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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A Chill in the Air

a chill in the air

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

A chill in the air…it surrounds me so, although it doesn’t cause me to tremble.  It lures me in and takes me back to old times; those this present day does not resemble.

“I am living my life to the beat of my own drum…and making my own beautiful music along the way.”  Phoebe Winston

A Chill in the Air

A chill in the air, it surrounds me so,

although it doesn’t cause me to tremble.

It lures me in and takes me back to old times;

those this present day does not resemble.

The quiet serenity of a simple life led,

somehow gets cluttered and hidden.

When years of living get stripped away,

the stillness now here seems less forbidden.

I don’t know what ahead is in store for me;

my days are so full…need I care?

Do I dare close my eyes and let myself dream?

Is what I find something I will be able to bear?

A chill in the air; that’s what I feel now…

I’m uncertain from who or where is the cause.

I do know it has meaning, and I seek to find it out,

even if it just causes me to stop and pause.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

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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Nobility – What’s in a Word?

Nobility

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Nobility – What’s in a word?

Elegance, sophistication, regal, dignity,

are some qualities that describe nobility.

In the essence of a person polished or square,

nobility of character can be something so rare.

When combined with virtue, in a person it is quite grand;

it will surely set the example for those who are at hand.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.”  Jane Porter

What’s in this word for you?  If you care to tell me, please do!

In my opinion, true nobility has less to do with status or monetary wealth than a richness of character.  To me, it means setting the example of what it means to be truly human yet maintaining a high level of excellence in all that we do despite ourselves.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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