Rain has been falling steady here in the Smokies. The earth, saturated, seems to sag a bit under the weight. Trees that burned with color a day or two ago now stand nearly naked, shivering under the sodden sky.
We moved to Western North Carolina in late summer when the hills were layered with all manner of glory and green. Our town lies in a valley between great stands of the Pisgah Forest, and we marveled at the vernal silence and seclusion, only a coyote’s cry breaking the blackness or the neighborhood rooster punctuating the paragraphs of our mornings.
But last night? On our way down into town? As the road dropped beneath us we were astonished to see pinpricks of light piercing the darkened hills. Houses previously hidden emerged from the dusk like the beacons of ships passing at sea.
“Amazing how our view changed overnight,” I said to Mike as we drove. “I never knew there were homes on that ridge or that we have neighbors that close.”
It’s comforting, in a way, to know we’re not alone. We miss the lush foliage, but now that it’s fallen away we can see farther than we ever have before. That which was invisible to eyes besotted with beauty now stands clear.
It took a storm to drop the curtain between the world we had seen and the one waiting to be seen.
Have you ever arrived late at a movie theatre when the lights have already dimmed? You stand clutching your popcorn at the end of an aisle wondering how you’ll find your seat in the darkness.
Then your pupils dilate to let in more light, and the silhouettes of those already seated emerge from the gloom. Relieved, you hurry to your seat. Now you can watch the show.
Funny, isn’t it, that only darkness brings out the light. Strange, in a way, that relinquishing that which we love widens our vision to a view of the world reborn.
Glorious, don’t you think? that there is more, always more, to this world than we know.
I’m thinking of you today, friend, the one with the child riding life wide open and hell-bent when you ache to see him heaven-bound instead.
And you, sister, the one who’s tired of being sick. And just plum tired.
And I’m thinking of you, brother, feeding your flock everything you’ve got till there’s scarcely one holy crumb left and you go empty, like a momma feeding her family while pretending she’s not hungry herself.
Wait a while, friend, until your eyes adjust to the dimness. Grieve, there now, because those tears are washing the view purely clean.
Rest, won’t you, in the knowing you are not alone.
The Source of light and the Maker of stars is also the Giver of strength.
Hush now and come sit by me. We’ll wait for the light we could not see.
Just beautiful, Maggie. And so true. Cannot wait to read your new book…. love BFF
Thank you Cindy. You knew and loved this area long before I did. Took me a while but got here as fast as I could.
Beautiful, Maggie! It has been raining almost daily here as well . Yet I can still see God’s beauty in all my surroundings! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Love you, sis!
This year is holding major change for both of us, isn’t it? Beauty even in the barrenness that sometimes comes. Love you too!
Such a great reminder! So worth waiting on Him! Thank you for putting it so beautifully.
Thank you friend. Miss you!
Lovely words. I’m all with you on how our view changes. Blessings and joy!
Jolene, so excited that you will be here next year to talk about that view together, and that God is giving us both a vision for what lies beyond.
Thank you, Maggie.
This brought tears, Marji – so beautiful and true! And the birds, I see them more now, even as I reluctantly tell myself it’s OK to be cold for a season. 😊💕
Venita, thank you for reading and commenting. There is much that even the “winter” season allows us to see that we could not or would not otherwise. Love you friend!
Your descriptive writing captures and portrays places and events I’ve never been that leave me feeling like I’ve been there!
Gail, how did you know I’ve been thinking of you? Thank you for your lovely comment. I printed out a prayer you sent me last year that I have kept in my writing notebook for encouragement. Your words live on in my heart!
Maggie, I know the Lord has a special work He’s doing in and through you. He’s gifted you with a unique ability to touch others with your writing and that is so needed today as we approach the last hour! The Holy Spirit is moving in a mighty way in those who will listen and I know you are one of “those.” God bless you, sweet lady! Miss working with you! 🙂
Miss working with you too, Gail! But I know we will meet one day here, there, or “in the air”! 🙂
Thank you for the gift of your beautiful and encouraging words today, Maggie ! You have encouraged me today….Mary W. shared about what you said in our small group at Bible study today. I went hunting for it, so grateful to be a recipient of your wisdom. Love you sister, and thank you for your continued encouragement from across the miles, with love and gratitude, have a blessed Thanksgiving with you & yours….and with a word learned from you, warmly, jody anderson
Jody, your words today are a gift to me! I love to think of you all meeting together and only wish I could be there with you also. A Blessed Thanksgiving to you too, dear sister!
I just received a prayer request: “My father’s addiction; my sister admitted herself into a mental hospital; and endurance and peace while (my husband) is gone!” She is such a sweet believer, along with her husband, so I’m going to send her to this article you wrote as I think it will encourage her.
Pat, thank you for sharing this request with me as I will be praying for these concerns also. Much love to you, friend.
Beautiful Maggie – I needed that tonight. Live you!
Cindy, you are always such an encourager. Miss you friend!
Maggie, that was just so beautiful! Oh how true those words are–and they brought some tears. And it is so much fun to see lights where you didn’t see them before. We love you and miss you! Donna
Donna, thank you for reading and commenting. It means so much to me when I can have a bit of a dialogue on this site. Helps with the loneliness that follows a move too! Much love to you and John.
Thank you Maggie for the beautiful email and picture.
Love to you and Mike and your dear Mom, Pat
Pat, much love to you as well!
Oh, Maggie, dear friend — brilliant! You can’t (but the Lord does) know how timely your words are. May you three be blessed at Peace Ridge.
Dikkon, I am so thankful how God uses his servants to encourage each other as you’re writing has for us as well. Mike said to tell you he absolutely loved your book.
Sweet Maggie,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I so appreciate the talent God has blessed you with in expressing creative and meaningful thoughts. You are a gem!!!! Love, Claire
Claire, your friendship is a treasure to me. I am so thankful!