Category Archives: Inspirations

Inspirational art, photo and writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

Shepherd – What’s in a word?

shepherdShepherd…I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me being a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd…

“The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever.”*

Protector, comforter, provider, friend, caregiver, gentle guide…the one I want to follow…

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

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” (Psalm 23:1). I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me as a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd.  My late husband Stephen, without a doubt, also found great comfort in knowing that he needn’t fear anything, for under his Shepherd’s care, everything was complete.  This became more evident to me as I watched him live out his last day.  Although his body had deteriorated a great deal from the cancer that had spread so rapidly, he seemed to be adorned by a pensive strength that allowed him to walk through our home, room by room, seeming to take all of his fond memories into his heart for safekeeping.  He responded to my words and watchful care with a quiet, attentive grace, yet I knew that his mind was very far away.  At one point, as he rested a few hours before he passed, he stretched out his arm as though he was being gently led to a place that the serene expression on his face told me was where he was most willing to go…

“In death’s dark vale I feel no ill

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;

Thy rod and staff my comfort still,

Thy cross before to guide me.”*

At that moment, the peacefulness that my dear one surely was experiencing made me pause and think of the green pastures and still waters that our Shepherd promises to lead us to and through.  When my Stephen passed, I know that our Shepherd, Jesus, restored his soul…

“And so through all the length of days

Thy goodness faileth never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing they praise

Within Thy house forever.”*

*All verses by Henry W.  Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Wanting and Needing

On Wanting and Needing

wanting and needingA Quote to Carry You

June 15, 2015

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.”  Psalm 23:1-3

On wanting and needing – I am sure you’ll agree that there is a difference between the things that we want versus the things that we need.  If you are like me, it seems like the things that I want far outweigh the things that I really need.  It also seems that many of the things that I want certainly are not what I truly need.

I couldn’t help but think of the 23rd Psalm when I began to consider the differences between wanting and needing.  Isn’t it interesting how the first verse indicates that the Lord, our shepherd or caretaker, provides so well for us that we are not in want of anything?  The description of being made to lie down in green pastures and being led beside still waters paints a beautiful picture of how wonderfully our shepherd fulfills all of the things we desire.  What is even more amazing to me, is the outcome of being under his care; he restores our souls…something that we all absolutely need, whether we realize it or not.

How about you?  When it comes to wanting and needing…have your wants led you to what (or who) you truly need?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Am Yours, You Are Mine

i am yours

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

I am yours, you are mine…there is something comforting and confirming about belonging to that special someone.

“In every friendship hearts grow and entwine themselves together, so that the two hearts seem to make only one heart with only a common thought…”  Fulton J. Sheen

I am Yours, You Are Mine

I am yours, there’s no need for you to worry…

here I’ll be, here to stay, never will I leave you.

I am yours, I belong to you…

to no one else on earth will I say that.

You are mine, my forever love…

for you fill my world completely.

You are mine, to protect, to behold, to cherish…

life without you is no life at all; for you to me are essential.

Felecia R, Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove,com

‘Tis the season…for weddings that is!  In fact, I’ve received three wedding invitations recently.  Indeed, love is in the air and it’s fragrance is so alluring.  I am yours, you are mine…there is something comforting and confirming in belonging to that special someone.  Hearts beating wildly; fluttering eyes snatching a quick glance; smiles promising the pleasure of a kiss.

May all those couples who will soon be joined together in marriage experience true love and fulfillment, now and always.

“…I have been privileged to have experienced such splendidness in my life once upon a time…the majesty of that time still lingers in my memories.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Three Little Words

Three little words

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Three little words…made all the difference to her world.

“When he wanted to take her picture, he didn’t tell her to smile, but he told her ‘I love you’ and her smile was more beautiful.”  Author Unknown

Three Little Words

There’s something different in the way she walks;

there’s a buoyancy, a lightness in her every step.

She giggles at the silliest things;

her smile radiates the space around her.

Nothing troubles her; her feet seem never to touch the ground.

What is it? What makes her whole being sparkle?

Three little words, “I love you,” that were spoken to her;

made all the difference to her world.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

It’s amazing to me how three little words can emit such powerful feelings of excitement, create such a sense of belonging and purpose, and fulfill so many  desires longed for, that they cause the recipient to beam.  Few things in life can cause such a reaction.  Few things can instill an intensity of emotion that can actually stimulate an illuminating vibrancy that is evident both physically and mentally.  “I love you,” three little words; that’s all it takes.

Don’t take my word for it…say those three little words to the one you love and find out for yourself.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Intimacy

On Intimacy

leisureA Quote to Carry You

June 8, 2015

“Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.” Fulton J. Sheen

On intimacy…By definition, intimacy is a relationship marked by acquaintance or familiarity.  It is something essential, innermost, personal and private.   It is the foundation upon which close friends can build a lifetime of shared experiences.  Intimacy has a way of touching our hearts so profoundly that it can be one of the most valuable treasures that life can offer us.

