Who Are You?

I remember reading that when we see an island, it may be the tip of a mountain and unless we dive deep – real deep, we’ll never see the mountain in its fullness. The same is with us. People only see the surface of who we are and if the truth be told, it’s quite possible that we only know ourselves on a surface level. To really know who we are, we have to go deeper – not into ourselves, but into a deeper relationship with our Creator. 

Our personality and individuality are only skin deep. The marrow of our being is with our Heavenly Father. Once we acknowledge that we are nothing without Him and can do nothing without Him, we open ourselves to His ways and thoughts. We surrender our will and allow His will to be done in us and through us. We become one with Him instead of being who we think we are. God allows our paths to cross with others who will introduce us to new ideas and invite new visions. There is a whole new world beneath the surface of the skin we live in. Our personality is that island everyone sees. If we allow God to take complete control and consume us with His Spirit, we’ll meet who we really are – without reservations and boundaries. Don’t settle on an island, live as a mountain.

Our Mess Can Bless

I shared with a church book club over the weekend and as I sat and watched the ladies arrive, one by one, I considered God’s amazing grace that he would use my mess to bless someone else. It never ceases to amaze me that someone would want to read what I’ve written or come to hear what I have to say. I take absolutely no credit for anything. I write about my challenges as a woman because I know I am not alone on this womanhood journey with all its roller coaster rides of emotions in its many fascinating seasons, so my goal is to help another woman realize she is not alone.

It doesn’t take a book to share. The world is full of women in need of acceptance and hope. We must brighten the corner where we are and when the opportunity presents itself to share what we’ve been through, by all means, allow Holy Spirit to guide us to open our mouth and share. Some woman is waiting to hear your story! We’re all in this together and no one is excused from having issues, challenges, and perhaps a little mess. Spiritual storms strengthen us and when we come together to pour courage into one another, womanhood is strengthened. 

Stillness

I read something over the weekend that I’d like to share with you. Wish I could take credit for it, but the author is unknown. May you read with benefit and allow the holidays to speak to you, not stress you.

Stillness Nurtures Peace in my Soul

The hectic pace of life may seem to push me to keep busy, yet a full calendar could leave me feeling exhausted and at odds with others. So I practice caring for myself by making time to be still.

Prayer and meditation are priorities in my day. A moment of gratitude before I get out of bed becomes a seed of pace planted early. I take the opportunity to pray wherever I am with whatever time I have available. As I wait in line or move between appointments, I focus on my breath.I slow my breathing. Each cleansing breath calms my racing thoughts. I may whisper a phrase like “peace, be still” to my being. Stillness nurtures peace in my soul. Restored and renewed, I return to my day at peace.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed – Mark 1:35

Step Into The Unknown

I’d like to talk about an election. Not the presidential election, but I have a friend who ran for property appraiser of his county four years ago and lost by 90 votes. He decided to run again in the recent election and asked if I would help and be in charge of his social media. I lived hours away in another county and never did any campaigning besides running for a high school student government office, but I agreed to assist. He didn’t have appraisal experience but is a strong community leader with the education and diverse skills needed to successfully manage any office. It took a lot of courage for my friend to run without experience and some perseverance to run a second time. 

It takes faith to step out of our comfort zone and into the unknown. When we follow God without a clue of where He is leading us, we invite new levels of influence, wisdom, endurance and so much more. Doubts can make us never try anything new and walk away from new opportunities, but when we trust and follow God, doors we never imagined are opened. Well, my friend won the seat of property appraiser by over 2, 000 votes. His first step is to now become a certified appraiser and be the best appraiser God created him to be. He stepped into the unknown and trusted God. What a testimony he has! 

I wasn’t running for office, but I also had to trust God with my lack of campaigning experience. The key for me was to remove any reliance on my limited, natural abilities and abide in God’s supernatural, omnipotent presence. Is there something new you’ve been wanting to explore? Is there something burning in your spirit that you’d like to pursue? Trust and follow God! Step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown!

Respect My Choices

Last night while watching 60 Minutes, there was a segment showing a forum of 25 voters representing various races, genders, and social backgrounds. The subject of the forum? Of course the presidential election. I watched as the selected voters expressed anger and dissatisfaction with the candidates plus their lack of tolerance for the opposing views of other forum members. 

