Monthly Archives: April 2015

I Got A Song

i got a song

Colored pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber 1983, OntheWingofaDove.com

I got a song, you got a song, all God’s children got a song…

I Remember When

“I know why the caged bird sings.”  Maya Angelou

I was reminded of the old spiritual hymn “Going to Shout All Over God’s Heaven,” when it was referenced in a sermon given at my church a couple of Sunday’s ago.   As I heard the first few words of the song, “I got shoes, you got shoes, all God’s children got shoes” being sung to illustrate a point in the sermon, my mind was flooded with childhood memories of me singing that song in our church choir, oh so many years ago,  I remember clearly being so nervous singing my very first solo in front of the congregation.  I felt my voice quivering as I closed my eyes and vocalized the lyrics word by word.  It took all of the courage that I could muster to continue singing the soulful tune, but as I listened to the verses that came out of my mouth, somehow my confidence grew and a calm came over me.  As I got to the end of the song, I felt that I truly could “shout all over God’s heaven!”

Indeed, my favorite verse from that hymn is “I got a song, you got a song, all God’s children got a song…”  There is something about singing that places me into a different mindset; it stirs up a solitude within me.  To me, the smoothness of that elongated sound that seems to dance along the musical chords being played by an accompanying instrument mimics the way God guides his children harmoniously through life.  Even though there are times when tumultuous tunes clamor loudly and off key, his voice can be heard beyond the raucous…because he resides in our hearts.  That is where he composes the most beautiful music, and he creates each song uniquely for you and for me.

Yes, “all God’s children got a song,” but the best is yet to come.  Like the birds chirping their morning melodies at the dawn of each new day, those of us who put our hope and trust in God truly do have something to shout about.  For he has not only blessed us with the hope of a new day, he has also given us the promise of heaven.  When I think of heaven, and the glorious eternity that awaits me there, something wells up inside of me and it feels as though it leaps right out of my mouth.  The hope and anticipation of actually being with my Heavenly Father face to face is something that I cannot fully imagine.  It is however, the very thing that fills my heart with so much joy, so much peace, that when I get there, I am certain that “I’m going to  shout all over God’s heaven!”

Today, may you too be filled with the kind of hope that makes your heart sing…and shout!

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

 

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +7 (from 7 votes)

On Nature

On Nature

on natureA Quote to Carry You

April 27, 2015

“There is a slumbering subterranean fire in nature which never goes out, and which no cold can chill.”  Henry David Thoreau (A Winter Walk)

On nature. There is something about our physical world that exudes a vibrancy that cannot be ignored.  Even when something in nature appears to be dead, like the cold, hard, rigid ground during the dead of winter, it eventually springs to life yielding a treasure trove of delight once warm temperatures begin to filter the air.  I liken the dramatic transformation of the earth when it transitions from winter into spring to what happens to us each night.  When we slumber, and fall off into a deep, restorative sleep, our bodies may appear to have stopped breathing as though we were dead.  However, beneath the surface of our skin, our internal organs are undergoing countless bodily processes that help to keep us strong, healthy, alive and well.  When we awaken we are filled with a fresh supply of energy…ready to start a brand new day.

As you live through your new day, may you take the time to enjoy the radiance of nature, and all that it has to offer.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)

Where Do I Go From Here?

where do I go from here

Pen & ink drawing by Felecia R. Weber circa 1980, OntheWingofaDove.com

Where do I go from here?  Wondering what is the next step one should take can apply to almost any situation in life.

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”  T.S. Eliot

Where do I go from here?  That is a question that I am certain has been asked by many at some point in their lives.  It is a questions that doesn’t necessarily have to do with traveling from one destination to the next.  Wondering what is the next step one should take can apply to almost any situation in life.  Life in itself is full of uncertainties, as well as countless opportunities.  Unlike plugging in an address into a GPS device and receiving a clearly charted out route, knowing what direction to take when it comes to making critical decisions can be quite confusing.  All too often, we find ourselves so far off course, that we feel lost.

where do i go from here

Pen & ink drawing by Felecia R. Weber circa 1980, OntheWingofaDove.com

So how does one answer the question, where do I go from here?  I know when I face a fork in the road in my own life, many times I tend to pause and linger too long “taking in the scenery.”  I research, study and weigh my options so much that I suffer from information overload.  I fill my brain with so much “stuff” that, what used to be the perfect amount of information to carry along with me as I move forward, has turned into an oversized mass that I cannot possibly proceed with on my own.  At that point, I feel disoriented and need to seek help from someone else.  Even finding someone to help me can be challenging sometimes…but not when I seek the right source first.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

Where do I go from here?  Although I may not know exactly how to navigate my way to making the best decision, I do know who will always lead me in the right direction.  God is fully capable of and willing to help each of us through any challenges that we face.  He’ll not only direct us and see us safely through any situation, he’ll also work the outcome to be the very best for us.  He’ll make the way clear for us and stay right by our side until we get to where we need to be.  There is one thing that has to be done individually first though…we need to ask HIM, where do I go from here?

where do i go from here

Pen & ink drawing by Felecia R. Weber circa 1980, OntheWingofaDove.com

Where will you go from here?  May you find your answer in Him.

