Category: Inspirational

Sail on…

Wiwohka2 Comments

Even when you cannot see your destination, sail on

When the winds threaten, sail on

And, when the waves hit you from every side, sail on…

Trust your compass, trust your ship

Lean not on your own understanding

And, do not fear the wind that threatens…

Take each wave as it comes

Keep your course straight and true

And, trust the map you’ve been given…

As I was writing this, Proverbs 3:5, 6 came to mind. I googled part of the verse, because I couldn’t remember the scripture reference, and this is what popped up…

“Lean not on your own understanding” comes from Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Bible, meaning to trust God’s guidance over your own limited perspective, especially in decisions, acknowledging that divine wisdom is greater than human intellect, and that while using your mind is good, ultimate reliance should be on God, who promises to guide you if you submit your ways to Him. It encourages faith over purely rational, incomplete human reasoning, especially in uncertain times. 

Key Meanings

  • Trust God Fully: Place complete faith in the Lord with all your heart, not just in big decisions but in every aspect of life. 

Limited Human Wisdom:

Recognize that human understanding is finite and can be flawed or incomplete, even with intellect. 

Seek Divine Guidance:

Acknowledge God in all your ways (actions, plans, thoughts) for Him to direct your paths. 

Not Irrationality:

It doesn’t mean abandoning your intellect, but rather not relying solely on it, especially when it conflicts with faith or leads to confusion. 

Practical Application

  • In Uncertainty: When faced with dilemmas, pray and seek God’s will rather than trying to figure everything out alone, which can cause stress. 

Surrender Plans: Give your plans to God, trusting His bigger picture and better plan. Be Wise in His Eyes: Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil as a result of trusting Him. 

I know that was the long winded version to accompany my tiny poem, but thought it worth the share.

Have a beautiful day, my sweet friends…

Hugs

This, that, and the other…

Wiwohka1 Comment
Daily writing prompt
What could you do differently?
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Since this feels sort of like a woulda, coulda, shoulda question, it seemed appropriate that I answer with a this, that, and the other sort of response. Here goes…

I could walk differently, talk differently, and even wear my socks differently. Perhaps I could dance a new step, change the way I laugh, or maybe start wearing wigs. I could change my style, my clothes, or possibly change what shows I watch on television.

When it comes to looking on the inside, I suppose that I could pray harder and longer, read more of the bible each day, and even spend more time thinking of others instead of myself. I could love deeper, laugh longer, and live with a deeper purpose, possibly.

At the end of the day, I suppose that we all might consider a handful of things we should have, could have, or wished we might have done differently. We may even wake with these thoughts swirling around inside our heads, each morning.

If you ask me this question tomorrow, it will most likely be a completely different answer. Why? Because each and every day, we encounter situations that will either turn out well, or maybe not so well. From those circumstances comes the thought of whether we could have done a thing differently, in order to see a better outcome.

Aren’t you glad that I didn’t decide to offer you liver and onions, instead of my normal cookies? Don’t worry… I’ve no intention of changing that part of these daily prompts. I wouldn’t dream of it!

Monday Messages…

Wiwohka6 Comments

Wow! The holidays simply flew past, didn’t they?

I’ll be honest in saying that I was a bit distracted, what with our newest grandbaby arriving. I’m gonna let Sugarplum take all the spotlight, because all I did was feel sorry for myself and play video games.

Oh, as far as the self-pity gaming… I’m over it, thank goodness!

While things have not changed for the better with my health, my reliance and obedience to God have not wavered!

I’ve no idea what, when, or if I’ll write anything of value this year, but I intend to be here with bells on, regardless!

There is a very fine, and precarious line between writing with passion or writing with emotion. Some can separate these two things while writing, quite effectively, I cannot. Don’t get me wrong, as I can definitely write this way… but it’s raw, painful, and often can be very damaging to others, not to mention my own mental state.

