Project 365 Day 171: Responding

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 2.8 aperture, 1/250 shutter, 125 ISO

Heart heavy, I walk at magic hour through my pasture. The warm glow from the setting sun is magnified in the haze of the hot summer humidity. I am seeking, feeling desperate to find God, to hear His voice. Once again, I have managed to heap up the cares, the worries, the weight of responsibilities all onto my tired shoulders. I search for His light, His reflection in His creation.

Then I see her. There, carefully opening, face upward, she is stretching toward the sun. Little Bitterweed flower. She is responding, dancing the dance of surrender and beauty as she opens to the light and warmth. I lay my body down on the earth and look to see what she sees. Ah, yes, I too am enthralled. With the light, yes, and with God. He is always saying it. I just have to listen, to look, to open my heart. He is telling me, telling you, He loves us. He was saying it last night, as Chris and I walked in the darkness of a new moon. Through the chorus of tree frogs and cicadas as they sang the songs of summer. Through the shimmering lightning bugs and stars. Through the intertwining of our fingers, as our steps moved together on our road, the pavement still hot from the day.

He is saying it now, as He coaxes this little yellow flower, and me, to open and respond. He knows the cares will tumble away when I open to Him. Gratitude and worship always trump worry.  He was there all along, just waiting for me to respond.

Burdens untether as I worship. I open and respond to love.

1 John 4:19 ~ “We love because he first loved us.”