Glass Half Full?

Since the dust has settled from the divorce and changing my name, I’ve been taking a breather, praying and working through this odd season of life that has me examining my life and reevaluating what it is that I want in it. I was on my own while separated for two and a half years, but everything changed once the papers were signed. Now it truly feels like I’m starting over and moving on. Unfortunately, my feelings morphed from simply considering what sort of hobbies and “stuff” I really feel is worthwhile in my life – reorganizing and consolidating – to looking at my whole life, wondering what the heck I’m doing with it! Overwhelmed, I kind of folded up into myself, a lot like the rose in my photo, even taking a step back from writing, as well, to just “be” for a while.

God Sighting
Yesterday I made a quick stop for groceries and got back in my car only to find that it wouldn’t start. Each time I tried, the engine turned over but apparently it lacked either spark or fuel to fire up and take me anywhere.

My first thought, as a generally glass half full person, was how glad I was that perishable items were not among my purchases in the store.

Over the next 20 minutes or so I contacted a few friends, and thankfully one couple who live nearby came to my rescue. When they arrived, the husband asked me to go ahead and try starting it again, so he could hear how it sounded, and wouldn’t you know it, my car started right up!

After turning off the engine and restarting it again, my car seemed okay. The husband had an errand to run, but his wife and I ended up going out for lunch and had a great visit. Turns out that they were preparing to travel soon , so if I had called even a day later, I likely would not have caught them at all. It was perfect timing.

God knew I needed to reach outside of myself and talk with someone, so He used car troubles to prompt me to do just that! He truly does work in mysterious ways.

New Poem
Tonight I joined my friends to lead chapel time at the Simonka Place women’s shelter. The theme this evening was “Glass Half Full or Half Empty?” This afternoon, after a bit of prayer and once again surrendering my self-doubt to the Lord, He inspired me with a new poem to share:

“The Glass”

At times when the glass of life
feels half empty instead of half full;
At my wit’s end, amidst the strife,
yet good out of evil You pull.
Greater than all I could ask or think,
larger than my hopes and dreams;
Though some days are harder to drink,
still You’re working behind the scenes.
So I will keep looking to You,
my sparkling hope in this transition;
Smiling, knowing You’re not through,
for even now, You give inspiration!
Yes, thank You, Lord, that I have a glass
and that there’s something inside;
Yet beyond that, this moment can’t pass
without praising You, for You abide
in the future, the past and right now.
You hold my heart, Your love will prevail.
I trust that some way, somehow
Your perfect plan will never fail.
So I pour out my glass to You:
in surrender, I’m refilled each day,
peace and joy brimming anew
as by Your grace I get out of the way.
Daily closer to You I’m growing,
lacking nothing I need, in Your care;
Instead, filled to overflowing,
I forget the glass as Your love I share!

6-17-2018
©Ladeena Ashley

My life is different now than I ever thought it might be, but my attitude has remained focused on the bright side, seeing the glass as half full. Many times though, I’ve just been glad I have a glass and that there’s something in it. Contentment is great, yet as I wrote in the poem, we should take it a step further. Instead of focusing on the glass and how we view its contents, we should pour it all out to the Lord, so He can fill us to overflowing with His love, power, grace, strength, joy and peace. When we’re filled with Him and flowing out to those around us, we’ll forget that there’s even a glass!

I believe that is what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) It’s not about us, our limitations or our circumstances, and it’s not about what we have or don’t have. We follow and serve the God of the universe! Through Christ we have been given access to greater things than all we can imagine!

The enemy will tell you that you aren’t good enough or smart enough. Resist him and he must flee (James 4:7). Instead, pour out your glass to the Lord so He can fill it with Himself, transforming and equipping you to perfectly fulfill His purposes. Through Christ you are more than enough!

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
All Rights Reserved (Blog Content and Photos)

The Tapestry of Life

 

As we embark on the adventure of another year, it seems fitting to speak again about the future, and how we can trust the Lord to guide us. For one thing, He has an infinitely farther and better view than we could ever imagine! One of my favorite wall decorations features a poem about seeing things from God’s perspective. It speaks of a beautiful tapestry of which we on earth can only see the underside. To us, it is a mess of knotted threads and a chaotic mix of colors, but from His side, it is a beautiful, perfectly formed piece of artwork that powerfully displays His glory and love.

Along those (thread) lines, while writing the poem I shared in my last post, the phrase “heavenly lenses” stuck out to me, and another new poem followed almost immediately about our sight versus how God sees. Though on earth and in our limited human capacity, we cannot bear the fullness of God’s knowledge, it is still something we all should strive for. The more we can glimpse life through His eyes, by the transformation of our minds through prayer and His Word, the happier and more fulfilled our lives will be. More importantly, when we see more often where God is working, joining in what He is doing, our lives will make a greater impact on our world.

In this poem, the Lord brought to mind a lot of verses that speak of sight: seeing, looking and perspective in general. Quite honestly, I initially wrote it without actually cracking open my Bible as I went. It wasn’t until I was in the process of editing that I double-checked the references, finding that God had inspired me to access His Words that I have hidden in my heart (Psalm 119:11) pretty perfectly!

