Wednesday 8/11/10 - "HOLDING "ALL" IN OUR HANDS"

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


"HOLDING "ALL" IN OUR HANDS"

Prayer Girl
(Photo credits:
Delicate Starfish by Tara Carollo - Kodak picture of the day
A world in her hands by marthig@deviantart.com
In her hands by passion fruit@deviantart.com
Prayer
Sea Fig View by Feather 3 (2))

P.S.
"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received." - Albert Einstein

Tuesday 8/10/10 - "THE OLD WATERING CAN" - A Magpie Tale

A MAGPIE TALE

"THE OLD WATERING CAN"

The atmosphere became steamier and more sultry with every raindrop that fell. The once brilliant sun lay behind the dark moisture-laden sky. The growling dog days of August had arrived in force.

It sat in isolation on the wall that led down into gardens of the old, but well loved estate. It had been there untouched for several months. Leaves were reaching under and through the handle where loving hands had not long ago grasped it. It felt thirsty for the clear, fresh water that normally filled it to the brim.

The summertime rains had replaced the need it served. The foliage was growing lush without it. Where once it had shone with a vibrant green coat, it now lay in dull and dirty attire. It longed for attention. It waited.

On a particularly humid day near the end of August, the eleven year old granddaughter of the owner of the property came to visit her grandmother. Between showers she played games alone in the upper gardens. She spent hours acting out stories she had read by playing several characters herself. After several days exploring the grounds she came upon the stairs that led to the lower gardens. As she approached the steps her attention was caught by an old watering can.

Her name was Claire and she was sensitive and intuitive by nature. She was an only child with few friends, but delighted in the company of nature, history and her own imagination. She loved heirlooms and the stories they carried within them. The old can seemed to scream out her name and her solitary play came to a stop. She reached out.

As her hand touched the surface she was overcome with a sudden deluge of emotions and thoughts. Indescribable love, feelings of limitlessness, grace, nostalgia and an overwhelming feeling of deja vu washed over her. As she brought the watering can to her side she found herself in another of her make believe story games. However this time she saw the other characters. There was her great-great-grandmother whose picture she had seen in the hallway of her grandmother's house and next to her were her three children. What was happening? Claire began to run clutching the lovely watering can to her chest.

Forty years later she was watering her garden with her beloved heirloom and they felt peace, happiness, contentment.

Prayer Girl

Sunday 8/8/10 - "FAITH REALIZED"

SUNDAY 160


"FAITH REALIZED"

Hebrews 11:1-2
"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen."

I BELIEVE:
God loves me
I'm never alone
All will be well

Amen!




Prayer Girl

(Photo credits:
Bible by delbarital@deviantart.com
Holy Bible by chymere@deviantart.com)

Sunday 160 is hosted by Monkey Man.

Saturday 8/7/10 - "BLUES AND BROWNS"

SIX WORD SATURDAY


"BLUES AND BROWNS"

THEME OF

BLUES, BROWNS

BEAUTY

BECKONS

Prayer Girl

(Photo credits:
Traces of the Years by Mustafa Kizilcay - Kodak picture of the day
Christ Church Priory by CS Photos UK@deviantart.com
Bass Harbor Light by Michael Blanchette - Kodak picture of the day
Beside the Still Waters by ambassadorsnare@deviantart.com
Point of Ayr Sunrise by Bob Jones - Kodak picture of the day)

Friday 8/6/10 - "TREE HOUSE" - a 55

FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55

"TREE HOUSE"

She lived alone in her precious tree house tucked deep in the forest. She arose to sunbeams peeking through lacy, wispy curtains. She meditated to chirping birds and the rustling of squirrels. Mornings were spent gathering berries for picnics on the grass by her quiet peaceful home.

In her heart and spirit, it was real.


Prayer Girl

(Photo credit: Summer Home by beanhugger@deviantart.com)

Flash Fiction Friday is hosted by G-Man.

Thursday 8/5/10 - "AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END"

"AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END"

On July 5, 1985, I passed out as I took my very last drink of alcohol. When I woke up on July 6 I finally surrendered totally to the fact that I was powerless over alcohol and it was the BEGINNING of sobriety for me. At that time, I knew I was "POWERLESS OVER "EVERYTHING" in my life. I was unable to work, enjoy any leisure activities, be a proper mother to my children, decent wife or true friend. My physical, emotional and mental health were very poor.

When I sponsor new girls I ask them to do some writing for their first step. I have them list all the ways in which they are powerless and their lives are unmanageable. Their lists often look like the one I had at the BEGINNING - very long.

AND THEN - the miracle of the twelve steps and living the Alcoholics Anonymous program happened. As I worked the steps and got healthier, I felt that I was regaining control. I DIDN'T FEEL AS POWERLESS AS I HAD AT FIRST. I became employable and got a job in which I advanced. I became a real mother to my children and I was able to enjoy the pleasures of life like friendships and happy activities. My physical health returned and eventually I achieved emotional and mental stability. One thing has never changed. I have continued to respect the power of alcohol.

Which brings me to 25 years later. Today I recognize that I have no control. I am still as POWERLESS OVER "EVERYTHING" at the END of this time period as I was at the beginning.

HOWEVER - there is one very big difference - TODAY I know I can lean on God to give me the power I lack. I have learned I am powerless over people, places and things, but I do have the power of choice and I can choose to ask God to help me. I can choose how I will respond to any person, place or thing.

SO - at the END I find myself in the same place as at the BEGINNING - POWERLESS - AND THAT IS O.K. Today I have that spiritual connection I need to live a life surrendered to the Will of God.




Prayer Girl
(Photo credits:
Beginning of the end by freelancah@deviantart.com
Beginning Of The End by ZachsAnomaly@deviantart.com)

Wednesday 8/4/10 - "JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING - WITH PRAYER & PATIENCE

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


"JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING -
WITH PRAYER & PATIENCE"

Prayer Girl

(Photo credits: Sunshine by phatpuppy@deviantart.com
Joyful by Birthstone@deviantart.com
Sunshine by Karae@deviantart.com
Joyful by Masterwks@deviantart.com
Joy Cometh in the Morning by Grechen Dalo@deviantart.com)