Great News #devotion #poetry

my hand reaches for a firm hand hold

shale shreds off, hitting my face

“Im cut,” I shrug

there is a thread suspending me

but it doesn’t give way

I reach the top of this pinnacle

one of the many I have climbed

I add another bandage to the bag

I’ve survived another close call

I look over a breathtaking view

a warm breeze flutters my sleeves

“I love you” is whispered in my ear

I was reminded today of a person in the Bible who had close calls with death – Elijah. After a major miraculous victory, he gets great news “you wont live to see tomorrow.”  Running for his life he begs, “Forget this life, God. I cant do this anymore!”

Have you ever said that? I have and again within the last several weeks as I was handed another taunting lab paper that said “You can die…”

God told Elijah to gird up his loins (that means get ready to run long and hard.) He (miraculously) ran for 40 days and nights. All along God had a plan: first he would get Elijah to safety, then he would strengthen  and encourage him, and then he would share the plan.

Those gentle whispers are always welcome…

“4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

All verses from 1 Kings 19.

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Oasis of Hope #haibun #haiku #photography

I take another step toward my end.

None to see or hear our plight.

My child and I wander lost

left to scatter our ashes in this cruel wasteland.

My child in his lethargy was slipping, slowly .

I cried to anyone who might hear.

“Save Him. Take Me.” my plea.

A whisper came in a puff of wind.

“Walk but a little further woman. Gather up your courage and your son. I have not deserted you.”

I could hear it first.

The distinct sound of palm branches rubbing against the breeze.

WATER!

I dragged my boy to the edge where he lapped like a dog.

I dove into the scintillating pool sandals and all.

“Thank you Lord – you didn’t leave us.”

Revived in shining blue

imbibing fresh life and hope

desert strength

This is a fiction inspired by the story of Ismael and Hagar when they were sent into the desert by Abraham.