Category: #poetry

Free and secure: How God’s Boundaries Ground us

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A New Devotional on the Dawn Blog

Freedom and security. These are two of the most sought after commodities. We hustle and strive so that we can be so that we can be “free and secure,” yet we find ourselves in an endless pursuit of them both. The price we pay is a steep one; we have lost ourselves and the result is that we are hopelessly unhappy.

For instance, when we reach a milestone, where we predicted we would find happiness, we find ourselves empty and regretful. Yet, we pick up where we left off and find something else shiny, catching our eye, and make that the new goal.

What if I told you that your heart longs for boundaries? Would you believe it? You may say, “Come on! What my heart longs for is freedom and independence-not boundaries!”

Let me point you to three truths to help you embrace the security available to you; so that you can live out of God’s love. These truths will ground and secure for you the identity of belovedness He bestows on you.

Find the rest of this Devotional including the three truths from Psalm 16 on the Dawn app under the resources tab, and the writers devotions tab. It is a beautiful tool, created by my friend Angie Gibbons . This app is key in helping me slow down and be present in prayer. Make sure to check out the Dawn App and download it for yourself, you will love it.

The rest of the this devotional can be found on the Dawn App Blog. Come and be inspired but most importantly- come feast on the word of God in Psalm 16.

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16:6-8, NIV

Gracefully,

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The Stillness of Breath Prayer

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Three ways Breath Prayers Anchor our Prayer Time

“Jesus is always near, about our path by day and our bed by night; nearer then the light by which we see, or the air we breathe; nearer then we are to ourselves; so that not a thought, a sigh, or a tear escapes his notice.”

John Newton

I remember hearing this quote as tear indeed ran down my cheek, smiling because I knew Jesus was noticing it, even then. As my breath prayer practice cemented into my life, this quote became an anchor. To me breath prayer is a way that my soul breathes.

In this practice, we inhale and exhale the Spirit’s presence using a prayerful phrase. Noticing our breath grounds us and connects us as whole beings: soul, mind, and body. This tri-level connection is what I like to call “the stillness of breath prayer.” It is difficult to feel untethered when we are present to our bodies…

One of my favorite ways to practice this has been using the Dawn app. It is a beautiful tool, created by my friend Angie Gibbons ,. This app is key in helping me slow down and be present in prayer.

The rest of the this devotional can be found on the Dawn App Blog. Come and be inspired but most importantly- come see for yourself how implementing breath prayer into your prayer time can anchor you to His peace.

Gracefully,

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A Chance to Be Filled Completely

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New Devotional: Fullness:Trusting the Faithfulness of God to Fill Our Emptiness


So many goals swirling in my brain. So many dreams wanting to take root. I see them. They give me hope that new things are wanting to break through. This year I want to take time to hone the craft of writing. Five Minute Friday is a great place for me practice and be encouraged by other writers as I write. I will set the timer for five minutes and then write. Here we go! I am excited to invite you in, welcome.

I have been in the book of Ruth for the past 7 months and what I have discovered about the Lord’s goodness has blown me away.

I wonder if you have felt as I have at times. Empty with not explanation as to why you feel this way. Maybe you have had a hard time finding purpose in the mundane moments of life. I have felt at times like I am toiling and not finding purpose in the work of my hands because it seems as if things happen to me by chance.

But then, I see Naomi and Ruth walk the path set before them well, albeit hard and full of frightful turns. As they persevered, at times reproachful of God’s ways, I also found that God in his providence was making their path straight. Not just straight to success but straight to his heart. Where their only hope of being full and fulfilled was found.

I wrote this devotional for me and for you. To bring us hope in the waiting. To give us strength to persevere, and remind us that in returning to the Lord we have all we need. He will always fill our emptiness because He is faithful.

Join me over on Faith Social and spend time in the book of Ruth where you will see that a chance to filled up is completely available.

Gracefully,

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Freedom

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a haiku on Motherhood and Life

A quick snack for any occasion 


Creating together 
A universe of wonder 
Your eyes alight
Free





~dfd

Giselle and I made these quick treats on the Fourth of July.

I love that you can keep most of the ingredients on hand, and the colors can be adjusted for any occasion. Although I have made a version of these before, These were inspired by Brighter Day Press

Here’s a quick but detailed recipe.

