On Silence

On Silence

silenceA Quote to Carry You

November 30, 2015

“Often times, it is in the silence that I hear the most…”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

On silence – I love listening to classical music.  Whether my heart is wooed by the sweet resonance of a violin or my undivided attention is beckoned by the starkness of a brass instrument, those melodious sounds have a way of captivating me.  It seems that my house comes alive when it is filled with such harmonious tones filtering through the speakers. Sometimes I can still hear the echoes of the last melody I’ve listened to before going to bed, even after I’ve turned the music off.  Silence doesn’t settle in until my mind has released its hold of the last lingering note.  Often times, however, it is in the silence that I hear the most.

For me, silence is not always void of sound.   When everything around me is quiet, as though overcome by sleep, my hearing seems to sharpen and my ears detect sounds that I’ve never realized existed.  As with the exquisitely beautiful melodies of classical music, silence has a way of filling me up also…but that type of hearing requires a deeper level of listening.

“Silence causes me to dig deeper and to pay closer attention for fear that I may miss what it is trying to convey to me…”

I experienced that deeper level of listening, and hearing this past weekend.  After spending a little bit of my Saturday morning doing a final tidying up of my garden, I decided to fill my bird feeder before heading into the house.  As I often do while tooling around in the yard, I had classical music playing in the garage.  While enjoying the music and pausing to see if any birds were attracted to the food I’d just set out, I was delighted to see two little birds flutter gracefully about the feeder.  As I watched my feathered friends peck their tiny beaks in and out of the feeder, the music playing in the background seemed to fade away on the light wind that carried it away.  Gradually, all I could hear was the delicate flitting of wings and barely audible chirping.  The more I strained to listen with my ears, the more I realized that I was beginning to hear with my heart.  For watching those tiny winged creatures feeding and being filled seemingly without a care in the world, illustrated to me the quiet beauty of trusting in our Lord and His provision.

No matter what goes on around us, the hustle and bustle of a busy day, the soothing melodic embrace of classical music, or the calming silence that nature surrounds us with, what we are capable of hearing has much to do with whom we put our trust in…the one who truly guides our hearts.  When you take the time  to listen to the silence, may you always hear with your heart.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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What’s in a Name?

What's in a name?

Fragmentary Loom Width with Wavy-Vine Pattern (Detail), second half of 16th century. Image from a page of the 2015 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

What’s in a name?  Jesus, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, that is you.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

What’s in a Name?

Jesus, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, that is you.

Master, Mighty Counselor, Savior, you are all that is true.

Shepherd, Lord, Son of God with your life, you paid the price,

Jesus, Holy Jesus, your gift to us was your sacrifice.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

What’s in a name?  That’s a strange question to ask, especially on the biggest shipping day of the year, right?  Thanksgiving Day is over, Christmas is coming, Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman are all on their way.  So many images flood our minds during this happy season.  But underneath the wrapping paper, when the colored lights click off at the programmed time, and when the holly, jolly music fades away into the cold winter nights…what name resounds the loudest and shines the brightest in your heart?

What’s in a name?  For me that name is Jesus, oh my precious Jesus!  There is no denying that Jesus truly is the reason for the season.  As we enter into Advent, awaiting with so much anticipation the coming of him whose very name commands our attention, may you take the time to reflect upon the magnificence of Jesus; the name above all others.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Giving and Thankfulness

On Giving and Thankfulness

giving and thankfulnessA Quote to Carry You

November 23, 2015

“The more I give, the more thankful I am.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

On giving and thankfulness – There are many things going on in our world today that sadden my heart.  Sometimes even just hearing about all of the anguish, strife and suffering that continues to grow throughout our nations is so overwhelming that it threatens to steal my joy.  Not only that, but I often feel inadequate to make a difference; to help in a significant way.  When it comes to giving and thankfulness, however, I find my solace.

The more I give, the more thankful I am.  In fact, it is in giving, that I receive.  There is something about giving that fills my heart and fuels my joy more that any other activity that I engage in.  When I literally see a face brighten, or read words of thanks that express how much my efforts are appreciated, I receive so much more than I can ever give.

