~~~~sss A quaint little store, a bell tinkles at the door. The shopkeeper’s hair is white and he has wrinkles with a twinkle in his eyes. I explained I was looking for a clock to buy. There were many sizes and shapes, in gold, wood and brass, their faces encased in sparkling glass. I bent my ear, do they have a ticking sound or strike on the hour? I am saddened, these clocks are all highly fashioned, but they all lack one thing, they do not have a tick or a ring. Nothing! Everywhere I looked, none could I find, little did I know, I needed a clock I could wind…
The rest of the story can be read in my book ‘Crushed violets’ Available on Amazon.com or free on Smashwords.com
And to all across the world, though your season’s beginnings are not as ours, and our time line may not be as yours, did not our same God in His kitchen of old, stir His bowl with a little dirt and water, molding and folding, adding sons and daughters, carving a little space for every man, woman and race? No matter where we live, it does not determine our faith!
Sometimes it can feel like we are in a turbulent sea of thoughts, drowning in a war we are unable to fight, with voices screaming…
In the early dawn of the morning hours, a ship scours an angry sea of thoughts. Troweling on the deep, a fisherman holds the line, while a thought is caught, a larger one than anyone had thought rises to the top, the battle begins leaving the fisherman distraught.
Above the commotion a voice is heard, “Push her down” and an answer says, “How far down?” As far down as the thoughts are buried”
“Hurry cast a line and reel it in with all your fury” And another voice says “It is too big and my mind is too small how can I let go I am sinking? With a body that is weak, with all my strength, on my knees, every muscle, bone and grandiose groan has hit the bottom”
Another Voice is heard, “Leave them alone they will only harm you” The fisherman no longer distraught releases his thoughts into the depths of the sea!
I have written this story inspired by the promise in the Book of Micah Chapter 7 “He will cast all…into the depths of the sea”
In lands far and near in our quest for peace, our lives are touched with the pain and sorrow of our fellowmen… for does not the same sun shine on our backs, the same moon glows on our sleep. 9Same moon hang in space The ocean’s waves throb and beat…life goes on until time empties into space, for between life and death, is this not just a stopping place?
Number 20, completing an ongoing series of the Story of Creation, through the Flood and ending with the call of Abraham ‘The Friend of God’
Nations were scattered across the earth that day, continuing in their evil ways
A man called Abraham and his nephew Lot heard God’s call, and with many herds and flocks traveled to the desert where pasture and grazing was not enough One went to the right and one to the left and
Lot chose the plain with an evil city, pitching his tents near Sodom and Gomorrah with its flowing fountains and hanging gardens Though Lot was selfish choosing the best, God remembered him, sending angels of warning to leave this city before fire and brimstone rained upon all the living “Surely there’s one righteous man” Lot pled with his Lord that this city may be spared
But not one was found and the angels grieved warning Lot and his wife to leave and not look back, but she loved her home and all she had and with one more glance looking back, she became a pillar of salt…
Through Abraham’s faithfulness, and refusal to partake of this city’s iniquities, of all the land he could see, God bequeathed to him and to all his posterity…
Noah and his family had been guided safely through the storm and had been given a rainbow of promise, but men began to fear a flood would cover the earth once more, and determined to build a tower of safety to reach the heavens. But God was not pleased and looked down upon them, confusing their language, and they were scattered across the lands.
I wonder sometimes, if we may endeavor to build our own tower of safety, until in confusion we turn to Him!
There is a story of a tower of safety that we may all flee to
The Gatekeeper’s Child
The Gardner fences a plot gathering stones Then planting the choicest of vines The finest grapes of rose and purple clustered Among splashes of green woody leaves and Branches, weaves through shadows and sun The song of the Beloved touches His vineyard His pleasant plants reap a harvest in the autumn Yielding fruits of sweetness, a wine press is built To press the fruit and a strong tower is placed In the midst, that his watchmen may watch for Thieves and robbers and the people may run And are safe, hiring a gatekeeper to protect his Vines, the absent Gardner leaves the country Traveling to a far off land, the gatekeeper’s Child, fair skinned, with bright blue eyes And blonde tousled hair, digs in flower beds with Songs of laughter, one night the gatekeeper Became imbibed, partaking of the wine, becoming Mean, his rage bent on destruction, the child is Frightened, while the gatekeeper forgetting to Watch for the enemy, a robber crept in and as he Slept stealing his child who ran and hid, a Darkness, covered the garden and the fruit Withered and died, the sweet smell of the Tender grapes now tainted became sour Wine, the Landholder returns questioning, “Where is my gatekeeper and his child?” But there is no reply, while sending his watchman To search far and near, the gatekeeper comes to His senses, the son returns running into the Tower Of safety, the vines once again are tended with Love and care, and the richness of the garden Brings about much more fruit than before!
Story from my book ‘The Gatekeeper’s Child’ On Amazon, and free on Smashwords
An evening to come apart, to rest from our cares, and refresh our hearts. Seeking prayers and strength for the battles raging. Though darkness of waters wash over us, and fires are kindled against us, we rest assured we are not alone! No enemy can harm us!
The sun rose as darkness fled, the dove resting the sole of her foot on an olive branch, and in the heaven’s clouds the glorious bow was bent, promising the waters would not overflow again!
On this midweek Wednesday of September 1st. To all of this earth’s countries, nations and people.
The invitation is given to take a few moments of reflection, the need to pause, lifting up all those with continuous battles of fires and floods, and to every part of the world, the sufferings you bear, may your hearts find comfort in the midst of all this!
And the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles… 2 Corinthians 1:3