I understand politics can be a touchy subject but everyone is entitled to their opinion, right? It reminds me of society’s inability to accept others. We’ve all been guilty of this whether it’s with a spouse, friend, co-worker, family member or even our own children. “Why would you do that?” “Don’t say that.” “You shouldn’t do this or that.” We may not accept the beliefs and choices of others, but I believe we should at least learn to respect them. 

It takes a Jesus level of love to accept people for who they are and the choices they make when we don’t agree. Can another person’s opinion or choice hurt us? Who says our choice is correct? The important thing is to stay focused and grounded on our own beliefs and not allow the voices of others to sway or shake us. Much of the beauty of our country is in the diversity we represent. There is strength in diversity and it should be acknowledged on all accounts. If we all thought alike and had the same values, morals, and made the same choices, what a boring country we’d have. Whatever our choices in life are, stand by them, yet respect the choices and voices of others as well.

Specifics or Not?

I had a telephone conversation with a good friend of mine yesterday. We had a lot of catching up to do, so we circled around our lives in conversation and of course the subject of men came up. I mentioned how happy and content I was being by myself and didn’t want anyone complicating my life. She replied by saying she met someone to complicate her life and she was happy. We both laughed and she proceeded to tell me about her new man. Married before, she said she removed all personal stipulations she had and allowed God to send her who He wanted her to have. She’s a tall woman and was even open to dating someone much shorter and race was not an issue for her. From the tone of her voice, her new man definitely sounds like a blessing. He treats her like no other man has, and he cooks which she does not. I asked her to send me a picture and I was convinced. They look like a match made in heaven.

My lesson in this? No, I’m not praying for a man nor do I desire one, but my lesson was in prayer. Of course prayer is a personal thing, yet sometimes we tell God what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. Some of us have been taught to pray with specifics. Do we not trust God enough to know that He already knows the desires of our heart and He knows what’s best for us? It doesn’t matter what we’re praying for, we really don’t have a clue what we really need in our life. Please continue to pray as you feel led, this was my life lesson and my prayer will continue to be…Lord, have your way. Why? Because I’m clueless about what I want or need. I’ll leave the specifics to my Omniscience God.

A Good Day

I awoke this morning full of smiles and excitement like a child waking up on Christmas Day. What a good place to be mentally and spiritually. The words below were my first thoughts this morning and I quickly jotted them down to share with you. I pray we all stay in our place of peace today and not stray from our Keeper in our thoughts and ways. May we unwrap this gift of day with joy and expectations of only good – regardless of what’s in store for us.

My morning thought…

Because I awoke with the ability to breathe, I perceive today to be a good day. May your perfect will be done in me. Empty me of my Self and allow Holy Spirit, which dwells within, to have divine way in me, with me, and through me. You are in control. Guide me, lead me, have your way. Mold me, shape me throughout this day.  Allow me to see only good in all you do. On my job, in my family, with friends and passersby. May I rejoice and praise knowing it’s all for my good and you’ll have your way regardless of what I say or what I try. We are one as I abide in you and keep my mind on you. My place of peace is with you and there is where I want to stay. Again, because I awoke with the ability to breathe, I perceive today to be a good day.

The Secret Place

I used to wake up every morning and make a point to spend time with God. I’d grab my Bible, read a few verses, pray, and start my day. I realized it’s not about starting my day with God in prayer, but it’s about living my day with God in prayer. Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I don’t start my day with God. I definitely acknowledge my Helper, my Keeper, my Light, but If I awake late or something happens to prevent me from reading my Bible, it’s okay because I now know having a constant awareness of God throughout the day is more helpful to me than making sure I punch the clock with Him every morning. Now, when I awake, I rest still in my bed for a while just allowing God to speak to me. 

Another thing, I realized is that I talk too much! I’m learning to shut-up and listen to my Father speak. This quietness, the stillness, the oneness leads me to that secret place where no one can interrupt, disturb, or shake… because it’s deep within me. The secret place is where He shares His wisdom, His light, His love…Himself. The secret place is where I grow without effort, where my talents stretch without thought, where I’m strengthened without tribulation, and where His love transcends without me getting in the way. 

