The Art of Motherhood

The beautiful, fluid and, often times, open to interpretation thing about art is, it is the individual creative expression of a person's heart and perspective.

So if we think about children in the context of being beautiful

 works of art, then we know that 

they are absolute masterpieces,

 every one, without exception. 

Let us use our imagination to travel through 

the art world in unique fashion. 

Some women have a blank space on their wall and have no way to fill it themselves. They go to a gallery and search for the piece that speaks to them and touches their hearts.

They wrap it carefully, and take it home to cherish it for the treasure it is to them. This one of a kind work of art transforms the space forever.

Other women gather paint, canvas, brushes and easel in the place that has the perfect amount of light. Sometimes they take a hunk of clay to fashion it just the way they imagine it should be; with tremendous time, herculean effort and every ounce of heart they pour into their art pieces. Nothing comes of it, but they keep trying until one day they look up to discover they have, at long last, created a masterpiece all their own. Sometimes more than one piece is discovered and you find that a collection of art has developed. From this moment and for years after, you protect your collection and never tire of admiring the individual beauty of their collective value. 
Your masterpieces.

Yet some women give no, or little thought to their art, but paint a canvas with light hearts and tremendous joy. 

These pieces of art are equal in the precious regard the artist holds for them, even though they were created without forethought. 

Art is art, no matter how it was created, whether they came to them by earnest search, a hard fought battle or complete surprise.

The works of art that belong to them are priceless masterpieces, 
always to be held close, never to be traded. Always to be shown off with tremendous pride.

So Mom, however 

you achieved it,

We thank you for being you. 

We are glad we are yours.

And if you cannot answer to the name

and want to in the worst way..... 

HOLD ON TO THE HOPE

that in some beautiful 

unexpected turn of events 

you will find your masterpiece and 

your masterpiece will find you.

The hope that you will be 

honored to hear the words

Happy Mother's Day

  

What Do You Say?

Peace because it's familiar

Anxiety because it's familiar

Peace that fades with change

Peace that remains despite the change

Peace available to anyone

Peace the open secret

Peace that defies logic

Peace that remains in times of emergency

Peace that speaks to your heart when fear tugs 

at your sleeve and tells you to run.......

Peace whispers, "Peace be still."

Peace gives you confidence to remain chill

Peace the path that leads to a happy tomorrow

Beginning today

God's free gift offered in love

All you have to do is reach out with your heart

and receive it

What do you say?

Cuddles

Cuddle up, Cuddle together, Cuddle closer

Cuddle with Mom under the Saturday morning covers.

Cuddle with Dad Sunday afternoon watching the game.

Cuddle with your sweetheart whenever, wherever you 

find the chance.

 Also if it begins to rain, don't miss out;

start to dance. 

Cuddle up cozy as Grandma reads the bedtime story...

your favorite one. 

Cuddle ever closer, all the time wishing 

the story would never be done.

Cuddle up with Grandpa on the front porch swing. 

Time to watch the people go by and

holler a hello or wave a friendly hand. 

Together, it's our favorite thing. 

As the afternoon goes on, it's in his lap I land.

Cuddle up with baby sister; tiny squirmy and cute. 

Thought when I heard she was coming, 

I'd dislike her....wish her gone.

Even dreamed of sending her down the laundry chute, 

but I like her a lot; she is more than fine. 

We like to count fingers and toes.

When she gets bigger, I'm gonna teach her she has ten of those.

I will do it the same way Mom taught me all about mine.

Cuddle under the stars wrapped in blankets waiting for the fireworks to begin. 

Cuddle in tighter as the wind roars and the storm rages.

 This night we will get through, 

stranded and shivering pressed against this tree. 

Waiting for morning is gonna feel like ages. 

I'm glad I have hold of you and you have hold of me.

Cuddle up with toes in the sand as the sun dips below the horizon.

Night trades with day, the stars begin to shine as 

I press my cheek against yours, 

my heart floods with affection thinking how glad I am that 

I am yours and you are mine.

