Rooted, Held Firm

When I choose to trust in spite of everything I shoot new rootlets into the pulsing burrowing system that anchors me in Jesus’ love. Living thereI amdrinking inhesed and agapeunendingintimateunselfishempatheticforgivingunretaliatinglove beyondmy understanding.My heart is fullmy veinsare pulsingenergy of lifeand Jesushas becomemy constantstrength and song. There is so much imagery in the Bible about plants! TheContinue reading “Rooted, Held Firm”

Confession in the Storm

When turmoil seems to rule like waves surging high to crash, foaming— and you, Lord, seem to be asleep— fear also rises and takes control of our thoughts.We hear the rage of the storm.We feel the cold wind pierceand chill our hearts,icicle spears that do not melt.We run to you,crying out for you to actContinue reading “Confession in the Storm”

Caught Inside a Wider Web

Baruch sat huddled within his scrolls deep in the throes of despair. Words darkened the parchment and his soul, relentlessly marking out tragedy, punishment! The torrentof eviction, maledictionkept screaming in his mind,the prophet’s warnings and lament.But at the Thronehis pain was seen,framed by the stainof hemorrhage froma heart off-center, rubbing on the cross-grainof life goneContinue reading “Caught Inside a Wider Web”

My One Safe Place

When even the sunrise is muted by dust, the air polluted with smoke and red dirt, there is one safe place where I can stay, breathing in air that is healthy and clean, a place where my heart-hurts heal as I pray. Here beside you,I’m finding a wayto gradually layeach major worry,each broken hopeon theContinue reading “My One Safe Place”

Africa in my Veins

Its heat beats deep in my veins thrumming tumbling drumbeats off-beat softer scuffling of my feet beside dark feet in the community of rhythms that thump the earth and thrust our souls into one warm hum Its winds blow gently through my hair flowing even now in wisps of ash, flower powder, dust –night airContinue reading “Africa in my Veins”

What He is Weaving in the Wind

Wind whips wisps of hair into eyes blurred by despair; gusts grab my pulsing heart. Nearly toppling, scrambling for safe purchase, I scream . . . DON’T BE AFRAID! STAND UP, THROW ROOTS TO DEEP SOIL, TWIRL THEM ‘ROUND ALL OBSTACLES— GO FURTHER DOWN, FURTHER IN; WRAP THEM ‘ROUND MY LOVE! KNOW THAT I AMContinue reading “What He is Weaving in the Wind”

It’s Not Over Yet!

Everything vibrant is going to seed: burgundy tufts on the yellowing grass, slender filaments lined with beans drooping down between withering leaves, millet high on the dusty stalks, papaya clusters, lemons, limes — all reminders that it is time to pass on the treasure of living life, to breed a crop of who we are:Continue reading “It’s Not Over Yet!”

Eyes on You

When even the sunrise is muted by gray, the air polluted and blackened by carbon, there is one place where I can play, breathing in air that is free from dirt, a place where my heart-hurts fade away— here beside you, finding a way to gradually lay each major worry, each broken hope on theContinue reading “Eyes on You”

Desperate to Center

Thoughts slip left and right, up and down, circling center but not resting there. I long to be centered, focused, listening. When swirling slows I sense You here, present. That is the heart position that centers thoughts on You, the Unseen One who matters most. I rest, absorbing peacefrom the Prince of Peace,the object ofContinue reading “Desperate to Center”

When Peace is Elusive

We yearn for peace but turn away from the one certain source that will not die, a fifth dimension of hope that is founded on truth.It is transparent reality, not wishful thinking, but cannot be seen by cataract-laced eyes;it is only even partly known by those committed to the Great Beyond while in the HereContinue reading “When Peace is Elusive”