Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and mother’—this is the first commandment with a promise: ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
— Ephesians 6:1-3 NRSVA —

Every time I hear this song, my thoughts quickly give way to images, words and emotions I experienced with my mom. Most of us would agree that our mothers were the greatest, and I agree wholeheartedly. I fully trust in the power and promises of God and that he specifically gave me my mom as a gift. We had a great connection as most daughters do, she was always my biggest fan, my great supporter, and a source of great strength, endurance and a caring soul. Today, is a day of remembering for me and my family, it has been 9 years since God called my mom home. She is missed every single day, I am sad some days still, but mostly I’m just thankful I was blessed to call her my mom and my friend. A lot of my maturity came to fruition only after she had passed. I know it was because of her teaching, her love, her constant determination, powerful patience and lots of prayers that I have success in my life now. I do wish, dare hope, she is able to know these successes were possible because she set such a high moral standard for me to follow.

This is not a sad day but a day to celebrate the life of a wonderful woman, daughter, aunt, cousin, sister, wife, mother, friend and a beautiful child of God.

Take time to tell something just how special they are to you on this day. Be thankful for opportunities to share life, love and laughter.

I love and miss you, mom ❤️

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” — Exodus 29:12

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” — Colossians 3:20

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

Saturday, May 29th, 2021

Hello friends —

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Weekend! 🇺🇸 🎉❤️

I heard a song on the radio yesterday during my drive into work, it’s called “The Bargain Store” written and performed by Dolly Pardon. It touched my soul, I am so very thankful for all the blessings I have received from God. I have loved. I have lost. I have learned from both and healing has occurred through it all. Earlier this week, I ended up in a conversation with two friends discussing and solving the world’s problems, you know like most women do! We covered a wide range of topics, in a relatively short period of time. We talked about dating, hair color, should one color ones hair (?), dating sites and places we would like to live. HaHa!! The whole of the conversation came down to…be yourself, live your life and respect others. There’s a lot of crazy things going on in the world these days that I find difficult to understand or even rationalize; however, I don’t have to agree with someone in order to respect their choices. Being respectful does not preclude me from living my life on my terms with my beliefs and passions. My life does not need or require me to align myself with someone else’s choices.

“Daily, God opens my eyes, heart and ears to the beauty of the humanity and the devil vows for equal time showing the horrors of humanity.” ~ Me 😉

RESPECT: due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.

I recently responded to a newsletter question at work regarding the Question of the Month. “If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?” Here’s my response…

I came to that answer because I have been binge watching, “Midsomer Murders” a British crime drama television series, adapted by Anthony Horowitz from the novels in the Chief Inspector Barnaby book series created by Caroline Graham.

With the increase of people getting vaccinated and with some of the COVID restrictions being lifted, I want to be around people. I would even like to entertain the idea of dating in some small way. I am not looking for anyone to complete me, I am complete. I would enjoy sharing life with someone, enjoy conversations with someone, someone to laugh and even cry with, listen to music with or watch movies. Whether or not any of these things happen, I will be ok, because I have God, friends and family. Call me old-fashion, but I still believe in love at first sight, I believe in the chance meeting and I believe all things are possible.

I hope you like this song “Bargain Store.”

Thankful, Grateful and Hopeful

I’m thankful for the past,

Thankful for everyone who loved me, supported me and forgave me.

I’m grateful for the present,

Grateful for life’s lessens, for love freely given, for second chances and forgiveness.

I’m hopeful for the future…whatever may come.

Hopeful that love will bloom again, seeking peace, mutual respect and unity with all people.

~ Charlotte Robinson ©️

05/29/2021 at 4:22am

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

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

Hello friends—- I have missed you! I spend the afternoon in a favorite nature park of mine and it resulted in a peaceful reflection. Below is my newest poem along with a video of the beautiful surroundings. I wish you all happiness and good health. I so appreciate your support and ask for God’s blessing for you all! ~ Peace 🌻

Sacred Things

The sights and sounds of nature

God speaks in the sounds of birds singing

His spirit is felt in the cool breeze

His presence is all around

As the sun warms my skin

And the breeze is feels like a human embrace

The plant life is alive and flourishing

Blades of grass push through the earth, seeking the sun

Trees are budding, leaves are sprouting freely they protect and comfort

Nature speaks through all the seasons of life

Spring, summer, autumn and winter

Conception, birth, living and dying

God is never far away

God the Father,

God the Son,

God the Holy Spirit.

