Feelings blow in the wind. Sometimes they become stagnant with stale air. The humidity tries to suffocate. Tests, diagnosis, and debates. Worries, wins, and losses. What really matters? For the birds don’t care. The flowers still bloom.
Sing it loud!
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26
“I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Each step gives me strength. On the trail, I seek like-minded nature-lovers who cling to our Creator’s beauty. I’m plugged into peace for power. Nature’s notifications are dings of bird songs, clacks and cracks of bending limbs, calls from critters, and rustlings of the rustic. It’s a far cry from the cold waiting room and another “test”. It’s an infusion of bone-building boldness. Grandkids giggle, a bluebird sings, music melts the mayhem, and I stand still…and smile. I’ll seek serenity in the simple.
May melted with makeshift memories, medicines, and mindfulness. June jumped in and jolted me. It’s jam-packed. Will June have me juggling, jotting, and jaundiced (I couldn’t help that ;-)?
Jesus
When asked, “How do you not worry? How do you have faith? How do you have joy?”
“Oh, you haven’t met HIM yet, have you?” I replied.
Experiences like this happen to me frequently while hiking. My sometimes silent sanctuary. The few humans exploring the area acknowledged they knew how loved they were when I asked them. “Jesus, thank you for walking alongside me. Which path should I take?” The birds sang and the wind whispered again. Cool breezes calmed my consciousness. Clarification cleared my confusion.Is that a cross? Later, a cardinal directed me on the path least traveled. “Don’t take your eyes off of me, Karla.”
The peace that passes all understanding. A compassion that is combustible with Christ. Don’t gasp or grimace over guilt. Guilt is Godless. Sorrow is Godly. Can we stop taking trips of guilt? Will we feel sorrow for one another? Worry wastes and brokenness will beg. Jesus will meet you there.
Journey
Do you get caught up in the world’s web? Feelings, emotions, and circumstances will shift, swirl, and spin. Without warning you’re caught in confusion and chaos. To the right you see rubble, to the left you spot loss, and straight ahead is suspicion.
For me? I see forever and I view victory.
pics by K.L. Hale
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
C.S. Lewis
Although I’m not living in poverty, my soul is. It’s an emptiness and neediness that Jesus calls, “poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3). Without God, I’m incomplete. Repair is not needed–just restoration and reconciliation. You and I are not “wretched” souls. We have wretched life circumstances and our brokenness motivates us beyond ourselves. Once I thought all was perfect; my awareness was lacking. God IS love. When the dust settles and your heart hurts what will heal? Compassion, love, and grace. You will never be “good” enough. The opposite of bad is not good–it’s love.
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
C.S. Lewis
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
1 John 4:16
June
Jeez, June. You can’t jar me! I’ll be in 7th heaven when my favorite 7 humans pay a visit soon. A 60th wedding anniversary by my favorite couple will be honored. There will be family celebrations, a new scan for me, more bloodwork and a visit, and a better prescription to see. June, we’ll be fine. There will be holidays, birthdays, routines, and more–I’m sure the unexpected will be in store. As temperatures rise and attitudes flare, keep us grounded and safe, keep love in the air.
I’m living my reality and truth. God himself is called the “God of truth” (Ps 31:5). Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is also called the truth (1 John 5:6).
I’m embracing my imperfection with faith, flannel (not as much with these warmer temps), and fresh air. May truth guide you to a place where love resides. Perfection is not needed. Just faith.
Multiple local authors gathered at a recent expo. Just as in your lives, I was thunderstruck with their fascinating experiences. A wellspring of wishes, wisdom, whimsical, “why did I do that?”, “what if’s”, “why not’s”, and wondrous words produced their stellar stories! Why write?
There are many reasons I write. It encourages me to focus, research, learn, love, and inspire. At times, it clears the cobwebs in my consciousness. Other times, it soothes my soul. Distractions cease. I’m intentional. I can: Think. Reflect. Learn. Understand. Praise.Inspire. Words are convincing, helpful, encouraging, and affirmative. At times, it’s entertaining! Some hurt. Journaling is my way of cleansing my clanging clutter. This year I’ve met my goal to journal daily. Do you journal? Do you make lists? I can easily type a recipe or a “to-do” paragraph. Write notes? My “black and white” brain automatically places Roman Numerals, letters, or bullets. Why do you write?
