Being different is a very difficult thing to contend with.  Most of us have a decision to make at some time in our lives to be different, to be our authentic self, or conform to societal frames and boundaries for the socialized norm.  When we express our uniqueness, it can be frightening to many people.  This is not a discussion on mental illnesses, and how a mental illness may harm oneself or others by being medically different.  I am addressing not hiding who you really are.

As wisdom and age arises, most people can better understand and celebrate the many differences that we may have.  But as young individuals, it is a difficult job to stay yourself and be accepted.  Others will give unwise advice to others when they notice differences.  This is not what you need.  Many people like to make it their life’s mission to try and change others.  This is not celebrating and spreading love for all of us to express our differences.  If you need changes to happen in your life, you need to be spiritually guided, which allows you to dive in and discover the depths of your soul and heart.  Being your own original self as the final goal.  This includes all the experiences you have gone through, not what someone else has gone through.  However, this process is not a one-time, I got it done, process.  It can be an ongoing discovery!  Often in this world we are told what we are not, rather than who we really are.

The very best way one can be accepted is to accept oneself.  Speak who you are and be proud!  We were given these amazing spiritual vessels to live in for a reason.  Your reason is as varied as mine.  In this life with every passing moment, we do not need to hold back.  Be who you were meant to be with all of your differences.  Don’t waste your energy on those that cannot live freely with who you are.  Be yourself in every passing moment!

Passing Moments

Oh—Dear Lord—Let me forget.

Let the moments that I know not be true

Hide them—please Dear Lord.

Hide them in my heart because I am different.

 

Please, God let the words disappear from my mind in these passing moments.

For I know they are not true. 

I pray the words of the love, the thank you, and the praise are what remain in my soul.

Not the words of deception, hurt, or blame.

 

We all do many things differently.

We all write and speak and live differently.

We all come to You in different ways.

We full fill our purpose differently.

 

As for me, I come to you so that I can be Your vessel no matter what is said.

You have prepared me.

You continue to develop me.

Let those moments mold me in Your image.

 

Let my image sing and speak with those that are different.

Write and worship with those that are different.

Live, love, and learn with those that are different.

Because I am one that is different.

 

I am your vessel.

One that you will fill and use in all its different ways.

A different type of vessel.

And my difference will be celebrated because of you.

 

For every day is a new day, in these passing moments

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Celebrate how you are different this week! Think about and list your unique characteristics.  Look at your polished areas and those that could use a little more polishing.  There is a reason God made each specific DNA strand differently.  So, I can be me, you can be you, and others can be themselves!  Jealousy has no place in all of this—no one can be jealous or envious if we are all to be different.  Celebrate our differences this week with respect and love!  Be a spiritual vessel—a piece of pottery made like no other!!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

I have played many roles in my life.  Mother, daughter, wife, granddaughter, grandmother, daughter in law, mother in law, professional, student, and teacher, and the list could go on.  My piece today explains how we can get lost falling into a role and lose ourselves due to the expectations put on us by others.  I was put into a place where others felt I should act a certain way because I own a specific title.  Although titles come with some expected behaviors, they do not define who we should be or who we are.  It demonstrates how people can put us into a role with specific characteristics and limits.  They set boundaries and try to define who we are rather than seeing who God really made.

Even though I have played many roles the most important is myself.  See these roles are only titles.  We have to display our true heart in each of these roles and not be forced into something we are not.  If we hold in and suppress ourselves, we are in danger of not living free as God wanted us to.  Suppressing our true selves also keeps us from loving others completely.  If we suppress ourselves for too long the very worst in who we are can come out.  We also should never judge another person by the role they are in at a certain time of life.  Telling someone you should act more like a “daughter”, “mother”, or some other title places restrictions on that person.  It holds that person back from being all they can be and all that God intends for them to be.

As you read today try to reflect your roles and if you are sacrificing yourself for unrealistic expectations.  Think back if you have been in this situation or if you have put someone else in this situation.  Even though we all have different roles in different seasons of our lives, we must remain true to ourselves and flourish to be all God intended us to be!

My Role

I have played the role for years.

Doing what’s expected.

Being the good girl.

The good girl who does what society wants.

 

No matter the hurt caused on the inside.

No matter the pain hidden.

No matter the damage left.

I always played the good girl.

 

So the one time I no longer play the good girl.

The one time when I release all the pain.

I am seen as selfish and cold.

