night walk.

hang on, willow tree,
you are looking tired and cold
bending down
lower, lower, low.

others have long traded
leaves for crisp silhouettes
but you only now begin
to let down your silvery long leaves
and that without much show.

slender, sparkling-green twists
flutter in the light,
against the shifting color of the night sky,
falling on me
as i walk beneath your tossled bows,
riding the winds of the new cold
of the november night.

peace to you, willow tree,
for always
peace
you pass
to me.

Almighty One.

your splendor is, indeed, something to behold!

this sky... pouring forth knowledge.

this mountain... rising up in praise.
i imagine you calling up a certain line in the earth... perhaps with your finger, perhaps with your breath, or just a word...

the low-flying heron... slow, steady. set by your very own rhythm.
surely, nothing in this world has taught it such a rhythm.

the calf & mama cow grazing and grooming by the side of the stream...
sweet, tender, continuation of life here...

splendor, all splendor!
may the heart of the Creator be blessed by the splendor of his created.
and let my own life be included in the splendor of your hands...
let it be that which points to you and gives you glory.

amen.

hope.

"You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth..."
ps.65:5

Blessed Hope!
how beautiful you are!
how sure is our foundation, how swift are your mighty wings which lift us up and carry us into the light of your presence!
there is no darkness i fear;
there is no loss i mourn;
for in you is the answer to all of the soul's longing and questioning.

you are quick to satisfy your saints, even along the dark parts of this earthen roaming.
my soul finds rest in you alone.
in you,
the hope of all the ends of the earth;
in you,
who answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness!

my soul finds rest.
how i love you, Blessed Hope, my Redeemer!