Sligo

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The waves crashed against the thick grasses that grew at the base of the castle edge.  I was in Co. Sligo, a five hour drive north from my home on the southern coast.  The weekend getaway was meant to be a retreat for folk from all over Ireland, but I was struggling.  My prior weeks had been riddled with emotional and spiritual battles, as well as major physical issues.  The weekend should have been a respite, but just a few hours into the journey the clutch stopped working and the problems didn't stop.  The weekend became a very tangible expression of the need to be fully dependent on God alone.

The location was lovely, the people even lovelier and all the activities were well planned.  I was however disconnected from that.  I was suffering from a kind of trauma and I was not doing a good job of hiding it.  I was thankful for the space people gave me, even if sometimes it was out of awkwardness rather than understanding.  With the weekend as a culminating point for all I had been facing, the weeks following the event were marked with fragility.  Yet God, being faithful as He is, brought beautiful healing. 

The retreat was in August, but I hadn't opened up the pictures I took until this week.  It was nice to see some pics of friends, reminding me of good conversations and even humorous instances.  Most images were moments of silence though, those seconds of stillness in the nature God created.  God speaks to me in nature, and when I saw the pic above, taken from the safe battlements of Parke's Castle, He spoke to me of His mercy, hope and healing.  He is such a good God.

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You

In a time when You may be found; 

Surely in a flood of great waters  They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;  You shall preserve me from trouble;
         You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.   

Psalm 32:6-7

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