Tag: compassion

How do you find Perfect Peace?

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The glowing hues of blue, orange, and yellow in the flickering flames melted into the stunning sunset scenery out my window. “Thank you, God, for YOUR perfect peace,” I whispered, gazing at the 2nd Advent candle.

How do I keep this perfect peace? Joy AND jolts are juxtaposed in my journey-how do I obtain perfect peace? How do I find stillness in the storm?  Calm in the chaos? Tranquil in the midst of trouble?

What’s my NATURE? Peace washes over me like a cleansing flood while I’m IN nature. Later, “caught by surprise” cancer circumstances, my soggy spirit and exhausted body felt drowned. “God, I return to YOUR unwavering nature and rest in YOU.”

Whenever I face challenges, I pause to pray. I’m reminded of Advent Week #1-to wait well and stay prepared. NO PANIC! I will surrender my soul to God. To have true peace, I have to surrender!

How can I NOT have a different peace perspective after what I’ve experienced? “GOD, THANK YOU for providing circumstances to practice the peace that is ALREADY IN ME because of YOU.”

It’s not denial–it’s about dependence on God. I don’t pretend everything is fine when the storm is rocking the boat, the torrential downpours are stinging my soul—

“Peace! Be Still!” Jesus declared this when the disciples panicked during the storm. This command isn’t just for weather. MY HEART HEARS HIM.

When facing sticky situations or unhealthy conflict, stress can lead to sickness, sadness, or suffering. When you’re peace “peters out” what do YOU do? PRAY? Walk away? Take deep breaths? Listen to music? Read? Walk in nature? Binge favorite shows? Snuggle with a loved one or pet? If your season starts to snowball, but your spirit melts, please know you’re not alone.

“Holy Spirit, I need you to speak for and through me. Help me adjust my attitude, cloth myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Remind me of God’s truths about love, unity, and peace.”

“Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13) I’ll let God’s love lead so HIS peace resides in my heart.

HOPE.

PEACE. 

Soon, I’ll light the joy candle. Last, love. Is there anything greater than these?

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hath taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Feel free to download these peace cards!❤️ Download

Friends, do you know how loved you are?

Have hope, keep the faith, and I pray that peace will permeate your soul and surroundings! 💚🙏🏻

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

Finley sends love & peace!

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Miracle Musings

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If a pain & cancer-free body and freedom from frugal existence were prerequisites for travel, I’d never leave home. Christ, common sense, and coffee coasted with me. There were over 100 miles left and both tanks, gas & body, were nearly empty. “Faith” was at my feet. This rock was a gift. Miracle!

“She wants me to go up there,” my son exclaimed. His wife’s lengthy stature and arms both waved from atop the hill. He darted up the dusty path! As if seasoned climbers, they both cautiously came down. “He needs water!”, my daughter-in-law uttered. My son grabbed bottles and the couple dashed up the trail again at record speed. The heat was dangerously high and dry. Although the Rio Grande appeared cool with its flowing water, the bodies were not accustomed to this heat. Signs across the National Park begged warned visitors to carry ample water supply.  Unfortunately, the only water the endangered hiking couple had was pouring out of their veins. Fortunately, the man’s health improved as my son and daughter-in-law helped with his hydration crisis. The four of them cautiously and gingerly descended. Miracle!

“We prayed for you,” I shared with the exasperated, sweat-drenched, kind older woman. At 5 years old, Asher seemed uncertain about praying for strangers. “We all need prayer,” exclaimed the thankfully rescued hikers. A happy ending for all. Miracles!

The multicolored desert sky surrounded by the Chisos Mountains turned pitch black at nightfall. The loss of electricity one night also made for perfect stargazing conditions. Oh, the joy of camping! We spoke of galaxies, shooting stars, and God’s power. Tears of tiredness, remarkable rock ravishing, and fossil fascination. Wonders of the world, wrinkles of the skin, and the exuberant joy of childhood. Long drives and winded conversations. Walks of discovery, no-holds-barred hugs, dances of delight, and impromptu stops to love more family. Tales of time that rushed like a roadrunner. Miracles!

Camping in the cactus-filled desert reminded me of the dry crumbs I sometimes use in conversation. These dehydrated discussions terminate the truth. Will you muse on the miracles? Or about the hardships of humanity, fears of the unknown, or ghosts of the past? Or the Spirit that can bring life-giving water?

One year ago, today, I felt spooked. Countless vials of blood, tests, and a countdown to a life-altering surgery. My rare cancer explained years of unknowns. Family and friends have loved me through it all. A faith that has sustained me through every fall. Miracles.

Fear? It will never own me. Miracle!

Do you know YOU are a miracle? And…YOU ARE LOVED!💚

Have faith 💚…from Texas to Oklahoma to Missouri…to every state and corner of the globe.

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

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One-Size-Fits-All

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It was as if someone thumped my head with a hard shoehorn! Suddenly, it made sense why my feet hurt (I think pain can be like an ignored piece of your wardrobe?).

“Did you know you’re wearing the wrong shoe size?” asked the kind and knowledgeable saleswoman.  If you know me, then you aren’t surprised I started giggling.  She shared tidbits I’ve never been told (or I can’t remember?):

“You need enough room to account for swelling.” “Did you know our feet continue to grow as we age?” “Our feet and toes weren’t DESIGNED to fit into today’s shoes.”

