Comfort...

The stillness of a solitary chair is what caught my eye in this photo. You can almost hear the silence.

The cool air brushes across my cheeks as I am making my way to my chair. I can feel the white snow crunch beneath my feet, the warmth of my fall colored scarf wrapped around my neck and smell the leather gloves keeping my hands warm. In the distance the smell of burning wood permeates the air. I am suddenly in the mood for a hot cup of tea and a sit down.

When was the last time you had a sit down with a friend? When was the last time your were invited into someones world to share a story or two? When was the last time you gave comfort to anyone?

Sometimes we take a seat to enjoy ones company, share a story, have a meal together, or swap words of wisdom, but most importantly I think, it is to be a listener or to give comfort.

Comfort is like a warm blanket that just bathes you in security, gives one strength and gives meaning to life.

Comfort comes in many forms: holding someones hand, having a shoulder to lean on, a word of encouragement, perhaps a meal for a tired mom or running a errand for a friend; but for me the true comfort comes in the form of silence. In silence we can hear what the heart says.

In my life I have sat in many chairs, listening to many stories. I have laughed with my grand children, cried with my family, a patient and comforted those who are in need of comfort. I have shared a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a sweet dessert, but the best part of a sit down is sharing yourself and allowing others to share themselves with you. If we never take the time for a sit down or a chat how can we learn, grow and enjoy the being of another?

So if someone needs comfort and you don't know what to say; fix a cup of tea, extend a hand, give a hug or touch, and if none of these seem to work try being silent and lending an ear.

Silence is nothing more than being present;  Present in life, present to others, and most of all present to ourselves.

We live in a "Me first" world that is fast paced and competitive. However, God instructs us to do otherwise. In God's kingdom , those who proclaim, "Me first," are last. God loves a cheerful, selfless giver. If we seek greatness in God's eyes, we must look our neighbors squarely in the eye and say, "You first." When we do, we will follow in the footsteps of the humble and be rewarded beyond anything we can comprehend.

Giving comfort is one of God's blessings, seek out someone who needs your touch, your silence and your love.

Silence is magical in its simplicity.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 NIV

Invisible friend...

In this photo you have to search for His face, but He is there looking back at you, as if observing your walk through life. He is a constant friend and is always close by. You are never invisible to God.

Have you ever felt invisible to others and or to yourself? I feel that way on occasion. Throughout my life I have felt the need to be strong, don't complain, don't look needy or show others that which lies deep inside of you.  It is a silly thing I suppose to try and be strong all the time and never feel vulnerable, but the truth is we all have moments of weakness and face trials we could never imagine.

I always felt I had to be the anchor in every one's life, how ego driven is that? But I have days I need an anchor to help keep my emotions in check and my feet firmly planted. I don't always feel strong and in control and those are the times I turn to God the most.  He is my invisible but constant friend. I never have to worry if He is home, available, listening or if He will be judgemental?  He is there to listen and comfort without any great expectations in return. He only asks us to trust and love.

The next time you find your courage tested to the limit or you need a friend, lean upon God's promises.  When we are worried, anxious, or afraid, call upon Him. Remember that God rules both the mountaintops and valleys...with limitless wisdom and love, now and forever.

And remember prayer is nothing more than conversation with God.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust...Psalm 18:2 KJV

Relative calm...

Relative calm is the title of this photo. I love every aspect and every color in this picture and what it represents.

The crescent moon brings an evening of calm, the storm clouds may represent something unknown is about to happen, a bolt of lightening to wake us up and a brilliant sunrise to begin a new day. A star shining through the clouds and a blue sky to remind us of the wonders God has presented to us.

What do you think relative calm means? I think it means you can feel joy, sadness, fear, and love all at the same time. Relative meaning close to being calm, but not quite there.

As I was celebrating a very special moment in my life with a friend, I got a text message with horrific news on my phone. It was one of those moments that takes your breath away. My heart sank with deep sadness while I had just been feeling jubilation for a blessing I had been praying for. Isn't God amazing and isn't our faith tested every moment of every day? We are tested in joy, sadness, grief and fear. We need only to find our balance with God and not over react when a challenge is presented to us.

In my own life I have found my peace through truly trusting, being patient and giving the lead to God. If we are always trying to fix things ourselves, we truly don't trust God.

The wait of course is the most difficult as we as humans feel those needs, or wants need to be answered as soon as we ask. But it is only God who knows what we can handle and how we will know what to do with all the blessings. If you receive a blessing too soon you may not know that it is from God, we may think we did it ourselves and we might forget whom to thank. We need to get our own egos out of the way and let God lead the way.

We have a loving God who is always waiting to give back. Ask and you shall receive. Now if the answer is no or not yet you must trust that it is not for you today. But don't give up the hope that all that your heart desires will be answered in His perfect time. We may or may not see all the changes we pray for, but they WILL come to be.

