ost #245

October 17, 2020

Lynda McKinney Lambert

Presents

Gifts of the Spirit

Hope

Photo of a gift wrapped in blue paper with a blue satin ribbon. — Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Supporters and Friends

Your encouraging messages give me the GIFT of HOPE.

I’ve become familiar with the way God whispers gently to us to give us His divine guidance and ideas for the direction he wants us to go?

I feel this tender nudge from God that at times. It is usually about

something that is common sense. I often think, “Why didn’t I think of this?

Yes, it makes sense, and it’s an

excellent idea.”

Gifts of the Spirit is the new full-length book I started writing this year.

I plan to complete the manuscript draft by the end of December 2021.

About this blog –

Gifts of the Spirit.

I’ll share some new poems, reflections, thoughtful, personal essays, and non-fiction stories on this blog for the next fourteen months. You might be reading the drafts of those writings that will finally become a collection in the book, Gifts of the Spirit: Poems & Stories.

I received a personal note from my friend Lynda J.

It arrived in a moment when I was thinking about writing this post. She references the Dallas Holm song, “I Have Hope.” God sends us such gentle reminders from unexpected sources at the precise time we need them. God is always right on time.

During 2020, a year of pandemic fears and anxieties, I can truly say, “I have hope.”

Here is what my colleague and friend sent to me today:

Lynda,

what a powerful testimony the Lord has led you to share.

I couldn’t agree with you more if I’d written a statement myself!!

One of your sentences reminded me of the chorus of one of my favorite Dallas Holm songs:

I have joy in the time of sorrow,

I have peace in the raging storm.

I have faith that Jesus holds tomorrow,

I have hope, I’m resting in His arms.

*

At the beginning of 2020, I chose One Word for my entire year – GIFTS.

I started choosing One Word for my year in 2015.

I wanted to think more seriously about giving GIFTS and receiving GIFTS. Because I am a Christian, I decided to do everything this year as a Gift for my King, Jesus! In my writing, artmaking, and everyday life at home, I kept this in mind.

This entire year is a journey of surprises for all of us, isn’t it?

Of course, I had no idea how that Word would reveal new meaning as the months come and go.

None of us could have anticipated the arrival of a pandemic and how we would experience life this year. We still have no idea what to expect, but we live in the eternal hope – our lives are in God’s hands, and he will take care of us no matter what the circumstances may be at any time.

Looking at history, we know that events such as this pandemic are not exceptional. People of all ages have faced tremendous changes and fears that come with those unexpected events. I know that for Christians, we are never alone in any circumstances that we face. Our faith is built on the solid foundation of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I placed my life in His capable hands, and I find peace in times of storms or painful circumstances, and I find joy in times of sunshine and prosperity.

We have the gifts that the Father gives us in all seasons and in all cases. In fact, here is just one example of what God’s intentions are for His beloved children.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

During the first week of October, I received some beautiful gifts, and I am sharing the news with you in this message.

I am delighted that Marcia Meara, author of the blog _The Write Stuff_ published a Special Feature about my writing and award-winning fiber art.

Read it here.

https://marciamearawrites.com/2020/10/07/lynda-lambert/comment-page-1/#comment-42259

I enjoy seeing the visitors who read the article and leave comments.

Hint: I’d love to see your thoughts, and I will reply to any comments you leave. Go ahead, make my day! Visit the link and leave a comment.

Second, I won a First Place Award for my talisman, “My Eyes are Only for You,” at the InSights20 exhibition in Louisville, KY. The show opened on October 7, and you are invited to attend the virtual opening, which is available now.

Note: This year, first place is a shared award – which is lovely for the other artist and me.

The video is live now. You can see a photo of the artwork, the artist who made it, and a description. Rob Guillen is the coordinator of this annual exhibition. He will lead you through the winning pieces via the video. This juried art exhibition is presented by the American Printing House for the Blind. All artists in the show have a visual impairment. I am deeply honored to be a part of this project – my fifth time to have my work accepted in the Crafts Division by the jury – and my fifth award.

Here is the link to see the winners of the Craft Division – See it here!

https://insights-art.org/the-exhibit/craft/

Third, my poem, “The Talisman,” inspired by the process of making the talisman in the APH InSights 20 show, is in the October Issue of Newsreel.

If you subscribe to this audio magazine, you will hear me reading the poem.

Photo by American Printing House for the Blind – InSights20 exhibition. This is a talisman, “My Eyes are Only for You.” by Lynda McKinney Lambert. This piece won first place in the crafts division – it shared first place with another art work.

*

“A Talisman”

by Lynda McKinney Lambert

Visualize a talisman-

precious stones and crystals

woven in bold patterns

plenty of Japanese glass seed beads

tiny drops of perfect symmetry.

I select flawless beads

stab them onto steel needles

hundreds of stitches.

thrust them one at a time

upwards into the heavens

endlessly.

I plunge my thin needle

deep through layers of stiff cloth

make my stitches sure

hold tight.

I’m a warrior woman

thumping my spirit-drum

made of dappled starlight.

I measure timeless days

counting beads in

a mystical circle

held together

with a bronze toggle clasp.