Who was…

Who is…

Who will always be.

The beginning and the end.

The great I AM!

— C. A. Robinson ©️

May 12th, 2021

Time: 1642

Place: Sodalis Nature Park

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

Friday, April 9th, 2021

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
— Psalm 118:24 (NRSVA) —

It was a beautiful day here in Indiana! The sky was a hue of baby blue with a northeasterly breeze, gently tossing the tree branches to and fro. The tree buds are sprouting their leaves as if welcoming a new day in God’s created world. As I was driving through the towns I saw the softball and baseball fields prepped for play, my mind was filled with echoing voices, chants and cheers of my youth. My drive took me through a few specific towns where I once played softball on their fields, many of which have been abandoned, although I could still recognize where they had once been and I smiled! As I was taking all of this in; my thoughts took me back to the people who had a huge impact in building my character, my moral compass and encouraged my abilities to play the beloved game of softball. When I played the game it felt like freedom, confidence, innocence and joy all wrapped up together. ⚾️🎁🥎

There are four distinct people who helped mold me into the person I am today. The first two are my parents. They have always been my biggest fans. My mom was relentless in her support of my love of the game of softball. She never missed a game that I played in, I would often play 3 or 4 nights a week, spanning across multiple counties. My dad, would play catch with me for hours, helping me improve my pitching and catching techniques. He was creative in finding ways to help me gain confidence and accuracy. When I was growing up, a market for training devices was not what it is now, no auto pitching/throwing devices…to aid me in accuracy of pitching. My dad placed a car tire on the side of our garage at an average height and strike zone. I would have a bucket of balls and try to pitching the ball through the opening of the tire, once I was out of balls I would retrieve them and do it all over again. When it came to batting, he would pitch a bucket of balls then after hitting them all, we retrieved them and repeated the process. My brother played baseball also for a few years and my parents did the same for him, my brother and I were truly blessed.

Patches for making the All-Stars Team 3 years in a row.

The remaining two individuals were coaches, they encouraged me to play hard, to play fair and to always do my best. They both knew the game inside and out, they taught me more about life than anything else. I feel so thankful that God placed these two wonderful men in my life. As my life went on in different directions, I did lose contact with them but their memories are fresh in my mind. One of them I knew when I was barely a teenager and he recruited me to play on his team, which was primarily older teenagers. He was very inspirational to me because he his ability to coach and teach was boundless although he himself was confined to a wheelchair. I’ll admit, my ego grew because he was so complimentary of my skill level and my ability to play with others more my senior but he never gave out accolades that were undeserving. I was fortunate that my parents encouraged my love of the game, I started playing on an organized team at the age of five. I continued playing community organized softball well into my mid-thirties, three decades of doing something that set me free. The second coach also recruited me after seeing me play in a tournament, I was in high school and the team he coached was a women’s team, much older adults but my parents agreed to let me play. It was a great experience and I appreciated not being treated like a kid, more of an equal as far as playing the game. It felt like freedom to me. This coach and I had a unique friendship and we drifted apart when I went off to college and we both began pursued our dreams. A couple of years after college life brought us back together. We reconnected and started dating, he eventually proposed and it seemed to be almost perfect. We were such good friends, he had a heart of gold and we did love each other but I was scared, and loving someone is not the same as being “in love.” I was young still in my mid-twenties and I was not ready to be a wife and everything that comes with that role. We wished each other well and continued our own personal pursuits in life. I heard that he had married and that made my heart happy. Years later while visiting with my parents I thought I would look him up, I was very saddened to learn he had passed away. He made a huge impact on my life, he had a great smile and a warm laugh.