When I go for my regular medical tests, CT or MRI scans, labs, cardiac stress tests, they will all give me an image of sickness or health. In those moments I pray. I do not pray because I believe God will give me a clear scan, I pray because I am not alone, and from gratitude that having been near death I am still in life. I pray not for magic but for closeness, not for miracles but for love.

Don't limit your prayers to meals or to bedtime. Pray constantly about things great and small. God is listening, and He wants to hear from you. So look up, and lift up your prayers, then sit back and wait for miracles to happen.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.  Matthew 21:22 NIV

Alice...

Looking out over the Pacific Ocean, I was quietly reflecting on my life. The sunset was beautiful and thoughts of love, life and the real meaning of it all suddenly crossed my mind.

I was wondering if anybody could really see me?

Have you ever felt invisible? Have you ever wondered why people couldn't hear you or see you? I have often wondered that! Sometimes we feel invisible and it is only ourselves and God who truly know our heart.

I came across a women in need this past week while volunteering for Donor Network in Phoenix. When I first arrived she rolled up to the table in a wheelchair and quietly asked about donation and what it meant? She was more than willing to sign up and give to someone that may need the gift of life. We talked for a few minutes and I found this soft spoken woman a delight and we chatted  for a few minutes about the things women chat about...nothing and everything.  She was waiting for a cab to pick her up and take her home. Her name was Alice.

 I could see she wasn't being heard and felt invisible sitting in her wheelchair with her left swollen foot elevated and trying to keep her composure. It was one of those days to pay attention to those around you and see if anyone may need assistance. This was the day to give a voice to someone who didn't have the right words, the strength or the patience to vent her frustration and explain what she needed.

I watched her for awhile and took note that 30 or 40 minutes had passed and no one had come for her. I asked and she said she didn't have a phone to call the company, so I offered mine.  The company said another 15 minutes and someone would be there!  She would roll her wheelchair and herself outside frantically looking for the cab so she wouldn't miss it! But she was told the driver would come in and get her.

The time passed slowly as she waited, and waited. I gave her my phone 3 more times in the time frame which now became 2 hours. She had been waiting for two hours for someone that should have come within 30 minutes of the call.

Now I was annoyed and could feel her frustration and pain. She was exhausted, crying and just wanted to go home. I understood her plight. Sometimes we lose our voices and our strength and just want someone to help us. As a patient waiting for a kidney transplant, I had many days of feeling invisible and helpless.

So I called the company, made some much needed verbal noise and finally received some action. By the time the cab arrived Alice could barely speak and her pain had become more than annoying. The cab driver had no sense of people or their needs. I helped her into the cab and told the driver to assist with her wheelchair and take her home.

It was a frustrating day for Alice but a good day to be an advocate. We can all be an advocate for something or someone. That is one of the reasons we are here, to help one another, love one another and give voice to those who have lost theirs.

Find an Alice in your life and give them a voice. You'll be glad you did.

Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all times you can. To all the people you can, As long as ever you can...John Wesley

Don't be selfish...Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Philippians 2:3 TLB
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God is watching us...

Welcome:
Roslyn Antoinette Galiffa

No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can be sure of one thing...that God is watching us.

The knowing of that gives me a sense of peace that some people might find annoying or a little frightening. I find it reassuring.

In the past several months I have taken stock of my life and have learned from several of my closest and oldest friends to learn to live my life in the moments presented to me each day.

Do you live in the moment? Or do you live too much in the past and live in fear of the future?

When obstacles arise with family or friends you must deal with those obstacles and continue to move forward. I can't change the past or perfectly predict the future, so I will be happy in the moment.

I had some wonderful life living moments in the past several weeks. I went back to California to visit my doctors, family and friends.

My doctor visits went well. My family visits even better. I saw my two sons, grandson, sister, aunt, nephews, friends and was introduced to my newest granddaughter Roslyn Antoinette. A moment that is hard to describe. She is a little package wrapped up in a cloud from heaven.

I was blessed to be present at her birth and even more blessed to have her in my life. It was a moment in time that stays in your heart and your mind. I smile as I think of that day and the beauty that God surrounds us with.

My friends reminded me of savoring each day and enjoying the moments that are afforded us. If we don't learn to live those moments, good or bad, we simply miss them. I choose to live them.  We only need to look to see what is before us.   Don't turn a blind eye to that which is present in our everyday lives.

Whether is it welcoming a new life into the world, helping someone in need, enjoying a sunset or a warm sunny day...Enjoy each moment as God presents it to you.

We have a God who delights in impossibilities...Andrew Murray

Live each day as if it is your first and not your last...Gerri Galiffa