Tag Archives: blessed

On Giving and Thankfulness

On Giving and Thankfulness

giving and thankfulnessA Quote to Carry You

November 23, 2015

“The more I give, the more thankful I am.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

On giving and thankfulness – There are many things going on in our world today that sadden my heart.  Sometimes even just hearing about all of the anguish, strife and suffering that continues to grow throughout our nations is so overwhelming that it threatens to steal my joy.  Not only that, but I often feel inadequate to make a difference; to help in a significant way.  When it comes to giving and thankfulness, however, I find my solace.

The more I give, the more thankful I am.  In fact, it is in giving, that I receive.  There is something about giving that fills my heart and fuels my joy more that any other activity that I engage in.  When I literally see a face brighten, or read words of thanks that express how much my efforts are appreciated, I receive so much more than I can ever give.

During this season of giving and thankfulness, may you receive an abundance of joy as you give  of yourself to others.

Wishing you a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Going Through It

Going through it

“Fontainebleau Forest,” early 1860’s, Eugene Cuvelier. Image from a page of the 2015 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Going through it…it’s not about constantly looking back, thinking of what could have been, or why it’s not…

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” (Author Unknown)

Going Through It

It’s not about living life day after day,

hoping that things will always go your way.

It’s not about dreaming so hard, that all you do is sleep…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about constantly planning.

trying to keep your life under control.

It’s not about trying to keep difficulties from happening…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about constantly looking back,

thinking of what could have been, or why it’s not.

It’s not about being afraid to step out into the future…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about trying to be something you’re not.

pretending to be someone one you were never meant to be.

It’s not about trying to please others; they don’t determine your self-worth.

It’s about going through it…living the life that is “you.”

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Going through it

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

We cannot always know what life will offer to us.  Whether the terrain is bleak, or full and lush.  We rarely have any other choice except going through it.

May you always have the courage to face any challenge and accept with open arms any opportunity that your life is blessed with.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Listening

On Listening

listeningA Quote to Carry You

May 18, 2015

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”  Micah 7:7

On listening – Do you ever hear someone say something to you but when you try to recall what they’ve said, you realize that you hadn’t really listened to them?  Listening involves a great deal more of engaging with someone else than we may think.  I believe that a large part of listening includes more than just hearing; it also means concentrating on what has been said and seeking to absorb and understand it.  When we take the time to go a little deeper and try to comprehend what is being said between the words, then we can fully know how to respond wisely.  As in the scripture verse above, listening also requires a certain amount of observing and waiting.  Sometimes it is difficult to decipher the full meaning of what someone is trying to say when it is written in a note or even relayed over the phone.  When we await the opportunity to converse face to face, we truly receive the message in full.  Many of the best things in life come about similarly.  Giving our full attention to what God is revealing in our lives and awaiting the outcome that we’ve long anticipated to be manifested completely, makes intently listening, (not only with our ears, but with our hearts as well), all the more gratifying.

May you take the time to listen intently to the world around you, and seek out what God is saying to you.  You may be surprised by how blessed you truly are.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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What Are You Hungry For?

what are you hungry for

“Tables for Ladies (Detail),” 1930, Edward Hopper. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

What are you hungry for? When it comes to spiritual nourishment, what we feed our souls can be the most important meal we ever take in.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  Matthew 5:6

What are you hungry for?  When it comes to food, that question is not hard to answer.  At least here in the United States, we are seemingly inundated with food to satisfy every type of craving our bodies can conjure up.  Healthy foods, junk foods, fast foods, gourmet foods, sweet foods, savory foods…you name it we’ve got it, and plenty of types of beverages to go along with them! For me, when I am hungry, and I crave something specific, no matter how ravenous I become and no matter what is offered to me, I will only be satisfied by that one food item that I crave.  Otherwise, I only fill up on something that is not what my tastebuds fully desire, and I end up full, but still craving something else.  And on it goes…

When it comes to satisfying the soul, the same process applies.  Whether we realize it or not, every one of us has a soul that can only be nourished by spiritual food.  Like when we continuously fuel our physical bodies with foods that supply too many empty calories and not enough quality nutrients, our health suffers and our bodies begin to breakdown.  If we do not start to eat the proper foods, sooner or later we begin to develop health issues, chronic or long term illness sets in which eventually leads to death.  That process sounds extreme I know, but it happens more frequently than we’d like to admit.  When that process takes place spiritually, the results are more dire than we realize.

“My grace is sufficient for you…”  2 Corinthians 12:9

In terms of our spiritual nourishment, how we answer the question, “What are you hungry for?” has much greater significance.  When we feed our souls with hollow spirituality, empty promises, or false hope, our spiritual hunger pains continue to grow because we’ve not fed our souls with what they truly hunger for.  We try filling our inner longing with material things, other people, or even ourselves.  The cycle goes on, yet we know deep down inside that hunger, that spiritual need still has not been met.  Being made in God’s image, we all have a hunger, a longing to be filled with spiritual food.  It is a hunger that is always there and it demands to be satisfied.   When we take the time to fill ourselves with what our hearts truly desire, we are not only fed, but as our souls are nourished, we become full and whole.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”  Psalm 34:8

What are you hungry for?  Are you hungry enough to taste and see how good the spiritual food that God has prepared for you is?  If so, my hope is that you will be fully satisfied in Him.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

“Flower Study,” 1866, John Jessup Hardwick. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Thanksgiving Day

I Remember When

November 26, 2014

“So once every year we throng upon a day apart, to praise the Lord with feast and song in thankfulness of heart.”  Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day always brings me home again when I feast upon some of the tastiest memories of my childhood.  Breathing deeply in my reverie, O can almost capture the smells of the turkey slowly baking in the oven; the candied yams browning under a heavy blanket of ALAGA syrup; and the macaroni and cheese bubbling over onto the foil-lined baking sheet.  Oh, and just the thought of the buttery layers of the crescent rolls makes my taste buds dance with delight!  My eyes light up too, when I peek back at the sight of all of the finery decorating the table.  The fancy china, cloth napkins and crystal wine glasses carefully placed before each chair somehow made me feel regal and all grown up.  My, I feel as though I’ve gobbled up my Thanksgiving Day meal already!

There is more, however, that fills me up when celebrating this special day.  The time spent with my family and friends warms me more than any specially prepared dish ever can.   Along with my childhood Thanksgiving Day memories, I am grateful for the ones that I, shared  with those whom I love so dearly, will make this year…and I plan to hold onto them closely to enjoy for the rest of my life.

Wishing you and yours a very full and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Taste and See

Taste and See

“Taste and See,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Taste and see that The Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

We cannot always know what lies ahead of us.  Sometimes it feels as though we can barely wade through the murky waters that seem to flood out anything good in our lives.  The dimness that has captured our focus surrounds us and threatens to pull us down.  When even a glimmer of hope comes along, we tend to grasp it so tightly, as if our lives depend upon it.  What is it? Where does the strength to rise up out of any grave situation with a vibrancy that can conquer the darkest night come from? Continue reading

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