WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

**SHARING SOME OF THE THOUGHTS THAT CONSUME MY MIND AS  A WOMAN...A MOTHER WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN THE BLESSING AND PRIVILEGE OF RAISING A BLACK MAN.  I'M CERTAIN THERE ARE MANY MOTHERS WHO SHARE THESE SAME THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.....


Does it matter....that I got on my knees nightly and prayed for my son before he was born?

Does it matter...that I struggled through a very difficult pregnancy; ended up in intensive care, on a multitude of meds, had an unusually long hospital stay and months of bed rest to ensure that he arrived healthy and strong?

Does it matter...that my husband and I had him in church every Sunday, taught him how to pray and encouraged him to love The Lord at an early age?

Does it matter...that he was hungry to learn all he could about God and excelled at memorizing his bible scriptures before he was knee-high?

Does it matter...that he was taught to be respectful to his elders and to other people that he met along the way?

Does it matter...that he was raised to open doors, say please and thank you and to respect rules and the law?

Does it matter...that he has always been an honest soul and has a giving heart?

Does it matter... that when he's asked to pray, he touches the heart of every person in the room?

Does it matter that he has a brilliant mind and is blessed with many gifts and talents?

Does it matter that he has a family that cares for him (immediate and extended) that has poured immeasurable amounts of love into him?

EVERY one of these things SHOULD matter, because they represent the man he's become and the color of his skin should not dictate his worth.

#themotherofablackman
#blacklivesmatter

                               FATHER HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU?

FATHER HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS YOU'VE GIVEN ME
FOR THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF LIFE AND A LOVING FAMILY.

YOU'VE SET GREAT OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE ME
ALLOWING ME TO SEE THE WORLD, WITH A GIVING HEART AND
A HEALTHY MIND, BOTH WILLING TO BE UNFURLED.

AS THE SUN RISES AND SETS, THERE IS NEWNESS TO BEHOLD
EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY, THERE ARE TREASURES TO UNFOLD.

YOU  DESIGNED ALL THINGS ON EARTH WITH YOUR
STRONG AND LOVING HANDS
YOUR MOST CHALLENGING CREATION WAS THE
DEVELOPMENT  OF MAN.

MAN WAS CREATED IN YOUR IMAGE AND  THE PLAN YOU HAD IN MIND
WAS THAT HE BE DILIGENT AND FAITHFUL AND HIS HEART LOVING AND KIND.

YOU DESIRE TO GUIDE YOUR CHILDREN TO YOU,THAT WE
KNOW YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH
WE MUST LIVE BY YOUR WRITTEN STANDARDS
YOUR WORD REQUIRES THAT WE DO.

IN MY YOUTH I COULD NOT PROCESS ALL THE GREAT THINGS MEANT FOR ME
AS I GROW AND SEEK YOU DAILY...MY EYES NOW OPEN AND I SEE!

THE TIMES WE NOW LIVE IN ARE TRYING, MANY TURN AWAY FROM YOU
THEY LIVE WITHOUT THE RESPECT AND HONOR THAT YOU ARE GREATLY DUE.

I HEAR AND SEE THINGS THAT ALARM ME AND THEY
CAUSE COMPLETE DISMAY
THAT IS WHEN I CHOOSE TO BE STILL
AND I COME TO YOU AND PRAY.

FATHER, YOU DESERVE MY FULL ATTENTION AND MY GRATITUDE FOR ALL
IN THE BAD TIMES AND THE GOOD TIMES....WHEN I RISE UP AND I FALL.

I NEVER WANT TO TAKE FOR GRANTED ALL THE THINGS YOU FREELY GIVE
I RECOGNIZE WITHOUT A DOUBT, THAT IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU I LIVE!

SOME THINGS I'VE FACED ALONG THIS JOURNEY HAVE CAUSED ME ANGER,
HURT AND PAIN
BUT IN YOUR WORD YOU HAVE COMMANDED THAT I NOT LET
THOSE THINGS REMAIN.

THROUGH MANY TRIALS AND MUCH TEMPTATION MY PURPOSE
HERE ON EARTH IS CLEAR
AND I DESIRE TO SERVE YOU DAILY AND TO ALWAYS KEEP YOU NEAR.

