Category: Inspirational

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Her “God Light” Was Shining!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 NIV

On this past Wednesday, I spent the day with one of my closest friends, Valencia.  It was not a day where we went shopping or out to eat with our other girlfriends; it was a day where I was taking her to receive one of her chemo treatments.   Although she has had a few treatments since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, this was my first time taking her. Due to the treatments, she has already experienced the loss of her hair, changes in her appetite as well as a few other changes in her energy and sleeping habits.

Prior to arriving for the appointment,  we got caught in a heavy downpour of rain.  We used the complimentary valet parking so that we did not have to get soaked trying to get into the building.   As we entered the treatment center, I really did not know what to expect.  I did not know how many other patients would be there.   I did not know how they would be feeling on this rainy Wednesday.  All I can tell you is that when Valencia walked into the waiting room,  she was a ray of sunshine!  She greeted the nurses at the receptionist desk as if they were old friends.  As we took our seats in the waiting area, she was smiling and at times greeting some of the other patients there.  She didn’t know them and that did not matter to her at all.  She did not seem to be concerned that some of them were probably there for the same reason as she was and not feeling quite as cheerful as she was feeling.

You could just see and feel Valencia’s  “God light” shining all over the place. There may have been dark clouds and rain outside and there may have even been darkness and tears within the  spirit of some of  those in the waiting area and in the treatment room.   That was definitely not the case with Valencia!  She was not allowing any of that to get in her spirit or to depress her.

You see, Valencia knows she has the love of God on her side and she truly loves the LORD.  She has a husband who adores her and beautiful daughters who consider her the best mom this side of heaven!  She has loving family members that extend beyond her siblings.  She has a church family that knows her faith in God and where the pastor and our members are praying for her healing.  She has a community of people, young and not so young, who know her and respect her with love and admiration. Valencia, has a circle of girlfriends who would do anything to help her  as she goes through what is just another test in her life.  Valencia knows she is a blessed woman!

Valencia knows she is blessed because of all the love and support she has from her family and many friends.  She is also a blessed woman because of how she is blessing others, especially me.  I am thankful that her “God light” is always shining and that she is victorious even as she goes through her medical treatments and future surgery.

As I watched Valencia the other day, I told her I was going to write about her.  I did not ask for her permission. I just told her I was going to do it. She looked at me with a twinkle of surprise in her eyes and a smile on her face and asked, “really”? And then she immediately said “ok”!  God had placed this in me a few weeks ago to write about my friend, but I guess He needed me to be with her on Wednesday so that I could truly write of her awesome faith in Him.   Valencia does not mind sharing her story with others.   She knows that in this life there will be times of suffering.  She knows that God is a healer and is in control of her destiny.  She knows that Jesus suffered on the cross in order for us to be saved.  She feels if He can do that for us, then she can go through this test in her life and be a testimony to others.

Valencia is already a living testimony just in the way she is dealing with the treatment and the changes she is experiencing.   She does not spend her time worrying  about what she has to go through in order to be healed.  Valencia has her good moments and her not so good moments.  Each day she gives honor to God for His tender mercies in her life.

When we arrived back at her house,  as she got out of the car,  she told me thank you and she said ” I had a good time today”!  Wow! We spent the day at the treatment center, but we were able to talk and enjoy each other’s company.   Valencia thought that I was helping her because I took the time to get her to her appointment and back home.  What she did not know is that she was helping me!  She truly is an inspiration in my life.

Valencia, I had a good time, too! Continue to let your “God Light” shine and inspire others.   Love you much!

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Dear LORD, I thank you for those you have placed in my life to encourage and inspire me. I thank you for allowing me to see a strong faith in others and how it helps them stay connected to Your word and to Your presence.  I thank you for strengthening me every day and loving me as your own.  God, I thank you that Jesus suffered so that I might live in this earthly life now and be blessed with eternal life in heaven.  God, I thank for the healing that comes when we have to go through times of suffering and pain.   I thank you that even in those times you are restoring us not only for ourselves but also for others to see!  I thank you for the “God light”  and I thank you for Valencia.  In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she began to wait on Him.  Matthew 8:15 NIV

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2: 4-5 NIV

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Finding Serenity

 The Serenity Prayer

“God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference!

Living one day at time;

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;

Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it:

Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with you forever in the next!”

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There has been some dispute in recent years as to who may have authored this prayer.  Most say it was written by a Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr who was a theologian in the 1930’s  and 1940’s.  There are some accounts that Dr. Niebuhr may have read this as an obituary and credited an earlier theologian from the 1800’s.  Nonetheless, the words and the meaning within this prayer are so profound.  This prayer asks God for serenity, courage, and wisdom. Then it goes on to say that we know we must endure some hardships in this life, but if we surrender to God and trust Him that we can be happy for the time we have on this earth and then even happier when we are with Him in heaven forever.
There are some things in life and some people in our lives that we cannot change.  No matter how much it might hurt, no matter how unfair it might seem and no matter how badly people might treat us.   Once we come to this realization and move on, then we can go forward in our own lives and receive the blessings God has for us.
The word serenity is defined as being calm and tranquil; the state of being peaceful.
Whenever, we are in the midst of a struggle or even struggles, our main prayer or thought is normally for the struggle to be over!  Then when we realize we might be in a struggle for a while,  the next thing we desire is for peace as we go through.  We desire peace so that we won’t  be so anxious and so that we don’t become overly frustrated.  We desire peace so that we can rest better in the night and focus on other things during the day.  We desire peace so that we won’t be influenced to make rash and wrong decisions as we go through our struggles.
The bible says:
“Weeping may remain for a night,  but rejoicing comes in the morning!” Psalm 30:5
“Come to me, all 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. ” Matthew 11:28-30
 “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  2 Chronicles 20:15
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you, He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual

Time Alone!

Today is the first Saturday in what seems like a long time that I did not have to get up and rush out of the house for some event or activity.  Out of habit, when I got up this morning, my mind starting racing about all I needed to get done today.  I need to make out my grocery list, cut my coupons and go to the grocery store. Do I have time to take a quick walk in my neighborhood and get my exercising in this morning? Clothes are in need of washing!  What will I cook for dinner tonight?  Do I have time to get to the nail salon before the day is over? How about cleaning up around the house?  I need to wake up my three children so we can get it started up in here!  This was going to be a never-ending list of things to do!

Then I stood still for a moment and I realized  how peaceful and quiet it was around me!  I could so easily start running errands and taking care of things that need to be done around the house.  I could wake everyone else up and raise the noise level in my house.  Or I could sit down for a few minutes and spend some time alone with God!  I then heard His voice say just relax.

So I brewed me a cup of coffee  (in a real coffee cup and not in a convenient to go cup) and went out on my patio with my bible.  I read some of God’s words and daily instructions for my life.  I meditated on those words and I asked God to continue to impart His words into my heart so that I can live better, do better and be better!

As I sat there on my quiet patio, I could hear others starting their cars possibly to run errands or head out to scheduled events.  I could hear someone’s music from a few houses down drifting to my patio.  Although it is a bit cloudy outside, I could see the green of the trees and a hint of blue in the sky.  Most importantly, I could feel the presence of the LORD!

Now that I have had quiet time, I feel better and relaxed.  I still have plenty to do and I will start racing around soon, but I am so thankful for the extra time alone with God.  And, I am thankful He woke me up this morning and that HE thought enough of me to give me some extra time to just relax!

    Psalm 8:3-4

When I consider your heavens and the work of your fingers,

 the moon and the stars which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for Him?

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual

A Father’s Presence

Just a month ago we were celebrating Mother’s Day and now here we are a few days away from celebrating Father’s Day.  After I had written  Mothers: Chosen To Fulfill Purpose , a friend said “well, you have written a piece about mothers, are you going to do the same about fathers?”   I confidently told him that I would but it might be more difficult for me to do.  My friend and I then engaged in a conversation about our fathers. You see, I never knew my earthly father and my friend’s father died of a heart attack when my friend was just 6 months old.

I can’t tell you that after I was born, that my father ever held me in his arms.  I can’t tell you that he bounced me on his knees or that he ever took me to get ice cream.  I can’t tell you at times when my heart was broken, that he ever wiped away my tears. I don’t know what kind of cars he drove or what was one of his favorite desserts. I can’t even tell you whether I look like him or act like him in any way. I can’t describe to you how tall he was or what he sounded like when he talked.  I never knew him and I never saw him.  I have never seen a picture of my father.  For me, there is no captured memory of a presence of my father in my life.

My friend, on the other hand, had a father who did get the opportunity to hold him in his arms.  He does have a few pictures of his dad holding him.  However, because he was only 6 months old when his father passed away, he has no actual memories of his father.   For my friend, there was a brief physical presence of his earthly father in his life.

