In her essay “Affirmed by God,” author Darcy Wiley told how she found herself sleepless. Bereft. Beset by adversaries and betrayal.

Many of you have told me that you are grappling with equally difficult circumstances. Or relationships. Or both—and you echo her sentiments.

So today, my friends, I offer the comfort she received, which is for you, too. She wrote this:

“I had my ear on the chest of God, his hand patting my back, his lullaby shushing me. I needed his rest. I needed to feel his favor. I needed his loving thoughts about me in the forefront of my mind.” 

“My ear on the chest of God.”

Wow. Can you insert yourself into that image?

I carried that picture with me to my recent getaway at Mt. Hermon, a Christian retreat center in the hills outside of Santa Cruz, California. Wandering trails through redwoods along the creek there, I came upon this plaque, anchored to an old giant.

It, too, is for you. For me. For us.

May you find renewal in the crook of His arm.

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Read Darcy’s entire piece (along with several other wonderful essays) about Living in God’s Love in this month’s edition of The Redbud Post.

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Also posted over the last couple of weeks, these:

Green eater.

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed . . .”

—1 Corinthians 15:51

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A fellow daybreak-watcher in the hills between Big Sur & Carmel. (See her?)

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Lightning: 32 years old

Grandson: 5 years old

Moments before he takes the reins for his very first lesson.

Me: arrived in time to see it all.

Thankful:).

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A week with my Avie . . . my heart is full.

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Goodbye Seattle layover. I’m heading home.

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An early pic of my hometown. Recognize it?

(Port Angeles, WA)

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Sky jasper.

“For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”

—Proverbs 8:11

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Surface Tension.

“In Him all things hold together.”

—Colossians 1:17

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Verbs?

“By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

—Psalm 119:105 MSG

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“Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life,

for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand

Who saith “A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half;

trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”

—Robert Browning

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Good to be back with you, friends. Thanks for stopping by.

Watching Nature, Seeing Life: Through His Creation, God Speaks

P.S. A gift idea: Sugar Birds! Order a personalized copy for someone you love at Village Books.