My health journey over the last 6 months has been exhausting, discouraging, and traumatic. I’ve been tossed from one specialist to another, none of which want my case. Primary doc sent me to the G.I. who went on vacation, so I waited three weeks. They ran tests and said it was simply due to my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The weight continued to drop, and I still couldn’t eat. I asked for another appointment which was scheduled for two months later. I went off on the nurse, to say the least, though no swear words or disrespect were used. I simply screamed out over the phone that I didn’t want to die, and I was begging for help. In exasperation, they scheduled me for the next test, which was the Esophogram. That’s where they made the SECOND diagnosis for the Hiatal Hernia.

Off to the surgeon I was sent, where he also went on vacation for an additional 3 weeks before my appointment. He said he wanted more tests, so again, I waited another month for the nuclear study. They then said that my stomach was not emptying like normal, and referred me back to the G.I. for more meds… the surgeon refused to operate!

I got a message immediately from my G.I., not for an appointment but to offer a new drug… surprise!

My answer… NO MORE DRUGS!

Since when did doctors refuse to doctor?

When was it acceptable to allow a commercial about a new drug to dictate whether I should ask a doctor for help or not?

What about the Hypocritic Oath? Or are they now teaching the Hypocritical Oath in colleges these days?

Not even hours after that email, email I said, email… I saw a commercial on television for the very medication the doctor had so quickly offered me over the phone.

I’m out!

It will be God that heals me or I shall be going home… either way brings me no fear, but rather, hope for my future.

Each day I pray that God covers me, allowing me to get the very most out of a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, and 3 oz. chicken and rice w/veggies for dinner. I am reminded of how the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, eating Manna and quail… if they could do it, so too can I!

My God is far more Omnipotent and powerful than anything of man… I will stay on my feet as the chosen warrior of God until my last breath has gone!

I shall not fear!

I will walk boldly in the shadow of my God, who knows every part of my journey!

There may be days where I am silent, only offering inspirational music or scripture. Those are the days where He carries me.

There will be days of laughter, where God’s lessons are the ones that help me to lighten up, and let things be.

There may even be days where I cry out, in need of some encouragement and love from those I consider family… that’s you!

Whatever this year brings, we will face it together… I will share my ups, downs, and in-bewteens, and I expect the same from you! Just because one has struggles, doesn’t mean they’re incapable of giving love and understanding to others.

No matter where you are, what you are going through, or how badly you might be hurting, you are loved… you are valued… you are prayed for… and you are NEEDED, as you are!

How’s that for a Monday Message?

From the depths…

Wiwohka24 Comments

I sat for a good bit this morning, trying to find the words to enter back into the stream of literary traffic that is WordPress… and it’s been hard, to say the least.

If I could sum up the last several months in only a few words, it’d be something like, “alrighty then, wasn’t that a ride!”

I could tell you the details about my health journey, and perhaps in time I may, but now is not the time… maybe later.

On the upside, we’ve a new granddaughter that has to be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever lain eyes upon…

From the tip of her tiny toes, all the way to her silky soft hair…

… our Sugarplum was the most wonderful of Christmas package one could ever imagine! While I would love to show you a cascade of new baby pictures, I wish to respect my daughter’s privacy, so for the most part I’ll be using the Avatar created for Maisie unless Mamma gives me approved pic’s for public viewing…

Please forgive any future crazy writing angles, as I’m still trying to right my health situation. When you are physically compromised, it bleeds over into your emotions, as well.

In a tiny nutshell, doctors have failed to offer anything other than more drugs, so we’ve been forced to step back from modern medicine and seek a different route. Basically, we’re DIYing it. I don’t know what’s to come, but God does, so I’m leaving it in His mighty hands.

While God watches over me, I’ve been tasked to continue my writing. I want to publish my works, and I want to be here, with you… my family.

So, with that being said, let’s just get back to it, the writing that is…

Let’s all celebrate and have a party… cause the Punctuation Fairy has returned!!!

