Category: Winter

It’s Time

On By Charis PsalloIn Photography, Uncategorized, Winter1 Comment

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The older I get the faster it seems the seasons change. Perhaps this is what is meant by acceleration. Time doesn’t slow down as you age. It speeds up.

Didn’t I just put those Christmas decorations in storage?
What do you mean the stove is ten years old? That’s our new stove.
My baby granddaughter has a learner’s driving license? How did that happen?

So many hours have slipped by in the dailiness of life. For years on end tedious routines filled in the moments that gave us freedom to make changes. I thought I would never finish school and be out on my own.

Then I was responsible for paying my own bills and making my own decisions.

I thought the diaper-changing, toddler-chasing years were my whole world.

And then they weren’t.

I thought I would never see the end of practically living in the car, driving the kids to school and games and music lessons and church functions.

And then they got in their own cars and drove away.

I thought I would never hear the end of students singing scales as they stood beside my piano.

Now my studio piano is silent as my computer keyboard clacks away.

I thought our parents would always be around to talk to, even if they needed more help.

Now there is only one left and communication is difficult.

It’s snowing today, and even though it feels as though it has arrived too soon it is late November. It’s time for the valley to turn white. The season changes once again. At a time of life when one expects to feel more settled changes seem to happen more rapidly than ever. It’s strange, this sense of time thing.

While it seems the only consistent thing in life is change, yet I am more aware that the most consistent thing in life is the love of God, which never changes.

The words of a song came to mind this morning.

In every season, in every change
You are near
In every sorrow,
You are my strength
You are near

A peace in the storm
Your voice I will follow
In weakness I rise
Remembering You hold my world

I’m holding on to hope
I’m holding on to grace
I’m fully letting go
I’m surrendered to Your ways
The anchor for my soul
Father You will never change
I love You, I love You

(From Anchor by Kari Jobe, Brian Johnson and Cody Carnes)

Anyway, the snow reminds me that it’s time to quit procrastinating. It’s a new season. I have a new assignment. I mourn the loss of colour and the ease of walking in the forest, but winter is a time when writers and artists are less distracted and can get down to work.

It’s time.

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Bigger

On By Charis PsalloIn Mountains, Photography, Uncategorized, Winter6 Comments

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It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping God may wake someday and take offense, or the waking God may draw us out to where we can never return.
– Annie Dillard

Keeping the Peace

On By Charis PsalloIn Trees and forests, Uncategorized, WinterLeave a comment

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You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You,
for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. (Isaiah 26:3)

One of the most frustrating positions in the world to be in can be that of “middle management.” It’s that place where a person feels like they carry responsibility for other people’s actions without enough authority to fix things.

Here is what I am learning: If God has given you an area of responsibility you can trust him to give you authority and provision in that area. We have access in Christ to the very throne of heaven.

If he has not given you authority in this, it is probably not your job. You will lose your peace if you keep striving to do something you were not asked to do. Don’t steal another person’s joy of discovery of the goodness of God by standing in their place.

Foggy Day

On By Charis PsalloIn Photography, Uncategorized, Winter7 Comments

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We were kind of disappointed. The weather report promised blue skies and temperatures warm enough to keep the roads bare and dry. With a whole day off and an open road before us my friend and I drove to Creston, British Columbia to pick up a bed. Of course we brought our cameras. The thought of mountain peaks glistening in the sun and the wonderful long valley views had us all excited.

We left early and assumed the early morning fog would soon burn off when the sun rose fully above the mountains. By the time we carefully drove into the village of Moyie without yet seeing the lake the twisting road follows we knew this was not merely a foggy morning. It was going to be a foggy day. The roads were dry and bare, but we still had to slow down because of the poor visibility. This was going to take longer than we thought.

After we loaded the bed in the van we walked around a hilltop farm which usually has some of the most beautiful views in this part of the country. But not today. My friend and I talked about how we both took up photography as an exercise in a new way to see. It’s easy to take photos when the light is right and the scenery is marvellous. Looking for beauty on a dull, dreary day requires one to look more carefully. But there is always beauty somewhere. Sometimes it’s only to be found in the reflection of sky in a junkyard puddle. Beauty requires the open eyes of a a beholder.

She pointed out the little blue birdhouse to me. I pointed out the silver-roofed barn to her. The more we looked, the more we saw.

 

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Being thankful is like that. This morning I woke up in pain. I had that dismal foreboding feeling that this is going to be a disappointing day. I gave up trying to sleep and toddled stiffly to my desk. I answered some emails and listened to music while looking for a song for someone.  Unexpectedly that act lifted my spirits as the cheerfulness of bluegrass  poured out of the speaker, still turned down low so as not to disturb my husband.

As I look out my window diagonal pink clouds of dawn streak the sky as if they have some place to go today. The kettle is boiling and soon there will be a mug of hot freshly ground and brewed coffee sitting beside my keyboard. I am reminded there is always something to be thankful for.

Some days we are overwhelmed by beauty and wonder. Some days we need to slow down and look for it. But there is always, always something to be thankful for.

 

 

Victory Over Fear

On By Charis PsalloIn Photography, Sky, Uncategorized, WinterLeave a comment

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“Our first place of victory [over fear] is in believing the truth concerning our relationship with God. Paul tells us that, “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). We reject the lie that insists God is our enemy. We come to believe He is our Helper in the healing of our souls!”

-Francis Frangipane

Marvelous Things

On By Charis PsalloIn Just folks, Photography, WinterLeave a comment

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I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

(Psalm 9:1,2 NLT)

Snowy Field

On By Charis PsalloIn Fields, Photography, WinterLeave a comment

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“The situations you are in are not more powerful than God. They are not stronger than Him. There is light. There is truth. There is wisdom. There is revelation. There is hope. There is joy. There is peace in believing.”

~Graham Cooke

Perplexing Grace

On By Charis PsalloIn Photography, Winter1 Comment

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“Grace is the most perplexing, powerful force in the universe, and, I believe, the only hope for our twisted, violent planet.”
― Philip Yancey

In the Midst of Mysteries

On By Charis PsalloIn Black and white, Photography, Trees and forests, Winter4 Comments

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The walk of faith is to live according to the revelation we have received,
in the midst of the mysteries we can’t explain.

– Bill Johnson