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ContessasHome formerly Contessas Garden and Gift, LLC

~ Vintage fine and decorative art, lamps, mirrors, chandeliers, small occasional furniture pieces, classic "hard cover"books, vintage "smalls", and handmade decorative art craft

ContessasHome formerly Contessas Garden and Gift, LLC

Category Archives: HOPE

Dragonflies….the keeper of dreams

20 Friday Jan 2023

Posted by ContessasHome in Evening Prayer, Faith, Gratitude, HOPE, LOVE, Reflections, Sharing, Today's Update, Tonight’s Thought, Writing

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Magical

 

Dragonflies are the keeper of dreams,

the energy within, that sees all our true potential and ability.

Dragonflies inspire individuality and creativity

They help us on the path of discovery and enlightenment.

•  ••••••••••••••••••••  •

They remind us, that anything is possible. In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes 

change,

transformation,

adaptability,

and self-realization.

The change comes with mental and emotional maturity

and understanding the deeper meaning of life.

PRAYER

LORD, my omnipotent Father God…may I call out to your mercy and kindness. I wish to change, and transform my life. Help me to adapt to new ways and fulfill the possibilities of my mental and moral qualities. I know that these changes can only materialize with growing in your maturity. Teach me your ways O Lord, that I can become the woman who appreciates all of life, and help me to understand the true meaning and purpose for my life path. I only wish to honor you in all that I do. I now pray to be granted the dream your dragonflies are keeping for me. I await, I trust and I know that anything is possible with your blessing over me. Amen.

A Covenant Prayer

09 Monday Jan 2023

Posted by ContessasHome in Faith, Gratitude, HOPE, LOVE, Morning Prayer, Sharing

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My Prayer

Oh… my great and wonderful God. I now dedicate my life to you and to my outward service, which I intend to give to others in your name.

I wish to faithfully use all the many and generous gifts you have given to me by serving every “other” in my “wake.”  I thank you for my full and long life, and with my whole heart and soul, I wish to please and honor you. A new year with new opportunities to bring you into lives yet known to me. I accept your holy guidance over me and pray for your blessings over me this year. In Jesus holy and precious name I now pray this Covenant Prayer.

• AMEN •

I….Write……

31 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Faith, HOPE, Morning Prayer, Reflections, Sharing

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76 years of life. I am not retired. I work. I own my own gardening business. I still earn a living. I am working at one of my passions and one of the special gifts my Lord and Savior has given me. I have several passions. My brain is curious about so many things and I have cultivated my various interests. So blessed am I.

I just listened to the nightly news,  I don’t like to. Because it digs deep at my soul. Why should I be so fortunate to live so long, to have work that I love, and the internal courage to keep learning, striving for success, caring for loved ones, caring well for my health and keeping fit.  I wonder why I am so “simply….blessed?”

My heart tells me to pray. My heart tells me to believe, my heart tells me to care. But this world is so troubled and I don’t know what I can do to help make it better. It’s overwhelming in my soul.

I am reaching out to explore a writing career. I want to use my life story in some way to give great hope to others. There are thousands of people hoping to do the same thing. So why would  I think that my story, or the way that I  might tell it, could change anything in this world. And why would  I think that I have the gift of writing.

These answers lay in my “calling.” Sometimes we have to try many things to reach our destination. I pray these days for a more clear direction. With Gods help I will proceed.


I pray…. oh my God, hear my prayer.  I know you are calling me. Amen

A Child Is Born

25 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Faith, HOPE, LOVE, Morning Prayer, Sharing, Special Events

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Glory to God in the highest….and Peace to His people on earth.

•  AMEN •

Advent….a Study…Day 28

24 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing

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FELIZ  NAVIDAD

A folk tradition of days gone by was to bring the baby Jesus from the nativity at home to Christmas Eve communion and liturgy services. The baby Jesus is supposed to hear and take part in the rituals of Christmas, so families in days gone by took the baby out of his nativity and brought him to church with them. 

1 Peter 2:2-3

INNOCENCE OF INFANTS

Like newborn infants, we long for your pure spiritual milk, so that by it, we may grow into salvation – if indeed we have tasted that the Lord is good. 

 


PRAYER

….my Lord, please give me a taste of your spiritual milk, some of your bread and wine, your own body and blood, that I may have a hunger, and be satisfied with your taste of salvation. Refurbish and restore me…..and all of us, as new Adams and new Eves. 