I am seen as not being a Christian.

 

This time I’m looked upon as the bitch.

The girl who chose to speak the truth,

Is then seen as the pitied one filled with rage.

Rage brought about by her own choices.

 

I just can not keep it all inside anymore.

I never set out to hurt anyone.

I never wanted to separate anyone from anyone else.

I just feared my heart would explode and my mind would go crazy.

If I did not speak the truths.

 

So do I remain the bottled up Christian?

Am I the good girl of the world because I do not come forth?

Do I pass the days remaining silent in order to make others happy?

Or am I me?        

 

Or do I live the true me?

Free to breath deeply with my heart relieved.

Free to know my soul said the right things.

Free to rest in knowing I was truthful in protecting myself.

 

Consequences of my choice are difficult.

But do I save myself or do I throw myself into the world?

To be tied down and beaten by fakeness,

Or to be squashed by my own religion?

 

My choice was difficult.

I knew the consequences would not be positive.

But we do what is necessary to survive mentally.

That is the only way we can save our soul and our mind from oneself.

 

I become weary of being the good girl.

 Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

As your roles change, never let the light of yourself die out.  You must feed the light to be stronger than any title.  There are many people in this world that hold many titles, but no one holds who you are!  You are unique, different, and special!  No matter your title wear yourself freely and proudly for God in this world!  So sometimes you got to just light up the world!!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I seriously started last year this time cleaning out my mom and dad’s home.  My sweet mom, Em, passed away 5 years ago after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.  My dad had to make the decision to live with us due to health issues.  Now for some reason, I just could not do this task for over 5 years.  I just did not want my dad to feel another loss, that of his home, so closely associated with the loss of Em.  I tell myself that, but also I just could not let go of my home.  My security.  The ones that had always been there for me.  The place I could always go for comfort.  After living with us for a while, my dad came to the realization that our home was his home now, and it was now ok to clean out and sale.  You will see this was not just the cleansing of a house, but it became the cleansing of my soul.

The task was overwhelming.  I am an only child, and my husband is also, so there really were no relatives to rely on for help.  And the one or two cousins I am very close to were dealing with their own lives.  Our children, the grandchildren, were also busy living everyday lives.  But last January it was evident the time had come.  The cleansing had to happen.

Cleansing is a difficult task and especially in this case.  You touch everything and have a memory associated with what happened, where, when, and who it happened with.  It is painful, especially when you have seen your parents work so very hard to maintain a home and household.  They were both children of the depression, and having anything was seen as a luxury.  But on the other hand, cleansing also allows you to laugh, cry, sigh, and be angry.  I will never forget the day I started in the dining room.  I held a piece of my mom’s crystal in my hand, sat down, and cried as hard as I did the day she died.  Being a depression child, this piece of crystal meant so much to Em.  It stood for security, stability, having food, being warm at all times, and having a roof over her head at all times to call a home.  This was truly rich.  It was used to celebrate birthdays, Easter, Christmas, and even a great summer night meal!  It was just an object, but it came with deep memories and associations.  They had so little being the children of tenant farmers and laborers, they truly knew what it meant to be poor.  They had spent their life providing all possible so that I would never want for anything.  They did not want me to go through what they had gone through.

Cleansing allows you to cleanse your emotions.  It allows your soul to let go.  It helps you to see clearly where life has been and what life means.  Especially when there has been loss.  I really feel every year needs to be a cleansing year.  Maybe not just physical things, but emotionally.  We need to see ourselves and the life we are living.  Where we have come from and where we intend to go.  We need to cleanse ourselves of unnecessary goals, unproductive paths, and people that drain our lives.  So, this time of the year is perfect for the cleansing of your soul.  Not for setting unrealistic physical goals, but for examining the true life you want to live.  But to do this we sometimes have to clean the slate and just start over with the jewels we have.  We finally got the house completely emptied—and it is at that moment when the cleansing had occurred that one realizes what a true home is—-all the souls that have been there, what they did, and what they contributed to your life.  We have some of the tokens to reboot those joyous and exciting experiences, but mentally the love is so deep one could never lose it and no one could take it away.  The cleansing of the soul is the same.  Afterwards, what you have left is truly yours, and what you need to remember becomes very clear.  Please read and reflect if there are any areas of your life that need cleansing today!

Years of Cleansing

The slightest color or object itself brings memories to the surface.

Whether these bring happiness or sadness.

