My Soul...

Breathe

The aftermath of the holidays
left my house in a disarray
and my soul overcrowded
supermom lists
and new year's resolutions....

then this:

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
-Joseph Scriven-

Thank you dear God
that you are just a prayer away
all that we need is readily available
anytime, anywhere
we can breathe in the breath of life

In my most frenzied moments
I breathe deeply and restoratively
long and luxurious
imagining my breath as a lullaby
soothing and calming
at the same time invigorating and rejuvenating
as I listen intently
every breath as notes
dancing, floating
like snowflakes
each unique and special
every inhalation controlled and conscientious
inhaling love
exhaling worries and anxieties
slowly easing my pressures
turning my tensions into tranquility
I am untroubled once more
amidst all the frenzy
serenity floods my spirit.

Thank you dear God
for the energizing breath of life.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/30/2007 1 comments

Labels: My Poetry

Happy New Year

Year's end,
threshold of the old and new.
Clean pages of a bare calendar,
ready for new life's chapter.

May the passing chapter
serve as an anchor
remembering lessons learned
God's unfailing mercy and undying love
His constant nurturing
all through and despite our constant turning

To put into perspective
the aches of the past
allowing the pain from our darker moments
to serve as launching pad
into a promise filled tomorrows
for we surely know
time and time again
when the light returns
we are never the same

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/30/2007 0 comments

Labels: My Poetry

screaming to be alone

I don't know what this is I'm feeling...PMS? Over fatigue?... my heart is screaming "leave me alone!" I want to be by myself and I'm feeling sooo guilty.

then this prayer:

Even your son, Father, took breaks from the people and pressures crowding Him.
Don't let me think I can outperform Him.

Dear God,

help me to convince myself...
...that my body needs a break every once in a while
...that I am not being selfish when I take one
...that a relaxed and rejuvenated mother is a more loving mother.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/27/2007 0 comments

Faith Notes

It's truly amazing how a true friend knows the simple pleasures of your heart. Reading delightful "faith notes" over a cup of soothing "flowering" tea and melt in your mouth chocolates...blissful!

here are some of my fave quotes from the faith notes my bff gave me:

If you are happy and you know it, thank God!

Feeling down? Just look up.

Upload prayer, download peace.

Life is a dance; God's love is the music.

Faith sees the Invisible, believes the Incredible, and receives the Impossible.

Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.

God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.

Can't sleep? Don't count sheep; talk to the Shepherd.

No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.

Exercise daily...walk with the Lord.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/27/2007 0 comments

{On Nature and Perception}

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy
is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel
that all is as it should be
and that God wishes to see people happy,
amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Anne Frank (1929-1945)

The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass,
it becomes a mysterious, awesome,
indescribably magnificent world in itself.

Henry Miller (1891-1980)

Change your thoughts,
and you change your world

Norman Vincent Peale

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/22/2007 0 comments

{Simply Grateful} 12/6/2007

so very grateful that I was able to drive Ian to school before the van overheated again (it was so scary as the van was smoking all over the place as I was climbing the hill to our house; I jumped out of the van as soon as I reached the house; then I was able to refill the radiator fluid as it was empty again after the boys filled it up last night;

so very grateful that I got to drive Isabella to school before I had to call AAA to tow the van to the shop;

so very grateful that Phil got done with his finals for the day just in time to give me a ride.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/06/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

{Simply Grateful 12/5/2007}

for sons who are willing and able to do a temporary fix to my van (the radiator fluid burst just as I was pulling into the driveway; it was an alarming sight as it steamed and leaked all over the front}
that the car mishap happened at home and not in the middle of my school bus service
for a sweet darling daughter who, at my stressful moment, says to me "mom breathe remember you're too blessed to be stressed" (we saw this quote while shopping for a present for the birthday of a classmate last Saturday)
christmas shopping started yesterday and halfway done
halfway done with christmas cards
for my son, Phil, who after his review session last Sunday, bought our christmas tree and put it up
for a chance to decorate the tree with Isabella
for a quality time with Ian last Monday
for my son, Immanuel, who put up outdoor christmas lights

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/05/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

The Presence of Love

Notes from today's service at New Life Church:

What is it that you really want for Christmas?

What will your focus be this Christmas?
...Presents? Or, Presence?

lyrics to:
Presence (My Heart's Desire)
by Furler, Taylor, Hughes

Chorus
Come O Lord and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father come and let Your Spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

Verse 2
I long to be washed
In the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
By the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch

Ending
Lord You're my desire

1. God is the source of love

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world tocondemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17

2. Love responds with compassion

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

3. Compassion brings glory to God

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/30/2007 0 comments

Labels: Sermon Notes

{Simply Grateful} 11/24/2007

for the discipline of solitude and silence (much needed especially during times when I get caught up in overwhelming projects)

for the strength to carry out a vision for an improved kitchen

for not losing sight of my ultimate divine vision allowing balance and joy along the way

for an intimate thanksgiving lunch, full of grace and love, with my wondeful family

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/24/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

{Simply Grateful} 11/01/2007

....for a sweet 40th birthday in the company of my whole family
....for touching well wishes from friends and family closest to my heart
....for a fun time trick or treating with Belle, Ian and Russ
....for a nice bonding time with Ian
....for Immanuel's safety on halloween night away from home
....for Phil's continued diligence and pride in his work
....for the twinkle in my mom's eyes

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/01/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

I am 40!

