Thursday Thoughts…

Flowers come in every color, shape, and size that one can imagine… but, when the weather changes they die, leaving little or no trace of their presence.

The bible speaks on more than one occasion about how, if God takes such care in their details, how much more precious we are to Him. I mean, after all, we are all made in the image of God, by God, and for God’s pleasure.

If God didn’t love us so much, why would the bible say that He is a jealous God, wanting nothing more than for us to believe in Him, follow Him, love Him, and walk in paths of His righteousness?

All those glorious flowers that spring up in such breathtaking arrangements, wilt and die off without a thought to Him that gave them life… and yet, in each new season, God brings them back again, with such loving faithfulness.

Whenever my eyes come to rest upon a delicate and lightly scented flower, it is a constant reminder of how much my Lord values me… me! Why?

I have sinned many times…

Many times have I been sinned against…

Sometimes, forgiveness between humans is there and sometimes it is not…

My childhood was torn from me, violently… I have to lay that down on the alter, each and every day!

I tore my three children’s lives apart, when I divorced their father… I have to lay that down on the alter, each and every day!

Why on earth does He tell me I’m forgiven, loved, and of use to Him… each and every day? And, He does this faithfully, for me… little ole me… the one that I just told you about. The woman who was abused as a child, became a runaway, became a Christian, became a wife and mother… only to become an adulteress! I single handedly destroyed my daughters lives, and I shall bear it all the way to the gates of heaven. Why does He want me?

Why? Because God chose me before the beginning of the world… because He knew what was to come… because He knew I would be abused, knew that I would run, knew the very day I would commit my life to Him, knew of my marriage, children, several affairs, divorce … God knew that I would be an adulteress… He knew!

And, here I sit typing to you this morning, still breathing, still getting up and dusting myself off again, and going back to the one place that answers that why I was just asking… Scripture! God tells me why He chose me, on each and every page that I read… it’s all there!

One just has to look. Reading is fundamental, as they say.

Inside…

What you see on the outside isn’t quite what I look like on the inside. While time marches on, offering no free rides or even discount coupons for the journey, this body of mine has seen its battles… some only small skirmishes, while others were devastating battles, leaving costly scars.

On the outside, many of my scars have faded into wrinkles and laugh lines, to be forgotten, or simply overlooked by those that I encounter… but, there they remain, none the less.

On the inside, however, who I am is far different from what many are allowed to view. I am still that wild, and indestructible creation that my heavenly Father created with painstaking detail.

I was created in the image of God, which is nothing less than beautiful!

I am a warrior for God… me!

A life begun in wickedness and shame, transformed into that which reflects Grace, Redemption, and so, so much mercy!

You know, I’m glad for all my scars, as they remind me of where I came from, and all the lessons learned from the journey.

I believe that when we give all our hurts over to God, those bruises and scars transform into armor! Not just any armor, though, but the armor of God! Etched within all those scars will be found verse after verse of eternal truths, put there by the very hand of God.

Now, it is He that flows through my veins…

From death to life…

Daily writing prompt
What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

I was conceived in wickedness, born in the midst of evil, and have been a wanderer all my 56 years of existence.

No one claims me, my bloodline, nor my destiny!

I was cursed with death before I took my first breath.

The me that was born into that life held no value, to anyone, aside for the men who helped themselves to that which was not theirs to take. My mother was so consumed with her own trauma and grief that she failed to protect any of her children, eventually dying of severe Dementia before I was able to tell her that I understood.

Perhaps this question would have been more valuable, were I to have the memories and life lessons handed down from a healthy, normal background and cultural heritage. But, I don’t. Therefore, this prompt might be considered a waste of time to answer.

By grace, mercy, providence, and purpose, you don’t have to accept the prompt response of the me that died, some time ago, in fact.