 

The big brown bean pot holds my crayons you would hide for me.

The bright yellow pottery vase was the same color as the daffodils you would pick for my birthday.

 

The frosted fruit lighting the crystal bowl which always made the room glow.

Your choice of a special place in the room so the fruit illuminated the darkness.

 

The cross stitch picture with the Irish blessing and gypsy couple dancing hung proudly in the kitchen.

The motto of our family and the first piece of cross stitch you taught me to make.

 

The rich green pottery flower pot providing the growth for red and pink amaryllis.

They adorned the spots next to the gas heater to warm the rooms in winter.

 

The maple bookcase with sliding doors that exposed the precious books and writings within.

You placed this right next to the big couch and chair where I would always find a place to read.

 

The English man and woman with their shiny glaze and aristocratic appearance guarded the spindle table.

They stood stately as if they were in a palace or castle.

 

The tiny ballerinas so tall and straight toed.

Held the lights that signified celebration and another year of growth.

 

The shiny ornaments sprinkled with glitter and beads.

All signify the brightness of a season!

 

The quilt, now worn and rugged, bears the names of family.

Its softness warmed us in the winter and tucked us in for a good night sleep.

 

The yellow plastic corn holders push into the ends of the corn.

When these came out we knew it was summer and time of sweet fresh corn.

 

The Aladdin oil lamp stood tall on the hearth.

Positioned and ready at any moment to spread light during a storm.

 

The wooden carved clock, stately in its place, kept us up on the time.

Its chime set by the maker in the “30s reminded us where we were.

 

Some see these things simply as objects.

But for some the year of cleansing is the year of being.

 

The objects represent good places, times, and people.

All of which one does not want to forget.

 

Cleansing releases fear,

Yet retains memories of love.

 

Although painful and hurtful,

Cleaning brings joy, laughter, and tears.

 

It shows one where they came from.

And it sends one where they should go.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I know many of you have experienced exactly what I described today.  I know unfortunately, some of you will have to go through this in the future.  I pray you can use this as a growing experience.  I hope you can cleanse your heart as well as your life where ever you are on the journey today.  You do not have to suffer a loss to cleanse your life.  Most of all I pray for peace in this process.  Now, get those rags and cleaners (spiritual words and journals) and get to cleaning!  Happy New Year!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

 

 

I was hurt very badly about 5 years ago.  The pain was incredible.  The hurt crippled me causing me to lose my self confidence and to doubt myself.  All of this hurt led to embarrassment, ridicule, and a major change in my life.  A change not of my own choosing.  This hurt also came at the very same time of a personal loss, the death of my mom.  It was not easy getting to where I could voice what is in my piece today.  I am not going to lie or sugar coat it, the climb back has been very difficult.  I was so shocked that me as a 58 year old could be knocked down so easily.  I was a strong woman that knew who she was, where she came from, and her purpose in this world.  I found out quickly when pain is administered that deeply and for so long, we do become vulnerable and weak, physically and mentally.

As I said the journey back has been rough, but it was possible!  I have gained back confidence, learned that new purposes arise at any age, and rediscovered my joy!  Bullies are very good at persecution, but God and the Holy Spirit are much better at taking you above this level.  They guide you and allow you to rise above.  I also could not have moved forward on this journey if it had not been for my family.  My husband was amazing support who stayed positive for me and continues today.  Your strength can be rebooted when the love you receive comes through God’s blessings.  I am sure these bullies feel they had a victory and won the power they wanted, but I have gained the power to have the very last word.  They have had to live with knowing their wrongs and evil in their hearts, while I have celebrated my new life in my heart!

So today or tomorrow don’t ever let a bully think they have the ending to the story, because they do not.  Seek the support of those sent to you by God, friends, and family.  Be led by the Holy Spirit to grow strong!  Your love and living to state the last word will be the true ending!  I hope my experience can inspire you today and provide you with hope for tomorrow!  You have the last word!  It’s your life!  And God is paving the way for your beautiful experience!

The Last Word

You bring me before the judges.

You make me come alone.

You ridicule me.

Your insults stab into my integrity.

 

Your false documents are presented against me.

Your voice demands that I get out.

You make me go without goodbyes or closure.

You tell me I am through.

 

You embarrassed me.

You have shamed me.

You are stealing a life celebration from me.

You deface my character.

 

You tell me no one else wants me.

You send me to be with others you have chosen to exile.

Your secret insults have come in the darkness of the night for the last time.

