Tag Archives: gift

You get what you give?

You get what you give?

Photograph by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Words for Worship – You get what you give?

”Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  —Like 6:38

You get what you give? …and more!  You may have heard it said, “give and you shall receive.”  Well according to the rest of the passage, giving certainly reaps grand rewards…

”Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  —Like 6:38

When it comes to giving, it would be disingenuous to expect something in return…certainly our motives have a lot to do with giving and receiving.  Surely, when we give to others in an attitude of love, what we receive in return is immeasurable. We get that “warm and fuzzy” feeling when we’ve made someone smile by surprising them with a gift, “just because.”  Or we get a satisfying night’s sleep after spending the day cooking, cleaning and running errands for a sick friend or relative…(I know what that feels like!).

I am sure you would agree, nothing can warm our hearts more than knowing that our efforts to help someone else can never be returned…but are genuinely appreciated.

We can’t place a value on certain things in life…and what we from others when we give out of love, is one of them.  In fact, when we give in this way, we receive so much more than we give.  Try giving of yourself today…but be sure to prepare your heart for the love you’ll receive in return!

Peace and love,

Felecia

*The text was adapted from the “Did You Know” series, used by permission from North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA , www.northcoastcf.com

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A Constant Example

Constant example

“Bouquet of Chrysanthemums,” 1881, Auguste Renoir. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

A Constant Example – We all need someone to guide us from time to time…

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  Francis of Assisi

A Constant Example

We all need someone to guide us from time to time;

A constant example to look to when we face something new.

We all seek someone to help us along the way;

A constant example to encourage us to take the next step.

I am grateful for those who have done so in my life;

They are constant examples through whom God consistently leads me.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I can think of many people who have served as constant examples in my life.  They’ve been the ones to whom I’ve turned to for guidance when I didn’t know what to do.  They were the individuals who’ve provided spiritual and physical support to me when I’ve needed it the most.  Although I am grateful for each and every one of them, I would like to give a very special thanks to the constant example that God has provided for me in my late husband, Stephen.  The excellence and consistency in character that he demonstrated throughout all of our years together, and especially in the example I’ve described below, will always serve as a goal for me to strive for…

During the latter stage of Steve’s illness when we were returning home from our last trip to visit with our family together, our connecting flight was cancelled due to a storm back on the east coast.  As we learned of the disappointing news, I could see the pain and distress in Steve’s eyes.  Although he just sat quietly as I made arrangements to get us booked onto another flight, which meant landing at a different airport and having to rent a vehicle to travel back to the airport that we’d originally flown out of so we could pick up our car, we both realized all of the extra logistics would add several hours to the last leg of our trip home.  That did not even include the drive from the airport to our home.  Steve was already exhausted and he had taken the last of his pain medication, which would not provide relief for him much longer.  To be honest, at that point, I was feeling so overwhelmed, angry and frustrated that I wanted to cry.  It was then that Steve reached out, gently took hold of my hand, and assured me that everything would be fine because God had the situation all under control.  My heart quieted and I sat there  marveling at the calm, stoic strength demonstrated by my constant example.

After a rough flight, waiting in long lines and an uncomfortable ride in the airport shuttle, we eventually made it to the rental car facility.  By then, I had reached the end of my supply of patience.  My feelings of frustration returned when I learned that I would need to drive a mini-van, the smallest vehicle that was available at that time of night, in the heavy rain, and on an unfamiliar, winding parkway for quite some distance.  Again, at that moment, Steve, my constant example calmed me.  While he waited for me to finalize the rental car transaction, I noticed that he was leaning over the counter with his eye closed and his head downcast in his hands.  I couldn’t even imagine the pain that he must have been experiencing, given his pain medication had worn off long ago.  When the representative courteously offered Steve a bottle of water and asked if he would like to sit down, Steve merely answered, “No thank you, I am just not feeling very well,” and he continued to wait quietly until we were all set and ready to continue on our way.

