Stillness...

Stutter...step forward...stutter stop, step....plant a foot and begin again...yesterday afternoon I wanted to go nowhere near the wildfire office and its beehive of bodies, energies and organized chaos. I preferred driving through the back roads...preferred standing with 50 others and chat, meeting new people and laughing with somewhat familiar faces from the last deployment. I pondered on skipping out early...going home and crawling beneath the proverbial covers, grabbing a good book and just escaping life for a time.

The fire fighting community suffered another loss last week as four crew made the decision to travel home mid-afternoon instead of the next morning. A fatal head-on took them home to God and left families, friends, co-workers and fellow fighters behind to grieve.

Some somber faces as the numbers trickle in...fatalities and mishaps...head injuries, broken limbs, scrapes and bruises as the fires continue despite the cooler temps.

Dear hearts...we make it through some days on sheer grit, on setting will and mind to taking the next step, on stumbling down the path no matter how battle weary, how exhausted mentally and emotionally.

Today is a short snippet...my heart is heavy and yet there is joy in the morning...joy in the conversations and laughter amidst those working toward a common goal. Beauty and grace to be found near and far if we take a moment and a breath...I stood yesterday at Cheslatta Falls and just took a moment to breathe it all in...the peace, the stillness...and into that stillness God lives and speaks and fills the thirsty spirit.

This is where I find my anchor...my foundation upon the rock...oh the storms may come, may blow and push but we will stand strong with God at our side.

God today dear friends in the firm knowledge that you are anchored, planted here in this season for a reason...needed, necessary and loved...