Day 245 Other options

When running away

is not an option,

run to God!

Whe leaving your life

is not possible,

leave it to God!

When prayers seem to

go unanswered,

talk to God anyway!

When words are

not enough,

try listening to God!

When faith seems

to waver,

trust God more!

(And as inspired by a church sign:

when you can't sleep, don't count sheep;

talk to the Shepherd.)

Day 244

face your mountain

climb over it

joy is on the other side

stand up to your Goliath

stare him down

hope is just beyond

defeat your demons

overcome their hold

life is waiting to be lived

release your fears

stop them with faith

God is bigger

Finished Project

I was in a round robin recently and the good old USPS lost my book. So I started a new one and here is a sample of the finished project. BirdLand altered book.

Day 243 All you need

a mustard seed of faith

a fleeting moment of hope

simple joy in the midst of trouble

a lifetime of love

the armor of God

one minute of patience

peace despite the struggle

One is enough but all are available

from God just for the asking and believing.

Day 242 Release

Release

what isn't working.

Trust God.

Discover nature.

Refill the well.

Release

what scares you.

Hope for recovery.

Believe God's laws.

Respite is available.

Release

what doesn't matter.

Pray for courage.

Sing the truth.

Reality is subjective.

Release

what irritates you.

Seek calm.

Turn from drama.

Relish every breath.

Day 241 Doubts and Certainties

I am lost.

God finds me.

Faith wavers.

God restores.

I am weak.

God is strong.

Hope wanes.

God recovers.

I am fearful.

God is not.

Doubt returns.

God rebuilds.

"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties" Francis Bacon

"The great artists...help us to know that we are closer to God in our doubts than in our certainties." Madeleine L'Engle

These are comforting quotes and help me feel better about my increasing doubts. I have read the Bible through several times. I have known God and gone to church for more than 50 years. I have been saved for more than 40 years. I pray daily to God. I thank Him for my blessings. I ask Him for help. I take Him my doubts. He give me certainties. I take Him my shame. He gives me forgiveness. I take him my fears. He gives me faith. I take Him my weakness. He gives me strength. I take Him my questions. He give me guidance. I take Him my love. He gives me His love.

I have had many sleepless nights. A string of them recently. The best thing I can say about them is that it's the best time I spend with the Lord.

Day 240 Release (Digital 2)

Day 239 Release

This is one in the series of digital images

of my focus word - release.

Day 238 Asleep in Life

Often feeling asleep in life,

zombie like,

I go through the motions.

Is that living?

Innundated with

pain, doubt, and fear but

still moving, praying, and breathing

Is that living?

Keeping

committments, schedules, and appointments.

Is that living?

God sends his grace

and more;

I mutter in gratitude.

Is that living?

My to do list mounts.

I accomplish daily chores.

Is that living?

I still

hope, dream and believe

never losing faith.

Now that's living!

Day 237 Day in the Life of Woman

The eastern sky brightens.

Where will the day take me?

With one hour sleep, not as far as I'd like.

Chores, to do list, errands, details, caretaking.

Listening, speaking, encouraging.

Watching, waiting, driving.

The western sky fades.

Where did the day go?

Prayers, hopes, dreams.

Accomplisments, thoughts, fears.

Coping.

Sleeping?

Day 236 Day Dreams

Day dreams of respite and peace

lead into a week of detail and activity.

A full agenda melts into a constant flow

of neverending "things to do".

A desire to run and hide negate the

need to find a way around the schedule.

Never enough rest or recreation

to balance the busyness.

A cocoon awaits for me to crawl into

and hibernate the rest of winter.

Day 235 Questions from a Calloused Heart

Is my calloused heart

beyond repair?

Is my blocked spirit

unable to open?

Is my lost soul

without recovery?

Is my cracked mind

without hope?

Is my old body

beyond its time?

Is my hopeful world

beyond recovery?

Day 234 Release

Release

what isn't working.

Trust God.

Discover nature.

Refill the well.

Release

what scares you.

Hope for recovery.

Believe God's laws.

Respite is available.

Release

what doesn't matter.

Pray for courage.

See the truth.

Reality is subjective.

Release

what irritates you.

Seek calm.

Turn from drama.

Relish every breath.

Day 233 Lady Fernwood

Day 232 Late Light

The sun peeks out  as it fades in the western sky.

Where have you been all day?

Where was your light as I stumbled in darkness?

Where was your heat as I shivered in cold reality?

Where was your point of reference as I lost my way?

Looking for answers.

Seeking solutions.

Fraught with desperation.

Fear and faith battle in my spirit.

Hate and love fight in my heart.

Evil and good war in my soul.

Despair and  hope struggle in my mind.

The only thing to do is "release" it all to God

who can win any battle or war, man can conceive.

Day 231 A little is enough!

A little work to keep you

Grateful.

A little food to keep you

Nourished.

A little creativity to keep you

Joyful.

A little prayer to keep you

Humble.

A little music to keep you

Peaceful.

A little writing to keep you

Focused.

A little laughter to keep you

Light-hearted.

A little respite to keep you

Sane.

A little nest to keep you

Protected.

The Invisible Woman

Try this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0
or search Youtube for The Invisible Woman. All of you who feel what you do is unnoticed, unappreciated, and unseen, need to see and hear this. GOD SEES ALL THE GOOD YOU DO and that's ALL THAT MATTERS!

