May melted with makeshift memories, medicines, and mindfulness. June jumped in and jolted me. It’s jam-packed. Will June have me juggling, jotting, and jaundiced (I couldn’t help that ;-)?

Jesus

When asked, “How do you not worry? How do you have faith? How do you have joy?”

“Oh, you haven’t met HIM yet, have you?” I replied.

Experiences like this happen to me frequently while hiking. My sometimes silent sanctuary. The few humans exploring the area acknowledged they knew how loved they were when I asked them. “Jesus, thank you for walking alongside me. Which path should I take?” The birds sang and the wind whispered again. Cool breezes calmed my consciousness. Clarification cleared my confusion. Is that a cross? Later, a cardinal directed me on the path least traveled. “Don’t take your eyes off of me, Karla.”

The peace that passes all understanding. A compassion that is combustible with Christ. Don’t gasp or grimace over guilt. Guilt is Godless. Sorrow is Godly. Can we stop taking trips of guilt? Will we feel sorrow for one another? Worry wastes and brokenness will beg. Jesus will meet you there.

Journey

Do you get caught up in the world’s web? Feelings, emotions, and circumstances will shift, swirl, and spin. Without warning you’re caught in confusion and chaos. To the right you see rubble, to the left you spot loss, and straight ahead is suspicion.

For me? I see forever and I view victory.

pics by K.L. Hale

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
C.S. Lewis

Although I’m not living in poverty, my soul is. It’s an emptiness and neediness that Jesus calls, “poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3). Without God, I’m incomplete. Repair is not needed–just restoration and reconciliation. You and I are not “wretched” souls. We have wretched life circumstances and our brokenness motivates us beyond ourselves. Once I thought all was perfect; my awareness was lacking. God IS love. When the dust settles and your heart hurts what will heal? Compassion, love, and grace. You will never be “good” enough. The opposite of bad is not good–it’s love.

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
C.S. Lewis

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
1 John 4:16

June

Jeez, June. You can’t jar me! I’ll be in 7th heaven when my favorite 7 humans pay a visit soon. A 60th wedding anniversary by my favorite couple will be honored. There will be family celebrations, a new scan for me, more bloodwork and a visit, and a better prescription to see. June, we’ll be fine. There will be holidays, birthdays, routines, and more–I’m sure the unexpected will be in store. As temperatures rise and attitudes flare, keep us grounded and safe, keep love in the air.

I’m living my reality and truth. God himself is called the “God of truth” (Ps 31:5). Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is also called the truth (1 John 5:6).