During this season of giving and thankfulness, may you receive an abundance of joy as you give  of yourself to others.

Wishing you a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On the Surface

on the surface

Photograph courtesy of Alice Kish

On the surface – you are you, the person who others see on the outside…

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.  Ephesians 3:21

On the Surface

On the surface,

You are you, the person who others see on the outside.

When you laugh, when you cry…

Those emotions are reflections of who you are inside.

On the surface,

You can be who you want to be,

Strong, happy, brave, always on point.

But, is that all of you that others truly see?

On the surface,

If you dig deep, search your heart, you will know,

God has a specific purpose planned just for you.

When you seek to find what it is, His answer to you He will show.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I think from time to time, we are all guilty of saying, “I’m fine,” when asked how we’re doing.   When really, we are having a bad day, month, or even year!  Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to make it so, nothing seems to go the way we would like.  Even though we appear to be okay on the surface, it is what lies beneath our smiling faces that truly matters.

I am the first one to admit that I do not know exactly what God has planned for my life.  In the same way, on the surface, I don’t always know why troubling circumstances happen.  But deep down inside, I know that whatever the reason, ultimately it is absolutely for my own good… because God makes it so.

On the surface, there will be times when it seems like life is going totally in the opposite direction that it should be.  It is during those times that I encourage you to diligently seek out and ask God to guide your steps.  And as He works within you, may your heart fill with joy as His goodness unfolds before you.

Peace,

Felecia

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On Maturity

On Maturity

maturityA Quote to Carry You

November 16, 2015

“We all create the person we become by our choices as we go through life.  In a real sense, by the time we are adults, we are the sum total of the choices we have made.”  Eleanor Roosevelt

On Maturity – Our world is constantly changing and that is especially evident during this time of year.  As autumn begins transitioning into winter, with the days getting shorter, and the air getting colder, it’s hard to believe that we were basking in summer’s sun not long ago.  Given we’ve already had our first frost of the season here in the Northeast, I took the opportunity to plant my spring bulbs a couple of weekends ago.  As I gathered my gardening tools and started digging into the ground, I couldn’t help but think about how much something as simple as planting bulbs illustrates the necessity and magnificence of maturity.

Although there are many varieties of bulbs that sprout during spring, summer and autumn, they all require a dormant period which allows them to develop their root systems.  Spring bulbs even require cold temperatures to start their biological clocks,  After spending a few hours strategically placing each bulb into the perfect spot in my garden, and carefully covering them with soil and decorative rocks, no one would have guessed they’d been tucked away beneath the ground.  It won’t be until months later that all of the seemingly lifeless bulbs will be coaxed to sprout out of hibernation, bursting with vivacious beauty by the warmth that springtime brings.  And so it is with maturity…

As we journey through each day of our lives, we too require difficulties, trials and periods in which we have no choice but to wait.  For it is during those times that our own maturity is perfected.  Like those inert bulbs that I’ve recently planted in the dark, seclusion of the earth, the more we are exposed to challenges that cause us to develop an inner strength, the more we grow and the more we have within us to help propel us forward to become the persons we are meant to be.  When that strength of character is displayed in a noble way…the beauty of maturity blossoms.

May your maturity bloom in a way that will brighten the lives of others.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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One and Only You

One and Only

“Lover’s Eyes,” c. 1840, American, Dale T. Johnson Fund. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

One and Only You – reveal the magnificent person you are, so the others may see…

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

One and Only You

One and only you,

There are things that only you can do.

You are beautiful in your own way;

Let others see that beauty every day.

No one on earth can be who you are,

You shine brightly as does a twinkling star.

One and only you,

Never settle for anything less than your best.

For when you give your all, others will be blessed.

Seek and find out who you were purposed to be.

Reveal the magnificent person that you are, so others may see.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

We have all been created with a unique purpose.   The gifts that we hold within us are our own to share with others.  In fact, I believe that when we discover and begin to use those gifts, we all benefit from what each of us contributes to the world.  One and only you, one and only me…what a blessing our Lord God has created for all the world to see!