“A joyful heart is a good medicine.”
— Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) —

Pure joy, are there things in your life that elicit such overwhelming emotions? As I mentioned above, when I think about when played softball or even practiced the game, I experience a sensation of freedom, confidence, innocence and joy. I have other memories that touch upon these emotions but not all of them at the same time. Softball, as wonderful as I have described it ranks only third on my list of “best things” ever. Number one is my relationship with God, all the blessings I have received in my life and most importantly, my salvation. Number two, my mom, she has been an inspiration to me from an early age, though I did not fully appreciate or full grasp the magnitude of her influence until she had passed in 2012. I carry her in my heart every day.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my blog today. ~ Peace to you today and always ~

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

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/esv/proverbs/

Resurrection Sunday, April 4th, 2021

Hi friends— I just wanted to share some music with you as you celebrate this beautiful Easter Day. 💛🌿🌼✝️

Happy Easter everyone~Sending love to you 💛🙏🏻

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

Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2021

🌷🌿🌱🌼🌺🌼🌸🌿🌱🌼🌺🌻🌸🌿🌱🌷

Hallelujah ~ Amen ~ Christ Is Risen

🌷🌿🌱🌼🌺🌼🌸🌿🌱🌼🌺🌻🌸🌿🌱🌷

Dear friends and family—

What an incredible Lenten journey this has been for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the writings of Henri Nouwen and I’ve learned some new things along the way. Show Me The Way, is more than a title to a really good devotional book but is indeed a prayer for every day. Each and every day I need guidance, let’s face it life is challenging to say the least. One of the most valuable lessons I learned through this season of Lent is that “But mortification — literally, “making death” — is what life is all about, a slow discovery of the mortality of all that is created so that we can appreciate its beauty without clinging to it as if it were a lasting possession.” (1).

The scriptures indeed were written many years ago, much still remains for us to glean. “The Easter story brings the awareness that God is present even when his presence is not directly noticed. Easter season is a time of Hope. There is still fear, there still is a painful awareness of sinfulness, but there also is light bearing through. Something new is happening, something that goes beyond the changing moods of our life. We can be joyful or sad, optimistic or pessimistic, tranquil or angry, but the solid stream of God’s presence moves deeper than the small waves of our minds and hearts. Easter brings the GOOD NEWS, that although things seem to get worse in the world, the Evil One has already been overcome.”(2).

‘Jesus says, “I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.” — John 16:33 NJB

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples…’” — Mark 16:5-7 NIV

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” — John 11:25 NIV

Thank you so much for being a part of my Lenten journey. Your support and encouragement has warmed my heart. Thank you for the beautiful comments as well. May God bless you and keep you —

🌀💠🌀💠🌀💠🌀💠🌀💠🌀💠🌀💠🌀

Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:

~ Presence ~ Easter Sunday

Reach out to someone in your church or neighborhood who could use a call or visit. This might include an elderly church member, a stay at home parent, someone who has recently lost their job, or someone grieving.

💠🔹💠🔹💠🔹💠🔹💠🔹💠🔹💠🔹💠

REFLECT ~

🔹 What Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practices have been meaningful for you?

🔹 How can you incorporate them into your daily life now that Lent is over?

🔹 How have you been changed by engaging with these practices over the last six and a half weeks?

🌟 Prayer ✨

Almighty , everlasting God,

on this day

you conquered death through your son

and opened for us the path to eternal life.

And so we celebrate in joy

the feast of his resurrection.

Make us new through your Spirit,

so that we too may rise

and walk in the light of life.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

— Amen

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

References:

Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing 

(1) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 136, paragraph 2.

(2) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 139, paragraph 5.

https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/a-prayer-for-resurrection-day-and-25-scriptures-to-remind-us-he-has-risen.html

https://biblehub.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

(NIV) New International Version Bible/Translation 

(NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha 

(NJBV) New Jerusalem Bible Version/Translation

Saturday, April 3rd, 2021

Friends, here we are nearing the end of our Lenten journey, it sure feels like time has flown by.

When we think of the life of Jesus, it is widely accepted that he began his ministry around the age of 30 and was crucified at approximately age 33. Most would agree that is still very young. Jesus knew that he would endure death as God’s plan for the our reconciliation with him. Jesus knew that death was not the end, he came to reveal life to us, so certainly there must be hope beyond death. Henri Nouwen writes this, and so beautifully, “If the God who revealed life to us, and whose only desire is to bring us to life, loved us so much that he wanted to experience with us the total absurdity of death, then — yes, then there must be hope; then there must be something more than death; then there must be a promise that is not fulfilled in our short existence in this world; then leaving behind the ones you love, the flowers and the trees, the mountains and the oceans, the beauty of art and music, and all the exuberant gifts of life cannot be just the destruction and cruel ending of all things; then indeed we have to wait for the third day.”(1).

