Monthly Archives: August 2015

On Trials

On Trials

on trialsA Quote to Carry You

August 31, 2015

“Trials have a way of wearing us down until only the purest, most valuable qualities within us shine.” Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

On trials – It is interesting how a conversation that I had with my dear friends this morning about the medieval sport of jousting, and later reading a comment about knights in shining armor, made me think about trials.  I suppose it wasn’t so much about trials, as what they are capable of producing.  Trials have a way of wearing us down until only the purest, and most valuable qualities within us shine.

Thinking more deeply about the transforming nature of trials, brought to mind the task of polishing silver.  Although it seems old-fashioned, and it is something that I rarely do, taking a tarnished metal object and turning it into a shiny treasure certainly illustrates what enduring and coming through a difficulty can do to an individual.  Similar to the darkened hue that tarnishes a few antique serving pieces that I polish and display for special holidays, going through a difficulty can bring a hidden ugliness or negativity that resides deep in inside the heart fast to the surface.

I’ve heard it said once that you can discern a lot about a person when they stub their toe, or when the hammer accidentally comes crashing down on their thumb, rather than the nail.  Sometimes what leaps out of a person’s mouth in an intensely painful moment isn’t very pretty. It isn’t until the pain subsides and healing begins, that the beauty of realizing that things could have been worse, or an unexpected act of kindness was shown that made the situation so much better radiates from us.  When I’ve faced times of trials, I often find that I’ve experienced so many blessings through those dark times, that I seem to shine more brightly during those particular times than any others in my life.

When you enter into times of trials, may your luster not be dulled for long…and may the beauty that comes out of those trials cause you to shine more brightly than ever before.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Your Life Flows Through Me

life flows through me

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Your life flows through me, that truth I shall never deny…

“He that believes on me, as the scripture said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  John 7:38

Your Life Flows Through Me

Your life flows through me, indeed this is true,

I cannot imagine what I’d be Lord, without you.

A lifeless frame, without motion, without light;

like having a pair of eyes without the ability of sight.

The world around me would be foreign and cold.

My days wouldn’t matter; I’d just shrivel up and grow old.

Your life flows through me, therefore I am vibrant and strong!

In you I have a purpose, and to accomplish it is for what I long.

Each day that I awake, I seek your guidance on what to do.

In you is my hope, Lord, for true goodness only comes from you.

Your life flows through me, that truth I shall never deny.

May I always serve you willingly, never asking why.

What freedom, what peace, what joy you’ve given to me.

My thanks, my praise, my all, I give to thee.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

When I envision life, like the scripture above, I envision a stream of sparking water flowing through an exquisitely made frame that possesses a multitude of capabilities.  What is even more wondrous to me is who’s life actually flows through me…

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man come unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

May the life of the Lord flow within you…and may that life also flow into the lives of those around you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Sustenance

On Sustenance

on sustenanceA Quote to Carry You

August 24, 2015

“And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee…”  2 Corinthians 12:9

On sustenance – These days we are bombarded with all kinds of choices when it comes to food. One would think that whatever he eats, as long as it is food, would provide the nourishment that his body requires, right?  Well, we all know that that just isn’t true.  When it comes to sustenance, defined as something that sustains life or health, making the right choices definitely matters.  I have proven this time and again…when I indulge my sweet tooth a little too much, the effects that I experience afterwards are not so sweet.  More importantly, although those sugary treats do provide more than sufficient calories, they are empty calories that provide health destructing rather than heath restoring energy.

I find that this principle doesn’t only apply when it comes to providing sustenance for my physical body.  It can also be applied to my spiritual needs.  Whenever I indulge in focusing on things that are contrary to the Bible, God’s living Word, such as yielding to feelings of anger, prideful thinking, and selfish behavior, I am only filling my heart with empty promises.  The more I let myself continue in those ways, the more malnourished spiritually I become.  Sooner or later, I realize that I can never sustain a true sense of peace, contentment and joy apart from the sustenance that only God can provide.  And, indeed, his grace is always sufficient for me.

Are you seeking the kind of sustenance that will truly meet all of your needs?  May you find out for yourself the glorious ways in which God will do just that whenever you ask him to.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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The Power of Patience

Power of patience

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s Linda Celeste Simms. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Eccles

The power of patience is transforming, if given the chance.

“Patience is power.  Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is “timing” it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.”  Fulton Sheen

The Power of Patience

The power of patience is a strange concept indeed.

It takes what we’ve longed for so much, and makes it so much more.

It sometimes makes the thing sought after, not what we seek at all.

It gives us more than what we ever even thought to ask for.

The power of patience can change how we think; how we live.

It frees us from the things that can distract us; that take us off track.

It gives us the ability to see what really matters; that which is important.

We often realize that we already have all that we long for; that there is nothing we lack.

The power of patience is transforming, if given the chance.

It can spawn a newfound hope, we can endure, and when we endure we become strong.

In turn, no matter what in our waiting causes us to stumble, we never fall.

And isn’t it amazing how through patience the waiting period never seems as long?