A Talisman brings

protection from evil

healing for weary spirits

nourishment for aching bodies

courage for new directions

on a pilgrimage

over treacherous pathways

guides my dimmed eyes

and nervous steps.

Black onyx ovals

are like a vintage fan

unfurled with a flourish

or a sacred victory flag

prepared to cast an invocation.

My fingers stroke cold stones

glossy-smooth, polished, faceted.

Gifts for a King.

______

Lynda McKinney Lambert,

HOPE

Post #121

Saturday is for Sharing –

#7 Guest Author

Meet Phyllis Staton Campbell

Guest Author

Where Sheep May Safely Graze

Phyllis, We are honored today to have you on Saturday is for Sharing weekly event on SCAN.

The scope of your creative work in teaching, musical performance, writing and publication is remarkable. You are truly a Renaissance Woman, Phyllis.

Often, I like to begin by asking an author about their name as a way of introduction. Our readers like to know more about the importance of an author’s name.

Q_ Do you use your own name for your writing projects or do you use a pen name? What do you think about your name? What do you think a name represents?

I can’t say that I have strong feelings either pro or con about the name by which I’m called. Conceited soul that I am, I always write using my name. I take pride in my work, and want the world to know it is mine. There is another writer whose name is Phyllis Campbell, so to prevent confusion, I sometimes add my maiden name, making it Phyllis Staton Campbell.

However, each of us has another name, one that is never spoken, nor appears on a legal document. This is the face we present to the world. This name is what we are, not to be confused with what some people may think we are, although certainly it helps to form the opinion of others. “She has a name for being generous.” Only we know the truth of that name. It is what we are deep down. Are we truly generous, brave, etc, or do we simply show these characteristics to bolster the opinion of others. Think about it. Do you like your name, both of them?

Q_If you wanted to leave a message for someone you have not seen in a long time, who would get your message and what would it say? How could the message be left?

Phyllis_ It has been five years since I heard my husband’s voice, touched his hand, or felt the warmth of his kiss. Five years since I sat beside him, knowing that I could not go with him on that last step on his final journey. Do I have things I want to say, things I never said? No. They are the same things I said during those years of our marriage, but now, they seem different. “I love you,” somehow has a different, deeper meaning. “I’ve missed you,” is different from when it was spoken when one of us had been away for a short time. So many feelings are different, now that the voice is Silent, the touch is gone, the step no longer heard, the passion of youth is no more. I long to tell him so many things one more time with the deeper meaning that is in my heart. There is no conventional communication between us, yet there is that spirit of love that will connect us throughout eternity.

Q_ What do you look for in a personal relationship ? Tell us about your friendships.

Phyllis_ It has been said, and for me, it is true. “You may have many acquaintances, but few friends.” Don’t get me wrong, acquaintances are nice. They are the people you meet casually, in the neighborhood, at work or school, at the grocery store. You discuss the weather, your favorite sports team, perhaps a new movie release.

A friend is one that you may not have seen for months, and who walks back into your life, occupying the same place as when they left. A friend is there at midnight without asking why you need them. A friend knows without being told what is on your mind, or in your heart. A friend accepts you as you are, even though they don’t always agree with you. Acquaintances are for today, friends are forever.

Q_ What thing could you never live without? What would happen if this one thing went away?

Phyllis_ I pushed the play button on the recorder, and the day-room was filled with the notes of “All Glory Be To God On High” for brass and organ. She sat beside me, this woman, who had been the organist at Saint Francis Catholic church in my home town of Staunton, Virginia for over thirty years. I had visited the church on several occasions, and thrilled to her music. Now that talent was gone, and she was spending the rest of her life in what amounted to a state of oblivion. To our amazement her hands and feet began to move in time to the music. I gently placed my hands over hers, and the fingers were moving exactly as they had moved on the keyboard of the pipe organ. She had no idea where she was, perhaps didn’t remember her name, yet the music she loved brought a fragment of the memory of her former life.

Memory is so many things from the practical, “I must remember to buy toilet paper,”

to those things of the past, good and bad, funny and sad. In many ways,

memory is our very existence. For me, it is my life.

Q_Do you have a handicap – if so, how does that affect your life and what you do? What would you want others to know about you as a writer?

Phyllis_ I have been blind since birth. People frequently ask, “Is it better to have been born blind, or to have lost your sight later in life.” Well,” I reply, “I’d prefer neither.” This usually earns me a laugh, and moves in the direction I’d like to go.

Losing one’s sight and knowing about the loss when it occurs, can be a traumatic experience, and there’s no getting around it, but it isn’t the end of the world. Well, yes, in a way it is, because that person’s life can never be quite the same. For me, and others born blind, or who may become blind in infancy or as a toddler, blindness is the world we know. Of course, we have problems, but I sincerely believe that in many ways they’re easier to at least accept, but, hey, blindness is blindness.

I have devoted most of my writing, especially my books to showing the public that we, the blind, are like everybody in the world, and most important, that we are individuals, with individual likes and dislikes, and diverse abilities. I also hope that in reading my books the blind, especially those who have recently lost their sight, may see themselves and their place in their new world, in a more realistic way.