Category Archives: Spirituality

Spiritual short story writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

Be Careful What You Ask For

“An Open Door,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Be careful what you ask for…the power of prayer is real…when you ask, be prepared to receive!

“Be careful what you ask for.” I’ve heard that phrase many times before and disregarded it as just another cliche. Lately, however, I have a much different attitude towards it…now, I surely believe it to be true! When we ask for something fervently, diligently seeking the Lord’s will in what we are asking for, the answer he gives may not always be what we’ve expected. In fact, the answer can sometimes seem like the opposite of what we’ve asked for. Well, I am here to tell you that the answer is always the best one when it is God who does the answering.

I have never known this truth in a more real sense until recently, when my dear husband was diagnosed with tonsilar cancer several months ago. Of course, my prayer all along has been that God would heal my husband of this awful disease and restore him to complete health. At the same time, and only by God’s grace and strength, I have also asked that his will be done; for I know that in all circumstances “…God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

We can never know what we will face in life; as we live each day the troubles and blessings unfold to shape our own story. Our wants and needs all change to some degree, but we have expectations that they will be fulfilled, preferably in the way that we plan for them to. That is the crux of what I want to convey here…when we ask God to fulfill our needs, we know in faith that he will answer us. It is not so much that one needs to “be careful what you ask for,” but rather, “be careful how you accept what you’ve been given.”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

For me, asking for my husband’s healing has opened up a multitude of answers from God that are not exactly what I’ve asked for, he has not been healed, but the answers are blessings nonetheless. In fact, I can honestly say that I feel privileged to have had to face and experience this trial. You see, when I am going through dark times such as this, that is when my focus is on God, and it is then that I can fully understand and accept with open arms all of the good that he is doing in my life.

Be careful what you ask for? No need, because when God does the answering it’s all good!

Peace to you,

Felecia

Rating: +11 (from 11 votes)

Armed for Battle

“The Sea,” 1873, Gustave Courbet. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Armed for battle…the first step is to realize that the battle does not belong to us…

“…This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’ .” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Armed for Battle

Trusting in the Lord,

I stand firm when facing despair.

Never wavering, I march ahead.

I am armed for battle.

I fight against what cannot be seen.

My enemy schemes to defeat me.

Without God’s help I cannot win.

I am armed for battle.

My battlefield stretches far beyond my sight.

The strikes against me, oh how they pound.

Where do I turn? To you Lord I flee.

I am armed for battle.

You Lord equip me with all that I need.

Although I may tremble, in my own strength.

Your truth, your righteousness, and your peace defend me.

I am armed for battle.

You are like fortress, where I am shielded from harm.

The trials you allow are my training ground.

Lord, I need never surrender to anyone but you,

for I am armed for battle.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is beauty in the battle…when we allow God to fight for us!

Peace and love,

Felecia

Rating: +9 (from 9 votes)

On Suffering

A Quote to Carry You

May 19, 2014

“…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5

There is a little jewel that resides inside of every turbulent time that we go through in life. Like a diamond in the rough, the beauty that is only cultivated through times of trials and suffering is one that cannot be acquired any other way. It is as hard to explain this truth as it is to try to see the sparkling wonder of the joy that awaits you, until you burrow through the rough spots in getting to it. Not many of us would turn down receiving a diamond…but many fail to see the beauty in the effort that it takes to get one.

Wishing you much joy in your world today.

Felecia

Rating: +8 (from 8 votes)

Humility – What’s in a Word?

“A Woman Ironing,” (Detail), 1873, Edgar Degas. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Humility…what’s in a word? This word came to mind in regard to the type of person who can be described as such:

honorable, respected, honest, strong, reserved, wise, contemplative, insightful, realistic, truthful, trustworthy…

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

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12

In many cases, humility can be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. I’ve never believed that. It takes a strong person in both will and character to humble himself before others. I believe that a humble person displays a quiet courage that can only truly be appreciated by those who share that same quality.

What’s in humility? For me it means to be clothed in honor.

Peace and love,

Felecia

Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)

To Be A Mother

“Young Mother Sewing,” 1900, Mary Cassatt. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

To be a mother…what a wonderful gift we’ve all been given; there are some things that only a mother can give.

