Category Archives: Life Experiences

Short story writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

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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Jack Sparrow

Jack SparrowJack Sparrow…Your trust was so evident; I could see it in your bright eyes.  I knew that all you needed was shelter and gentle care…

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”  Matthew 10:29

Jack Sparrow

So tired and helpless was how you came to me,

I didn’t know why at first, for your wound I didn’t see.

You responded with gratefulness much to my surprise.

Your trust was so evident; I could side it in your bright eyes.

I knew that all you needed was shelter and gentle care…

someday soon I had hoped you’d be back flying high up in the air.

But no, God had a different plan for you, my dear little friend.

Now you are soaring high in heaven, forever free, without end.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Jack SparrowPhotographs of “Jack Sparrow,” courtesy of Marilyn Hill.  (Marilyn found this wounded little sparrow in her yard one morning and she took him in under the shelter of her love and care.  He gave her as much joy as the help she gave to him during his brief stay with her.)

I dedicate this poem to all of those who have touched my heart deeply; no matter how briefly.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Shelter

On Shelter

on shelterA Quote to Carry You

September 29, 2014

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”  Psalm 61:4

When I think of shelter, I think of safety.  Whether it is being in the safe haven of my home, or enveloped inside of a heartwarming embrace, shelter provides safety and security.  We all have times when we are vulnerable and need a place where we can feel sheltered from the elements, safe from harm, secure in knowing that we cannot be touched or reached for a time.

When you experience such times, may you find refuge in the shelter of God’s arms…He promises to provide all that you need…and He does.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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September

September

“Trees and Houses Near the Jas De Bouffan (Detail),” 1885-86, Paul Cezanne. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

September

I Remember When

September 24, 2014

“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all.  If you only remember me with tears, then don’t bother to remember me at all.”  Laura Ingalls Wilder

My childhood memories include some of the best memories I have.  When I visit my parents’ home or reminisce about days gone by with my sisters, it is as though a floodgate of happy times has been pried wide open and I seem to float along them smiling and laughing along the way.  In my new series I Remember When, I plan to share snippets of my childhood memories with you.  Given what I’ve described about them so far, I hope you’ll look forward to having your heart warmed and perhaps even enjoying a chuckle or two while reading my musings.

September reminds me of all sorts of “new beginnings” when I was a child.  To me it meant the end of summer and a fresh start to a new school year, the excitement of buying new school clothes and supplies, and getting acquainted with new classmates. I loved walking to and from school with my sister and cousins, crunching through the dried leaves that littered the sidewalks; and squinting my eyes so closely together in the sun that the scarlet, rust , and yellow autumnal colors adorning the trees all blended together like glittering balls of fire against the deep blue-gray sky.  Mmmmm, I can almost feel the warmth of the rays brightening my face as I write!

So tell me, won’t you, what is your favorite childhood memory that happened in the month of September?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Comfort

On Comfort

on comfortA Quote to Carry You

September 22, 2014

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home. Edith Sitwell

You’ve heard it said that “home is where the heart is” right?  Well with autumn’s chill beginning to fill the air, I have been longing more and more to be surrounded by all of the comforting things that fill my home.  It is not just the tangible objects that are full of the happiness and memories of years past; or the pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal scents that tickle my nose when I walk through its rooms.  There is a true feeling of comfort, safety and warmth that I enjoy there that I can find no place else.

May you experience a sense of comfort where you are and may it be your “home” for the day.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Not of My Own Doing

not of my own doing

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Not of my own doing, I say of the goodness in my life.  For without your strength, your guidance, your all, Lord, my life would be nothing but strife.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Not of My Own Doing

Not of my own doing, I say this about so much.

The gifts I’ve been given, the way I have been blessed,

never taken for granted, for they are all filled with your touch.

Not of my own doing, I say of the goodness in my life.

For without your strength, your guidance, your all, Lord,

my life would be nothing but strife.

Not of my own doing, Lord, I never want to walk alone.

I want to live abiding with you, serving you in ways that bless,

until I come home to you and bow down before your throne.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

I want to live my life in a way that when I finish my race, I will hear the words that I long to hear…“…’Well done good and faithful servant!'”  Matthew 25:21

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Jonathan’s Friend

Jonathan's friend

Jonathan’s friend, an Adler Flycatcher bird

Jonathan’s friend…those for whom we care so much are not always human.  Nonetheless, the gratitude they give has a way of touching our hearts deeply.

Animals have a way of touching our hearts in ways that humans cannot.  I have experienced such warmth and love over the years from our little family dogs, Sidney and Bilbo.  When they first entered our home, Sidney as a puppy and Bilbo as an adult dog that we adopted, I felt the need to care for and protect them.  As they gradually became part of our family, our “four-legged furry children,” it seems as though they were the ones providing much of the love and caring.

The poem below is based on a true-life story which was relayed to me by my dear friend and Godmother, Marilyn Hill.  It tells the story of how her neighbor and dog-sitter, Jonathan, befriended a little Adler Flycatcher bird.  Jonathan’s friend sought and received food, shelter and care in her time of need.  But it was Jonathan who received so much more…a sense of love and gratitude and the hope of seeing her again.

Jonathan’s Friend

My what a surprise the little bird did give,

when she landed on my shoulder that day.

Jonathan's friend

How strange it was to see a little creature like her;

so bold, inquisitive and wanting only to stay.

I saw that she was injured and needed my help!

I told her not to fear; that I’d look after her night and day long.

Jonathan's friendSo I fed her, I cared for her and I protected her from harm.

What small things it seems, for in return she sang her sweet song.

The way she gobbled up her berries and flew playfully to and fro.

Her quiet gentleness in simple things surely made me glad.

She brightened my heart and oh how she made me smile…

Her broken wing was healing…that made me both happy and sad.

Jonathan's friendI thought she’d just gone out for her morning frolic in the trees.

But when she did not return, I knew that she’d decided to leave.

Oh my little friend, I will miss caring for you indeed.

Until you return next year, it is to memories of you I will cleave.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Jonathan's friendPhotographs courtesy of Marilyn Hill

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Caring for Others

On Caring for Others

on caring for othersA Quote to Carry You

September 8, 2014

“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”  John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love

I had the privilege of experiencing this first hand.  Similarly in finding “beauty in the ashes,” I discovered a rich oasis of the most wonderful life-giving water when I gave fully of myself to my husband during the time when he needed me the most.  Not only did I sprout a new strength , confidence, and seemingly endless vigor doing all that was required of me as his caregiver.  His quiet determination to maintain the nobility that traced his character throughout his life provided a wellspring of blessings that have helped to make it possible for me to tread the dark waters until they became clear.

May you never be fearful to wade through the murky  seas, for they can provide a buoyancy that will see you safely to shore.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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