her name. She feels it’s gentle pull and call. Come and rest, re-center, and decompress. Melodies and harmonies of peace, joy, and ancient things.
Busyness, worry, and overthinking also know her name and they’ve been calling – shouts, demands, and confusing voices. Chaos circles looking for a crack, a chink, a tiny fissure to slink into.
It’s hard to let go of worry and expectations. Fear tells her that if she rests, breathes too deeply, and allows expectations to sit awhile, all sorts of disasters and sinister things may happen. What-if…
Lately there is a restless feeling that pricks and swirls in her mind and soul; a sensation of something just ahead slipping out of sight, waiting around the next bend in the path. Not as a fear-based shout, but a whispered song to come, explore, release – seek, find, and be blessed. Be healed.
She listens and makes her way to the forest. Her favorite path winding through Redwoods – so old, so wise, so healing – invites a quieted mind and tender heart open to the Divine whispers held in creation. Golden silence alive with the sounds of nature. Everything interwoven with His breath, His hands, His healing, and His peace.
The safety and wisdom she’s seeking seeps into her soul. There is rest and healing here. No expectations. Creator and creation singing to her spirit of love, rejuvenation, and acceptance. Supernatural, holy, ancient things are all around. Healing, mysterious, and deep.
The cracks and fissures from living life are filled in with His love, protection, and compassion. She won’t be the same when she leaves here and that is a divine and beautiful thing.
Deep calling to deep in the midst of Divine creation. He knows her name – she will always be welcome, always be healed.
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.”
Grab His hand and walk with Him. You are safe. You are loved. Peace be with you.
Psalm 126:3 NLT “Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”
One week before Christmas and I’m dealing with a nasty cold/virus, canceled plans, and feelings of disappointment. My husband and I won’t have our adult kids home this year, so these vacation plans were something festive and exciting we hoped would ease the missing of them this year.
I was up extra early this morning in an attempt to ease the coughing and sneezing. I cozied down in my favorite chair wrapped in a blanket, with hot coffee, and the Christmas lights glowing in the living room. I wanted to feel sad, disappointed, frustrated, and I did, but…the silence, the misty fog outside, and the warm, glowing lights covered me in such a comforting feeling of peace and safety. I felt tucked in and looked after. Divine presence…
As I settled in, my mind wandered to Christmases past, funny and happy memories, and then it circled back to the now. It’s true that my plans and expectations for this season aren’t following the script, but joy doesn’t always come in carefully planned, to-do list ways. In the lovely quiet, I felt His gentle reminder of all the ways good things did happen. In the unexpected blessings and joys that did find me, in the divine encounters and the divine whispers that left me in awe of how deeply seen, known, and loved I am by the greatest gift ever given – Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us – the One who never disappoints, never falls short, lavishes us with blessings, joy, peace, and handmade gifts uniquely crafted for me and for you. Apple of His eye.
So yes, I am confident I will find joy this Christmas season. I will actively search for it in the ordinary, the mundane, the silence of a quiet house, the glow of holiday lights, and the adventure of canceled plans, because He knows the plans He has for me. That is comforting.
I pray that you will find the joy, the adventures, and the beauty in this season of mystery and divine appointments as you look to Him because He is enough.
Photo credit: Sid Cosmo
I’m excited to showcase my books on The Divine Series page. Follow the link to my Author page
Divine Presence…!!! Front and back cover reveal and a peek at the interior! I’m so excited!!!!!
The Kindle eBook version of Divine Presence…is LIVE and ready to go!
Stay tuned and I will announce when the paperback version is LIVE. It should be middle of next week!
I can’t wait for you all to read it and let the words wash over you, comfort, heal, and encourage you that God is with you always wherever you find yourself in a given day. You are seen and so loved! Peace be with you.
Extravagant Hope 