#ithuja

How the brave rays of the sun piercing through a cloud break in February feel so much brighter than the flood of it in August.

The way a soft breeze and a hint of blue sky after weeks of clouded northwest winter compel you to breathe deeper.

How the fresh doxology from a tiny brown wren, unseen beneath a sword fern, bursts out across the side of a silent mountain and causes hikers to stop in their boots.

I’ve realized lately that God’s provision shines out clearer in scarcity. When one can arrive at peace with that scarcity—truly realizing we deserve and are owed nothing, yet seeing what we have been given—one can be surprisingly content, thankful even.

The thing we don’t contend with in all of this humbling is that goodness of God can’t leave us alone. It is overwhelming and so specific at the same time.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

.wounds that speak.

Jesus wept.

God’s country. Driving through Nevada’s back country on “America’s loneliest highway” was a favorite part of our road trip home. All this beauty in the middle of nowhere...just because God can. Pretty amazing. 

Whatever season you're in right now, I hope it helps to remember seasons come and seasons go. Seasons change. I can't think of a season in my life that didn't eventually transition on to the next. God can cause each season of our life to be rich with purpose even when we can't see how. He knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t. When we find ourselves in seasons of life we don't understand, didn't plan on being in, or would rather fast-forward past, we can be comforted with the reminder that God will never leave us alone or abandoned in that place. We can look for what He wants to develop and refine in us in every season of life so we'll prepared, mature, strong, and ready for what's to come. And what’s to come is going to be so good!

— andrearhowey