GOD  I KNOW I CAN'T JUDGE OTHERS
FOR THEIR PERSONAL, SPIRITUAL WALK
BUT I  CAN BE AN EXAMPLE BY THE WAY I LIVE AND TALK.

FATHER I'M SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THE GIFTS YOU'VE GIVEN ME
TAKING TIME TO SAY I'M GRATEFUL TRULY SETS MY SPIRIT FREE!



Copyright © 2013 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.

                                          A CALL FOR HEALING~ Ferguson MO. Nov. 2014

To heal is to restore; to be made healthy, sound and whole
and we will only start to heal when WE ALL step up and take a role.
Anger, destruction, grief and pain are taking a huge toll

and if fear and hate consume our thoughts, they will begin to take control.
We were born to love...to help..to care and when needed, to console
please trust that God will intervene...healing has to be our goal!

DEBORA SPEAKS-FROM-THE-HEART ♥

                                OVERJOYED

Just knowing God is present and the promises He brings
lifts me up and gives me courage... to pray, to worship, praise and sing.

For He covers and protects me, shielding me from the wind and rain
and His love is never-ending, it heals and soothes troubles, grief or pain.

Oh, how grateful I am just knowing how much God truly cares for me
His Word directs me down the right path, His grace and mercy sets me free.

Every time I think about His goodness, every moment I draw near
I'm reminded just much He loves me and He should always be revered.

God is always there when I need Him; through each struggle, trial and storm
He wraps His loving arms around me, while He keeps me safe from harm.

He tells me that if I just trust Him, everything will be alright
but I must never take my eyes off Him, so that He's ALWAYS in my sight.

God speaks to me and gives direction, so when I start to stumble, trip or fall
I listen closely for His voice and He will bring me through it all.

I know that God delivers and that His love fills every void
and that is why my heart is grateful and I'm truly overjoyed! ♥

            WATCH OUT!!!........YOU ARE BEING USED TODAY!!

               
 When reading this title you may say, "WHAT... No one has asked me for anything, how in the world could anyone be using me or take advantage of me without my knowledge??  Well my friend, the term being used, is not always a negative thing. I am referring to being used by God and believe me....that is ALWAYS a good thing!  You aren't always aware of it, but people are watching  your every move...family, friends, co-workers...even those who you've never spoken a word to.

God desires us to be n example to everyone we come in contact with; no matter what the situation brings. We are to act on His behalf and are accountable for our responses and reactions when communicating with others. There are times when other people's actions and attitudes may have a negative impact on our own attitude. We can be in a good mood when we step out of our own environment and into the world and be met by complete and utter chaos...someone gives you a wrong look, you experience an inappropriate traffic move,a harsh word is spoken and POW...IT'S ON!!

God charges us to be cautious when reacting to the negative attitudes and behaviors of others, it's easy to loose our footing and fall prey to being "in the heat of the moment." We are to RISE ABOVE the occasion and to react in a way that will diffuse the situation.  God wants to use you to encourage those individuals who may not give thought or consequence to their actions to think and act differently.  We are called to provide a positive image for others...in spite of difficult circumstances. Being a Godly example to others can be challenging at times...you may think, why should you be responsible for trying to fix someone's unacceptable conduct, when you have your own issues to deal with?  What you may not be able to see in the moment, is that God will use YOU and YOUR positive reactions to a situation to help someone with a negative attitude to recognize the need for change in THEIR life. Their eyes will hopefully be opened to the realization that even through the hurt and the pain that they may experience, God's love brings peace, strength and triumph to ANY situation.

 God uses those who fully believe in Him and know the power of His grace and mercy to be living examples of His love and kindness. When you allow yourself to be used by Him and you exemplify His teaching through your actions towards others...YOU are preparing yourself to experience the miraculous gift of eternal life that God has promised! ♥

                                 WE ARE ALL VISUALLY IMPAIRED

While maneuvering my way through traffic one day, I began to observe the behavior of other drivers around me. I realized at that moment, that I was in the midst of a large number of very impatient and seemingly distracted drivers!! Some people were on their phones, appearing to be fully engaged in conversation; while others seemed to be lost in a song blaring from their stereos. And of course, there was the occasional erratic driver, who weaved in and out of lanes at a far greater speed than legally acceptable, giving no thought or respect to the safety of others.

