Category: Joy

#Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, #Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Journal Writing, Joy, Loving Spirit, Ozarks, Poetry

Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck

shadowleavesonlakeann

This Sunday morning — It’s a cold winter day but morning sunshine gives way to my day. I reflect upon my reading in Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham, “That in every moment there is a new chance to begin again.”

That we can choose to make a new choice~ this is truly one of God’s greatest miracles which touches each & every one of us, every single day and with every breath we take! Blessed!

My writing today —

A Winter Morning
Blue skies and winter sunshine
moves me forward
as I sit here framed in light
bathed in morning warmth
as full glass windows hold out the cold
while also holding all of Lake Ann’s Bear Cove

a blanket of diamond sparkles lightup the waters
moving in quick-time across the lake — seemingly, forever moving towards me
in such a delightful dance
pulling me
straight up to
blue skies,
my spirit rises

and I standing bare,
stark and naked
pale, against a winter sunshine

if for only a moment
free . . .

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I awoke this morning way too early to take our new pups outside. Afterwards, I realized the time ~as it was only 3:00 a.m. ~so I decided to go back to bed and put Sweetie & Ginger back into their crate for another night-nap.

We woke back up at 7:00 a.m. ~ much better! It was about sunrise over the mountain ridge when I walked out onto the deck and we had daylight with cold air and a light snow that had fallen overnight.

My morning writing ~
Winter sunlight rises over my mountain ridge
Touching the horizon
Bear Hollow woodlands are tinged in soft white snows ~
Tops of green pines wear a new crown of white
Hickory and Oak tree branches now standing in white
With newly paved snowways running along boughs, forks and mighty sky branches
Warm vapors swirl,
Move and rise over Lake Ann waters
Skirting
Dancing
Swirling
Waltzing in movements of a Danube
Such a glorious sight
Only to last
A few gifted light-rays

My morning prayer reflections ~
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy” Romans 15:13

“In your presence is the fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11

How do I find God and the Joy He brings to our hearts? ~
~ It happens when I pray
~ when I am just being in His presence
~ when I am still and just enjoying being
~ when I can feel His presence surrounding me
~ when I’m aware of my breath and as it calms me I can reclaim my spirit
~ when I see His love in others
~ when I see God’s face in this world
~ when I walk in nature or hear music
~ when I remember the Holy Spirit does indeed dwell inside me
~ AND understand again and again that the Holy Spirit prays for me everyday!

Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God “

How to do we try to live everyday with God ?
~ Listen ~ ~sit in silence
Surround yourself ~ walk ~ in God’s beautiful world that He has made for us and that we are made to take care of ~

Love each other and see the good that is in others and in the world ~

LISTEN ~
L / Love
I / Intentional grace
S / Sit at the fountain
T / Tattered souls
E / Excavate the moment
N / Nature’s springwell

#Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, #Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Joy, Loving Spirit, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Grateful for This day ~

How do I even begin to describe this morning’s soft light and cold settling air?

My morning write ~ it is . . . . . .

light filtering softly

bounded by oak & hickory trees

chasing grey haze and mist rising

carrying the mighty earth upwards

the loft of cold air smelling like

freshly cooked apples and honey jam

with underneath tones of hot butter sizzles

Now, how do I hold on to this moment? … to carry it with me throughout my day and to remind me of the mighty love I know I too carry inside me each day!

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, Fall, Joy, Ozarks, Poetry

September Gold

shadowleavesonlakeann

*{shared with @dVerse Poetics Open Link}

Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold

First Phase — SKY

Sky blues
At an all time high
Blue, blue, blue
So blue ~ I could even fly

Second Phase — EARTH

many harvest colors
scratch the landscape ~
old brown hardwoods
new roadside reds
bright orange edges and
yellow sunshine golds

just simple stubble
on these ancient hills
sticking out —
like an old man growing
a brand new beard

orchards sit
on both sides of the road
plentiful red delicious apples
ready for picking and
offering apple cider makings

Third Phase — WATER

summer droughts
have parched the lands
and stilled rivers
but now
from around the bend
over and across the cove
moving down river
Cyrstal Springs and
Sugar Creek waters
begin to flow again

Fouth Phase — PEOPLE

framed by tree bridges
campfires and paddle boats
new campsites dug in
tents and trailers
fill every nook and cranny

fairy tales
fly out of story books
stories abound —
cane pole fishing and
catching rainbow trout
for iron skillet cooking

grandpa
tapping maple trees
for their sweet sugar sap
stirring up golden brown
home made country syrup

Fifth Phase — SPIRIT

And I . . .
watch each new sunrise
listen to the morning blue heron calls
pray for peace and some measured joy
then
with one step
walk out again
along these Ozark woodland trails
now through overgrown shores
waiting to hear the call to stay!

Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold

cropped-photo8.jpg

#Nature, Fall, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit, Ozarks

Sacred Gifts

shadowleavesonlakeann
photo (49)dairyhollowcow
Dairy Hollow House Writer’s Colony in Eureka Springs, AR – First Bed & Breakfast Inn

Once upon a hill
In the fresh Ozark mountain air
A Fall Arkansas rain lingers here
Damp on God’s sweet earth

Bowed bows encircle me
As I travel down Dairy Hollow Road
Transclucent green leaves
Make a large cathedral overhead
Forming arch after arch of perfect tree bridges

I look up to my sky and see
Only slivers of sunlight
Woodland trees and leaf shadows
Spin like stained-glass images

A raven flies solo
High above the hollow
Finding its roost along rock ledges
Clear Spring is mighty clear
No run here

Oh, dear God
You give us our day
Our sacred gifts
A treasured cove of earth and sky
All these wonders to behold

And even in my own meager wanderings
Each road I travel is framed and signed by you!

#Prayer, Family, Friendship, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit, Poetry

Live Bravely

shadowleavesonlakeann

 

photo (46) brave

Set yourself free
Let go of hurt
Knowing
You
Are a loving spirit

You are called
To live and to grow
To love others
To walk this life’s journey
With joy and happiness

You are still you
Accept who you are
Embrace your inner self
Change is a part of the journey
And let yourself be happy

You are a gift to others
Don’t loose years by
Focusing on the past
Or hurt or disappointments
Forgive yourself and others

Rise above what limits you
Step into your future
And live now
Today
With a happy heart

God is
And always will be
A part of who you are
He is with you
He walks with you side-by-side

You are truly never alone
Listen for the divine
You are indeed held by
His loving spirit
Always and forever