This is the me that was brought from death to life, and who stands before you now…

I know who I am

I am a child of God

The kingdom of heaven is my culture, my eternal heritage

I am born again

Chosen

Set apart

Written in the Book of Life

Bought

Paid for

I am free…

You better not forget your cookies! I worked all morning on them…

Bridges (2024)…

Made of Iron, made of wood

Some have fallen, while others withstood

Some can be burned, or break free from their moorings

While others hold strong, given plenty of shoring

Bridges offer travel, from one side to the other

providing a way, helping one reach his brother

These connections need work, in putting them together

They provide safe passage, even if there’s foul weather

If a bridge is destroyed in the depth of a storm

The gap that it leaves, is where heartache is born

We must tend our bridges, making sure they stay standing

holding firm to the ground, over waves life keeps handing

If your bridge falls apart, breaking away from the dirt

Get down on your knees, and confess all your hurt

Even if your bridge broke free in the storm

God can build a new bridge, fully shaped in His form…

Thursday Thoughts…

Love is Free (2024)

If love is not love until you give it away,

and church isn’t church if the people don’t pray,

Why do folks withhold their hearts from the hurting each day,

and the houses of worship are all made of clay?

Giving something for free is no longer worth sharing,

when those it is meant for don’t seem to be caring…

We wander around only thinking of ourselves,

That cup of living water simply sits on our shelves…

Hearts and minds run for shelter, cowering in fear

Ignorant of learning from the wisdom they hear…

Traveling the earth in a self-centered bubble

Trying to make sense of a world deep in trouble…

It seems pointless, at times, to share the gift of love

when no one responds until push comes to shove…

If love is not love until we give it away,

Try offering it to another at least once a day!

If the church begins acting the way that it’s supposed to,

perhaps God’s restorative power would finally show through!

Thursday Thoughts…

By the Sea…

I think I would live by the sea, if ever I could

Waking up to sounds of the ocean, would feel good…

Drinking tea on my deck, the sun warming my face

It would ever so peaceful, existing in that place…

Each and every dawn, could seem like new beginnings

I’d thank God for everything I have

Far more precious than any lottery winnings…

Yes, I know I’d live by the sea, if ever I possibly could

I’d build castles in the sand like a child

Honestly, I think everyone should!

I’d bake cookies in my kitchen, leaving all my windows open

Bringing hungry neighbors by for treats

At least that’s what I’d be hoping!

For certain, I know that I’d live by the sea, if ever I got the chance

I’d sail the seas with my savior

from dawn til dusk

So, I guess company should call in advance!

From the Archives (2023) Answers From the Past…

Daily writing prompt
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

I found an old post from last spring that I thought rather fitting, if you twist the daily prompt’s meaning just a smidge…

This was one of my ‘Investigating Truths’ episodes, but it seemed fitting, somehow.

For as long as I can remember, I have made sense of myself and this world in two realms of thought.  One realm of thought is in the actual and physical sense.  What we see, do, talk about, eat and feel are things in the here and now. The second realm of thought is what I think of as my storybook, or cartoon version, if you will.  Let’s call this part the “Behind the Scenes of My Truths,” the adventure version. 

What follows is written in storybook version…….

I am wild from the top of my head all the way down to my toes!  It is all that I can seem to remember of myself.  My journeying, or running if I am being truthful, has always found me far out in the desert.  For as long as I can remember, there has been a path worn, from one hidden oasis to another, by my very own feet.  I have hidden them well, though, so most that wander by are unaware of my presence. 

As the years of my life rolled forward, I found that there was One who had been following my footprints, always leaving little packages of love for me.  On one of my journeys along the outskirts of the Cities of Souls, I came to realize that the One whom I had sensed, was in fact my True Father!  It was both joyful and difficult to become aware of Him. 

I stayed…

Before I knew it, time seemed to have sped forward in my journey, by a great many years!  I discovered that I had settled down right inside the walls … building relationships with others, and trying to live and do things the way all of the others thought was right. 

My Father showed me the gifts given to me, but instead of being at peace, I became fearful…

I believed that I was losing myself, and would simply become a nothing, moving along by habit!

So this wild child ran!!!

I fled into the desert with as much speed as possible, for my feet had become softened over the years spent within the walls built by man.  Many times I fell, stumbling over rocks and debris that had been left on my paths.  Had it really been that long?  I was not sure if the way had become obstructed or if I had simply forgotten my exact path.  Many seasons were spent wandering, clearing out my old and unused paths. 

