It is Good

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.”

Hope

Hope

The house is silent tonight. Firelight flickers and logs snap in the woodstove. Tucked in and cozy under the quilt I feel peaceful. The only light is from the snickering fire and the Christmas lights strewn along the mantle glowing warm and soft. The small nativity scene nestled among the gentle light is beautiful. The Savior, Light of the world, Prince of Peace came for me all those years ago. He’s still coming. It wasn’t a one-time thing.

Every day He comes for me and He comes for you. The healing, the protection, the peace, the hope, and the rescue; it never stops. It renews and is reborn. His pursuit of us in the midst of the mundane and the ordinary, the fiery trials, the seasons of running from Him, the times of quiet rest, and the brilliance of joy and victory will continue until the appointed time when God Most High welcomes us Home.

This season of Advent is mysterious, supernatural, holy, and beautiful. I’m in awe of it all.

Sitting quietly before Him in the silence and peace of His presence, my heart feels full, safe, and full of hope, so much hope.