love – Page 4 – Woman Warrior

choice, differences, Family, live, love, People, quote, understand

A Feather or Many Flock Together

Posted on May 20, 2018 by deannagreensandgardenart

The saying “birds of a feather flock together” rings true with many people and under most circumstances. We choose to love and surround ourselves with those like ones self. Dating sites such as eHarmony and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter count on us “birds of a feather to flock together”. But reality is we are so different even among “our own birds, own people”. You are unique. You may want to have alone time rather than socialize. Write or read rather than be entertained by the screen. Fiction versus non-fiction. Documentary or fantasy movie. Find just the right blouse at a small second-hand boutique versus settle for a pricey hot new fashion at the name-brand store. Choices of foods and drinks are varied. There are so many choices in our grocery stores and eateries. That sweet treat is a bowl of fresh organic berries and a dollop of real whipped cream rather than a candy bar. Are your leafy greens arugula laced with a balsamic vinaigrette or a chopped iceberg salad doused with creamy dressing? Will you steep a cup of herbal tea then poured over ice for a cool down at the office or run for that iced caramel latte? Employment at a fast-paced corporate office or slower-paced non-profit? Full-time or part-time? Choices of spouse, house, cars, and investments: loving, dependable, big, small, fast, classic, high-risk, steady … You fill in with your multiple choice answer. Now that you see how you are different, I suppose my point is to live and love in understanding because of those differences.

Birds of Many Feathers Tree

battle, depression, faith, Family, God, light, love, man, pain, peace, People, Physical, purpose, quote, Rachel, sacred, Spiritual, thankful, Warrior, woman

I Know This Man … I Know This Woman

Posted on February 17, 2018 by deannagreensandgardenart

I was a guest panelist for the St. Louis American Heart Association’s Workplace Wellness Solutions Forum this week. What a wonderful experience to share the budget strategies I have incorporated in the wellness program at my workplace with other human resources and wellness professionals. Our keynote speaker, Aaron Hunnel brought his message of perspective, positivity, passion, and purpose. This humble young man has accomplished much in his young years. An American veteran who served two tours overseas, overcame addiction, has literally climbed several huge mountains, ran an Ironman Marathon with a disabled young woman as his partner, author of the book Upwards, and a successful business owner. His keynote message “There Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” moved many to tears. I sobbed. His authentic message reached home in my heart.

You see I know this woman who has a beautiful soul. She seeks the good in everyone she meets. She loves unceasingly, full of “thank yous”, and affectionate hugs. “See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see,” Kirk Weisler is quoted, and this is what this woman lives. And the courage she possesses is like no other I know. This woman has not one but multiple disabling medical conditions. This woman is Rachel, my oldest daughter. I am so proud of the character she has and is. An “all abilities” woman. The battles she has fought and continues to fight are extreme pain with advanced degenerative disc disease and arachnoiditis. Depression, self-pity, “why me”s, “why now”, purposelessness, faithlessness, hopelessness Rachel has fought against too. And this woman warrior has won! Her faith in God has saved her time and time again, and will continue to sustain her. Rachel gives love to family, friends, and strangers because she knows she was created for such as this. Love is sacred, love shared, no holding back.

forgiveness, God, jealousy, Jesus, love, patient, scripture, sinful woman

White As Snow

Posted on January 15, 2018 by deannagreensandgardenart

I watch the snowflakes flutter softly from the gray clouds while the deceptive sun rays warm through the window. It is very cold outside this January Sunday. The way the song birds are feeding this afternoon, the flakes will grow in size, and accumulate to become a white cover. I suspect to see a pure white landscape by early morning. I love snow, the subtle uniqueness of each snowflake in contrast to the energy and excitement it generates. Our 13-year old Labrador prances in this white fluff, old bones and all.

Snow also reminds me of what Jesus has done with my sin, and yours. Isaiah 1:18 says “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” and the Psalms tell me “… wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” There has to be a time to recognize sin for what it is, in order to be washed whiter than snow. Anger that is out of control is sin. Jealousy towards those seemingly more favored with a relationship, talent or possessions, unforgiveness towards another, disbelief in God’s promises, sex thoughts that linger beyond the marriage vow, impatience with the simple-minded, and using food, alcohol, uppers, downers, or whatever rather than listening and obeying God’s Word is sin. Anything that separates us from God is sin. Exam oneself. Take the time now … Today am I right with my God and His people?

