Saturday, March 31, 2012

And so I walk...........

I stood at my kitchen window this morning just before dawn and looked out over the pastures and wooded areas surrounding my house.  A heavy fog lay over the hills and valleys and drifted off into the woods making it's way on across the woods to the high bluffs along the Hatchie River.

As I stood there watching the mist settling in, or 'laying sot' as my Maw McDonald would have said, I thought what a blessing it is to stand in audience as the Creator God of the Universe displays His pallet before me. 

Terry and I once received great pleasure in visiting galleries to observe the works of artisans in various mediums.  We walked and looked for hours and then spent additional hours sitting in a restaurant talking about the works that impressed us the most and why they did so.  Yet, in all those works, nothing could compare to the works of God in His creation.

Dawn arrived and the mist scattered.  The overcast skies foretold a day of what many would call 'gloom'.  I don't see overcast days as gloomy, I see them as a time to work quietly and take joy in my tasks.  I don't see rainy days as dreary; I see them as a time of washing and renewal.  How many times have you walked among the grassy hills or wooded areas after a rain and thought about, or even commented on, how new and fresh everything felt, looked, smelled?

So it is with the rainy days of our spirit.  I've had a few of those lately.  Things seemed bleak and dreary, as though the clouds and the mists of sadness had 'sot' on my spirit.  Then, a beautiful rainy day with overcast skies comes along and the Lord reminds me that it is a time of renewing for my spirit. A time of reflection and quiet contemplation for me to draw in to Him and rest in His provision.

In my mind I take a walk through my own hills, valleys and wooded areas and rehearse the many ways in which the Lord has carried me right up to that bluff, but never across that river.  My time of crossing that river will come at the day He appointed.  Until then, He reminds me of His love and provision for me and my need for Him.  So often, I'm not a good companion of the Lord.  I'm unfaithful in my thoughts, unfaithful with the way I use my time, unfaithful in the places I allow my heart and emotions to take me, so fickle when He has given only His best for me.

No Scripture quotations today.  From Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:1, the entirety of Scripture teaches me and guides me to that intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Each verse encourages me to remain faithful and be fruitful, to grow in the Lord, to know He loves me and will walk with me every step of the way, sometimes even carrying me when I cannot walk.

And, so I walk.........IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

11 comments:

Vicki said...

Oh, yes, Diane, it is well with your soul. And you are counted faithful simply because of HIS faith flowing through you as you abide in Him. Love finding your post here. You are ever in my prayers and heart.

Felisol said...

Dead Diane,
I got the picture you painted before my inner eye. I'm often awake in dawn and admire the enchanted landscape in morning dew.I'm sorry to learn you have rainy o me you always seem like one of the most righteous, honest, but also vulnerable of all the sisters.
You know what the preachers say, on a white cloth just one spot is standing out, very visible. It's worse with people like myself with so many spots, one cannot identify them.
Love the ending though; all is well with my soul. Great testimony.

Mrs. Mac said...

God has given you an eye for His beauty; you are blessed to see through the fog. To see and smell what life giving sustenance it brings to a dry parched place. You are His beloved and He is yours. Love,

Margie said...

ohmyword! you are blessed! It is amazing to see God's handiwork and blessings and miracles and to have your soul so in tune with Him, that is a blessing! I loved this post! loveyou!

Pat said...

Oh my sister..this is so beautiful and meaningful. I can see the hills, and the mist and I am moved to tears. You touch me so deeply in your walk with the Lord.
This is a Sunday school lesson wrapped up in a blog and sealed with your generous hugs.
I love you my sis!

Sara said...

Beautiful! And how wise (and necessary) to find the beauty in the misty clouds. Love you.

donna said...

Scripture quotations aren't always necessary.....you are a beautiful example of His word, living breathing and encouraging those around you.....in your own words by His annointing....Bless you.

Deb said...

I only wish I could convey to you how much you have taught me over these years that we've been sisters. ...oh wise woman of God...may He continue to draw you close to His side, to renew and refresh you in the fog and rain. This was such a beautiful post, Diane. I love you my sister -you are in my heart and in my prayers.

Trish said...

Oh Di, Such a vivid and beautiful description of this foggy morning, in the woods and hills...that I can literally smell the sweet Tennessee air. I love you my Sister and feel the Holy Spirit here today...there is nothing better than being in His Presence! Beautiful words from a beautiful Soul. Big Hugs!

Terry said...

dear sweet sister....with everything and all that you have gone through, you are always so close to your lord and never a murmuring tongue against him for all of this!..."all of these things are against me" is sure not coming from your lips!
it just shows that the lord has utmost confidence in you that not only will you overcome with his help but that you will be an encouragement and help to so many others..your own family and those whose lives you have touched in your travels...love terry

Jada's Gigi said...

Words of blessing and encouragement. God is good! it is good to be reminded that even in the gloom and rain there is purpose/