I have become tired of your weak form of leadership.

 

Bullies do not lead.

You think you have won.

You cock your head in arrogance.

But……

 

With a voice like thunder, I say stop!!!

I breathe in with all my strength to the bottom of my soul.

I stop running and turn toward you.

I face you by myself.

 

With a stern, calm voice, I say you will go no further.

I will not allow you.

I will not run anymore.

I will not be afraid.

 

I did everything you wanted.

I continuously changed whether it was right or not.

I will change no more.

I have been here longer and done this longer than you have.

I have changed for the very best when I needed to.

 

I know my research and what is right for mine.

I am here for them to be successful and to feel worth.

I am only faithful to them.

Not for you to further your political climbs.

You will not use me or them for your benefit.

 

You will no longer intimidate me with your positions.

I felt I had more to contribute.

More to give.

But that giving will come another day in another way.

 

The celebration you think you have robbed me of will happen anyway.

I will continue to celebrate though living itself.

You cannot stop me from helping people.

You cannot stop me from speaking out about what is right in this life.

 

I turn my back to you and firmly say get out of here.

Goodbye dictator bullies.

My light cannot be extinguished by you or others like you.

Because my light was formed to shine beyond your evil.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

No one controls your life.  You make choices and through faith God guides you in those choices.  You are also protected from bullies so don’t forget that as well.  It may appear that they get the  small things they want, but God provides us with so much more through grace and love.  Step into the new year as a confident and strong person championing for love!  He also let’s us see the big picture.  And when we are given this awareness with grace and love, we grow above these bullies understanding they have deep pain.  Bullies cannot grow until they can accept this grace and love.  Step up and step out today in order to have the last word.  It will help your journey to move on if you voice it and put it out there.  I pray for strength in your voice this week and blessings on your journeys ahead!  End this year by sharing your voice with the last word in the old year and the first word in the new year!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

 

 

 

 

The symbolism God has provided us is quit amazing!  He knows human nature and understands we love the attachment to symbols.  The star of the east, the manager, the wisemen’s gifts, the star of David, the menorah, and the Christmas tree are just a few.  All religions use symbolism.  The one I am focusing on today is the Christmas tree.  Christmas trees over the last hundreds of years have become very personal.  Lights are added as Martin Luther did, but now personal adornments of all types are added by family members.  The adornments represent where people have gone, what they have seen, what they like, what they believe and experience, who they love, who loves them, and who they are.  I know in our house, it is not the real season until the Christmas tree goes up!  It represents all of us individually, yet it represents our uniting as a family.  Symbolism can be a good thing as long as it does not overshadow God and His purpose.  And as long as it does not overshadow the love for others.  I have more of a belief that God uses these symbols in order to speak to us.  As you read today, think about your family representations on the family tree!  Make sure everyone is counted in.  And look for why God led you to make the choices of adornments that you made!

Only a Christmas Tree

Twinkle!

Sparkle!

Sprinkle!

Jingle!

 

The colored sparkles create twinkles.

The branches hold the treasures of the past.

Each specifically put on the tree to hold it’s special location.

 

Pine cones are close to the tree base and body.

Some lights dance across the limbs.

Some climb to the star at the top.

 

The feathered birds perch upon the ends of the limbs.

Bells slightly jingle when the breeze brushes them.

The deer prance around the branches as if they were ready to fly!

 

There are mermaids, owls, trucks, cars, angels, and ballerinas.

You will see penguins, candles, stars, eggs, and metal dangles.

Little houses, dogs, footballs, and snowmen clump together.

 

While other round orbs stand alone, bright and shining with many colors.

Wooden painted characters sit resting around the lights.

Sequin shapes of all types scatter around reflecting the dazzling sparkles!

 

Each family member searches for their own treasure.

Each adornment represents a year for the family.

Each one tells a story.

 

A story of times together.

One of fun and adventure.

One of love and new experiences.

 

These branches may only appear to be a tree.

And the ornaments may only seem to be bobbles.

But this monument represents a journey.

 

A journey of a family.

Where they have been,

Who inspired them,

What they cherish,

And where they will go!

