The scent of horse sweat, a mixture of muted musk married with the heady sweetness of field grasses. Bright spring sun spurred the shedding of wool-like auburn brown fur, a mane draped with ashy highlights. Metal sweat scraper tines combed through loose patches reaped then harvested into dull gray steel shark teeth. Mesmerizing for horse and groomer alike, they melted…
Snapshots of Yesterday
Time and circumstance, geography divides, miles between.Snapshots of yesterday resonate from days gone by.Scenes of nature cascade like an endless waterfall.Glints of sunlight dance, undulating to water’s rhythm. Wading in brook's swollen waters, pouring rain night before.Spying crayfish, hidden and anchored near its uneven edge.Lithe royal purple lilies punctuate the lanky velvet grasses,Their reign is…
Rattle and Hum
I was rattled, dazed, and dogged for endless days when the relentless beating sun blinded me, in part, while driving in a heavy, milky haze. Rounded sharp corners smartly and speedily. Brisk October air rushed amid the heady fragrance of fir. Evergreens stood strong, commanding due respect. Muffled droning sounds, a murmur, or a mocking…
Some Losses are Gains
Winds whispering through a thicket at dusk. Amazed at its force and mysterious origin. Last slivers of light cede to inky darkness. Frozen ground crunches beneath my feet. No place to be on a moonless January night. Did you cause the deep freeze of earth and sky? Embers without flame, left cold and desolate -…
Refined in the Fire of God’s Love
There are times in our lives when God refines our faith in the fire of His love. In the process, our human flaws and weaknesses are purged. In times of unknowing, we must lean on our faith to keep us on the sure path of God's will. Though the purging is spiritual in nature, a…
Certainty only in Christ
Sometimes life may make us feel like chicken little in the folk tale where he said he thought the world was ending, "the sky is falling," but reality tells us this is not so. For me, it was not the sky falling today, but a portion of the ceiling. A long concrete sliver fell from the…
The Gecko Extravaganza
Whew! I finally did it, but not without a racing heart, strange sounds like a barking dog and heavy breathing. The sounds and breathing were my way of bolstering myself with courage. (Too bad this episode was not recorded on video, because I'm sure it would be hilarious.) This is the third time…
Answers to Prayer – Just Beyond the Horizon
Every person has experienced moments of being overwhelmed by current circumstances and how they may impact the future. Emotions are what make us human, and knowing Jesus experienced the emotions we deal with day-to-day gives us courage. Indeed, Jesus and God the Father (in the Old Testament) would often say "Be Not Afraid." Because…
Spirit of Truth, Breath of Life
Find your sanctuary in silence. If there is a hush, a stillness, that has made residence deep within, rest with it instead of resisting it. Know it is only for a set time the Divine has chosen. It is a time of pruning. Trust Him and have faith in His design. He is the master…
Following the Footsteps of Faith
The Lord may urge us to move in a different direction, whether looking for a new job, joining an organization, focusing on developing one's God-given talent, or even relocating to an entirely new location. Being human, we all struggle with change to varying degrees. Some of us may grit our teeth and fulfill His request…
J. L. Smyth 