Calming

Well, the relocation is complete. We're fully moved into our home. The holidays are over. Life is calming down.

My soul also feels to be calming down. I've been in a constant state of emotional & spiritual flux for about a year. Since Christmas I've been back into a consistent routine of getting up around 5:30 every morning and spending an hour alone with God reading and praying. Afterward each morning Lynn and I spend about 45 minutes together eating breakfast, praying, reading from Oswald Chambers, and talking. And I feel a peace returning to my soul.

There are a lot of analogies to describe how I'm feeling: The fog is lifting. The clouds are parting. The haze is dissipating. And finally, one of my favorite songs from antiquity:

I Can See Clearly Now

I can see clearly now the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way,

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

I think I can make it now the pain is gone,

And all of the bad feelings have disappeared,

Here is the rainbow I've been praying for.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

Look all around, nothing but blue skies.

Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day.

I'm enjoying a rediscovery of God's presence all around me in nature. I'm placing bird feeders in the back yard and watching and listening to these little creatures who are so important to God that He takes notice every time one of them falls. I'm planning a butterfly garden to attract hundreds of butterflies to remind me of the metamorphosis of sanctification that God takes us through as we fully submit ourselves to Him.

I once again am beginning to feel the close presence of God with me throughout the day. I seem to be developing some new skills in opening up and communicating with Lynn on a deeper level. (Long way to go). And Lynn and I are both once again beginning to see a vision for what God could be planning to do with us and through us here in ministry to others. And we're feeling and thinking the same thoughts. Harmony is good. :-)

This will be a good year. Lynn and I will come into new places of relational intimacy with each other and with God and with those whom God will bring to us to share the love of Christ with.