 The amplified sounds of horns, motorcycles and oversized trucks was overwhelming. It was like a symphony of chaos on concrete!!  As the traffic came to a stop at an electric signal, a sudden calm took over and my eyes were drawn to a woman making her way across the street with the assistance of a cane. I realized that she was blind.  At first, it seemed as if she was making her way across the busy intersection with a level of confidence by the swiftness in her step,but as she approached the curb, her gait slowed dramatically, as if she had reached unfamiliar territory and she became more dependent upon the tool (the white cane) that was required to move her in the right direction.  With each step, she tapped the pavement to ensure that the path was firm and clear of any obstacles that could potentially harm or cause injury and could keep her from getting to her destination.

 As I observed this woman, striving to make her way to her destination unscathed, I thought about the journey that we are ALL on in this life. When it comes to reaching OUR destination in life, we are blind to some of the steps that God desires for us to take. We often weave in and out of confidence when we approach spots that are seemingly unfamiliar on the path. We each have been provided with tools to get us where we need to be.  Those tools are: The Bible, prayer, fellowship, worship, praise and love.  These tools as well as a host of others, will prepare us for uneven terrain, potholes, high curbs, rough pavement and the distractions that the enemy uses to keep us from living the life that God desires for us.

The Bible is our roadmap to the plan that God has for us. Prayer is our guide to keep us on track and give us strength to stay on the right path. Speaking to God through prayer is vital...developing that personal relationship with HIM and finding comfort in your prayer time with HIM. Fellowship helps us to be blessed and to be a blessing to others...we were not designed to go this journey alone...iron sharpens iron and our faith is strengthened by hearing other people's testimonies AND by sharing our own!  Worship and praise are also an important part of our journey...it allows us to tell God just how much He means to us...how grateful we for all of the things He has done for us...How much we love Him!  The greatest tool (gift) that God gives us is the power and ability to love...when we walk in love, it takes off the blinders of anger, hatred and the inability to forgive, that cause us to loose our footing and our direction.

 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith and not by sight." We should be like the woman who was blind, we must walk in confidence along the parts of the path that are familiar, but when we hit those spots that are unfamiliar, we must rely on the tools that God provided to get us to our destination...safe and sound!  ♥

                            IS BEAUTY REALLY ONLY SKIN DEEP??

My husband and I were waiting for our food one morning in a restaurant that we were trying for the first time.  We took our time to peruse the menu that contained a variety of interesting meal choices.  When the group of patrons seated next to us began receiving their food, we took note of the array of delightful looking dishes placed on their table and wondered if WE had made the right selections.

While trying to determine if one their dishes happened to be one I had ordered, I made eye contact with one of the women in the group.  I Immediately attempted to assure her that my staring was strictly due to whether I made the right choice and nothing else, so I blurted out, “This is our first visit here and I’m just noticing how good the food looks, have you been here before?" She responded with, “Oh yes and everything here is delicious, you will enjoy whatever items you selected!"  I smiled and said thank you as my eyes briefly connected with everyone seated at the table.  There appeared to be a mutual understanding of my inquiry about the food, based on the smiles beaming from most of their faces.

It was then that I noticed that one member of the group did not seem to share an appreciation for our short, but pleasant conversation. She was a very attractive woman, dressed in upscale attire and donned with finely detailed jewelry.  Our eyes locked and she peered at me as if I had just come between her and one of her most prized possessions.  Her gorgeous face was skewed by a frown and her eyes were filled with emotion that gave an impression of  both resentment and mistrust!!  Where could THAT be coming from?  We had never met before.  Why would our first encounter be so negative?

This experience made me think about how careful we need to be with the image that we present to others.  Here was a beautiful woman who possessed great potential in her ability to connect and relate to others... after all, being easy on the eyes is half the battle, right??  Our outward appearance can give an illusion of what our attitude and spirit should convey to those we meet.  God created many beautiful things on this earth.  His creations stem from the oceans and mountains to the sunrises and sunsets.

