Wide Open

There have been steps outside my comfort zone lately.  This has surfaced insecurities, doubts, fears -- those nagging, pesky critters that I like to think I've shaken for good.  But seems like when I let myself be seen, inevitably...later...the inner questions come and with it the temptation to pull back in my shell and hide.   

But Jesus leans in close and draws my gaze to His.  Looking deep, He calms my heart's little anxieties with His warm tenderness.  It's hard to hang on to fear in the face of such overwhelming love and delight.  Before long, I'm laughing with Him and holding out my hand in trust.  

Following Jesus is always an adventure.  

Seeing His love in these gifts:

346.  A quiet Saturday spent cleaning house, reading and contemplating. 
347.  Candles
348.  A package of fresh-baked cookies
349.  Laughing at British comedies with my sister.
350.  Meeting some wonderful people - kindred spirits
351.  Warm hugs on a Sunday morning
352.  Driving with the windows down and the music up.
353.  Blue, blue sky and even bluer ocean
354.  Peanutbutter
355.  Discovering a sweet note from my daughter




Being brave,

Wonder

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

-e.e. cummings





(Photo of Andes foothills I climbed and explored as a child.)

My Strength

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14

Thanking Him for these gifts. . .

336.  Breezy afternoons
337.  Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream
338.  Giggles and practical jokes
339.  Freshly mopped kitchen floor
340.  Roses, impatiens and marigolds
341.  Worshiping together with a new church
342.  Knowing I am never really alone
343.  On a whim, spending an evening at the beach with my kids, making memories
344.  Hearing the word that refreshes the weary
345.  Seeing videos of my childhood home, remembering the beauty

In His strength,