Let There Be Light

"He is the God who performs miracles." Psalm 77:14

A few weeks ago, I didn't think there would be a Christmas tree for us this year. Yet here we were last night, putting up the "transition tree."

We laughed as Amber put the stand in wrong and then we couldn't get it out. White plastic needles covered the floor by the time the stand was upright.

Lily took off with two red bulbs, attempting to eat them. The chase was on :)

A hunt ensued for an extension cord to plug in the lights.

An angel tree topper ( well, sort of) was the finishing touch.

Let there be light! Hurrah!

He is the God who performs miracles, bringing hope and laughter into the midst of loss and pain.

Sharing a pocket of joy from my corner of the world this Monday morning.

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Time for a Break

If you follow my blog then you know a bit of the difficulty of the last two months.
I am adding the flu to the list. I have been sick for a few days now.

It's time to take a blog break. I am at the bottom of the barrel creatively.

Hopefully returning soon.

Untraceable

Your way in delivering your people was through the sea, and your path through great waters, yet your footsteps were untraceable.
Psalm 77:19 amplified translation

Now I will arise...Psalm 12 NIV

With My eyes as your guide. Psalm 32 passion translation

Jacob was in a hard place. He couldn't see anything that dark night when he laid his head upon a stone, alone and all his life shifted. Then everything changed. In the night God opened a portal of hope through a dream. He gave Jacob His eyes to see that God was right there with him and He had a plan. Genesis 28

Matthew Henry's commentary says that when the people were despondent and at their end, God moves.

He arises that we may see him, perhaps not as we think of seeing. Yet when the sea parts, we know He has been there even when his footsteps are untraceable.

The Next Morning

I tossed and turned much of the night.

5:00 a.m.

Praise Me...

Then again...

Praise Me

Stilted, quiet sacrifice of praise rises from my mouth.

I will not fail you!

I keep hearing Beth Moore repeat these words from Joshua 1.

I will not fail you!

Still small voice echoes

I will not fail you.





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It's Where I Am Tonight

I have always loved this time of the year. I love the decorations, the homemade gifts, working around the house, Christmas lights, and Hallmark movies.

This year is different.
Just when I thought it wouldn't get worse, it did. How can someone we embraced as family inflict so much pain on those I love?

We've watched the stories on Oprah of women in other countries who experience unspeakable evils.We are inspired by their courage and a little afraid of that unknown world, where hatred of women is overtly displayed.

I am beginning to sense a different type of warfare on women here in our country, a covert operation of darkness where families are splintered and left broken and confused. Emotional wounds, harder to identify than outward ones, become heavy burdens for women to bear. The stories have always been there to a certain extent but my own pain and that of my girls  has awakened me to that of others.

I cannot take on the burden of the world tonight however. I sit before this screen and wonder, "Am I brave enough to share the questions that are weighing me down? "

Ann Voskamp writes that God withholds no good thing from us in the midst of our suffering.

Over at Moments and Invitations another woman struggles with the question, "Can all the hurting hearts believe that He withholds no good thing from us?" as she moves through her own pain.

Can I believe it?

the breakthrough we have longed for
the healing
the finances
the encouragement
the answers

withheld?

in need of great grace tonight

He withholds no good thing.

There are times when it takes digging deep to believe.

December Sunshine

The weather has been a gift.

One of my prayers since I relocated temporarily has been for good weather. I am staying with my sister-in-law and driving to my daughter's home each morning, a twenty minute drive on good roads. The weather has been unusual for December in Maine.

Both Monday and today, the sun came out long enough for Lily and I to go for a walk. Today we didn't need gloves or a hat. It was beautiful.

Thank you Lord.

The County

Paul Cyr Photography

If you are following my blog, you already know that over a period of  several weeks my life has changed.

Yesterday, after six weeks away from home, I returned to the County.

That's what we call this part  of the state. I live in a  farming community in the northern part of Maine. In recent years there has been an influx of Amish families to our area (which I love by the way). You can visit Paul Cyr's site for more photographs of  Aroostook County and the Amish.

I am sitting in my living room watching the snow lightly descend. Soon we will be on the road southbound to begin another week.

I have been pondering taking December off from blogging but not quite ready to let go. We will see.