'OKLAHOMA TORNADO'

As I have shared in my blog that 'Life is a wonder to me', the Oklahoma tornado speaks volumes today.  There is no way to relate to the people that are experiencing this terrible tragedy in Oklahoma.  What does it mean to every person there in Oklahoma and across our land.  The 'message' is in the process and the 'teacher' is silent or is HE?  To seek, discern, pray, hope, trust and cling to ones' faith is vital at this time, indeed.

Our minds kick in gear as to what would we do, how would we feel, what if it happens to us, how can we protect ourselves and our children. It is not so much adverse events that make us anxious as it is our thoughts about those events.  We have a tentative to want to control or fix things.  We quickly forget who is in charge when an act of God is allowed to unfold. 

Where is our trust and faith in all things during times as these? What can we do to help so far away as we hear about this tornado.  Is this event only speaking to those in Oklahoma? 

Today, my thoughts are all over the place as I watch and read about this terrible tornado in Oklahoma this morning.  We all know that there isn't a single soul that could have prevented this tornado. 

I read recently from a reading of Graham Cooke these words:  "God allows in HIS Wisdom what HE could easily prevent in HIS power."  WOW!  How does this settle in our hearts?  Are we back to choices and how we view the 'whys' of life?  Are the 'wonders of life' about something deeper than what we want to feel this morning as our hearts break.  This might be a time to reflect in a deeper level as to the 'whys' of real life lessons of this tornado. This tornado might change persons lives in a way that brings them a new awareness of life and living.

I have chosen this morning to share this poem that I have penned as I reflect, ponder and pray for the many hearts that are hurting so badly in Oklahoma and around our world. 

                REFLECTION ON THE OKLAHOMA TORNADO EVENT
                     
May 19, 2013 was an ordinary date, sending children to school.
By the end of the day, it was similar to 1999's memory of a 'Howling Gate'.
Before the tornado sweep through this day,
folks' memories had faded and they didn't think of this date.

For some, time allowed for nothing.
Much more than seconds, minutes of whirling winds and rain were released.
The boldness of disaster took, homes, businesses and lives.
The results of the tornado is beyond human belief.

Folks are supporting all means against the wicked winds of speed.
More than neighbors and families, are ready and standing tall.
Homes, trees, vehicles, and people were tossed everywhere.
Life seems more precious - the mission to help is their 'call'.

Loving people are coming from near and far.
They want to join this mission in resolve for a common cause.
They are mixing their sweat with other peoples' sweat, dirt,
mud, rain; still, they haven't paused.

Yes, awakening calls roar through disasters.
Courage, compassion, empathy flows across our land.
People helping carry their burdens, as in: 'you ain't heavy, your my brother'.
It is priceless and precious in giving and extending a helping hand.

'May god's guidance, love and grace' overshadow all people.
Abolishing all differences, with harmony to give and receive.
Let us hear with our hearts and not our ears only.
May God grant us a willingness and compassion to perceive.

                                   copyrighted by Doris Swertfeger
                                                      05-21-2013

            'LOVE' is one of the most powerful forces in the universe.



Until next time
God Bless
Doris
                              

'TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS PLACE' 'RSDS/CRPS SYMPOSIUM'

This is the poem that I had promised I would share with you in my last post.

To My Friends In This Place

RSDS/CRPS Symposium

1996

 

Life is a time of changing events.

Life is also a time of changing pace.

We have traveled an unique path

in this wonderful human race.

 

We have gathered in this place

to share cheerful things and tailspins.

We have cared and shared our love

to help fight RSDS - to win.

 

We have talked and listened until weary

and just fed up with life.

We are here to give a special lift

through all our pain and strife.

So, George and I say this prayer to all:

We pray for God's protection will keep you in His care.

His Grace to intervene in trails

and His Peace to help you share.

 

We pray for 'His Will' to unfold in your tomorrows,

His Trust and Joy to be felt within.

His gracious refreshing of 'The Spirit'

to brighten each day that begins.

 

                                 Thanksgiving comes from our hearts

for God entrusting 'RSDS' to our care.

Can we trust Him enough to never ask 'WHY'

and seek true meaning with Faith....to Share?

 

It is only in our humility

that God can use us for 'His Mission'.

What silly path would we have chosen, perhaps,

to go without pain, wealth, fame; than to an empty pension?

