Monthly Archives: September 2014

On Shelter

On Shelter

on shelterA Quote to Carry You

September 29, 2014

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”  Psalm 61:4

When I think of shelter, I think of safety.  Whether it is being in the safe haven of my home, or enveloped inside of a heartwarming embrace, shelter provides safety and security.  We all have times when we are vulnerable and need a place where we can feel sheltered from the elements, safe from harm, secure in knowing that we cannot be touched or reached for a time.

When you experience such times, may you find refuge in the shelter of God’s arms…He promises to provide all that you need…and He does.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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A Chill in the Air

a chill in the air

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

A chill in the air…it surrounds me so, although it doesn’t cause me to tremble.  It lures me in and takes me back to old times; those this present day does not resemble.

“I am living my life to the beat of my own drum…and making my own beautiful music along the way.”  Phoebe Winston

A Chill in the Air

A chill in the air, it surrounds me so,

although it doesn’t cause me to tremble.

It lures me in and takes me back to old times;

those this present day does not resemble.

The quiet serenity of a simple life led,

somehow gets cluttered and hidden.

When years of living get stripped away,

the stillness now here seems less forbidden.

I don’t know what ahead is in store for me;

my days are so full…need I care?

Do I dare close my eyes and let myself dream?

Is what I find something I will be able to bear?

A chill in the air; that’s what I feel now…

I’m uncertain from who or where is the cause.

I do know it has meaning, and I seek to find it out,

even if it just causes me to stop and pause.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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September

September

“Trees and Houses Near the Jas De Bouffan (Detail),” 1885-86, Paul Cezanne. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

September

I Remember When

September 24, 2014

“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all.  If you only remember me with tears, then don’t bother to remember me at all.”  Laura Ingalls Wilder

My childhood memories include some of the best memories I have.  When I visit my parents’ home or reminisce about days gone by with my sisters, it is as though a floodgate of happy times has been pried wide open and I seem to float along them smiling and laughing along the way.  In my new series I Remember When, I plan to share snippets of my childhood memories with you.  Given what I’ve described about them so far, I hope you’ll look forward to having your heart warmed and perhaps even enjoying a chuckle or two while reading my musings.

September reminds me of all sorts of “new beginnings” when I was a child.  To me it meant the end of summer and a fresh start to a new school year, the excitement of buying new school clothes and supplies, and getting acquainted with new classmates. I loved walking to and from school with my sister and cousins, crunching through the dried leaves that littered the sidewalks; and squinting my eyes so closely together in the sun that the scarlet, rust , and yellow autumnal colors adorning the trees all blended together like glittering balls of fire against the deep blue-gray sky.  Mmmmm, I can almost feel the warmth of the rays brightening my face as I write!

So tell me, won’t you, what is your favorite childhood memory that happened in the month of September?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Comfort

On Comfort

on comfortA Quote to Carry You

September 22, 2014

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home. Edith Sitwell

You’ve heard it said that “home is where the heart is” right?  Well with autumn’s chill beginning to fill the air, I have been longing more and more to be surrounded by all of the comforting things that fill my home.  It is not just the tangible objects that are full of the happiness and memories of years past; or the pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal scents that tickle my nose when I walk through its rooms.  There is a true feeling of comfort, safety and warmth that I enjoy there that I can find no place else.

May you experience a sense of comfort where you are and may it be your “home” for the day.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Not of My Own Doing

not of my own doing

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Not of my own doing, I say of the goodness in my life.  For without your strength, your guidance, your all, Lord, my life would be nothing but strife.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

Not of My Own Doing

Not of my own doing, I say this about so much.

The gifts I’ve been given, the way I have been blessed,

never taken for granted, for they are all filled with your touch.

Not of my own doing, I say of the goodness in my life.

For without your strength, your guidance, your all, Lord,

my life would be nothing but strife.

Not of my own doing, Lord, I never want to walk alone.

I want to live abiding with you, serving you in ways that bless,

until I come home to you and bow down before your throne.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

I want to live my life in a way that when I finish my race, I will hear the words that I long to hear…“…’Well done good and faithful servant!'”  Matthew 25:21

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Nobility – What’s in a Word?

Nobility

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Nobility – What’s in a word?

Elegance, sophistication, regal, dignity,

are some qualities that describe nobility.

In the essence of a person polished or square,

nobility of character can be something so rare.

When combined with virtue, in a person it is quite grand;

it will surely set the example for those who are at hand.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.”  Jane Porter

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

In my opinion, true nobility has less to do with status or monetary wealth than a richness of character.  To me, it means setting the example of what it means to be truly human yet maintaining a high level of excellence in all that we do despite ourselves.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Dignity

On Dignity

on dignityA Quote to Carry You

September 15, 2014

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”  Proverbs 31:25

When I think of dignity, I first think of human life, and what high regard I place on it.  Everyone who has been born and lived has worth…for life itself has incomprehensible value.  I believe that we each have a responsibility to live our lives in a manner worthy of the very gift of life we’ve been given.  I challenge everyone, myself included, to live out the rest of our days with a dignity, strength, confidence and grace that will set the example for others to follow.  Can you imagine what goodness will happen if we do just that?

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Jonathan’s Friend

Jonathan's friend

Jonathan’s friend, an Adler Flycatcher bird

Jonathan’s friend…those for whom we care so much are not always human.  Nonetheless, the gratitude they give has a way of touching our hearts deeply.

Animals have a way of touching our hearts in ways that humans cannot.  I have experienced such warmth and love over the years from our little family dogs, Sidney and Bilbo.  When they first entered our home, Sidney as a puppy and Bilbo as an adult dog that we adopted, I felt the need to care for and protect them.  As they gradually became part of our family, our “four-legged furry children,” it seems as though they were the ones providing much of the love and caring.

The poem below is based on a true-life story which was relayed to me by my dear friend and Godmother, Marilyn Hill.  It tells the story of how her neighbor and dog-sitter, Jonathan, befriended a little Adler Flycatcher bird.  Jonathan’s friend sought and received food, shelter and care in her time of need.  But it was Jonathan who received so much more…a sense of love and gratitude and the hope of seeing her again.

Jonathan’s Friend

My what a surprise the little bird did give,

when she landed on my shoulder that day.

Jonathan's friend

How strange it was to see a little creature like her;

so bold, inquisitive and wanting only to stay.

I saw that she was injured and needed my help!

I told her not to fear; that I’d look after her night and day long.

Jonathan's friendSo I fed her, I cared for her and I protected her from harm.

What small things it seems, for in return she sang her sweet song.

The way she gobbled up her berries and flew playfully to and fro.

Her quiet gentleness in simple things surely made me glad.

She brightened my heart and oh how she made me smile…

Her broken wing was healing…that made me both happy and sad.

Jonathan's friendI thought she’d just gone out for her morning frolic in the trees.

But when she did not return, I knew that she’d decided to leave.

Oh my little friend, I will miss caring for you indeed.

Until you return next year, it is to memories of you I will cleave.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Jonathan's friendPhotographs courtesy of Marilyn Hill

Peace and love,

Felecia

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