True Sight

We see not as the Father sees
Instead, darkly glimpsed, as through glass.
Distorted and hazy outlook
–yet to God the future is past.
His ways are higher than ours,
our perspective a prism of hues;
Imperfect perception we employ
to interpret life as we choose.
We observe the outward appearance
but the Lord peers into our heart
and by grace we return His gaze,
trusting love will never depart.
For not a sparrow escapes His view,
we’re eternally in God’s sight.
Whether in full brightness of day
or enveloped in shadows of night.
His eyes ever scan the horizon,
finding ways our lives will be blessed,
all the while knowing our mess ups
long before we’ve knelt and confessed.
Reading God’s Word removes the blinders
transforming within, by His power.
Joy revealed not in circumstance,
but by faith, not sight, every hour.
For all that’s seen is temporal
— life a fleeting mist in the air.
Yet what’s unseen and lasts forever
is the light, hope and love we share.

12-31-16
©Ladeena Ashley

Nearly a week ago, I was given a new perspective on life, one that I would never wish on anyone: the after-effects of a slight concussion from bumping my head. My view of the world has become just a bit skewed; I have less patience for Sudoku, books that don’t completely enthrall me, or other things that I might normally to engage myself in for long periods of time. I’ve seen a doctor, who has said the headaches will eventually dissipate, but for now I am struggling just a bit to concentrate on finishing this post.

I have faith that it will improve and I will return to my fully functioning, upbeat self, soon. Even if I don’t, my life is in God’s capable hands; because even though I don’t always understand what He’s doing, I’m trusting that there’s a gorgeous woven masterpiece, and I’m thankful to be a part of it!

Faith Notes
Here is another of my favorite songs. It fits this post and some of what I’m feeling:
Whatever You’re Doing – Sanctus Real  (Note: Link will open in new window.)

Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:11, 15; Isaiah 55:9; 1 Samuel 16:7; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:38-39; Matthew 10:29; Psalm 139:1-18; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; James 4:14

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content & photos)

Poems, Pictures and Providence

I’m taking a minute to tell you more about why I’m doing this blog, and how it came to be.

Like many others, sometimes I have a problem seeing “the forest for the trees”, but with this blog, I also didn’t fully notice some of the trees! Oddly enough, it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I fully realized how it all came together so perfectly, and I identified all the “saplings” that the Lord planted to form the “blog forest” I am now enjoying!

Poems

It continually amazes me just how many poems and other writings He’s given to me over the years. I’ve written on how the truths of God’s Word play out in my life, pouring both good and unpleasant life experiences out on paper, and giving voice to various periods of struggles and growth that have brought me here. Every time I’ve searched for something on a particular topic, I’ve rediscovered long-forgotten poems that will be great for future posts. I am thankful and humbled to have so much material from which to draw!

Timing

Though I’ve shared many older poems, I’ve also composed new, more extemporaneous works. This is exciting for me, as writing had largely taken a back seat to personal and financial challenges for the past several years. I see more clearly that this was always a part of God’s larger plan. Just over two years ago I began a journey of transformation, through which He has guided me back to my creative roots. Later, after much prayer, I felt it was the right time to share more fully with others. Blogging seemed a natural choice, as I also wanted to combat the growing negativity and unrest in the world by sharing His light and hope on a broader scale. God has affirmed that decision and is enriching my faith walk through this experience. It has been at once cathartic and invigorating, especially hearing how God has spoken through my humble offerings!

Pictures

Perhaps you’ve noticed that a photo accompanies every post. They are not stock photos, but all original snapshots taken by myself in various places; many while out walking by myself or hiking with family and friends. I enjoy taking pictures, but had often pondered what to do with all of them, as there are no children for me to pass things like that down to. Some images I’ve posted on Facebook, but I always wished to share on a grander scale, if not actually becoming a professional photographer (the thought has crossed my mind, but it is not my calling). The Lord has given me an artistic eye for color and composition, and with this blog, He’s also provided a way to share all those shots!

His Blog

Though I did not plainly state it at first, in my first blog post, this blog is HIS. Now that the “trees” and “forest” are in better focus, I feel even more strongly about that assertion. When beginning this blog journey, I wasn’t sure what He would do with it, but I remain confident that His purposes will be worked out as long as I keep my mind transformed by His Word (Romans 12:2), my heart trusting in His plan (Psalm 28:7) and my hands devoted to writing whatever it is He wants to say through me. Not that I will always say everything perfectly, but that He will use this imperfect vessel to inspire and encourage others according to His will (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Here’s a poem I wrote to reaffirm my dedication of this blog to His service:

“His Blog”

Your words, Lord, are what I seek.
Your will first in what I speak.
Your message, through text great and small.
Your gentle whispers shared with all.
This blog is Yours; it’s not my own.
Lord, set the rhythm, course and tone.
To further Your kingdom, for Your glory;
To uplift and inspire with my story.
For my story is You, and what you’ve done;
I rest in Your grace as each post is begun.
With expectant joy, I listen and pray
Holy Spirit, keep guiding all that I say.

10-1-16
©Ladeena Ashley

Pass It On!

I’ve been doing a LOT of writing lately, and am thankful for every word I’ve been inspired to write. For those who have been following, and those who are new followers: thank you for coming along on this journey. I pray you are blessed by what you read, but more than that, I pray that you too will pass along that encouragement to those around you. We are all blessed to be a blessing (2 Corinthians 1:4)! We are His light in the darkness, our words and lives shining the light of His love everywhere we go.

I have several favorite songs named “Shine”, but the one I’ll choose for this post is by Salvador. It is truly one of the songs of my heart.
Shine – Salvador (Note: link opens in new window)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

©Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (content & blog photo)