Allow me to introduce local Ozarks writers!
Thomas J. Carter, during the Covid lockdown, decided he would write a children’s book series about the National Parks after he and his wife bought an R.V. to travel. I’m sure you know why I loved this! Even better for ME? An 1800’s setting! You can find Thomas on IG @midwestiscoolbooks.Thomas is an excellent illustrator and writer!
LaDonna Greiner was 66 years old when she spent a miserable night on the top of Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri (where many have sadly died in similar situations). A few days later, a horrible car accident left her and her husband without a vehicle, and THEN she was handed a felony charge (“leaving the scene of an accident”). LaDonna’s stories and photos will leave you on the edge of your seat. “I’m here for a purpose,” she says (yes you are, LaDonna!). As a certified facilitator, you can count on LaDonna to share wisdom on creating environments of gratitude.
Michelle Underwood grew up in Mansfield, MO. She authored a book about Laura Ingalls Wilder that is the most detailed I’ve ever read! Her passion for our local hero and author inspires me.
Paula Moore teaches biblical truths through the arts and Shawnda Walker wrote about cooperation and sharing through the eyes of a cute guinea pig, Peanut.
Jeanne Griener gripped my heart with a memoir about finding God’s goodness—despite losing, and never finding, her missing brother. You can feel her faith and love in her words.
C.A. (Candy) Simonson She is an award-winning author and writer of short stories, articles, and books. She is a frequent contributor to online publications and print magazines, now almost 400 pieces. Need self-publishing help? See C.A.! It’s like opening a treasure book.
Susie Kinslow Adams is a local author, writer, and speaker! Her turtle, Patches, will sing about how much Jesus loves you, too! Her story will inspire you!
Author Sage Hunter invites you to step into the dynamic universe of “The Black Bra Club,” an engaging narrative that charts the inception of a movement grounded in sisterhood, support, mentoring, and the profound essence of faith.
Check out today’s history and ANOTHER amazing hero story!
History today Phillis Wheatley born (1753); President Harry Truman born (1884); Boxing legend Sonny Liston born (1932); Germany surrenders, ending World War II in Europe (1945); Smallpox is eradicated (1980).
A war hero tells his story
Friends, meet Luciano “Louis” Charles Graziano. “It was January 1943 when twenty-year-old Louis Graziano received a letter from Uncle Sam ordering him to report to Fort Niagara, New York, for a physical. Although he knew the United States was at war, he had no idea what was ahead of him. After making a promise to dutifully defend his country, Louis never realized how much his military experience would change the course of his life.
In a memoir that reveals the good, bad, and ugly of war and beyond, Louis leads others through his life experiences via personal stories and historical photographs that provide a candid glimpse into what it was like to be a young soldier before, during, and after World War II.”
“After suffering frostbite during the successful effort to search and find the lost armored element, Louis returned to Reims to recover. Among the buildings in Reams there was a “Little Red Schoolhouse” where General Eisenhower had his headquarters. It was here that the unconditional surrender of Germany was signed in the early morning hours of Monday, May 7, 1945. Louis was there, in the room, as General Yodl of the German Army signed the articles of surrender. U.S. General Walter Bedell Smith signed on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Eisenhower, and General Ivan Susloparov on behalf of the Soviet High Command. French Major-General François Sevez signed as the official witness.
Stories of war, survival, loss, and love. Your life may seem mundane. You may feel you DON’T have a story. But you do. There is ONE STORY I’ll keep telling of the ultimate sacrifice made for you and me. Do you know how loved you are?All of you encourage me. To feature each of you a day would take years. Keep telling your stories (besides, they’re not over YET). Uniquely and collectively, you impact me. I’ll say it louder to the people in the back–do you REALLY know how loved you are?
Let’s keep “elevating” one another! My encouragement to you is real; not just in words. It’s not fake news when I share about God’s love, grace, and mercy. I don’t have a hidden agenda for sharing my gratitude. And to write about it? Even better.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“The world is a severe schoolmaster, for its frowns are less dangerous than its smiles and flatteries, and it is a difficult task to keep in the path of wisdom.”
Phillis Wheatley
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
William Wordsworth
“The secret of it all is to write… without waiting for a fit time or place.”
Walt Whitman
“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”Habakkuk 2:2
