Romans 15:13

 "I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely with joy and peace 

because you trust in him. 

Then you will overflow with confident hope 

through the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Do not carry confidence 

in yourself. 

You will undeniably disappoint. 

Put all your confidence in God, place all of your trust in him, 

and you will 

carry nothing alone. 

-Ronda Rae Franklin








Photograph by R.R. Franklin
in San Sebastian, Jalisco, Mexico

Love is Impervious to Sin

Do not allow the fear of sorrow to replace love with a complacent heart. You must realize that the love itself does not hurt – it heals. We are all imperfect by design of human nature, but love is faultless by the divinity of its creator. Love is impervious to sin, while we are not. You have only to decide if you're willing to risk the certainty of heartache from an imperfect person in order to experience the perfection of love. Trying to outsmart sorrow only leads to a lifetime of sorrow at your own hand. © -Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by Rachel Whitney

Fall sunset on Fidalgo Island

...Of Life and Love...

The river of life and love is roaring and peaceful; rocky and smooth; murky and clear; warm and cold. Its brazen power will carry you away, and its subtleties will leave you searching and longing for the slightest engagement.

Flow with it, embrace every movement, welcome each surprise, and explore the mysterious twists. Don’t allow the unassailable waterfalls to create inner adversity – some things weren’t meant for your conquering.
Allow yourself to experience the seemingly fearful in order to increase your level of trust, and more deeply enjoy the serene pools that also await you.

Realize the river isn’t yours alone. You are a mere sliver of water – insignificant yet grand in your own way. Even your slightest of maneuvers creates a ripple effect that travels beyond the bounds of your sight or imagination. Everything you do matters more than you can possibly recognize; just one of the many reasons to treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. 

–Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph and art work: Kori Lynn Photography

And Wear Forgiveness Like a Crown

Don't punish yourself for feeling hurt or even betrayed by the one that you forgive time and again. 

Forgiveness isn't forgetfulness - and it shouldn't be. 

As well, just because you forgive does not mean you have signed up to stick around for more. 

You're allowed to draw a line-of-love. 

The most important thing to understand is - whether or not you choose to keep yourself physically, intimately, or emotionally close to your loved one - the forgiveness sets you free but in no 

way does it offer a guarantee of a no-repeat offense. 

Do not forgive with expectations; 

that's not really forgiveness at all. 

Expectations we place on another imply a conditional love. 

Forgiveness must be, by definition, unconditional. 

True forgiveness takes practice, patience, peace, love, and faith. So offer yourself each of these things, including forgiveness, as you learn. 

~Ronda Rae Franklin

Photographer unknown