Ingredients:

1 large packet of of Quick Candy bar (or 2 cups of Candy Melts)

1 cup of of blue candy melts

1/2 cup of red candy melts

1 bag Long pretzel rods (you will get about 24 rods)

White and blue Sprinkle stars

Parchment paper

2 microwave safe bowls

1 microwave safe jar or measuring jar

Spoon, fork, mini spatula

Cookie sheet

Instructions:

  • Gather all of your utensil and ingredients to your work area
  • Place one piece of parchment paper on the counter.
  • Place a second piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet
  • melt the white quick candy coating according to instruction
  • Dip the pretzel rods in the melted white chocolate place them on the cookie sheet and when full place it in the fridge to help them harden quicker.
  • While they harden melt the blue and red candy melts. Or divide up the white chocolate putting about half of cup and add food coloring to get the desired color.
  • Take the white dipped rods out of the fridge and dip the tip or as much as halfway in the blue chocolate.
  • While the blue is still wet sprinkle with stars
  • Dip the rest of the rods in white chocolate and put them in the fridge on the cookie sheet And repeat the blue dipping plus star sprinkling process on the newly hardened pretzels.
  • Next line them up side by side in both parchment papers
  • Melt the red colored candy melt
  • Using a fork drizzle the red chocolate over the white chocolate part of the pretzels

Let them harden and enjoy!

Or place a few in a treat bag and share with your neighbors!

P.s. catch the reel of us making these here.

Gracefully,

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Change

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Change

It sometimes tip toes in 
It sometimes catches us by surprise 
But mainly it stops us and makes us pay attention.

I am adjusting constantly 
My body adjusts in microscopic ways unbeknownst to me
I adjust again 

A coffee sent me reeling 
A lack of in-home barista 
A lack of your presence 
I adjust again 

Reminding myself of your smile
Of the way my heart will flutter 
When you walk in the door 
I adjust again 

I wait 
Your presence a gift
I froth milk 
Reheat the coffee you left me 
I adjust again. 


~dfd

Shalom as we change with grace,

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Heal

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Five Minute Friday


So many goals swirling in my brain. So many dreams wanting to take root. I see them. They give me hope that new things are wanting to break through. This year I want to take time to hone the craft of writing. Five Minute Friday is a great place for me practice and be encouraged by other writers as I write. I will set the timer for five minutes and then write. Here we go! I am excited to invite you in, welcome.

Heal

Take time to heal they say
feel your emotions 
it leads to the healing way 

How can we heal 
when the wound keeps getting cracked open? 

How will our hearts heal
when every new tragedy shatters it again and again

How can we heal 
when our collective trauma 
is now measured in years?

How can we heal 
when we continue to isolate 
and grief seems to drown us? 

Come,
 together we can heal
we hold our grief together 
we heal together 

We look for beauty together:
the peonies anew heal 
the sun's rays caress tenderly heal
the way our hands linger together heals
her little bright eyes heal
their giggles in the sprinkler heal
our voices raised collectively heal 
our tears shed in community heal
our tables set together heal

The healing of our souls 
lead us to action 
beginning with our hearts 
gently we lay it down 
gently we stand brave and fight for justice

Justice will always prevail.

~DFD

Our hearts are with the families in #uvalde. As we heal may we take action and contact our representatives, donate, and continue to seek justice together. Here are some links that are helping me take action. 
Go Fund me for the families of the Uvalde tragedy
Contact your representatives for gun safety legislation 
An Easy way to contact your representatives using resist bot

Gracefully,

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Book Stack

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A Poem to COVID-19

Oh Covid-19, 
Spring is here in its usual SPRING LIKE JASMINE way. 
You may feel like you are still blooming 
But know that we are PRAYING TOGETHER for your eradication.

I am happy to practice THE ART OF GATHERING again
Especially gathering for the good of others with Noonday
Although, you have caused so much disruption
There is beauty emerging out of the chaos 

In these last few years I have been able to GIVE MY CHILD THE WORLD 
Through homeschooling and exploring books together
 I have also spent more time examining our propensity to live BUSY LIVES that lead to RESTLESS SOULS.

And so I am re-reading ESSENTIALISM as I continue to focus on what truly matters as we long to live a purposeful life. 
I am now more than ever convinced that creating is an act of resistance 
And so we create and continue ADORNING THE DARK left in your wake. 

Although it may seem like I AM ALL OVER THE PLACE 
The COMFORT  BOOK reminded me that “cooking is the best kind of active meditation”  so weekly I practice meditation when I Prep and Pray 
This is my active stand in THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY 


With your arrival so much of our normal activities ceased 
But we continue the sacred struggle in slowing down
And I long to live free and light WHEN STRIVINGS CEASE.

