Category Archives: Animals

Animal art and photo gallery collection relating to lifestyle themes.

The Best of Me

best of me

“The Best of Me”. Photgraph property of OntheWingofaDove.com

The Best of Me – As with every struggle, disappointment, or challenge we face in life  -no matter how large or small- God’s grace is always sufficient for whatever we need…

 “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”  Frederick Douglass

The Best of Me

It’s been one of those days,

The kind that got me good…

No matter how hard I tried,

Couldn’t get to the things I thought I should.

 

These twenty-four hours

Sure got the best of me…

Worked from sun up to sundown,

One thing then another…no end could I see.

 

I threw up my hands,

Saying, “God, I don’t know what to do!”

And I kept plugging away,

Until all my work was through!

 

Yes, today was a day,

That surely got the best of me,

Lots of things got accomplished…

Looking back…now I see.

 

It’s funny how that happens,

when it seems all time is lost,

Then to realize, the best things in life

Come at a higher cost.

 

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com  2018

The best of me…some days are like that, it seems no matter how much effort I put forth, there’s even more left to do. One thing leads to the other, and well…you know how it goes!  When I’m in the midst of that kind of day,  the workload gets the best of me.  My focus is on all of the tasks that keep popping up begging for my attention…instead of the outcome that awaits me when I’m all done!

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.””  –2 Corinthians 12:9 

Like I wrote in my poem…I pummeled through until I got all of my work done, but it wasn’t until I was finished that I realized just how much got accomplished…and not by me alone.  As with every struggle, disappointment, or challenge we face in life  -no matter how large or small- God’s grace is always sufficient for whatever we need.  When I felt that indeed the day had gotten the best of me, that’s when God stepped in and provided His best for me!

When your day seems like it’s going to get the best of you, remember…you need not worry about the tasks at hand, for God in His goodness can handle every demand.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Roar – What’s in a word?

Roar

“Roar” Photograph courtesy of Marjorie L. Karimi 2018 (In memory of my late husband STEPHEN CULLEN WEBER, 2/09/1956 – 8/13/2014)

Roar – “What’s in a word?”

Roar – Fierce, strong, fearless, king…when you hear me roar, oh see the greatness I’ll bring!

Roar…What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me, please do!

Roar – There are many images that come to mind when I think of the word “roar.” In most cases I’ll think of a roaring lion – you know, the one in which the lion has his mouth open wide with his ferocious teeth showing, ready to pounce on his next meal! This time my thoughts depicted a roaring lion as one that is very content, resting and at peace.  That’s the kind of roaring lion that I like the most…one who has already conquered, and is now enjoying the bounty of having won the victory!

Roar…with any challenge you set out to conquer,

 give it your all, and always do your best;

 keep going until you’ve achieved it,

then take time to enjoy; take time to rest.

Peace and love,

Felecia

I dedicate this post to my late husband, Stephen Cullen Weber.  When I think of the type of lion I like best, Steve certainly fulfills that image perfectly.  Steve carried a quiet confidence within him that enabled him to accomplish those things that he set out to do.  No matter how large the challenges were that he faced, his reliance on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, saw him through every time.  Even during his last, most fierce conquest, his battle with cancer, Steve showed a humble grace that brings peace to my heart whenever I think of him.  Now, like the lion I mentioned in my description above, Steve, because of our Savior, who conquered death once for all, is enjoying the bounty of the victory that has been won.  

I love  you forever Steve,

Felecia

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Why?

Why?

“Curiosity,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber 2005, OntheWingofaDove.com

Why?  Why am I living in this time and place?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why.”  William Barclay

Why?

Why do I say the things that I say/

Will they make a difference to others today?

Why am I living in this time and place?

Can I truly overcome the challenges that I face?

Why am I always searching, wanting to do more?

Will I have the courage to step through the next open door?

Why was I born, what is life’s purpose for me?

Will I ever discover who I am truly meant to be?

Felecia R, Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Life is full of questions isn’t it?   Granted, they are not always as heavy as the ones I asked in my poem above, but surely we’ve all asked similar ones from time to time.  Given the life changing events that I’ve experienced recently, I find myself asking “why?” quite frequently.  Sometimes the answers are revealed to me quickly and quite obviously.  Yet there are many for which I am still seeking a response.

“Trust in the Lord and lean not onto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

I’ve come to realize that I may never know or understand the reasons for the “whys” in my life…and honestly, that’s okay.  When it comes to asking “why” I suppose the “who” is the more important question.  For I know that God holds all of the answers in my life…what more could I ask for?

When your heart is full of questions, who, what, and why, may you turn to the Lord God, for goodness, love and mercy you will always find in His reply.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Got A Song

i got a song

Colored pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber 1983, OntheWingofaDove.com

I got a song, you got a song, all God’s children got a song…

I Remember When

“I know why the caged bird sings.”  Maya Angelou

I was reminded of the old spiritual hymn “Going to Shout All Over God’s Heaven,” when it was referenced in a sermon given at my church a couple of Sunday’s ago.   As I heard the first few words of the song, “I got shoes, you got shoes, all God’s children got shoes” being sung to illustrate a point in the sermon, my mind was flooded with childhood memories of me singing that song in our church choir, oh so many years ago,  I remember clearly being so nervous singing my very first solo in front of the congregation.  I felt my voice quivering as I closed my eyes and vocalized the lyrics word by word.  It took all of the courage that I could muster to continue singing the soulful tune, but as I listened to the verses that came out of my mouth, somehow my confidence grew and a calm came over me.  As I got to the end of the song, I felt that I truly could “shout all over God’s heaven!”