 We are one of God’s greatest creations, because he designed us to be a living example of Him and to draw others closer to Him.
We must sync our outward beauty with our internal beauty that was woven into us through God’s inspiration and creation.  We were fearfully and wonderfully made and our attitude and actions towards others, give praise and honor to God.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ KJV)

 When we prepare ourselves to leave the house and we take a look in the mirror, we must make sure that our inner beauty compliments our outer appearance and that both attributes illuminate us with the light in which God desires. ♥

                                              THE GIFT OF TIME                    

TIME is a gift from God...but it isn't always seen as a gift.  We take it for granted...we waste it... we carry on as if TIME stands still when we need it to and that we are given unlimited opportunities to complete tasks when and if we are so inclined...but TIME waits for no one!...It is fleeting!  We forget that we can NEVER relive those precious minutes previously encountered.  How many TIMES have you put off seeing a friend or a family member because something else took priority over your schedule and that visit just didn’t seem to be as important as the items on your to-do list?  It happens all of the TIME!

Our lives are filled with so many obligations and events that it's easy to get caught up and often overextend ourselves. That's how we miss out on the truly important things!  There are several reasons why we should view the TIME that we have been given as a gift from God.  One of the most important reasons is that God wants for us to make TIME for Him.  He wants us to sit at His feet and to connect with Him. He wants us to know that He loves us and that He will give us the desires of our heart if we trust and believe in Him. He also wants to know that we love Him. That we are grateful for His presence in our lives and that we are thankful for all that He has done.  Developing this kind of personal relationship requires our TIME.

 God also wants us to take the TIME to show love and kindness to others...our family members, friends and even those whom we may have just laid eyes on for the very first TIME!!  We are to set aside TIME is to pray, to study the word of God and to be Disciples of Christ.  We are to share the "Good News"of Jesus Christ, whenever possible. Many of us try to accelerate through TIME, in an attempt to forget about past hurts and trials that left us in pain and anguish.   We want to push past all the bad stuff and get to a better place...in a hurry!  We have to realize that in God’s perfect plan, (which is very different from our own) TIME is to be used for healing and for making the necessary personal changes needed for strength and growth.  Take the TIME tell that family member whom you haven’t seen or spoken to for years, that they are important to you.  Take the TIME to share a kind word with the neighbor whom you haven’t made eye contact with because life has just gotten too busy.  Take the TIME to ask your friend for forgiveness when harsh words may have been exchanged.

 We often take for granted how precious life really is.  Sometimes we act as if we were designed to be on earth forever and that TIME has no real value.  When we take TIME to explore all of the opportunities and see all of the wonder and beauty that God created for us to enjoy, we will value the TIME that God has given us and we will begin to use every moment to love, praise, honor, and glorify Him in all that we do. Cherish the TIME you were given and live life to the fullest!! ♥

                       YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

You know the old adage, "You can't judge a book by its cover"?  I recently heard the expression again and gave a lot of thought to what it meant. It means that we should never base our opinions about others solely by their outward appearance, we must steer clear of judging others without really knowing what really lies on the inside. At that moment I realized how much we REALLY ARE like books!

A book is bound in either a hardcover or paper and like a book, some of us appear to have hard coverings or shells that may give the impression of not caring or wanting to be bothered which pushes people away. Others display a more delicate covering, which makes them seem to be more sensitive to the needs of others and they are often viewed as easier to read and open to letting people in.

The spine of the book, which symbolizes the human backbone, serves as the foundation of the book and supports the pages, which helps the pages remain in tact. The backbone is our foundation and reveals how well "put together" we are.

The pages of a book hold the content of the story; each delicate page is filled with words, pictures and/ or facts that give the reader an understanding of the story.  OUR  pages hold the content of our character and tells those we come in contact with a lot about what we hold inside.

  Some of us are like mystery novels, which can be difficult to understand and figure out.  Some of our lives are filled with tragic stories that almost read like a best-selling horror tale; the trials and
struggles imprinted on each page leave many wondering how it's even possible to survive.  Some are open books; very transparent about their journey and provide the world with a detailed image of what life is like for them.  Their stories stand to be helpful to others who may share a similar story and may need a little support.  Like a good book, it is important that we take good care for our covering, whether it be a hard cover or paperback, over time our foundation will show wear and tear and our contents may start to pull away from its binding; this sets us up to possibly lose our perspective and forget that the pages all fit together with purpose to create lessons filled with love,faith, hope,
triumph and victory.


