"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned."  Song of Solomon 8:7

"I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.  Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.  The Lord is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me."  Psalm 116:1,2,5,6

Every now and then when life

Seems to hurl it's storms and strife

I like to think of things that bring

A smile and warm imaginings

Thoughts of hugs and sunny days

Walks where pines and streams will play

Barns and shafts of light that paint

Shadows and the stories quaint

These are where I find retreat

Out of site of city streets

And cars and noise and lights that bling

And steal the peace of pondering

Country air and sweet strong hints

Of hay and cows and cedar scents

It's there my heart and longings go

There in fields of green and gold

I find refuge when the sun

Creates a palette - day is done

Of orange and pink and purple hue

That take away my dark and blue

Oh the joy of country air

Breezes briskly touch my hair

Singing songs into my ear

Making love and happiness so clear

Were that we could be so bold

To embrace what's dear to hold

Finding joy in the sincere

Taking in the real, the dear

Oh those now and then's of life

Oh the heartache, storm and strife

I race again to places bright

Filled with sweet-kissed warm sunlight

I hold the hopes, the thoughts, the dreams

Of lasting love and endless streams

Inside my chest where God has stayed

Ever faithful, every day

It's He who owns the thousand fields

Of cattle, grain and all that's real

It's He who knows my quaking needs

It's He who made the rainbow's sweet

Full of promise, full of life

Full of hope, His true delight.

This new year, I have thought much about following the Light.  It's kind of a new catch-phrase for me...something of hope to run after and embrace in an otherwise dingy world.  One fall day I stood inside this wonderful old barn and saw the streams of sun rays shooting in through each crevice of the worn, well-loved, but dark walls.  I am sure this building was the center of much activity and life at one time.  By this time it has grown tired and quiet.  I often have felt tired - and quiet in the past few years of my life.  Many challenges have beat against the walls of my being and sometimes I just feel a bit more frail than I did at one time.  Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing.  It is natural to gradually age and even slow our pace.  However, I believe in a God of new life.  He specializes in warming our cold, gray hearts.  If we stand long enough in our little room and simple gaze at the cracks, we might notice that there is a world of sunshine very close by.  And...if we move closer to the walls and peer beyond the rough, dark inside panels of wood, we will see something colorful and alive!  And...if we open the door, that life will literally hit us in the face!  I am challenged beyond the door this season.  There is a whole. new. world...just outside the very small room where I just might have been standing for too long. 

Take a look outside.

I was reminded of the new year that is about to begin and realized I'd not made a single goal or resolution.  I have nothing against doing those things.  It is probably very healthy to seek to accomplish new things each year.  It has been a long 2015 for me.  There were been some very great things that happened, but also some projects, changes and challenges that seemed all-consuming.  Part of me would say that I wouldn't want a repeat!  The other part realizes that it is necessary to go through trials and even storms in order to make the next "bend" and find the light at the end of what might feel like an endless tunnel. 

I wish I could say I had captured this photo, but I am perhaps even more happy to be lucky enough to be a recipient of a dear friend who shared it with me.  Sometimes I just stare at it because it is so beautiful!  But tonight I am looking at that very bright light - just around the bend.  I may not make any goals for this new year.  I might just be satisfied focusing on that bright light.  Perhaps it will illuminate for me all that is needed for a new season.  Sometimes a sweet hint of a trail becomes visible as we go and the only thing we can do is follow it towards what seems calm and bright.

Happy New Year to each of you.  I pray that His warm light would brighten your path.  "...I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

"The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered."  Proverbs 11:25

Something deep inside me has been satisfied and enriched.  This photo was taken (by an un-suspecting neighbor who I borrowed) on Thanksgiving day of this past week.  A huge expression of gratitude is still swelling from within as I contemplate this fun and thankful day.  Each of my family members were able to make it to our new home for what ended up becoming a most memorable reunion.  My parents, hubby, three daughters and their significant others and significant 18-month-old, brother and his wife and three boys and sister and her hubby and son - all under the same roof for a full day and a half!  

I haven't been overly inspired to blog recently for some reason.  Perhaps just the busy season or preparations and excitement of my family's arrival?  Perhaps I am just "resting" after a very exhausting late summer and fall of moving and re-settling our lives?  At any rate, having these visitors and getting this photo is inspiration all by itself to make a post!    

Since we moved it has been quite a time of drop-in company and celebration.  Though life has gone on with its work and demands, it seems we have also had the joy and delight of seeing more faces than we had ever imagined! I remember praying that our new home would be one of blessing, love and unity.  That has come to pass thus far - and having my family together simply iced the cake for me!

This photo captures a very treasured highlight of our new season.  We simply do not know what the future holds.  The likelihood of this many of us coming together at the same time in the near days ahead is probably slim.  I cherish the moments and the memories.  Even the liberal and conservative extremes seemed to find some commonalities on this special day!

I do indeed feel and pray for others who may not have or get to be with family throughout the year.  I cannot even imagine the heartache of that kind of loneliness.  But I will not cease to offer prayers of sincere thanksgiving for the minutes, days and years that I am blessed to spend with those I love. 

In this world, it seems very difficult for most of us to maintain contentment.  How easy it is to look around us and want more.  It is perhaps even easier to be anxious about whether or not our needs will be met from day to day.  Questions about our health, safety of our families, our income, our job, and our comfort are constantly arising in the midst of life's activity and demands.  And though these thoughts and concerns are realistic and part of humanity, God tells us to pursue peace and contentment.  Thankfully He also tells us how to do so!  In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul gives us the secret.  It is His strength that allows us the ability to rise above our circumstances!  So....it seems to me that there is a trust factor in learning to be content!  Trusting that whether we are in need or have plenty, we must rely on Him and believe that His eye is on the sparrow (meaning His beloved children who have answered "yes" to His call).  He promises in Hebrews 14:5 that He will never leave us if we keep our lives free from the love of money and be content!  Wow!  There must be some correlation there!  Mmmmm....more secrets??  I Timothy 6:6-11 speaks of Godliness as the source of contentment.  So true contentment is related to our walking with God, pursuing His righteousness above all other desires, and having faith in Him, believing He does indeed love us!  It even speaks of faith in Him as being something that can move mountains!!  

Lord, may I trust you enough that mountains of doubt and worry are removed in my life!  Allow me to rest in your faithfulness and love to the point that contentment becomes my way of life.