By the time we got home, and had settled into bed, Steve thanked me for taking such good care of him and for making out trip home go so smoothly despite the delays.  At that, I did break down and cry…not tears of frustration, but tears of gratitude for my dear husband, my precious constant example…I thank God every day for such a gift.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Life is a Gift – Live It!

life is a gift

One of the joys of life is beholding its beauty at all stages of life. (A photograph of my sister Andrea Myers and our great-nephew Ryder Cullen.

Life is a gift – live it!

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”  James 1:17

Life is a Gift…Live It!

Life is a gift – live it!

Whatever you’ve been given – give it!

Life is something that we’ve all been given a measure.

Be sure that you share here on earth your own treasure.

Life is a gift – live it!

Whatever you’ve been given – give it!

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past.

Commit to giving what you have left and make it last.

Life is a gift – live it!

Whatever you’ve been given – give it!

Be true within your heart and outwardly where your life is seen.

Always set an example of excellence from which others can glean.

Life is a gift – live it!

Whatever you’ve been given – give it!

And above all else, seek what in life the Lord has for you.

For when He is your focus, there is absolutely nothing that you cannot do!

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Indeed, life is a gift that keeps on giving.  From the time we are born, to the time we take our last breath, living happens in between.  I believe that life is such an awesome gift that we actually have the responsibility to live it to its amazing, full capacity.   Life is a gift…I encourage you to truly LIVE IT!

You have a life, may you live it, and may it be in such a way that you give it…abundantly!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Love Is a Language

Love is a Language

“The Musicians (Detail),” c. 1595, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi). Image from the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Love is a language that everybody speaks.  However you express it, may it be received and spoken back to you.

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.”  Ludwig Wittgenstein

Love is a language that everybody speaks.  Love is our voice.  We can shout it out to all the world, or keep it silent and all to ourselves.  What is love, this language that we possess?  When we speak it, is it interpreted by others in the way we’ve intended it to be?  Do others respond in kind?  Indeed, love is a language that everybody speaks…but is it one that is truly understood?

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”  1 Corinthians 13:1

When love is spoken, it can be relayed in countless ways.  We can demonstrate our love for another without having the words, “I love you” ever pass through our lips.  Many times when our love is spoken through our actions, it is received by others more deeply.  Being a “doer,” I often say “I love you” by taking the time to send a card expressing how special someone is to me, or giving a gift that I know will make that person’s day.  Sometimes, just reaching out and “being there” for someone can express so much love that it leaves them speechless.  Whatever way we choose to say it, love is a language that everybody speaks, and understands at some level.

What about you?  How do you say “I love you”?  However you express it, may it be received and spoken back to you in a way you will fully understand…and enjoy.

Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day…

With love,

Felecia

 

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On Today

On Today

on todayA Quote to Carry You

June 23. 2014

“Today and every new day is a gift to be opened…you cannot return it; you will never receive the same on twice.  Live it, enjoy it, savor it…that is my advice!”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Today is unique, like an unopened package waiting to be torn into.  Twenty-four hours can rush by like a flash, or it can seem like a lifetime just waiting for them to pass.  We never know when our next today will be no more.  So go ahead, live yours with boldness…see what for you, it has in store!

A happy today, to you!

Felecia

 

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A Quote to Carry You – December 16, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You 

December 16, 2013

“Come they told me…A new born King to see…I have no gift to bring…That’s fit to give the King…” (excerpt taken from the lyrics of “Little Drummer Boy,” by Katherine K.  Davis)

The story of “The Little Drummer Boy” has always been so meaningful to me.  Hearing the words to the song always humbles me.  It reminds me that no gift that I can ever give can match the gift that God gave to mankind when He gave to us His only begotten Son.

Through all of the business of the wonderful season, it is my wish to you that you will never lose sight of the magnitude of that gift…and realize that it is for you, you need only to receive it.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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