Take my hand and let’s stroll out onto the dance floor. The orchestra music lifts your spirits. Smell the sweet flowers decorating the walls. Conversations with soft voices drift to your ears.
You wear an elegant gown of purple silk. Diamonds at your neck. I have given you the attire of the ball.
Don’t pull away fearing you don’t measure up to this. I am the king of the dance and I brought you here.
Don’t run back to the shadows like a self-conscious middle schooler. Walk with me into the light.
You are loved with an everlasting love.
Allow the beauty of this place to give you confidence to join the dance of life, the feast of love, the gathering of freedom. This is my dance and you belong here.
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
The winds of loss shriek with deafening cries until the air is thick with pain. You think you can’t hear me. Listen to my gentle voice.
Choose the path of your thoughts. Focus on my voice, not the pain.
I whisper words of hope, of confidence, of life in midst of the storm. Pain can confuse you and lure you away from me. But you can learn to hear my voice.
The winds howl outside of you. My voice whispers inside–to your mind, to your spirit.
Focus on me, not those external angry cries. My words are of love and purpose and kindness and mercy.
I love you, dear one. In the storm, I love you. In the shrieks of pain, I still love you.
Listen for my voice. Come to me.
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock
The mountain stream gurgles in celebration of life. Walk beside it on my path. You can’t see around the corner yet but keep walking. Celebrate each step as a step toward the plans I am unrolling. Take another step. You are tired, my love. The weight is heavy. But I have never left you and I do not leave you now.
Avoid looking into the darkness of self pity and depression. There is no life in that. You shut me out when you do that. Continue walking ahead.
Allow me to show you new steps, new purpose, new love. Let my joy flow over you. Into you. Through you. Let me strengthen you. I am with you always. Inhale deeply of my joyful breath, dear one.
Take another step.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!
Eat from my banquet table, dear one. See the foods before you. Endless choices.
Smell the aromas of roasted meat and fresh vegetables. Taste the sweet fruits.
I provide abundantly. Sit with me at my feast. Let us join in celebration. The music of a festival fills the air. Flames dance in joy from torches and fireplaces. Children clap their hands as they dance, as they celebrate the abundant life I provide.
Join in, dear one. Enter my feast and let me be your host.
Let me set this banqueting table before you in the midst of the darkness beyond, in the midst of loss and pain.
In me is life and healing and joy. Join me, my love.
Join me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
When the darkness settles onto you, do not trust your perception. You are not trapped in a black cave.
You are standing instead in an open field. Look up. Even in the dark night, light persists. My light. My stars. The moon above. You are not in utter darkness.
The darkness of loss and despair threatens to defeat you. But I bring light to your darkness and you are not trapped. You are not alone.
Seek the light and run toward it. In those dark moments, remember my light.
I have never left you. The dawn is coming and my light will never be lost. Run to me.
In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help
(One day early in my grief, I prayed to God: “Today I hurt. A piece of me wants to run far away, to hide in a deep cave, to ignore all my responsibilities, to let someone else care for me.” Here’s what he said to me.)
One step today. You don’t have to climb a mountain. You don’t have to plant your flag in the peak.
Rest for a bit at the edge of the path. Let tears come if they will.
I am your strength and your love. And I will wait for you.
The pain will never stop. It will fade. This day, don’t worry about how long. Think of one step.
One step into the light. Into joy. Into a future that is filled with love and kindness.
Rest for a bit with me. Let my music of comfort and healing fill you. I will carry you today.
One step forward. Just one. You don’t have to win the marathon.
You only need to take one step today.
Lord, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble!
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