DRENCHED...

cold, lonely, unsure how (why?) to proceed, You meet me.

You come to me as I dissolve in tears on the floor of my room and meet me.

Your Word washes over me. You rain down on me amidst the storm of my tears.

I soak. I am drenched in Your Compassion over me.

This is where I belong.

This is where I intend to stay.

Soaking Wet with Living Water.

Yes.

Today is Thursday, October 8, 2009. I will be off this next 6 days. I sigh deeply… restfully… standing on the cusp of much-needed respite. And I give thanks.

Thanks for fogged windows, blurring green-blue reality …

Thanks for sun-dappled Light splashing on freshly cut roses from my garden

Thanks for wakening sounds all around… birds… Bo… Boy…

Thanks for husband-presence… blueprint-rustling, throat-clearing reassurance

Thanks for first sips of freshly ground… freshly brewed… coffee … freshly froth-topped!

Thanks for breath, deeply gulping respite in sighs sighed.

From my reading this morning: (Matthew 22-24) (becki's paraphrase)...

Jesus is addressing the religious folks of his day... the scribes and pharisees... and he calls 'em "whitewashed tombs", beautiful to look at but dead bones on the inside... he admonishes them to clean up the inside and then they will be clean outside as well.

Yup, I can "look *REALLY* good, with my activities, rules, schedules, hats I don, smiles I wear, achievements I achieve, awards I receive, etc, etc, etc... and inside be dying from loneliness, shame, fear, and self-pity...

Jesus sounds the call for inside out change... As I abide in His Love, taking a good honest look at my life TODAY, Messiah is cleansing me... washing me from the inside out... flushing out the impurities, the infectious remnant of a life driven by self-will run riot... and I even *feel* clean! Sounds weird, but it's true!

Once again, it's all Grace and I'm *loving* this chilly N Florida morning and reveling in snuggly socks, soft jammies, and a crackling fire!)