Profound

is not exactly my middle name. Neither is Perfectionist. Or Editor.
But boy oh boy was God's grace evident to me today.

I needed to study chapter content, so I took my flash cards out on our balcony. I climbed over the railing of it and onto a 4' wide section of plywood stretched across scaffolding- about 18 ft off the ground.

I was sitting on scaffolding. Reminded me of God's goodness in our project. Reminded me of industry. God calls work good.
I was wearing a homemade skirt. Reminded me of creativity and how we are made in His image creative like this.
The sky was picturesquely blue with fluffy white clouds. The sun was setting over the nearest hill. The leafless trees pierced the sun's rays. How majestic is His name!
The temperature was absolutely perfect. Not cold, or hot, or humid, or dry. Hardly would have noticed the air if it weren't blowing my hair around. My hair was curly- left over from the day previous' festivities. The time of the week we get to put on our best and worship the King of Kings with His Saints!

The chickens were hurrying back to their coop before sunset. Reminded me of the order God desires for His earth.
My sister was swinging on the swing. Singing to herself and grinning ear to ear. Reminded me of the childlike joy knowing we are Christ's gives us.

The leaves were blowing around on the ground. Reminded me of God's presence in every season of life.

But the wind. the wind is what made me feel loved today.

There have been many occasions in my life when I have been vulnerable. Physically and emotionally. Its times when I have tumult in my spirit that somehow I always find myself at the mercy of the wind  outside-quite literally. :P Burning boxes. Staining/ painting/powerwashing on ladders. Swimming. Sanding. Driving in the rain. Flying. Hiding in the basement. Huddled under covers in the middle of the night. All times when I pray, "Dear Lord, subdue the wind. Please let these bursts die down. They're too much to handle. I'm not ready for them!"

But they never do. They usually get stronger and harder to handle before they die down. I pray harder and harder. I have to know this is what's best. I have to be content with the wind and trust continually. But you know what? I've come through every burst. I've never been pushed down by the wind, that I remember. And after each  one comes and goes, I thank the Lord that I survived it. (sounds dramatic, no? its not really that bad, usually) I pray a lot more often on windy days.

The trials of this life are like bursts of wind, aren't they? Except I'm afraid they're a bit stronger and have knocked me down innumerable times.

I don't think it's insignificant that "The Spirit of God moved over the water". The Holy Spirit moves like the wind, doesn't he? I'm sure there's a Bible verse about that. The wind lets me know- lets me feel physically that He is moving- working- changing- shaping- molding- growing- and hugging- loving- touching me and all those around me.

I love the wind. God is good.

My studying didn't go so well out there on the scaffolding. It was too pretty.