Gratitude | life: acoustic & amplified

Archive for the category “Gratitude”

My strength did not come from lifting weights. My strength came from lifting myself up when I was knocked down.
– Bob Moore

982b88fe874e0844edba82e2729557b8

If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. – Harriet Tubman

I woke with words from The Lord’s Prayer in my head. Over and over it came, in the form of a song, “Lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil”. It is my prayer today…all day. I am writing it, thinking about it, studying why it is in my head. It is an exciting prayer for me and one which, I believe, is grounded in my years of making mistakes, walking through brokenness and learning to have faith in this mystery, the LOVE which is so much more than I will ever understand in this life.

As I was thinking about these words this morning, I remember my prayer, many years ago now, for God to give me a REAL faith. If I was going to embrace this whole thing, I wanted to experience it. I wanted to know for sure it was for me and about me. I began to ask, seek and knock on purpose, but it was always one of those things that was somewhat conditional – IF it didn’t bring me what I wanted – if I didn’t really know for sure, even a nibble of doubt, I would say, ‘There is no God.” and walk away for something better. Easy, right?

For 22 years I lived in that ‘testing’ period where God became so much more, where Christ became my partner in life and where the Spirit of God moved and poured grace over me, slowly moving me from where I was into a place where I could no longer stand on the sidelines. I went through some devastating years. HARD stuff, and through it all God was there. Over the years of struggle God became real, intimate, more than I could ever hope, dream or understand. So, in October of 2011, when God came to me and asked me to commit or walk away, there was only one way I could respond. Only one thing I could do. I could only fall on my humble face say,’ YES, Lord, I know You. I am Yours. Not my will, Yours be done.”

I no longer need to ask for my faith to be real. It is real. A guy asked me one time if I project I was writing was “faith-based” to which I replied, “everything about my living is faith-based”. There is no division in my life any more. Commitment means ALL in. 100%. If there is even a hang nail that is not committed, then there is no commitment. It took me many years to learn this, I hope others are not such slow learners. haha

Soooo, here I stand, all in, singing a new song, “lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil. ooooo-o oooooo-o” and I say thank you, because I have received the promise that what I seek I will find, and I move through the day knowing grace is my path, because everything is grace.

and I read the words of those who encourage me to get back up when I fall, and the words of heroes like Harriet Tubman, “Keep Going. If you want freedom – keep going. Don’t ever stop!” and the daily words of Ann Voskamp, which always move me and break me open:

She wasn’t afraid of swimming in the deep end, way out of her comfort zone.

When you can’t touch bottom, you touch the depths of God.
– Ann Voskamp
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Posted in action, Adventure, attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Choice, courage, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Freedom, Glory, Gospel, grace, Gratitude, Life, receiving, soul and spirit, strength

14 Sep 2013

Praise Song for the Day

Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.

We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of someone and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,

picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.

Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,

praise song for walking forward in that light.

by Elizabeth Alexander
http://www.elizabethalexander.net/home.html

Posted in Adventure, attitude, awareness, beauty, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, Gratitude, Life, People, Poetry, Reflection, soul and spirit, thankfulness | Leave a comment

12 Sep 2013

1 Comment

my hero

I went to visit my sister, Nancy, yesterday evening at her home. On Tuesday she went through a 10 1/2 hour heart procedure. Much of the time she was awake. She was strapped down during this, and for 8 long hours afterward, as it was imperative that she didn’t move due to them going into her heart through both sides of her groin in both of her main arteries. Can you imagine?

My sister is a rock star! Not only does she look fantastic (you would truly never know she was one bit sick) but she has a huge sense of humor about it and the best attitude ever. I am so grateful for her example and, I know, if I ever experience anything like this, and as an aging human I probably will, I will make every effort to follow the example my sister has shown me. What an amazing and beautiful person she is. I am so grateful for her. So grateful for life and love and sisters.

Big thanks to all my readers for all the prayer, for the Doctors and staff who worked so long and hard, for her amazing husband, Richard, for loving her so much, and for family. I am truly blessed and so grateful to God for peace and rest during this time.