Lori Renae Hickman Chapman

I pray that you and your family will be spoken to by God and His symbols this holiday season as you share love around the tree.  Grieve for those represented that are gone.  Celebrate with those close and holding your hand.  Express hope for those that will enter your family.  Give thanks that you have been allowed so much love in your life!  Symbolism can be a blessed way to enjoy and experience God’s never ending love.  Merry Christmas and Blessings to each and everyone!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Blessings

 

I know it can be achieved.  I believe it can really happen. What?  Peace, internal and external.  One of the greatest Bible verses given to us with this welcoming holiday season is “Peace on Earth, and Goodwill Toward Men”.  In many cases, verses seem to be written for that specific place or time in the Bible and do not always seem relevant to us, but this one appears to be timeless.  It is really amazing how God left this one in, so it could be for every time and every place.  Many other historical religious leaders and pieces of historical documentations also proclaim the same message.  Yet still thousands of years later we yearn for peace and goodwill.  Is it because God knew man’s nature would constantly battle and struggle for power and glory instead of peace and goodwill?  Personal issues are constantly in our minds demonstrating the struggle is constant in the day to day life.  Who really knows the reason why God left it in or why other leaders proclaimed this as great in importance, but what we do know is that we need it today as desperately as it was needed thousands of years ago.  So—for this season try to let the struggle and battle go!  Use peace as your confidence and goodwill as your gift!  Search for the peace, and distribute that goodwill!  Your life will be so blessed!

Peace

The feelings are very anxious.

The fears become greater.

The focus becomes dim.

The foundation is shaky.

 

Then within seconds or moments all become so little.

Joyful feelings take over the anxiety.

Hope consumes the fears that were once there.

The mirror becomes bright and the focus sharpens.

 

And under our feet the ground becomes solid once again.

The light becomes bright.

The glory surrounds us!

Comfort spreads from bone to bone.

 

God is with us.

God is in us.

God is the joy.

It is not me or I or us.

 

God is the peace.

I am the peace.

We are the peace because God is us.

Peace in this reality can be true!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman 

Peace is like a joyful disease!  It just takes one joyful person to contaminate another, and then that one passes it to others.  Demonstrating goodwill is also contagious!  It gives your the heart that warm glow that settles in the heart allowing that soul to have peace.  And at the base of all this peace and goodwill is God.  God who put this concept of peace into motion with a simple phrase.  Prayers of peace and goodwill for you and your family this beautiful holiday season!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

It is very difficult this time of year, the holidays, for many people who have lost loved ones.  It really doesn’t matter if they have been gone 1 week, 1 year, or 10 years.  There are always memories and times that were spent with the loved one that resurface.  My piece today demonstrates one of those times.  The piece is about the year Em, my mom, died, and when I unpacked her Christmas stocking.  Every memory about Christmas with her flooded back.  Which it should have.  I don’t ever want to lose those times or memories.  I was so sad, and this Christmas when I unpack the stockings, I will feel loss again.  But we must look for the hope that the loved has given us.

Em would say the greatest treasure of hope during Christmas was a mantel that could not hold any more stockings.  In other words, the family is over flowing with hope!  In my case the hope was knowing that it takes another special edition to the family that will help the pain.  Not remove the pain, but help it.  We have to remember those so close to our hearts, but also grasp for the hope in tomorrow.  So keep those momentos (stockings, ornaments, etc.) so you will never forget the love you were given in this life by a very special soul!  Keep these to know how blessed you are!  But hang the new ones hoping for tomorrow!

The Christmas Stocking

So personal.

You tell me who I am.

You let me know I am a part of others.

When you hang in your special spot.

I know that I always have a spot.

I know all the ones I love have spots in this world.

 

When all the excitement around unpacking the stockings happens,

One cannot help but to be elated!

Unwrapping each from its’ tissue and placing it where it belongs.

The hurt comes when the box is opened to find a specific stocking,

A stocking that has the name of the loved one that has passed.

And you know the stocking will be removed.

 

Tears well up.

You are reminded they had their place.

You miss them so very much.

You hold it close to your cheek.

Because it makes you remember them.

You also feel closer to them when you do.

 

You realize hanging the stocking among the others

Would sadden others on such a joyous day.

And the loved one has their own stocking in heaven.

You know the one you miss has moved on.

So you also must move on.

You keep the stocking so the memory will not let you forget.

 

You hold it carefully in your hands.

Folding it in such an honorable way.

You place it back into the Christmas box to be guarded as a family heirloom.

Then you glance across the room.

There lays a new stocking.

This one is added to the collection this year.

 

A new soul will be added as the family grows.

So tears flow again for the great hope we have been given.

Hope for the new generations to give love.

