Tag Archives: hope

On Endings

On Endings

endingsA Quote to Carry You

December 28, 2015

“Verily I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”  John 5:24

On endings – The nice thing about endings is that they herald beginnings.  When one thing ends, surely a new thing begins.  Life is perpetual, when some part of it dies, another part of it begins.  That cycle is true throughout all of nature, and it spans across both the physical and spiritual realms.  In a way, endings are not that at all.  For endings are beginnings…this is something that has been beautifully demonstrated to me recently.

I have a very dear friend who is nearing the end of her earthly life.  Although I have only known Angela for a short time, she is one of those special kinds of people who, when you meet them, it seems as though you’ve known them for your entire life.  As I have gotten to know my sweet friend over this past year, I’ve come to realize that God has given to me a very special gift; one that I shall cherish all of my days.  It saddens my heart to think that although I have so enjoyed the friendship that I have had the pleasure of sharing with Angela, it has become evident to me that, because of the aggressiveness of her illness, it may not be long before it ends.  Despite the very real possibility of our friendship coming to an end, somehow it seems as though it has only begun.

Over these past few months, I have been blessed by having the opportunity to meet some Angela’s family members and friends.  It brightens my heart each time they mention bits and pieces about her character to me.  Upon meeting this precious soul, I could tell very quickly that Angela had a deep compassion for others and an amazing willingness to help those around her.  That instinct was greatly substantiated by the stories about her life that Angela’s husband and mother have so graciously shared with me.  Even though Angela can no longer physically express the beauty that lies within her heart, I am reminded of her kind spiritedness whenever I think of her and the way she shared her love with others.  In that way, I see this particular ending truly as a beginning.

Endings need not be something to dread, especially when they bring with them the treasures that beginnings can carry with them.  The same is true with life.  In that God has given each of us the gift of life, it can never truly be taken away…for when physical life ends, spiritual life begins.  For those of us who have put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, abiding in his love daily, what a glorious beginning spiritual life in His actual presence will be.  As it was when my husband passed on, just knowing that the ending of physical life sets in motion the beginning of eternal, spiritual life in Christ, provides all believers with an awesome sense of security and peace.  In that same way, it is my prayer that, when the time comes for Angela’s physical ending, her spiritual beginning in the Lord’s presence will usher in a sustaining hope for her loved ones.

When you face significant endings in your own life, may you experience the hope, joy and sustaining peace that their true beginnings bring.

(I dedicate this post to my dear friend Angela Mullings, who at the time of this writing, (12/10/15), continues her battle with cancer.  I want to thank you for being such an amazing inspiration to all of us who’ve been given the opportunity to know you.  Indeed, your kindness, compassion and love will live on through the lives you’ve touched throughout all eternity.  I love you sweet friend.)

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 Finishing What We’ve Started

On Finishing What We’ve Started

finishing what we've startedA Quote to Carry You

December 29, 2014

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6

Here we are at the end of another year.  A time for finishing what we’ve started.  The excitement and magic of Christmas still lingers in the air, yet there is a feeling of uncertainty of what is awaiting us when we step into the New Year.  It is both a thrilling and uneasy sensation all wrapped up into one!  One thing is for sure, God leaves nothing to chance…what He has started, He will finish.  Exciting, challenging, despairing or full of hope.  Whatever the New Year has in store for you, may God see you through to complete what He has started in you…in a most glorious way.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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There’s Something About You

There's Something About You

“Pretty Sky After a Storm,” photograph by Lisa Arduini Richter

 

There’s something about you…God has a way of turning darkness into light, fear into courage, despair into hope.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

There’s something About You

(a poem about the hope that only God can give)

There’s something about you,

the way you turn dark into light.

So effortlessly, your presence,

exudes power and might.

When all hope seems to surely have gone away,

nothing is ever truly lost,

for your mercy endures, and fills up each day.

There’s something about you,

when life’s troubles threaten to steal my joy,

I am always strengthened in knowing,

your love for me, no one can destroy.

I believe you and I trust you;

sometimes, that is all I can do.

And, that’s really all I need,

for my hope is solely in you.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Without hope we cannot survive…it is essential to life.  I thank God for the blessing of hope that fills each of my days.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Can Read It On Your Face

I Can Read It On Your Face

“Betty Newell,” 1922, Charles Courtney Curran. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

I can read it on your face…an expression, a look can tell others what we hold inside.

I Can Read It On Your Face

(a poem dedicated to my precious husband Stephen Cullen Weber)

I can read it on your face.

When something causes you to fear.

You needn’t worry, for I am always near.

I can read it on your face.

When a wrong fills you up with anger.

I admire your willingness to help others in danger.

I can read it on your face.

Shown through your gentle brown eyes so kind,

the compassionate spirit that fills your heart and mind.

I can read it on your face.

You are strong, courageous and brave.

Your character is always consistent in how you behave.

I can read it on your face.

When you are filled with pain and sorrow.

You never complain, yet you seek the hope of tomorrow.

I can read it on your face.

All of the love that you have for me.

I cannot express in words dear, how very much you mean to me.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

“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

Sometimes a certain look is all that it takes to convey so much more than words can ever speak.  The eyes can express a feeling so deeply that it touches ones heart in a way that no other form of communication can transmit.  At times, the voice is useless in relaying what needs to be said.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Searching

Searching

“The Calm Sea,” 1869, Gustave Courbet. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Searching for something, not sure what I’ll find…

Searching

I’m searching for something,

I’m not sure what I’ll find.

Could it be way into my future?

Or what I’ve simply left behind? Continue reading

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A Quote to Carry You – October 21, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You

October 21, 2013

“The important thing is this, to be able to sacrifice at any moment what we are, for what we can become.” Rene Dubois

This quote was printed on a scroll-style banner that was given to me years ago as a college graduation present.  I still have the banner and I am inspired by these words every time I read it.  It seems I never realize how much I have, until I am faced with the possibility of losing it.  Those times seem to be the best of times, when I am strongest and more full of hope.  Nothing lasts forever.  It’s a fine line to walk, enjoying what you have, while being ready to give it up, at any moment,  for what is best.  Something to think about…

 

Peace,

Felecia

 

 

 

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Enduring

Enduring

“Enduring,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Enduring

Goodness, love, mercy,

charity, faith, hope,

these are all the things,

that enable me to cope.

When life is challenging,

when I want to give up,

I think on these things,

and The Lord fills my cup. Continue reading

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