Saturday, July 31, 2010

Release


I wish I were          
a butterfly with a brief life of beauty.



I wish I were
a cloud floating in an endless sky.



I wish I were
a tree standing tall and strong.

I wish I were
Flower of great color and fragrance.



I wish I were
a lush lawn of grass keeping the parched earth cooled.



I wish I were
a great ocean rolling into never never land.



I wish I were
an enormous mountain reaching into the wild blue yonder.



But I am not any of these things.
I am a lowly human with deficits, weaknesses and trying times.
But I am also God's child and He is my loving Father.
I have no need to be anything more.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

I - "still the most overused word in the dictionary"


I wilt
not only from summer's heat
but from life's firing squad.

I wonder
not only how many more days I can withstand the heat
but will there be years?

I pray
not only for my own endurance
but for all who must endure more.

I cry
not only tears for my own pain
but for the more excruciating pains of others.

I ask
not only for my own understanding
but for those who have no knowledge of God.

I believe
not only that God is real and by my side daily
but that through me, He will be by the sides of others.

Daily Battles are not always easily chosen!

Pain is my daily foe.

Fear is my companion.
How can I claim God as my Father?
Dread is my daily opus.
Fatigue is my method of living.
How can I trust God more?
No questions just do it daily.
Over and over and….
God will be there.

Image is a watercolor inspired by a walk around Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, NC. I was recently there with my family. The watercolor wasn't working so I went back in with a no. 6 B pencil over it and I really liked the results.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

joy



Overwhelmed with reality, imagination camouflages her fears.

Frightened by a faith she believes in strongly, she prays anyway.

Lost in the land of the aged, she understands her fate and she adapts unwillingly.

Knowing her own weaknesses can lead to her fate sooner

she attempts to strengthen her spirit through

creating a world of imagined hope and joy.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

still fighting

His light spills over me but



I still feel in the dark.


His love pours into my soul but


I am void of felling.


His mercy covers my life but

I am naked.


His grace removes all my sin but


I am still a sinner.


His joy fills my heart but


I am without happiness.


His peace reigns in my spirit but


I am in turmoil.

Monday, July 26, 2010

suffering is part of the game of life

raw
turned inside out
she battles

exhausted
forced to surrender
she struggles

tomented
made to accept
she lives

doubtful
reestablished purpose
she hopes

focused
prayed up
she believes

(I suffer from IBS. If you have it you understand. If not be thankful. I wrote this during last night's bout.)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Some days you must just find a little levity to survive!

Ignore what you can.
Change what is possible.
Accept what you must.
Believe in God.
Trust prayer.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

release


His amazing power

lifts me out of life's muck and mire.

His gracious mercy

forgives my greatest sin.

His mighty love

energizes my spirit.

His comforting peace

centers my life and

I release all fear and struggle.

Friday, July 23, 2010

lessons


I see the wind.
It billows through the tree tops.
I smell the earth.
It is rich with life.
I hear nature.
It never sings off key.
I feel God's breath.
It sustains me.
I taste life.
It is awesome.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Life is good!



Two butterflies frolic in the morning sun.

Dozens of bumble bees breakfast on sweet nectar.

Dry flies rub their tiny legs in harmonies unbelieved.

God is with us and life is good.

"Life isn't as good as you think!
It's better!"
anonymous

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Amazing Grace


Why do humans fight and struggle against the strains of life? Do we not realize that God is forever by our side ready, willing and able to help us? All we need to do is ask, wait, and allow. He will do the rest. Instead we make mountains of mole hills, oceans out of tears, and deserts out of dried up spirits. Not to say being a Christian makes life a piece of cake or even a cup cake but being one of God's own does mean we are never alone. He sees us hurting; he wants to heal us. He knows our faults and He still loves us. He sees us crying and He wants to hug us. That is pure amazing grace.

accomodating

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

Day for Solitude


Devotions done
Walk over
I watch the bumble bees
Enjoy nectar from the
Rain laden Salvia blooms.
Sun out
Day begun
I seek energy for the day's chores
Of housekeeping.
Prayers said
Fears creeping back
I watch a swallowtail butterfly
Float effortlessly through the air.
Questions posed
Answers sought
I relax into a day of
Details with God by my side.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

If you could see inside my head....................................

Window of Hope


She dreams of all that was

And all that can be.

She sees hope and possibilities

Where everyone else sees doubt and impossible situations.

She believes things will work for good if given enough time.

She has faith that God is in control and always has a better plan.

She trusts life to bring her dreams into reality and her wishes true.

She knows her heart and allow love to guide her steps.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Hope conquers



words stick in a tired mind
thought fail me
answers don't come easy but
hope still resides in my spirit

prayers are wordless
hymns are without tunes
life is a struggle but
hope still fills my soul

tasks are impossible to complete
chores multiply endlessly
work is a constant but
hope still consumes my heart

joy comes f rom a place of hope

Friday, July 16, 2010

God is everywhere!

God's love reaches
every direction in my life.
His mercy stretches into every living cell.
His grace fills all the cracks in my soul.
His goodness overflows my spirit abundantly.
His peace overtakes my heart joyously.
I am grateful for His presence.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

passing of days


The light fades into a heated sky.

Fireflies dance among the dark trees.

Katydids sing a familiar tune.

Warm sleepy breezes wrap around the last moments of the day.

Hopeful tears sting my eyes.

A tiring day draws to a close.

Sleep in a wishful dream.

Dread is my daily reality but

God is my daily reminder to breathe and keep dreaming

of peaceful days and happy times.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I Wait

Hopeful



Grateful


Joyful


I wait.