Although having an intimate relationship with another is a most wonderful thing, it is not an inseparable one.  Be it by death or some other circumstance, it can end whether we want it to or not.  When the bonds of intimacy between individuals are broken, we needn’t despair.  When it comes to true intimacy, which I personally describe as being the deepest and purest love that anyone can ever experience, God is the answer, for his love is complete.  Having created us, he knows every intricate detail about each of us.  He is faithful and promises to never leave nor forsake us.  He knows how to fulfill our heart’s desire, and he longs to do just that…forever,  I can’t think of a better example of intimacy than that, can you?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Time Away

Time awayTime away is a luxury for many; but its true value cannot be determined…

“Oh that I had the wings of a dove; I’d fly away and be at rest.”  Psalm 55:6

Time away can prove to be an invaluable experience, especially when it surrounds you with beauty.  I recently got the chance to spend a most delightful time at The Vanderbilt Mansion and Italian Gardens in Hyde Park, NY with my dear friends Lisa and Walt Richter.  The site is only about an hour’s drive from my home, but it seemed we were thousands of miles away.  Having worked up a bit of an appetite once we arrived, our time away commenced with a picnic  on the vast, manicured grounds.  The weather could not have been more comfortable, and the magnificent views of  The Hudson River Valley were absolutely stunning.

Time awayTouring the opulent mansion felt like traveling back to an era of long ago, while the gardens lured us along fragrant and timeless paths.  I was truly surprised that time had ticked away so quickly as we explored the sites and enjoyed our time away.  To commemorate this particular escape, I purchased a souvenir at the gift shop…a rustic looking paperweight in the shape of a snail.  The little trinket will be a reminder to me of what treasures can be found and experienced when I stop and take some time away.

Time awayTime Away

(a poem about being away…and being at rest)

Time away doesn’t need to be far…

but it should be a memorable experience.

It doesn’t need to be painstakingly planned…

but it should be rich in pleasure.

Time away is a luxury for many…

but its value cannot truly be determined.

Until you go, whether far or near…

you’ll never reap all that time away has in store.

Poem and photographs by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Time awayMay you set aside some time to get away, no matter how far it is…and may you try to do it often.  Enjoy!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Take a Break

Take a Break

“Office in a Small City,” 1953, Edward Hopper. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Take a Break…relax, enjoy, put your work on hold…

“What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines who we are.”  George Eastman

We are fast approaching the time of year when most of us long for the chance to slow down enough to catch our breath.  Even if you can only take a break just long enough to pause and let the sun tickle your face…that is sure to coax a smile to brighten your moment.  While you are smiling, why not take it a step further and laugh aloud…allow it to echo through to your heart.  Now hold onto that lightness and let it grow into the most wonderful sensation; kind of like a private escape.  Just be sure to enjoy it often…let if become a part of you.

Take a Break

Take a break, relax, enjoy…

put your work on hold.

Close your eyes, sit back, imagine…

when you do, just think of what may unfold.

Take a break, don’t worry or fret…

really, what difference will that make?

Let yourself escape for a while,

just enjoy it, for goodness sake!

Take a break, get out, explore…

go on, do yourself a favor.

Life will go on, it won’t come to an end…

besides, you may just have more of it to savor.

Felecia R. Weber, 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Take a break

“Above the Clouds”. A glimpse of a recent “break” of my own. Felecia R. Weber, 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Okay, so what about you?  What are you waiting for?  Go on, close your eyes, relax and take a break!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Leisure

On Leisure

leisureA Quote to Carry You

June 1, 2015

“Guard well your spare moments.  They are like uncut diamonds.  Discard them and their value will never be known.  Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

On leisure…I don’t know about you, but it seems that when it comes to keeping busy with work or other tedious activities, I excel time and time again.  Regarding leisure, taking the time to rest and relax, well, let’s suffice it to say that I could use a lesson or two in that department!  For me, time seems to be the one thing that gets used up more quickly than any other resource that I have.  In the same vein, spare time is one of my most valuable assets.  It is somewhat of a paradox, time and how I spend it.  Since I often seem to have so little of it to spare on any given day, shouldn’t setting some of it aside to rest and enjoy it be a high priority?  Hmmm…I think I’ve just answered my own question!

How about you; do you allow time for leisure in your daily or weekly schedule?  Are you missing out on all that rest and relaxation have to offer you?  May you take the time for leisure, no matter what it may cost you…I think you’ll realize, as I have myself, that in the long run, not taking the time to take a break is something that you really cannot afford.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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