987. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. ~Helen Keller

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Another mass murder. Another attack against innocence. Another attack against personal freedoms. Another attack against human rights. Another regrettable tragedy. Another senseless loss for friends and family to bear. Another reason to fear for our safety. Another threat to what people hold dear. Another excuse to doubt God for the unbeliever. Thus what happened today breaks my heart again, and I pray for the victims, their families, and the responders. But what today’s horrific events can never do is steal my hope. While not yet ready to die, I will not live afraid, I will not let madmen rob me of my faith and happiness, I will not let madmen steal what time I have left on earth to worship God and enjoy the life I’ve been given. I am Yahweh’s child, I am of His image and the light of His love, and I will continue to shine His light whenever and wherever I can.

The particular mind of the ocean
Filling the coastline’s longing
With such brief harvest
Of elegant, vanishing waves
Is like the mind of time
Opening up shapes of days.

As this year draws to its end,
We give thanks for the gifts it brought
And how they became inlaid within
Where neither time nor tide can touch them
The days when the veil lifted
And the soul could see delight;
When a quiver caressed the heart
In the sheer exuberance of being here.
Surprises that came awake
In forgotten corners of old fields
Where expectation seemed to have been quenched.

The slow, brooding times
When all was awkward
And the wave in the mind
Pierced every sore with salt.
The darkened days that stopped
The confidence of the dawn.
Days when beloved faces shone brighter
With light from beyond themselves;
And from the granite of some secret sorrow
A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,
For all we loved and lost
And for the quiet way it brought us
Nearer to our invisible destination.
~John O’Donohue

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10   ✝

29 thoughts on “987. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. ~Helen Keller”

      • Glad to hear Natalie. Fear is an awful feeling. I try not to watch too much news, because I don’t want to live in fear. I feel as if there is so much bad news, and of course sensationalism, that it just causes people to always live in fear.
        We know the end of the story, don’t we. I look forward to that, and put my hope in Him.
        Have a wonderful week Natalie.
        Love and blessings 🙂 ❤

        Liked by 1 person

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  14. Thank-you so much Natalie for reminding me once again that the hope and faith that fills my heart daily is shared by so many more people than the mainstream media, and far too often, those we ourselves have placed in power, would have us believe. Even though I know that I am never alone, it is always so good to see it expressed in such beautiful sentiments as those of Mr.O’Donohue’s which you have gathered here, and I thank you once again and pray that your day may be blessed as richly as you have helped to bless mine.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Wow, what a lovely comment, David. And you are so right about the naysayers. I love John O’Donohue and it is such a shame that he died young. His voice is so needed still in this world. I’m so glad this post blessed your day. I pray your week is equally blessed in some way. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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