We learned to live and work from home 
We have also learned to live at home with our whole self 
Giving thanks for this good body is a new rhythm for me
And I can feel that I am slowly BREAKING FREE FROM BODY SHAME 

Even though you meant to ravish our bodies 
You don’t get the last word
These bodies are meant for greater purposes 

And Black women have beautifully embodied faith 
Like they are CARVED IN EBONY showing us all 
That “there is a justice in joy” so, CALL US WHAT WE CARRY 
Because we are healing through our collective poetry of love

Here I stand to BLESS THE SPACE BETWEEN US 
Covid 19 your presence desired to steal our peace
And fill us with anxiety but IN THE NAME OF JESUS 
We choose RHYTHMS OF RENEWAL

THIS BEAUTIFUL TRUTH will prevail 
We are stepping into Holy Ground 
Every small unseen moment is exactly 
Where heaven abounds. 

Shalom.

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St. Patrick’s Day simple snack

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a haiku on Motherhood and Life

A quick snack for any occasion

A little video from my IG 

I delight 
your delight so pure
I awake to wonder
~dfd

Giselle and I made this quick snack for our St.Patrick’s afternoon snack

I love that you can keep most of the ingredients on hand, and the colors can be adjusted for any occasion.

Here’s a quick but detailed recipe.

Ingredients:

There are only two ingredients

  1. Boom Chica Pop Kettle Corn
  2. Lucky Charms

Instructions:

  • Gather all of your utensil and ingredients to your work area
  • no measurements needed
  • mix and make to your liking!

Or make a treat bag and share with your neighbors!

P.s. catch the reel of us making these here.

Gracefully,

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Wednesday Words

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A Book Review

The Little Women Devotional

“Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far on you can get before Father comes home.” 

Marmee March

I love reading, I have loved reading from the minute I learned to string words together. I am not sure why I had never read Little Women, but I am so glad I discovered it along side my kiddos! I will forever treasure reading this book together. We reread it this winter and I am so glad that I had Rachel’s new Little Women Devotional. This chapter by chapter companion truly spurred me to begin again as Marmee invites her girls to do. To begin again in a more gentle and slow way for all things. In parenting, to extend grace more earnestly when I just want compliance. In life, to wait with patience when I just want things to get done. In relationships, to wade deeper into uncertain pools as we love each other when I just want comfort and ease.

The beautiful devotions drew out of the chapter a still small voice that invited me to reflect and learn instead of only being entertained. The sweet illustrations added a whimsical feel and helped me imagine myself in the scene. I loved showing the pictures to the kiddos and they made sure I didn’t forget. The prayer that Rachel offers at the end of each devotional without fail touched on a need or a struggle we were facing that day.

I may or may not have cried as I read the devotionals. The last one was so sweet and encouraged me so much in motherhood. The kiddos all came around and hugged me when my voice cracked reading about the fruit of Marmee’s investment in her children. I believe reading this devotional together with my children not only strengthened our bond but also gave us more insight into how we can love each other better.

I hope you pick up this beautiful devotional and share one with a friend or daughter it will bless you immensely. This devotional will strengthen your faith and will also help you navigate suffering, and even discontentment with a right view of yourself and God.

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Quiet

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#hopewriterlife Day 1 Challenge

Quiet is how my soul felt after my sister’s visit ended. It was a whirlwind of a weekend. The buzz of excitement and proximity came to a crescendo of togetherness.

There were many things I wanted to do and say but time slipped away as quickly as water through fingers. We left each place and experience already hoping for a next time…

As we sat together eating, remembering, and revisiting places familiar shortened the distance of so many years apart.

The day after their departure I found left overs in the fridge from our time together. I began to prepare them as I do my home made meals, realizing they were a special gift. They were a cord connecting me to a fulfilled longing. I loved that because of these leftovers I was able to linger in their gift of presence. It was their presence that stilled and quieted my soul in peace.

Maybe you are also navigating the murky waters of unfulfilled longings. maybe the waves overpower and you flail breathless and can’t catch a glimpse of the goodness available for you.

I want to remind you today, that you are not alone. I pray for you today. I pray that His gift of presence will supernaturally quiet and still your soul. Let those spaces tender, heal in the presence of Jesus.

As you emerge you will find your heart is ready to be available, present, and to serve wholeheartedly. With out expecting it you will begin to catch glimpses of the goodness specifically placed for you all around.

To share your space with your people is truly a generous gift from above.

Be strengthened with grace and love,

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