Tag Archives: Poetry

This is Something You Cannot Do Without

24 Sep

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged September 24, 2022

September 22, 2022

Hubby walked in with groceries, he put them away and got busy on another mystery task.

“Got something for you,” he said. He took my hand and placed them on a crystal vase filled with flowers. He described each, detailing their beautiful colors.

Sweet, isn’t he? Well, me, on the other hand, not so much. I’ve told him, very gently, I might add, that flowers are great, but since I can’t see them, it’s kind of a waste of money.

I have hinted, suggested, and downright told him, instead, to get me an outfit, gift certificate to a spa, dinner out, etc.

But before you shake your head with disbelief at my rude, cold lack of appreciation, you might have expressed similar reactions.

The Lord insists on handing you the gift of confidence, yet traces of insecurity filter through. He hands you His grace, yet you look to please Him by scurrying through tasks. He repeats He’d be your companion, yet you worry about facing tomorrow alone.

He said He’d calm the seas and quiet the storms, yet you tremble at the thought of impending adversity. He hands you the gift of His Word to guide you, yet you follow your own personal GPS for your life, for your plans and desires.

Something we cannot do without.

In all that mess, there’s something we cannot do without. We all need to work in accepting the bouquet of God’s faithfulness. The one that doesn’t change with circumstances, but emphasizes the certainty of His protection.

Nestled in that protection, even when feeling anxious, stressed, or lonely, He’s handing you a bouquet of fragrant, trustworthy, and sweet promises, ones that last and prevail through dark moments.

He arranges them in the crystal vase of His love and adds the same reassurance He promised to Zion: “Provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor (Isaiah 61: 3).”

The splendor He displays didn’t end with any pandemic. It didn’t stop when the economy went down. And it doesn’t diminish its glimmer when bad news echo everywhere. The power of His Word still stands, His joy remains, and His promises for a new tomorrow are still secure in His hands

Let’s Pray

Father, when the odor of adversity wafts into my life, I will receive the flowers of your promises. I will inhale their aroma to delight my soul with confidence for today and reassurance for tomorrow. In Jesus’ name.

What have you done with the gifts God offers you?

Janet

______________________________________

I invite you to dance with me—celebrating one of my books, “Contagious Courage: A 30-Day Journey to Overcoming Stress and Anxiety.” Get your copy HERE and tell your friends, too.

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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Celebrating our Poet Louise Gibson

30 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Our sister blogger, Louise Gibson began sharing her poetry with us in 2013. She appropriately titled her writings From the Heart. Her offerings were the most popular on the blog and always drew in new subscribers. On August 20, 2022 Louise and her love-filled heart met face to face with the One who loves best. Her Jesus.

I’ve known her since my high school days, the mother of my best friend. Even at age 70 I still call her Mrs. Gibson. In the self-absorbed way of teenagers, she was simply Lynn’s mom. Of course as time went on I realized she was an amazing woman and later learned of her love for poetry. After reading her life story that her daughter shared with me, I realized her life was so much more than I knew. I decided to share her beautiful life story with our readers.

Louise Eleanor Gibson, age 93, of Orlando, Florida, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2022 of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Retired Lt. Col Doyle Gene Gibson, her infant son Gary Gibson, her parents Edgar Brown and Clara Swaising Brown, and her brother Edward Brown.

She was born on February 13,1929 in Akron OH, her life shaped by growing up during the Great Depression. Riding her bike was a favorite pastime in her youth, she was always a voracious reader, and she had a lifelong love of writing poetry. As a young teenager, she worked as a hospital volunteer known as a candy striper and she often talked of making coffee for the doctors at Akron City Hospital. Always outgoing, she made friends easily and often reminisced of fun times at Portage Lakes. There were also great stories of dancing the night away with the weekly music of Big Bands at both Meyers Lake and the YMCA. In her high school years, she was fondly nicknamed “Jinx” and “Legs” and the green-eyed, raven-haired beauty was on the May Queen Court. Once graduating business school, she became an executive secretary at Goodyear and was chosen as a model for many of the company’s business ads. 

Louise and her husband raised their children while living as an Air Force family. They enjoyed living in Ohio, Florida, Oregon, Alabama, Alaska, Nebraska, and California before finally resettling in Florida. She enjoyed sewing her own elegant clothing, decorating beautiful cakes, making elegant crafts, and loved her cats. Wherever she moved, she immediately made her house a home. Once becoming a grandmother, she enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren each summer. Her great grandchildren were also adored. 

Writing poetry became a renewed passion in her later years. Her uplifting, clever, spiritual, and inspirational poems were posted on the Old Things R New blog along with other very talented writers and artists. She touched many people with her awesome words of encouragement. 

In all stages of her life, Louise built a legacy of love. She will always be remembered for her kindness and dedication to loving the people God placed in her path. She had a heart of gratitude and encouraged others. 

I’m not certain if I will continue to re-post her poems. Her family is planning to create a book for them. Prayers for her family appreciated.

Left to right-Judy Wills, DiVoran Lites, Onisha Ellis, Lynn Shepherd (Louise daughter) Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles, Back row Bill Lites

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Counting One’s Interests

16 Aug

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Reblogged from March 29, 2013

“One should never count the years–one should count one’s interests. I have kept young
trying never to lose my childhood sense of wonderment. I am glad I still have a vivid curiosity
about the world I live in.”

