northwest travels

The night’s black, it’s dark
Strips of road lines flash by
And we’re on a conveyor belt
Straight red lights, blinking, tall
And shadows of imagined homes
The roving, circling, rotating beacon
Flashing overhead as I count seconds
Small town signs, cafes, half-lit streets
Roads I’ve traveled more times than you

Smoke seeping from the ground
Curling skywards through the ashes
Graying air, still, cold
Black branches

Small Lessons

[Thoughts I've been dwelling on today, or that have struck me.]

Lesson #1:

"I, even I, am He who comforts you!
Who are you, that you should be afraid?" -Isaiah 51:12a

(I think that covers it.)

Lesson #2:

Be careful with your words.

""If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body..." -James 3:2

Yeah. This convicted me during the service today, but I thought, "Hey, I don't have a huge problem with this, just once in a while."
And then later in the day I went on to say at least three or four things that I regret now. I guess it's harder then I thought. And God was probably pointing out that I wasn't as sanctified in that area as I thought...

Lesson #3:

I have so. many. friends, and I take that for granted I think. If I start praying for all my friends I'm overwhelmed with how good God is to me. Wow. It never stops, I keep thinking of more to pray for and thank Him for. =) Such a huge, great blessing.

Lesson #4, etc.

Sundays can sometimes be both uplifting & encouraging ... and discouraging when you realize how much you have to sanctify; that is, if you're only looking to yourself for the answers.
...oh yeah, and by the way, I'm a prideful and self-centered sinner.
But I have a great God and a great Savior. And I don't think the Holy Spirit has finished working in me yet. =)

I love rain and warm sweaters and new music and learning new things and accomplishing goals and looking forward to life.

I Don't Know Their Names

   She wore a red apron and smiled as she said goodbye to the woman in the blue car. "Alright then, goodbye! God bless you!" She waved cheerily as the vehicle pulled down the street and out of sight. Then her light, curly-haired head turned toward me, and she gave me a Grandma's smile. "Well, hello there!" I smiled and returned her greeting. She turned then, and walked back to her house through the blue and yellow gardens, and I watched her. I don't know her name, but I wish I could have talked with her more.


   "See over there?" Dad motioned with his head. "That's a case of verbal child abuse if ever I've seen one. That kid's dad was sure laying in to him." My eyes followed his direction and rested on a small boy standing by a park bench.
   "He wasn't doing anything really," Dad continued. "He just asked for something, and his dad started yelling a couple of inches from his face."
   The boy stood there shaking from his sobs, and his freckled face was the description of hurt. Laughing, happy people walked in front of him to their destinations, and children called out to each other. The woman watching him sat on the green bench, and her face was cold. People clustered everywhere around him, but I knew he felt alone. I don't know his name, but I wish I could have told him I cared.

   A smile lit her face as her eyes squinted in a friendly kindness. I sat beside her and she pointed to the brightly colored circus performers and commented to me about them. The sun was hot, and my hands felt sticky. She bought me a blue snow-cone that day, and later we visited her room in the nursing home. I watched my parents talk to her, and I rocked in her chair and smelled her flowers. She smiled at me and she was kind to me. I don't know her name, but I wish I could have known her better.

When I Was Younger...

We would run and play all day
That good feeling when you’re tired from fun
And I’d never get cold then, no never

We would work hard in the garden
And we’d sweat and blink our stinging eyes
Then we’d spit peas at each other
And I’d never get cold, no never

We would climb into bed at night
Me in my bed, you all in yours
And I would pull the covers up to my chin
Just letting my head out to breathe
And I’d never get cold, no never

It's About Him

But we were made for greater
Our greatest satisfaction is making His Name famous
So if we’re never named among the greatest, or they don’t critically acclaim us,
Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of,
We gave it up for the Savior.

[Lecrae]