Morning Kiss
While out with a training group for an early morning run, I experienced this sweet encounter.
I got lost from the group about half way through the run and ended up going a little farther than I planned.As I was heading  back to home base,  I noticed a lady and her dog coming toward me crossing  a normally busy street, that was quiet at the time. She gently lead her canine companion as he very, very slowly  put one foot in front of the other. His head seem to be bent toward the ground. All I could say was- Lord bless him.  Me feeling tired and cold, I was just trying to make it back to my starting point. Exhausted, I asked his age as I approached them. We were all going slow enough for a quick verbal exchange.
 She said he was 16. Have you had him since birth I inquired - she
responded " I've had him the whole time." THERE WAS THAT MORNING KISS! Her response made me smile, keep the steady pace, dig into the last leg of  the run, tuck my head, and move a little easier  into the home stretch.
That experience stayed on my mind and in my spirit the rest of the evening ---As we get tired, hit the places in life where we can barely put one foot in front of the other, maybe ponder if we will make it, where every step takes so much effort and strength, for some who have traveled long--
maybe even  in the autumn  season of life;  GOD IS THERE  - leading, gently helping us-creating a path for us,  loving us, & reminding us--- THAT HE HAS HAD US THE WHOLE TIME.

Shattered Heart

When the heart is shattered and dreams halted, I am yet learning, there is only One who can gather the broken pieces while we try to understand the unbelievable. The Father is willing and able to gently & tenderly remind us that He Is real, He is present, & always persistent in His love for us.
When the heart is shattered, and the loss is more than the mind can understand; we can feel lost - feel that life will never be the same. Loss can be a tiring wilderness. The cloud of loneliness and the fire of grief  can deprive our spirit of oxygen; but in the wilderness we can discover a deeper sense of God's presence, an awareness of new relationships,  increased sensitivity to surroundings, people, & causes. TRUST. Trust through the night, trust through the mystery. Believe that you can be better-feel better. Hope that there will be Light.  Speak in the brokenness-by getting up, getting reconnected, getting tired of being tired, speak with your transparency, speak with your tears; with whatever ounce of strength you can muster SPEAK. In your brokenness SPEAK. The Creator takes the delicate broken pieces and designs a special crystal-an exquisite crystal that can show his grace, mercy, & beauty. From our brokenness  we can be shown how to love a new.  As we surrender, let go, give up ,ask for help-there is One who is waiting to extend His strength. He went toe to toe with death to secure our freedom, and  He will go toe to toe at our appointed time of struggle  to rescue us; To rescue us from loss- loss of a loved one, marriage, career, reputation, dreams... He will be our Victor if we allow Him.

2016!!
Expressions that I have heard in passing that help me see clearer: 'Time Marches On, Being In My Lane, Stretched Beyond Comfort, Wear Life Loosely, Weather Can Be Bitey-Good People Believable & Life-- Beautiful, Big Hearts Heal Deep Hurts, If You Can Get Past An Offense-There Is Always Something Special On The Other Side, Don't Be Afraid Of Detours, Sometimes Pain Positions Us For A Greater Plan, Pure Motives Propel A Prosperous Relationship, Failing Is Fruitful. There are more, but I will pause here.
In 2016, one acronym I will truly strive for is: LOP (LOVING ON PURPOSE).
For you I wish Hope, Health, & Him [John 3:16].

I have found Christmas season 2015, to be special.  I am grateful for God's wonderful Gift!
I am grateful for The Father's closeness, tenderness, provision, & His continued guidance
& comfort. I am blessed by sweet relationships, by the opportunity to reach out to those in
need of God's Love, I am blessed that God keeps revealing His Gentle Love & constant  presence. I do not know what the New Year will entail, but I am trusting The One who does. I await new opportunities to serve, support, share, & soar in Jesus who gives me strength!

A Dear Sister-Friend shared some excerpts from her time of meditation.  I found it to be spot on-tenderly profound.  It was a share by Skip Moen's, Today's Word (TW).  The scripture reference
was Psalm 42:1-3. Mr. Moen talked about the bread, the diet, the food...Tears. The last few sentences of his piece was very real, Mr. Moen expressed:  "Life at the edge.That's where tears are our bread. That's where we almost give up-and where we almost touch The Divine. When all that is left of our faith is tears, then you are ready to seek the edge of living and find The God of empty places."  Again, 'spot on-tenderly profound'.  Maybe you're not there, perhaps never been there, if at all possible- never want to go there---but the place is real. I want The God of empty places to invade my space.
The tears cleanse, The Father covers, comforts, & calms.

A Good Watering

It is raining where I am- pouring, windy rain.  I find it quite soothing, but not if driving, not if you
don't have shelter, & probably not if you don't have rain attire. But, as you come in from the rain &  find safe covering from the showers- there is something peaceful-calming about your shelter. You slow down, you bring your thoughts inside to a comfortable, relaxing space. You find an inside interest, an overlooked project or task. You find a good book-maybe you spend a few extra minutes in The Good Book, you check on a friend, you gather your thoughts; there are many choices. It's the coming in from the rain-the pouring, windy rain- coming in from the outside; and you are thankful for the shelter- doesn't have to be extravagant, but you are thankful for the covering.
I've come to know a Covering, a Shelter like no other. I can always come in from the rain.

My Fireplace

This morning I woke up to a candle lit fireplace. A dear friend/mother of 15 (7 biological & 8 adopted from other countries) gave me 2 Fall (seasonal, scented )candles last Spring.  I have burnt  these candles on 4 or 5 different occasions - 2 separate times they have burned all night in  my fireplace. I'm reminded of the burning passion God has for me & for ALL His children. His loved burned all night for me a long time ago. It is a life time candle that has the promise of burning within me right into eternity. I am thankful that His Light burns longer, brighter, burns in isolation, utter darkness, uncertainty, when we feel forgotten, abandoned, abused, grief stricken...; even when we feel undeserving of The Light and His Love. If  we light the CANDLE OF HOPE, PRAYER, FAITH---THE LIGHT will comfort us in our place of discomfort, difficulty, & uncertainty.  If you are in that place, or know of someone that is in that place---STRIKE THE MATCH! And be ready for your fireplace-heart space to be illuminated by GRACE.