 

We are glad loving hands prepared this time today

for us to share and help to reach our goal.

Experiences and knowledge, shared and received

are a part of our healing and go deep into the soul.

 

Thank You and God Bless and Keep You In His Care

copyrighted by Doris Swertfeger

09-07-1996

 

 

Greetings,   'ATTITUDE OF LOVE'


As I was thinking today as to what I was going to pen, I pondered the weather.  Now, doesn't that sound rather strange?  Does 'the weather' effect how we look at our day?  Does 'the weather' effect how we plan our day?  Does 'the weather' effect how we feel?  Rather strange, indeed, I think.  Isn't 'WEATHER', just 'weather'?  Do we accept it 'as weather'?

We have been given a glimpse of Spring these past few weeks and our Attitude changes to happy smiling faces.  The next day when/if we have a cloudy, colder, snow flurries and wind blowing everything we have around us; our Attitude is more on the side of gloom.  Would you not agree? Therefore, I would say 'weather is more than weather' because it is effecting our day.  Or, are we allowing it to effect our day?

As I pondered this thought, I started to wonder how many other things effect how we feel, what we do, how we plan and how we act.  I feel, especially, in today's world that all of these factors can/do affect the other in some degree.  Now, the question that follows is: should they?  Who is to answer and/or take responsibility for each of these?  Perhaps, the better question is: 'will it be each of us by our own choosing'? 

I feel that Attitude is vital and it is one of  the most important things to focus or refocus, whichever the case may be, to move us along in our daily choices and actions.

Each day for all of us, there will be different things that come our way.  Some days, we will have minor things that come our way.  At times, we might feel it is a 'dull' day and on another day we might consider it 'earth shattering' and something  might happen that will change our life forever.  And, there are those days that we just can't put our finger on how we would label our day.  Sometimes, I feel that I can label a day, my 'Attitude day'. 

Many days can be good days in whatever might come my way depending on my 'Attitude'.  
Sometimes, I feel that Attitude is more important than facts.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the Attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change the past,  we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our Attitude.  We are in charge of our Attitude.  For me, I also include Prayer.  Now this is just my way and I do not judge or feel in any way that others should follow in my line of thought and belief.  But, I believe Attitude is powerful and Prayer is the ultimate power to blend the two.   

We can change our Attitude and in our willingness we will change how we feel, how we act, how we plan and how we see the world for ourselves and in turn for others.

How does our Attitude effect RSDS/CRPS persons; in the same way it effects everything else that any person who is ill or healthy.  It will effect our 'whole being'. 
Remember we are all a lot alike but with different faces, different clothes, different houses but in the very middle, we are all the same. 
It is in our choosing from our hearts as to how we will be effected and be effective in our daily living.  Would it not be nice if we chose the 'Attitude of Love'.  Just maybe, God's creatures can teach us about the Attitude of Love.

Until next time.
God Bless
Doris

Greetings,

I wrote this poem, A Rainbow of Hope, in 1995.  I will share with you soon as to
who God chose to help inspire it. 

A RAINBOW OF HOPE

TODAY I SAW A RAINBOW.
IT LOOKED LIKE ONE THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
IT WAS WARM WITH VIBRANT COLORS.
I WANTED IT FOR MY VERY OWN.

THE RAINBOW WAS SHIMMERING WITH LIGHT
AND FULL OF WONDER.  IT GAVE ME PEACE IN MY HEART.
I KNEW FROM THIS MOMENT, THERE WAS HOPE FOR MY HEALING
AND I COULD LEARN FROM THIS RAINBOW CHART.

I HEARD A SOFT WHIRRING SOUND
LIKE THE WINGS OF A BIRD BY THE SEA.
AND AS I LOOKED AROUND THIS PLACE,
THE LOVELY RAINBOW WAS ENFOLDING ME.

I GIVE THANKS FOR THE RAINBOW REVEALING MY MISSION
FOR THE BLENDING OF COLORS COME FORTH.
A SOFT GENTLE STIRRING CAME ALL OVER ME.
MY HEART FELT THIS VISION OF HOPE, FOR MY LIFE'S WORTH.

