Tuesday Thoughts

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay, family, Uncategorized

As I was reflecting on a beautiful weekend yesterday, my thoughts were filled with thankfulness. And then,…media was mobbed by a slap seen around the world. Meanwhile, a war still rages, families are struggling, and rage is not rare. I’ll keep first things first and position for peace. 💛

Through the eyes of a child

My Saturday began with a visit to our local Children’s Art Show (thank you Table Rock Art Guild). The children, and their parents, were walking around with such pride! I found the self-portraits particularly interesting and beautiful. You might notice the same things I did. They were authentic and true. Their eyes see everything. There’s nothing to hide in this http://www.world.com existence. But with it, they also “see” things that they might not otherwise. Kids…the perfect balance of faith and dreams.

Through the reflections of adults

The family table had its day. Thankfully, aunts, uncles, and us “young ones” (all cousins more than middle age now) gathered together. There are always missing chairs, but we manage to keep it crowded. Dad sat at the head of the table, a perfect place. We reflected on life, love, and loss. Hope and faith pulled up chairs. Laughter was a welcomed guest! Looking back…don’t linger, make it meaningful, and if you can, ruminate only on the radical recoveries!

One day my friends we won’t need faith and hope anymore. For if you believe, you’ll only be lavished in love.

Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

Have faith 💚

53 thoughts on “Tuesday Thoughts”

  2. Sounds like a fantastic weekend! Sometimes I have to fight the voice that tells me that when I “position for peace,” as you so perfectly phrase it, I am being an escapist… turning my back on suffering and tragedy in the world. Instead, I like to think of it like being a boat on the ocean. The boat will be fine as long as the ocean stays outside. The problems start when the ocean starts coming into the boat.

    Blessings to you today, Karla

    On Tue, Mar 29, 2022 at 6:52 AM Flannel with Faith wrote:

    > K.L. Hale posted: ” As I was reflecting on a beautiful weekend yesterday, > my thoughts were filled with thankfulness. And then,…media was mobbed by a > slap seen around the world. Meanwhile, a war still rages, families are > struggling, and rage is not rare. I’ll keep first thi” >

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    1. Russell, thank you so much. It really was a great weekend. I understand what you mean about being an “escapist”. If anything, I think my prayer life is stronger. I try to make a small difference in that which is near me. But like you perfectly stated, when it starts to sink your own boat it’s a problem. At that point you’re useless to anyone. I tried to take things in my own boat for years. And realized my own sinking is not what God had in store. Carrying burdens and the issues of others is a balancing act. Especially if peace looks different. So I pray! And listen to what differences I can make in my tiny world. I appreciate your support so much!

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      2. Oh! I actually answered! I just haven’t had time to respond. My day, which began so perfectly with this post, became much hurried with the arrival of a new modem (yay!) and then going to the school to prepare for tomorrow’s Lunch and Literacy. And other calls and layers,…you know how it is! You’ll see my reply :-)! 🤍💛💚 I believe if you asked the artist he/she would tell you exactly how they felt that moment. I definitely “see” such beautiful souls in all of them!

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      3. Sorry Karla I just refreshed the page and think you had answered. If you wish to, go to my site and up the top on my menu is the Contact Me page. Just send me that form with a ‘hello’ on it and I will say further 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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      4. Yes, the depth is quite pronounced and is only something I associate with going inward, as in, going through much pain and experiencing it quite profoundly. And it then becomes a part of you in that empathy and compassion it creates. It creates a heart healer where its beauty is pronounced, be it art, music, words or even hands on. And yes, we are all gifted with this in its many forms, all are built on that love found inside us. Just occasionally one will light a room just by walking in…but then we all do that in our own ways and can feel that in others. Many will guide, many will follow. Sometimes there is a Ghandi or a Martin Luther King or someone who saves your life, and to you more incredible than any of the others. And probably more importantly is those that truly guide us from very young to adulthood. They are our teachers, those magicians than can explain anything to anyone, see something that is hidden, build us from that empty inner blackboard until we shine in the love that it builds. Take a bow dear lady, your empathy is showing…beautifully ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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      5. Beautiful, Mark. “a heart healer where beauty is pronounced, be it art, music, words, ….” “They are our teachers, those magicians,…see something that is hidden.” I truly believe that empathy comes from a total emptying of self. It comes from a higher power. I often wonder if I was born with it. I remember at a very young age “feeling” for others. Empathy is harder when the heart hardens. I wish the world’s heart could soften. I pray smiles will appear on future self-portraits. Stay blessed my friend. 💕♥️🌻

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      6. The image had more than a smile, it was the love in the eyes that spoke. And the interesting thing about empathy, compassion and love…they too have scars, just as Jesus did. It is through those scars, inner or outer, that love is born. The real love…unconditional love ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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  8. You nailed-it once again, dear Karla! I “gave-up” Social Media as my lenten sacrifice this year (blog-post soon on that discernment, giggles) so I did not know about the “slap heard around the world” until just last evening. And even that was just a follow-up news report. Regardless, it was a jarring experience to witness. I could not erase it from my thoughts and finally unpacked what I was feeling in a (very) short post. Hugs to you for the needed smiles which remind us that even in our broken world beauty can still be found. And you exhibited (notice the art reference there) that beautifully with your post! 😘

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    1. Dawn, your response is so thoughtful and encouraging. Thank you so much. When I write I feel like it can be “muddled” at times with the way my brain jumps around. But I’m always glad when someone can relate to it! Yes, there’s so much good in the world. Today I spent a couple of hours at my former Primary School presenting to parents and seeing dear dear friends. Tomorrow I will do it again. My heart was so full seeing the kids in the halls. Those that bought my book would spell their names for me–oh my goodness, I heard the cutest names! Some I’ve never heard before. One girl’s name was Awnesty (pronounced “Honesty”). I think of my grandkids constantly. Particularly in the world in which they’ll navigate. I have faith that God will protect them and watch over them. I pray they find the beauty in this world. Mucho hugs, Dawn. 🧡🤗😘

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  12. Those self-portraits are wonderful! I’m struck by how unique each one is. No “standard” features copied from a model. Each child captured his or her own essence. Kudos to the art teacher who inspired these students!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mark. Your support and friendship are appreciated! I’m sorry I’ve been a bit behind this week in reading. Its been a great busy! I hope to catch up on reading. Happy Friday and weekend. ☺️

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  14. Love the last. Isn’t that an amazing thing to contemplate? — a world, a life, a self that no longer has hope or faith because they are unneeded. Too things so ephemeral now, so necessary to be moored to a different and truer reality of spiritual Kingdom life, and yet, they are guides along The Way that one day will be consumed by Love, just as we are. Brilliant and beautiful. Shalom to you, Jane

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    1. Jane, thank you so much. It really is an amazing thing to think about. All consumed by love~just as we are, as you so perfectly stated! Thank you for your support. It means so much to me. My apologies for not getting to you. I haven’t been active much this week, but hope to catch up soon. Peace to you, Jane! 💛

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  15. I love the warmth and beauty of this post and in the children’s pictures. Yes, I felt that slap too and there’s still that war — and back here in Oz there is still need in this land of plenty. We make mistakes. Jesus and Buddha show us the way 🙂

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  17. Children’s art is such a gift! What a wonderful experience, I love the images. I think we’ve all been reeling from that unexpected slap and wondering how to process all the aggression in our world today. It’s daunting especially for the children. Hugs and love to you my friend, C

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