Yes, reaching the secret place takes practice, but the more I practice, the easier it is to reach and remain there – throughout the day, not just in the morning. Just thinking about the secret place gives me peace. That’s just how powerful it is. Have you found the secret place? If not, be still…

Low Air Pressure

Yesterday I noticed my tire pressure light was on. I really didn’t feel like stopping to put air in my tires. I usually just drive up to a tire shop and ask them to check my air pressure. It was Sunday, so those shops were closed, but when I stopped for gas, I noticed an air pump. There was one guy ahead of me and I wondered if he would offer to help me. Yes, I was being lazy – I did NOT feel like doing it. He made eye contact with me. I smiled, he smiled back and got back in his car and drove off. A car pulled up behind me as I pulled up to the air hose. A gentleman was at the wheel, and again I wondered if he would offer to help. He didn’t budge from his car. Well, I got my lazy butt out of the car and put air in my tires. When I finished, I felt a small sense of accomplishment because I found a little motivation within me to do it myself. 

Of course, my brain spiritualized my low-pressure tires. I could have kept driving with the low-pressure light and ended up on a flat, but instead, I restored the air in my tires. It’s like waiting for someone to encourage you. Sometimes we feel spiritually low, deflated, or maybe a little blah. We can wait for someone to say an encouraging word or we can encourage ourselves. People don’t always come through when we need them, so in this life, we better learn to do some things on our own and that includes lifting ourselves, praying for ourselves, affirming ourselves, and encouraging ourselves. We may not feel like it, but we’re only hurting ourselves if we don’t. We only prolong our peace and joy when we wait for someone else to share the Light when the Light is already within us. Check your pressure!

Tick Tock

Over the weekend, I helped a friend prepare for a workshop she was giving. After set-up was complete, we had a few minutes to spare. She reviewed her notes and I sat and read. It was extremely quiet in the room. It was so quiet, I heard the clock on the wall ticking. Tick tock, tick tock. I looked at the clock and watched the red second hand move from second to second. As I watched the clock, I realized I was sitting and watching time pass by. I actually shivered at the thought of me literally watching time go by. The second hand didn’t stop…it never stops! Time is always moving and when time is lost we never get it back. We ask, “What happened to the time?” It passed! It’s gone! Time is always passing. It’s passing right now. 

We can look at our children and realize time is passing by. We look at our aging parents and realize time is passing by. It’s good to be conscious of time, but it’s better to be conscious of life. We miss life by watching time. We miss living by focusing on aging. The passing of time is inevitable, so we might as well make the most of it by living life to the fullest day by day, minute by minute, second by second. With that being said, I’m going to end this meditation and be a good steward of the time I’ve been blessed with. I’m usually running late for work. Why? Because time is passing by! Tick tock…tick tock…

Miss America

It’s been many years since I’ve watched the Miss America pageant, but I watched it last night. My father wouldn’t allow me to watch it as a young girl because he knew I’d be comparing myself to all those beautiful women and would probably find everything wrong with my body. When I joined the military, I remember the first time I had the liberty to watch a Miss America pageant. Daddy was right. I remember putting on my one piece bathing suit, a pair of heels, and prancing around my apartment like I was in the pageant. Funny, huh? 

Yes, I remember comparing myself to the contestants. I didn’t do any comparing last night, but I thought about how difficult it must be for our young girls to feel good about themselves with all the competition from makeup, weave, air-brushing, and filtering for photographs, and peer pressure. Even Facebook has tools to allow you to look almost any way you desire. We can tell a young girl that she is beautifully and wonderfully made all day, but until she believes it herself, she will always deal with body issues. Grown women have issues! 

Also while watching, I remembered when I had the body of those young girls. No more perky breasts!  Hmmm…is that comparing? All women are graced with a season of perky breasts, but that season will pass. And just because we age doesn’t mean we have to let our body go. We are still beautifully and wonderfully made - regardless of our age. We are daughters of a King! We are perfect in his sight and to mumble and complain about our body grieves the Spirit of God. All we can do is our part to maintain our temple and stay in shape. Everything else…well, we have to learn to live in the skin we’re in and be our own Miss America!

Love Your Work?

While resting in bed this morning, I thanked the people way back in the 1800’s who decided to make Labor Day a holiday. It felt sooo good to snuggle with my pillow and read with absolutely nowhere to go and no place to be. This is rare for me, and although I’ll do some work with my publishing company later, it doesn’t feel like work because it’s what I enjoy doing.  If I could wake up every day and do one thing for work, it would be to write. What about you? 

Steve Jobs said it best. “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” I can’t imagine waking up every morning for the rest of my life and doing something I don’t enjoy. This is probably why so many people are miserable – they aren’t doing what they enjoy or aren’t with someone they enjoy. I know, I’ve been there. 