Having God in my life does not mean I will never have a problem, it does not mean that my life won’t be messy or that bad things won’t happen to me. My faith means that I have help during these times, that I can trust there is more going on than my small slice of the picture, that I don’t have to worry or be anxious, because I am able to trust that this life unfolds just as it should and there is always love enough to get me through the dark. That’s what makes all the difference to me. Peace in the storm – it’s the most amazing way to live and anyone can have this gift. Where ever I am, Jesus will still be there. Best thing ever? Love such as this is free to all who choose it. Good stuff, my friends, very good stuff.

Posted in attitude, beloved, Blessing, Choice, courage, find art at pinterest, Glory, grace, Gratitude, healing, inspiration, Love, Miracles, Prayer, Relationships, thankfulness

11 Sep 2013

writing a poem

I fit words together,
hoping they mean something.
Wanting them to make sense.
Allowing them emotion.
Willing to give them freely.
Creating a monument,
for a moment in time,
to share with the world.
These words become something tangible.
A thing,
a gift,
a piece of art.
A part of me,
stays with them.
Little pieces of me,
like shapes in a puzzle,
becoming
a picture,
a flower,
a song.
Small particles of my soul,
like a rose bud,
opening in my hand,
mesmerizes with it’s
beauty,
touch,
fragrance.
I write words on a page,
and feel love
spreading outward,
as the flowering happens,
as this thought blooms.
As words become thoughts about…
As the pieces become beautiful…
As the poem is born,
of water,
blood,
star dust
and becomes…
a small piece of me,
left behind on pages,
for others to find,
sharing a small moment,
never to be lost,
because it has been
recorded,
acknowledged,
emptied.
Gratitude makes room for new
miracles,
learning,
beauty,
as they find their new home
ready,
emptied,
expectant.
Waiting for more
truth,
goodness,
love,
to flow and enter in.
There is always more,
and more than enough.
The heart that gives gathers,
but never tries to hold anything hostage.
Love,
giving,
pretty much everything,
about life,
only works when we allow it,
all of it,
every sacred cow,
every spec of mud,
to be free.

AL 9/10/13

Posted in action, Adventure, attitude, awareness, courage, create, find art at pinterest, Freedom, giving, Gratitude, Letting Go, Life, Love, Miracles, mystery, Poetry, receiving, soul and spirit, Stars and Moonlight, words, Writing | Leave a comment

08 Sep 2013

changing grace

this was the reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little you may know me better there.
– Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia)
– C S Lewis

I recently read the book Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander http://www.lifebeyonddeath.net/ and enjoyed it so much, I also related to much of it, not because I have had a return from death experience, but because I have met and talked to God in some unusual places over these past years and have had glimpses of God and mystery which have changed me, and opened me, forever.

We are brought to these places so that we may know God, just a little, better here in this broken world. We are given glimpses, shaded bits of glory, the pieces we are ready to receive, come to us, changing our lives forever, as we attempt to absorb the brilliance, so far beyond our human understanding. As Ann Voskamp says, ‘We can have as much God as we want in this life’. I believe that is true. We are given a guarantee that what we ask for and seek will be opened to us.

We grapple and try, to open our minds ever wider. We try to share, in ways we are able, this new understanding, this life changing knowledge, knowing how difficult it is to understand. We could never have understood these things happening before we went through them for ourselves, yet we also know it is too important to keep to ourselves, and we understand that, IF we, who are just ordinary people, have experienced these earth shattering moments, (and we cannot deny we have) then it is possible for others as well.

And so, we try. We put it into inadequate words and we share it however we are called, this unexpected knowledge we have been given, even as we are just a bit embarrassed at the position it puts us in. Sometimes it seems like it was a little simpler before these revelations. Yet it is also the best gift we have ever experienced and we just want others to know, to share it, to open to amazing grace. As Anne LaMotte says, ‘God’s grace comes to us right where we are, but never leaves us there’. Slowly, gloriously we are changed into glory ourselves.

When we find fellow travelers, who have experienced similar things, it is rare, joyous and wonderful to share. It gives us strength, hope and allows us to open ourselves to even more of the unlimited possibilities which are ever present and possible as we move through this place and into the place where we are so intimately known and connected.

I am so grateful for Dr. Alexander sharing his story and I am grateful I was able to read it and relate to such an un-understandable mystery and unconditional LOVE – which is our creator.