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29

To Be A Mother

To be a mother is an awesome responsibility.

She carries the welfare of her children on her shoulders;

but there is no other weight she welcomes more to bear.

To be a mother requires a perception only she can display.

She knows what her children need before they are even aware;

she makes a way for them that will keep them safe from harm.

To be a mother is a role that is born out of an insatiable love.

She loves her husband and her children in distinct ways;

to experience a mother’s love is a gift that never ceases to give.

To be a mother is a privilege that she never takes for granted.

She does whatever it takes to nurture her family; meeting their needs,

experiencing the joy of seeing them succeed in life is her welcome reward.

To be a mother takes the ability to love others unconditionally.

She is human and possesses all of the frailties that come along with that;

yet somehow she goes far beyond what is expected of her – she is a living inspiration to all.

Felecia R. Weber, 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

I dedicate this poem to all mothers, and most especially to my own. Wishing you the happiest Mother’s Day ever Mommy…I love you!

Felecia

Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

Patience Makes Perfect

“Patience Makes Perfect,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Patience makes perfect…there is a grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…so it is with patience.

Perfection, that is not a word that describes human nature, although it is something that we all strive to attain in some form or another. “When I accomplish this…when I get that…then things will be perfect.” Haven’t we all uttered those words and haven’t they always more often than not, failed to come true? And so we go round and round, treading the same circle of trying to achieve that, which is unattainable. Add to that our fierce desire for instantaneous gratification, and we likely miss the mark altogether.

“Patience makes perfect;” what an odd sounding phrase…but is it really? When we wait and take our time and let things flow and play out as they should; isn’t it then that things work out better? I can recall countless times in my own life when I’ve tried to make things happen, rearranging this, frantically reacting to that, and before I know it, I become so frustrated and overwhelmed that I don’t get anything done. In fact, I sometimes have made the situation far worse. It’s a funny thing…in trying to achieve perfection; I get the furthest away from it.

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

Indeed, patience makes perfect…not perfection in its purest sense. Rather, there is grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…it produces a richness that flourishes in maturity. We see that principle all around us. An athlete must train day after day before his body reaches peak physical condition; a process that may take months or years even. But all of that time and effort are well worth it as he proudly steps up to the platform to receive the honor of first place. A mother-to-be blossoms during her many months of gestation. Her anticipation is full of excitement and apprehension for she knows the bitter sweetness that will come when it is time to bear her precious child. Patience spawns a beauty that is the perfect reward for our efforts…a perfection that is well worth the wait.

Whatever you are striving for, may you achieve it through patience and receive your perfect reward.

Peace and love,

Felecia

Rating: +15 (from 15 votes)

On Eagle’s Wings

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

On Eagle’s Wings…it’s all in the waiting; for His timing is perfect and His way is clear…

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

On Eagle’s Wings

On eagle’s wings you carry me,

from all that causes me to fear.

Wherever I go, whatever I do;

I know that you are always near.

On eagle’s wings you carry me,

Lord, only you have the power to see,

What the future holds, what I am to do;

teach me your ways; your servant I’ll always be.

On eagle’s wings you carry me,

I will never give up the fight.

Your Word is my strength, your Holy Spirit my guide;

trusting in you; I’ll never be out of your sight.

On eagle’s wings you carry me,

though the journey be varied and long.

I can rise above any trouble I face;

for in your truth I can never go wrong.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

May the peace of the Lord be always with you,

Felecia

Rating: +13 (from 13 votes)

On Patience

A Quote to Carry You

April 28, 2014

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

In this world of instantaneous gratification, it is refreshing to find that when we wait patiently for something, what we get is oftentimes far more rewarding than what we’d ever expected. There is power in patience…may it work perfectly in you.

I bid you peace, patience and love,

Felecia

Rating: +8 (from 8 votes)

On the Wing of a Dove

Living life…beautifully!

Category Archives: Spirituality

Be Careful What You Ask For

Be careful what you ask for…the power of prayer is real…when you ask, be prepared to receive!

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Armed for Battle