Indeed, my favorite verse from that hymn is “I got a song, you got a song, all God’s children got a song…”  There is something about singing that places me into a different mindset; it stirs up a solitude within me.  To me, the smoothness of that elongated sound that seems to dance along the musical chords being played by an accompanying instrument mimics the way God guides his children harmoniously through life.  Even though there are times when tumultuous tunes clamor loudly and off key, his voice can be heard beyond the raucous…because he resides in our hearts.  That is where he composes the most beautiful music, and he creates each song uniquely for you and for me.

Yes, “all God’s children got a song,” but the best is yet to come.  Like the birds chirping their morning melodies at the dawn of each new day, those of us who put our hope and trust in God truly do have something to shout about.  For he has not only blessed us with the hope of a new day, he has also given us the promise of heaven.  When I think of heaven, and the glorious eternity that awaits me there, something wells up inside of me and it feels as though it leaps right out of my mouth.  The hope and anticipation of actually being with my Heavenly Father face to face is something that I cannot fully imagine.  It is however, the very thing that fills my heart with so much joy, so much peace, that when I get there, I am certain that “I’m going to  shout all over God’s heaven!”

Today, may you too be filled with the kind of hope that makes your heart sing…and shout!

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

 

 

 

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A Friend Indeed

A friend indeedA friend indeed, whether it’s at night or during the day…close by my side is where he wants to stay.

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are his life, his love, his leader.  He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.  You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”  (Author Unknown)

A Friend Indeed

(A poem dedicated to my little companion, my little friend Bilbo)

A friend indeedA friend indeed,

yes, that’s my four-pawed friend.

Whenever I’m happy, whenever I’m sad,

he’s the one on which I can always depend.

A friend indeedA friend indeed,

whether it’s night or during the day,

no matter what it is that I’m doing;

close by my side he wants to stay.

A friend indeedA friend indeed,

he can’t tell time nor what day it is of the week.

But he knows how to say “I love you,”

in ways that don’t require him to speak.

A friend indeedA friend indeed,

his sweet, brown eyes, they tell me so much.

Like how much I am needed, (and I need him too).

I hope he know how deeply my heart he has touched.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

A friend indeed“Calling all dog lovers!”

If you have a four-legged, furry friend that you’d like to have featured in a poem on my blog, email your cutest pictures and a short bio to me, Felecia, at frosew04@gmail.com.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek

“Abigail,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Hide and Seek…it isn’t just a child’s game; many of us play it still.  But challenges will seek us out and find us, no matter how hard we try to hide from them.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”  Psalm 32:7

This month is full of scary tales, lots of mischief and long shadows that loom their dark shapes along our paths.  It’s easy to hide away and avoid being seen, but it’s interesting to see what we find when we step out from our hiding places. Is that what we are trying to shelter ourselves from really all that bad?  Wouldn’t it be liberating not to be so concerned about those things that cause us to fret?

Hide and seek is a game I play to this day…although I do not like to admit it.  I hardly recognize it because it takes on many forms, including procrastination.  I bury myself under all sorts of tasks only to find that I’ve still got to face that big challenge or obstacle that is awaiting me in the end.  Hiding is the easy part…seeking is too…finding my way and deciding what to do with what I’ve found; now that’s the hard part!

Challenges are part of life.  They will seek out and find us no matter how hard we try to hide from them.  The important thing is that we need to be brave enough to step out and face them. When we do, they are not always as bad as they seem…especially when we refuse to face them alone.  God is always available and ready to help us to not only face, but also to accept and conquer anything that causes to hide…if we seek Him first.

When you find yourself beginning another round of hide and seek…why not let God be your hiding place.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised what you find when you seek Him.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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The Hazy, Lazy Days of Summer

hazy, lazy days of summer

“A Lazy Afternoon,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

The hazy, lazy days of summer – what a welcome time of year to relax, renew and enjoy!

The Hazy, Lazy Days of Summer

The hazy, lazy days of summer;

what a welcome time to relax and renew.

Splashing in the pool, swinging softly on the porch,

treading barefoot along shimmering grass kissed with dew.

The hazy, lazy days of summer;

they take me back to when I was a child.

Playing outdoors all day long, from sun up to sun down.

Each hour seemed extra long and the air, oh so mild.

The hazy, lazy days of summer;

filled with backyard barbecues and walks along the beach,

drive-in movies, the tune of the ice cream truck;

and the skies cluttered with stars that almost seem within reach.

The hazy, lazy days of summer;

they are timeless and always easy to enjoy.

But didn’t they somehow seem more magical,

when you were a little girl or little boy?

Felecia R. Weber 2014, On theWingofaDove.com

Wishing you a Happy Summer!

Peace to you,

Felecia

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Safe and Secure

safe and secure

“Beagle Puppy,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

Being safe and secure…two things we never need to worry about when we put our trust in God; for his provision is sure.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:1,4

Safe and Secure

Safe and secure,

What it means to me;

not being afraid, of what the future holds for me.

To know that I truly belong;

when I am accepted, even when I may be wrong.

Safe and secure,

Having love shown to me;

being valued and wanted in ways I can see.

Having all that I need;

to live, to be fruitful, to learn and to take heed.

Safe and secure,

Indeed, I’ll always be;

I can be nothing less, because God is here with me.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace to you,

Felecia

 

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