Life is wonderful because it offers the opportunity to change and make choices. It takes courage to step out and try new things. It also takes faith to believe in ourselves and trust all our gifts, talents, and abilities our Heavenly Father equipped us with. I remind my sons all the time that they have one life – use it or lose it. Time goes by too fast to not enjoy what you’re doing. Now, if I can get a couple of horses and a log cabin home on a couple of acres, I’m set, but for right now, I’m happy with my writing. Happy Labor Day!

My Life

I spoke with a woman over the phone who was interested in publishing her poetry. We talked for a while and I asked her to tell me a little about herself. She said she had never been married and had no children. We met over the weekend and our time together was a blessing to me.  Not having a husband or children opened this woman’s life up to challenges and struggles I couldn’t identify with. She was an older woman and said she didn’t want to be an “old maid,” but after living alone for so many years, she accepted it and she’s fine with her life. I shared a little of my past married life with children and at the end of our meeting we laughed and shared gratefulness for our own life. 

God knows what’s best for us. He knows specifically what people to allow in our life and the level of necessary adversities to occur. It’s easy to compare our life with someone else’s, but the grass is never greener on the other side.  Life is a game and we have to play the hand we were dealt and not be trumped by looking at someone else’s hand. In spite of everything I’ve gone through, the good and the seemingly not-so-good, I’m thankful for my life and I LOVE it! Things aren’t perfect, but I’m at peace. No matter what hand we’ve been dealt, someone is wishing they could be in our shoes. Don’t believe it? Turn on the news. 

As I look over my life, I’m so doggone thankful for all I’ve been through and I’m even more grateful that my Savior has been with me every step of the way. He’s the Keeper of my mind, body, and soul. He’s the Keeper of my life…He is my life and I’m just fine!

Nothing But Love

I recently saw this comic strip, and it made me think of Secondborn and his sudden lack of motivation to accept adulthood knocking at his door. This morning, as I listened to him snore, I thought of everything I’ve suggested to him that his complacent attitude ignores. His phrase right now is, “I’m chilling.” Every thought I had of Secondborn took me to another level of anger, but as I prayed, those feelings of anger slowly dissipated and emotions of love slowly crept in for my seemingly lackadaisical son. 

You never know what goes on in a person’s mind, and I’m grateful for being reminded that this season of transition for him may not be easy. Whatever age your child may be, they are experiencing some type of change and they need someone in their corner to love them through their season of the unknown. Everyone doesn’t react or respond the same. Everyone doesn’t think the same. We’re all wired differently. 

My job with my child is to gently guide, love, and pray. I can’t change the journey set before him, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to manipulate what God has planned for his life. Furthermore, what’s the big sense of urgency with me? Maybe I got a taste of the empty nest, and he’s killing my vibe. I don’t know what it is, but I need to get out of my feelings and into my faith. My words will stick with him forever, so I better make those words positive, encouraging and edifying. Yes, Secondborn can take me “there” and drive me crazy, but at the end of the day, I have nothing but love for him and a little patience, too.  

Are You Present?

I remember my father telling me he was learning everything on his way out. In other words, the older he gets, the wiser he becomes.  I’m noticing this also, and recently I’ve become aware of what it truly means to be present in the moment. It’s one thing to be present in the moment (in the flesh), yet something completely different to be present in the moment (in the Spirit of God). Our carnal eyes aren’t capable of beholding what the eyes of our Creator sees, nor can our carnal mind process what’s going on around us. To be present is to be engaged spiritually. After all, we’re spiritual beings, right? 

To be present in the moment is to be present in His presence. I wonder if I’ve been sleep walking most of my life. You know, going through the motions thinking I’m living in the moment. I want to be awake to life and benefit from the enlightenment every breath offers. I want to be awake and aware of God’s presence with every move I make and every step I take. To hear the birds sing in the flesh is one thing, but that same bird singing when awake and aware of God’s presence will make one want to sing, too!  

Oh, to behold God’s creation with spiritual eyes! Oh, to be engaged with the people we run into and have conversations with throughout the day! Oh, to realize our spiritual role in our child’s life! Life isn’t a series of mere happenstances, but spiritually synchronized experiences divinely designed just for us. Knowing this adds excitement to what’s in store for us today. Instead of going through the motions, be engaged, be enlightened, and be present in the present moment. Be present in His presence. 

