The Romantic Now

The knight rides his white steed over impossibly green hills. He rides toward the hard stone of the castle’s protection, but mostly, he rides to see his love. He needs to make sure she is safe before the battle. His horse senses his need; his hooves seem to fly over the soft ground.

Aaahhh….the romance of the past. As I think of scenes such as this, it is all glory and grandeur and amazingness. In reality, the knight was probably cold, exhausted, and underfed. His body hurt from the hard days on horseback. The castle would be very cold and dark when he arrived. But his love…..that is the same as in my daydreams.

Love has the ability to transcend conditions, circumstance, history.

People of the past had no idea that their reality would be romanticized in the future. They just knew they were living and doing the best they could.

Challenge to myself? To live today as if it were a movie. Glory, grandeur, drama, love. Because life does have all of that. If I will just open up my eyes to see it.

Our home is our castle, now. The romantic now.

The saying, “Write your story well” comes to mind. So true. Let your character soar today.

Blessings, Lisa

Images: Donegal Castle, Ireland. 2015 Ed Lyons

Rock of Ages

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” – Psalm 18:1-2a

Near Glencolmcille, Ireland. Ed Lyons

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” – Psalm 61:2

Giant’s Causeway, Ireland. Ed Lyons

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:24-27

Cahir Castle, Ireland, built in the 12th century. Lisa Lyons

Love to all of you, Lisa

Dreaming

The best of dreams forms in my mind

The green, the blue, the grey

The castles long forgotten stand

The stones that go on forever

Sheep that roam, seemingly boundless

The laughter, the warmth, the people

The place I breathe and dream the best

Ireland

c2021 Lisa Lyons

I dreamed last night about Ireland….so hence the poem. I am excited for the day when we can finally travel there again. But for now, I am going to pet my dog, call my husband, look out at our mountain, and listen for any winter birds that may be hanging around for a Virginia winter. Have a wonderful day, wherever you are in the world. Love, Lisa

Things of the Light

I love castles, but they can be rather dark affairs inside.  When the light floods in, through an open doorway, exposed crack, or window, it is a glorious thing.  You realize how very much you were craving the light, needing it, waiting for it.

Here is Donegal Castle in Ireland to illustrate.  Note to where your eye is drawn.  The light illuminates all else, reveals the beauty.

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I can focus on the darkness, or I can focus on the light.  And I choose the light.  Love, Lisa

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” -John 1:5

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (Jesus) – John 12:46

 

 

Built on the Rock

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Dunluce Castle in County Antrim, Ireland, was built around 1500.  Impressive, beautiful, terrifying.  The ruins that remain teeter right on the edge of the cliff.  Yet, they remain.  The rock and stone hold, through many years of waves and wind.

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I am held and sustained, much more so than man-made castle walls, by my Lord God Creator.  The Rock holds me fast.  My walls may crumble a bit, but He has me held tightly in His grasp, firm in the Rock.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2

Love, Lisa