blessings that dressed our wounds

so the last year left us with some hidden bruises, Lord ...... 

and yet there were still blessings that dressed our wounds.

You held us, when we didn’t want to hold on,

You loved us, when we couldn’t love ourselves,

You carried us, when we didn’t know how to carry on.

And You pull us near...

and Your Word gently lifts our chins: 

"The Lord bless you & keep you;

the Lord make His face to shine upon you & be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you & give you peace.” 

You lift Your countenance, Lord, You lift Your face, 

& You shine right upon our unsure faces & Grace entirely blankets us ....

You lift Your face & look us slow right in the eye, look us full in the face — 

and looking deep into Your face -- there it is: unwavering peace.

And all the unknowns of a new year with all its question-mark-days, 

undo themselves in the certain peace of Your steadying, holding gaze.

- A.Voskamp

Thankful for, 

- grace that blankets, unwavering peace
- a fun and restful winter break and good time with friends and family
- a fresh new year

(special thanks to my Uncle Jon who gifted me with this amaaaaazing hammock chair for Christmas! I can't believe I lived a full 30 years without one!)