We bragged about our favorite shoes! Oh, and the ones that love us back, like our Birks. They give our toes plenty of room to be exactly the way God designed our feet to be (my dear friend Kim inspired this thought, too).  “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could “plug” in my height, weight, hair color (just kidding, tee hee), and a “one size fits all” shoe would appear? After an exhausting hour of trying different brands and styles I made a choice. So far, so good.

All sizes vary.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:2

My current views in classrooms offer a variety of sizes! Hearts, minds, emotions, attitudes, learning styles, bodies, and abilities come in “assorted” sizes.

It’s easy to see ourselves through others’ eyes. People will “size you up” quickly. Social media deals a good hand in that game–280 characters, a paragraph rant or rave, or a meme. Whether you’re squeezing into something that doesn’t fit or swallowed by something much bigger than what you need, I know a “one-size-fits-all” God that will make sure YOU fit just right! Ah, surrender. It’s not easy, but necessary and liberating!

 There are times I try to squeeze myself into a worldly shape. Am I trying to “fit” into this world or am I keeping an eternal perspective?

God, without you, NOTHING fits right.

In the end, the size of our shoes, wallets, bank accounts, and homes won’t matter.  Catastrophic evidence of this has been felt across our country.  If a one-size-fits-all compassion, grace, and kindness would exist every day, perhaps we’d stop sizing one another up and just…love.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Francis of Assisi

Last Saturday I began this piece. That afternoon a friend shared her husband’s passing. His death was unexpected. My heart hurts for her and the family. Even with faith, loss stings. Suffering ends for one and begins for those who stay behind. I cannot provide any words of comfort but, “I love you.” That evening two other friends and I spoke of survivor’s guilt. It seems selfish to share. It’s hard to separate circumstances from God’s purpose. I don’t want to tell someone (or even hear) “It’s God’s will.” Yes, I believe that God will never leave or forsake me. Why do I know that? I’ve experienced it. Can we extend a hand or a hug out of mercy? Compassion without cynicism. If our Western “workdays” were realistic, we’d spend more time tending to our families, gardens, and overall emotional, mental, and physical health. Struggles are real. Suffering unites us; just as happiness can. As my grandkids grow, family and friends age, and seasons shift, blessings are still bestowed. As I balance health, habits, and happenstance, I’ll keep an eternal perspective with an inspired intuitive initiative. There’s very little I can control, but I have a huge part in how I react. Will you join me in forging forward with faith (and how about Flannel?)?

You are loved. Keep the faith.💛

“America is the first culture in jeopardy of amusing itself to death”-John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life)

Signs of the times around me! K.L. Hale

***This season includes many memory-making opportunities. I’ll “see” you when the winds blow a bit cooler in a couple of weeks. If you have to choose between responding to me or making a memory, do what’s on your heart (for you’re already in mine). We get one “shot” at this life here–make it count.***

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©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Tethered Tuesday

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Was it tethered to a spider web? How was it magically suspended in the air? In the blink of an eye, it started spinning chaotically.  The small leaf whirled, circled, revolved, and rotated. With grace, it pirouetted perfectly to the music in my mind.  

Harmonic motion? Oscillation? A leaf vortex? An eddy of air?

In nature, I completely surrender to the majesty of our Creator. My brain, heart, and soul are connected—no distractions, only love.

Turbulence and sudden wind shifts can create chaos—or beauty. Unstable atmospheres might unhinge us. OR it might produce an amazing air and climate of clarity!

Perfect pirouette

A whirlwind of emotions will whip. I’m tethered. The gravity of grace, grit, and gratitude grounds me.

https://audio.com/kl-hale/audio/special-love-august-13

Have you heard of NET, yet? 🦓

What a joy to have unexpected family time—a move from Missouri to Oklahoma. In the last 12 years, I’ve witnessed my sons move to Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Washington state—to Texas and back to Missouri. Two years ago, I never dreamed I’d be able to go any distance. I’ve been asked, “How are you feeling”? Smiling I think of how much grit God gives me to do what I do. Giggling, I say, “I’m operating on 70%!” Some days, I do what I can on 30% “reserves”.  It’s best to ignore the “healing” going on in my innards—because frankly, it feels strange and sometimes it hurts! God gives me wisdom and discernment. I’ll lean on faith and common sense.

Last night I stayed up very late watching the celebration of life for the 4 Nelon family members. When the surviving daughter, Autumn, sang on stage with The Isaacs I was astounded by her faith and moved to happy tears. When Nathan’s Dad spoke of his son, he shared HOPE. That’s the faith I DESIRE—and HAVE!  I’ll never lose it. At this very moment, someone is celebrating. Another is grieving. One is doubting; another believing. One hurting-one healing. What if we all put down distractions and supported one another?  The isolation of COVID is years behind us; yet, just as trauma might end, the lingering effects continue. Humanity is attempting to heal while the hurt continues. Our minds are powerful and what we see, hear, and choose to “digest” will impact us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How can we share hope? How can we share love and faith?

What grounds you when the wind & atmosphere are unstable? When you spin chaotically out of control will it turn into a dance?

I have a rare cancer. But cancer doesn’t have me. Grace grounds me. Faith fills me. Love lifts me. It’s a special love—have you ever felt it?

I’m totally tethered.

Have heart. Have faith. 🤍

You are loved.
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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

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