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Like the old saying “patience makes perfect,” and it also produces power.  When you find yourself having to wait for something that you desperately long for, may you tap into the power of patience.  It is a strength that is definitely worth waiting for…patiently.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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On Waiting

On Waiting

on waitingA Quote to Carry You

August 17, 2015

“Sometimes, waiting for something makes it all the more worth it…and in some cases, especially when we don’t receive what we were waiting for.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

On waiting – In today’s society, we have become so used to instant gratification.  As soon as we obtain something, we may hardly even appreciate if before we are on to the next.  I’ll admit that I have allowed myself to fall into that trap.  Even when I’ve waited for a very long time for something to happen or to finally receive what I have been waiting for, before long, and often not very long at all, I begin focusing on the next thing that I am hoping for.

Fortunately, there have been plenty of things that I’ve been waiting for that haven’t come to fruition.   And, funny as it may sound, those are the times that have turned out to be the most valuable to me.  Does that make sense?  Let me explain.  When I have longed for something and have had to wait for a period of time to receive it, I have learned that the actual process of waiting spawns patience.  In learning to be patient, I’ve developed endurance.  Through enduring the waiting period, I’ve gained strength.  Being strong, I’ve learned to be prepared to accept the outcome…whether I receive that which I have been waiting for or not.  Therefore, in the end, I am at peace, no matter what.  Now that is something worth waiting for…don’t you agree?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I’ll Never Forget

never forgetI’ll never forget the gentle way in which you spoke my name, your voice was so soothing, like the cooing of a mourning dove.

“Your blessings are with him forever, and your presence fills him with joy.”  Psalm 21:6

I’ll Never Forget

(a tribute to the life of my late husband, Stephen Cullen Weber)

I’ll never forget that enchanting evening when we met,

how when I turned around and saw your smiling face; you asked me to dance.

You were so thoughtful and considerate; always thinking of me first.

Your light-hearted ways that made me laugh; how you comforted me when I cried.

I’ll never forget the day we were married; joined together “until death do us part.”

Oh, how special I felt when I first introduced you as “my husband.”

My love and respect for you grew more and more over the years.

Your integrity, your compassion, your diligence and determination;

be assured my love, they never went unnoticed.

I admire your unquestionable character still.

I’ll never forget the gentle way in which you spoke my name,

your voice was so soothing, like the cooing of a mourning dove.

Although your soft, brown eyes will never stare into my soul again,

they have said “I love you” to me so many times, that the words are engraved on my heart.

You have given me so much to remember, those memories will continue to fill my days.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

“My prayer is that you will always look to our Heavenly Father for His comfort and consolation, and that you will have a deep and abiding sense of His peace.”  Stephen Cullen Weber (from his last words to me)

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my beloved’s passing.  It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I shared his last day with him.  Every time I think about my Stephen, which seems to be constantly, I can’t help but realize how deeply he has enriched and blessed my life.  There are so many things that I could write about my precious husband, indeed he was such a beautiful soul.  I’ll never forget the years that God has given us to live our lives together…whenever I recall them, they fill my heart with joy.

Continue to rest in peace my darling one.

never forget

My beloved husband, Stephen Cullen Weber, February 9, 1956 – August 13, 2014

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Things Remembered

On Things Remembered

on Things RememberedA Quote to Carry You

August 10, 2015

“A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”  Charles Spurgeon

On things remembered – I’ll admit, I do not have a strong memory when it comes to retaining facts about things that do not interest me.  I really have to make an effort to write such things down and refer to them later if I am going to even have a chance of remembering anything about them.  I have a much easier time remembering those things that have to do with my own interests.

The same goes for remembering past events in my life.  Oh the memories of the wonderful times I’ve shared with my family and friends.  Those things remembered, have an uncanny way of entering into the present when I recall them.  Sometimes those special moments can be so vivid that they seem tangible, like I am actually reliving them.  I suppose the more precious are those things remembered, the closer they are to my heart…and the more I want to keep them alive.

May you recall often, those things remembered that are dear to you.  And when you do, may they remain alive and well in your heart always.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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The Human Touch

The human touch

“Couple at Coney Island, New York,” 1928, Walker Evans. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

The Human Touch – Walking along hand in hand, no words need to be spoken…

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”  Henri Nouwen

The Human Touch

Walking along hand in hand,

no words need to be spoken.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to repair that which was broken.

A gentle pat on the back,

a warm, lingering embrace.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to help overcome the challenges that we face.

An outstretched arm in the nick of time;

a kiss on the cheek in greeting.

The human touch can be all that we need,

unlike words that can sometimes be fleeting.

A firm handshake to solidify a pledge;

a gesture that makes a promise sure.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to make matters of the heart secure.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is something very powerful about the human touch.  One of the most soothing and comforting things that I remember about the tender moments that I’ve shared with my husband are when we simply walked along together hand in hand.  No words needed to be exchanged; we simply spoke to each other through the power of the human touch.  It seems like whenever I sit down, my little dog Bilbo loves to hop into my lap and snuggle up close to my chest.  Although he isn’t human, I think I enjoy that warm, closeness with him just as much as he seems to.

Indeed, the power of the human touch is soothing, confirming, enjoyable and healing.   May you experience that power by sharing the gift of your touch in a meaningful way with others today.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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