Stop Blocking

My devotional reading this morning had me laughing at myself. It spoke of how we get in God’s way. I immediately thought of my sons. As mothers, I’m sure we can all relate to this. As the natural nurturers we are, we often cross that thin line between motherly guidance and God’s plan. We do our best to shield, protect, and instruct our children forgetting they have some bumps on their journey that have been strategically planned just for them. They have some tears to cry, and they’ll have some challenging situations to endure. These things are designed to draw them closer to their Heavenly Father and strengthen them, but a mother will block the battle, the challenges, and the trials and tribulations thinking she’s doing what’s best for her child. 

I have to continually remind myself that my sons belong to God and He loves them way more than my mind can imagine. Not only do I have to trust the training I gave my sons, but I have to trust God with my child’s life. All the seasoned mothers, with adult children, have walked this path before and some are probably still learning to stay in their lane and to stop blocking. Yes, it’s much easier said than done, and I cross that thin line more than I care to admit. God gently whispers to remind me that He knows what’s best to prepare His children for the life He has for them. 

As Secondborn prepares for college and is DJing at parties in places I’ve never heard of, I’m reminded to stop blocking. Sigh…blocking is so much easier and makes me feel better, but I don’t want to get in God’s way or block the blessings divinely designed for my children. After all, I want what’s best for my sons and only God knows what’s best. Have a marvelous day and stop blocking!

God Matters

This morning I was awakened by the news alert alarm on my cell phone. There was a report of a shooting in Ft. Myers, Florida. Yes, another shooting. I really didn’t want to begin my day with bad news or with more talk about Black Lives, Blues Lives, White Lives, and All Lives mattering. I believe I’ve reached my limit. Instead of getting frustrated, I told myself that God matters. Nothing else is more important to me right now than keeping my mind on my Creator to keep my peace of mind. If I didn’t, I’d be somewhere in a corner, in a fetal position and consumed with depression because of the state of our nation. I’m not minimizing what’s going on in our country, but I’m fully aware that what’s going on is way bigger than I am and bigger than all the small organizations attempting to make a difference. 

God matters and until we acknowledge Him and realize He is in control, nothing will change. 

Our country consist of all God’s children who haven’t learned to live together. In my thoughts this morning, I searched my own heart, thoughts, and actions then I told myself again, God matters. I then thought about my own issues with my sons, my personal life, my nieces and their future, my parents, and other loved ones who came to mind. My final thought – God matters. I don’t have any power to change anything except myself, so for me and my house – God matters. Staying focused on what REALLY matters put a smile on my face and joy in my heart in spite of what’s going on in the world. What truly matters is what’s going on in my heart - God matters.

Follow Your Hunch!

Yesterday, Secondborn and I traveled to Alabama and I had a hunch to look for a horse ranch or stables. I managed to find a boarding stable nestled on a back road. The owners owned 132 acres and took us on a tour. It was simply beautiful. I was in heaven! The owner said it was her “spiritual place.” Secondborn said to me, “Mama, you act like you already have a horse.” I told him I planned to buy one or two. Our conversation led to the power of visualization. Yes, I act like I have horses already. I also act like I have a healthy bank account, which will allow me to care for my horses. 

My love for horses didn’t happen overnight. When the boys were little and enjoying attending parades. I would get so excited when the horses walked down the middle of the street. My face would light up like a child at Christmas. Maybe this is my season for horses. Whatever season it is, I’m not fighting it. I’m following my horse trail in faith. I believe hunches are spiritual directions. There have been too many instances in my life when I’ve ignored a hunch and wished I had gone here or there or done this or that. My hunch to take my first riding lesson led me to volunteering to care for several horses, which I’m now realizing is preparing me to take care of my own horses one day. 

Have you ever had a hunch, a gut feeling, woman’s intuition, or a nudge? Call it what you want, but when we are Christ controlled and maintain our poise of being spiritually connected, we can’t go wrong when we follow those spiritual directions. I’m happy I followed mine yesterday in Alabama because the owner is not the only one who will own a “spiritual place.” 

Are You Programmed?

At 5:30 am Sunday morning, Secondborn and I were on our way to work at the radio station. Of course, Gospel music was playing on the radio since it was Sunday. Radio stations have the capability of setting the mood for listeners. The power is with the station program director who programs the music each day. I wondered if I was subconsciously programmed by someone or something to act and react a certain way. Society perhaps? The weather? People? My emotions? My past? I wondered if I allow outside circumstances affect my inner peace. Have I allowed the state of the nation to shake my foundation? Have I allowed my children or finances to unravel my peace of mind? 

