Category: Inspiration

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I gradually awoke this morning with this scripture scintillating in my being. It seem to be head knowledge or head quote words. Then a little closer to reality of awake, it’s morning, I found myself on my imaginary step ladder with a few steps down and a few to go before out of attic head knowledge into the light of heart. Awe! I found tucked away from dark, meaning people I don’t like, a host of greats: I am hopeful, blessed, loved, happy. Well, a treasure of “lightsabers” in action.

I’v starting thinking about, seeking answers to, good works? I know without a doubt and by faith, Jesus is the Light, the bright and morning Star. He shines through us. But, where does the shine go? Is it hidden in a heart of bitterness, malice, meanness, unforgiving, unloving, all about me and my few? My secrets, you don’t deserve, you, you, you and me, me. That is ugly work. A constant battle. Why not light of good works so others might see and give glory to our Heavenly Father because our heart ugliness is gone.

Then within minutes of dusting off my ‘lightsaber”, a light of kindness broke through causing my God Given true colors to begin to put off sparks. My cousin, Brenda, posted this.

“One lesson in life you should ALWAYS remember is when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock somewhere else.” A Light in the dark FB post

Then another kindness from my Today’s Reflections, “I would love hearing an example from your own life where the Holy Spirit has widened your circle to include someone you had previously excluded.“

What, another, three?  

“One thing that’s always helped me when I’ve woken up feeling down is to put my hand over my heart, take several deep breaths, and honor the feeling. Then, I ask it to leave.” Marie

I’m looking forward to lights of hope to brighten our day!

Photo by Allan Hunt, Corolla, NC

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers‬ ‭6:24-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Rena Oynes (photo) on her way to Bible Study Fellowship, aka BSF, a branch in Alabama. Rena studies and works in Children’s ministry there as well as teaching Sunday School in her local Baptist Church.

Rena painted a Cardinal for Thedailylily for our Christmas enjoyment 2018. This little bright red Cardinal fluttered onto a sweatshirt made by Custom Ink. They did a great job to give praise to all of us that write and often journal our thoughts here. If you could read the ensign that has been silk screened on the shirt Rena is wearing you would read, “I know every bird on the mountains…for all the world is mine.” Psalm 50:11-12

Fly High in 2019!

Peeks with a wink in windows everywhere🌏 Hope the peek-wink is welcome with joy for the New Year, 2019, in homes and hearts around the globe! 

I had the opportunity of sharing in a listening group by Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson of St Monica Catholic Community, California. He surely peaked-peeked my interest by asking a question that he had been asked recently, “What is it like to really be you right now.”

He had been asked, “what is it really like to be you right now?” He was able to answer so thoughtfully from his inner being. He first recognized that he was being a Pastor from the age of now being 79 which rode into his life with a few new energy limitations. He felt more freer to be himself than ever before, more peaceful and grateful to have a reservoir of Grace to draw from among other interesting thoughts of knowing himself.

Monsignor was so interesting in sharing living in his now moment. He surely shepherded the heart of each listener into Hope, slow down, communicate, listen, share. The moral of his sharing from my peak-peek was taking time and heart to have meaningful conversations with others regardless of who they are or where you find others. Learn from one another.

I want to start now my asking you, yes you, “what’s it like to be you right now”?

“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” — Ernest Hemingway

Often I find ‘Holiday Hoopla’ are the least spiritual days of a year. Or, maybe I should say of a life story. It seems blood family worship happens in the minds of many that are church goers. We worship ‘King Santa’. We adore ‘Elf Gift’. We sing praises to ‘Amazon Prime’ and kneel to the latest ‘Easy Clean’.

Past wounds fester with a contagious infection. While, new knocks are seen with blood running scabs. When we start the blame turkey game and stuff it with names , my kids, my Mom, my Dad even had the audacity to die? The parade to entertain must go on.

Did or does anyone say to us, “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities. Surely He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are healed. Or, are these words as tried as an old stick of gum or silly as a ball on a tree. It’s a lot more soothing to watch a feral kitten unwind our knitting ball or a wounded dog wear our winter wonder land shawl as the fire warms the sore. It only takes a spark of God’s love to get a fire going. That how it is with God’s love when we pass it on. 🎼🎹

“…It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” — Ernest Hemingway

I have been thinking on this quote and granted I’m on the older side rather than the new born side and I feel shame about many of my ‘Holiday Hoopla Shenanigans’.

Now, before you call me cynical or religious or out of touch let me just say I’m all in on Santa, reindeers, gifts, family and beer. (I don’t drink beer because I don’t like the taste neither do I like spinach) You name it, it’s all good. I’m in for fun. Now, about the details of how we live our lives that just might distinguish us from one another is the point. I made myself a little flash test to see how I score on details?

Spiritual Craft-who taught me spiritual craft-what does their life look like? Who is my now spiritual traveling companion-what does their life look like at this moment?

More specific to my life details-holiday Hooplas-do they separate me from my daily family, friends and communications? Do I live my life in a cage of fear and intimidation? In keeping my holidays real, do I treat others as I would/do treat Jesus? Does honesty and trust from my being sound like the thrill of hearing church bells chime on a chilly starry night? Welcome one and all. Or, does my family and I say to some, there is no room in our Inn, but if your desperate take the stinky stable. Leave the Eternal King in the stable and crown my kids as I teach them my way and not His?

O Holy Night the Stars are brightly shining, 🌠

I received this quote from a friend this am. Whoa! I just love this quote:
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain

As you know (from my blog One on Kindness) my focus of ‘Thanksgiving 2018’ has been about Kindness. I have been so blessed being in relationships with kindness givers. I want to take the challenge my friend confronted me with this am…”30-day Kindness Challenge” encouraging me to perform one small, random act of kindness every day. She says, “random acts of kindness can lead to more creativity and joy. These acts also help us shift our focus from ourselves to those who we are showing kindness.”

I am adding my reminder and helper, Psalm 123 to be my 30 day daily prayer to help me focus on God’s mercy and how He will shower others through acts of kindness by all that join in the challenge. I sure need mercy to keep my focus on ‘acts of kindness’ when I get tired and anxious. But, I have the manuel, Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. 6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.…”

Love to hear your ♥️ Stories on act of kindness.