What Dream Will It Be Today?

Leave a comment

What Dream Will It Be Today

We start dreaming at a very young age.  We dream of being heroes, wonderful lives, and magical adventures.  We even act these out through play and make believe.  As we mature, we often keep our dreams to ourselves.  In our minds, our dreams take us through many adventures and down many paths.  As we age, we continue to dream, however it seems the dreams come less often.  As the responsibilities of life increase, sometimes those dreams are still with us, but they are put on the back burner.  We have to make a conscious effort to never let those dreams die or go away.  We must nurture and believe.  You see our dreams are our gifts and purpose in this life.  Our minds would not even consider them if they were not the real passions that we possess.  So never give those dreams up.  Revisit them, seek them, and pursue them.  Let you mind go wild and dream those dreams no matter your age!!

What Dream Will It Be Today?

Will I travel the ocean to explore an unknown land?

If I can dream it,

It can be.

 

Maybe I will discover it today.

I will research and explore til I find it.

It will help cure someone in the future.

 

I will create it in such a way that others can understand.

The creation will soothe souls and caress a heart ache.

Because the creation will be from the spirit.

 

I will be a writer of verse today.

Somewhere inside I will pull the emotion and feelings to put down original words.

These words will meet the needs of others.

 

Today I will heal with a smile or a kind word.

I will be allowed to go out into the masses and bring hope to a lost soul.

I can be a savior for one day.

 

The defense I present will protect another today.

They will not be harmed because I will be their protector.

I will stand for the wronged and present the truth.

 

The seed will be planted.

I will assist it in coming to life.

Gardening will be my dream.

 

Teaching those who need education can be my today.

The knowledge I have gathered will be shared,

So others can understand and be wise.

 

My ears will listen today.

They will hear the woes and joys of others.

I can be a counselor for them today.

 

If I think it,

I can dream it.

If I dare to dream.

 

If I can dream it,

I can make it happen.

If only I chose to dream.

 

And if I make it happen,

This world can be a better place by dreaming.

I have a feeling that Jesus dreamed.

 

What will you dream today?

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for visiting with me this week.  You have helped one of my dreams come true!  One of the best way to accomplish our dreams is through community, and you have been my community.  You have read and listened to my inner and outer thoughts.  You have encouraged me to keep dreaming!  May your dreams come true this week!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

My Mothers

1 Comment

My Mothers

I realize we are all born of one Mother.  I was just blessed that my true Mom, Em, saw fit for me to be surrounded with some of the strongest and most amazing women alive.  These women won’t be remembered by the masses, and they will not be recognized in the news.  They were and are what this beautiful world is made of—-Gifted women that rise above their stations in allowing God to use them in teaching others.  I can vividly recall their specific touch on my life.  My Mom was so wonderfully confident to allow me to know these women.  I hope you remember all your Mothers this week.  So whether it be an aunt, a grandmother, a sister, a cousin, or a family friend, I hope you remember the influence they have passed on to you.  I say thanks to each and every one of them!

My Mothers

Each so creative.

Each sharing their lives and their gifts with those they love.

Never knowing they were each mentors.

Never knowing how they guide and provide others with direction.

They molded minds and imprinted their gifts upon the young.

 

Her gentle, worn hands loosens the dirt as she places the seeds in the shallow opening.

Her touch alone brings the seed to life.

She would grow and gather these blessings showing me the love of God’s natural world.

She never knew she had the “real green thumb.”

 

She would hold my hand, gently caressing it.

Reading the lines of my heart.

Knowing what the future would hold for me.

She always gave me hope.

 

She would always be seen with many bracelets, earrings, and gloves.

Her head would be held high as if she was walking the runway.

She would pronounce to all that everyone can walk in life like they just stepped off 5th avenue.

She showed me it is ok to be eccentric and own it!

 

Her small hand would caress my cheek and my fears were always calmed.

She would let me get away with eating the crust off the cornbread.

She did not have to speak, only touch and I knew I was protected.

I was always safe to take risk with her.

 

She would prepare the food with perfection.

Her table would be overrun with delicacies.

But as the chairs were gathered around the table,

It was the conversation she allowed to be shared above the food that was the richest.

 

Her expressions and tones made all stories the most exciting.

She would teach us that all people are story tellers.

The dullest visit to the supermarket was turned into an adventure.

She gave me dreams of lands far away.

 

Her giggle and laugh would turn the worst situation into fun.

She spread sunshine through smiles.

She took me in as her daughter.

She carried me along on her fun runs.