So anytime I see a stocking.

I don’t think about gifts, candies, or goodies that are inside.

I know this stocking will represent a special soul, somewhere in a special family.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Hang the stockings, place the ornaments, and tie the garland this year!  And remember those we have been allowed to love, and those we will be given to love in the future.  Memories are good for the heart, and hope for tomorrow is good for the soul!  Merry memories this week!  But keep the tissues close!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Grace

 

As fall gives its last goodbye this week to winter, I am reminded of having to let go in my life to a dear friend.  It was one of those situations where things were said out of honesty.  After all was said and done, it really doesn’t matter what was said, honesty discussions happened in a bad way.  It is very apparent that most of the time this letting go of such love in a friendship and companionship is the same as a death in your life.  You wait for the phone to ring and it doesn’t, or the phone rings and you hope it is the voice you can depend on.  But it is neither.  Your heart hurts, and you doubt yourself tremendously.  But for personal physical, mental, and spiritual health, we sometimes have to say goodbye.  You have to regain your confidence in reaching out to others because of the experience.  Again  in order to heal we must let go.  If you are saying your last goodbye to someone this week or someone in your past, remember you must move on.  I hope todays writing will speak to you in an inspirational way!

You Are Free

I trusted you.

I opened up my pain and hurt to you

And my joy and gladness.

You made me believe that I mattered.

 

You made me believe that my soul was special to this world and other worlds.

I had thought this was a friendship that was forever.

If only I knew how I went wrong?

What did I do?

What did I say or not say?

 

How can I turn the time back.

I cannot say I could not do it again,

Because I do not know what I did in the beginning.

I confided about the life I was living,

But I must have not been living right.

 

I was only trying to make it through a dark time when my heart hurt for family.

It saddens me so and my soul hurts.

I know I cannot let this hinder God’s glory and direction for me.

For it will take time I have found to move forward rather than moving back.

 

For so often over the year I have questioned and questioned what I have done?

What did I do?

I have allowed you to make me question my faith too much.

I have allowed you to wedge my heart with doubt.

I have allowed you to make me question who I am.

 

I am trying hard to accept.

To accept this road that has been set.

I have hurt and I have cried so many days and nights.

I have been mad and I have been glad.

 

You have gone behind me and shared with others my heart’s sounds.

So I know it is time to let go.

We have always said how hard freedom really can be.

But I know I must set you free.

 

Free to not speak with me.

Free to not talk with me.

Free to not just sit with me.

No obligation to me.

 

I do not wish harm for you.

I do not wish bad days for you.

I do wish I did not have to be with you nor work with you.

For pain comes quicker than the joy of the past.

 

I will continue God’s glorious path for me.

With you or without you.

I will hurt more but,

The hurt will grow the heart back.

 

I know deep down you are a good person.

A person with good intentions.

But your soul needs to grow.

Maybe this is what the hurt and pain in your life has done to you.

 

Caused you not to accept others for who they are.

Caused you to not accept love for who you are.

Caused you not to accept the love of others.

You need to learn to love thy neighbor as thyself.

But first you must learn to love yourself.

 

Although I go into the valleys and the mountains,

I know who I am.

I am a servant of God.

I serve children for God’s purpose.

I serve my family for God’s glory.

 

Go in peace my old friend,

And mourn the loss you have created for yourself.

For one day when the river has been crossed,

Maybe you will want to know me again.

Lori Rennae Chapman

God’s path for you is so much greater than what you can imagine.  Learn from this experience and use it to make your life more incredible and joyful!  Pain leads to gain.  Through this pain take what God has taught you about yourself to gain more spirituality.  Whether that soul ever returns to your life or not, you must joyfully move forward so your spiritual path will not be hindered.  Let go!  Say goodbye!  Welcome the new souls that are led your way!  I am blessed to have you as a new soul!

Love,

Rennae

 

Journey

 

 

Yes!! It has finally arrived!  Thanksgiving!  A day of food feast, football, and family fables!  Our family loves to start our day with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  We always feel the expectations for the end of the parade and the last scene with Santa arriving in his gigantic sleigh kicks off the amazing Christmas season.  We try to have the naked tree up and ornaments start going on.  Then there is football on every channel!  What a better way, to gather the troops than a good ‘ole football match—talking smack and all!  Discussion of each play provides the most elaborate debates.

