Still here

I am still here. I do not have clever ideas or bright insights or revelations, but I am still here.

Things that made an impression on me over the past weeks? Lots! There is a very brave lady in our community fighting cancer and dealing with depression at the same time. I take my hat off to her. You have to love her.

My cat's 'commonlaw wife' was poisoned and it made me sad. On the same day I broke my foot and I suppose I could reflect on the use of a left foot ;-)

My friends, Walter & Rialene, had a boy! Amazing little guy. My friends, Tom & Lollie's, little boy started walking. He has this look of sheer determination on his little face after every fall and then he gets up and tries again. Amazing. Young Tayla & Nina were such little ladies today and the boys were boys. I adore the kids. I could reflect on them and what I learn from them for weeks on end.

Advent started today. I do not have a 'Christmas feeling', but I do have hope. Jesus came to earth and dwelled in a body just like mine. Squatting on earth, just like us. He understands my joys and frustrations. He has walked this road with human feet - just like mine. I hope in Him. He encompasses my being. He is the Reason I am here. I am still here, because He is too.

I long for you

Lord, I long for you.

Will you saturate my soul,

the way the rain is saturating the earth?

Will you renew my mind the way you are renewing the plants outside?

Lord, make me new?

Cause my life to grow and bear fruit like you do with the plants?

Cause me to blossom like the jacarandas in the streets?

Cause my brain to function perfectly like the rest of your creation?

You said that you take care of the birds and the wildflowers,

will you take care of me too?

Without you I am lost.

Without you I am nothing.

Outside you, there is no real reason.

Outside you, there is nothing that really counts.

Without you, I will dry like a wildflower in the wind.

I need you, today more than ever.

Lord I long for you,

I long for your sustenance.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen