peace & hope – Page 3 – Signora Sheila

The Sound of Silence: A Poem

Macro close-up photograph of a clear water droplet resting on blue and golden feathers, creating a serene, dreamy nature scene.

Listen to the Sound of Silence… It sighs on the wind, The voice of calm serenity. It whispers in the treetops, Calling, peace be still. Whispering, sighing, breathing, Never still, nor fully silent. Harken to its melody, Singing in the stillness. For only then, Do we truly hear. Only then do we learn, That theContinueContinue reading “The Sound of Silence: A Poem”

Giving Thanks for Providence

Autumn centerpiece with large orange pumpkin, smaller pumpkins, and leafy greenery on a glossy table, reflected in warm sunlight by windows.

Autumn here in Italy is a special season, one of my favorites! In small towns, like ours, the smell of wood smoke hangs in the crisp, clean air. Grapes are fermenting into fine wines. And olives, pressed into green gold, glisten in their bottles. But as an American, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. Even thoughContinueContinue reading “Giving Thanks for Providence”

When Your Foundation Falls Away

A man in a red plaid shirt and dark pants tumbles upside down through a gray, cloud-filled sky, arms raised and boots pointed upward.

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” That’s kind of what happened to me, only the foundation wasn’t destroyed, it was just gone. I fell down an entire flight of marble steps (10 of them) in May, without remembering how it happened. I guess my mind decided to block it out. HubbyContinueContinue reading “When Your Foundation Falls Away”

A Fall in the Dark

A dim room frames a rain-speckled window with blue curtains, revealing a misty wooded landscape and creating a quiet, melancholy mood.

As the saying goes, when it rains it pours, and it’s been a real deluge for me lately! Well, I’ve done it again. Fallen, and this time down an entire flight of stairs. Marble steps, all 10 of them. I’ve decided I need a suit of armor and accident insurance. Or walking lessons. Or inContinueContinue reading “A Fall in the Dark”

When God Says: You Have Not Failed Me

Sunlight streams through a barred window into a dim, ancient stone chamber with an arched ceiling, creating a sad mood.

The apostle Paul was in a prison cell. The city was in an uproar over this man who was causing trouble everywhere he went. In his place, I would have asked, “Why Lord? I was only obeying you and preaching your word. So please get me out of this mess! I haven’t done anything toContinueContinue reading “When God Says: You Have Not Failed Me”

Jesus is Saying: Just Look at Me

Bearded man in a gray hoodie gazes thoughtfully through an arched window in a rustic wooden room, creating a quiet, reflective mood.

The evil dragon had long posed an existential threat to the city. Even years after it went into hibernation, the threat remained. And then the day came when the beast reawakened. And once again the people of Lake-town found themselves in danger of destruction. But in the midst of all the fear and despair, oneContinueContinue reading “Jesus is Saying: Just Look at Me”