November 7th, 2020
Hello friends—
Have you ever had a day that just felt, out of place?
I am thankful for so many things in my life, God’s blessings are endless. On the surface, the place that is most comfortable for many of us, “life is what it is.” Living day to day, doing the best we can. What about below the surface, the internal makings of who we are? It is within that space I yearn to be and to grow. I believe with all my being I am a child of God, that I was created on purpose and with a plan. And, yet I search for more, more meaning, deeper understanding and connectivity.
The beautiful autumn picturesque photos above were taken at a park near a restaurant where I met friends for lunch. The luncheon was with my JULIET friends from my church. JULIETS (JOLLY UNIQUE LADIES INFORMALLY EATING TOGETHER SOMEWHERE). A total of eight women attended the luncheon, it was so nice to see and talk with one another. I am grateful for these God fearing women and their faithfulness.
~Proverbs 27:17~
“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.”
I did something rather foolish today, actually I did two things foolishly today. Before I share my foolishness with you, allow me to share a few other thoughts with you.
LOVE: Isn’t it lovely, except when it’s NOT.
LOSS: The absence of something, except when it’s NOT.
LONGING: Wanting and waiting, except when it’s NOT.
~1 Corinthians 13:8~
“Love never ends.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1,6~
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving.”
~Psalm 38:9~
“O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.”
I would venture to say that you and I are a lot alike. If, I were a betting person I would bet that at this moment you can relate to at least 1 of the 3 words described in this post, if not all 3! Congratulations, it means your alive and living life.
I have been feeling very overwhelmed for sometime and unaware of the cause; perhaps more to the point unwilling to identify “it”. I would pushing it aside day after day until one day, I just couldn’t. I felt like I was overflowing and empty all at the same time. Saying things out loud releases their hold on us. Whatever “power” a thing has on us is because we allow it! The longer we contain “it” the stronger “its” power over us becomes. Setting it free, does not diminish or erase the “it” but it does allow us to see “it” as it truly is. Not our imagined perspective.
I have a friend that says, “Words matter.” He’s absolutely correct!
“Say what you mean. Mean what you say!” —Stephanie Lahart
Love, Loss and Longing. Autumn is a beautiful time of year, I’ve heard it said. For many years I have not fully appreciated the changing of the seasons. I have a dear friend who loves Autumn and it’s through her friendship that I too can see the beauty of this changing of the seasons, as it was meant to be…BEAUTIFUL! As a person who lives with depression, autumn had always meant a time of withdrawal. The days become shorter with more darkness than light, cooler weather causing a sensation of hibernation and even a sense of loss as the trees become bare and seemingly indefensible against the harsh weather that was to come. My view was limited and from a selfish viewpoint, there is much more to see if you change the vantage point. Life, all life has a cycle to it, sustainability and a natural order.
I wrote a poem years ago and it brings new meaning for me today. At the time of writing it, I had entered a new phase in my life and compared it to the changing of seasons. I dare say, I did not fully understand the depths of my words as clearly as I do today.
Autumn is a time for self-reflection, awareness, and mindfulness. There are seven symbolic meanings of the autumn equinox. *https://www.bustle.com/articles/185245-7-symbolic-meanings-of-autumn-that-remind-us-how-amazing-this-season-really-is
CHANGE
MYSTERY
PERSERVATION
PROTECTION
COMFORT
BALANCE
LETTING GO
Be open to the wonders of life and to its seasons.
Do not fear the ebb and flow, God is in control and He loves you completely.
This post has already become more lengthy than I had planned, I pray that a few morsels of knowledge and a blessing has been gained. And about those foolish things, well let me just say a big “Thank you!” to two amazing women in my life. Thank you for your boundless love of friendship that has continued through the years and traveled the distance that only separates us in body and never of spirit.
“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
~Peace~ ειρήνη~Charlotte
ειρήνη– “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below.
References:
https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
https://mailchi.mp/abbeyofthearts/
Seasons-Woven Magic: The International Library of Poetry (March 20, 2001) ISBN-13: 978-1582355573
HOPE SEEKER 
So sweet and honest…and relatable. 😊
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Thank you so much!!
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