It's Spiritual Journey Thursday, an open gathering for bloggers who write on the first Thursday of each month about spiritual topics. Karen is
our host for this month and invited us to write about words to fall back on, special verses or poems, hymns or quotes that give us strength and encouragement, and act as touchstones. Thanks, Karen, for this lovely invitation.
The first verse that came to mind when I reflected on this month's theme is a favorite from Psalms 109:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." I love the imagery in this verse that reminds us of the power of the word of God to be a lamp and light for our daily walk.
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it," (Psalms 118:24) is a verse for the good days and on those days when life is challenging, these words provide comfort and solace: "My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word." (Psalms 118:28).
This verse from Isaiah 41:6 reminds me that the Lord is an ever present help in my life: "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee." I could write all day about the verses that speak to me and provide a soft landing for my soul.
Songs of the Heart is a post I wrote in December 2020 about the power of hymns to bring comfort and solace.
I would also like to share some words from my personal quote book, a handmade book created by Stacie (Girl Griot) that I won in the 2014 SOL Writing Challenge.
Some of the words in my book come from fellow bloggers. This one comes from Anita (10/11/14) at Learning to Be Writers & Readers:
"I am grateful for the energy to do what I can,
The faith to let go when I can do nothing,
The wisdom to know whether to intervene,
To wait, or to pray."
From Tara Smith (8/5/16): "Sunrise slowly reveals glimmering little gifts."
And finally, these words from Lee Ann Spillane at Portable Teacher (3-1-23):
"I know the writing will be worth it.
Worth the time.
Worth the challenge.
Worth the effort.
Worth the connections.
Worth it."
I am grateful for words and connections and friendships shared in our writing communities. This is my twelfth year to participate in the Slice of Life Writing Challenge.
These are indeed words to fall back on. The Lord is my strength.
ReplyDeleteRamona, you shared so many beautiful verses that "speak to you and provide a soft landing for your soul". I plan on using this statement from you because I need words that provide a soft landing for me. Thanks for the inspirational slice for SJT.
ReplyDeleteRamona, there is such strength, hope, and promise in these words. They also provide comfort when we need it most. Thanks for sharing these uplifting words.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very cool group to be involved with and inspired by!
ReplyDeleteI lvoe this line: I could write all day about the verses that speak to me and provide a soft landing for my soul. That is the comfort of the Word. So many wise words from scripture and from slicers! Thanks for shring them. I am excited to see that (the other) Lee Ann is slicing. I need to go visit her!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you are writing about, your words always help me feel peace. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHappy 12th anniversary. Your words ARE worth it. I love all the words you fall back on. They lift me up too.
ReplyDeleteI love this! And that quote from Lee Ann Spillane just got jotted down in my own notebook. That's what I need to voice in my head to be saying to me. :)
ReplyDeleteRamona, I love that you fall back on words, not just from scripture but from friends. Sometimes it feels, at the end of the day, the words we share are our greatest gift to one another.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful collection, Ramona! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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