Cuddle up one and all....

so many opportunities to enjoy the cuddly, snuggly chances. 

It fosters affection, it strengthens the bond. 

It will do more for your relationships than waving a magic wand.

Get your cuddle on!

Are you Packin' ?

The assumption, the automatic, rather unconscious conclusion a person can arrive at when we hear the word "baggage" is "burden".

Not the baggage you surrender upon arrival at the airport 

and later claim 

as you spot it riding on the carousel 

with other pieces of luggage.

The kind of baggage that implies the contents could be ugly, scary, every unpleasant thing short of overgrown and hairy. 
Some possibilities may be resentment, heartbreak, anger, jealously, fear, or vengeful intentions. 

However, it doesn't have to be that way. 

It doesn't need to be at all.

Do you see the glass? Is it half empty or half full?  

Or does it have anything in it at all?

Did you look for the silver lining today or was your eye fixed on the grey in the clouds? When your ears heard them, were the birds singing a lovely song or making an annoying racket?

When things went all pear shaped at work, 

did you hang on, expecting it to be better 

or did you run for the door exclaiming, 

"Forget this, I just can't hack it"?

When your spouse made that same cutting, hurtful comment, did you let it roll off your back or push away from the table, head toward the door and on the way, grab your jacket?

It isn't in the situations, circumstance and conversations. 

It isn't in what is fair or good or right and true. 

Often, it isn't in the atmosphere or on the horizon.

On many occasions you won't find

the good thing you are seeking in anything or anyone but you.

So pack your arsenal and be always prepared. 

Be fully loaded with an attitude that expects the best in circumstance and in people.

Move in love, even when you are greeted with hate. 

Never give in, confidently knowing it isn't over;

 it isn't too late. 

Be determined to stand against the ugly, 

but don't allow the ugly to get into you. 

Carry with you ready smiles, and warm hugs.

 Uplifting words and an ever encouraging thought. 

Let people know that chasing a dream is the most fun and excitement life can give. 

That the dream sought, with the right heart, will sooner or even sometimes later, eventually be caught. 

So what is it today that is slung over your back? 

Is it baggage to weigh you down, 

hold you back and rip you apart? 

Or could it be a carefully supplied arsenal, 
loaded for bear, to bring sunshine to the grey day 
and light into the dimly lit space?
Is it possible that you could be the one to carry hope afresh into a hopeless situation absent of all mercy and grace?

Life is an art. Paint in the beauty. 

Today is a perfect place to begin anew. 

The slate wiped clean; the past no longer in view. 

Pack up your arsenal. It's a day waiting with possibility. 

I encourage you to make that new start.

 After all, the sky is the limit when you greet the day packin', 

fully loaded and you do a little extra....
more than just your part!

  

0h, my God!

Through open windows and on the street.

From next door and randomly in the store.

On T.V. and in movies; just the same.

It finds my ears as people exclaim........

"Jesus", "Jesus Christ", "God",  "Oh, my God".

These words are used in a manner of expression,

sometimes in an outburst of Joy.....

other times when frustrations overflow.

It's a common thing to do, an everyday occurrence.

It can be heard wherever you go.

These words are used as expletives when, in truth,

they are calling out a name.

Lot's of people don't know it. 

A fact I find rather sad, a real shame.

Others haven't bothered to think it through.

This, my friends can't stand.

In the long run, it will never do.

The name of God, He answers when we call,

No waiting is necessary.

It is a direct line, to one, to all.

El Shaddai.....Lord God Almighty

El Elyon.......The Most High God

Adonai.....The Lord Master

Yaweh......The Lord Jehovah

Jehovah Nissi......The Lord My Banner

Jehovah Raah......The Lord My Shepherd

Jehovah Rapha......The Lord Who Heals

Jehovah Shammah......The Lord is There

Jehovah Tsidkenu......The Lord Our Righteousness

Jehovah Mekoddishkem......The Lord Who Sanctifies You

El Olam......The Everlasting God

Elohim......Triune God

Jehovah Jireh......The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah Shalom......The Lord is Peace

Jehovah Sabaoth......The Lord of Hosts

He answers to each of these because 

He is all the names imply.

