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!