Mommas and Youngins

I was captivated watching the lioness and her cubs at the Ft. Worth Zoo yesterday. When we first came around the corner all the cubs were playing. After awhile momma came bounding up the embankment and was soon followed proudly by a young one following in sync behind, almost mimicking momma. Then the lioness settled down for the cubs to nurse. One precious cub kept nuzzling her neck and licking her face. She seemed at one point to be giving some stern rebuke or instruction to another of her babes. Yes, we know raising babies is not all hugs and kisses.

I can tell you that each unsolicited hug or kiss my children gave me when they were tiny ones was more precious than gold and silver. The job of a momma to nourish, teach, and get her children ready to let them go out into the world is perhaps the hardest one ever. The best gift other than those kisses and hugs from new babies is when the grown ones call you blessed. The one after that is when your baby's babies bring unsolicited hugs and kisses.
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Her children arise and call her blessed.
Proverbs 31:28

High Places

I was amazed on this trip some of the treacherous places I saw people standing. Then I realized I had been standing in quite a few myself. I was delighted to have some victories in being able to step out on glorious, ginormous croppings of rocks to raise my hands and give thanks for freedom in Christ. My and others' prayers on my behalf helped me to realize some desires of my heart.


A few years ago you would not have found me close to edges of deep canyons, let alone walking steep trails. But God rescued me from those fears, and I was able to walk in those high places. I did not throw away common sense or respect for where I was stepping, but was able to move with the help of the Holy Spirit to some places I wanted to go, but could not have done before. Can we really walk in high places without His help to not let our feet slip?

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It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like
the feet of a deer;
he enables me
to stand in high places.
Psalm 18:32-33

Life on Bright Angel

Hiking down Bright Angel trail into the Grand Canyon was, at first, breathtaking in just trying to get footing while taking in the incredible size of the rock formations and depth of the rim down to the Colorado River. At first, as so often the case, everything seemed very quiet. The only sounds seemed to be my labored breathing, heartbeat, and careful stepping so as not to slip and take the big slide over the edge.

Then, as I began to get my stride and relax enough to look up and down, I began to have eyes to see the life on the trail. A hawk flew overhead, scouting the massive and varied crannies for some breakfast. A squirrel popped over the edge, surely not understanding, or perhaps totally understanding just how big his home was.

A mule tethered to the tree waited for the trail guide to finish instructions to the riders. He was surefooted, and had carried thousands safely in and out of the canyon. We overheard the guide instructing the riders to trust their mules, and let them lead. They had carried many, and never had an accident. Hmmmm. They could probably do it in their sleep.

Then a spirited, fearless bluebird landed on the path right in front of me. I don't know if he was used to hikers sharing a little snack, or why he was so brave. But seeing him was delightful.

Finally, turning around and starting the demanding climb out of the canyon, we came to a treacherous switchback. A young man was down on his knees taking a picture of something rather small. As we approached, someone told us it was a tarantula. It was actually quite small compared to the palm sized fellows I have seen in Texas.

Life was abounding, and as my eyes could focus on life and not fear, I was able to see it abounding all around me.
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For you, O Lord, have delivered my
soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
Psalm 116:8-9

Take Courage

My girls wonder, seeing that I walked a major part of a steep trail down into the Grand Canyon and later took a helicopter ride over it, just what I did with their mother. Having to walk on the outside edge as we met other hikers, or sharing a narrow path with mules and riders was quite a thrill. Believe me, this is new territory for me. I have been delivered from so many of my fears of heights and flying. I approached such opportunities being prepared in body, mind, and Spirit. I have been working out with a goal of increasing muscle strength and cardio stamina. It paid off, and I was able to get on the trail and into the helicopter.

I think, while exercising was important, that listening to the Holy Spirit was the most important ingredient in these victories. Some tough life stuff got me to the place of stepping out in freedom offered for the TAKING. Interesting word, 'TAKE' . I found it in scripture in a way that really tuned me in a new direction concerning the things that invite me to be afraid. God will make His Word fresh to move us to new life, new trails, for His glory and to fulfill our hearts' desires.
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BE of good COURAGE..., all you who hope in the Lord.
Ps. 31:24

...he THANKED God, and TOOK courage...
Acts 28:15
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What do I want to do with the rest of my life? Who do I want to spend time with? It TAKES courage to step away from things or people in obedience to what God is telling you to do or not do. It takes courage to try scary, new things; especially when you are older. But I am young compared to when some of the Bible personalities took on assignments given to them by God. But wisdom, preparation, and gratitude paved the way to walk and fly some new ground. The enemy invites us to BE AFRAID, so that our testimonies and victories will be stolen. God invites us to TAKE COURAGE. Prepare yourself in prayer, mind, and body, and go forth!

Let me draw it in

I wrote the words to this song back in 2003, but they seem very appropriate to the Grand Canyon and Sedona pictures of the huge mountains and canyon walls carved and painted by The Master...

Let Me Draw It In
copyright 2003

You weighed the mountains in a balance;
and the hills in a pair of scales.
You made the clouds that float above their peaks
with the hands that took the nails.

You made the tree
that made the cross
you hung upon for all of us.

Oh, this beauty!
Let me draw it in;
so that You may draw it out again
in song,
That I may boast of You!

You made each 'blue' that paints the sky,
the wild aster, and the lake.
Your canyon walls and waterfalls
have made my spirit quake.

You made the tree
that made the cross
You hung upon for all of us.

Oh, this beauty!
Let me draw it in;
so that You may draw it out again
in song,
that I may boast of You!

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Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand...
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?

Isaiah 40:12