Our healing, our provision, our loving shepherd, 

these yes... and all the rest.

You have never heard of this? Of all of who He is?

He is all we will ever need.

Hard to believe the truth of these words?

Don't take my word of honor or my solemn vow. 

Experience it for yourself.

Call out to Him.

Your own personal heart to heaven test.

What you will find, I already know....

An ear to listen, Arms to embrace you, Power to protect you,

Provision to care for all your needs.

All that you can believe for; He is all those and more.

Because God goes beyond.

He always lovingly exceeds.

1

The Heart of YOU

Life is stitched together one thread at a time.

The thread of every experience, of every action and each conversation.

Wanted and Unwanted alike 

They create a picture that brings clear what will be the tapestry of our lives.

How we process all that comes, imprints our thoughts and hearts.

What we reject and refuse entry into the secret, sacred corners of our very beings determines

often, if we travel crushed under burden or 
stand tall in confident peace.

It has everything to do with the company we keep.

Who do we call friend?

What are our hearts and our time taken up with?

No matter where we are and what the climate of our atmosphere may be, the corners of our hearts can only be accessed with express permission.

It is the place our truest self dwells.

So get real at the heart of you.

I promise its the biggest favor you will ever 
DO for.....YOU.

We Are Not Abandoned, We Are Not Alone

Say it again, Say it loud and strong.

In the face of crushing

disaster you can declare:

"I am not abandoned, Not alone.

I will not adjust my stance 

Or change my tone."

It looks to be a fully loaded bummer

Of an increasing number

Of topics domestically and abroad.

It changes daily....

Can't keep track of the heartache

Wrapped in thunder

In every season....Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

Sunshine through the clouds.

Smiles through the tears.

Warmth through the cutting wind.

It is a message I must send 

To my heart....repeatedly, to my head.

To counteract the pull towards discouragement;

Good news sifted out from a sea of bad.

Never ending reasons to feel blue.

Overwhelming reasons

to become choked with despair;

A culprit in the disappearance and graying

of my hair.

The rushing, crushing chaos created from bad choices....

selfish decisions, impatient hearts.... 

the constant whizzing by of these poison tipped darts.

We long for it to cease, to have a merciful kind of break,

But the truth is that there are people in each corner making 

plans now and for always...coming to the worst kinds of conclusions.

Minds cold, thoughtless and numb....

Hearts made of granite.

They occupy space in every part of our planet.

We can't carry that burden or shoulder the weight.

We were not designed to sustain that load.... it's far too great.

   A painful experience can nearly rob us of our next breath. 

  Solutions can hide. Evil can seem to run amuck.

You think they hold all the cards; they carry all the luck.

They can have it.... every bit.

It's not luck that turns the tide or evil with the upper hand.

It may appear so....all across our great land

and over the seas on foreign sand.

But the truth is....light will always pierce through the darkness.

God....all strength, all love.

He is near us in our pain, catching all our tears....

Drawing nearer still

Understanding the challenge we face....

Simply holding on, trying  to maintain.

God is above every ugly intention, each secretive plot....

And these are a lot.

We are not abandoned, not alone. 

He has armed us for battle; equipped us with truth.

He has provided us with this armor, if we choose to wear it.

It is not my imagination, it is the absolute truth, I swear it.

You can find it in the Word of God.

In Ephesians, it is to be found....laid out, plain to see

For you and for me.

The whole armor of God.

We put it on like this:

To begin, we put on the belt of truth 

with the body armor of God's righteousness.

The shoes of peace.

They came from the Good News so you will be fully prepared. 

In addition to those....

Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet 

and take the sword of the Spirit

which is the Word of God.

Bad News....Good News

Lies or Truth

Take it in or arm yourself against.

It's up to each individual person. Each personal heart.

God loves us unconditionally....

ready to assure us to be at peace

in the face of the storm.

Even though it goes against logic; the flow of the norm.

Dear Friends, we are not abandoned, we are not alone.