 Our stories are passed down through our friends and family when we head to our eternal home and many of them will be repeated and shared for years to come.  Our stories are bound together to represent a life well-lived and hold great possibilities to change  and impact the lives of future generations. NO MATTER WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN INTO YOUR STORY....LIVE IT WELL AND LET IT SPEAK VOLUMES ABOUT EACH CHAPTER OF LIFE YOU WERE GIVEN! ♥

                         GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR


I was asked by an uncle some time ago, if I believed that God has a sense of humor.  He questioned the significance of comedy used in the on-stage and million dollar box office performances of a well- known movie director and producer.  There are others who struggle to grab hold of the so called “silly antics” in movies and on t.v.  that are used to draw Christians in.  I answered my uncle with a resounding YES, because I DO believe that God has a sense of Humor.  Here’s what backs up my conclusion: I can recall a number of times when I attempted to avoid challenging situations and went to great lengths to steer clear of trying outcomes...sometimes it may have been to avoid a difficult person, but  after all of the energy and effort that I used to side-step the situation, God would place me RIGHT SMACK-DAB IN ITS PATH!!  I could only smile as I imagined hearing God say, “Not so fast...you have some work to do here!" I realized that the Lord brought me back to the situation to learn from it and to deal with the negative emotions stirred up by the experience or the person.  Now...getting back to my original discussion regarding that talented individual who appears to have chosen to commit his career to making people, from very diverse backgrounds,forget about their immediate cares and woes, to take a break from the everyday stresses of life....AND JUST LAUGH!!  Remember, laughter IS good for the soul!  Now while I’m focusing on the topic of humor and laughter, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up the love of my life...my husband David.  For those who know him well,I believe they would agree that he may have actually missed his calling in the comedic arena.  I have known him since I was a teenager and he has always managed to make me laugh. During a very critical time in my life when my grandmother who raised me became ill and passed away, David was there to offer support, encouragement, friendship and most importantly, he helped keep me from falling apart by somehow managing to make me smile. That was about 30 years ago and he STILL makes me smile!  We have been through a lot together; the loss of both of his parents, my father’s passing and a number of health related scares for me. But through it ALL, David’s unbelievably positive attitude and the ability to keep me laughing continues to keep my heart, mind and soul strong.  I truly believe that his humor has been a form of medicine for me.  You see, I believe that David’s sense of humor is a gift that God gave him and he uses his gift to bring laughter and joy to the lives of anyone he comes in contact with.   I really don’t believe that God would give a gift to anyone that He Himself does not possess. So to answer your question uncle...
YES... I DO believe that God has a sense of humor!!!

                      

                   THE ART OF ACCEPTING OUR IMPERFECTIONS

​​​​​
We are always striving to be the very best that we can be.  On that quest, we try to successfully maneuver our way through trials and temptations, hoping to be seen in a positive light, by others.  At times we find it difficult to accept the shortcomings of our family, friends and peers, while also struggling with the imperfections that we see within ourselves.  Human nature drives us to seek perfection in our situations and circumstances; even though we know that there are no perfect individuals walking among us on earth. God did not design us to be perfect, but He did create us to live our lives by the example of His Son, Jesus Christ.  At the start of man’s existence, a decision was made out of disobedience that caused sin to fall upon each one of us at birth, this is written in Psalm 51:5.   It is very important that we accept this truth, because we can’t work towards the life that God desires for us if we don’t recognize that we all fall short and were born with imperfections.  Refusing to accept that we are imperfect, stifles our pathway to growth and blessings.  There are times when we blame others for our circumstances, hold grudges and struggle to forgive when we have been hurt or falsely accused. We often view our imperfections as garments of inadequacy and some of us never overcome our insecurities.  While on this journey, it is important for us to establish a close and personal relationship with God.  When we do that, we begin to understand why our imperfections hold a significant place in our development.  Our imperfections can break us down and destroy us OR they can create resolve and challenge us to rise to the occasion!  This has the ability to move us forward,  build and strengthen our character and help us live the life that God intends for us to live.     REMEMBER....You were fearfully and wonderfully made!

BLESSINGS! ❤

           
After just reading yet another tragic story on bullying, I decided to share a writing I completed a while back.   It speaks to the effects of using negative words and reflects on how those words can destroy the confidence that we work so hard to build up in our children.  Unfortunately, we live in very different times and the act of bullying now includes an entirely different set of tactics that often result in devastating consequences.  We ALL should take charge over the words we use!!

          OUR WORDS CAN BE A WEAPON OF DESTRUCTION!!


Remember hearing the phrase on the playground as a child,“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt  me"?   I know I had to shout that message out a few times myself!  I expect that this phrase was used by many a tormented child as a way of stopping harsh and negative words from spewing from the mouth of their tormentor. I believe there were hopes that the instigator would stop harassing them if they thought their attempts to hurt with words were useless....BUT we all know.... that words CAN hurt! People who choose to use words that are hurtful, cause pain and leave lasting impressions of negativity that can damage one's confidence.

The unpleasant words that one hears over and over again during childhood can create walls of mistrust and issues with poor self esteem that can carry over into adulthood.  Some people struggle to break away feelings of inadequacy that were formed in their youth.  I want to believe that most people who participate in this type of destructive behavior, have no idea of the severity of their actions.  I can recall certain "bullied" moments that I experienced as a child; I remember how those mean and hurtful messages became deeply embedded in my psyche and played a significant part in how I responded to certain situations.

  Children are like a sponges and absorb a great deal of what they are introduced to.  If a child is built up with encouraging and uplifting words, they will most likely have a positive outlook on life and deal with challenging issues with a level of confidence.  On the other hand, if a child is torn down with words of discouragement and hatred, they will develop into an adult who will spend a great deal of time trying to prove their level of worth; not only to others, but to themselves as well.  Negative words  can stop a person from pursuing their dreams and limit their ability to live a life filled with happiness and joy.  God’s written Word is filled with encouragement, love and promise.  It is a well-defined book of instructions, He designed for his children to follow when interacting with others.  Spending time in the Word of God will definitely have a direct effect on the words that we choose to use when dealing with others.  Some of the words that God expects us to use in our daily vocabulary are: love, forgive, honor, bless and praise.  When we use God’s chosen words, it pushes us further away from using words that could easily destroy someone’s life!!

     IS STRESS ACCESSORIZING YOUR OUTFIT TODAY?

When you get up in the morning and begin to prepare for the day, do you start by searching for that “just right “ outfit or do you prepare the night before to eliminate the hustle and bustle that causes us to run late in the morning?  What kind of outfit are you searching for?  I guess it would depend on what the occasion is.  Are you dressing for work or taking the kids to an event?  Are you job hunting, or having tea with the girls?  There are millions of events, plans and opportunities that will affect your personal wardrobe decision daily.  What pair of shoes will work? Are you going wearing pants or a skirt? What about that special dress? Sometimes we forget items that will make our outfit work. Maybe it’s the extra pair of shoes that we meant to throw in the car, or that necklace that we bought specifically to wear with that certain blouse.  The one thing that NEVER seems to be forgotten and is often a part of our daily attire is…..STRESS!  

 We can have the best intentions of leaving it at home for at least one day, but somehow it manages to jump on to the back of our sweater or climb into the bottom of our shoes and become an unwanted guest, keeping in step with us throughout the day. We can wear it like jewelry, it pinches our wrists and can cause pain like a bracelet that is too small or cut off our breathing like a necklace that’s much too tight!  Often, stress can remove itself from our person and attach itself to others, wreaking havoc on everyone in close proximity and destroying the ability for all to communicate effectively. 

 Stress is also known to be a silent killer.  It can cause a large number of health issues which can keep us from living the life that God designed for us.  When I forget to leave my stress at home, I feel as if it takes refuge on my person and begins to get comfortable within me and comes with full intent of accompanying me throughout my day with no scheduled intermission. When this happens, it is often difficult to recover and maintain the right attitude, which of course can affect the image that we want to relay to others. 

As I continue to strengthen my personal relationship with Christ; I practice leaving some of the daily stresses tucked into a drawer or closet and I remind myself that those stresses can only be adorned if I choose to allow them to be a part of my day.  (Of course I am still working to free myself from those unsightly items altogether, because they don’t look good on me at all!) I will faithfully continue to ask God for strength to remove the unappealing accessory from my wardrobe, so that I may always be seen with the warmth, glow and light that God intends for me to be adorned with everywhere I go. 

