I feel it in my hand.
Gossamer fine, delicate thread. I hold it loosely to be sure I don’t snap it. I’m following it. Spiderweb-delicate strand, it leads me; it pulls me forward.
Hand-over-hand I follow.
Sometimes, in deep dark black nights I can’t actually see it anymore. I only feel it light and taut between my blind fingers. So soft, so insubstantial that sometimes I worry it doesn’t really exist. Sometimes, I doubt that this thin strand can lead me true.
I panic; what if I am lost?
But then the sun rises, it glints off the tiny strand and my heart beat calms, and I keep walking.
Pulling, hand over toward I’m not sure where.
Photo credit: Dirt Road Heaven
It’s been a long road. I wonder that the thread never gives out. It just keeps trailing between my fingers and I walk and walk and some days I stop walking. Some days I just sit with the thread draped over my knees and feel lost and lonely.
Time passes with tears and worry.
Prayer follows. Sometimes it feels hollow. Sometimes it feels true.
I disregard my feelings. I pick the thread up again between thumb and forefinger and stand up. I keep walking. I keep following. And I don’t let go the grip on that soft, delicate guide.
And then unexpectedly I’ve arrived.
He’s there, grinning giddy at me. He takes the thread out of my hand. I smile; I tell Him I can’t believe I made it. I was so worried the thread wasn’t real. Or that I would drop it, break it, or miss where it was leading me.
“Thread?” he says. And chuckles. “Some thread!”
I look back where I’ve come from. And this is what I see.
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PS: If you like this beautiful photograph, you can download a free wall paper version of it here.
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Thank you for this. You have a poet’s heart. Thank you for sharing it.
I could feel what you were feeling through your words. Gloriously beautiful, Lisa-Jo!
lovely writting and stunning last photo
thanks
Betty
Thanks Betty, you just made me realize that I should provide a link to that last photo – because it can actually be downloaded for free as wall paper for your computer. ;) Enjoy! http://www.zastavki.com/eng/Widescreen/wallpaper-5162.htm
Great photos! What a creative way to share about God’s faithfulness!
Amazing how blind we can be for long stretches of road.. *blessings*
I know! And it always takes getting to a big mile marker and looking back before I realize it.
You know, just today I’ve been pondering that whole being in the dark as I follow the light — the fact that when Moses approached God He was in thick darkness. We truly can’t see the God of unapproachable light and his path with our own eyes at times. And I wrote about treasures of darkness that He gifts us with, but I like yours better. ;) I love that thought of being led by a spider’s thread only to discover what it was really like.
By the way, I wanted your button to live at my place, but I’m having some trouble with it. I get a little x in a box instead of the button. Do you have any suggestions? Because I really like you. :)
Amazing how you can wrap up what is going on in my heart with a few words and some amazing photos……
thank you.
Oh, this is just beautiful! It really speaks to me in particular because for so long now Whitman’s “A Noiseless Patient Spider” has described where I feel I am in my life:
A NOISELESS, patient spider,
I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;
Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;
Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,—seeking the spheres, to connect them;
Till the bridge you will need, be form’d—till the ductile anchor hold;
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.
Your post gives me a different perspective on that “gossamer thread”. Sometimes our perceptions are not all there is.
Gosh, beauty! I hadn’t read that one before. Gonna let these words soak into my heart a bit. Thanks for sharing.
i love that… the gossamer thread – sometimes that is what it feels like to follow the footsteps of faith.
I’m so glad that thread is sticky, ’cause sometimes when I let go, it’s still there holding me!
Beautiful friend!
Yes, I hadn’t thought of that. Sticky indeed! So grateful that He is.
Beautiful.
It reminds me of a book that I started to read (haven’t finished yet…) called “Hinds Feet On High Places”.
The imagery, the emotions of fear and lostness, the desire to follow God but being too afraid and then, the trust placed in Him and His promise to bring you safely home…
I’ve heard of that one – need to read it!
This is a really excellent post. I love the last picture – so true!
What words and pictures! Your posts are always so inspiring! Thank you for sharing this. :)
Oh, yes, that thread, that road…I’ve felt it too. And what I’ve loved most about it in your life is that is has connected the two of us! Who knew we were worlds apart and walking the same way all at once. Well, He did…of course! XOXO
Sweet Holley! I am so so glad to have you as my travel companion!!
Interesting how so often that road feels so feeble we think it IS only a thread, and it’s only when we turn and look at where we’ve come from that we can see what it really was. This was beautiful. Thank you.
i will never see spider-threads the same again friend. hows your heart today?
*hugs*
Thin threads but stronger than steel. Yes, and beautiful too.
(Love that last photo!)
:)
Thank you, LL. Yes, never was a mightier web spun! Even to rival my sons and their Spiderman!
Touching my soul yet again. The thread may feel thin but it is oh so strong and I could feel my grip on it strengthening as I read your words.
What a beautiful path we are walking together…
Beautiful!
Amazing how sometimes that gossamer thread can go on for years in our human sight, and to God when we’ve arrived at the end of the current silken thread (only to pick up one that goes in a different direction) we’ve only just picked it up. And with each step we’ve taken holding onto the thread part of ourselves has changed.
I love taking photos of cobwebs..great story,
Love Jules
xxx
I just want to put a standing “thank you” comment on your blog–you convey life and faith so beautifully.
Sweet, beautiful words. I needed these words today.
I’m definitely in a moment of sitting, lost and confused. So thankful for the encouragement to get up and keep going! Hope for the future!
You are loveliness to me!!
I love your writing style! Very moving post, and beautiful picture.
you’ve encapsulated so much of my past, present emotion _ thoughts… in this post. . loved it. i’m grabbing your button while i’m here ;)
Oh, you just made me smile so big!