Those gaps in life, my shortcomings and downfalls are bridged with Jesus. I can pray to God with confidence because of Jesus. Jesus, God’s Son is the only example of the life without sin. And the Gospel message “He who is without sin cast the first stone”, Jesus scolded the crowd surrounding a “sinful woman”. Jesus could have cast the stone, but He did not and does not. He chose to love. Have you been that woman feeling the stones hit with the gossip, rumors, lies, judgement, abandonment, assaults, or disassociation? Or are you the one throwing the self-righteous stone? For each, Jesus is there to make you “whiter than snow.” The saying “pure religion is love in action,” reminds me to smile at all people who cross my path no matter if they smile back, be faithful to the faithless, give without expecting in return. Be the one that goes beyond the dirt and finds the gold inside the unlovable. Be Jesus’ hands and heart to those placed in your life.

Family, God, love, patient, quote, sufficient

Are We So Different?

Posted on December 1, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

Thanksgiving weekend brought together family and friends enjoying traditions and non-traditions. A sweet 16 birthday party for my oldest granddaughter, as well as birthday celebrations for my 25-year old son and husband filled the rest of the 4-day weekend. Family bloodlines run long of sufficient women, and the strong men who walk with us. The differences whether male or female are in political views, religious beliefs, culinary preferences and restrictions, career choices, hobbies, aspirations, the boots we wear, and list goes on. The pendulum of diversity swings very high at times even among spouses.

How does God encourage us to live? “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” ~ Ephesians 4:2. “I found out everybody’s different–the same kind of different as me. We’re all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us,” ~ author of Same Kind of Different As Me, Denver Moore tells us. The same kind of different brings us to the same road, same pair of shoes, same need for love. Love is the glue that binds us together, and it is the need we each have that makes us each the same. So love folks. Love unceasingly!

Ephesians-4-2-Live-in-Humility-Gentleness-Patience

day, depression, God, grace, jealousy, life, love, mind, peace, prayer, resources, strength

At The End Of The Day

Posted on June 10, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

Life is too short to sit idle, hate others, be jealous or depressed, and play mind games. With God’s grace, sincerity and a pure heart is what I desire to become. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10. Pure and as sweet as honey. White as snow. No bargains made or motives conjured up. Just live for my Creator. I answer to my God at the end of the day, every day. And every day is a gift. At the end of the day, I take in account how I spent those precious minutes, my God-given talents, supply of resources and energy? Is my time consumed in front of a screen, iphone-size or mega flat screen TV-size? Size of the electronic does not matter, just how did I personally connect to those around today? Did I pick-up my neighbor’s storm-tossed trash scattered across his yard, encourage my co-worker on her new project, smile at that smelly stranger on the street bench, or pick-up the phone to talk to my kin living a few hundred or 2 miles away? Everyone has something they are good at. My energy levels may be up or plummeted down or be sporadic. Did I use whatever today’s strength is to extend God’s love and grace? Did I pray and be a vessel for peace or healing? At the end of the day …

contagious, darkness, Emotional, faith, God, joy, light, love, scripture, Spiritual

In The Midst Of

Posted on May 1, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

thomas-edison-light-bulb-empirical-style-vintage-interiors-design-image

Heavy dark clouds, drenching rains, lightning, and thunder dominated the weekend. Floods for some. But the light of day peeped out for a few minutes each day. The songbirds sing for joy. People come outside to pluck a weed or two in the flower bed, maybe to get a start on the many more that will appear with an eventual sunny afternoon. Neighbors take their furry friends for an afternoon stroll. The next impending rains quickly arrive before their return to shelter. Nature’s shower refreshes the soul in the midst of chaos and darkness. “He will not break off a fractured reed, and the lamp that flickers He will not extinguish until He will bring the verdict of innocence” or another version of this scripture in the book of Isaiah repeated in the gospel of Matthew, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”