I pray that before each one of you leaves the house each day; that you will take a look in the mirror, check out your attire and remember that stress is NEVER a complimentary addition to your ensemble!  Trust God to handle the stressful things in your life, when you do that; you will arrive at your destination allowing your light shine so that others may see and you will walk in the beauty and grace that God desires.

       The Love of Christ Reigns Over Us



The Love of Christ reigns over us and gives us what we need,
His love, shows through our actions; our thoughts,words and our deeds.

Christ gave His all that we might live; in spirit and in truth,
His story should be shared each day, to teach and guide our youth.

When Christ was taken to the cross, it was believed that He was done; 
But little did the people know, the victory had really just begun.

His body was then wrapped in shroud and taken to a tomb.
It was there He laid for three days, until the plan to save us did resume.

He arose upon the third day and His mission was revealed,
to those who loved Him dearly and came to find His tomb unsealed.

Christ met with His disciples and sent them out with the "Good News",
He instructed them to spread the word...HE LIVES and our hearts He did pursue.

For those of us that walk in faith, our lives will be forever blessed,
and we will live a life eternal, by our Saviors feet at rest.

Christ left this earth to sit beside our Father up above,
AND STILL each and every single day, He reigns and showers us with love.


* This Easter, may you be reminded of the sacrifice 
given in love, to save us and prepare us for eternal life!                

                              SHAPED BY THE STORM


 At some point and time in our lives we will all encounter a storm. We all have a story or two about weathering a storm; some of us just made it out of one, many of us are in the middle of a storm at this very moment! Storms pass through in a variety of ways and they don't appear with a guarantee of how long they will remain. Storms have the ability to destroy; they attack our health, our families, our finances, our jobs, our relationships and most importantly....our faith! It is when our faith is under attack, that everything else in our lives is exposed and made vulnerable to the damaging effects that a storm brings. There are times when we are warned about a storm and we prepare for its arrival by taking the necessary steps to reduce the damage the storm may cause. When faced with a possible health storm, we can make necessary changes and take preventative measures to minimize the situation and possibly change the outcome. When in a family or relationship storm, we may see the storm brewing and we may be able to lessen the blow by what we say and how we choose to deal with the circumstances. Many times, the effects of the storms we see heading our way can be reduced by the choices that we make. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A STORM COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WITH NO WARNING, KNOCKING DOWN AND COMPLETELY DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH....WHAT DO YOU DO THEN? What do we do when we open our eyes and we look to the left and to the right and we think that there is no hope in being able to repair the damage that's been done? We need to find the strength to pray!! Just because our human eyes see no way out....God ALWAYS delivers a way out of the storm!! We have to allow our faith to be stretched and keep our hearts and our minds focused on the promise that God gave in His word, Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for The Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Every storm that we encounter, whether it big or small, is shaping us for greatness! We have to set our minds on knowing what God purposed for His children and that is that He wants us to experience a life of joy! We never leave a storm without a testimony and that testimony has great power!! It holds the key not only to your success in handling future storms, but it has the potential to impact the lives of others and helping their faith to grow! We all have an assignment while here on earth and that is to follow the teachings of God and to draw others to Him....that is what your testimonies of weathering the storms do!! Please remember that you are here with a purpose and that each storm you experience is shaping you to impact the lives of others! You are in my prayers!! ❤

                         LOVE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART


Love is a feeling that is meant to be shared,
It brings joy, peace and happiness when it is declared.
Every human exists with a need to feel love,

it was designed and created by our Father above.
There are so many ways for us to show love,
and to let those we care for, know how much their thought of.

We are not only to express love to those who love us,
spreading love to our neighbors is also a plus.
Love is truthful and kind, forgiving and free,

We should love with our whole heart....unconditionally.
Love comes in all shapes and sizes, it covers the globe,
love requires true trust and the patience of Job.

When we love like we should, we will always impart,
how important it is to love with your whole heart.

1 Peter 4:8
Above  all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  (NIV)

Written for the HAPPINESS NOW Newsletter (March publication)

         





















I recently endured a family tragedy that required much prayer, time and attention....it still does, but only by the grace of God can I see things beginning to fall into place and  can I see light at the end of the darkness!  Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to seek God's direction where needed.  I pray to be back on track soon and able to share the thoughts and words that God places on my heart.  I truly know that it will be done...Only By The Grace Of God!!


