December 20th, 2022

THE STORY BLANKET

When I look at my life I can see God’s hand throughout it. I see life as a tapestry, the weaving of lives, experiences, hopes and dreams. When we live by faith, often we can’t see where our paths will take us in life. If we allow ourselves the opportunities to sit with our thoughts and memories, to gaze at the roads we have traveled, patterns can emerge. I see a vast array of colors, patterns and textures of my life so far. I see the sprouting of friendships as they grow and blossom, even through the changes of seasons. I have had times of drought, fatigue and restlessness. I have experienced joy beyond measure, the kind that cannot be contained only felt.

I recently read a story called, “the story blanket,” after I read it, embers within me began to spark and this post was created.

I thought of the Bible story of Joseph and the robe his father had made specifically for him. This was an ornate robe made of many colors. I just guessing here, but I believe that robe was made of cloth that had been part of the family, it had traveled with them and was part of the family. A tapestry of the family’s life and experiences. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.” —Genesis 37:3 (NKJV)

Click this link to view different bible translation of Genesis 37:3 https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-3.htm

Then, my thoughts took me to story of the birth of Jesus, in Luke 2:12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (NKJV)

Depending upon which translation you read, the word “swaddling” is also referred to as strips of cloth or bands of cloth. One thing I am certain of, the cloths were a tapestry all it’s own. And, now these simple strips of cloth…are the clothes of a King! Click this link to view different bible translation of Luke 2:12, https://biblehub.com/luke/2-12.htm

Lastly, I wanted to share my “blanket story” it is a blanket my aunt and cousin had made for me. It contains clothing my mom had worn to work and around the house. When I look at it I see more than a blanket, it’s a story of my mom. A tapestry of woven common cloths that I had previously seen my mom wearing. What a priceless gift given out of love. My mom passed away over ten years ago but she lives on in my memories and in every beat of my heart. She carried me, taught me, supported me, worried over me, and congratulated me on every success. She was my cheerleader in life and these memories as well as my blanket keep me warm and protected. My mom was a gift, God knew I needed her wisdom to prepare me for life.

When I scan other skies 

for signs of hope,

and when I walk other paths

with a longing for home,

God of the exile, 

lead me back

through my own door.


Tell me

my forgotten stories,

feed me

the words I have given away,

and draw my gaze

from the far horizon 

that I may see the lights

in my own sky.

- Jan Richardson 

Friends, thank you for visiting my blog today. Thank you for you patience as my posts are bit behind. I love sharing stories with you and I am so very thankful for you support and encouragement. May the PEACE of God surround you always~

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

I highly recommend listening to the story.

Elijah: a Pivotal Character

Elijah’s life and experiences metaphorically point to what God has done, is doing, and will do later in the story.

Elijah: a Pivotal Character

ADVENT LOVE: FROM DEFEND TO DIGNIFY

LOVE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN HONORING ONE ANOTHER(Tuesday, December 20th) Defend: to drive danger or attack away from; to maintain or support in the …

ADVENT LOVE: FROM DEFEND TO DIGNIFY

December 19, 2022

KNEADING HOPE • NEEDING HOPE

Have ever just needed a good massage? This past week I’ve suffered from headaches and a neck massage would have been so welcomed. My energy level has also been low so I didn’t even feel like treating myself to a relaxing bath of eucalyptus and lavender. I believe good self-care is very important, we should listen to our bodies because they do speak to us. The older I get, my body at times will even “yell” at me so I should pay more attention to what it is telling me. I guess in a way, I was needing hope for rest and recovery from my body aches. I indeed received hope, I had a friend praying for me and I made rest a priority for myself. No matter the calamities life throws at us, when we need hope, we find our HOPE is always in God!

“Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob,whose hope is in the Lord his God.”

—Psalm 146:5—

Our bodies carry scars

not visible to the naked eye.

but they are there,

telling the stories

our lips hesitate to utter

of how we settled for less

than you longed for us

to know.


We hunger for the touch

that reminds us

we are in your image,

and we ache

for the tender knowing 

that hallows flesh

and soul,

that honors the sacredness

of skin

and reminds us

we are whole. 

- Jan Richardson 

Romans 12:1-21

A Living Sacrifice

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 

5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 

7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 

8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

KNEADING HOPE

You contemplate the depths of your soul being kneaded by grace, like dough being kneaded into bread. Your soul is now a malleable lump kneaded by the hands of God. You see our soul being worked on, passing through His fingers…. All you see is His hand, as we see it in certain icons, emerging from a cloud in order to bless the saint standing below it. And now you are standing next to God, watching His hand as it kneads your soul.

— Archimandrite Aimilianos

To learn more about Archimandrite Aimilianos, click this link: https://orthodoxwiki.orgAimilianos_(Vafeidis)#:~:text=The%20Elder%20Archimandrite%20Aimilianos%20(Vafeidis,career%20as%20a%20foreign%20missionary.

Click here to read a blog I discovered called, “Needing God’s Kneading” https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/prayingintherain/2015/05/on-needing-gods-kneading/

Thanks for visiting, my heart is full 💟!

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.146.5&version=RSV

Ps.146 Verses 5 to 5