Peace an love,

Felecia

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +12 (from 12 votes)

On A Journey

On a journey

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

On a journey…On a journey, here I go.  I don’t have a plan, but I am going, this I know.

“It wasn’t long before Jonathan Gull was off by himself again, far out to sea, hungry, happy, learning.”  Richard Bach (Jonathan Livingston Seagull)

On A  Journey

On a journey, here I go,

I don’t have a plan, but I am going, this I know.

I think I’ll travel far, so I’ll be gone for a while.

Wherever I end up, I intend to enjoy every mile.

On a journey, I may walk on land, I may sail on the sea.

No matter how I get there, this journey is one …just for me.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, Onthewingofadove.com

Do you ever feel like just getting away?  Just packing a bag and heading off on a road with no particular destination in mind…just as long as it is someplace else.  Sometimes when I cannot physically get away, I close my eyes and let my mind take me down a road, along a trail, or even traversing the waves of the wide open sea. No matter where or how far my thoughts allow me to travel to, I always make my way back home…and you know whatI have found?  Home is sometimes the best destination I can ever wish to get to.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

On Adventure

On Adventure

on adventureA Quote to Carry You

April 20, 2015

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”  Amelia Earhart

On adventure.  What is the difference between a journey and an adventure?  Which one sounds more exciting?  Which one sounds the most appealing and fulfilling?  To take a journey is to travel from one place to another.  An adventure will get you from one place to another…but the route may not be at all what you expect.  The hills may turn into mountains, or what at first appears to be a crevice, may actually turn out to be an incredibly long and burdensome valley.  Smooth highways may lead to rocky roads that are difficult to navigate.  Now, here is another question…in the end, which one sounds more worth embarking on?

Happy travels…

Peace,

Felecia

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +4 (from 4 votes)

It Just Feels Good

It just feels good

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alicia Graf Mack. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Eccles

It just feels good – It just feels good when things turn out for the best.  It is during those times that I can truly rest.

“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”  Luke 1:44-45

It Just Feels Good

It just feels good when good news comes;

it can make me so excited, I just want to scream!

There is so much around that can make me sad,

so I fully rejoice when good things outweigh the bad.

It just feels good when things turn out for the best,

it seems like a weight is removed from my shoulders.

It is during those times that I can truly rest.

It just feels good, when my night turns into day;

the light makes everything bright and new.

No more stumbling, or falling for me…

for my path is illuminated; I can clearly find my way.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is something about good news that just feels good.  Life is full of good things to celebrate…getting accepted into the college of your choice, being offered that new job you’ve been longing for, finding out that the first grandchild in the family is soon to be born…I could go on and on.  My inspiration for this poem came from the scripture verses above, where the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, who would grow up to be John the Baptist, leaped for joy when Mary, pregnant with Jesus Christ, arrived.  Unlike the joy that we have because of the wonderful things that we get to experience and celebrate here on earth, the infant John’s joy was based on something far better.  His joy was based on the promise of the coming of our Lord and Savior being fulfilled.  That is not news that just feels good…it is good…it is the Good News!

May your day be filled with the good things in life…and may your good news be the Good News that truly counts.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +10 (from 10 votes)

Joy – What’s in a word?

Joy

“A Fresh Start,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Joy – What’s in a word? Feeling like spring is finally upon us, I can honestly say that I feel like jumping for joy!

Happiness, gladness, pleasure, delight.

When I have joy in my heart,

there is no sadness in sight!

Joy makes me feel radiant,

all shining and new.

As fresh as a field all covered in the morning dew!

Happy, delighted, pleased, glad…

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

Joy is what I felt when I got glimpse of the brilliant yellow petals of the crocus blossom in the photograph above.  After experiencing one of the harshest winters and only just now feeling like spring is finally upon us, I can honestly say that I feel like jumping for joy!  It feels so wonderful to step outside to feed the birds, check the mail or even take out the garbage, when I am greeted at the door by the fresh warmth of the season.  I’ve noticed that my little dog Bilbo and I seem to linger longer on our morning and evening walks…the air is filled with joy!

May you be filled with a brightness today, and may you share your joy with others along the way.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +7 (from 7 votes)

On Fullness

On Fullness

on fullnessA Quote to Carry You

April 13, 2015

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5

On fullness…When I think of being full, I often think of just having finished a satisfying meal.  My body has been nourished and I have all that I need to carry on.  In my daily life, when I am not certain how to fill the spaces that are empty; when I truly don’t know what I need or how to go about getting it, I know that I can always turn to God for the answer.  It always amazes me how God fills me and supplies me with more than I need in any circumstance.  It’s like He dons an apron, seats me at His table, and prepares for me the most exquisite meal.  A feast that I could never have imagined even tasting, let alone being served course after course until I cannot take in any more.  Indeed, when my fulness comes from Him…I am completely satisfied.

Are you empty?  Are you seeking to be satisfied?  May you look no further and find your fullness in what God has already prepared for you.

 

Peace,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)