IT IS AMAZING HOW THE SPIRIT
CAN EFFECT OUR STRIVING TO BE ALIVE.
THIS NEW 'AWAKENING CALL', WAS HOW GOD REVEALED
HIS LOVE THROUGH THE 'RAINBOW OF HOPE, FOR ME TO THRIVE.

WE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE CREATOR.
HE HAS A MISSION FOR EACH OF US IN HIS OWN WAY.
IT STARTS WITH HIM AND THEN IT IS OUR CHOICE OF 'WILL'.
OUR MISSION WILL BEGIN FROM THIS POINT, LET'S MAKE IT TODAY.

GOD BLESS!
copyrighted 1995
DORIS

'A RAINDROP, A ROSE, THE SPIRIT'

December 07, 2012                      A Raindrop, A Rose, The 'Spirit'

Today is a rainy day.  Today is gloomy outdoors. Today is great for the Soil. Today is great for  the Soul.

What do these statements really mean?  Do we say things that have two meanings in our everyday journey?  Do we say things to others that seem to feel good within ourselves instead of seeing how it affects their heart and mind?  

I realize in my last post, that I stated some pointed sentences for RSDS/CRPS persons and anybody with Pain.  This is why I ponder in some of my writings for I want to be positive in the midst of  'Pain' at the same time.  On the other hand, I want to be honest in sharing my experiences and convey that my journey has not been an easy one but there can be joy and happiness in the midst of living with RSDS/CRPS.  The more I read and experience God's wonderful Grace and Love, I feel Hope in all circumstances that come my way.  And, you know, HE has promised us Hope and an everlasting Love when we trust and give ourselves to Him in all ways and in all things. 

God understands our hopes, our fears, and our temptations.  He understands what it means to be angry. He knows the heart, the conscience and our struggles.  And God has a plan that is intended for you. 

Barbara Johnson said it well as she said, "You have to look for the joy.  Look for the light of God that is hitting your life, and you will find sparkles you didn't know were there."

As we reflect on whatever one chooses to reflect on, it becomes a part of our thinking process and this reflects on ones' attitude.  During the times of my greatest RSDS/CRPS pain, I tried to focus and reflect on the positive. This was a very difficult thing to do.  Because when I hurt, all that I could think of was Pain.  It seemed to me that everything I tried to do become a domino effect on something else and this seemed to consume me.  Therefore,  after a lot of searching in many of the areas that I have already mentioned in past posts, I begin to match a negative with a positive.  Little by little, I was thinking more positive and my life was becoming more pleasant for me and the people around me.  I was coping with my Pain much better.  Does it take the pain away? Not totally, but it does help one to cope differently and it allows God's love to be felt in a way that gives one hope and love.  This, in itself, helps anybody in any circumstance. 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust.  2 Samuel 22:2-3 NKJV

In closing, I will share one of my poems that I wrote during a time in my life God revealed to me Hope in that all things are divinely meant to be for a reason.  The poem reveals that sometimes things that we think, feel, see and say is in the eyes of the beholder.  This will make a big difference in how we relate and react to others.  May we all be sensitive in giving and receiving in helping ourselves and others on this journey of life and how we choose to live it. We are all God's children.
               
                 'A RAINDROP, A ROSE, THE SPIRIT'

                        Is a Raindrop just a raindrop?
                        Is a Rose just a rose?
                        God is the great creator,
                        Or is this just something we've been told?    

                        Loving  words doesn't cost us a cent
                       As we journey up the hill of life.
                       All human kin become stronger
                       And braver for the strife.

                       A heart full of thankfulness,
                       A patient trust with one another.
                       A soul of simple hopefulness
                       Join us 'one in spirit', like no other.
                 
                       It doesn't take very much to touch one.
                       Sometimes it's just, 'being YOU'
                       That warms the heart of another
                       And brings forth new hope in them and you, too.

                       Is a Raindrop just a raindrop and is a Rose just a rose?
                       Or, will they thrive and never be in vain?
                       Perhaps, the person we are meant to become
                       Will unfold and all mankind will gain.

                       May we take the time to speak a loving word?
                       Maybe it will linger in one's mind.
                       Like unspoken dreams will never grow old.
                       Loving words will gather others of its' kind.

                       To know in one's heart
                       'All is well', 'in thou soul' and in the night. 
                       To vision---'the infinite',
                       There can be no lovelier sight.

                                   2003 copyright Doris Swertfeger