Westwoods

  I've just spent the morning deeply meditating on an article assignment and feeling stumped. Writing an article for my blog post or other public consumption would be so much easier if you could just name the thing you are writing about. But when I started my journey of writing I determined from the very beginning that I would never on purpose write any truth or honesty without first weighing it in the balance of another persons feelings. Especially those I love.  And what God gives me to write is often my working through a difficult time with those that I love best. Or worst. Because real love is the tested kind. Love that sticks it out alongside someones nasty and doesn't leave because it's not easy. This brings out the worst in me sometimes. I have great gulfs of not knowing how to stay in grace and kindness...because it's just too much. I am tempted to run or hide from loving well. There has got to be a way to be honest about love without being unkind. There has got

  My desert place is probably different than yours. But I think we all go through times that could be defined as a desert. For me it is a lonely place. A great discomfort and time of listening and accepting the fire I go through as a way for God to get my attention and teach me that this huge gap of loneliness is opportunity for God's goodness to shine...He breaks apart all my props and false securities to get to the real deal in my desert times. The sand under my feet in these times is too hot to bear alone. I'm driven to my knees asking God for HELP. The occasional oasis is too far and few between my need for strength, yet I must keep focused on my Guide to get to it. I must not doubt it is there, neither must I be distracted by the mirages I see along the way. I get up and keep walking toward the goal that is unseen. I journey wisely. Pacing myself with divine strength and using trust as a propellant because I am not there yet and don't know when I will be. All I know is