🤔THE MEANING OF LIFE 🧐

Honestly, I can’t give you an answer to this age old question, it is something we all must answer for ourselves. But, I will indeed share some of Nouwen’s insight; coincidentally; I was able to find answers I have been seeking for a very long time about the meaning of life, from Nouwen’s writings. He talks about “mortification” and its literal meaning: “making death” — this is what life is all about. The meaning of life, is death? I was somewhat puzzled too, here’s what Nouwen writes, “But mortification — literally, “making death” — is what life is all about, a slow discovery of the mortality of all that is created so that we can appreciate its beauty without clinging to it as if it were a lasting possession. Our lives can indeed be seen as a process of becoming familiar with death, as a school in the art of dying. I do not mean in a morbid way. On the contrary, when we see life constantly relativized by death, we can enjoy it for what it is: a free gift. The pictures, letters, and books of the past reveal life to us in a constant saying of farewell to beautiful places, good people, and wonderful experiences.” (2).

In my life, I love looking at photos and remember “the good ole days.” I recall how active I once was, energetic and flexible; I am reminded now that I need to be careful climbing ladders and stretching beyond my reach. I remember the embrace of my mother’s arms around me, I remember all the great food my grandmother cooked, I remember the love shared with friends and family especially at holidays… Life is indeed short, no matter the age or time we are called home.

These times have passed by like friendly visitors, leaving behind dear memories but also the reality of the shortness of life. “In every arrival there is a leave-taking; in every reunion there is a separation; in each one’s growing up is a growing old; in every smile there is a tear; and in every success there is a loss. All living is dying and all celebrations is mortification too.”(3).

— Psalm 90:10 —

“The span of our life is seventy years — eighty for those who are strong — but their whole extent is anxiety and trouble, they are over in a moment and we are gone.”

— James 4:14 —

“You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears.”

✝️💟✝️💟✝️💟✝️💟✝️💟✝️💟✝️💟✝️

Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:

~ Prayer Walk ~ Day 40 👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

Walk around your neighborhood and pray for what you see, hear, touch, and smell.

🙏🏻 Prayer 🙏🏻

I call to you, Yahweh, all day.

I stretch out my hands to you.

Do you work wonders for the dead,

can shadows rise up to praise you?

Do they speak in the grave of your faithful love,

of your constancy in the place of perdition?

Are your wonders known in the darkness,

your saving justice in the land of oblivion?

But, for my part, I cry to you, Yahweh,

every morning my prayer comes before you.

— Psalm 88:9-13

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

References:

Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing 

(1) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishi

(2) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 136, paragraph 2.

(3) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 137, paragraph 1.

https://biblehub.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

(NIV) New International Version Bible/Translation 

(NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha 

(NJBV) New Jerusalem Bible Version/Translation

Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021

Dear friends —

Today, we observe “Good Friday,” it commemorates, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. This day we recall the suffering that Jesus endured. The enormous agony of Jesus’ Mother, watching her son beaten, tortured, mocked and nailed to a cross. His disciples were so terrified and scared that they could not even stand with Jesus at the cross or stand with Jesus, mother for comfort and support.

If we had been there, what would we have done?

Unlike those who were there on that day, that Friday so many years ago, it was a sad and sorrowful Friday. We have the privilege of knowing “the rest of the story” of Jesus’ victory over death. It’s can be so easy to rush through Good Friday and the Saturday which follows and RUSH right into Easter Sunday…please, I beg you do not rush Jesus’ suffering: and I strongly suggest that we be intentional about remembering the debt that was paid for our salvation. Can you hear the voice of Jesus crying out? … “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

— Matthew 27:46 —

“And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

— Mark 15:34 —

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

Photo Credit: IMDb

The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Photo Gallery – IMDb

The crucifixion cross that was meant for horror, shame, ridicule and cruelty; their plan failed, the crucifixion cross become the Cross of Hope for all who believe and place their trust in Jesus Christ. Our Rock and our Redeemer.