For whatever reason my mind was in fifth gear at 5:30 in the morning, I was thankful. The thoughts of being programmed prompted a little self-evaluation. Am I steadfast and unmovable in my ways and thoughts? Do I acknowledge Christ in all my ways or do I lean to my own understanding? Do I react to daily circumstances by leaning to my own understanding? Do I stand firm on my foundation of faith or do I move with every gesture of society? Do I go with the flow of friends and family? 

I don’t want to be conformed to the world, but it’s easy to do. Change the radio station or the television station a few times and see how easy it is to react. Yes, it’s human nature, but we’re spiritual beings. My 5:30 am thoughts reminded me that my poise of prayer and praise should not be influenced by circumstances or events I see or hear, but I should be controlled by the mind of Christ, which only happens by keeping my mind on Him. Are you programmed?

I’m learning to not allow outside circumstances affect my inner peace. 

Home Is...

I think about all the flooding and fires going on in the world, and can’t imagine going through anything like that. Yes, I’ve been in a hurricane and lost power, but that was a piece of cake compared to what others are enduring. Can you imagine having to evacuate your home and not knowing if it’ll be burned to the grown or not? Can you imagine seeing waters rise and flooding your only source of transportation and the home with all your possessions you’ve worked all your life for?

This morning, while thanking God for His mercy on my life, I was reminded that this is not my home. I’m just a pilgrim passing through. I was also reminded that my material belongings shouldn’t matter so much to me, and I should have a very light hold on all of it.  What’s important is knowing God will protect me through whatever I have to endure. Of course, I’d be a fool to not lock my apartment door every morning when I leave, but it’s not the lock that’s protecting my possessions! Thank you, Lord for always reminding me that You are my Keeper! You are my Protector! You are my Watchman! You are the source of everything I have – even my children that I love and watch over with Mama Bear protective eyes. 

Putting things in perspective takes away worry, and when storms or floods rise, I can focus on God and not my goods. It’s so easy to forget who is in control, but I’m thankful for those nudges that bring me back home and safe where I belong - under God’s covering and protection. Home really is where the heart is, and my heart belongs to my Heavenly Father.

Stop Trying

There was a petty thought that kept coming to mind this weekend that I just couldn’t shake. No matter how hard I tried to focus on something else, that petty thought kept surfacing and messing with my head. It doesn’t matter how large or small a task may be, it’s only when I realize where my help comes from that I’m relieved of the pressure to perform faithfully. Exercising, pure thoughts, bridling the tongue, being slow to anger, and showing compassion are just a few issues that come to mind we deal it. 

I was reminded this morning that ‘trying’ to do anything in my own power is a waste of time.  It seems like it would be a simple task to try to do better at anything, but trying isn’t what we’re called to do. We’re called to surrender. I went to bed with that petty thought and awoke with it. Uuugh! Lord, help me! It was at that point of helplessness that I realized who had the power for change, and it sure wasn’t me. Instead of focusing on the problem, I needed to focus on His power. I was also reminded that God has given me everything I need. I don’t need to ask for more grace, more patience, or peace. He gave it all to me when He died on the cross. My job is to surrender my Self and abide in His presence. I need to remind myself of this on a daily basis. 

The simplicity of spirituality is made difficult when I involve my own thoughts. Today will be a better day. I already feel refreshed in my thinking and free from the pressure of trying to do better. If you’re tired of trying, just surrender. It’s easier. The hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour, comes to mind and I sure do need Him.

Write Your Life

I’m a writer and you are, too! 

Just because you haven’t physically written a book does not exclude you because God gave us all some ink to write in the form of life itself. We may not be aware of it, but every day we write a page of our memoir. At the end of the day, how will your book read? Will it be comical, sad, eventful, frustrating, challenging, joyful, or boring? It’s up to us because we have the ability to make choices. We have the ability to write the book we want to be remembered by. It doesn’t matter what life throws at us. We have the ability to make the best of it or sit and complain and do nothing about it. 

I choose to have a book full of adventure birthed from my storms of life. If I didn’t learn from my storms and find the good in each one, someone reading my book would think my life was full of only heartache and pain, and that is not the case! It is so easy to sit back and look over the cards we’ve been dealt in life, but did we play the hand we were dealt? Did we even attempt to learn how to play the game of life or did we look at our cards and fold? Regardless of age, we’ve been penetrated by a life full of vitality and creativity through the Spirit of God. We can either walk in it or stand on the sidelines with thoughts of defeat and a ‘woe is me’ attitude. Write your life, so others won’t want to put your book down. They’ll read your page-turner full of anticipation. 

