The sun is going to bed, but I don’t want it to leave
There still so much to see, to do and still believe
I reach out gently to hold it, trying to make it stay
But it looks back at me, smiling, it must be on its way
Its warmth begins to leave us, leaving us with a chill
As I watch its path carry it behind the darkened hill.
The darkness envelopes us, as the light is now gone
I find myself now tired and stifling a coming yawn.
I leave the darkness behind me in hope of a new morn
When the light returns again in a new day to be born.
Anita Neal
Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.
Today’s prompt: catch the sunlight
I remind you always of the value of kindness. It may be the one things that make a persons day.
As I am getting older, my daughter tells me my stubborn streak is getting stronger. Do you consider yourself a stubborn individual? I think all of us are stubborn to some extent, we have limits we will not cross at any cost. As we start to age, some of those limits get hung onto harder for fear we lose something if we give in….like physical abilities, independence, self worth…and the list goes on. It’s hard sometimes especially if you still have things you are trying to get accomplished.
I especially loved my pastor’s sermon on Sunday. He reminded us that we have to periodically regroup – even in our spiritual life. Stop and focus on Him, Receivethe blessing he daily gives, and Believe he is always there for you. The hardest sometimes is to Stop…and then to believe…
The pressure we sometimes put on ourselves in trying to be the best…that “golden vessel” on this earth is not really what God is looking for. I saw a quote the other day that kind of puts this into perspective at least for me it does.
“God is not looking for gold or silver vessels. He is looking for yielded vessels.” Kathryn Kuhlman, 1907-1976
Genesis tells us we are made of dust of the ground…that’s dirt. Not impressive at all, yet when He touches it, magic happens…
We all have made things in our lives through the many things we do and we are proud of some of those things. Think how proud God is of you, His child. You are His creation. He is not asking for big things from you, just be yielding like wet clay and let Him mold you as His instrument…
Not an easy task per the world’s standards…but to God, it’s all he wants. Then he will take care of the rest.
Always remember how very special you are.
I leave you with an oldie but goodie by Chonda Pierce, Potter’s Hand.
On my way to work this morning I saw this flower and had to stop and take it’s picture. Don’t know that I have seen an all white Hibiscus but it was striking.
Never pass on the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of flowers. Cee’s challengeFlower of the Day gives us to chance to see what others are seeing.
And as always, as you enjoy the beauty of what you see, be the beauty you can be by being kind. Kindness has a beauty all its own.
There are always two sides to any argument. Some will always agree with you and some will fight you about it letting you know you are so wrong. Today I am going the do the pros and cons of a concept that while everyone may agree with the cons, they are far outweighed by the pros making everyone…well, you will see.
The Pros and Cons of Dogs….how can their ever be a con? Well, okay, walking them in the rain is a con…
Look at that precious face…
but it’s better than them going in the house…
Oops, sorry…but its raining outside…
Then their is the con of pet hair on you clothes… but the pro is you are making a fashion statement.
Black hair on white pants is even better…
Beside the obvious attributes that can be cons, lets talk about the gut wrenching emotional pros…like cuddling
Cuddling, touching, companionship is a powerful pro for dog ownership.
And their love is timeless. They are all in with their owners. Totally devoted to us.
And their devotion sometimes make us laugh temporarily forgetting the day’s trials.
So very true…they give us an emotional support that sometimes surpasses anything we may run into during any given day.
We just have to make sure we are deserving of that devotion and try to mirror that love and devotion out into the world showing the world it possibilities through kindness as was first started at creation. Always be kind to all kinds.
Come join in the the fun and beauty of flowers. Cee has created a fabulous prompt that we can all share the beauty we see.
Even toward the end of summer and a crazy storm, the lilies are still hanging on. It is interesting to me in that depending on where the lilies are growing, some are still going strong. My lilies in front yard are gone but the back ones that get sun all day long are still going. They have been a real testament to the 2020 season with all the craziness going on. Stay true, stay strong and you will survive.
And as always remember the strength and resilience of kindness and carry it wherever you go.
You threw me to the ground while ripping my shirt.
I had enough pain and went away on my own
In hoped you would see life is no fun being alone
But this made you madder, for me to finally breathe
A feeling you hated, deepening you anger to seethe
You tried to ruin me, but I am now able to see
That being without you I can finally be free.
Anita Neal
Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.
Today’s prompt: Finish the phrase “You tried to ruin me, but I…”
Come Join in and share in this challenge. And as you go through this day, remember the beauty and grace of kindness. Its the virtue that can make and bad situation tolerable.
We are now getting into the sad time of year where the beauty of the spring flowers are about done. Its about time to start planting the fall flowers of yellows and golds.
Even though the under brush is dying, the determination to bloom still holds.The bloom of the sunflower has bowed in death, yet the birds still feast on the few seeds left.The pods of this beauty are curled in death but a new life is sprinkled to the ground for spring.The leaves of the tomato where fruit was enjoyed lay wrinkled in death at the end of a season.
Come join in on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week’s CFFC topic is Special Request: Wilting, dead or aging flowers and leaves. Be creative and mostly have a lot of fun.
But remember the beauty they gave us earlier in the year with their colors so vibrant and fragrances so dear. We bid them goodbye, dreaming of the next season come and encourage them to tell us “what about next year?”
I am reminding you as always to be kind and enjoy the simple things of life. I am sharing a picture group that shows pure joy…hope it makes you smile. Thank you Random Acts of Kindness for the Photos.
Today we had a really bad storm, 90+ mph winds, hurricane force, In Iowa. Many people in this area are without power but I was lucky. Storms are nothing to ignore, some are very serious but I remind you as I posts pictures of what I saw today, that God is always with us.
We heard the weather reports saying the storm would be in Davenport between 2 & 3 but as fast as it was going it was there shortly after 1. These first pictures are the clouds moving in. Both pictures were taken within one minute of each other. That is how fast it was moving. I apologize in advance if this is boring to you, but I find the weather fascinating. To me the weather during storms shows the awesome power of God.
Even when things seem to be blowing around us uncontrollably, God is still with us…keeping us safe from the storms.
All through scripture God reminds us he is our refuge and our strength…
I do sincerely pray everyone is safe from today’s storms as they moved through the midwest and that you did not suffer bad damage. It can be so scary to see nature just fall apart around you. A coworker and I stood at the glass doors of the church watching the greenhouse receive damaging tears and at times it looked as though she would fully bend in half and be pulled completely up from the ground and go sailing. This is a community outreach item where we help the neighborhood have fresh vegetables during the summer months.
The wind was still blowing and the house was still shaking when we left. My daughter tells me there were several semi-trucks that were blown over on the interstates around the area. We as followers of Christ can always fall back on the scriptures when it seems fearful and hopeless. He is there to guide us and protect us from all storms.
Isaiah:
Although we had no power in the church, we were safe. God was protecting us from the storm. Trees and huge limbs were snapped on all sides of the building but the building was not damaged…unless there is wind damaged we have yet to find.
When you have an older community with massive hardwood that are decades old, they can not handle those types of winds very well. Sometime when we feel older, the buffeting winds of life seem more that we can handle, But I promise, God is always there.
Through all of life’s troubles, we are reminded in scripture, old and new testament, that He is always with us and we can be safe in His shadow.
I remind you of this last scriptural encouragement before closing. All through the bible, God teaches us of the troubles of this world and that to take heart…He has overcome the world and these are the lessons we learn and hang on to with the hope of His love and care.
So hang on to faith as it brings us the hope and endurance to survive.
And as always, even in hard times of trouble, try to be kind. It may be the only hope someone may see that day of that storm.
For the Love of 