The Cross of Hope

“The cross of horror became the cross of Hope, the tortured body became the body that gives new life; the gaping wounds became the source of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation” — Henri Nouwen

🔘IT’S FRIDAY BUT SUNDAY’S COMING🔘

🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳

Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:

~ Practice Grace ~ Day 39 ~ Good Friday

Practice grace in everything you do today. Extend some to your family if they irate you, to the slow people in your checkout line, or to the cars that pull out in front of you. Notice where you need grace extended to you, too.

✝️ Prayer ✝️

O dear Lord, what can I say to you?

Is there any word that could come from my mouth,

any thought? any sentence?

You died for me, you gave all for my sins,

you not only became man for me

but also suffered the cruel death for me.

Is there any response?

I wish that I could find a fitting response,

but contemplating your Holy Passion and Death

I can only confess humbly to you

that the immensity of your divine love

makes any response seem totally inadequate.

Let me just stand and look at you.

Your body is broken, your head wounded,

your hands and feet are split open by nails,

your side is pierced.

Your dead body now rests in the arms of your Mother.

It is all over now. It is finished.

It is fulfilled. It is accomplished.

Sweet Lord, gracious Lord,

generous Lord, forgiving Lord,

I adore you, I praise you, I thank you.

You have made all things new

through your passion and death.

Your cross has been planted in this world

as a new sign of hope.

Let me always live under your cross, O Lord,

and proclaim the hope of your cross unceasingly.

~ Amen

Thank you for stopping by my blog space today, I appreciate your support. Blessings to you on this Good Friday.

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

References:

Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing 

(1) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 134paragraph 2.

https://biblehub.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

(NIV) New International Version Bible/Translation 

(NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha 

(NJBV) New Jerusalem Bible Version/Translation

Maundy Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Greetings to you in this Holy Maundy Thursday —

Today we commemorate and remember two very important acts; Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and Jesus presenting his body and blood as food and drink. I have participated in hand washing on Maundy Thursday services and have shared in the Eucharist. In both of these acts that Jesus performed, he was showing us how to love others as fully as he loves us. Jesus gives us the same command in both acts: after washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus says, “I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done for you” (John 13:15). And after, (Jesus) giving of himself as food and drink says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19).

Nouwen, writes, “Jesus calls us to continue his mission of revealing the perfect love of God in this world. He calls us to total self-giving. He does not want us to keep anything for ourselves. Rather, he wants our love to be as full, as radical, and as complete as his own. He wants us to bend ourselves to the ground and touch the places in each other that most need washing. He (Jesus), wants us to become one body and one spirit, united by the love of God.”(1).

Friends, as we approach Maundy Thursday and prepare for Good Friday let us not quickly pass over the parts of Jesus’ Passion story and jump to Sunday. Because it is important to reflect, even sense the enormity of what Jesus endured and the loneliness he felt and what God, himself felt when the world he created. rejected his one and only son, Jesus Christ. Imagine Mary, helpless to comfort her son, in a way that only a mother’s touch can do. Indeed friend, it’s Thursday; but Sunday is coming! Hallelujah!

🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲🔳🔲

Lenten M•I•C•R•O Practice for today:

~ Support ~ Day 38 ~ Maundy Thursday

Support a local school or teacher with a note, goodie, or supplies. You can go to donorchoose.org to support specific school projects.

🔹 Prayer 🔹

Almighty, everlasting God,

on the evening before he suffered

your beloved son entrusted to the Church

the sacrifice of the new and eternal covenant

and founded the banquet of his love.

Grant that from this mystery

we may receive the fullness of life and love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

~ Amen

Thank you for visiting my blog today, looking forward to sharing with you tomorrow. 💜🙏🏻

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

References:

Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing 

(1) Show Me The Way — Henri J.M.Nouwen • 1992 The Crossroad Publishing • Page 130, 131, paragraph 2, 1 respectively.

https://biblehub.com/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

(NIV) New International Version Bible/Translation 

(NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha 

(NJBV) New Jerusalem Bible Version/Translation