Collaboration

Photographer/writer is Carolyn E. Ford

Birthday Reflections

Tomorrow on September 18^th, I will be 50 years old. My life is more than half way over. Looking back over my life, there have been regrets, victories, doubts, faith, and courage to keep moving forward even if I had to crawl.

My life has been amazing. I have my Ph.D. degree, I have been a scientist, I have been a pharmacist, I have been a photographer, I have been a writer/poet, I have been a musician, I have been the companion of some of the most amazing furkids in my life, I have traveled outside this United States, but most of all, I have a living and dynamic relationship with GOD.

My walk with GOD has been peppered with detours, obstacles, and stepping stones. I always knew since I was small that GOD exists. I never had any doubt about HIS presence but I did doubt HIS love for me. However, HE continues to reminds me and confirms HIS love for me. HE has called me to ministry of prayer, music, and healing. I am truly the wounded healer. I am not a victim but a survivor of chronic health challenges—pain, arthritis, lupus, bipolar mood disorder, and sleep apnea. Some days are better than others but every day is good when I wake up in my right mind and my eyes fixed on JESUS, the author and finisher of my faith.

The biggest life lesson that I have learned is to let go and let GOD. I hate to give up but sometimes, you got to walk away so you can see the horizon of something better for yourself. You have to close the doors softly and let GOD reveal HIS perfect will for you. Scary? Heck yes but GOD is with you every step and misstep of your journey. You are never alone and you are unconditionally loved.

GOD continually reveals HIMSELF to me. He is the Master Quilter, the Recycler, the Refurbisher, my Redeemer, the I AM THAT I AM, my Physician, my Best Friend, my Refuge, my Author, my Strong Tower, my Savior, and my Shepherd. In HIM, I will never be disappointed. HE is my Emmanuel (GOD with us) and my Protector. Here’s to many more adventures!

~~Ravyn

Guest Photographer–Carolyn E. Ford

Phenomenal Woman–Maya Angelou

 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a roomJust as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

 Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

‘Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

From the perch of Ravynhed

Photographer/writer is Carolyn E. Ford

The Vow

I knew the moment we first met that we will be together

The first time we made love, I knew you were mine to cherish

We share our hearts and our souls with each other

I love the way you taste and kiss me

You are mine and I am yours

I vow to never leave you and that includes in death

I will find a way to reach you no matter what

I vow to be your best friend

I will make you laugh even when you can’t smile

I vow to be your lover

I will satisfy you to the stars and beyond

Join with me in sweet salacious surrender

Never let me go

I will be here always

I love you forever and a day

~~Ravyn

Collaboration

Photographer is Jodi Duplay and writer is Vanessa Leigh

The Sun Dance

Hey, guess what you + I are? We are WANTED! We are LOVED! DESIRED! + PURSUED! We are fearfully + wonderfully made. Even more so, we are bought by the highest bid, purchased at the highest price – by selfless grace, no less.

This love is FOREVER. This love is UNCONDITIONAL, which means no return policy or shifty disclaimers. This love is one that is of such unwavering, unshaken, undeniable, breathtaking TRUTH that blocks + defends the lies the enemy + the world tries to tell you. We have the God of angel armies on our side. And God’s saying to you “you’re my girl” or “dude, you GOT THIS.” This love never makes you feel like anything less than the most stunning, skillfully-crafted, pretty thing of all time ever to existed – because YOU ARE just that + then some. This love devastatingly makes you feel + know that you are a TOTAL BABE, so worthy + drenched in beauty, glowing from head to toe + back again, no matter what hurts, scars, past + marks you have on your being.

There is a wild damn symphony playing in TRUTH about you that lifts your spirit so high that you can know true JOY + PEACE no matter the situation or obstacle you face. It’s not wayward; It is ultimate.

And man, if that doesn’t have you dancing like a crazy fool, then I don’t know what will. There is true joy. There is true peace. We are undefeated because the God of the UNIVERSE is on our side – the author + completer of our lives. He is writing our stories, friends. He knows you individually by name. He knows the number of hairs on your head + freckles on your body. Be lit up – from the inside out. Go + breathe this truth today. Let this wave wash over you. You are loved, friends, + there is nothing you can do about it.

~~Vanessa Leigh

 

From the perch of Ravynhed

The Master Quilter

With my head bowed down in guilt and shame,

My tears fall noiselessly on the broken shards of my masks and dreams.

Shards so carelessly trampled on by others unwilling to see my value and worth.

I suddenly throw my head back and scream my rejection.

With my fists clenched,

I wail my hopelessness.

In the midst of my ashes of pain, like an ember of hope,

YOU approach me.

YOU stooped down and lovingly collect my tears of sorrow.

YOU placed both of YOUR hands on my cheeks and whisper.

YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE BY ME.

AMONGST THE BROKEN PLACES AND AMONGST THE DARK PLACES,

I AM THAT I AM.

YOU WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU

MY PROMISES ARE ALWAYS YES AS LONG AS THE SUN SETS AND RISES.

Hopeful in acceptance, I found healing in brokenness.

I gave to HIM what others considered trash and HE made anew a patchwork quilt of beauty.

~~Ravyn

Photographer/Writer is Carolyn E. Ford

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