Today ends with quiet contemplation. I clearly felt God steadying me the past couple of days...sensed His Spirit whispering, "Get ready". Today those words drop like a meteor on the arid soil of my heart, breaking up the superficial drought-dry crust and penetrating in a way I never would have expected...never would have asked for or prayed for...not this. Kathy came with me on my respite away. It's so good to have her with me here in this peaceful place. She's sleeping now, but what a joy to pray alongside her as the sun set across the North Alabama sky. We cried because we're saddened by the day's unfolding. The Dr. said we're in limbo. I found no comfort in his words. I so wanted to. I felt desperate for some type of refuge from this storm that pelted our lives so unexpectedly. Then, he prayed with us...umbrella. Like I said before...the little things...can we ever know what they'll mean to a heart that craves? I read with Kathy the Psalm I mentioned a few days ago. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling...there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God." The passage takes on a whole new meaning when the words pass from my lips this time. So tonight my worship is loud. I want You to hear it God. You are my Rock...even when it crashes down on the fallow ground of my soul and breaks me apart. My heart "gives way". Undo me... remake... reshape... reform... transform...every part...til there's nothing left of me. Just You...just You. Kathy and I may leave this season of "expectancy" behind...we don't know tonight which way that may go...but we have a hope...a greater sense of anticipation than ever before...we've traded sorrows...traded pain...for His joy.