Good Measure...

Sunshine streams in my windows lighting and warming the cold places...I stood at my window for a time just gazing out over the mist covered fields and far off barns in the distance.... allowing a little of the thoughts driving through my brain in a Big Mac truck to make an appearance. Without work to keep me busy...reset from the 14 day deployment...I feel at loose ends. Time spent with family yesterday hammered home the reality of loss...with comfort offered, gathering in with love and compassion I fervently wished for the ability to spare them the pain, the grief they are experiencing...and yet...our grief speaks to our depth of love and serves to remind us we carry them with us, always.

Today I will head to a nearby hiking trail of Fraser Mountain and set a goal to reach the top and there have a conversation with God...in the midst of peace and tranquility I will speak to the heavens and humbly ask for comfort and grace be extended to my children; to parents, brother, aunts & uncles, cousins, friends.

I will seek the face of One who loves with an incomparable depth, who offers comfort and compassion. Each day my friends, we seek...we journey...we set our feet upon the path of enlightenment, of understanding, of personal growth. We work for change within ourselves, to be better...to do more... We must rest too...we must take a breath and survey all round us...rest enables us to look back and see the ground we have covered, rest enables us to gather up our thoughts and to let it all just sink in and take root, deep deep within.

Today I declare five impossible things...today I step forward and believe in the promises of a Heavenly Father who loves me without borders, without judgement.

Today and everyday forward I choose life...I choose peace...I choose hope...

Dear treasures...it can be done...oh how I despaired for so long, I despaired that there would ever be any change...I despaired that I would never see the sun, never find the light at the end of the tunnel. I breathed in an iron lung...like being underwater and breathing through a faulty filter, every breath hurt...each inhalation and exhalation brought pain and sorrow.

I would report to you today that every morning that you set your feet upon the floor and stand to meet the day is a victory worthy of pride...every day that you choose to continue despite the weight upon your shoulders, is a win. Like a crack in the wall of a dam, the sun will begin to pour in, lighting the darkest places....living healing waters will trickle in slowly until it becomes a stream washing you clean, freeing you from your chains...from the bondage of trauma.

Oh I know...the damage done will leave scars...beautiful one, these are our aide-memoires, calling us back from those who would harm, who seek destruction.

My prayer for you today would be for your continued strength...strength to see and grace to bear up under the truth.

My prayer for you is for your safety...for miracles upon miracles...for peace that passes all understanding.

Go today and every day in the comfort of the Father...may you know your worth, deep deep down...unshakeable...

Luke 6:38 'Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.'

Stand tall dear hearts...walk proud...speak your truth and take back the pieces of your soul, your spirit, you have given up...bit by bit, little by little take them back and watch your miracle happen...watch your spine straighten, witness your head lift and your eyes rise to greet each day, stronger with every truth you state whether in the confines of your own mind or passing your lips quietly and with a strength born of battle.

I believe you can... I believe you will...for the alternative is unthinkable, unacceptable....no longer dear treasures, no longer bending to the point of breaking...no longer giving to the point of exhaustion, of destruction.

Walk tall my friends....you are worthy of all that is good and lovely....always. You have a mighty Father who loves you without compare...who created you so wonderfully, purposefully....created you specifically, with intention... 'I (insert name here) am fearfully and wonderfully made.' 'I belong, I matter, I am loved without constriction or constraint...'

Bless your hearts, each one...joy awaits your steps...