Digging Ditches

God says:

“Just look at this valley
At the moment it’s very dry
All you have to do is dig ditches
I’ll provide the water supply.
You won’t hear the sound of the wind
Nor see the rain when it comes
But every ditch you have dug will be filled
In an instant it will be done.
All you have to do is start digging
Responding in faith to my will
I will send the reviving water
Every ditch you have dug I will fill.”

My response:

Today I’ll start preparing the ground
So that when God’s water comes in
Every ditch I have prepared for Him
The Lord can fill to the brim.

2 Kings 3:16-17

Ruth Jessup

Lifting Mist

Breaking through the mist
The sunlight warms my soul
Brings me fresh insight
Encourages, makes me whole.

So when I am confused
Cannot see the way to go
I simply wait for the sun to shine
The revealing wind to blow.

Ruth Jessup

End Of The Rope

Around me and over me
The storm is raging
The wind is howling
The rain is hammering
Noise, noise, noise!
I cover my ears. Scream.
“Stop it! Stop the noise!
I can stand no more.”

At this precise moment
At the end of myself
Jesus arrives
Speaks words of peace
“Come rest with me.”
He takes my hand
Leads me to fresh pastures
Beside calm waters.

My soul is restored
All my fear is gone
With the Lord by my side
I’ll weather the storm.
He makes me a promise
‘I will never leave you.”
He gently leads me home
I am safe with Him.

Matthew 11:28; Psalm 23

Ruth Jessup

West Wittering, Sussex

An early January day
Beneath a leaden sky
On an angry racecourse sea
Jockey-less, majestic white horses
Pure white, no chestnut, bay or black
Prance and dance
Jostle and chase
Catch and overtake
Mercilessly wind-whipped
Toward the finish
A sandy-strewn end
Which is devoured and spat out
By the voracious equine monsters
As they cross the line.
Then nothing!
Nothing at all!
Just a dribble return
Lost to the vast ocean
Swallowed up for ever.
No losers!
No winners!

Ruth Jessup

Weather

Wind
Listen to the wind
It is singing.
Listen to the silence
It is speaking.
Listen to your heart
It hears the wind and silence
It understands.

Sun
The sun rises
Darkness is dispelled
It brings warmth
Encourages growth
Bask in its light
Assimilate the strength
Before day turns to night.

Rain
The rain pours down
The thirsty ground drinks.
Gentle showers
Fall on tired flowers
They are refreshed
And my soul is refreshed
By showers of blessing.

Storm
The thunder crashes
Pervades the ear.
The lightening flashes
Dazzles the eye.
Observe the lightening
Feel the thunderous power
They engender reverence
Motivate worship.

Ruth Jessup

Musical Painting

There are so many things an artist can’t portray
Inconspicuous things that surround us every day.

The sighing of wind through the leaves of trees
The gentle caress of a summer breeze

The whisper of lovers; small children’s laughter
The noise and splashing of cascading water.

A cat’s soft purr; birdsong at dawn
The smell of fresh hay on a summer’s morn.

A baby’s first word; the warmth of a hug
The joy of cut flowers, freshly picked, in a trug.

A crackling log fire on a winter’s night
The awesomeness I feel watching sunset’s last light.

Yet, when art falls short, music paints a scene
That can be heard and depicts what cannot be seen.

Ruth Jessup