Respite Wednesday

Selah

Pause
Poignant moments of peace
Preface to growth
Powerful silence
Pssssst . . . He has something to reveal –


Selah

Appearing 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk
“To lift up” in Hebrew
From root word “To hang”
No precise definition . . . lots of theories –


Selah

“I hear you Lord . . .”
I rest “lifted up” in your palm . . .

“Hanging” limp, spent, saved –


Selah

Defies simple summation

I take comfort in knowing man cannot define it for certain

I hang in the interlude of uncertainty –

At peace
Content
Hammocked
At rest
Contemplative

Peace . . . rest . . . pause . . . await . . . restore . . . ponder . . . enJOY . . .

Behold we count them happy
Which endure.
James 5:11a

* * *

Orchards of Perseverance
Meadows of Delight
Oceans of Praise
Fields of Dreams
Shadows of Respite
Freshets of Joy
Sweet, Sweet Surrender . . . Peace


* * *

Of late, the power of self-control blossoms in Matthew. Communication skills unfurl like new tendrils, clinging to a framework of love, support, devotion, and trust . . . though still battered by a storm of hormones and overload.

Hugs and kisses return. Dances and carefree twirls take place. Clapping and smiles erupt. Oh the joy of asking and receiving.

Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24b

Confidence soars . . . peace blossoms in the visage of a boy caught up in a world he cannot face full-fold. He chooses a return to shyness over frustration; avoidance rather than confrontation. And yet a newfound foothold of expression buds into greater communication and bonding threads spawned in areas previously isolated. A pillow once again rests clutched in a bedded-down snuggle rather than an angry grasp. A door at hand offers welcome access rather than a slamming burst of isolation.

As the waters of life churn less and mere flecks of angry foam remain, I ease back and swing in the extended Selah conducted by God. Rain clouds and cold showers usher us away from the gardens and back to hearthside for books and chats and incubations of idea – moments spent in sweet silence.

As always, emotional storms invite reassessment: a survey of the landscape when clouds part, affording a fresh view . . . a honing of plans . . . new hope revealed in areas previously obscured, now laid bare in the windblown aftermath. New perspective . . . a gift that moments of Selah allow me to unwrap and peruse without rush.

The fruits of the spirit hang heavy in some spots, swaying in the windy gusts of growing up “special.” Other places on the tree sport but the merest hint of bud . . . hope of fruit to come. The sweet perfume of Selah wafts gently o’er these Orchards of Perseverance.

Selah

I cried unto the LORD with my voice,
And he heard me out of his holy hill.
Selah.
Psalm 3:4