As we enter the Fourth of July celebrations within the next several weeks, I really wanted to describe my true country!  I felt a heart tug to share how far we have come in this country although we have further to go, especially with all the stress, emotions, and happenings over the past months.  I truly believe our founders did not see this country as a government, but rather as a people.  A group of people under the allegiance of freedom.  They had experienced persecution, harassment, and even death.  They sought a free world with a group of free people.

Many people may not want to celebrate this during this holiday season, but I do.  I stand for my people’s Flag, I honor my Statue of Liberty, I hold my neighbors’ hand, I revere those that have fought for this freedom, I will always believe in change for the better, and I live with purpose to uphold this country.  I am proud to be an American including my own family’s original home culture and country.  But never misunderstand me, I will always be an American!

USA—My Country, My People

I search for the words.

The words to tell you

About my country.

By that I mean my people.

 

My country has the foundation of freedom.

Freedom of choice.

Freedom of speech.

Freedom of living.

 

There are very few countries,

In this world like my country.

That can proclaim

The freedom of protection for its people.

 

And what is this protection?

Protection of making choices.

Protection of saying what I feel.

Protection to live my very best life!

 

My country is not a government.

My country is the free people.

People that choose, feel, and live by their beliefs.

A country of humanity for all.

 

It has stood through

The good times and the bad.

It has weathered the wars,

And the celebrations.

 

Is everything right in this country?

No—perfection cannot exist within humanity.

Like no one person is perfect.

No group of people are perfect. 

 

Trying to improve is what matters.

We have made corrections over years to improve freedom.

We have succeeded with some.

And we have failed with some.

 

I speak today for my country.

All the many parts that are right.

The good that is so important.

The people that are good for humanity.

 

I travel our streets.

On one corner I see a Jewish Synagogue.

Three doors down I see a Baptist Church.

And on the next corner a Muslim Mosque.

 

If you travel into a neighborhood,

You will see just a few of the many people.

The many cultures of my people.

China, India, Ireland, Vietnam, Native American and the list goes on!

 

When you seek out a meal in town,

You will witness Asian Cuisine, Italian Cuisine,

Mexican Cuisine, and so many more.

Mixed and mingled throughout.

 

All of this country represented by its people.

Sharing streets, homes, and communities.

Living free!  Worshiping free!  Makin free choices!

With freedom as their welcome mat!

 

No matter—

This is my country!

My country of freedom!

And no one will take that from my country, my people!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope you and your family can celebrate your culture and your American heritage this holiday season!  Enjoy and celebrate your freedom!  As always, thank you for taking your time and spending it with me!  I am taking a few weeks off for vacation.  You may remember I spoke of the callings last week.  We decided to listen!  I will miss being with you, but I will return in July.  Please continue to read with me when I return.  While I am gone, stay inspired and positive!  Life has so much to offer—Do not miss out on our freedom of everything!  Blessings and love!

Love,

Rennae

 

Family and Traditions

 

 

 

This season brings me great memories of the sea.  I was raised always visiting the water during the spring and summer seasons.  Our second cousins lived on Dolphin Island in Mobile Alabama.  Rene, officially Irene, and Craig, officially Theodore, lived in the area due to Craig’s job with Alabama Power.  They would come up to Tennessee for Fall and Thanksgiving, and we would go down for Spring and Summer.  We got to go visit and enjoy the ocean!  I was first taken when I was barely a year old, but my first great memories were when I was about five years old.  My cousin, who was the same age as me, and I would get to lay belly down in the sand letting the ocean waves lap upon us.  We would pretend we were surfing!  This is also were I fell in love with shells.  The mystery that so many beautiful animals could be hidden below the surface and live in so many different forms was so exciting to me!

The causeway was the best!  We would put out lobster traps in just a small area, retrieve, and have dinner right on the spot!  Fishing off the piers was amazing too.  Our catch was never real big, but you were sure to get a glimpse of dolphins dancing the waters!  Fortunately, as a young adult, my husband and I were able to continue our trips to the sea.  We enjoyed excursions to small islands within the Gulf.  We then were able to take our children to visit the ocean.  As we have aged and our children have gone on their own trips, we have just not listened to the calling as much.  We are hoping in a few weeks to answer the call once more!  All of this to say today, if something is calling you, it is for a purpose.  You may or may not know that purpose, but you are meant to receive a blessing.  This week listen to your callings!  Go for that inner nudge.  Your blessings will be great if you answer!

The Sea Is Calling

The sea calls to me.

Its light salty breeze,

Clears my lungs,

And its waves caress my skin.

 

The sea lays its treasures at my feet.

Delicately shaped and intricately made.

They rest right in front of me,

With their beautiful textures and feels.

 

The sea’s bottom shifts.

