A June Morning with Coffee
The coffee's steam (and gracious warmth) evokes memories of Papua New Guinea highlands, to Bena Bena villages and the ever-present smoke-and-sweet-potato aroma cloud. It is more, though, the chill and certain discomfort, and the tear-welling awe...to behold Your beauty displayed in the clouds, the grandeur of the morning, a transient and transcendent sunrise moment. I don't see the sun, but layers upon layers of dust-thin sugar white cloud, and blue; a pale yellow hinted on their bulbous laughing edges; a sky marbled and swirled and breathed upon, and sent out to touch my heart and stir my feeble and thirsty spirit. It is too much to comprehend fully. My soul rests in utter weakness and dismay to grapple with Your beauty, artistry, craftsmanship- and dare I say, Your heart?
To get up early and seek the Lord in a quiet place...is greater than a thousand spent sleeping in. Your beauty is greater than a dream, your promises more certain and more alluring than any hard-won illusion. You are greater than my imagination. You are Master of my heart.
The helicopter roars overhead; the birds warble and cry and tussle in the tree limbs; the highway hums with coming and going and speeding and fleeing. But you beckon to me in the quiet place, to come and listen and know and receive. My soul drinks thirstily, warmed up and energized by your gracious presence, the Promise to Abide. How sweet it is. How my soul sings within me. How I long to marvel at Your wonders, at Your heart, for a thousand, thousand years and forevermore. Happily, ecstatically, tearfully, joyfully ever after!
Amen.
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I came across this bit of writing I composed at the beginning of the summer. As I've been enjoying the changing of the season, I was somewhat surprised to read about the beauty of my already forgotten summer mornings. It was a refreshing reminder that each season presents its own unique bit of beauty.
Each season of life, too, presents its own share of beauty and burden. We must receive them as they are, and be thankful for this present passing moment.
As I read the composition, it was as if the Lord had whispered to me, "Each season comes with both beauty and challenge. And each day comes with its own trouble and new mercy; its own strength and own opportunity for stretching."
I see this in this season of the year, this season of life, this day, and this moment. And it is good. It is good because in each season and each trial, God is good. ("Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!") Each burden and beauty first passed through my Father's loving hands. I can trust Him. ("How I've proven Him o'er and o'er!")
His hands are powerful enough to bestow what's best, and to sustain me through what is most difficult.
His eye, too, is uniquely never negligent. I am negligent. Just ask my kids who warn me to PLEASE not burn the nachos under the broiler AGAIN! How many times have I forgotten trash day, or failed to come up with dinner, or come too late to catch the child who is falling off the furniture?
He is so different in this regard, for He never misses a need or a desire.
Yes, he's looking at you, Sparrow!
Not only that, but His ear actually inclines toward His children when we voice our desires, our needs, and our emotions. It is a leaning in, a drawing near, indicative of intimate relationship. Each day presents a new opportunity to pour out our heart's earnest cry and know that He is lavishing his generous love on us in return. Wow! Are you marveling with me?
Each season. Each day. New strength. New mercy.
In spite of any turmoil, passing trend, or distorted truth, our Heavenly Father remains consistently present, consistently powerful, consistently sufficient, consistently loving. I could go on and on.
Have you stopped to consider His attributes lately? Have you been captivated by them, entranced by them, changed by them? Have you lost yourself in thoughts of Him lately? I believe that such a practice is a panacea of sorts, curing a great and many spiritual ills.
One of my favorite verses for this particular season of my life, and one that has helped me personally overcome anxiety, is this:
"Be still and know that I am God." (from Psalm 46:10)
You might question, "But what does that have to do with ME? I have problems that have nothing to do with religion!"
I think the point is that it doesn't have to do with me. It has to do with Him. That isn't religion, just truth. He is the answer. He is the cure. He is the point. "He must become greater; I must become less." (John3:30) Less naval-gazing, more Christ-worshiping. This has done so much for me, and I truly hope it blesses you as well.
The Enemy wants you to keep running, keep distracting yourself, keep striving- to never be still! But God gives you permission- nay, commands you to STOP. Be still! Know that He is God! He is the cure! He is the peace! And He is sufficient to meet all of your needs one day at a time.
One day. One season.
For the rest of your life, and forevermore.
God bless,
Natasha