 

A M E N 


May Peace, Hope, Joy and Love light our way as we illuminate our candles on this Holy Advent Wreath this Christmas Eve.

Advent…a Study….Day 27

23 Friday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing

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A SACRED CENTER

Can I make a place of innocence my home? In that place, I will be loved. I know that I am called to live at this place of innocence. Jesus chose to live there and he asks me to make it my home too. There I do not have to be afraid. Can I chose to make my innocence my home; think from there, and speak from there?

I know that whenever I choose from my innocence I don’t have to worry about the next ten years. I can just be where I am……always sure that I am not alone, but with him who called me to live as God’s child.

John 17:15-17

I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask  you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

PRAYER

Lord God…help me to ground myself in a sure place where I will be safe. Away from the Herods of this world. During these days of rejoicing….as I await the babe in the stable, wrapped in the swaddling clothes, keep me safe and wrap your embrace around me in your love, just like the babe. 

… in peace, hope, joy and love

we now light the candles of this Advent Wreath….

•A M E N •

Advent…a Study…Day 26

22 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, Gratitude, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing

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FROM MORALS TO MYSTICISM

Our baptism calls us to a mystical life and communion with our God, and so mysticism is a calling for all, not just a few people. We need to claim it, to taste it, to feel it, and to trust that living deeply in communion with God, the more our behavior will be a witness to truth. For many people of faith beliefs, religion and our life is about what we are allowed to do, and not allowed to do. Truly, this does not bear fruit. We are challenged to discover that we, and all, are invited to participate in the divine life of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature.

PRAYER

My Lord…. Come down into my heart and help me grow into your likeness, until I find eternal love and salvation in your presence here, and forevermore. 

….and the candles of peace, hope, joy and love are illuminated now….

A M E N

The Birth of Jesus

21 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing, Tonight’s Thought

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CHRISTMAS TOUCHES THE WHOLE OF CREATION

Sometimes we think a good Christmas is songs, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words.

Christmas is saying “yes” to something way beyond emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying yes to a “hope”which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is Gods work and not mine. And into this broken world “a child is born” who is called son of the Most High, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:1-8

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered….All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you Lord that you came independently of my  feelings and thoughts. Your heart is greater than mine. I welcome you.  

• A M E N •

….tonight we illuminate the candles representing peace, hope, joy and love…..

Advent..a Study….Day 24

20 Tuesday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing, Today's Update

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AN INVITATION

Why did God come to us?

HE came because he wanted to join with us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help and encourage us, that this journey we are on…is for a reason. We may often feel like we are walking in circles, but not so. We are moving towards his house of true peace and joy. So we are not alone on our journey at all. This is the mystery of Christmas,  that brings us comfort and consoles our souls.  God is the God of light and love, and he sent us his son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost during our struggles. He wants us to feel that we can trust that he walks with us always.

Christmas is a time to renew his invitation to us, not to be afraid, and to let Him be our companion. Gods love is greater than our hearts and minds can comprehend.  He is with us every step of the way on our journey home.

Luke 12:32-33

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord I seek your grace. I am only “one” in your flock of people. You have told your disciples, “Be not afraid.” I pray for your message to sink deep into my heart.  I seek your assurance

…. let us celebrate peace, hope, joy and love by lighting the candles on our Advent wreath……


A M E N 

Advent…a Study…Day 23

19 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by ContessasHome in Advent Prayer, Advent Study, Evening Prayer, Faith, HOPE, Lighting, LOVE, Scripture, Sharing

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BEING FORGIVEN

In forgiving we are still in control. “I forgive you.”….but to be forgiven by you, first of all I have to say, “I’m sorry. There is something that I didn’t do for you.” 

This is hard and puts me in a vulnerable position…in a dependent position. I have handed you over to suffering….somehow I have failed you. I am sorry I failed you. I am sorry I wasn’t the kind of mother, or father, or friend, or brother, or sister, or neighbor, whatever that I wanted to be. Can you forgive me?

It is not just asking the individual. It is having the ability to say, “God can you forgive me?” Can I be open to forgiveness? Then your heart can move from the hardened heart….to a heart of new flesh.

Luke 17:3-4

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

PRAYER

Lord….. you are the God of mercy. You are in each and every one of us. You are in all of us. Help us to understand and admit that this is why we must forgive….and we must also ask for forgiveness. Let us see your face shine once again on the sin and the sinner. 

• AMEN •

…. I now light the candles of peace, hope, joy and Love…..

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