Quiet

Well, it's been awhile.  Much has changed here, and much stays the same.
The ragged bark of the birch outside my window is smoothed by winter white on it's east-facing trunks.  Drifting bits of the white continue to meander toward the waves and piles that cover our yard.
Here alone today, yet not the least bit lonely. Finding quiet in my self, and in Him; quiet as white and gentle as what I see out there.

We are still us, and that is good.

God brings peace.  Acceptance, letting go, turning times and people over to Him, rather than holding, clenching, pushing and pulling for dear life.  I'm finding that life isn't quite as dear as I thought, at least not my idea of it.

Finding my Jesus strong and there.

Laying down these desperate needs, these restless thoughts, minute to minute.

Finding more to pray, less to talk about.   I look around with a new gentleness, a new understanding that is hard-won, but necessary.

I think I'll save advice and "wisdom" for when it's really necessary.  I think I'll give my Father my concern, my opinions about things.  I'm thankful for the rough bark out there, and for the soft white covering even the most jagged parts.  

I love this place.