A time for listening

I sat watching the stream as it meandered through the wooded glen. This is a place for listening, I thought. Listening to the gentle babble of water, listening to life in birdsong, leaves rustling in the breeze, the work of honey bees, the leap of the grass crickets. The quiet rush of life and the still edges at the water's margins.

The words of the Psalmist came to mind; Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46 v 10) Why is it, I wondered, am I so reluctant to stop, to be still? What is it I run away from in knowing of God? Now is the time and the place for listening and of knowing God.

Lesson from the butterfly

A common white butterfly caught my attention as it hovered and fluttered, searching for choice nectar amongst the scant offerings in the parched, rough grassland.

Soaring above, the skyline was filled with mountain grandeur. They stood majestic, enduring, sure. But the butterfly was oblivious to the wonder, as it scratched out it's existence in the scrub.

I was on holiday, drinking in the stupendous beauty of the Lake district. Pausing to rest, reflect and step back from day to day pressures. Yet I felt the butterfly was teaching me a lesson also. Telling me to look up to the heavens, to receive God's perspective and acknowledge God's eternal provision for my soul. I don't have to search for crumbs of existence, when the God of all creation meets with me through his word, the Bible, through his creation and through his people.

How precious we are!

Have you ever tried to re-write a Bible Psalm, using your own words, taking the thoughts the original writer had, but trying to make it relevant for yourself ? If you have, you may find, like I did, that the words come alive and become more meaningful, probably as they reflect our own experience.

I read Psalm 139 over and over. I was struck with understanding how special I am and each of us is to God. It really is incredible! God loves us utterly and completely. God has given everything he could to have friendship with us. I invite you to see yourself in the way God sees you. Here I'm quoting a few lines from How Precious my poem which is published in Seeing in the Dark:

How precious your thoughts of me O God,

how intimate your care for me

how deep your searching of my intent

how keenly you daily see.

How longing you desire I walk your path

how watchful of my life's deeds

how securely you hold in fear or loss

how knowing of all my needs........ Continued in Seeing in the Dark.