A bit of this, a bit of that…

Wiwohka7 Comments
Daily writing prompt
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
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I’ve shown you my imagined perfect spaces before, as I’m sure you remember… favorite quiet spot, favorite bookstore/coffee nook, favorite little cottage along the sea, and don’t forget the Barnyard. What about our sturdy sea going ship?

Honestly, the perfect space for reading is within the books pages, and the perfect writing is wherever the pen reveals the adventure… so really, it’s you and me that make the perfect space for reading and writing.

Let’s face it… I can make an imaginary scene pop with sparks of light, passion, and wonder, in only a blink if the words are there. Some of my best work was written while we lived in that broken R.V. with no toilet, and that includes my first full length novel. My perfect imaginary reading and writing space (in my own head) gave me a reason to go on, keep trying, and stay upon the path of my journey.

If I could give any advice at all, it would be NOT to wait for the perfect space, scene, or situation… just pick up your pen and write, no matter where you are… just write!

Oh, and take a cookie, too…

Best early birthday gift, ever…

Wiwohka25 Comments

She’s finally here!

I know it wasn’t actually on my birthday, but I don’t care!

On December 4th, we welcomed little Maisie (aka… SugarPlum) into the world. 8lbs 14oz and as per usual, tons of hair! My bloodline has big babies, so she’ll hold her own, I think.

I know it’s been some time since I’ve actively written, but babies trump everything else, lol.

If you could afford me a bit more time away from the keyboard, I assure you that I’ll be back in the swing of things here shortly.

God Bless, and know that I love and miss you all…

OOh OOh, I know this one…

Wiwohka9 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What could you do less of?
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For starters I could stop answering these repeats of repeats on the prompt feed! Talk about beating a dead horse, right?!

With Christmas just around the corner, can’t we just start answering fun questions already?

I want to hear what folks want for Christmas, what their family celebration plans are, or what traditions they keep, ya know?

I know that my Christmas already arrived four days ago… and my newest grandbaby is absolutely perfect! She was born via c-section weighing 8 lbs 14 oz., and she came with a full head of dark brown hair… just beautiful!

Back to the prompt though, as I don’t want to miss the chance to NOT do a lot less of things, I will be answering in a contrary manner…

I will NOT talk less, nor dream less, nor laugh less

I vow NOT to love less, give less, nor care for others less

Under no circumstances shall I NOT pray less, praise God less, or ever share less than All of what God has done for me!

How was that? Not too bad, eh?

Oh, yeah! I’ll never, ever, ever, stop baking you calorie free cookies from my virtual kitchen…

(2023) The Valley of the Acorn King…

Wiwohka4 Comments

(Even though I may love our little apartment, I still miss that park, the squirrels, and even that silly old broken down R.V.)

I choose my local park, hands down, as my favorite place!

While I’m sure the local squirrels love anyone who gives them peanuts, I choose to believe that they love mine the best. Due to my absolute love and fascination of these small ones, my husband has now moved to buying Biggie size bags of peanuts… it has become my mission to ensure full tummies and fluffy tails through the cold months.

Most days you will find me walking along the path with a string of boisterous chatterboxes darting between my feet. These little ones show no fear whatsoever… only excited anticipation of the treats they know to be forthcoming.

I’ve become so fond of these fluffy characters, stories began to form in my mind of their miniature world. In a way, a squirrel’s life is much less complicated than a humans… but is it really? In other ways, the life of these tiny creatures is far more harsh than ours is… but is it really? Writing stories for squirrels using human nature as the reality of their social structure is rather easy.

The park is massive, holding 4 large sports fields used in the warmer months, a large Tennis court that keeps busy nearly all year long, and multiple trails running through several playgrounds and down all along the White River. For a smaller community, this park gets a great amount of use, and a great amount of care. The city puts forth a great amount of effort to maintain and care for this place and that makes my heart happy.

Living in a house with wheels means that we may not always be in this particular location, in close proximity to such a beautiful and peaceful place. For me, the beauty and peace are not limited to just one place… no matter where our wheels come to rest, God always gives me a park and/or a trail to walk… always! Here’s the tricky part… I have to be looking.

