hanging on for dear life
by Elouise
hanging on for dear life
gnarled roots exposed
soil sifts away with
each new flash flood
no rock bottom in sight
turbulence guaranteed
in more than the air
reeking with harbingers
of hard times ahead
soil ill-prepared
for these upheavals
brittle dry sinews of our
vulnerability on display
slow motion relentless
yesterday disappearing
before our eyes can adjust
in this foreboding present
Every day my eyes are pulled to headlines and news articles that sometimes offer more than they can deliver. Instead, they leave me without comfort or enlightenment. Sometimes they destroy any iota of clarity I thought I’d achieved. It isn’t laughable; it’s tragic. Not because of the news industry, but because of what passes these days as news.
So here’s the news I’m counting on these days–good for me, good for you and good for the animals and mother earth!
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
Your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
You give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
In your light we see light.
Psalm 36: 5-9 (New International Version)
Psalm 36 was written during politically troubled times filled with those who flattered themselves “too much to detect or hate their sin.” So-called leaders were failing to “act wisely or do good” and did not reject what was wrong.
The only antidote to evil and falsehood is truth. Speaking it, yes. Even more potent, living it. Daring to live each day in the light of our Maker—the only light in which we see light, whether we live and whether we die. The unseen source and goal of our dear lives.
Praying this day will bring moments of deep calm and clarity.
Elouise ♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 July 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, October 2012, Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Shallow
Telling the Truth 
Dear Elouise, one of the things I so appreciated during my month in Cambridge is the way the English continually offer, along with the “bad” news, in-depth news of positive initiatives to make life better – in Britain, and beyond its bounds, by Brits. Much of this reporting is done by talking with those people, and sharing the recordings of the interactions, often on-site. Diane and I commented on how absent that kind of reporting seems to be back here. We also appreciated the polite way (even when they are getting at unwanted, or otherwise difficult areas) the news people go about interviewing and reporting on the news – so sad that this should be surprising – but all this is to say that such reporting can happen, and does. If only we could see the worth of true civility, and genuine respect for the humanity of each person, and of understanding what it is they think they are, and are doing. I believe that it would help us find a better place to “stand” (i.e. live) together, regardless of our differences.
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Hear, Hear! So true. This steady diet of sensational headlines and constant commentary isn’t good for our health–though what’s being dished up from the top down isn’t all that edible either.
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We are NOT BRITS we are either English ,Scottish, Irish or Welsh!
😦
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OK Elouise, Here goes. I used to have a little exercise I put my class through when we went on camp. The idea was to make them realise they could trust each other. You probably know this one. You have the class break into pairs. Then one is blind-folded the other stands behind. Then the one with the blind-fold, standing rigid- falls back and the partner catches them. On the first try the one in front usually steps back quickly in fear but eventually, with eyes tight and arms folded they trust their partner and fall back into the partners arms.
Are you playing that same game with God? How often do you start a post with a story about how worried you are with the things around you. But how often has God stepped back and let you fall? Isn’t it about time you just closed your spiritual eyes, folded your spiritual arms and just relaxed?
There y’ go. Now I’ve said it.
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Hi John. Well…lots think about here! I do know the exercise you describe. I’ve participated in it and used it. It’s great!
The context for my posts in the last six months and more (during the presidential election campaign) has been and still is the Trump presidency and the way it’s affecting us directly and indirectly on a daily basis. It’s tempting to look the other way, and pretend it isn’t as bad as it is, or some version of ‘it’s going to all work out in the end’. So from time to time I’m writing pieces tagged National Politics, or something like that. It’s one of several ways I ‘relax’, telling the truth about what I observe, and saying what I need to say about staying on track with God’s truth. It’s either that or getting lost in the daily morass of confusing rhetoric and what sometimes feels like a reality show gone bad.
I don’t believe God will let me fall. I do, though, have to make an effort to relax and let go of control. God doesn’t promise an easy path for any of us. For me, these daily ups and downs are the hardest part of all.
The point of today’s post is that I have a choice every day–many times over–to keep my eyes on truth instead of being consumed by the distracting sideshow. I could gasp in horror, be contemptuous, make bad jokes or do other things that diminish the office of the presidency. I choose not to do that. So I remind myself often that God is in charge and I won’t be dropped! Then I pick up my pen and write what’s on my heart, even though writing about it isn’t the same as living it out daily.
Thanks again for this good comment and question.
Elouise
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Once again, lovely images by D’s keen eye and lens and a beautiful accompaniment to go with it. I love that picture and thank you for your peace filled words ❤
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You’re most welcome. Peace. 🙂
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