Tag Archives: faith
Heaven’s Blessing at Sunset
As I was pulling into my driveway this evening, I saw this beautiful cloud illuminated by the setting sun. Something told me to take pictures before the light faded. As I looked through the lens I saw this beautiful green orb- something I couldn’t see with the naked eye. At first it appeared low in the silhouette of the trees. Then, when I snapped the picture again, it was hovering above the clouds. For several days now, I have been saying prayers on behalf of family and friends in need of healing (myself included). I have always believed in the healing power of angels, especially the green healing light of Archangel Raphael. In times of both joy and sorrow I have felt the loving presence of God and his family of angels grace my life. There have been times when my days have been clouded by the dark shadow of depression, but even in darkness there is light. Sometimes prayers are not answered as quickly or in the manner you were hoping for. However, no prayer goes unheard. I believe tonight God heard mine.
Wishing you a blessed night and may God’s angels be with you. Wrapping you in love and light.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
On this holy night, graced by the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, I want to offer up a prayer to Heaven of peace for all people. Regardless of your spiritual journey, may God’s loving light awaken in you your soul’s true purpose and guide you to act in accordance with your higher self. I believe every individual possesses their own unique spark of divine light and together we can can light a pathway to a more peaceful world. Though our spiritual traditions and beliefs may differ, I believe every path ultimately leads back to the same loving source. The poem, Your Moment, from our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, is a statement about the light of God that can be found within every heart. I pray that people will find unity in faith and come together in prayer this holiday season.
Your Moment
Wishing you a blessed holiday!
Sheryl Brooks
Redemption from Fear
Life is a balancing act and sometimes the stress of trying to manage everyday responsibilities can become too much. If you feel yourself slipping into that negative space, know that you are not alone. If left unchecked, feelings of sadness or fear can begin to weigh heavily upon your soul- creating a darkness that soon envelops you and keeps you captive in its stubborn embrace. I have been there and understand the toll feelings of depression and anxiety can have on your mind, body, and spirit. There is no shame in seeking professional help. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is allow someone to see you at your weakest. You don’t have to face those moments of darkness alone. In addition to getting the support of a professional, time spent in prayer can also provide comfort. I have felt the presence of God and his angels in my life in some of my darkest moments. Those experiences of love and light inspired both my husband and I to publish our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope. Our hope is that our book will be a source of comfort to those in need of a loving positive message. No one should feel alone or ashamed because they are suffering emotionally, mentally, or spiritually and are in need of help. May God’s angels light a pathway out of despair, so that you can finally begin to see the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
With angels you are never alone
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Moving forward in light
Be the light you wish to see
Even though our presidential election is behind us, the country remains bitterly divided. I remain hopeful that we will be able to find common ground and forge a path of mutual respect and understanding. I believe that all life is interconnected and that we have a shared responsibility to work together towards a higher purpose. I can understand why people feel compelled to take a passionate stance, but ultimately we will need to find common ground in order to move forward. When we can think, speak, and act fom a more compassionate place, we will be better able to light a path towards a more peaceful, inclusive world.
May God’s blessings be with you,
Sheryl Brooks
With all the negativity in the news and the tension that’s dominating the national political stage, you may feel as if you’re constantly dodging shadows. It’s a challenge to remain positive when our families and communities have become so polarized. I have had to take a step back from the regular news and look for stories that showcase the very best of the human spirit. I believe it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening at home and abroad, so that we are knowledgeable of our world, but we need to balance all that information with stories that touch the heart and lift the spirit.
We are surrounded by compassionate souls who make the world a more positive place to be. I work in a high school and see on a daily basis the dedication of the teachers and staff who go above and beyond to give our students a positive school experience. As a mother of a son with special needs, I have been blessed by teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists who work countless hours to give my son and his classmates a safe, enriching environment to learn and grow. Our involvement in Special Olympics has surrounded us with heroes- from the athletes to the staff and volunteers- there is an amazing energy that comes from helping each individual reach their full potential.
We don’t have to look far to see evidence of God’s loving presence in our daily lives. My prayer is that people see the light within themselves and in others. We each have a unique role to play in the collective human experience and together we can light our way to a kinder world for our children and future generations.
With Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Follow me on
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/sheryl.lyn.brooks
www.facebook.com/silverbrook.images
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/sherylbrooks823n
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/brooks_sheryl
I was struck by the beauty of the sky at sunset one recent evening and I felt compelled to take a picture. I was immediately taken with the kaleidoscope of images that seemed to emerge from the clouds . I would love to know what you see. For me the sky is like a window to the Divine and the promise of eternal light. The angels that seemed to emerge from the clouds that had gathered in the sky reminded me that in God’s loving presence, we are never alone.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
One of the biggest blessings in my life has been motherhood. I feel so grateful to have my son. Learning to see the world through his eyes and watching him grow has been an amazing experience. Our family’s journey has not always been easy- sometimes just being able to put one foot in front of the other is the goal for the day. Our son has receives special programming through school due to developmental delays and schoolwork can be a challenge for him. However, we have been blessed with a wonderful team of educators who have worked with him and he’s been making great progress. Working in special education myself as a speech language pathologist and being a parent of a child that has special needs has given me a unique perspective. I believe that we walk through life guided by a higher purpose and that this journey I’m taking is the one God had intended for me. I have felt the presence of angels in my life and I know they are looking after our son.
