It has been a very good, but busy day. Among the joyful events was that Paul Burton called this afternoon to say that his vacation to Washington, D.C. is going well. The group he is with visited the national zoo yesterday. Paul Burton got lots of pictures and some footage of a tiger roaring. I'm looking forward to watching that video! I do miss my brother, though. I'm used to spending some time with him on the weekends.
The weather is rather tranquil tonight after the rain storms of the last day and a half. Everyone here seems to be affected by the calmness. Even though Ellie is lying down in the hallway, I can hear her snoring. I just checked on Qavah (Mom and Dad are out for the evening) and she is sound asleep too, with her blanket tucked beneath her chin. The soft colors of her night light are casting beautiful shadows on her bedroom wall. There is a "holy hush" in our home tonight and I'm at peace because of it. For me, the Sabbath has already begun, even though "Sunday" is a few hours away. My soul is longing to spend some time with the Lord right now, so I'm going to go read my Bible and devotional books. May your Sabbath be calm and restful, as well.
The Valley of Vision Prayer
LORD, HIGH and HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox:
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive
that the valley is the place of vision.
LORD, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find:
thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
