Just a photo.

God's creation is amazing enough that I'm pretty sure it doesn't need a caption.  Take this for whatever it means to you.

On the Defensive

This twig gained some interesting ice crystal additions when a humid night dipped below freezing.  At first glance, it seems quite well-prepared for whatever circumstances might threaten it.  However, when one actually tests the resilience of these defenses, it turns out that those formidable little spikes are actually quite fragile.

Many of us have a tendency to depend on our own defenses.  After being hurt a few times, we generally put up walls that (ideally) prevent us from experiencing the same pain in the future.  If you've ever had your trust broken, your expectations disappointed, or your friendship discarded, you probably know what I'm talking about.  It takes a while before you're willing to let yourself feel the same trust and the same hope.  It's the way we work.  None of us wants to be hurt.  We keep our little spears by our sides, warning off all but the most stouthearted of friends.

As much as it's nice to avoid painful situations, going through life with an icy demeanor is not the best solution.  If these ice crystals had formed while the tree was flowering, quite likely the buds would have been killed.  Please don't ever let your defenses silence the spirit in you that God can use to show His love to those around you.  The Lord is our Healer, and He can protect your heart far better than you can.  My prayer today is that you would let the warmth of His love melt away any frosty barricades in your life.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

-Psalm 37:3

Why hello there!

Mon petit chien, Belle.

This character is a good friend of mine- she's almost as mischievous as I am, but she's got the cute factor to get her out of trouble.  She saw me snapping photos and decided to get in on the action; little did she know that she would end up on the world wide web.  Don't be fooled- beneath those cute little puppy eyes lies a steely resolve to be the top dog.  That hasn't been too much of a problem, however, because she readily gives up all ambition for the sake of a rawhide snack.