Day 230 Retreat to Nature

fatigue is washed away

by a sunshiny afternoon in the swing

at fernwood

tears cease and dry up

under carolina blue skies

fears vanish with the sound

of a winter bird's song

hope restores a broken spirit

and world weary soul

joy is abundant in the

grateful heart

Day 229 Reflect and find Peace

a brisk walk

in the cool of the evening

the sun fading in the western hemisphere

streaks of pink and purple

criss cross the sky

peace fills my spirit

joy inhabitis my heart

contentment floods my soul

life is sweet in this moment

Day 228

When life gets tough,

allow God to take charge.

He is anyway.

When times are difficult,

allow God to lead.

He does anyway.

When days are long and nights even longer,

allow God to be your clock.

He is anyway.

When you struggle and squirm,

allow God to be your strength.

HE ALWAYS IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

Day 227 Seasonal Thoughts

Hope springs from a wintry soul.

A cold desolate mind warms internally.

Dormant faith is strengthened and allowed to grow.

Everyday events create a need for the expanding spirit.

Daily prayer increases the internal warmth

and heightens the faith,

through God's love and grace.

Day 226 Fixing broken things....

Not only a broken heart or spirit, a soul can break as well

for lost chances and unrealized dreams.

Never get to the end of life and regret

missed opportunites to grow in strength,

realize how amazing your faith is, or

know that there's joy in just "being".

Do not permit your years to exist feebly.

Live them fully.

Day 225 Four Easy Steps to a Better You

Pave a path to quiet grace.

Seek a life of simple joy.

Follow a heart filled with love.

Practice a focus on constant faith.

Self Love is SELFLESS!

Make it possible.

Allow yourself to be first.

Permit narcissism.

Don't apologize or feel you need to explain.

For once, concentrate on your own needs.

Live for self and see if a happy self

isn't a better self for others

in your life.

This post is inspired by Christine Arylo's blog and Self Love program at

http://www.daretoliveyou.com/blog/2010/01/love-is-a-practice-lets-start.html

Check it out. You may need to cut and paste the link.

Day 223 EYES

A woman's eyes tell her story.

The fatigue, pain and suffering.

She works morning till night

meeting everyone's needs

ignoring her own.

Her body aches from

incessant movement; her mind

spins from the never ending

agenda. She suffers when others

suffer. She cries when others

cry.  She hurts with them.

Her eyes cannot hide the fatigue,

pain and suffering.

Day 222 stolen words

Many times the words just don't come together and then you read something that clicks and the flow begins. . .

on our own unique path
we seek clarity of direction
living a quiet existence
of meaning and purpose
we experience peace
avoiding drama and chaos
is our true goal
a simple dream of calm
day to day flow is our prayer
releasing negative thoughts and
letting go of unwanted baggage
we find our true
harmony and rhythm

Day 221 No sleep for the weary....

Hour of the soul again....

Prayerless, I cry out to God.

Does He fill in the blanks?

My groans are heard.

He answers but I can't understand His words.

It's as if He speaks a foreign tongue.

Can my spirit interpret?

I muffle my cries.

I hide my pain.

I deny my doubt.

He knows my thoughts.

He feels my doubt.

He forgives my uncertainty.

Patience is key.

Have I used my quota?

The well is dry.

My feet are lead.

My stomach is sick.

I'm stuck and immovable.

He is stronger.

He pulls me out just before I go under.

I gasp for air.

He quickly fills my lungs with His breath.

I know I will survive.

Day 220 Just let it out! RELEASE!

A rough day can teach you alot. How to deal or how to fail. We all know lots of ways to let go of stress. Prayer, tears, talk, creative ventures, laughter....etc. Screams work wonders too. There are many places to do this safely. I've found them over the years when times get tough.

(the utility room or garage or basement for some of you, the car-passers by just think you are singing loudly and badly, the shower-family just think you had the water too hot, of course out in the middle of an empty forest-although you may send the habitat scurrying)

I'd love to hear where you let the primal screams of living loose. My wish is that it be an unstressful day for you with lots of laughter and joy in your life.

Day 219 Life is worth living!

The path may be crooked.

The road may be long.

The journey may be uncertain,

but life is worth living.

The days may be short.

The nights may be long.

The moments may be complicated,

but life is a gift.

The world may be scary.

The people may be jaded.

The answers may be few,

but life is an adventure.

The work may be grueling.

The job may be tough.

The career may be forced,

but life is worth creating.

Day 218 Peace and Quiet

Turn off the noise.

Be quiet with yourself.

Listen to your heart

speak through your soul.

Trust the silence
to comfort your spirit

with a message only

the spirit can receive.

It is from God.

Day 217 Day by Day-the Best Way

Day by day

like the start of a new year,

pray for calm strength

to guide you

each step of the journey.

Release

fear, worry, and lack.

Unleash

faith, trust, and abundance.

Release

the dreaded grip

anger, guilt and doubt

which is paralyzing.

Unleash

God's mighty power and presence

in your life.

He's ALWAYS with you!

Does God run when He sees me coming?

Does God cringe when I pray the same prayer for the 99th time?

Does God hide when He hears my voice?

No.

He's there before me.

He's there behind me.

He's there beside me.

Day 216 Early morning lesson

Awake for awhile. I'd rather have been sleeping but God speaks clearest to me in the early hours of a semi dark, quiet house. Spending time with family and friends is precious but quality time with the Lord is best of all. Alone with the holy Three is a most amazing feeling and joy. Most people do now slow down long enough to receive this special gift. Some are able to accomplish it daily. It can't be hurried or forced. It must be experienced through some effort and patience and time. His words speak to my heart and spirit. He allows words to rise from my soul.When the two meet it is phenomenal. Practice often and you find the most amazing relationship you could ever know. It has more passion, love and joy than you could ever want in a lifetime. Eternity cannot hold its magnitude.

Day 215 Happy New Year!