Monthly Archives: August 2014

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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I Blew It!

I blew it

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

I Blew It!

I blew it!  We’ve all been there…what do you do when it happens to you?

I Blew It!

Wow, I really blew it!

Oh why did I ever do it?

Sometimes the outcome is not clear;

but once it’s done, the consequences I do fear.

Wow, I really blew it!

Not sure if saying sorry will do.

If I could take back what I said and did,

I would do everything to make it up to you.

Wow, I really blew it!

I wish I had a second chance.

Looking back, I see what I did wrong.

Is there a way this situation to enhance?

Wow, I really blew it!

I know, words can’t always make amends.

Please know that I have learned from my mistakes,

and now I ask…can we remain friends?

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Saying the wrong thing, taking the wrong action, making the same mistake over and over again. These things will happen more than once in life…guaranteed.  It is how we proceed when they happen that makes all the difference.

 

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Making Mistakes

On Making Mistakes

on making mistakesA Quote to Carry You

August 25, 2014

“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you.  We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.”  L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Mistakes are strange…I don’t like when they happen.  In fact, I try to avoid them, but like many things in life, they are necessary.  We are human and we will make mistakes.  It is what we do with them that makes them so valuable.  Sometimes the most expensive mistakes provide for us lessons learned that are priceless.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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God’s Open Arms

God's Open Arms

“In Heaven,” photograph courtesy of David Brown

 

God’s open arms…I am so looking forward to seeing the face of Jesus…” (paraphrased) Stephen C. Weber

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”  Psalms 126:5

God’s Open Arms

(a poem written in memory of the love of my life)

What do I think of when I think of heaven?

A flood of spectacular visions fill my mind.

The brightness of the light of our Lord;

the peaceful faces of those who have gone on before.

The radiance of pristine surroundings,

where darkness can never exist.

A place where there is no pain nor suffering at all;

only bodies newly washed clean and pure.

Sounds of exquisite songs of praise to our God,

for His majesty reigns eternal there.

Most of all, I think God’s open arms

waiting to welcome me home…and never let me go.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

God's Open Arms

Stephen Cullen Weber, February 9, 1956 – August 13, 2014. Rest in peace my precious one…I love you forever.

I offer my sincere thanks to all of those who have expressed their love and caring towards Steve and me over these past several months, and now at his passing.  May God’s peace and blessings surround you now and always.

Love,

Felecia

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All That I Need

All that I need

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

 

All that I need is something that I have finally realized that I have had all along.

“I have the greatest of all riches: that of not desiring them.” Eleonora Duse

We all long for something.  Be it a tangible item or something that only the human heart can give…we all long for something.  We won’t rest until we get what we want, even when we can’t quite describe what it is.  Does that make sense?  It does to me. In fact, I have finally realized that what I have been longing for is something that I have had all along…I have all that I need.

All That I Need

It is not what surrounds me on the outside,

those things will come and go.

It is not some whim that suits me,

for they’ll surely vanish quickly I know.

It is not the things that I can buy,

for they get used up in a hurry.

It is not the treasures of this earth,

for they very often cause me to worry.

It is something intangible yet so real,

and it will never fade nor decay.

It is what fills my heart no matter what,

it is what keeps me from going astray.

It is God’s love…that is all I need,

He freely gives it to me at no cost.

It feeds me, it clothes me, it fills me up,

it satisfies me and with it I will never be lost.

With the love He provides, I need not search,

for it is unending and inexhaustible indeed.

No riches on earth can match what His love gives,

Yes, in Him I have all that I need.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26

May the love of God surround you and keep you abundantly full all of your days.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Abundance – What’s in a word?

Abundance

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

 

Abundance – What’s in a word?

Wealth, fullness, having it all,

and never having to worry.

Security, prosperity, luxury,

overflowing, not ever having to hurry.

Might, power, contentment and ease,

never running out, doing what you please.

Abundance is like that and although it is very nice,

it should not be taken lightly, for it comes with a price.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me, please do!

Having an abundance of anything connotes the good things in life and having plenty of all that we could ever want or need.  Even though having anything in abundance often times requires hard work, commitment and determination, knowing that there are blessings overflowing around the corner makes it all worth it.

May an abundance of goodness shower you day.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Prosperity

On Prosperity

on prosperityA Quote to Carry You

August 11, 2014

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”  Josh Billings

Prosperity doesn’t just happen out of the blue.  Prosperity is something that is grown over time. Like the seasons in nature, I believe that some degree of exertion has to be put forth in order for the fullness of pleasure in life’s most treasured possessions can be realized.  The fierceness of winter melts into the delicateness of springtime.  The brutal heat of summer withers along the crisp trails of autumn.  We long for times of abundant prosperity when we’ve suffered far too long with far too little.  We bask in the comfortable richness offered to us by the fruits of our labor; never wanting to have to face leaner times again.  What we may not realize is that prosperity, like the seasons is not necessarily found in our possessions, but rather, it is in the effort and determination it took to acquire them.

May your season of prosperity come and be enjoyed to the full.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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There’s Something About You

There's Something About You

“Pretty Sky After a Storm,” photograph by Lisa Arduini Richter

 

There’s something about you…God has a way of turning darkness into light, fear into courage, despair into hope.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

There’s something About You

(a poem about the hope that only God can give)

There’s something about you,

the way you turn dark into light.

So effortlessly, your presence,

exudes power and might.

When all hope seems to surely have gone away,

nothing is ever truly lost,

for your mercy endures, and fills up each day.

There’s something about you,

when life’s troubles threaten to steal my joy,

I am always strengthened in knowing,

your love for me, no one can destroy.

I believe you and I trust you;

sometimes, that is all I can do.

And, that’s really all I need,

for my hope is solely in you.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Without hope we cannot survive…it is essential to life.  I thank God for the blessing of hope that fills each of my days.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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