Tag Archives: challenges

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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On Living in the Present

On Living in the Present

living in the presentA Quote to Carry You

May 11, 2015

“‘What Day is it?’  “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.  “My favorite day.” said Pooh.”  A. A. Milne

On living in the present – There is a simplicity in living in the present; living each day as it comes.  I liken the ability to do that with having the heart of a child…something that all adults have experienced to some degree.  Imagine being able to awaken on Sunday morning and truly enjoy all of the blessings that unfold on that day of rest, rather that letting it quickly dwindle away because you’ve set your focus on the challenges that the start of the work week on Monday will bring. Or wouldn’t it be refreshing to take a walk in the rain without worrying that your hair will frizzle when it gets wet?  How about going ahead and splashing in the puddles without caring how muddy your clothes will get?  Or maybe try singing as loud as you want no matter who hears that you are terribly off key.  These are trivial things I know, but that’s my point.  In the whole scheme of things, are the “big” things in life that we worry about as important as we think?  Living in the present allows us to let go of the past, (it has gone, never to return), and stop grasping for the future, (it will arrive soon enough).  Why not give it a try?  You may find that living in the “present” really is a gift.

May you live today in the present…and may each day be your favorite one too.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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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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When Mistakes Happen

When Mistakes Happen

“Soap Bubbles,” 1859, Thomas Couture. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

When mistakes happen…it’s what we do with them that makes them invaluable.

“With men it is impossible, but not with God:  for with God all things are possible.”  Mark 10:27

I suppose one would describe me as being somewhat of a perfectionist, so when mistakes happen, they truly dig deep into my skin.  I am not unique in wanting to do everything that I set out to do as correctly, efficiently and effectively as I can. It gives me such a sense of satisfaction when I know I have done something to the very best of my abilities and the outcome of whatever it is has gone well.  On the other hand, no matter how hard I try to avoid them, when mistakes happen…they are hard to accept and sometimes even harder to remedy.  What can we do to fix them?

Although that question can be answered in as many different ways as there are mistakes to be made, I believe there really is one response that is appropriate for them all.  When mistakes happen, they can be the most valuable resources that we can ever come across.  Huh?  Yes, mistakes really can cause us to learn and grow in ways that we never would have if they’d never taken place.  In my own recent experiences of journeying through the phases of my husband’s illness, although his disease was more of a challenge rather than a mistake, I can tell you that along with the heartache and rocky roads, many blessings watered the paths, and now I am enjoying a lush harvest.

Many times we face situations that are so overwhelming when we are in the midst of them that it seems much easier to just give up and throw in the towel rather than facing the challenges head on and battling them to defeat.  I’d reached that point on numerous occasions during these past months.  “Oh that I had the wings of a dove; I’d fly away and be at rest.” (Psalm 55:6), was not only the theme for my blog…it literally became my mantra!  Looking back, even in that imagery, it takes a heavy effort for a bird to take off and soar high into flight.  It took an immense amount of discipline, courage and an even greater amount of surrendering to God’s enabling power to handle all that was required to meet the needs of my husband’s care.  But, being the person that I am today, stronger, more confident and capable of managing life’s storms, I can honestly say that I am grateful for the challenges, and mistakes, that cluttered the road.

Mistakes…let them happen…and when they do…let God see you through.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

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