...and fled into the wilderness,

where she has a place

prepared by God,

in which she is

       to be nourished

for 1260 days.

          Revelation 12.6

(We all

at one time or another

find ourselves

     in wilderness places.

The wilderness

  is not a scary

  barren place,

but a refuge

    from the ordinary

    or the overwhelming,

a place not to hide

  but of safety and

  strengthening

from which to go forth.

What is unknown to us

is known

and secured by God,

filled with wonder

  when we walk

with Him in it,

and discover dimensions

of God's Presence

we have not known before.)

O LORD,

In so many different ways,

we face what appears

as the impenetrable forest,

a wall of brambles,

a stretch of foreign land,

the sounds of beasts

    hiding in the reeds,

and no obvious trail.

But You know where

             You lead us.

You have prepared

   a place for us there,

where we can

come to know You more.

Open our eyes

to Your wonders

       all around us,

grant us the strength

       to go forth

       with You.

We are not alone.

We need not be afraid.

You are with us.

And that changes

          everything.

Worry just trips us up,

and fear blocks out

              the light.