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Uniqueness

On Uniqueness

uniquenessA Quote to Carry You

November 9, 2015

“The question is not what we intend ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when he made us.”  C.S. Lewis

On uniqueness – Do you ever ponder the fact that in all the world, there is absolutely no one exactly like you?  You are different from each of the other billions of people who’ve ever lived.  Uniqueness, being the one and only you, is something that we all possess.  Thinking about our uniqueness even further…do you ever wonder why you are who you are?

In our uniqueness, each of us has something to offer that no one else can give.  Only you can be you, and only you can use what you have to accomplish what you’ve been created to accomplish.  When I think about all of the talents and abilities that God has equipped me with, I feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility to share what I have with others.  No matter what it is that I write, or draw, or create, my own uniqueness is a part of whatever I do.

You too, have a unique set of gifts, may you discover them and use them…and may your own uniqueness shine through to those around you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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A Constant Example

Constant example

“Bouquet of Chrysanthemums,” 1881, Auguste Renoir. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

A Constant Example – We all need someone to guide us from time to time…

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  Francis of Assisi

A Constant Example

We all need someone to guide us from time to time;

A constant example to look to when we face something new.

We all seek someone to help us along the way;

A constant example to encourage us to take the next step.

I am grateful for those who have done so in my life;

They are constant examples through whom God consistently leads me.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I can think of many people who have served as constant examples in my life.  They’ve been the ones to whom I’ve turned to for guidance when I didn’t know what to do.  They were the individuals who’ve provided spiritual and physical support to me when I’ve needed it the most.  Although I am grateful for each and every one of them, I would like to give a very special thanks to the constant example that God has provided for me in my late husband, Stephen.  The excellence and consistency in character that he demonstrated throughout all of our years together, and especially in the example I’ve described below, will always serve as a goal for me to strive for…

During the latter stage of Steve’s illness when we were returning home from our last trip to visit with our family together, our connecting flight was cancelled due to a storm back on the east coast.  As we learned of the disappointing news, I could see the pain and distress in Steve’s eyes.  Although he just sat quietly as I made arrangements to get us booked onto another flight, which meant landing at a different airport and having to rent a vehicle to travel back to the airport that we’d originally flown out of so we could pick up our car, we both realized all of the extra logistics would add several hours to the last leg of our trip home.  That did not even include the drive from the airport to our home.  Steve was already exhausted and he had taken the last of his pain medication, which would not provide relief for him much longer.  To be honest, at that point, I was feeling so overwhelmed, angry and frustrated that I wanted to cry.  It was then that Steve reached out, gently took hold of my hand, and assured me that everything would be fine because God had the situation all under control.  My heart quieted and I sat there  marveling at the calm, stoic strength demonstrated by my constant example.

After a rough flight, waiting in long lines and an uncomfortable ride in the airport shuttle, we eventually made it to the rental car facility.  By then, I had reached the end of my supply of patience.  My feelings of frustration returned when I learned that I would need to drive a mini-van, the smallest vehicle that was available at that time of night, in the heavy rain, and on an unfamiliar, winding parkway for quite some distance.  Again, at that moment, Steve, my constant example calmed me.  While he waited for me to finalize the rental car transaction, I noticed that he was leaning over the counter with his eye closed and his head downcast in his hands.  I couldn’t even imagine the pain that he must have been experiencing, given his pain medication had worn off long ago.  When the representative courteously offered Steve a bottle of water and asked if he would like to sit down, Steve merely answered, “No thank you, I am just not feeling very well,” and he continued to wait quietly until we were all set and ready to continue on our way.

By the time we got home, and had settled into bed, Steve thanked me for taking such good care of him and for making out trip home go so smoothly despite the delays.  At that, I did break down and cry…not tears of frustration, but tears of gratitude for my dear husband, my precious constant example…I thank God every day for such a gift.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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