Don’t envy the books of others, write your own! Ever season of our life is a new chapter waiting to be written. Use your ink and write!

Emotional Thinking

One of my favorite books is Eckhart Tolle’s, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
I pick it up most mornings to read a page or two. I must share what I read this morning.

“The voice in the head tells a story that the body believes in and reacts to. Those reactions are the emotions. The emotions, in turn, feed energy back to the thoughts that created the emotion in the first place. This is the vicious cycle between unexamined thoughts and emotions, giving rise to emotional thinking and emotional story – making.”

I’ve wasted a lot of time in my past on unexamined thoughts and even embarrassed myself by how I reacted to them. Unexamined thoughts are thoughts that surface from past relationships, experiences, or words expressed from others. Unfortunately, the negative thoughts surface a lot quicker than the positive ones. Thoughts trigger emotional responses and since women are emotional beings, we spend a lot of our time in a world of unexamined, crazy thoughts. One solution that helps me is to think on things that are true, right, and pure as the book of Philippians states. It’s a battle because those trash thoughts, as I call them, always come uninvited. Also, living in the awareness of God makes a huge difference. Not just thoughts about God, but allowing my total being to be consumed by the presence of God - every step I make and every move I make. When we’re consumed by His presence, the negative thoughts are minimal. 

Our daughters, nieces, and those we mentor need to know about emotional thinking or they’ll grow up wasting time creating an emotional world in their mind that doesn’t exist. Women are beautiful beings, but our emotional thinking can make us look, act, and react ugly. Think about your thoughts and change that mental channel when necessary. 

Not Her!

There has been a young lady on my mind for a while. I knew what I was supposed to do, but I chose to ignore the nudge to contact her. Why? Well, she’s one of my son’s ex-girlfriends, and I had no desire to contact her. One day, I received a Facebook friend request from her. I was surprised because she was always extremely quiet around me. To be honest, I didn’t think she cared much for me. 

Well, after being uneasy in my spirit from my disobedience, I finally broke down and sent her a message on Facebook. I asked her if I could take her out to dinner, and she graciously accepted. We haven’t agreed on a date yet, but the hard part is over – contacting her. I can’t explain how difficult it was for me. I was reminded of the scripture that says, “Lord, I will follow You, but…” Having sons, there will always be young women in my life. The Lord has shown me that a ministry doesn’t have to be birthed from a meeting and given a title. Ministry is birthed from Him and brought to fruition through obedience. I guess the Lord knew I wouldn’t freely approach this young lady, so he sent her to me through the friend request. 

I sure can’t say I love God then selfishly pick and choose who I spend time with. Sounds so halfhearted to say, I’ll share with young women, but not her! That sounds horrible, but it’s basically what I said in my heart. I’m happy I finally obeyed and contacted her. I don’t know what God has in store, but I’ll simply follow Him, and watch and pray. As difficult as this was for me, I’m sure she’ll be ministering to me as well. As Godly women, our life should be a ministry! 

What Do I Do Now?

I traveled to Montgomery last week to attend my niece’s graduation. I cried like I was her mother because I couldn’t believe she was actually graduating. She looked out of place with the other graduates as she walked in with her high heels and huge afro puff that she somehow perfectly fashioned to show under her cap.  After graduation, my sister captured a funny picture of my niece looking at me as if she was saying, “What do I do now?”

I wonder if the guidance we give our graduates is correct when it comes to following the Holy Spirit. The common things to do after high school graduation is to go to college, trade school, go in the military, or find a job. As parents, we feel obligated to offer direction - especially if they don’t have a clue what to do, but do we trust God enough to tell our graduates to follow their Heavenly Father? Are we brave enough to encourage them to not make a decision until they hear from God? Hmmm… I was in my forties before I found out what direction I was going.

I guess the important thing to do is to teach our children to have their own intimate relationship with God, so they’ll KNOW to follow His direction. It’s never too late to teach them because some of us still don’t know what direction we’re going, yet we expect those young minds to have a plan for life. Maybe we should have a little more patience and a lot more prayer for our children as they try to figure out what to do with their life. Doesn’t Matthew 6:25 say something about not worrying about our life? Ooooouch! Well, Secondborn graduates this Friday, so I guess I need to practice what I preach. Lord, help me!