As I watch our lantern, one of the last yellow maple trees, lose its leaves this week, I have to reflect on the brightness of its body and the eternal joy it provides me as this season comes to a close. The visual in my mind is etched there to bring peace all year. The tree reminds me so much of the joy I have experienced through the eternal flame of God from others in our lives. I have been given the opportunity the last few weeks to begin cleaning out my Mom and Dad’s home since the death of my Mother. I am so reminded how my Mother’s eternal flame is like the tree. I will always have the warm eternal love of my Mother with me, just like I will always have God’s everlasting love through the visual of the golden lantern. Remember the special lantern in your life today and give thanks you have been given this eternal flame!

The Lantern

The glow stands out as the dark gives way to the sun.

The flickering is very quick, but fluid.

As the flame dims—

The deep grey of the lantern’s body appears.

Year after year and season after season,

The lantern remains.

God nourishes and keeps the lantern glowing deep inside.

The light of the lantern provides my soul with faith.

I know God is everlasting

Because I know the lantern will continue to glow another season.

I know I will grow another season.

We will all continue to search for the lantern of eternal life.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I so appreciate you choosing to read with me today. I wish for you to find the most bright and loving eternal lantern in life! Search for the beautiful flame you have this week and etch those pictures in your mind to enjoy God’s blessings forever!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

The phrase “home sweet home” seems so much more relevant this time of year. All of the colors in nature come to us in such an amazing palette! The palette makes us yearn for a place of comfort-our “home sweet home”. Find your place of comfort this week, and let that place make your colors explode! It may be a home, an apartment, your favorite coffee shop, a chair with a comfy, your bed with a big comforter, or even your rocking chair on the porch. Wherever your “home sweet home” is located, nature’s colors will help your colors know you are home!

Colors Come Home

The orange emerges as the brightest sunset.

The red glowing like the embers of a fire’s sparks.

The yellow shines forth like a star in the sky.

All set against the deep browns of the earth.

It is a time we want everything to stop

And not go forward, nor go backwards.

The air changes not only in its direction,

But also in its feel.

It is a time we all become vibrant.

We prepare for the cold.

We prepare for the hiding.

We prepare to be home.

The color and geometrical designs lead us home.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

You will discover your vibrant colors and your unusual shapes when you find your “home sweet home”, and you are the only one that can determine that special palette and place! Thank you so much for reading with me this week. I am so blessed to have you as company in my “home sweet home”!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

You feel in your soul-that satisfied feeling! It is as if we are given permission to go into resting. God signals us to slow the pace, stop and listen, and to feel the comfort. Don’t let the week speed by without “cocooning” this week—it’s not just for butterflies! It’s provided for a reason.

Cocooning

You glance out into the beauty.

The trees have thinned.

The breeze has changed direction.

The clouds hang close to the Earth.

You just know it is cool and brisk.

You know the air has changed.

But you don’t care!

Cocooning can begin!

Pillows are re-fluffed.

Soft comfies are gathered over the sheets and blankets.

Breaths are deep and soothing.

The first frost crystals cover the grass.

Arms have reached to the ceiling,

Feeling a nice stretch.

Legs have stretched past the end of the bed.

Then all slowly, but steadily

The body re-circles like music notes on the paper.

The covers tuck under the chin.

The head buries slowly and softly into the pillows.

The dreams, hopes, and joys gather under the closed eyes.

God’s voice gives peace and comfort.

Let the cocooning begin!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope you make time this week to monitor the pace at which you are moving. Let God and His marvelous earth give you a reason to rest. Thank you so much for reading this week. I am so grateful for you sharing your time with me.

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Have you ever been in a time and place that you knew was just a holy place? This was one of those places for me—my Mama Hick’s home. Especially during the fall and at Halloween, when the colors of the leaves were so vibrant, the smells were so wonderful, and the family places were so warm and comfortable! Fall and Halloween have always been such a special time with my family. A special time that God provided to cuddle around bond fires, to help each other dress up in fun costumes, and to decorate with some of the most amazing colors that are seen all year! Don’t miss out on God’s opportunity for you to paint a hallowed picture this week with your loved ones. Carve a pumpkin, roast a marshmallow, dress up in silly costumes, and most importantly do it with those you love!

The Hallowed Picture

She steps off the bus

And the leaves on the gravel appear as jewels in the stones.

As she makes her way to the back porch,

The cooler air has moved into the trees.

She is welcomed with arms that hold her warmly in the nippy atmosphere.

Cookies and warm chocolate wait for her at the end of the big table.

The glow of the lights provide lights that warm.

She pulls the brightly orange colored paper and crayons out of the leather satchel.