 

She really danced to her own dreams,

As if no one was watching.

I would watch her float across the floor like she was dancing with the angels.

She taught me that music could lift you to heaven.

 

Her fingers would glide along the keys bringing the written notes to life.

But her bravery when she lost her youngest taught me to go on and be strong.

She showed me how to use your gifts through the tough time.

She also showed me how to love God during all the times.

 

She gave me the love of the arts and museums.

I was free to touch and take in all the beauty of her sculptures, paintings, and creative pieces.

In her home I was allowed to learn about the arts in joy and love.

She taught me that anyone can enjoy God’s creative riches, no matter your position in life.

 

She could make all the aromas of the green herbs spring forth.

I learned to not only look at the plants,

But I learned that touching and smelling them was just as important.

I learned to smell the love of God through her blessings.

 

All of these are my Mothers.

Loving me in their very own way.

Guiding me with their gifts.

Holding my heart in their hands and caressing my soul.

And everyone becoming a real part of me.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for reading with me this week!  Thanks to God for my children!  My children thank you for choosing me as your Mom.  I have been so blessed!  Remember you are the Mother or a Father to many people, so use your gifts in order that others can also pass the torch in being strong, brave individuals  Especially brave in being who they really are!

Love,

Rennae

 

Relationships

 

 

 

Gods’ Tears of Joy

Leave a comment

Gods Tears of Joy

When the clouds gather and the landscape turns grey, we know rain will soon be coming.  We can face this with fear and dread, or we can embrace the opportunity to be washed by God’s tears.  As I reflect upon the flood that occurred in our area several years ago, I can certainly understand why some would develop fear.  We have to keep perspective of knowing these situations do not happen often.  Instead we can relish the time to reflect, dwell on hope, and cleanse our souls.  As the spring brings God’s rain, look this week for all the healing points in your life.  Look for the times God’s tears have healed you.  Sit back and soak in the waters of joy!

God’s Tears of Joy

They tap the window softly putting me to sleep.

They gently wash the mane of the horses relaxing in the field.

They nurture the blades of grass.

They fill the spaces left in the ground,

So the birds can bath and drink.

 

They flow through the creek feeding the small creatures underneath.

They touch my forehead and roll down my face cooling my heated body.

They stream down the waterfall creating a cool breeze.

They fill the spring in the woods so the deer can sip the cool drops.

They sweep the dirt from the fountain leaving a cistern of clean water.

 

The tears refill the water well so His refreshing touch can be felt another day.

The tears fall on the dirt that causes the mushrooms to spring up in circles.

The tears wash away the leaves and small brush down the hills,

Making a place for animals to hide and bed.

The tears cool and heat the chemicals that make electricity come to life.

 

They travel back by warmth to the sky,

And collect back into the clouds to be used another day.

They fall upon the ground.

They warm the seeds to sprout and burst forth.

Flowers follow from the blessing.

 

God’s tears of joy are good, pure, and clean.

They give me hope, relief, and a calming.

His tears are to clean us.

They make us new.

The tears nurture our souls.

 

And God said, “It is good.”

As He smiled a rainbow that reached across the sky.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I cannot thank you enough for being with me this week.  I am humbled knowing you chose to share your precious time with me.  I pray that God’s tears will wash many blessings your way this week!

Love,

Rennae

 

Blessings

The Death Prayer

Leave a comment

The Death Prayer

In my family we hold “Decoration”.  “Decoration” is a time to visit the graves of our loved ones and place flowers there to honor them.  This usually occurs near the first of May or near Mother’s Day.  The “Decoration” time was not only to honor our dead, but it served as a great time of gathering for family.  For this reason, I remember the piece I wrote on death this week.  Also April was the time in which my Mom started her new life with God.  Even though this still has to be one of the toughest times in my life, I am also brought peace with the sadness.  Near and at my Mom’s death I witnessed such peace from her.  Due to the Alzheimer’s her peace was stolen here with us.  She recognized that death would bring her peace.  I know I learned one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned from her at that time.  Don’t wait to find peace in the other world.  Find it now so that joy can consume your soul.    Peace leads to joy and joy to love.  It can continue to your next travels, but why wait when you can feel it now!  So seek peace this week.  It can be experienced here as well as in heaven and the other paths we will follow!

The Death Prayer

Bone to bone.

Each one touching.

I need rest.

Deep inside of my inner soul,

I need rest.

 

The wants and demands have to stop at some point.

One albatross changes into another.

The weight on the body pushes it down.

The inner spirit needs peace.

Will peace not come?