Helen Keller, 1880-1968
Blind and Deaf American Writer and Scholar

The writer of that beautiful philosophy
expressed my sentiments so eloquently-
But I humbly acknowledge my advantage-
I can hear! And I can see!

But did she hear more clearly than I?
And did she see through the Master's eye?
Oh, how blessed to have the Master's touch-
to live to serve-to give so much.

May I never take for granted
the blessings of each day-
A kind word, a noble deed,
encouragement along the way.

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Metamorphosis

9 Aug

 From the Heart of Louise Gibson

Reblogged from March 15, 2013

 
 

Metamorphosis

 

The struggles in life are many

In those times we begin to grow.

As the caterpillar becomes a butterfly,

Our metamorphosis is tedious and slow.

When God strips us of all vanity,

And we truly search our soul

We ultimately find it is He that we need

The One who can make us whole.

Others may fail us, oft no fault of their own

But if we trust our Savior,

We’ll not walk alone.

 

 
 

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What Matters to You?

26 Jul

Reblogged from September 15, 2017

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

Compassion and love are what matters
Reach out to a needy soul.
There is such a hunger for recognition
Make communication your goal.

People need people.
Listen with your heart to this plea.
“I don’t want to walk alone.”
There is such comfort in company.

Every day is a blessing
that comes from our Lord above.
Walk with a grateful spirit.
Do all things in the spirit of love.

I recognize that bad things happen,
Most of which we cannot comprehend.
But then, we are not made to understand it.
Try to be an optimist to the end.

When you accept the things you cannot change
You will dwell on things worthwhile.
Put on a happy face –
You are never fully dressed until you smile.

Food for Thought:
“When God pushes you to the edge, trust Him fully,
because only two things can happen.
Either He will catch you when you fall
or He will teach you how to fly.” Unknown

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Measure Your Words

19 Jul

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Reblogged from January 27, 2017 and even more relevant today.

Years ago an anonymous writer penned a short
poem about the merit of measuring our words:

“A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he saw the less he spoke.
The less he spoke the more he heard.
“Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?”

There is a connection between wisdom
and limiting what we say.
It is wise to be a good listener
while holding our tongue at bay.

Be sensitive to the needs of the one
you are speaking to.
Listen to what their heart is saying
before expressing your point of view.

Wisdom from above:

“Although there is a time to be quiet
and a time to speak (Eccl.3:7)
choosing to speak less allows us
to hear more.”

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditations of my heart,
be acceptable in Thy sight.
Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 96
Shout to the Lord
(If you are depressed you need to read the Psalms.)

Psalm 119
“Forever, oh Lord, your word is settled in Heaven.

    snowy-owl#Wunderphoto

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Empty Nest

18 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

I heard a bird call with the most resonant

Song I ever heard and saw it on the tree.

The bird didn’t see me. Then another one

Winged in with a piece of plastic in her beak.

 I knew she was soon to be a mother

 But I didn’t move or speak.

She zoomed into a Carolina wren nest

She had built in an aloe plant.

We discovered one egg one day, and

 The next another—every day, one more

Until there were four, and she couldn’t 

Lay any more. The nest was full.

We checked the birds every day.

Suddenly, one morning a head no bigger

Than the tip of my pointer finger wobbled.

Soon the nest was full of beaks and

Beady eyes, feathers, and wings. It seemed to expand

Like a womb with a growing child. Parent’s cries rang,

“In-coming, in-coming,” as they delivered bugs

And the nest began to peep. I went to look,

Soon even the expanding nest was too small.

I saw a tiny perfect wing. I heard the father calling

“Flying is the thing.” I thought soon we would

See nestlings fledging. But oh, it was not to be. 

The next morning, everyone was gone, 

No beady eyes peeking out at us.

No cleaning the nest of tiny balls

No more serenades

All gone.

Empty Nest. 

Pictures by Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Are You a Pillar or a Caterpillar?

12 Jul

From the Heart 

Louise Gibson

Reblogged

The pillars are a strong foundation
in any relationship.
On their strength we do depend.
The caterpillars crawl in and out,
failing to connect.
They dream to be a butterfly in the end.

God created all of us,
and He did it all with vision.
I don’t have your attributes-
That was God’s decision.

I will strive to be the best I can
with what God has allotted me.
To be more like our Maker,
That is our destiny.

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Our LIfe is Meant to Be

28 Jun

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Reblog

Our much loved poetess, Louise hasn’t been able to compose of late. Her poems spoke words of comfort, encouragement love and humor. Just the sort of words our current world needs. So, I am planning to reblog them. Enjoy

May you always remember
God is in control.
He has a plan for your life.

Listen with your heart
As he leads you.
You will ward off the strife.

The events in our life
Are meant to be.
There is a peace that
Can be found.

The challenges are many
Diligence is profound.

We may not have chosen
The path we are on,
But trust it was meant to be.
God works in mysterious ways
As he plans our destiny.

There is a peace that can be found,
Know God has a plan for our life.
Keep your faith strong in him.
You will ward away the strife.

.

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The God Life

20 Jun

My Take

DiVoran Lites

The God Life:

Receptivity

Reliability 

Resilience

Restitution, 

Realization 

Resonance

Reality

Reason 

Renunciation

Righteousness

Reckoning

Returns 

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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