As she gazes out the kitchen window at the colorful display,

She also sees the silhouette of a woman with strong lines and soft hands stirring the simmering pots.

Her attention is drawn to the blank sheet of color.

The poem is transferred onto the vivid orange.

Her mind fills with fun, anticipation, and excitement!

She adds the fence and then the pumpkins appear on the fence—

All wearing different smiles and fiery eyes!

The moon appears in the sky

And the cat’s perch symbolizes the strength of the night.

As she sits back,

Smells the cookies and warms from the hot chocolate,

She knows this is not just all hallows night—

This is a hallowed life!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I am so happy that you could read with me this fall and Halloween week! I hope you and those you love have a safe and fun week to celebrate another one of God’s amazing experiences in this life. Also pass a little bit of that “spiritual glow” into the lives of others!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Look into your reflection this week and examine your own soul. Don’t be afraid. You will find all the beautiful gifts that you were given! Reflect those gifts onto all the other souls that will be blessed to be with you this week. You are truly a special soul, so don’t hold back on the opportunity to bless someone else!

Mirror of Colors

Your skin is cool,

But warmth is felt inside.

As the walnuts fall like rain,

The breeze gently touches your cheek.

It appears someone’s paint brush touched the Earth and trees.

If Monet where here he could not do as well.

One color after another blends

To make the beautiful palette of the land.

The last lady bug and butterfly rest and fly

Before the winter breeze changes coming from the North.

The breeze causes the water to ripple.

The leaves ride the waves like a swan glides across the glass.

Then of course when she sees the palette

As the reflection of the painter,

She also sees the reflection of herself in the mirror.

And knows the painter has created a masterpiece.

She settles warmly into the curves of the bench,

She contemplates the image.

She breaths in the air which is cool,

But warming and knows who she truly has become.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Reflect your beautiful self this week! I so appreciate you reading with me this week, and I hope I have reflected some beauty into your week!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Celebrate the souls you have in the particular season of life you are experiencing! The beautiful colors of fall are individual colors yet together create such amazing scenes. The same is true of the many different people we live with or encounter day to day. Find the souls that help you create that spectacular scene! Stop, rest, and breathe in the amazing richness that you all create together this time of year!

Seasons and Souls

I do not know whether it is the brightness of the hues.

Or the richness of the textures.

The various oranges, reds, and yellows.

Golds, browns, and greens.

They all contrast each other,

Yet they hold to the specialty of each other.

They complement each other.

So much like people,

Each brings great depth to the full scene.

Yet together the scene becomes alive

And engraves the beauty in our minds.

Each has their own special place.

All the colors just make my heart rise in joy!

Mixed with the path of the butterflies,

The ironweed and golden rod line the rows.

Yellow and deep purple,

This sight gives us such hope.

The different feel of the breeze gently tosses the colors and hues.

They dance around or move back and forth,

Making them reach higher for the last moments of sun.

Some flicker with silver and gold as they are blown.

Just as souls shift and glide and blend with other souls

To make the dance so rich,

So do the colors.

As I take in the fresh air

And I see the extreme variations of the art,

The scents are intoxicating with their soothing blends.

No wonder the bright yellow bumble bee searches for the last hints of nectar.

The birds nibble on the last beautiful, bright fruits.

I know these scenes could only be painted by one.

That one has chosen us to have this precious experience.

A small touch of His coolness creates such warmth.

There is only one that can create such beauty

Within our lives through seasons and souls!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I really appreciate you being one of the souls I can visit with this week! I ask for blessings on the scenes you see this week and the souls you touch! Thank you again for reading!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

Dance! It is the week to dance and float and flitter!! What a great opportunity we have been given to live in such an amazing and changing world! It is Fall in the South! Nature is about to explode with all her splendor. There will be so much for us to see, smell, and hear! Stop from rushing this week and dance, dance, dance!

The Dance

Floating as they were always meant to.

Each floats down separately.

Finding its place with the Earth.

Yet they all float together.

As a great gospel choir raising its voice to the heavens.

She has released them.

She has nourished and fed them,

But it is now time to let them go.

They have the strength from her in their veins.

They have her colorful appearance on their surfaces.

The wind carries them as if they were a child on a roller coaster,

But guides them for their destiny.

Will it be the mamba?

Will it be a ballet or a line dance?

Will it be the cha cha?

Will it be the twist?

Free—Floating—Forming the Dance!

The dance of colors!

The dance of shapes!

The dance of different destinies!

The dance that leads us to hope for another day!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for joining me on the dance floor this week! I know your time is so priceless and to spend it with me is a true gift. I hope you stop and take time to dance among the colors and shapes this week!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings