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His Plan. His Purpose.

 As we approach the end of the year, it's natural to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. We often engage in activities like creating vision boards, setting goals, and organizing our calendars in anticipation of the new year. However, before immersing yourself in the whirlwind of the next 12 months, I encourage you to take a moment and connect with God. Seek His wisdom in utilizing your time, talents, gifts, and resources to serve His purpose. There was a time when I believed that being constantly busy was synonymous with success and productivity. But over the past year, God has taught me the value of rest and the importance of trusting His sovereignty. I have learned to surrender my plans to Him and rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance to navigate daily. As the Scripture says, while we make our plans, the Lord ultimately directs our steps. Therefore, before filling your calendar with commitments for the upcoming year, I urge you to seek God's counsel. By aligning ...
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Hard Things First

  I wear several hats and am a woman of many trades. How do I do it, they ask? Normally, I would say, "only by God's grace." And while in reality this is true, I've learned to start with the more difficult tasks. Why? You are more likely to finish all other tasks if you start with the task that seems the hardest. The fortitude, endurance, self-control, and bravery required to scale mountains boost your self-assurance in other domains. The reverse scenario now has the same outcome. You effectively handicap your potential and never see your strength or purpose fulfilled in the fullest of what is taught and achieved through persistence if you shun hard things and only seek what looks easy or possible.
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Seed, Time ...Then Harvest!

As a result of inclement weather, I haven't gone into my office as often as I usually do, and someone said, "It must be nice." In reply, I said, "Yes!" It's rather lovely, and it made me consider the two kinds of individuals. There are individuals who know your journey, your sacrifice, your work ethic, your persistence, and your desires. These people will cheer you on and acknowledge your accomplishments. They will be truly delighted for you. Then again, there are others who are oblivious and just witness the gifts' outward expression. They observe the sparkle and glamor. However, they are not privy to your behind-the-scenes tale. Today, I want to encourage those of you who are subjecting to unfair judgment to never strive to lessen or reduce your light in order to make other people more comfortable. When hard work pays off, it means that you were disciplined, sacrificed, and denied yourself. Give God great thanks and praise. Reaping what you have sowed...
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Play Your Cards

 When I was younger, I didn't realize how unique my life was from those of my friends. I became conscious of trauma, disappointments, flaws, etc. as I got older. I initially believed that if I made the world aware of how differently I was reared, I would be released from the pressure to live and become. I was wrong! Let's face it, despite the desire for empathy, no one is exempt from having to "play their hand". We must all play the cards that are given to us the best we can. Meaning that, maturity is having a growth mentality and being determined to use the tools that are available to you to overcome life's obstacles. It also means having guts and perseverance. No, not every hand is cut the same. No, it's not fair. Undoubtedly, many deserved better. What now? We have two options: we can choose to be imprisoned by our past and the consequences of our unwillingness to adjust, or we can decide to change how our story ends.
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Fail Recovery

 Let's face it, I'm a facts-and-figures kinda person, and failure ain't my jam. But, guess what? Life's taught me that even with all the planning in the world, only the man upstairs knows what's coming. We may make the plans, but God is the ultimate choreographer. So, instead of getting stuck in my own fear of falling, I've learned that changing my perspective is where it's at. Sure, falling hurts, but it's the getting-back-up part that's the real test. The secret to bouncing back is focusing less on the fear of failure and more on building skills, strength, grit, habits, and know-how to face failure like a boss. Turning flops into chances to learn, grow, and keep it moving is the real magic. So, don't let failure be a period, make it a comma!
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Rest But Get Back To It!

  Rest But Get Back To It! As a day of service and commemoration, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this day, I wish to encourage, specifically, people who serve in some form. People that are working in their churches, towns, or have some form of personal ambition that is genuinely aimed towards giving back to others. Continue with what you're doing! I am aware that you might not be able to see the results of your efforts or the difference you make in people's lives. I am aware that it doesn't always show up the way you would like it to. However, the work is being done, and based on my own experience, you will occasionally feel worn out and exhausted. Perhaps you feel like you're pushing yourself too far and you want to give up. Remain persistent; take a rest. But remember to pick yourself back up if you make a mistake. Sometimes taking a pause to relax and regroup is all you need. Let me warn you, though: avoid allowing your break to la...
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The Blessing of Delays!

What if I told you that your prayers were answered slowly—not as a result of a penalty, but as a blessing? Now, let's consider it from a natural perspective. How many times have you thought, "Lord, I thank you," after missing a horrible accident, a possible injury, a poor work relationship, or a financial decision? Numerous times, yes? I was reminded by the Lord that his timing is not ours as I prayed about several issues on my heart. All events occur precisely when they should, and nothing just occurs. Our spiritual, physical, and mental states are all known to Him. He is aware of our capabilities, limitations, and areas of strength and weakness. It is our responsibility to have faith and get ready.  Isn't the goal of a responsible father to make sure his child is prepared for whatever comes their way? Though preparation is typically where many people fall short, believing is simpler for some people than for others. God is aware that most of us are not ready, will wa...
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Preserving your yes!

 I was enjoying dinner, and my oldest cousin said she wanted to speak with me. She said that she had been wanting to tell me for an extended period of time to consider the cost.  I responded okay and she reiterated “you really need to consider the cost before you commit to something, before you undertake something, or before you tie yourself to someone”. She began to talk to me about different things and it's funny because, as she was speaking, it was a reminder of something that I already knew, but it resonated differently.  It brought back memories of the ITDFM gathering. We had a roundtable conversation with interesting questions at the meetup. "Name something that you are working on or that you want to improve on?" was one of the questions. I had a strong feeling at the time that it was crucial to preserve my "yes." It served as a helpful reminder to take good care of what I have—resources, gifts, time, etc. Even though we may desire something, it doesn'...
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God will do the heavy lifting!

 You have no say over how God answers your prayers or how he will carry out your requests when you pray, believe that he hears you, and worship him. We frequently beg God to change our circumstances or pray for the things we want. Upon witnessing the manifestation, we promptly reject or write it off as something else if it doesn't seem or behave as we had anticipated. I want to issue you a challenge to be receptive, adaptable, and aware of God's spirit and His work in your life. Don't miss the blessing if it doesn't turn out the way you had hoped because you were waiting for something else to happen. Take your hands off it if you requested him to do it. It becomes simpler to go through different stages of life when you begin to embrace that reality because you will be able to identify him in a variety of ways and shapes.  Not looking for him to follow a set procedure has immense influence. Although I had never considered it before, I was just thinking about it now. And ...
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Accept and enjoy the season you are in

I checked my calendar as soon as I woke up this morning to make sure I knew what I needed to get done today. I was in the kitchen when I looked up and saw that the time was 9:03, which made me anxious. When I finally arrive at the computer, it is dark. Perhaps the host hasn't let me in yet, I think to myself. Let me leave and return in ten minutes. I return at nine ten. I am alone in this meeting once more. It turns out that the meeting is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:00. Then it hit me: I had to write things down now that I'm at this phase of my life. My memory is no longer a reliable source. My memory is not as good as it once was. I was initially upset with myself as I had completely rescheduled my morning because I thought I had a 9:00 meeting. However, I burst out laughing. There are several revelations associated with this coming of age. Accept and enjoy the season you are in. Accept that you may need to jot down notes and remind yourself occasionally; it's accep...
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