Things I have learned...

Don't freak...seek
Don't think less of yourself...think of yourself less

Humility is confidence rightly placed

Prayer is not a way to draw God's attention to our needs.
It is a way to draw our attention to how much we need God.

a fave verse from Philippians 4: 6-7
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace is not the absence of conflict
but the handling of conflict without loss of balance
-Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

It's all about love

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22: 37-40

Without love,
our words are noise,
our spiritual gifts amount to nothing,
and our greatest sacrifices lose their meaning.

Love is the bottom line

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/01/2007 0 comments

{Simply Grateful} 10/27/2007

....for a fun family time at the beach (Pumpkins on the Pier)

....for the soothing loveliness of our blooming rose garden

God hath not promised
Skies ever blue,
Flower strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
-Annie Johnson Flint

My prayer:

Dear God,
Right now these flowers are in bloom
Soon they will wither and fall but they will bloom again
As I delight in the constant renewal of life
may it serve as a silent reminder of your promise
not of flower strewn pathways all our lives through
but of your constant presence and undying love
and help me remember that though we plant and water,
it is you who provides the life and growth.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/27/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

{Simply Grateful} 10/22/2007

....for an opportunity to share a church friend's grief and show our love and support in her time of loss
....for Isabella's memorable birthday (through the graciousnes of ate Cecile she will forever remember and rave of watching the HS Musical on ice with her BFF on her 8th bday)
....for a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered pretzels from thoughtful ate Pinky that came in an opportune time of my chocolate fit
....for a wonderful dinner full of FUN (through the kindness of ate Pinky) in the company of my BFF and her whole family (it was very nice meeting her beautiful and wise mom & dad for the first time)
....for a chance to witness the joy in the sweet eyes of two wonderful girls as they spend time together during a sleep-over and most of Sunday
....for hope as my "lost sheep" start showing some signs of maturity
....for a safe drive back

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/22/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

Bench of comfort

He sits down beside me
and puts His arm around me
His comforting strength wrapped around me
like a soothing blanket
Speaking to me with such tenderness and compassion
helping me to be aware of everything around me
showing me things I need to see
pointing my thoughts toward a new perspective...

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 1 comments

Labels: My Poetry

Dance with Jesus

When you stumble,
fall on Jesus.
When you are lonely and your sadness is unbearable,
cry to Jesus.
When you are happy and you can't contain your joy,
dance with Jesus.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 0 comments

Labels: My Poetry

{Simply Grateful} 10/09/2007

for a chance to watch the sunset with Isabella after her dance class
for a friend who inspires me to take photographs
and who continues to encourage me to write from my heart

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/10/2007 0 comments

Labels: Personal Thanks

A Sense of God

As inspired by: {Spiritual Awakening}

In the beginning
a sense of God...
handed down from generations
of traditions,
of beliefs and practices.

As time went by
life's distractions got in the way.
Pursuing possessions,
storing treasures on earth,
clouding that sense of the One
Who created it all.

Then a threat of losing it all
knocked me off my stupor.
A sudden emptiness
gave way to a longing
to bring back that sense
of the One Who gave it all.

The hunger for possessions
gave way to a yearning
for that sense of the One
Who provides for all I need
Who loves me unconditionally
Who forgives me and welcomes me back.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/08/2007 0 comments

Labels: My Poetry

A True friend

You know you have a true friend
when you feel safe...
...to call for no reason
...to unload your bundle of irritations
...to share a humorous and embarrassing moment
...to just be yourself

With a true friend there is rest, comfort and acceptance of your soul

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/04/2007 1 comments

Miracle in a Normal Day

The whirl of day-to-day activities...

...getting the children up and ready for school
...preparing breakfast
...driving them to school
...doing dishes
...cleaning house
...paperwork, bills and phone calls
...picking up the kids
...supervising homework
...taking them to classes and practices

then starting all over again the next day

at times overpowering

at times overwhelming

Thank you, dear Lord, for leading me to a beautiful quiet place

where I can...

...find time to slow down and decompress
...find peace and tranquility
...find respite to gather strength for the day
...find You, feel your presence and hear Your voice

whispering to me
opening my heart
enlightening my soul

for these, my whirl of day-to-day activities,
are opportunities to give unconditional love

bringing me to the realization
that my everyday living
ordinary as it may be
is an extraoridnary testimony
to Your faithfulness and love.