Thoughts...

My thoughts run...they dance...fall flat and jump up again knocking against the confines of mind and heart, sinking deep into the vast echoes of soul and spirit. I think on grace...I reflect on kindness and mercy... I think on justice...I reflect on judgement and righteous anger....they war between themselves, pull me east and west...to the cold and logical North...down into the heat and boiling roiling South....

I struggle some days....I work to rid and release myself from anything that bears me down to the depths...I seek love....I pursue peace...I speak contentment and thankfulness...

Most days dear hearts, it works....most days I walk in fulness of joy...most moments spent drinking in the beauty of fall as I drive the back roads, incredibly grateful for the job that takes me out into pristine forests, into the stark monochrome of vast hectares of ash and solitary sentinel trees still standing. Ah the irony is deep...fire burns clean, reduces everything to ash and out of the ashes comes life...come spring the ground will push through new life, new greenery.

Fire was the last threat to life and limb that I received amidst the chaos and turmoil and I ran from death and straight towards life and life more abundantly...I ran from grief and sorrow as deep and vast as the oceans, and set my face to pursuing goodness, grace and love.

It is not lost on me that I hid amongst the bastions of the forest, tall tall spruce trees and old mans beard...I took refuge in what I knew to be safe...and moved into work that took me back to that refuge. It took me back to places I'd hoped to forget...tormented moments beside the water and surrounded by trees and rocks...heard only by the animals of the forest and perhaps two campers close by.

God takes us back to what hurt us...to heal us....

He runs us through it surrounded with comfort...reminding of the protection of angels in our worst moments...as we war and plead, God intercedes...He sends His Angels...

He takes us through the storm and out the other side to peace...

Once again I go to the fires today to talk with contractors, fire fighters, crews from all over the planet...bless their hearts...and I thank God for His provision, for His love that never fails...never lies....always keeps His promises to us...

Stand tall my friends...walk proud...use that lovely voice and speak your truth, with grace, with dignity. See your stature rise...see your confidence soar...as you believe your worth, your place in this world, watch your spirit roar and rise from the depths to heights only imagined.

God bless you today and every day forward, with grace and strength of will...with mighty courage to defeat the enemy within and without.