Theres a lot being made of love this week. Romance is the order of the day. But this is the truth of LOVE. Give it. Receive it. Treasure it.
What It Really Means To Love
Sweet Silence
Inspired by a moment my family silently sat together, in a room, each of us doing our own thing…
We sit in silence. Not in the silence of tension. But in the silence of contentment. Content in our own little worlds, in the imaginings of our minds and the creativity of our hands. Our worlds in orbit basking in the warmth of connected hearts. We sit in silence.
Prompted
Writing Prompt: Advice to someone with a broken heart
Maybe you weren’t meant to stay.
Perhaps there were complex layers your heart couldn’t comprehend,
And in your quest to become savior you would instead become prey.
My Apologies
“We apologize.” I was a moody preteen, testing boundaries…and my parents had just apologized to me. I remember feeling as if the the earth had shifted. I remember thinking “what kind of trickery is this? Is this a joke?” But it wasnt. They recognized that in their commitment to love and care for me they didn’t always get it right. They were correcting course and letting me know my feelings were valid. *Mind blown* That apology laid the foundation for apologies to come as I matured in acknowledging my own shortcomings and taking responsibility for my actions. That apology also taught me what an apology should be, recognizing non-apologies (“Sorry, not sorry”) and knowing when to walk away.
Let’s be reminded to never underestimate the power of a genuine apology- the power in giving one and the power in recognizing one.
Absolutely Adoring Alliteration
Depending on my writing mood, some days I’m too wordy and other days I’m not even sure my sentence conveys a complete thought. But no matter my mood, I often journey to the magical, mesmerizing world of alliteration. The challenge to find the perfect combination of words with just the right lyrical flow is endorphin inducing for me. A little weird? A writer thing, perhaps?
Here are a couple of informative takes on the subject: Love it or loathe it? and Reasons to use (which also highlights the amazing Gwendolyn Brooks and her poem We Real Cool)
Here’s to honing the habit of harnessing the power of words (too much?) Happy Writing!
Free
I’ve never really been one for resolutions but I have recently been intrigued by the practice of choosing a word for the year. Technically I chose my word (and this necklace from Fashion & Compassion) while attending She Speaks 2019 but I’ve decided to ride with it into the new year.
What does Free mean to me? Free from perfectionism. Free from unrealistic expectations. Free from opinions that don’t matter. Free to say No. Free to try. Free to fail. Free to learn and try again. Free to walk in the fullness of exactly who God created me to be.
And speaking of free, if you’re a writer looking for exposure and opportunity to hone your craft there are a few writing contests with free entry. Check out this list of contests (free and otherwise) from Tethered by Letters.
Here’s to 2020…Write on friends!
It’s a Wrap!
And so it has begun…the year in review, recaps and reflections. Looking to the new year with anticipation, resolutions and goals. Tis the season for marketers to bank on our regrets and mirror our motivations. We hope and pray 2020 will usher in a better version of ourselves.
Here’s to grand plans and taking small steps. Here’s to big wins and lessons learned. Here’s to peace and unity, confrontation and truth. Here’s to open doors and closed ones too. Here’s to making the most of every moment and in the words of that Cristy Lane country classic…taking it “One day at a time sweet Jesus!”
Happy New Year friends!
Celebrating The Light
So grateful for His Light. The Light that shines on my dark places, freeing me to walk confidently in purpose. The Light that gives hope when circumstances are unsure and life doesn’t go as planned. The Light that gives discernment, making me wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove (Matt. 10:16). The Light that compels me to love, to serve, and see others the way He does, extending the same grace He has so faithfully extended to me.
Praying the Light of Jesus shines into your darkness, gives you hope for tomorrow and draws you to receive the gift of His love. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, friends!
Just Finished…
I’ve always been intrigued by family sagas. And this novel delivered on so many levels. It’s a Palestinian family’s story spanning generations and the globe. From the Six-Day War to the invasion of Kuwait, the story is narrated through the lens of multiple family members. This novel was a reminder that no matter our differences we all share the human experiences of love, joy, loss, grief, and the search for a sense of belonging. A family and story that resonates long after the last page.
Prompted #2…
Inspired by wise words from my brother Alfonzo Jones II
Subtle lies
Masked as comfort
In cushioned cages
We become prisoners
Worshipping at the altar of safety.
But Freedom calls to
Leaps of faith
Flights of fancy
Walks on water
Courage under fire
Depths of valleys
Heights of mountains
A Life in full bloom
Barnabas Blessings 