Falls...

Snow falls silently this morning, creating a hush over the landscape of frozen fields and huddled groups of cattle. Not even the birds sing this morning, waiting out snowfall to find their breakfast. It is cozy warm within these four walls, quiet contemplation interrupted by the moose who calls himself a dog, in and out to frolic in the fresh white stuff.

We all take falls...each one; a step out of place, a temporary shut down of thought and deed in order to regroup, take stock, breathe, and step out in to the fray once again.

These days war is ever present within my mind. Battles fought and won, skirmishes fought and lost...dreams of dust-ridden battlefields and standing on high cliffs with sword raised...

As the weather here in Northern BC begins to warm, so too do new ideas and goals, dreams and visions of a future filled with love, with life-giving grace, with new joys every morning.

Thoughts of evil deeds begin to fall away; making way for fresh fire, opening to new and undiscovered adventures...and my heart skips a beat.

Oh dear friends...there is more.

There is more beyond what you sit with each day, memories you sift through every day...there is much, much more in store for you than this...so much more.

Joy...every morning...

Love...surrounded by...

Grace...given and received...

Mercy...new each day...

Compassion and understanding...freely extended...

Meanwhile...in the camp of the enemy; distraction, distortion, disputes, chaos & its best friend confusion, hate and rage, shame and shameful behaviours...

We leave them there to repeat the cycle of horror and torment, never understanding the damage it does to their own pysche with each successive victim.

"May their sins always remain before the Lord,

that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

For he (your abuser and mine) never thought of doing a kindness,

but hounded to death the poor

and the needy and the brokenhearted.

He loved to pronounce a curse--

may it come on him;

he found no pleasure in blessing--

may it be far from him.

He wore cursing as his garment;

it entered into his body like water,

into his bones like oil.

May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,

like a belt tied forever around him.

They may curse, but YOU will bless;

when they attack they will be put to shame,

but your servant will rejoice.

My accusers will be cloaked with disgrace

and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I WILL greatly extol the Lord;

in the great throng I will praise Him.

For He stands at the right hand of the

needy one,

to save his life from those who condemn him."

Psalm 110

I will continue on in faith, with faith everlasting...

I will continue on in hope, with hope eternal...

I will continue on in peace, with peace that passes all understanding...

I will continue on in love, with love that never leaves, never ends...ever.

These things have sustained me in my darkest hours...along with love of family, of forever friends, of co-workers...along with the kindness of strangers, and new found friends among a class of men I despaired existed; a word here, a smile there, hugs that enfolded and held tight against despair, against grief.

These things will hold you up when legs feel weak, when knees threaten to give out...when fear rears its ugly head...

These things will sustain and give life when all feels lost, adrift, intangible...

My prayer for you today...

May God keep you and surround you with all love, all grace, all mercy...

May your heart stand strong within your trembling chest...

May your courage gather and gain strength in all circumstances...

No matter the dark encircling you even now; may you espy the light, may it guide your feet to high places, to safe places...

Waymaker - Dear God, may you make a way for each one out of the fire...

Miracle Worker - Dear God, may miracles unfold before each lost one, leading the way to freedom...

Light in the Darkness - Dear God, may each victim, every survivor, never lose sight of the light that no amount of dark can extinguish...ever.

God keep you...