Oh Great LIght of the World.

I guess I've been hiding, riding out the storm. Sitting, quiet in the cellar, while the tempest uproots,purges, every solid thing above ground, sweeping it all away in one massive, terrible cleansing. The roar was deafening and the fury, magnificent. And me, knowing that there wasn't a thing I could do to control the course of it or orchestrate the outcome.I had no say in what would be taken and what would be left. After the initial terror, strange electric comfort in letting go.

It's been quiet a little while now, and I think it's safe to have a look around-to see if anything's left at all. Will I even recognize the landscape? No, there's not much left and the place doesn't look familiar, but we are alive and we have a chance to begin a new life. The cellar lessons of surrender, trust, and comfort will be the foundation for what lies ahead.

The Lord has lifted me up in a funny, deeply profound and still mostly unspeakable way. He has held me as an infant, wrapped me up, warm and fuzzy, and full. I am helpless in His arms right now and mostly speechless while I get reaquainted with my native tongue, the whispers of a wild and tender love.

My deepest thanks to all you who have so patiently and gently prayed me home. I have been rescued, delivered from darkness. I can feel His love for me for the first time in my life. Alleluia.

Isaiah 49:8-26
God also says:

"When the time's ripe, I answer you. When victory's due, I help you. I form you and use you to reconnect the people with me, to put the land in order, to resettle families on the ruined properties. I tell prisoners, 'Come on out. You're free!' and those huddled in fear, 'It's all right. It's safe now.' There'll be foodstands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills-Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, for the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs. I'll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a superhighway. Look: These coming from far countries, and those, out of the north, these streaming in from the west, and those from all the way down the Nile?"

Heavens raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!Mountains, send up cheers! God has comforted his people. He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

But Zion said, "I don't get it. God has left me. My Master has forgotten I even exist."

Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you-never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as i am the living God-God's Decree-'you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride'.

And your ruined land? Your devastated, decimated land? Filled with more people than you know what to do with! And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory. The children born in your exile will be saying, 'It's getting too croweded here. I need more room.' And you'll say to yourself, 'Where on earth did these children come from? I lost everything, had nothing, was exiled and penniless'...I'm the one who's on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children. And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves...then everyone will know that I, God, have saved you-I, the MIghty One of Jacob." The Message.