Words and Pictures

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. ~Cyril Connolly

I saw this quote last week and decided it explained better than I ever could why I keep up my blog. I started it a little over a year ago because we were moving away from friends and family after 47 years and I thought it would be a good way for them to keep up with our new life. That has happened somewhat, but for the most part my readers seem to be made up of either casual drop ins or total strangers with a few connections from my former life that grows more distant every day. I've contemplated ending my foray into cyberspace, but this quote gave a little clarity to my journey, so for now I will continue.

God has been very gracious to give us two magnificent days in a row so my soul could expand again. The sky has been blue, the breeze gentle, the temperature warm, and the clouds have been absent, leaving the sun visible for the first time in almost a week. The rain returns soon but I am thankful for the respite we were given.

I worked a little while today and then spent part of the day walking and taking pictures and also absorbing more of the music and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman's new CD, Beauty Will Rise. While most of us might never experience the loss of a child, grief is a universal experience and the hope expressed from God's Spirit through Steven's words and music has left me mostly speechless. So I'm going to combine some of his words with pictures I took today in a feeble attempt to encourage you to purchase this treasure for yourself.

"But in my mind's eye I can SEE a place, where Your glory fills every empty space."



"Out of these ashes, beauty will rise and we will dance among the ruins. We will SEE it with our own eyes. Out of these ashes, beauty will rise, for we know joy is coming in the morning. In the morning, beauty will rise."



"And I'm counting down the days until I SEE, it's everything He said that it would be and even better than we would believe. And I'm counting down the days 'til He says, 'Come with me' and finally, we'll SEE."



"And I can't wait to watch your brother's face when he can finally SEE with his own eyes that everything's okay. But I, oh, I just have to wait 'cause I know that day is coming."



"You are faithful, You are faithful, when You give and when You take away; even then still Your name is faithful. You are faithful."



"Who are You God? 'Cause You are turning out to be so much different than I imagined. And where are You God? 'Cause I am finding life to be so much harder than I had planned."



"This is not where we planned to be when we started this journey, but this is where we are. And our God is in control."



"I did my best to explain how it is that we all will be with God; how it was the Savior came."



"God is it true that You're thinking of me at this moment? God is it true that You hear every prayer that I pray? God is it true every time my heart beats You know it? Well if it's all true, then that must be You I hear saying, 'Trust Me'."



"And I will trust You, I'll trust You. Trust You God, I will. Even when I don't understand, even then I will say again, You are my God and I will trust You."



"Jesus will meet you there."



"Spring is coming, Spring is coming. And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear. Spring is coming, spring is coming. It won't be long now, it's just about here."