per·se·ver·ance

per·se·ver·ance

ˌpərsəˈvi(ə)rəns/

noun: perseverance

1.

steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Synonyms: Persistence, tenacity, determination, staying power,

indefatigability, steadfastness, purposefulness;  indefatigability: able to work or continue for a very long time without becoming tired  I long to be untiring. Indefatigable. Many years ago, I experienced times when my 4 boys were growing up when I had to be "energizer mom" and just keep on going way beyond where I thought I could. Baseball, cub scouts, music lessons and homework filled our days. We managed to fit in some camping trips and days on the lake. Leaning on Jesus and bubble baths kept me sane and smiling. Learning to love my boys with a balance of needed discipline was often difficult. I was far from being a perfect mom. Their dad, angry and not really knowing how to love, mostly failed at being the dad they needed and longed for.  This past year has been an uphill challenge for me. At times it felt like riding a tricycle up Mount Everest. At times, it truly felt impossible.  Do you ever feel like this?  I'm in the midst of a desert.  I am weary. I am tired.  My hands aren't lifted high in praise, though I long to be able to praise my Father God in this challenge! I'm low, way low on hope, perseverance and determination.  I'm spent. Parched. Thirsty. Desperate.   Hear my cry, for I am very low!! Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me.” Psalm 142:6-7 When my spirit is overwhelmed within me, You know my path. Psalm 142: 1. Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.  2. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.  3. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, (Ready to sink and faint under the present affliction... Gills Exposition) You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me.…  Barnes' Notes on the Bible When my spirit was overwhelmed within me - Luther renders this, "When my spirit was in distress." The Hebrew word rendered "overwhelmed" means, in Kal, to cover as with a garment; then, to be covered as with darkness, trouble, sorrow; and then, to languish, to faint, to be feeble:  Psalm 77:3; Psalm 107:5. The idea here is, that, in his troubles, he had no vigor, no life, no spirit. He did not see how he could escape from his troubles, and he had no heart to make an effort. Have YOU ever felt like you couldn't escape from YOUR troubles? Have you felt like you had no heart left to make an effort?  What are we to do when we feel overwhelmed?  1. Psalm 61:2 Cry out to YOU Father! 2. Psalm 142:3 Realize that you know my path 3. Psalm 88:1-3 Remember You are the God who saves me 4. Cry out to you day and night 5. Pray that you will turn your ear to my cry 6. Psalm 55:2 Pray You will listen and answer 7. Because You are worthy to be praised, I am to call on You and you will hear my cry, you will reach down from heaven and rescue me draw me out of deep waters.  8. Psalm 143:4 remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands.… Actually, there have been times just this weekend, that I felt overwhelmed. My Mom was admitted to the hospital with two pulmonary embolisms. She could've died! Pulmonary Embolism's are a known cause of sudden death. Mom is still in the land of the living, and we are so thankful!  A very special close friend comes to mind, who has recently been dealing with her aging parents. She and her family are having to make difficult decisions. Most certainly, they feel overwhelmed as they deal with the emotions that surface during times like these.   The scriptures above are our "prescription" to fill when we feel overwhelmed. Our Father God desires for us to persevere.  He will help us! Wingdreamer signing off for the night...    http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/119-32.htm

Saint Patrick's Words

Tonight, the words of Saint Patrick spoke to me, almost as if he shared his heart with me, in my home, by firelight. 

I was moved by his words.

"As armour on my breast I bind
The powers of God in heaven and earth;
The fleetness of the rushing wind.

The brightness of the morning's birth;
The splendour of the fiery glow,
The whiteness of the winter snow,

The lightning's wildly flashing mirth;
The strength that girds the rocky steep.
The vastness of the unfathomed deep.

I bind as armour on my breast
The Wisdom which shall be my guide;
The Shield whose shelter bids me rest

In peace, whatever ills betide;
The Eye of God, to search my thought;

His Ear, my prayer of faith to hear;
His Word, to make my words be fraught."
 

Care to read some more of his writings?

 https://archive.org/stream/writingsofsaintp00patr#page/n5/mode/2up

Rise From Ashes

Life can change, overnight. Devastating is a word used more than once in news reports. Flames. Ashes. Shock. A community is grieving. Businesses are suffering because of the flames that raged in the night in downtown Clarkesville Georgia on Wednesday night March 5th and the morning of March 6th, 2014. Families are affected. Finances are affected. Hearts are bowed low. Ashes have replaced flourishing businesses. Thankfully no one was injured!

Though I do not have deep roots in this community, I do have fresh, new roots that have worked their way into the soil of Habersham County. I feel the pain, the devastation. I grieve. 

I drove through Clarkesville a little over a week ago. The beautiful cottage garden at the Mauldin House was beginning to bloom. I wandered through the paths with my Nikon, capturing images of daffodils and crocuses heralding Spring. 

