SPOKEN WORD

What did think you after you read this quote?

This quote reminded me of something else I read earlier this week. Hart Ramsey tweeted "Every deed, every word is a seed. Whether in public or in private, it will find its way home. Sow wisely."

QOTD:

What have you sown with your words?

Is your public/private lives different?

The quote made me cringed. yep, I too have said some not-so-nice things...some to people, some about people, and even about myself (YIKES). It happens when we get in our feelings and we feel justified; doesn't make it right. The Bible does say something about "even in anger, do not sin"; guess this is why we must control our emotions #TheStruggleIsReal.

Note2Self:  Everything I think should not be spoken into the atmosphere. 

#YouReign

All In A Day's Work...

Ever wake up with a headache?... Overslept?...or both? Now it seems you must rush through the day. This was my day this past Tuesday. I felt as if I was truly going to have a "Manic Monday" instead of a "Terrific Tuesday". I really thought about finding a new job. How many of you have been there???

Morning
My daughter was in a great morning mood, which was odd. She began to sing "Come on and Bless The Lord with Me". She sang it so loudly, all I could do was laugh and join in. At that point, I gave God a quick "Thank ya" and went on about my day.

Mid-Morning
My day was productive, but quiet in the office. I had so many thoughts about what needed to be done at work [and home] that just could NOT focus. I don't think I ever completed a thought. In walked one of my favorite clients; she seemed to be in good spirits. She inquired about her loan balances and re-applying. She never gave an amount or said what the loan was for. I reviewed her account and told her that she qualified for about $4000 and we'd pay off her small loan, keeping her at one payment. She immediately sighed in relief, thanked God, and began to cry. She apologized for her tears, but kept crying. I just hugged her, cried, and told her it would be okay.

As we sat at my desk, in tears, she continued to give thanks then explained her situation. Her pipes burst in her home with the insurance company paying a small portion. She had no idea how she was going to pay for the repairs. She said she had been stressed out. She came here as a last resort with low expectations. She continued in praise and thanked me for the help.

Needless to say, she changed the entire mood of the office...FOR THE BETTER!

Afternoon 
As I sat outside, thinking about my day and my life, my client walked up. She said "thank you, you're such a blessing", which caught me off guard. I then thanked her for blessing me during our morning encounter. I went on to express my  work concerns (treatment, prejudice, lack of respect, workload). She said "God sees all and members see how hard you work, you will be rewarded". I fought back tears. Once again, she had blessed me.

Evening
During family prayer time, I shared my day and my daily devotional, entitled "Standing Before God's Open Door". Though I was blessed on THREE occasions Tuesday, it was in this moment that I heard His voice again "see what happens when you surrender".

I am exactly where I am supposed to be. More importantly, I am where God placed me, helping people. My suffering is not be in vain.

Communication + Character + Capacity = Change

#AllInADaysWork

Reflections

"Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" We remember this from our childhood...

A mirror is a great example of a reflection. In this case, the mirror represents truth and denial. Our circle friends can prove to be a better example. You share one common flaw with each one of your friends, no matter how good or bad the flaw - hence your friendship. Let's look at my circle. My circle consists of four very different personalities, perspectives, and patience levels. I describe our personalities as shoes, something all women can relate to. There is a Chuck Taylor, Timberland, Air Force One, and the High Heel. My emotional state, in any given situation, determines which mirror (friend) gets the call. YOU KNOW WHY ? because just like the witch, I desire the answer that is what I want to hear rather than what I need to hear in that moment. Do I really want the truth? Maybe...Better yet, can I handle the truth? 

Who knew I'd learn from Snow White in adulthood? This scenario just might be the realest depiction of people ever. We say we want the truth (on some level we do), but we fear it or can't deal with it so we break the mirror or avoid it altogether. As I pen this blog, I am reminded that my heart especially is like a tea bag; when put in hot water, what's inside will ooze out. All of that to say, I can no longer run from the truth (neither can YOU). We were built for this by the Master.