Over the years, I have wondered about my own father.  At one point, I even attempted to locate this man in hopes of finding out more about him and perhaps even more about me.  This past year, during one of those moments where it was just me and God, He let me know that He never intended for me to know my earthly father.  My earthly father fulfilled his purpose in my life.  Wow! It took me almost 50 years to understand this is just how it was meant to be.

Although I may not have known my earthly father, The one who is my Father, has taken care of me all of my life.   He has been the best provider and protector.  He has fed me and clothed me.  He has wiped away my tears and comforted me when I have been disappointed.  He has shielded me when the enemy was lurking around me.   When I needed someone to talk to, He was always right there ready to listen to me.  When I was sick, He was the one who healed me.  When I felt depressed and neglected because I did not know my earthly father, the One who is my Father, gave me peace and helped me to forgive.  My Father, has never left me or forsaken me.  I have always been in the presence of my Father.  He has blessed me beyond measure!

My friend and I have not had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day over the years like most.   I can, however, tell you that we are both thankful for the presence they did have in our lives.   Each of these men fulfilled their purpose for us.  It has been a bittersweet realization.  We know this was part of God’s plans for us.  His plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As you celebrate fathers this weekend, please remember the Father of us all.  If it were not for Him, where would we be?

The Lord’s Prayer

9 My Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the  glory, forever.  Amen. (Matthew 6)

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I was  broken but my Father restored me!

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual

A Godly Woman

A Godly Woman

A Godly woman lives her life for Him

 She desires to please Him and to be more like Him

A Godly woman strives to do better each day

She obediently studies His word

She prays and meditates on the goodness of the LORD

A Godly woman  praises Him during the good and the bad times

When a Godly woman grows weary, she asks Him for strength and peace

A Godly woman encourages and speaks positively into the lives of others

A Godly woman respects her temple

 She uses her temple to serve and to worship Him

 A Godly woman knows she is not perfect

 And, she knows He loves her anyway!

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Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised! Proverbs 31:30

I was broken 2b restored!

Celebrating Rosa Lee!

Today I am celebrating my mother, Rosa Lee!

  Today would have been her 80th birthday.

When my mother was still alive we would ask her how she was doing and she would say “Oh, I’m having a grand time”!  She would put such an emphasis on the word grand that you could not help but to smile with her.

There were many times in the last couple of years of her life, that she did not always remember who I was when I would visit her.  She would recognize my children and call them by name, but she would look at me and could not remember. She would even say that my children were Jackie’s children but did not realize that I was Jackie!  I would tell her that it was okay and then I would ask her how she was doing.  She never failed to say she was fine and she was having  a “grand time”!

Towards the end, when her memory and health were fading more and more, she would still continue to tell us she was having a “grand time” !

 I can only imagine that every day since January 5, 2011, the day the LORD called her home, that she has been having a “GRAND TIME”!

To God Be the Glory!

It is with much love that I am celebrating Rosa Lee!

Everything I Need!

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me besides the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

 thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The 23rd Psalm is familiar to most of us.  We either learned it at an early age or we have just heard it so much that we can recite it without looking in the bible.  The past few days, in my quiet time, God has brought this scripture before me to meditate on.  In reading the 23rd Psalm, God ever so gently reminds me that He is everything I need.  Plain and simple as that, He lets me know that He is my shepherd and with him there is no lack.  He gives me peace, comfort, and restoration when my soul is anxious.  He gives me time and a place to rest.  He provides the beauty of nature for me to look at daily.  When evil is lurking near me, He tells me not to be fearful because He is right there with me to shield me from all harm and danger.  When others are  challenging me and even at times attacking who I am, He covers me with an anointed oil that only He can cover me in.  And then,  just like that, He blesses me!  In my best times and even in my broken times, His goodness and mercy is ever-present.

Plain and simple, He is everything I need!

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational

I Can Still Hear Him Laughing!

Early Monday morning I received some very sad news.  A friend had passed away unexpectedly.  The last few days have been spent remembering his young life of 48 years and how he brought joy to all who were blessed to know him.  You see, my friend had a way of making you laugh either when he was sharing stories of his childhood or when he was explaining something that may have happened to him at the office.

It was not that my friend was a comedian or that he was even trying to be one.  He just had a way of bringing laughter to any given situation. What made his stories so funny was how he was able to laugh at himself and how he wrinkled his nose when he laughed!  All who knew him will remember his laughter.   Even now, I can still hear him laughing.

