Wonderland

To be anywhere but here, in this place where everything is upside down

Like Alice spiraling into wonderland, nothing makes sense in this place

Up is now down and down went sideways.

Where do i go from here?

How should i feel about this place?

My whole being tingles with emotion just under the surface, planning an explosive attack

Many casualties, no survivors.

My heart feels like each beat is another step towards leaping completely out of my chest.

Like it might flash me a peace sign as is walks away from me, leaving a hole.

Amid the war brewing inside i try to sing myself a song

"its all gonna be okay, its all gonna be okay"

This brings no comfort because i am still Alice and my body is still at war by the end of the tune.

So then what is left to do?

Do i accept defeat and allow myself to make a home in wonderland?

Will my body actually implode?

And God?

What is He doing?

Why am i in this place?

He is ahead of me on our journey, around a bend where i can't see Him.

I don't know where to go.

I don't know what to do.

I am scared, alone.

What does it look like to worship in this place?

Because even though i can't see God doesn't mean He doesn't deserve my worship.

A silent reverence, a loud song, a broken prayer, sucking carpet?

What brings Him glory in this place?

There is no set protocol for worship in wonderland.

It doesn't require a set list, a schedule.

It is a groaning, a tear, utter surrender

Like the woman who feeds Elijah, the last is given

A song is formed without catchy lyrics or a sweet rhythm

Wonderland worship is a raw response to the power and glory of a most high God that,

even when up is down and down is sideways, needs to be praised and must be glorified.

Because the truth is, He is making wonderland a beautiful place even when Alice can't see it.

Rain

Watch the rain fall from its heavenly resting place, down to the earth.

Drop after drop it plummets to soak the dry, weary land.

Does the sky miss the rain after it falls?

Or does the rain, after its falling, miss its home in the sky?

The sky where the drops were formed,

Where they danced among the clouds.

Where drop by drop created a reservoir waiting to be poured out.

Waiting to fall

Waiting to fulfill their purpose

waiting to see where their new home will be

Their time comes, the sky is alive with a symphony of sound that resonates through everything below, it marks the coming of the rain.

And so it comes.

It makes its home in the ground, replenishing, saturating, giving.

Giving until there is almost nothing left of the drop.

In that moment the drop misses the sky, longs for its home.

Wishes it wasn't all alone

Wishing it could dance among the clouds

But it can't.

There is a greater purpose for the drop

To help give life and, for a time, learn to be alone.

Every face has a story

Every face has a story.

Each smile has seen a frown,

Every laugh knows a tear.

Each wrinkle is wisdom in disguise,

Every scar a tantalizing tale.

Every face has a story.

Each success has known some failure,

Every dream has seen dashed hopes.

Each heart has known love,

Every soul has felt connection.

Every face has a story.

Each body has grimaced in pain,

Every wound has felt a healing touch.

Every face has a story.

Will you ask?

Will you listen?

Will you tell?