I am reminded with this church hymn this Sunday morn …

Joyful, joyful
We adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day

~ Friedrich Schiller ~

Let your light shine. Make joy in the midst of the dark clouds. Make love besides. Love wins every time. It is contagious, and lights up this world!

faith, God, grace, love, prayer, scripture, Spiritual

Today Only

Posted on March 14, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

Sometimes it is difficult to focus on today only, this minute, this moment. It is called being mindful, present moment. For me it is prayer. Some of us are planners, shakers and movers, and want the end result now. But when I think of today only, I seek the quiet moments, am still, empty myself of self, then I experience the presence of God. No event to put on the calendar. No problem to solve. No filling of my do-to list. No seeking my next pleasure. And I do not have to suppose what someone will say and react to, or achieve earth-shattering participation levels for an employee wellness project. I just remain still before God alone, and open my heart to Him alone. “Be still and know that I am God.”

Take Lord receive all that is Yours my Lord,understanding my entire will, give me only Your love and Your grace, that’s enough for me, Your love and Your grace are enough for me.

cancer, daughter, fall, God, Holy Spirit, love, Physical, prayer, Spiritual, strength

When I Fall Short

Posted on March 1, 2017March 2, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

Racing along, this project done, another one or two started, excellent customer service given, that word of encouragement shared, another homemade dinner made with leftovers for the week, and then I stop short. Sometimes fall short. Sickness does that to me. Not just my sickness, but the news that one of my children or another loved one is sick can put me at a complete halt, worry with frenzy or analyze the problem until I am exhausted. Neither accomplish what is desired, complete healing even from cancer. God is so gracious to me, to each of us. His Word says, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again” (Proverbs 24:16).

Prayer is where I go when I fall short. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Meditative prayers are said at church each day before noon Mass, like glorious chants reaching the heavens. My presence there uplifts me, I rise again from the pew ready to go about the rest of my day. Unexplained utterances come from my lips at times, when English words cannot say what my heart feels. And this too is promised in God’s Word. “For I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to withstand or reply to” (Luke 21:15) and “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).

Does not matter where I am, at home, in church, at the office, or on a day outing. Just pray. And I am diligently doing. Please agree with me for complete healing of my daughter. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them …” (Matthew 18: 18 – 20).

angels, battle, Blog, cancer, challenges, curriculum, daughter, Elisabeth, Emotional, faith, Family, father, fight, Financial, love, Mental, Physical, prayer, purpose, resilience, Spiritual, strength, triumph, victory, Vocational, Warrior, Women in My Life, write

This Woman Warrior Writes

Posted on February 11, 2017February 13, 2017 by deannagreensandgardenart

This Woman Warrior writes to share the challenges, battles, and triumph cries of women such as myself and you. This blog has brewed in the 4-part curriculum “Beyond Resilience” I have written for the employees at my full-time human resources job in a local government entity. With the recent news from my daughter, Elisabeth, and the beginnings of her fight against breast cancer, I felt it is time to share words with the whole world what I and so many other women encounter. Elisabeth came from the womb a fighter. A woman warrior. She will beat this damned cancer. She has a legion of angels who surround her, and prayer warriors interceding for a complete healing. It will be Elisabeth’s toughest battle yet in her 32-years of life, but she will win!

The focus of this blog is on women, common and not so common battles we fight as warriors in this world and beyond. These are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and vocational battles. We struggle with our health, self-esteem, acceptance, forgiveness, as well as financial and job securities. Real life stuff. This blog is not a political platform to bash political parties or leaders. Nor is it to bash the men folk in our lives. I need men in my life, and I am sure you as well. Oh, how I miss my father today. Our men folk fight their share of battles, too.

We women need each other! We need to stop fighting, malicious gossip, and comparing ourselves to each other. God has made us each unique and perfect. Let us work together towards better purposes. Today I need you to pray for my Elisabeth, her husband, her children, and her supporting family which includes me. Love, faith, and strength unceasing during this battle. A victory cry awaits.

So much to write about in the near and farther future. My Elisabeth may set up your own WordPress blog soon. She wants to share her ups and downs of this battle against cancer, so maybe someone else can learn from her life and words. Elisabeth is a wise woman warrior.