When I sat in my quiet office today, I could still hear him laughing.  His office is right behind my office and although there is a wall, I would often just hear him chuckling away.  I could only guess that someone was in his office and he was sharing one of his stories with them.  Or perhaps. they might have been sharing a story of their own and he was just so full of joy that he laughed with you.  Even now, I can still hear him laughing.

Needless to say, my friend will be missed.  No longer will I meet up with him in the break room as we made fresh pots of coffee together.   All the while, we fussed and laughed because the persons who had been there before us obviously took the time to pour the last cups of coffee but did not take the time to start a fresh pot.  No longer will I run into him near the copier machines and we joke about something that may have happened to us during the work day.  No longer will I hear stories of how his mother raised him and his brothers and the things they would get into.  And, no longer will we pass each other around the office and just look at each other and laugh without saying a word!

Although tears have been shed the last few days and there is a heaviness in my heart, I am so thankful for my friend and the time we spent just laughing.   I am thankful for the times we were able to take something serious and make each other laugh about it.  I am so very thankful that even now, I can still hear him laughing!

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To every thing there is a season. . .

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational

Mothers: Chosen To Fulfill Purpose

(Exodus 2:7-10) Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall  I go and get one of the  Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” “Yes, go” she answered.  So the girl went and got the baby’s mother.  Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son.  She named him Moses, saying. “I drew him out of the water.” 

When Moses was born he was destined to have two mothers.

Two mothers to care for him and two mothers to love him.

  A Hebrew woman gave birth to him.

 An Egyptian woman raised him as her own in Pharoah’s palace.  

 These two mothers made choices that were all a part of God’s plan for Moses. 

 They both were chosen to be his mother.

And, they both loved him as best they could.

Most of us are blessed to be raised and loved by the mother who gave birth to us. 

Then some of us are also blessed to know other women who are like mothers to us.

Grandmothers, aunts, older sisters and other kind-hearted women who have played major roles in our lives.

Mothers are caring and nurturing.

Mothers are the women who encourage us and inspire us.

A mother’s strength guides us through the good times and bad times.

A mother’s love is unconditional.

Mothers are chosen by God to help fulfill our purpose in life.

I thank God for my mother for she gave birth to me.  And, I thank Him for my Othermama!  For it was my Othermama who drew me out of the water and cared for me.

To all Mothers, I pray you have a Happy Mother’s Day! 

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

A Light Within The Tunnel

Are you going through something right now?  Perhaps some challenges and frustrations  at work or at home?  Are you experiencing any brokenness because you don’t know how to get things under control in your life? Did you get a bad report from the doctor?  Are you about to undergo a major change in your lifestyle? Have you had to deal with the recent death of a loved one? Or did you just come out of a bad relationship?  Do you feel there is darkness all around and there is no light at the end of the tunnel?

Perhaps you are not going through at this present time, but there probably has been a time when you felt something similar to one of the above situations.

If you have had to battle any sickness or disease, who did you call on for your healing?   Have you come close to losing your home or been unemployed for a while and struggled to pay your bills?  Who made a way for you when it seemed like all else had failed?   When depression set in and your thoughts were not His thoughts, how did you make it through? For some, the better question might be, how are you making it through?

 Who do you call on late in the midnight hour? When there is trouble all around, who hears you crying?

Call on Jesus!  Let Him be your light in every dark tunnel.   Trust in the LORD!  Allow Him to lead you through.  He is the One who can lead you through the darkness and bring you to the light.  Whatever your issue or your circumstance,  you can make it through this!  Trust Him and believe that He can work it out for you.  You might feel you are about to break beyond restoration.  You might feel you are all alone, but you are not.   Trust in the Lord,  He is the light while you are in your tunnel.  When you are going through, go to God!

Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message) ” If you hold  on to me for dear life, says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble.  I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.  Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side at bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.  I’ll give you a long life, and give you a long drink of salvation!”

Prayer

Dear LORD,  I am in a tunnel right now.   I trust You to bring me out. LORD, I need you to guide me through this brokenness and to bring me closer to Your light and Your way.  I refuse to give up because my hope is in You.  You are my light while I am in this tunnel; You are my light when I am going through.   Please forgive me of my sins.  Create in me a clean heart.  Even as I go through, I am already victorious because of You.  LORD, I love You and I honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray,  Amen!