[May] The LORD turn His face toward you
and grant you peace.
Numbers 6:26
Yes, I do realize that, in offering this blessing, today's picture is almost identical to the one I posted just a few days ago. And actually, if I look at them, it's at about the same spot along my route around the island.
However, since it fits so well with my mood this morning, and also this last phrase of the Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6, I'll gift it to you just the same.
I'm out on the deck this morning with barely a breeze. There's a construction project involving stone saws going on across the little bay from us, and Ken is setting up our wood chipper as I write, so I can't really say it's all that quiet right now. But this morning's paddle was on flat water for the entire way around. Not another human sound but that of my own paddle pushing back the water in a rhythmic dip and soft swish.
It was a good way to start this particular Friday.
We will return to KW Sunday afternoon to celebrate Timothy's birthday, and then begin a little stint stationed in our city home. Long time family friends have had an over 50 year tradition of visiting as renters in the place we now own but originally belonged to Ken's grandfather. They will renew their love of this space over the next twelve days or so. And, because there is still some outdoor work in progress for our little house on Sandra, and because it's good to take care of banking and errands and such, we'll spend that time there.
I'm okay with this. Of course summer is short, and I am greedy for all the time I can have by the water as I can get. But it will be good to get at some of the thrifting and other gathering I need to make sure gets done before I leave for Thailand in September. Plus, I'm preaching at Highview on August 9, so there's that. How beautiful it will be to worship together with my peeps!
I'm okay with this, but I am bracing myself a little for the dramatic change of pace. Mostly, I'm talking about cars and driving and having to go places. When you live on an island you get to indulge in that unique gift of having no where to go most of the time. At least, it's a gift to me. Some more extraverted folks may not embrace that part of our reality here. But I crave it, soak it up, try to store up as much of it as a I can while I'm here.
I do intend to try to catch some morning sun when I get back. Like this.
There's something about the breaking of a day to set you up for it in calming, reorienting ways. I think it's because the sun reminds me of the face of God, too brilliant to fully receive, yet so graciously 'turned towards me' in ways I'll notice all the rest of the day, if I pay attention.
Happy Friday of the long weekend to you, wherever you or however your day has started.
Hope you can catch glimpses of the face of God turned towards you favourably.
And may He grant you peace.
