Category Archives: Life Experiences

Short story writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

On Sustenance

On Sustenance

on sustenanceA Quote to Carry You

August 24, 2015

“And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee…”  2 Corinthians 12:9

On sustenance – These days we are bombarded with all kinds of choices when it comes to food. One would think that whatever he eats, as long as it is food, would provide the nourishment that his body requires, right?  Well, we all know that that just isn’t true.  When it comes to sustenance, defined as something that sustains life or health, making the right choices definitely matters.  I have proven this time and again…when I indulge my sweet tooth a little too much, the effects that I experience afterwards are not so sweet.  More importantly, although those sugary treats do provide more than sufficient calories, they are empty calories that provide health destructing rather than heath restoring energy.

I find that this principle doesn’t only apply when it comes to providing sustenance for my physical body.  It can also be applied to my spiritual needs.  Whenever I indulge in focusing on things that are contrary to the Bible, God’s living Word, such as yielding to feelings of anger, prideful thinking, and selfish behavior, I am only filling my heart with empty promises.  The more I let myself continue in those ways, the more malnourished spiritually I become.  Sooner or later, I realize that I can never sustain a true sense of peace, contentment and joy apart from the sustenance that only God can provide.  And, indeed, his grace is always sufficient for me.

Are you seeking the kind of sustenance that will truly meet all of your needs?  May you find out for yourself the glorious ways in which God will do just that whenever you ask him to.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I’ll Never Forget

never forgetI’ll never forget the gentle way in which you spoke my name, your voice was so soothing, like the cooing of a mourning dove.

“Your blessings are with him forever, and your presence fills him with joy.”  Psalm 21:6

I’ll Never Forget

(a tribute to the life of my late husband, Stephen Cullen Weber)

I’ll never forget that enchanting evening when we met,

how when I turned around and saw your smiling face; you asked me to dance.

You were so thoughtful and considerate; always thinking of me first.

Your light-hearted ways that made me laugh; how you comforted me when I cried.

I’ll never forget the day we were married; joined together “until death do us part.”

Oh, how special I felt when I first introduced you as “my husband.”

My love and respect for you grew more and more over the years.

Your integrity, your compassion, your diligence and determination;

be assured my love, they never went unnoticed.

I admire your unquestionable character still.

I’ll never forget the gentle way in which you spoke my name,

your voice was so soothing, like the cooing of a mourning dove.

Although your soft, brown eyes will never stare into my soul again,

they have said “I love you” to me so many times, that the words are engraved on my heart.

You have given me so much to remember, those memories will continue to fill my days.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

“My prayer is that you will always look to our Heavenly Father for His comfort and consolation, and that you will have a deep and abiding sense of His peace.”  Stephen Cullen Weber (from his last words to me)

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my beloved’s passing.  It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I shared his last day with him.  Every time I think about my Stephen, which seems to be constantly, I can’t help but realize how deeply he has enriched and blessed my life.  There are so many things that I could write about my precious husband, indeed he was such a beautiful soul.  I’ll never forget the years that God has given us to live our lives together…whenever I recall them, they fill my heart with joy.

Continue to rest in peace my darling one.

never forget

My beloved husband, Stephen Cullen Weber, February 9, 1956 – August 13, 2014

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Things Remembered

On Things Remembered

on Things RememberedA Quote to Carry You

August 10, 2015

“A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”  Charles Spurgeon

On things remembered – I’ll admit, I do not have a strong memory when it comes to retaining facts about things that do not interest me.  I really have to make an effort to write such things down and refer to them later if I am going to even have a chance of remembering anything about them.  I have a much easier time remembering those things that have to do with my own interests.

The same goes for remembering past events in my life.  Oh the memories of the wonderful times I’ve shared with my family and friends.  Those things remembered, have an uncanny way of entering into the present when I recall them.  Sometimes those special moments can be so vivid that they seem tangible, like I am actually reliving them.  I suppose the more precious are those things remembered, the closer they are to my heart…and the more I want to keep them alive.

May you recall often, those things remembered that are dear to you.  And when you do, may they remain alive and well in your heart always.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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The Human Touch

The human touch

“Couple at Coney Island, New York,” 1928, Walker Evans. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

The Human Touch – Walking along hand in hand, no words need to be spoken…

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”  Henri Nouwen

The Human Touch

Walking along hand in hand,

no words need to be spoken.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to repair that which was broken.

A gentle pat on the back,

a warm, lingering embrace.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to help overcome the challenges that we face.

An outstretched arm in the nick of time;

a kiss on the cheek in greeting.

The human touch can be all that we need,

unlike words that can sometimes be fleeting.

A firm handshake to solidify a pledge;

a gesture that makes a promise sure.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to make matters of the heart secure.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is something very powerful about the human touch.  One of the most soothing and comforting things that I remember about the tender moments that I’ve shared with my husband are when we simply walked along together hand in hand.  No words needed to be exchanged; we simply spoke to each other through the power of the human touch.  It seems like whenever I sit down, my little dog Bilbo loves to hop into my lap and snuggle up close to my chest.  Although he isn’t human, I think I enjoy that warm, closeness with him just as much as he seems to.