Once again, I drove slowly through Clarkesville this past Saturday. My eyes, my heart, were touched deeply by black wounds in historic buildings, ravaged by flames. I circled the square, once, twice. My heart heavy. I wasn't alone. Others drove slowly, their eyes taking in the destruction. The Mauldin House and gardens, though so incredibly close to the flames and devastation, were untouched. Bird song filled the air. Early Spring blubs continue to push through cold ground and bloom. A colorful beacon of hope.

For now, a community needs to grieve. Then there will be a time, soon, to push through the cold soil of the flames and devastation and bloom again! There will be a time to rebuild, a time to rise again from flames and ashes. It will be hard work. but it will be well worth it! 

Every time we push through what looks like an impossible situation, we will grow!

The community of Clarkesville Georgia is strong! 

I've been facing my own challenges and learning how to push through and rise from the ashes of "flames and devastation" in my life, as so many others are! I believe in new beginnings and rebuilding. I believe in beauty from ashes. I believe in a God who is big enough and strong enough to walk with us through every fire, every scary experience, every challenge.

"Whatever you do, hold onto hope.

The tiniest thread will twist into an unbreakable cord.

Let hope anchor you in the possibility that 

this is NOT the end of your story,

That change will bring you to peaceful shores." ~ Unknown

Aerial view of Clarkesville from a Taste of Clarkesville event 2013

 There is a hope to bloom again! 

Clarkesville Georgia will bloom again and rise from ashes!

© 2014 Marie Nease

“Whatever you do, hold on to hope! The tiniest thread will twist into an unbreakable cord. Let hope anchor you in the possibility that this is NOT the end of your story; that change will bring you to peaceful shores.”

See more at: http://www.idlehearts.com/?p=3174

“Whatever you do, hold on to hope! The tiniest thread will twist into an unbreakable cord. Let hope anchor you in the possibility that this is NOT the end of your story; that change will bring you to peaceful shores.”

See more at: http://www.idlehearts.com/?p=3174

Together

I don’t want someone who promises me the moon and stars. 

I want someone who promises to lay on the grass 

and watch them with me.

~ unknown 

Fig Trees Grapes and Puddles

Blessings received in the midst of 

desert dry seasons

drench us like refreshing rain,

and we dance

like children,

splashing in puddles of blessings!

© 2014 Marie Nease

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May the dry, cracked earth of you

be drenched as the Holy Spirit 

falls like rain, 

refreshing, restoring again.

May you lift empty hands 

high, in joyful praise,

thankful just for hands to raise!
May you honor God with all that you own
and the first fruits of your increase,

then find you're surprised by God

as He fills your "barns" until

they can hold no more

and your barrels will burst with new wine!

Yet, if your fig trees do not blossom

and there are no grapes on your vines,

will you still lift your voice in joyful songs of praise

to the God who gave you life and salvation?

You will be able to be joyful

if you remember and believe

that the Lord God is your strength 

and He'll make you surefooted, like a deer,

and swift to run.

 He will equip you to tread on mountain heights,

sure and stable, as you traverse

troublesome times and surmount with ease 

all difficulties and obstructions that lie in your way.

© 2014 Marie Nease

Habakkuk 3: 17-19

Proverbs 3:9-10

Snow

Reveling in this verity

as white covers the ground,

my heart knows with certainty

that though our sins abound,

Jesus' blood that flowed

freely from His heart

brought forgiveness and showed

us His desire to impart

His likeness in mere man

to embrace us as His bride

 is the Trinity's plan.

Though our sins are red like crimson

His blood makes them white as snow.

Jesus sacrificed, His life given

so we would fully know

Him.

 © 2014 Marie Nease

 

 

 

 

Forever...

Is anything forever any more in this life? 

Relationships form, they flourish, 

all smiles and ablush, then, in agony, 

sometimes they die. 

Why? 

An uncoupling occurs, 

yet what we long for is relationship. 

It isn't good for man to be alone. 

Hours and years of dedication to a job or career result in a moment that hits us hard, 

intense as a head-on collision, 

"we have to let you go today." 

A couple's longing fulfilled in sweet baby, cradled warm, yet tender life is snuffed out, before a year is gone. Unimaginable pain, hearts cry out, just to understand...

Gentle heavenly Daddy holds you, 

though it doesn't make sense. 

He feels every ache, 

He carries every burden and offense.

A deer runs into headlights on a country road,

 a blue eyed, blond haired beauty enters paradise before her story had time to fully unfold.

Flowers fade from bright yellow to brown every Fall,

Through the season's lessons he reaches and calls.

A chill in the air, the flowers brilliant colors fade.

Can our lives be a prayer, even though we're dismayed?

 

Tragedies, loss and misfortune fill this world we live in.

Remedies are discovered if we are desperate for Him...

though all else fade, 

His Word stands forever.

Jesus is our protective shade 

and is with us in every endeavor.

Oh, don't give up hope though your nights are so dark, 

a raging fire can grow from a little spark. 

Just look up into the expanse that is God, 

gaze into His majestic eyes and be awed. 

 

  © Marie Nease 2014