 

God come into my mind.

Give me your comfort.

Pass me your calm.

One tear falls.

Then another.

 

Finally releasing themselves as wails.

Wails that reach into silence.

Release is for a moment then the next burden comes.

Tears rise again and fall.

The last wails rise against the silence.

 

This is why death becomes so easy.

As our wisdom becomes deeper,

We know that peace can only be reached when this body breathes no more.

That is when the bones let go.

And the air dissipates gently.

 

Relief causes us to relax.

I beg please allow me to know the peace in this world.

Please do not hold it back for the next plane.

Let my mind rest in you.

I know your interest is for my joy.

 

Let my bones lean onto the Earth and relax.

Let my soul lay in the fragrance of my spirit.

Let my breath flow into the sky.

Please let my heart stretch to receive love.

And know that I am satisfied with my plight.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Death will come, but peace doesn’t always.  So it is imperative that you find peace in order to have joy and to love more.  Thank you so much for reading with me this week.  Blessings of breaths with peace this week for you and yours!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

Roadside Bouquets

Leave a comment

Roadside Bouquets

Each and every one of these specimens along the roadside adds to the full picture I am blessed to see in my life.  The dandelions bring something to the full visual that the dogwoods do not, just as the pinks offer as much as the blackberries.  The picture would just not be complete without each and every one of these.  This is how life is.  Each and every one brings such special contributions to the picture.  You don’t bring the same that I do.  Your friend doesn’t bring the same as you.  We all have special abilities, talents, and gifts that make the love complete in this world.  Never hesitate to show your brilliance in the picture!  There will be a void in the “Monet” of life if you don’t!

Roadside Bouquets

I glance right!

I glance left!

And there they are!

 

All along the roadside.

Yellow heads pop up everywhere.

Small purple blooms reach across the small patches of green.

 

The lacy whites dance among the grasses.

The wind slightly tosses them forward and backward.

The pinks glide with the winds movement.

 

Crimson clovers rise above the ground declaring themselves as King.

Vetch stretches its small vines around and throughout anything in its way.

Honeysuckle creates its succulent trumpets.

It dispenses its toxic aromas taking me to a sweet land.

 

Dandelions pop their golden heads all throughout the short grasses.

Their fluffy tops later shed to create a seed snowstorm.

The yellow star’s flower turns into a soft white ball of seeds.

The orange lilies burst open in families making the ditch burst like a sunset.

 

The locusts’ blooms shower the road like sleet on an icy day.

Some brush my car as I drive by.

Others float across my windshield.

And some stand tall with attention and salute me as I drive by.

 

The redbuds and dogwoods break from beneath the cracks in the rocks to make a lush canopy over the road.

The blackberries peer as black dots along the fence rows.

They dangle waiting for a creature to nibble them as their lunch or supper.

 

The bouquets are never ending!

They change their colors, their shapes, and their sizes.

All making the road a better path to travel!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Enjoy the roadside “bouquets” along your traveled path this week.  Don’t just pass by.  Stop and really pay attention.  Use your gift this week to complete the masterpiece!  Bloom blessings to you this week!  As always, thanks for taking your time to be with me.

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Blessings

 

Traditions

Leave a comment

Traditions

It is good to be back!  I missed everyone so much.  My Dad, Jim, has experienced some difficult health issues, so I have needed to be with him over the past weeks.  He is on the mends, and thanks to the many prayers to God from all of you for him.  Starting today we as Christians and other beliefs begin some very important traditions for our faiths.  A special emphasis will be placed on these traditions to be carried out through Sunday.  My hope is that we expand these traditions into our every day to day and moment by moment living.  We don’t wait for that one special time of the year.  Everyday should demonstrate a tradition that our God finds pleasing.  These traditions should also demonstrate our love that we are giving to this world.  So this week seek to celebrate all the time everyday, not just during this traditional season!

Traditions

Why do we repeat the actions of the past?

Why do we place our faith in actions?

Our foundation is hope,

Which we practice through faith.

 

The service to praise God’s birth

Or to praise God’s death for us.

The star with its five rays of light.

The square and compass with lines to God.

 

All guide us to the one and only.

The reason for these actions we repeat and replay.

Is this repeat genuine?

Is it real?

 

We do in reverence to the One.

The One that provides grace to use between these traditions.

The One who moment by moment is with us,

In our hearts, in our souls, and in our bodies.

 

God as the center of the star of light

And the eye of the Almighty

Knows tradition is our way of thanksgiving for His grace and love.

With each step of the tradition,

We walk the labyrinth of the journey in becoming closer to God.

 

The gathering, the praises, the laughs,

The tastes, the prayers, the promises,

The ceremonies, the songs, the pictures, and the relationships—

Are all the traditions for our God.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray that you and your family find joy and traditions not just this weekend, but all year long!  Accept God’s blessings and celebrate every day!  My love and prayers are made for those who lost their lives or those that were injured worshiping and celebrating this last week.  We hold you and your families in our hearts and pray for healing.

Love,

Rennae

 

Family and Traditions

Let Your Soul Rest

Leave a comment

let-your-soul-rest

The soul is such a precious thing to protect.  I find that much of the time I am the one my soul needs protecting from!  I am really hard on myself.  I micromanage and pick apart my inner being.  I know there are others that do the same.  So for those of us who do this, we must be aware and recognize what we can do to ourselves.  When we feel trends and actions happening that have damaged our souls before, we need to be alert and divert from these happenings.  If we don’t care for ourselves, no one else will.  Sometimes it is as simple as acknowledging to back off and let your soul have a rest.  Your soul needs to reflect in order to relax and expand, and we must allow for that time.  So if you are like me, stop being so hard on yourself.  Start letting peace, rest, and repair seep into your hidden being.  Give your soul a break from yourself!

Let Your Soul Rest

We can be really be tough on our souls.

We abuse them.

We torture them.

We hold back love from them.

Our souls take a beating.

By the one that should so greatly protect it.

 

We have to love ourselves.

We have to love our soul.

Accepting our soul is loving ourselves.

Our soul reserves the deep thoughts of our self.

This is the place where we can be honest with ourselves.

 

Each of us is so special.

Made with a soul that has been genetically designed.

The mystery that so many of us seek.

Can be found so easily by looking inward.

All we need to do is to examine our own code.

Our own special soul that acts like no other soul.

 

What is a soul?

No one body part contains it.

No one body part controls it.

It takes the mind.

It takes the heart.

It takes the chemicals.

 

All of these connect into the soul.

All of these function by the direction of the soul.

We experience the feelings deep inside.

Deeper than any physical part.

We have the deep belief gathering in our psyche.

So much of the time the belief that our soul is not good enough.

 

Let your soul heal and repair.

Let your soul accept who you are.

Let the mind be at peace.

Let your soul be.

Let your soul rest.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Watch and catch yourself this week when you become too hard on yourself.  Take a step back, breath, and let the peace consume you.  Your perception and look upon living will allow your soul to grow leaps and bounds!  God bless your soul!

Love,

Rennae

 

 

Journey

 

 

 

To Love or Not

Leave a comment

to-love-or-not

It is very easy to distant yourself from others.  When you are alone, there are no expectations or commitments.  It becomes very easy to not show love or to love others.  You don’t have to deal with complications or feelings.  You don’t have to sacrifice or be responsible for someone else.  But this is just not how humans were made.  We were made to have relationships.  We were made to love and to engage in companionship.  With a lot of love dancing around this week, I felt it very appropriate to address the true meaning of love and the choice of whether to love.  Love does not always equate to romance with just one individual.  Love is so much bigger!  It is so much deeper!  Although we all seek the most romantic love, love is most often found in relationships with family, friends, and even strangers.  If we allow it.  So after examining how many people have taught me to love, you see today what my choice would be!  With all that is going on in the world these days, I hope you find it in your heart to find love.  It may just be the next smile you give to someone!

To Love or Not?

Love is sitting with me as I mourn.

Love is laughing with me as I celebrate.

Love is hard.

Love is easy.

 

Love is bathing me when I am ill.

Love is feeding me when I cannot feed myself.

Love is strong.

Love is weak.

 

Love is being with me in silence.

Love is arguing with me about which bread to buy.

Love is being quiet.

Love is being loud.

 

Love is taking me to the doctor when you could be with friends.

Love is carrying me to therapy and seeing that I am doing it all right.

Love is sacrifice.

Love is care.

 

Love is calling me at just the right time.

Love is texting me with the most encouraging words.

Love is being there for me.

Love is pushing me forward.

 

Love is rubbing my arms, my back, and my shoulders when I am sore.

Love is watching a mystery show with me as we both try to solve it.

Love is simple.

Love is complicated.

 

Love is you letting me lay my head across your legs to feel safe.

Love is moving concrete pieces in the garden three inches.

Love is security.

Love is backbreaking.

 

Love is sharing your snores with me.

Love is giving me a tissue when I cry.

Love is sharing your day with me.

Love is asking about mine.

 

Love is the joy you share together as you hold your children the first time.

Love is your hands clasps tightly when as a team you watch your children graduate from college.

Love is safety.

Love is freedom.

 

Love is finding the right gift to give.

Love is accepting any gift with grace.

Love is giving.

Love is taking.

 

Love is putting my sock on me when I cannot bend.

Love is getting my medicine.

Love is driving all night to the beach so you can both see the sunrise.

Love is sharing your hot fudge sundae.

 

Love is reassuring my mom when her Alzheimer’s flares up.

Love is giving me grandchildren to love. 

Love hurts.

Love feels good.

 

Love is signing on the line with me to own a home.

Love is giving up the sports car to buy a van.

Love is a risk.

Love is sacrifice.

 

Love is letting me win even when I am wrong.

Love is giving in when I am right.

Love is power.

Love is powerless.

 

To love or not?

If you haven’t loved, you cannot understand how to live.

If you haven’t lived, you cannot love.

I would have it no other way but to love!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Don’t take the easy way out this week.  Purposely give your love away.  You will find that you will receive so much more in return!  Love to everyone!

 

Blessings

The Past Chase

Leave a comment

the-past-chase

It may come in the form of a nightmare.  Or it may suddenly be like a deja vu.  You catch yourself focusing on it.  Every other thought returns to it.  You just cannot shake it!  You begin to make up scenarios of how to handle it.  Your emotions move to their highest.  You just finally want to scream at this “thing”!!!  I know for me letting go is the hardest to do.  But we have to in order to move on our life path.  If we choose to hang on, chew it while, throw it around, attempt to always solve it, or grip with all our strength, the “thing” becomes controlling.  A controller of your peace and love.  If the “thing” bothering you holds on this week, just stop and give a scary scream—-get out of here!!!!

The Past Chase

Let go of me!

Please let go.

Keep your hold away from me!

 

I had hoped once a certain week was past that you would let me be.

Your grip continues to strangle my peace.

Your want and fear chases me.

 

Just stay away!

No one wants you in their lives.

No one wants your arrogance or selfishness.

 

You grab souls trying to extinguish their lights.

Trying to hide them from being seen.

Because you are so afraid.

 

So afraid of love.

So afraid of losing what you think is power.

Afraid to see others loving.

 

The light you seek to destroy can never be trapped so stop trying to capture it.

Let the light be free!

For it will burn through you to be seen in its purest form.

 

Let me go!

Let my light go!

Go away forever!

 

For my light will consume you until it returns to the great warmth from which it came.

And your grasp will slowly dwindle to nothing,

Because you have no light within the Devine.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope your week can be peaceful from “things” of all sorts.  May God help you rest your soul and your mind this week.  At least if you scream, you are really getting some good deep breaths and exhaling all that negative stuff!

Sparkles in the Sky

1 Comment

sparkles-in-the-sky

Have you ever heard of the saying “star struck”?  I get that way every winter!  There is nothing more wondrous than the sky in winter!  When you stand alone in the pure dark, illuminated by these magnificent spheres of gas, one cannot help but to be in awe.  I feel like I could just look up and stare for hours.  And the emotions that rise up in you when peace has covered you in such a majestic way.  I normally take a breath that reaches deep into my belly, and then I release a long, slow breath taking in the miracle.  You just know that there is something bigger than you, but that you are such an important part of it.  This knowing brings comfort to your soul.  Seek and search that sky this week.  Take comfort in knowing that you are as important to these stars as they are to you.  Let the miracle of light flow through your bones and into your living!

Sparkles in the Sky

So many.

So far.

So bright.

So dark.

So clear.

So quiet.

 

A million diamonds.

Sparkle and make patterns.

The air is so fresh and crisp.

Breaths can be seen.

 

You feel a cleansing.

A cleansing of not just the land but the soul.

The light of each billions of miles away touches right upon your eye.

You feel so close to each.

 

The chemicals that keep each one sparkling is so pure.

You become pure because you know purity is in the eye of the Beholder.

The Beholder creates the sparks again and again.

The sparks strike out again to reach a view.

 

So silent.

So transparent.

So black.

So brilliant.

So distant.

So much.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray for a blessed revelation in your life this week.  That you can find comfort in our natural miracles and hold on to your faith with peace.  Through these miracles souls are with you through God’s grace!  My sweet baby told me one time to never forget that when I was looking at this great vast sky that she was too, so we would always be together.  This week let the sky keep you with those that you love and those that love you!

 

Blessings