The Coquette

Wandering, wet, melancholy pale
Lady Luna, you enchant me.
Unpredictable, ever-changing
You capture my attention
And I can't escape
Or maybe I'm the one
who can't let you go.
Winking, waning
Turning your face
But never blushing.
You're a tease of the most innocent variety.
What you do is pure and sparkly;
Full of wonder.
You distract me in the most delightful way.
Your magic runs deep
Because your magic is real.
A mystery that I cannot grasp,
And yet you cannot evade me.
I know you, Light Ruler of Night.
You do your Father's biding,
Watching as I do the same.

psalm 39

The Lord, wrecking my entitled heart. This overflowed.

Psalm 39

Words that prick, and punch;
hang, and land.
It happened again today -
the Psalmist and I agreed.
"I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,"
"I was mute and silent."
"As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!"
I asked: "But how can I love them?"
You answered: "Number your days,
O daughter of dust."
Words that prick, and punch;
hang, and land.
You have greater things for me
than harboring bitterness,
If only I would obey.
Your words devastate, but heal.
Heal me, O God.
Your will, not mine.
Your yoke is easy,
your burden is light.

two years later

My Cape Town story began two years ago today. 

Two years, and yet it feels like a lifetime ago. A lifetime - or five minutes. Both are true today. I had to be reminded that October 9th was the day. But now that I remember, it all floods back.

A good kind of flooding, though. My heart races a bit. But I'm not angry. I'm not afraid. 

Last year, these were my feelings about 10/9:

"I don't much like October 9. I wish it didn't have these memories associated with it. I wish I could enjoy autumn in Minneapolis and not return to feelings of fear, anxiety, pain, and hurt. But God is redeeming it. He is pouring out his kindness all over my life. Today, I can say, 'This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.'"

Today:

God is my healer. He turned my brokenness into beauty. He worked a whole lot of faith in my heart. October 9 is a redeemed day. 

The Lord is kind and he gives good gifts. My heart is full of gratitude.

More of Jesus is worth it.

Because Jesus is better. 

september morning word paint

Sunlight in the air

Pearly soft today.

As if, when I step outside

It would hug me, 

A gentle, breezy morning hug.

The birds sing

Each one, its own song

Telling a story

Speaking in chirps and trills

Floating, winging

Always busy, never anxious.

The golden oranges of sunrise

Stuck on the trees.

Tragically beautiful,

the pristine death of a thing.

The most romantic time to fall in love

The green, the warmth

Lovely, but leaving.

Love steps in

And warms when the sun does not.

that moon

the moon.
the Father's gentle eye,
watching me as I drive
home. and as I cry.
light reflects
as teardrops catch
then roll down my cheek.
the tender eye of a daddy
watching his baby weep.
the wispy clouds
they wrap around,
whispering lullabies.
engulfing light,
surrounding night.
that moon.
God's gentle eye.

Word Paint: Summer Storm

The wind whispers

Warning of a storm.

Not a secret whisper  

A wild one.

The gusts, the lightning - 

Angry tonight.

But I can’t be scared,

Even alone in the dark.

It’s too beautiful.

The thunder rumbles

I relax, then swell with awe.

My soul sings along 

To the song of the storm.

The lightning speaks,

I strain to hear.

I want to know its language.

I am deaf and dumb.

I want to talk to the lightning

And know its story.

But I can’t - I’m only human.

I speak with words, not electricity.

Raindrops on the glass

One of God’s prettiest pictures.

The window pane

A water wall.

Tonight’s storm is especially wet.

No more rain then usual.

But it’s silky tonight

The way it slides.

I love watching the people.

No pride when you’re drenched.

Torrential downpour - 

You remember that you’re little.

Word Paint: Why Peace?

You wake me with peace

I'm safe today.

I'm always safe, but I feel it now.

Why peace? How?

Hours ago - unsettled and sick;

This morning - quiet,

Green pastures, still waters.

My soul restored.

Your perfect love, there is no fear.

You stand guard over my heart,

No devils lies here.

They whisper and spit

partial truths, whole lies - 

poison and fire.

You raise up your shield, 

I rest in your shadow.

The promise stands - 

"I will answer you."

So again, I call out

"Save me, more grace!"

You come. You always come.

You're never far.

I leave, my eyes wander.

Cup my chin, direct my gaze, 

Back to you, your gentle face - 

Full of love, full of strength.

"My heart is yours,"

I open my hand.

"I trust you, I need you."

You are my shield.

My God, my Protector.

Why peace?

The cross: my gain.