It’s rather funny that I’ve known about this park for years and never walked it’s paths. I lived in this very same city over 10 years ago… not 5 blocks from where we are at the moment, never once walking beneath it’s trees. I wasn’t looking… but I am now! In a way I suppose that God has used this park, and these creatures to work part of His healing in my wounded spirit. This is a wonderful part of nature that draws me to return time and again… I see my Fathers hand everywhere my eyes look. From the smell of the earth, to the sounds of the world around me… from the antics of the squirrels to the laughter of the children playing… From the warmth of the sunshine to the bitter cold of winter… I see His hand in all of it.

Long story short, the local park is my Jam…

Here, have a cookie…

These were gifted to us by Acorn Valley’s most talented royal Chef, Rollina MutterNut.

I don’t play favorites with my people…

Wiwohka9 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Who are your current most favorite people?
View all responses

In a world where love seems to have taken a back seat with many humans, I myself wish to give my love equally to whomever I encounter.

You aren’t a cookie, nor ice cream, nor a shiny new car… no no… you are much much more precious than any of those perishable objects!

You are priceless!

How would it make you feel if I were to spin up a list of my favorites, only to find out that you weren’t on that list? Or perhaps you might feel a bit sad to discover that you weren’t at the value number that you once thought you belonged.

Not that any of us has EVER had that happen, nor have we EVER accidentally demoted someone on our fav’s list, without meaning to do so.

My point is, this question is very impertinent… and quite frankly, nothing more than a fire starter. I refuse to answer stupid questions… just sayin!

Cookie?

Feel free to help yourself to whichever one is your favorite, but perhaps you might try a different one this morning, as they’re all someone’s favorite flavor.

(June 2023) Investigating Truths…

Wiwohka1 Comment

What is Church, anyway?

Is it the building, or is it the people?

Sometimes, it can seem cold and desolate…

… like the frozen peaks of a mighty mountain range. Sadly, little can survive there.

What about finding church in nature?

Can all that quite beauty and solitude become a church, of sorts? Meditating in peace, while trying to safely navigate this lost and fallen world?

Can Church be found in a book, but not in a heart?

What about where 2 or more are gathered?

Do I fit into the Church, or is the Church supposed to reside within Me?

Google says that the Bible mentions the word Church about 120 different times. 

Somebody on Google also says that there are estimated to be between eight and 16 million actual church buildings in the world.

Another person says that there are 37 million churches throughout the world.

Oh yeah, and I also read that there are more than 45,000 Christian denominations in the world.  I think I found all this information in under 5 minutes on the great World Wide Web.  What started out as my morning quiet time in the word, turned into 2 days of trail walks, another day pondering my own church experiences, and then finally, the above mentioned 5 minutes of “Google is your friend”!

Honestly, at this point, I was feeling like a deer caught in someone’s proverbial headlights!  I know we all believe that google is our friend, but let me tell ya, not only is it your friend, but EVERYBODY’S friend!  Electronic Overshare Overload is what I will consider reality!  Jokes aside, the web can be a great resource, within reason.  Too much of a good thing can be not so good for us. Well, at least that’s how that old saying goes, anyways.

I am realizing that I am not interested in what the WWW thinks, nor am I certain as to where I stand with my own beliefs, regarding this subject. 

However, here is the awesome truth about faith…  I do believe in WHO God is and what He says to me!  If I am to believe that the Bible is 100% truth, it goes to show that I will find the honest answers to my questions within this very book, right?  Within this one book are my answers, written down simply and clearly, assuming I am truly seeking the HONEST answer. 

With this truth upon my heart, I am embarking on a journey of knowledge, that I may see with clarity a Godly understanding of Church, His purpose, and how I fit into the body of Christ (His Church).

You know I will not go all the way to some clarity, without returning with some really great stories for you all.  Keep a weathered eye out for me, and I will see you on the (metaphorical) flip side…