                   ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD

Only by the grace of God~do we rise up every day.
Only by the grace of God~are ways made out of no way.
Only be the grace of God~are we sheltered from the storm.
Only by the grace of God~are we kept safe from hurt and harm.
Only by the grace of God~do we have all that we need.
Only by the grace of God~ through forgiveness are we freed.
Only by the grace of God~do we survive things that are tough.
Only by the grace of God~ are we loved more than enough.
Only by the grace of God~ are we given eyes in which to see, the magnificence, power and grace of God that lives through eternity.

                                NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER!!

As I headed home from the gym on Monday this week, I noticed how brightly the sun was shining and how much warmer the temperature was compared to that of the previous Monday. The highs peaked around 50* that day, which was in complete contrast with last weeks' temperature.  The week before, the thermometer reached record low temps and many of us struggled to maintain our wits about us as we trudged through mounds of snow!!  My first thought was," WOW, what a difference a few days can make!"  But then my thoughts quickly moved to an undeniable fact, when God created heaven and earth, he supplied us with the same amount of hours to use in each day and that none of our days should be taken for granted...no matter what the weather is!!  In spite of the weather, we can still be productive in the areas that God requires of us; spending time in His presence, showing love and concern for others and by strengthening our faith and striving to be an example that will stand to draw others closer to Him!   Life has a way of bringing on MAJOR distractions that keep us focused on an abundance of things that aren't necessarily vital to our journey.  I too found myself complaining about the brutal temps and piles of snow, which only perpetuated my lack of desire to accomplish ANYTHING!   A lapse in motivation can give us a false sense that there isn't enough time in the day, to get things done.  The issue is really about our personal choices and how we use the time that we have been blessed with each day.  I took full advantage of the somewhat balmy temps that day; I exercised, ran errands and even found the time to complete a few inside tasks that I managed to keep putting off.  Why was I so much more productive that day?  Because when our surroundings are sunny and bright, we tend to have a more positive attitude about everything.  The light from the atmosphere generates energy and light in us; we smile more, we extend ourselves more to others and we find it easier to be joyful and show gratitude in the warmth and radiance of the sun. But God wants us to embrace each and every day that we are given with joy and gratitude and He NEVER wants us to take ANY day for granted!  Each day is more precious than the next and should be treated as the gift that it is.....NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER!   :-)

                   OH JUST FOR ANOTHER MOMENT!!
 We live in a world filled with hustle and bustle and often there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to complete the never-ending and exhausting list of tasks that WE believe to be important! Many of us pop up in the morning from a restless night of slumber; our minds were set in overdrive before our heads even hit the pillow the night before. As soon as our feet touch the floor, we are in a constant state of motion; we rush to work, scramble to make appointments, we pick up the kids from school and juggle their after-school activities and other planned events. We scurry through dinners, important family gatherings and we even have the nerve to try and rush through an illness that sneaks up on us, like a cold or the flu, by taking a variety of medications that claim "instant healing" in order to quickly return to our fast-paced, all consuming routine that we call life! I personally find myself seeking peaceful moments throughout the day to hear God's take on how I choose to spend my time. I imagine that MY choices are very different from His plan and desire for my day. God knows that we have many hats to wear, plates to fill and agendas to maneuver, but He still wants us to find time for peace and rest, He tells us that throughout His word. Here are several scriptures that remind us of God's promise when we look to Him for help in times of chaos and stress!


 Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."


 Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, "My presence will go with you, and and I will give you rest." 


Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."


 We all wish that we had the power create more hours in the day and we would love to have just one more moment to get through all that life brings, but God distributed the same amount of time to each one of us and He wants us to learn to manage it well and to use a portion of it for rest. We all strive to learn better ways to multi-task; one great way to put the practice of multi-tasking to good use is to spend some time in the presence of God; talking, praying and giving honor and praise to Him while you are taking time to rest. Time with God will bring a balance of peace and joy, which will clear your mind and soothe your soul. Taking time out of our busy schedules and giving God a few minutes of our time each day, will help us appreciate and cherish all of the other precious moments that He has given.