Truth is: I was who I was, I am who I am - I'm okay with both.

Look in your mirror without fear.  

Change what you see. Change how you think. Change starts on the inside. Character counts. 

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully know.

#NoFearImFree

Let It Be Me

Dear Lord,

Sow the seed, 
Delegate the deed
Save the Saints
And the Ain'ts
Let it be me...

Lord grant another chance,
A life You must enhance
Let it be me...

Renew, rebuild, refresh-
The spirit man not the flesh
Let it be me...

Guide the gifted and the grateful
Hide the hurt, heal the hateful
Let it be me...

Lead me in this life,
Give my husband a new wife-
Let it be me...

Changed, delivered, healed...
Let it be me...

Sincerely, ME

I wrote this poem a few years ago, off the cuff, for a creative writing class. It's one of my favorites. It's still relevant; applies to the emotions we experience. 

Capacity. Character. Communication. Change.
#LetItBeMe

Burdened?

Greetings Good People,

I had no intentions of posting again so soon, but my friend (we will call her Cordelia b/c it means heart) asked me to share.  During my morning motivation, I shared the following devotional email with her:

“Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse.... I feel so burdened myself, that sometimes I can't even see others burdens. But Jesus reminds me that if I am to be like him, I will be a burden carrier. This is why he came, why he died, and why his resurrection is so important — to lift from us the burdens of sin, death, and depravity. He has blessed us by carrying our heaviest burdens so that we might lighten the load of those around us.” (VerseoftheDay.com)

Her response: “Damn near in tears. Thank you God and friend. A recent spat with friends has been heavy on my heart. I carry my friends’ burdens because I love them. I didn't pray nor ask for guidance to handle those burdens appropriately, so I erred. Now I feel like I have failed in so many areas of my life as a friend, daughter, and sometimes a mom. I truly place a high value on my friendships because I do not want to continue to fail in another area.”

My response: “Carry their burden, not their load. As I say this to you, I say it to myself. You cannot allow the burdens you lighten to infect your heart, faith, & life. Notice I said INFECT not affect. You're infected when you pick up their load...that is NOT our job...that task belongs to God. Now put it all down, along with any feelings you have left regarding the situation. Remember to embrace your feelings, but feelings are fleeting. You make errors, you do not fail, you learn a lesson and that is the blessing. Love ya!”

I failed to tell Cordelia that just two weeks ago I was at the altar seeking prayer for this SAME issue. I so desperately want to help others until their issues consume me. Just can’t let it get into my Spirit that way. Hope that this was sound advice. You be the judge…

Communication is the key in every relationship. Our mistakes build character. You decide your capacity by what you burden yourself with. Change your negative to positive.

#LightenYourLoad

Suffer or Surrender

For quite some time now, God has been whispering these two words to me. More often than not, I felt like I received what he was telling me, only to learn later that I was wrong…I hadn’t received it. I hadn’t learned the lesson.

One night recently before bed, I kept saying in my head “surrender or suffer”. Then I asked myself “why am I suffering”, “haven’t I surrendered?”. My thoughts continued on at a furious pace until I penned this poem:

Ever felt trapped, as if stuck in a nightmare…

Unable to become free, like God isn’t near.

Embrace who you are, setting your fears free

No more suffering, open your eyes so you can see

A life of loss and pain to be left behind,

Become battles won with a renewed mind.

God taught me yet another lesson. This morning, while getting ready for work, I discovered that my necklace was terribly tangled. I was annoyed because I needed it to complete my outfit. I spent at least 20 minutes concentrating on detangling the necklace. I took deep breathes, I told myself not to quit, I started and stopped, but I refused to accept defeat because I was going to wear this necklace. Once it was detangled, I breathed a sigh of relief and was pleased with myself. Then I heard, “Why don’t you give me that attention and focus?” Immediately, I was no longer pleased with myself. God reminded me of what I already knew…I will suffer until I surrender.

Communication with God is a must. Only He can develop your character. You decide your capacity for suffering by your actions. Change before you have to.

#StayTuned