Posted in Adventure, awareness, Change, Faith, find art at pinterest, Glory, Gratitude | Leave a comment

05 Sep 2013

completeing the gift cycle…how to change the world

Yesterday my post was how to find your life. The quote I used was, “You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” I believe it is true, yet all day as I looked at that quote, I realized it was just one side of this thing called a gift. Giving feels great! We all want to be in a position to give. It has been proven through research, that even watching someone give makes us feel good. Yet, many of us don’t think about the other part of the cycle of giving is receiving a gift from someone who you can never repay. The part of receiving is for losers, homeless people who should be grateful if we give them our change, people down-on-their-luck (which we never intend to be), etc. Receiving has become a dirty word. We all claim we want to help heal others, yet, being needy is not part of the equation for most of us. We don’t need anything, or anyone. WE are better than that. We are the givers, don’t ya know. How then will we receive God’s grace?

This past year has been a learning experience for me in both these valuable lessons in the ‘gift-cycle”.

I found a really important quote about giving, a few years ago, which has allowed me to complete this very important circle.

By giving we heal ourselves. By receiving we heal others. – Unknown

Both parts of this are extremely important and, if we are going to change the world, must be understood. This is not about mistreating, manipulating, holding something over someone’s head, or taking advantage of others. This is a lesson in the value of the human soul and equality. Every soul, every person, every creature, every piece of creation is a part of God and in so being, has the same value. We are all beloved, and we must treat each other and help each other from that place of recognition. This is why Christ told his disciples to go out ‘without any money or clothes’ – you can tell a whole lot about a person by the way they give, and by the way they receive.

Most of us are good at giving in some respects, we are not as good at receiving, especially as proud Americans. We want to be the givers, we want to be what we think is the most important part of giving – feeling good, and healing, ourselves. We are proud of ourselves that we give so much charity to others. What about humility? Not really a part of our country, or our citizens any more. What we fail to think of is the other person and the value for them in feeling good, and for their healing, as well. We are especially reluctant in receiving what cannot be repaid. Mostly we don’t want feel vulnerable and we don’t want to be in debt to anyone, I understand this, probably more than most, and what I have come to believe is, so many people have used gifts in the wrong way, it has skewed the truth. All of that is because of insecurity. People manipulate and misuse power because they don’t realize their own intrinsic value. We must see ourselves as we truly are – loved beyond measure, in our imperfect state chosen, created by the creator for good works. and then we must share this same gift to each person we meet. We are all needy, so we must also receive this same gift from everyone we meet. This full gift-cycle will change the world. Grace is everything and everything is grace!

Lovely, lovely to give and to receive. I am healed by these truths. I am healed by giving to you and also by allowing your healing. How cool is that!

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Beliefs, Faith, find art at pinterest, giving, grace, Gratitude, healing, Love, receiving | Leave a comment

04 Sep 2013

how to find your life

What you cling to is not household goods,
that’s not likely what you need to let go of.

What you carry is not the silver cross, stylish,
matching your outfit, fitting well with your life already.

Not the wooden one, stained with blood and drama,
not the annoyance, the “cross to bear.”

No: enter the suffering of the world;
bear it one person at a time.

Accept the weight of powerlessness, and its power;
surrender your own way that you want to get.

Let the potter reshape you
into a form not of your choosing,

a life that’s not yours,
a struggle not for you to win.

What you let go of may seem as life itself.
Let the new life be given to you.

The little cry of grief
is the weight of the hand on the clay.

__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net

New Newsletter Issue at Songs From the Valley

http://songsfromthevalley.com/

Posted in awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Faith, find art at pinterest, Glory, Gospel, grace, Gratitude, Letting Go, Life, Losing, mystery, power | Leave a comment

30 Aug 2013

in my mind…have a lovely holiday weekend

http://youtu.be/gEusOoPpkEE

Posted in Adventure, attitude, awareness, beauty, Change, Choice, Dreams, find art at pinterest, Freedom, Gratitude, Happy Holiday!, inspiration, Letting Go, Life, Love, nature, Thoughts | Leave a comment

29 Aug 2013

2 Comments

a little help from my friends

The Celtic understanding of friendship finds its inspiration and culmination in the sublime notion of the anam cara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul; cara is the word for friend. The anam cara was a person to whom you could reveal the hidden intimacies of your life. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an anam cara, your friendship cut across all convention and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the friend of your soul.
– John O’Donohue