Cartographer of Life

by Janessa Cypher

The Wonder of the Wilderness, by Janessa Cypher

CARTOGRAPHER OF LIFE

By a topography of towering ruddy ridges,

there are rivers running like trails of tears,

meandering through endless forest green

alongside little streams carving their way through

gently rolling hills and valleys of uncertainty.

Through carpets of flowers wildly blooming,

ones birthed from hard and empty places,

You lead me to straddle canyon walls,

guiding each footstep up mountains steep

or though khaki desert sands blow.

Yet, you, O Cartographer of Life,

have charted my course,

should I be courageous

enough to follow,

mapping out the bends of ravines

and curves of dust-worn paths.

Oh, what sweet relief, though my body aches

with what seemed like endless delays—

even now, I recognize the work of your hand.

So, I press on within the fog of unknowns,

for you will one day lead me to the other side.

Your faithful promises remind me

this journey I’m on can be one that’s life-giving,

not only when I’ve reached the finished line.

Summits of Serenity, by Janessa Cypher

JANESSA CYPHER

Janessa is a mom of three and serves alongside her husband with Cultivate Discipleship Ministries in Northern Uganda. She has a passion to write of the grace found in waiting seasons and loves to create art whenever she can. However, she is more often found sipping an iced coffee while homeschooling, writing poetry in the margins of motherhood, or nature journaling alongside her children. She enjoys writing for both Velvet Ashes and A Life Overseas. You can find more of her writing at wildernesswriting.blogspot.com or on Instagram @wildernesswriting.