Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning,
that without listening speaking no longer heals,
that without distance closeness cannot cure.
Henri Nouwen
(sheep sit along a hill near Teileann as two look away, County Donegal, Ireland / Julie Cook / 2015)
The precursor
The forerunner
The messenger
The prophet
The announcer
The mission always the same…
To proclaim
To pave the path
To announce
To herald
The message…
The story
the prophecy
The declaration
The Word
The coming of…
Hope
Redemption
Salvation
Life…
All for you…
As in…
Your Hope
Your redemption
Your Salvation
Your life…
So are you listening?
Or have you turned your back, your head, your heart…closing your ears…
like so many who have gone before you…
refusing to listen and refusing to claim what is rightfully yours…
“They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them.
Nehemiah 9:17
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging and commented:
Excellent piece, Julie!
Powerful, powerful words Julie. Thank you.
Blessings and thanks my friend—
There are always two sheep that won’t look at the camera!
tis the truth—but a good image about listening…or…not 🙂
Absolutely Julie! I am guessing also that you can remember quite a few classroom scenarios where not all heads were turned to face you, or minds locked on to what you were saying!
I am amazed that you are still finding photographs from your Ireland trip to support the words in your blog posts.
Love
So, so powerful. So much so that it made me shudder! Awesome post, Julie! 🙂 ❤
Reblogged this on Sacred Touches.