The crystals of ice laying on the sturdy branches elevate the tree's beauty to a divine level. All of it reflects an aspect of God's magnificence in its complexity, interdependence and beauty. Perfection is built in to God's creation as it comes from Him, and as each element interacts with the others, God's infinite and inestimable nature is glimpsed. How we can know a God such as this is undefinable, but for His willingness and initiation of Love. 

As the snow melts, it is transformed to drops with renewed life to live and to give. 

What branch do you want to rest on, as you await your transformation?

The beauty of nature has no comparison. It was created by our loving Father for us to enjoy, as the land of promise was in the day of Moses and the garden for Eve. God wants to show us His glory and goodness in the beauty He makes. If we have eyes to see it, we draw closer to His love and purpose. He wants us to enjoy as we endure, to commune as we carry on, and love as we live.

Between the two bursts of bright red shrubs a pink one, dotted on the backdrop of green. Unlike the dramatic scarlet fuchsia, it is not stretching to be noticed. But the eye rests there because it is soothing, and lovely in its unassuming way. It's smaller than the other shrubs, and squeezed between them as if just trying to fit in. And yet, its fragrance is almost visible; its color optimistic. Blooms erect, it stands as its own, authentically different, understated, and gentle. The brilliance beside it only sets off its unique, inviting quality.

To be real--as inadequate as we might feel, leaves the world an opportunity to see the essence of God within; who makes each wonderful, appealing, and of eternal purpose. Stand, positioned wherever you are, with head up and unique beauty revealed. Nothing can take your place. 

Grace is something that runs counter intuitive. When we know we haven't earned something we look over our shoulder wondering when someone will come and take it away. 

But a dance with Grace is a waltz with God. If you follow, it flows, and you need not figure out the next steps. If he dips you, He will hold tight, and when you come up, the exhilaration will spin you into new joy.  

To Calvary...
The weight of the world on his back, represented in a heavy wood cross hard to bear and overtaking his human strength, yet not touching the divine spirit.  He trudges on unwilling to stop, body swollen, marred, and exhausted by mans evil thrashes against him and themselves.
The path gnarly and hard, crooked and unbecoming of the infinite majesty within. The weight seems too much, and man carries the weapon, which both indicts and emancipates him, to the scene of the sacrifice.
The lamb coming to be slain, so that pure blood can cleanse--both symbolically and in reality of what ancient man obeyed without knowledge.
Only time. That's all it seems. But no--all of mans sins running through the life that was ebbing; finding its pathway to freedom through the only worthy vessel. The expression of the depth of love; the hero of heroes giving all, forsaking all, and enduring all, to save us. The cost of companionship, the price of presence being paid one step at a time; the way to life, stumbling along with wood weighing down, for only one purpose--to unite in love. "Greater love has no one than this..."

Glide
I watch a bird gliding through the air above the treetops, against the deep blue sky, and my soul cries out.
There it is...the glide, the sense of flying as if floating above all else; not unconcerned, but unburdened. The freedom and comfort in that gliding is a sense of confidence in a way that knows God is the air, and gave the wings for this.
To fly above it awhile, free to see, free to feel, free of worry and missing out or mis-stepping; free to land gracefully without concern, and where needed or desired is a quiet longing in the soul. This is what God gives, but we often keep just walking and running, looking up longingly.

My valentine to the woman...

Lonely woman feeling far away
Wondering how love went astray
Pressing on in day to day
You are loved

Woman pierced by traumas way
Overcoming every day
Waiting for loves freeing stay
You are loved

Warrior woman fighting Ill
Standing tall against the hill
Yearning for a respite still
You are loved

Quiet one who hides away
And none can tell your passions way
Longing to have your say
You are loved

Mother-daughter, pinched between
Serving selfless in constant stream
Your own need sight unseen
You are loved

Elder woman wise in years
Stories full of love and tears
Held alone, no listening ears,
You are loved.

There is one, your Valentine
Whose love remains the one sublime
His eyes are on you all the time
In Jesus, you are loved.

As a woman who has scorned the futility of routine, I watch my faithful husband walking the dogs across the street on their daily route; and contentment wells up in me. Security, underrated, lives in routine. The stable is the foundation for Glory. The quiet appreciation of the predictable can fill the soul. That it is mundane is a myth. Those who thrive on the new, the changing, rarely notice the innumerable patterns of the sky, painting a unique and extraordinary portrait minute by minute.  All of nature from the invisible to the inestimable reflect magnificent beauty to thrill the soul oft missed but for the routines of life that free us to see.  In the glory surrounding us we can live ecstatically secure.

Awakening
Through the golden veil the sun illuminates the intricacies of the pattern otherwise muted in the darkness. Beyond the curtain the light so overpowers the rest of the scene that all appears gray, with a brilliant spotlight stretching over the landscape. The maker of all is like this. His presence overpowers, eclipsing all circumstances and making even the great appear small in comparison.

Even a moment sitting in the sun, brings forth the best. The golden hues make all shimmer, appear rich and lovely, with peace permeating our being. When Gods light shines, we are who He made us to be: beauty in His sight, and we bask in the incomparable peace.

Come sit in the window with me.