I will make with them

a covenant of peace

and banish wild beasts

       from the land,

so that they may dwell

  securely in the wilderness

and sleep in the woods...

They shall dwell securely

and none shall

        make them afraid.

            Ezekiel 34. 25, 28

(Trusting in God

does not mean

there are no wild beasts,

or nothing to be afraid of,

    but that we can have

          no fear there.

God's peace passes understanding

and prevails despite circumstances.

When we dwell securely in Him,

           we see a new landscape,

    we see beauty in the wilderness,

    we know Him in another dimension,

    we make different choices,

    we live with a new heart,

    and we can enjoy the woods.

Fear locks up the doors,

    and blocks out the light.

Trusting Him

     enlarges our view.)

O LORD,

As we head into this new day,

help us to venture forth

   into the known and unknown,

equipped to see it differently,

to see hard stuff

           not to be defeated by it,

  but to grasp just another opportunity

     to trust You more.

Help us to not miss the wonders.

Thank you that we can

      sleep in the woods,

   not just unafraid

   but live fully in Your handiwork

and reside in peace there

             in Your love.

When we dwell securely in You,

we have the bandwidth

        to love others all around us.

And see You

   and our woods differently.