God hears.


God loves.


God blesses.


I wait.


Blessed.


Peaceful.


Happy.


I wait.

sacred finds

A walk on sacred ground



And my spirit revives.


A quiet reverie and


I find my mind again.


A break from routine and


My body relaxes.


A creative outlet and


I find my soul.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Help for All

Quiet beauty
calms a restless mind.
Peaceful words
reach a weary spirit.
Gentle hands
touch a hurting soul.
Serene moments
heal a searching heart.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

God is there.

God is there when sleep isn't.
God is there when the world is too much.
God is there when strength isn't.
God is there when no one else is.
God is there!

Friday, July 09, 2010

One Message


So many voices.
One message.
Live today.
So many hurts.
One message.
Forgive today.
So many fears.
One message.
Trust today.
So many doubts.
One message.
Believe today.
So many attacks.
One message.
Survive today.
So many questions.
One message.
Accept today.
So many paths.
One message.
Follow today.
So many words.
One message.
Live today.






Can I follow my own message and my own voice? Believe my own spirit? My own path and Guide? Do I just speak tongues I don't understand myself?


Do I turn a deaf ear to my own truths? Do I forget to be grateful for all the miles I've covered? Do I realize I am never alone?

Some days the message is clear. Some days I allow fear and doubt to spoil my better judgment. Too many times I get lost in my own whiny thoughts and ignore the voice of God and His leading to keep me on the path and in the message.

God can!


I may fall down but God can make me rise up.
I may be lost in a rut but God can find me and pull me out.
I may be pushed to my limit but God is limitless.
I may be confused but God understands everything.
I may be weak and hurt but God is strong and healing.
I may be without but God will guide me to where I need to be.
I may be doubtful but God is my assurance in everything, every day, all the way!

Thursday, July 08, 2010

no matter

Praise God



No matter the situation.


Believe Christ


No matter the trouble.


Live through the Holy Spirit


No matter the pain.


Life is better through the trinity.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

To Know or Not To Know

Sometimes we know too much.



Sometimes the darkness is safer.


Knowing less is worrying less.


Hearing the truth can be painful


But it can also bring us closer to God.


Knowing the details of a situation can lead to over saturation.


But God never leaves us alone in it.


Trusting His plan can be scary but


It always leads to greater faith.


So taking it day by day, situation by situation, and truth by truth


We find our peace with life.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Finding life!

She stands at the foot of the mountain.

It is her strength.
It is her hope.
It is her focus.
It is her aim.

She stands at the edge of the valley.
It is her heart.
It is her depth.
It is her world.
It is her life.

Monday, July 05, 2010

simple joys



family time
quiet walks
a bird's song
hidden paths
slow journeys
sweet melodies
a loved one's voice
friends
a special poem
a favorite scripture
an unexpected note
thank you
easy meals
a good book
 walks on the beach
a sunrise or sunset
a gentle breeze
clouds
tall trees
blossoms
7 paintings in 7 days

Sunday, July 04, 2010

The Journey


Life twists and turns over and over
Like the earth on its axis.
Suns rise and set.
Moons wax and wane.
We live breath by breath.
We never know where or when we will leave our earthly journey
but it's the journey after that matters most.
If we love God and spread His love to others,
We’ve lived a good life on earth.
If we count all our blessings we realize we've had a good life on earth.
And if we've confessed Christ as our Savior, we will live a good eternity in His everlasting arms.
Our journey on earth may end but our journey hereafter is just beginning.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Blessings of Art

Art has blessed me in so many ways but especially as therapy and building friendships. I have an artist friend who is legally blind by macular dengeneration and still paints once a week. OH! She is also 101. Every time we visit I am the one who is encouraged and uplifted. She is not happy with her situation but boy! is she still going and now she is wheelchair bound too but she continues to live! She still has 6 piano students each week too. SO...why do I let life ever get me down with Eugenia finding so much to still do at 101!!!!!!!?

Been on a painting streak myself! Here is the results from day 4. I call it "Jonas Ridge Christmas Tree Farm". It's in watercolor. It was my therapy for making it through a trying day of parent care. All turned out fine and I continue to learn how to get through.

Friday, July 02, 2010

God's camouflage


God is my camouflage

from a hurtful world

of pain and suffering.

His armor protects

my body.

His love guards

my heart.

His joy fills

my spirit

His mercy shelters

my soul.

His grace shields

my life.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Release...to live


This gorgeous cooler July 1....the wind kicks up just enough to ruffle my journal pages and I am free for this moment. Free of worry and doubt. Free of fear and disappointment. As a wise one said "God is in heaven and all is right with the world." Maybe I can live by than and not let life's temporary set backs cause me to stumble or fall. Too many times, I'm the camel with the back load of straw. My final straw comes not with major catastrophe but with one tiny reed that sets off a chain reaction. My Irish temper comes out fighting and mostly it's a losing battle. Another wise one said "choose your battles." I say "you must choose peace." By so doing, live a happier life, one that includes all of God's goodness and blessings. One of abundant joy. Praise God! He's always just a breath of fresh air away.

In order to live happily ever after, one must:
  • kill fear and create faith
  • abhor negativity and embrace positive attitudes
  • negate worry and practice hope
  • release struggle and accept challenge
  • stifle anger and propagate peace
  • decrease hatred and increase love
  • forget self and sever others
  • cry less and laugh more
CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF DAY YOU WANT!
Even when you can't choose what comes your way, choose how to react to it or release it!