Two people, two candles, two mirrors.

I have read that there are two different ways to shine a light - you can be the mirror or you can be the candle. I say you do both every day of your life – willing or not. As the giver of love, friendship and help you hold the candle and the receiver the mirror. However true this is, it is only partly correct because it's only half of the truth.

Consider the following. You helped create a new hope in another human being – probably an unexpected hope, strengthened faith, and an increased or newfound willingness to share their own love.

So now consider the receiver’s essential, supplemental function. They were originally only holding a mirror to reflect your candle back at you, but amidst receiving your unsolicited gift they picked up their own inner candle with the strength to reignite it. 

Broaden your focus to consider your role one step further. You not only continue to shine a light in this person’s life; now you are also their mirror.

Two people, two candles, two mirrors. Have you ever seen the effect of two mirrors, aligned just right, face to face? The image repeats itself countless times. The depiction appears endless and perhaps it is in this illustration. With this in mind, the image you place in your mirror is one of the most important choices you'll ever make in this life. Be clear that it is a choice; and in case you missed it, the image in your mirror begins with the light you first chose to shine.

Every instant of each day your mirror is alongside you in all you do and it reflects against every other mirror around you creating that same immeasurable, endless impact. Check yourself everyday. Do not fain love, offer false friendship, or give anything with attachments or conditions. Your mirror reflects the true heart of you, good and bad. Face the world’s mirrors’ knowing your reflection is endless and make it the most beautiful truth you have to offer. In this you can do no wrong. Even though you can’t undo your past images, you can choose to change what you reflect from this moment forward. Remembering that you not only reflect your surface, but more importantly your innermost self. 

©Ronda Rae Franklin, Broken to Grace

Photograph: purchased w/free-copyright

I don't know the way, but won't you walk with me?

No, I do not know the way 
in this life or to eternal life. 
But I know the one who does, and I pray I will 
do well in following Him 
from this day forward. 
I know I will stumble; 
I know I will cry; 
I know I will fall to my knees asking why.

But won't you walk with me 
as I follow the one who knows 
the beginning and the end, 
who gives new wisdom at every turn, 
who gives grace when I stumble, 
and who gives unconditional love and forgiveness whenever I ask 
in earnest prayer? 
Do be ashamed, do not be afraid 
to lay down your life and stand up for what you believe in, 
and walk with me.
©Ronda Rae Franklin
Photograph by Ronda Rae Franklin
Mother and Daughter
San Sebastian, Jalisco, Mexico

There is so much talk and too much thinking; together they remove wisdom.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine..let it shine."

I just had a conversation that compels me now to throw this out to you who live with faith in God.

Know from whom that light comes. There is so much talk of personal light, enlightenment, the power of positive thought being equal to or greater than prayer, inner power, collective thinking, making your own destiny, etc. I need to point out that the definition of destiny doesn't allow room for saying you can make your own. As well, all of this thinking more often creates confusion and inner conflict over enlightenment. Seek wisdom instead. Some will say I'm arguing semantics. I say to you - please seek the one who offers the way, the truth, and the life. And please shine your light, share your love, give of yourself and the gifts God gave you - and glory be to God - not to us.


©Ronda Rae Franklin                                                                                      
Photograph: unknown

What if you knew, then what would you do?

If Love were a road, and you knew that road was full of potholes and dark tunnels and steep cliffs; that it would take you into deep valley's and have you hiking up mountains - would you willingly journey that road? There's a road adjacent to Love and it's smooth and simple and lacks surprises. It's a terrain that remains on an even plain, seamlessly flowing from one day into the next. It's path can be seen clearly, there are no obstructions or obstacles. Does that entice you more? 

What if you knew you would never be alone on the adjacent road - but most often feel lonely amidst the crowds; what if you knew that you might sometimes feel alone on the road called Love - but you would never truly be alone and hope is there for the asking but only if you have faith that it's there. What if you knew that Love's road was an eternal journey but that there would be times you will just wish it would end, and the adjacent road would eventually and most certainly end whether you want it to or not. Then what entices you more?

I am not making this an easy question - because in this world we all live in it's not an easy answer. Love is not what we so often consider it. We put it into the category of "The simple things in life." There is nothing simple about it. "...Faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love." Something great is never easy. It takes courage, faith, hope and a willingness to stumble, look foolish, and spend time feeling you're on that road alone. But I don't know how to get a reward without taking a risk. Do you?


Love is a risk - but over a lifetime it is the one risk that will always bring the greatest of rewards. You will never look back at the end of this life and tell yourself you should have loved less. Never.




Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by R.R.Franklin

The Road Less Traveled 

Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico

The heart & soul's of life - we belong to each other

As you walk through this life don't just pick up wisdom, pick up people's spirit's as you pass through their lives. 

Just as when you leave a painful tear on another's heart - when you leave a smile on someone's soul it will never leave them. You're human, you'll leave both many times during your lifetime. Encourage yourself to leave more souls smiling than hearts crying.

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Leave fear behind

I don't think it matters how many roads you travel. You could travel one thousand roads in a year, but gain no wisdom because your eyes were closed. 

The real test of spirit comes from choosing to walk the roads placed before you with eyes wide open, head up, looking forward, and leaving fear behind. 

Real growth happens when you choose to walk forward into the unknown and ask wisdom to walk with you.

The Poem

A poem was written to me on September 30, 2009. I responded to that poem by adding two lines of poetry after every two lines he first wrote to me. When this was written we had never been close enough to even touch. I was in the midst of writing my book when this love was placed in my life - and this love became my everything. It became a breaking point that still remains. It became, before I realized it, Broken to Grace. This is that poem - with only his name changed to what it is in the book. I have been searching for this poem for over a year - as I needed it to be in the book. After many months of wondering how I could lose this, I found it just an hour ago in some old mail. I have never known a love like this, nor do I ever need to again. It will never leave me, because it is a gift from God

Frenetic energy vigorous debate

Calmed assurance soft and sedate

Passionate hearts bleed passionate talk

lead to reverent silence as with God we walk

Passionate discussions involved and drawn in

Fully connected without pretense or sin

Unencumbered, unveiled, and unleashed without fear

Sharing the depths of our souls as we draw ever more near

Indescribably filling my heart

With each phone call we start

My darling, I love you, there is so much to say

My Matthew, I need you in the most innate ways

You’re so beautiful so soft and so sensual

Strands of gold curves incomprehensible

Your hands, your lips, every muscle, your shining dark skin

I feel that I've felt you again and again

Voice, tones of sweetness, speak in my ear

Visions of love, laughter for years

Deep and tender words speak straight to my heart

My longing deepens nightly as we are apart

Where are we going what does this mean

What is the plan and when is it seen

What is this journey, neither of us know

Because God leads, it is there we will go

Don’t really know, now I believe

I cherish each moment I’m blessed to receive

Straight ahead without worry, courage in its place

I long to be engulfed by your strong, passionate embrace

I am breathless, my heart beats, muscles flex

Endorphins rush...

Love filled passion; passion filled with love

How ever did I not know you were coming, my gift from above.

Love you baby

and I love you

Matthew

Ronda