As a family we have gotten involved with Special Olympics and we have had many moments where we have seen angels in action. The confidence, social skills, and overall development that my son has gained from participating in Special Olympics has been incredible. We started off participating in one sport and now we are involved with four- starting with swim in the summer, soccer in the fall, and in the winter and spring basketball and track. We participate through our city and I can’t thank the staff and volunteers enough for the time and energy they devote to the program. Their love for what they do is evident at every practice and event that we participate in. The experience has allowed us as parents to connect with other families who are on a similar journey.
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the special women who play an integral role in our lives, but I also see it as an opportunity to recognize all those who help support moms. I want to thank all the teachers and staff past and present who have helped shape my son’s education. You have all been a blessing to this mom. I also want to thank the coaching staff, volunteers, and coordinators with Team Peoria for all they have given us as a family.
I would also like to thank my family, including my mom, for all the love and support she has shown me as well as my mother-in-law who has always made me feel like I was a daughter and not a daughter-in-law. To my husband, Joe, thank you for giving me a family of my own and for being the one to share my life with.
It is very easy to take for granted the blessings in one’s life, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by all your responsibilities- trying to manage work, family life, and personal well-being can be a challenge and I know how difficult it can be to keep things in a healthy balance. Our book ,The Restorative Power of Spirit, is about the healing power of prayer and how the belief in a power greater than ourselves can help guide us through even our most challenging moments. Motherhood is a blessing, but it can also be overwhelming and when those moments come I find comfort in prayer and the knowledge that my family is in God’s hands.
My prayer is for all moms to have peace of heart and peace of mind. I realize that not everyone has access to the same support or resources and that, as a result, parenting may be particularly challenging. I pray that God gives you the strength to care for yourself and those that are depending upon you. 
Blessings to all moms everywhere,
Sheryl Brooks
I wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas! Though we may differ in our spiritual beliefs and practices, I believe we are all blessed by the same loving Creator. I was raised to appreciate and respect the spirit of the holidays. No matter your spiritual tradition, I wish you a peaceful and joyful heart this holiday season. Unfortunately, I know from personal experience how difficult the holidays can be when you have lost someone close to you. For those of you who have experienced loss this past year or who may be coping with some other life challenge, I pray that you find comfort and strength.
I am including in this post a photograph my husband, Joe Brooks, recently took. We have been blessed with some amazing sunsets and in this particular picture I see an angel kneeling in prayer. May the presence of God and his angels grace your life and keep you safe.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sheryl Brooks
Recently I went to the Phoenix VA Hospital with my son to donate a copy of our book. We had the opportunity to meet with the assistant chaplain who will make our book available to the patients he serves. My father-in-law was a patient at the VA Hospital and received wonderful care in the Community Living Center in the Pallative Care Unit before he passed. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to his memory and his service to our country. We are extremely grateful to all those who cared for my father-in-law and who continue to care for our veterans.
In light of the recent tragedy in Tennessee, I also wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the brave men and women who continue to serve in our military today. It is with a grateful and humble heart that I acknowledge their service to our country. My prayers go out to the families of the service men who were killed last week in Tennessee and I continue to pray for our military here and abroad. A special blessing to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.
Blessings,
Sheryl and Joe Brooks
For Our Military
Standing tall in the shadow of war,
you bravely walk with God where others fear to tread.
Leaving behind the comforts of home,
you sacrifice your life, so we may live instead.
How could words ever fully convey
the pain I feel inside for all you must endure?
Standing beside a grateful nation,
I’ll hold you in my heart and pray for your return.
Photo and Poem
By
Sheryl Brooks
I would like to take this opportunity to wish my mom, my mother-in-law, and all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day. Motherhood has brought a whole new dimension to my life and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to watch my son grow and evolve into the person he was meant to be. He turned 11 this year and it feels like it was just yesterday that I held him in my arms as a newborn. The years that have followed since those first few moments together as mother and son in the hospital have been marked with both highs and lows; moments of joy interspersed with moments of “What did I get myself into?” The challenge of trying to juggle family life with work and now a book to promote can be daunting to say the least. However, I know that I’m not walking this journey alone. Along with my family, I know God is with me and his angels are there to answer my calls for help when needed. I often find myself venturing outside at sunset or in the early evening hours to look up at the stars and to quietly commune with God. I use this time to express my appreciation for all our blessings and to release any fears or doubts that I might have. These moments in nature provide me with comfort and allow me to quiet my mind long enough, so that I can fully experience God’s loving presence. At night, we say prayers as a family to thank God for all that we have and to ask for a peaceful night’s rest. Mother’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to not only appreciate the special women in our lives, but to celebrate family.
The months that have passed since our last blog have been filled with work and family responsibilities, but we did find time to participate in another event, an arts and cultural festival for the City of Peoria. We had the opportunity to meet with many wonderful people and we look forward to participating in many more events in the future, both close to home and throughout our beautiful state.
Happy Mother’s Day and Blessings Until We Meet Again!
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
Photo taken in Monterey, CA