It goes forward and backward,

And side to side.

Changing the land that supports it.

 

It makes me uncertain,

But at the same time assured.

I always know it will be there.

Its sounds will always bring peace.

 

The creatures you support,

Gently glide out and across your waves.

Whispering their sounds,

To announce their beauty.

 

The feast you provide is magnificent!

Tasty, exquisite morsels.

Rich in protein,

And pleasing to any hunger.

 

I know the sea calls me.

I may not always get to answer,

But I will always hold it in high esteem.

The seas’ calling is a true gift!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Whether your calling is the sea, the lake, the city, or even just your back yard, go for it!  The calling is telling you something very important.  Especially enjoy this summer season by following your nudge.  Blessings are just waiting for us, if we will only listen!  Blessings for you and your family this week and every week of the summer!

Love,

Rennae

 

Blessings

 

Our spirits can be broken easily.  Lately I hear and see many people with broken spirits.  The happenings of life just wear on people, crushing their souls.  We all either will have this happen or we already have sometime during life.  What we need to remember is that these spirits can be healed and mended!  The heart and the soul can persevere through many things, because our God raises us up above the hurt and pain.  We are also never left alone.  The Great Spirit speaks to our spirit deep inside.  The Spirit’s small inner voice is there for our comfort and for our courage.  God sends angels and other to caress our hurts and pains.  They lift us up and provide us the hope of God!  Sometimes we see these angels and other times we do not.  The most important thing is to know that we are never left alone with our broken spirits!  God and the angels are always right beside us!

Broken Spirits

When my spirit is broken,

Your hand lifts me up.

My heart cries on Your shoulder.

You hold me with Your Spirit.

 

Broken spirits are everywhere.

Can You lift all of us?

Can You catch all the tears?

Of course!  You can!

 

Your Spirit knows brokenness,

Because You came as us.

Your tears fell on this Earth,

And opened up the sky.

 

Now many broken spirits cry.

Hurting from their souls.

They beg for Your mercy,

And for Your hold.

 

Your great Spirit is with all of us.

It touches the hearts of angels,

Who soothe our broken spirits,

And hold our hearts on the journey.

 

Then You mend our broken spirits.

Blend us together in our lives.

Letting us hold each other.

Through Your everlasting love!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Never be afraid to bring your broken spirit before the Great Spirit and those sent through love.  Humanity gave us each other and our spirits for each other.  Not for selflessness, nor loneliness.  We will hold each other through many hurts and pains, but we will also hold each other through joy and triumph!  Stay uplifted this week and accept the many messengers of love from all the spirits among us!

Love,

Rennae

 

Grace

 

 

As I have tried to write recently, my heart and soul were very sad and burdened greatly.  The entire situation about this virus, the cruelty we have witnessed, and the injustice demonstrated by so many.  This week I lay these thoughts with those that follow me.  The happenings this week do not represent America.  The happenings over the past months do not represent a loving humanity.  Sadness has engulfed my soul as I have watched in horror what has gone on for months and now within just a week in our America.  I cannot speak for others, but I can speak for myself.  These happenings do not represent me as a human, nor as an American.  My piece today explains very well how I was raised and how I try to live my life.  I absolutely am not perfect and never will be perfect.  I have not experienced anything like others have in this life, and I never will, but I have in my soul the power to love.  The later parts of my piece speak loudly to what I truly believe.  I believe this in my heart and my soul.  I am not the only one here in America or across the world that feels this way, and I for sure believe in the last stanza.  Stand strong this week and weeks to come for love and life.  Hope, peace, and love will lift us above the hatred and evil being committed.  Live as a real human with real love.

While I Breathe

I will breathe

For those that can’t.

I will mourn

For those that die.

 

I will speak

For those not heard.

I will sing

For those that have no voice.

 

I will listen

For those that cannot hear.

I will watch

For those that find it hard to see.

 

I will pray

For those who are questioned.

I will raise my hand

To protect those who are weak.

 

I will love

For those who know hate.

I will rejoice

For those who persevere.

 

I will lift up

Those who are trodden on.

I will hurt

For those who are wounded.

 

I will cry

For those who are in pain.

I will shout

For those that are silenced.

 

I will rise up

For those who cannot stand.

I will lay down

For those oppressed.

 

I will worship

To our God for all.

I will kneel

For all of humanity.

 

I am only one

But I am really so many.

And if one can do this

All can do this.

 

Love one another.

Honor one another.

Respect one another.

Breathe another breath for one another.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Never consider giving up this week.  We cannot.  Civilization and humanity depend on our stance against hatred and evil.  If we believe, we can conquer!  Hope will carry us forward, and peace will protect us.  Blessings and love this week for all.

Love,

Rennae

 

Relationships