Pray. Purge. Pursue.

Question of the Day:

Don't get weary in well doing, forgive 7 x 70, be slow to anger, love your enemies, judge not...the list of Bible scriptures on forgiveness is lengthy. Why?

 Because we struggle mightily with forgiving others and ourselves.

Forgiveness is hard because of the offense.

Lord knows we get tired of being the bigger person. 

If you've asked this question, evidently you are the bigger person. 

It seems that God has pricked your heart and convicted you on the matter.

Give yourself time, you can do this. 

You only need to remember the following:

*You may never know why they did what they did. Be okay with that.

*God called YOU to do so, honor that.
*It takes time to get over an offense. Just make sure you do so before your heart is hardened.

Forgiveness requires us to semi-forget.When you forgive the offense, it's supposed  to be like it never happened. Easier said than done, obviously, because the brain doesn't work that way. 

No matter how much you've invested in a relationship, God has invested so much more in YOU!

Seek Him on the matter. Please do not make a decision, in your feelings, that you may live to regret.

NEVER - EVER, EVER - worry about what others will think about your decision. 

You answer to a higher power. 

Perhaps leaving the relationship is best. If so, that's okay too. 

Just make sure you leave on good terms. Please know that everyone that came with you, can't go with you (T.D.Jakes). Simply love them from afar. 

Forgiving them is loving them. Forgive yourself in the process.

Can you afford not to???

Suffer. Learn. Grow.

#NoFearImFree

Dream On...

God gave you a dream for a reason!

Pray. Purge. Pursue.

#YourDreamYourDestiny

Matrimony Monday: Assume Nothing

Happy Monday Folks.

I haven't written one of these in a while but here goes...

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22 ESV

Experts have conducted research and compiled many lists with the secrets to a happy marriage.

While I am not an expert, I have a list of my own.

I have learned the following:

1. Put & keep God first. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

2. Assume nothing. Preconceived notions kill communication.

3. Be friends! Continue getting to know each other, we change.

Ladies, you're up first...

Don't assume that submitting to him is a bad thing (Ephesians 5:22). 

What woman doesn't want her man to be a provider, protector, and priest of their home? 

Let's not assume that we are without blame.
Please stop assuming that "he should know".

HE. DOES. NOT. KNOW. UNTIL. YOU. TELL. HIM.

Fellas, it's your turn...

Don't assume you automatically obtain God's favor by marrying her. 

You must love her (Ephesians 5:25) - period! 

Don't assume that she will be "ready" every 72 hours. 

Don't assume that completing the 'honey-to-do-list' will getcha some.

SHE. NEEDS. INTIMACY. AND. RELAXATION. FIRST.

Discuss what your visions of marriage are. 

Discuss your strengths/weaknesses, needs/wants, likes/dislikes.

Develop a marriage that oozes love and laughter.

As I was writing this, I received an "I love and appreciate you" text from hubby.
It just confirms how much we have grown and that I am taking my own advice.
I love that we are in sync, even when we agree to disagree.

#AssumeNothing

Feature Friday

Hello Readers!

I am featuring the work of a friend and fellow writer, JussRuss

Welcome JussRuss!

*insert finger snaps*

HER

I always dream about her, yet 

I never met her

I always say her name, yet 

She's not around.

She makes me smile.

Keeps me going, just knowing

she will be a part of my life -

One day.

I can't wait to hold her

Sing to her

Talk to her

Let her know how much I love her

I always dream about her, yet

She's no where to be found.

Is she real?

Will she ever be apart of my life?

She's one of a kind,

That sweet smile,

Beautiful soft skin,

And pretty brown eyes.

I swear I can see her...

I always dream about her, yet

I never met her

I always say her name, yet

She doesn't exist.

She would have called me Mommy...

Her name is Kaiyah.

Thanks for sharing JussRuss.

W8AM Wednesday

It is

Wednesday.

Ever ask God to speak to you? 

My request was simple this morning - 

"Lord I need to hear from You. Speak to me, so I can share with my prayer circle."

After reading three devotionals, He still hadn't spoken.

The fourth was titled, "The Missionary Call" from In-Touch Ministries.

Dr. Stanley wrote:

"The Lord makes His call with wisdom and discernment. He knows why He created you and what you are capable of accomplishing in His strength (Ephesians 2:10). Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. It would be like telling the almighty God that He made a mistake."

I was like -

God I am sorry for being foolish.

I unknowingly accused You of making a mistake by choosing, calling, saving, redeeming me.

That was no mistake at all!

I don't have the words to express how powerful this was this morning.

#LifeGiven

A Moment in Black History

Be not weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9)

Just anyone won't do it, can't do it.

No one may understand it.

Everyone will benefit from it.

Only some will appreciate it.

Thank You!

Happy Birthday Rosa Parks!

Suffer. Learn. Grow.

#ChangeTheWorld

#BlackHistory2016

Dissolve Your Expectation

"Whatever it is you're seeking won't come in the form you're expecting."

~Haruki Murakami

I know this look...

...all too well.

Many times, I felt as if I was sitting on the bench, watching my life play out. 

I was waiting on my number to be called. 

Hoping to be the MVP, but not moving until my "championship" was practically guaranteed. 

As we know, fear is paralyzing. I have an enormous fear of failure. 

I had benched my dreams, uncomfortably watching my team play without me.

Life was passing me by.

Why? It's simple. Expectations. 

I expected success; still do actually. 

I expected people to reciprocate.

I expected them to do right, do better, do more.

I tried to meet and exceed their expectations of me.

My expectancy escalated to anticipation. 

I anticipated excellence. I sought out to be the best at everything. I took on too much.

Expectations were suffocating me; some self-imposed, some not.

I am learning to manage expectations: 

*ask for help.

*get details before committing.

*communicate changes.

*use a calendar/planner.

*retreat, rest, refuel.

I am my greatest opponent.

#WeightLifted

Uh-maze-ing...

"Dissolve expectation, absorb love"
~Corie G

The Condition - Assumptions and insecurities
The Circumstance - Bleak.
Conflict has ruined rest.
Confusion has stolen sleep.

Misplaced expectation leads to a labyrinth.
Preconceived notions make a maze.
Now you're caught up!

Proceed with caution.
Combat the chaos.

Lose cockiness.
Adopt compassion.
Communicate.

Cipher the code.
Disrupt the cycle.
Cripple the enemy.

Love covers a multitude of sin...

#ExitStrategy