Open Your Eyes

So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. (2 Kings 6:14-17)

as i look around
my heart is overwhelmed
feet stuck to the ground
i am so heavy
trudging, straining
looking at my feet
wanting to be in
a different place
why, why am i here?
so i try to move again
but i feel, desperate
on my knees
they are closing in on me
i am afraid
calling out for help
i hear, "open your eyes"
no i can't see, please help
calm surrounds me
but is it real?
again i hear, "open your eyes
there on every side,
can you see them?"
God's salvation surrounds...
the angels are so much more numerous
my enemies are defeated
open your eyes,
you are free
so on my knees
my heart is given water
i drink it able to relax
for i am saved by a great hope
hope in the God of
all heaven and earth
i no longer have to worry
peace and joy help me stand
and move my feet
they are not so heavy
as i begin a dance
my heart is overwhelmed
so open your eyes, my friends
see your salvation on
every side you are safe
for our fears for today,
our worries about tomorrow,
and even the powers of hell
can't keep God's love away!

 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:8-9)


Continuing to count... #284-306 of the Thousand Endless Gifts
*sitting around the table, eating together, good conversation, generations
*new mercies for tomorrow
*power that stayed on even with all the other mess of the storm
*a way out when i feel boxed in
*staying home
*open windows-the fresh breeze
*children who remember our intentions and not our regrets
*hearing the boy's words more clearly
*more moments that I can try again not to let slip past in waste, frustration, business, stress
*a winding circle of candles lit, family prayers, walking this journey together
*satisfied cravings-learning what real satisfaction is
*all ages in one room
*some amazing reflection back and forth, things coming into focus
* meditating on: "everlasting preoccupation with God", Ecc 2:11, true wisdom and the heart of my efforts, God's plan and gifting for my children (not mine) and what my place really is
*our family bible reading (Esther, Exodus 2-14, and now we are going to start at John 12) this lent season
*humility-humus (greek root word)-down to the earth, down on my knees--CONSTANTLY/OVER & OVER
*Robin Sampson says, "Spiritual maturity is about coming to the end of ourselves and realizing just how big God really is, and that there is no way that we could ever do it on our own! Seek God and rest assured, He will perfect that which concerns you and your children. (Psalm 138:8). Trust, have confidence in Him, wait in joyful anticipation for Him to revel His will.  “Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18"
*JR's amazing revelation this week: We were discussing Ex 15:22-27 in light of Jehovah Rapha (The god who heals). God led the people to the place with the bitter water (their hearts) and had Moses throw a tree into the waters. Did that tree represent the cross/Jesus? I mean read it and see how cool that is. He saw their hearts, their need for healing. And he made the bitter waters sweet with a tree. Jesus died on a cross (made from a tree) to heal us! Anyway, see what you think. :)
*a beautiful Sunday that I wasn't going through in a fog from being so tired
*hundreds of spinning pinwheels
*kids jumping from tree trunk piece to tree trunk piece
*picking up sticks together, Gabe and Olivia excited and helpful
*carrying the baby on the my back and him calm