Time rolled on…

Oh, I would come near the outskirts, just close enough to remember what I left behind.  The intensity of my pain and fear, along with the guilt over my failure, drove me away again and again…

My last act of running into the desert, or defiance as I see it, nearly cost me my very life, but that is for another time.  For now, I leave you with this thought…I am still that wild child inside, but my Father has been revealing to me the graceful Phoenix that He is rising up from the ashes of her truths…

You didn’t think I would forget your cookies, did you?

Small Beginnings…

From the time I was very small, I loved to write. I was reading Louis Lamour books when I was roughly eight years old. No, my childhood wasn’t an easy one, so reading and writing were my sustenance! I could lose myself in worlds far better than the one I was enduring. I was reading adult books before I’d ever learned the meaning of all the words. The funny thing is that the books made sense, somehow.

Here I sit, nearly fifty years later, still learning. When I began this blog some eight years ago, the memories slowly began to resurface, giving rise to many wonderful, and some not-so-wonderful stories, poems, anecdotes, journal entries… and eventually, stories began arriving. Big ones, small ones, funny ones, sad ones… and some that made readers say, Huh?

When I really began writing heavily, it was in early 2023. Back in those initial days, weeks, and months, my writing was more a therapy session than anything more. I looked toward WordPress subscribers as a silent audience, or a studio sounding board, if you will.

But then, over time, something began to change. My subscribers, or readers if you will, began to comment, share and respond. Not like fans, though, but rather my friends. I might even be so bold as to say that many have become like family to me… like a village, really! You have all watched me suffer, struggle, cry, rage, and lament my journey. But, you have also been with me through blessings, joys, and countless literary adventures!

You have encouraged me to keep going, supported and loved me through some of the worst of times, some of the hardest life lessons, and some of the deepest joys of my journey! For this reason, I want to share something with you that while being rather small, brings me a great amount of joy in sharing with you, my most treasured family.

I know it’s only an e-book, but it’s got to start somewhere, right?

God Bless my husband’s abilities, for without his hard work and skills, it would have been impossible for me to navigate all this publishing stuff. I’ve a mountain of manuscripts just sitting, collecting dust, which is the opposite of what I wish for them. This is certainly worthy of at least a peek, if not a full read. Oh, and since it’s published on Amazon Kindle, members can read it for free! Don’t worry though, I still receive royalties, even if you don’t purchase it.

For now, I’ve simply included a link to the book, which is below, but you can also just look it up on Amazon.

Faith without action is rather empty, so here is an action…

https://a.co/d/buvEII2

I don’t think I could have done any of this without you, my WordPress family. So, I offer my most sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all of your love, support, and encouragement… Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”. Matthew 17:20

From the Attic (2023)It was a Wild Kingdom…

Photo by Marik Elikishvili on Pexels.com
Daily writing prompt
What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

To this day, everytime I remember back on this show, I can remember the lyrics to the insurance add that ran during the commercials… Mutual of Omaha… people… you can count on when the goings tough…

I would spend every Sunday evening watching this show, as it played right before the Wonderful World of Disney. My parents would finish watching their line up of the Lawrence Welk show, and Hee Haw… finally relinquishing the entertainment box to the small humans. Back in the day, most families only had one television in the house.

Marlin Perkins was such a wildlife superhero to this little girl! I wanted to grow up to be a National Geographic journalist. I would spend most of my free time pretending I was out on that African safari, making friends with the baby Giraffes I saw onscreen…

Photo by Rutpratheep Nilpechr on Pexels.com

Or I pretended to find wild baby Cheetah cubs, carrying my poor cat around in a blanket in the middle of summer… til he got hot and escaped my clutches…

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Mostly, this show instilled a deep love for creatures within my spirit, so deep that it is running strong to this day…

In honor of Marlin and all of those involved in that show, I leave our morning snack. You may need to share with the wildlife…

Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com
Photo by Dmitry Limonov on Pexels.com

Photo by Magali Guimaru00e3es on Pexels.com

Just flick any dirt or hair off with your fingers… it’s ok, these guys are all clean… I think… probably.

If it’s a little too wild for you, I’ve left you some cookies, as well…

Photo by Matilda Iglesias on Pexels.com