While all of this is happening, the scents from the kitchen fill the house.  Preparation of the dressed eggs, the turkey (or ham), cornbread dressing, and giblet gravy has begun!  As the day progresses, everyone arrives and the feast is laid out.  The young ones serve the elders, the children get their plates first.  And when every ones plate is filled, the thanks around the table begin.  Of course, the family fables start to be told.  Do you remember, or I remember at Mama Hicks, or Em just yelled that out, are just a few of the comments that begin the fables.  One story leads to another.

After our tummies are full, we lean back and let our hearts be filled as well.  Clean up begins, and we all then settle out the evening in a comfy chair, couch, or floor with a big comforter and talk about how rich we really are.  Family, memories, love, servitude, grace, healing, and the list goes on of the many riches.  Today’s piece is one of those little acrostics, but each word and phrase is precious.  See each word and how it fits into your life today.

Thanksgiving

                          Traditions with family.

                          Home where you are.

                          Autumn colors.

          CelebratioN with loved ones.

                   ThanKs for everything.

                           Scents of the Harvest.

                           Grace is free.

               InspiratIon to move forward.

                     SerVing others,

                   CookIng the meal together.

                   ShariNg with those who have less or more.

                           God’s blessings.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

We all know life is difficult, and we cannot have the fantasy family Thanksgiving Day every day.  But we can share a moment or meal with a spouse, parents, child, or friend.  We can be responsible for ourselves in providing a thankful heart for someone else.  We can be their blessing any day.  Like on black Friday, when tensions and expectations are overly high, go out and bless someone else, so that they can be thankful too!  So really look for and see your blessed world today and be thankful!  Happy Turkey Day!

Love, Rennae

 

Grace

 

 

This is the time in our world and our country that we just need to pause for one moment and count our thanks.  We are so very twisted up in whose wrong, whose right, why don’t they change, we disagree, I disagree, she said, he said, I’m right, they are wrong, and on and on.  There just needs to be a halt!  All people every where especially in our country need to put the brakes on all the “mouthy” talk.  Instead of complaining about everything, we need to just stop and give thanks.  Whether you are Buddhist, Islam, Christian, Jewish, or any other religion, faith, or belief, we all have one thing in common.  Our choice of belief requires us to be thankful.  We are required by our beliefs to display thankfulness.  If we will be voicing these thanks instead of rhetoric, hate, complaints, or other negative emotions, we can change the atmospheres and environments around us.  This takes all of us, not just one or two.  My piece today is very simplistic, but it conveys my thanks.  So stop today!  Don’t feed into the negative—-feed the positive!  Try this week voicing somewhere or somehow your thanks!

The Thankful Heart

I am thankful for the warm water on my face.

Thankful for the porcelain coffee cup to drink from.

Thankful for the person letting me go first at the stop sign.

Thankful for my Starbucks friends that always bring me joy.

 

Thankful for a safe place to work.

I am thankful for food on my table.

Thankful for clothes that warm and cool me.

Thankful for heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.

 

I am thankful for the companionship of my furry friends.

I am thankful for a building to live in that I can call home.

I am thankful for the man that chooses to love me.

And thankful for the parents that believed in me.

I am thankful for my family to love me.

 

I am thankful that the Divine anointed my head to be His.

I am thankful for His servants that give me comfort in their words.

I am thankful for the signs He sends me.

I am thankful for His unconditional love.

I am thankful for His intervention in my life.

 

I am thankful for the soft coverlet that tucks under my chin and gives me comfort.

I am thankful for the person that bakes my bread.

I am thankful for the server at the restaurants that cares enough to get to know me.

I am thankful for my comfy houseshoes.

 

I am thankful for the light and warmth from the sun.

Thankful for the dark so I can see the stars.

Thankful how my eyes meet those of a deer,

And we know where each stands in this world.

 

I am thankful for healing.

I am thankful for pain in order to grow.

I am thankful for thanks!

I am thankful that my thanks will never be done!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray for you and your family this week that you can find thanks in your lives.  Even though there are all types of negatives in this world, we can be thankful.  It will not only improve your attitude, but it will also relieve stress!  I feel now days we way to often get rushed and pushed through the day.  We become tired and try to just get through the day.  Then our emotions are played upon by various means.  Instead take that last little bit of energy you have and don’t listen to the negatives, but speak your thankfulness.  So, make it right this week by expending your energy on being thankful!

Love,

Rennae

PS  I am thankful for you!!!

 

 

Grace