Indeed, the power of the human touch is soothing, confirming, enjoyable and healing.   May you experience that power by sharing the gift of your touch in a meaningful way with others today.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Perspectives

perspectives

“Studies of a Young Woman,” 1870, Adolph Menzel. Image from a page of the 2015 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Perspectives – My life’s perspectives are always changing, and challenging me to do more.

“Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude.  Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines.  Not just in the moments when life seems easy.”  Henri Nouwen

Perspectives

Staring in the mirror, who do I see?

At first glance, it is simply a reflection of me.

As I peer closer, an added dimension appears.

My face reveals a culmination of my life through the years.

My eyes reflect back to me experiences of times past.

Those times that I’ve rushed through, and the ones I’d wanted to last.

What a contrast; how differently I see things now than I did before.

My life’s perspectives are always changing, and challenging me to do more.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

One of my neighbors, and gracious admirer of my artwork, has commissioned me to do a graphite pencil drawing for her.  The image is a street scene which will require my using the technique of perspective, while sketching out the composition.  Perspectives can involve something as simple as verbalizing a single point of view.  When it comes to other things in life, however, they can be as complex as trying to represent the illusion of depth and distance on a flat sheet of paper.  Perspectives also carry another dimension with them.  For as the relationship between the items being focused upon change, so does the way we in which we view them.

Perspectives, whether used as a technique in drawing or as a way of analyzing life events, are interesting to say the least.  How do you approach things that require you to view them in more than one dimension?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Priorities

On Priorities

on prioritiesA Quote to Carry You

July 27, 2015

“For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act and figure of my heart, in compliment external, ’tis not long after.  But I wear my heart upon my sleeve, for daws to peck at:  I am not what I am.”  From William Shakespeare’s “Othello”

On Priorities – It is fair to say that what we put first in our lives says a great deal about who we are.  Thinking about what my true priorities in life are brought the saying “I wear my heart upon my sleeve” to mind.  Being a task-oriented person, it pleases me when I check off something on my “to do” list as complete.  What’s even better, is when I can check off every item on the list.  However, it seems that when my list appears to be complete, a whole slew of other tasks follow and on and on it goes.

When my “to do’s” outweigh the time that I have to complete them, setting priorities comes into play.  When I begin reviewing my list trying to decide what is the most important thing that needs to get done, I often come to the same conclusion.  The things on my “to do” list are really not important at all!  When I examine my true priorities, I’ve come to realize that the most important thing in my life has already been done.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

I have found that in turning my life over to Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have essentially made following him the priority of my life.  As a follower of Christ, it is ever my hope that what “I wear upon my sleeve” is a heart that reflects the love that God has filled it with.  In turn, my true priorities have become completing my part in what God has already done.

Spending time on God’s “to do’s” are rewarding, that certainly is true.  May spreading his love to others be your number one priority too.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Getting Away

getting away

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

Getting away is something that we all need to do from time to time…

“I suppose that, if you should go to the end of the world, you would find somebody there going farther…”  Henry David Thoreau

Getting Away

Getting away can be one of the most enjoyable things.

It’s amazing the excitement that just the thought of it brings.

No matter where it is, a far off excursion, or lazing on the beach;

There’s just something about getting away and out of reach.

It can restore your well being, it can recharge your mind.

And like taking a journey, you never know what you may find.

Getting away can enhance your thinking, it can brighten your mood.

It has a way of satisfying a hunger, that hasn’t to do with food.

It is something that we all need, so my wish is for you,

That in getting away, you’ll get to rest, refresh and renew.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Bon voyage!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Vacations

On Vacations

on vacationsA Quote to Carry You

July 20, 2015

“Laughter is an instant vacation.”  Milton Berle

On Vacations – I am certain that most of you would agree that, ’tis the season…for vacations that is! Whether you are planning some time off to visit with family and friends, trek off to the woods for hiking and camping, or set sail for an exotic adventure in a far off land, vacations are something to look forward to and to enjoy.  In fact, having time off to rest and get refreshed is welcome at any time of the year.  Not only is taking a break from the “daily grind” something to look forward to, it doesn’t necessarily have to want for summer or the holidays.

Given all of the changes in my “daily grind” over these past several months, I won’t have the luxury of taking time off for any vacations right away.  Be that as it may, it won’t stop me from enjoying some of the benefits that vacations provide.  For me, closing my eyes and envisioning myself traveling off to a sunny spot on the beach, wading along the waves and scrunching my toes up in the wet sand can be enough to brighten my day.  Thinking back and reminiscing about the wonderful vacations I’ve gotten to enjoy in the past are often just what I need to get me excited about what I have to look forward to when I do have the chance to get away.  Whether smiling for a brief moment over a treasured memory, or spending time perusing through photographs and laughing aloud at some funny things they’ve brought to mind, vacations have a way of invigorating us long after we’ve actually experienced them.

Whether you get to take one or more vacations for real, or at least get to daydream about the ones you’ll get to enjoy in the future, may they transport you away long enough to be refreshed…it is amazing what a little time away can do for you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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