Just Be Thankful

Hey beautiful people!

I hope everyone is safe and sound after Irene's intrusion this past weekend! Finally got my power turned back on! Yi-ti-deee! :-) I'm SO grateful. Praying for everyone else to get their power, water, AC, etc. back to working condition ASAP. You never realize how important something/someone is until it's gone. So, be grateful at all times.

That's been in my spirit all day today. Just be thankful. The hurricane/storm/earthquake(s) could have been much worse. We make light of it on Facebook and Twitter, but we really could have had another Hurricane Katrina or one of those earthquakes that does MAJOR life threatening damage.

We need to be more appreciative of what has been given to us, stop complaining, and just play the hand that has been dealt to us in this life. REMEMBER: It's not gonna be anything more than we can bear, so toughen up.

Just yesterday, I was wishing for more friends. Not a lot, just a few more. I was painfully shy and weird (lol) for most of my life. Often, I would feel looked over and odd man out. I sometimes still feel this way. I've come to realize that I'm just different from most, I guess. Anyways, I don't know if it was God speaking to me or what, but I just heard: Just be thankful. Whether I have a billion friends or just a chosen few, I need to be thankful for what I DO have. Although I wish I was closer to my extended family and had a bigger household, at least I have A FAMILY. It may not resemble the beautiful Cosby family, but God has blessed me with one of my own.

Just be thankful for where you are in life right now. Appreciate the journey in wherever direction you are headed. Many times we want to GO-GO-GO and we are driven by success, money, recognition, and wealth. A lot of times when we are on the GO, we forget about the simple things in life. We forget where we came from and who we used to be before material desires and possessions became apart of who we are. You could be rich one day and poor the next. Never take ANYTHING for granted.

Aiming for success and achieving high goals is great, don't get me wrong. However, don't do it for the wrong reasons. If you never become famous or recognized for that special skill you do so well, just be thankful for the opportunity to give your gift back to God. The real reward will be waiting for you in heaven. =)

Ugh! lol

So I did a pretty strenuous fast a couple weeks ago and I received confirmation on my calling. I kind of got out of myself during my quiet time on one of those days. By out of myself I mean nothing was in the way, not my mind or anything. I had more clarity than ever. I was truely in a different realm and I loved every second of it. One thing that God has shown me is that my ability to walk in forgiveness is not quite up to par yet. I can't do the assignment God has given me properly if I can't completely forgive.
Forgiveness is a part of moving on and life comes with many persecutions. But its not about the persecution, its about the way you handle it. To say the least, the past two years I've felt betrayed more than I probably ever have before. Being that I thought I was in a season where those around me would go "easy" on me because I had so much going on, come to find out, I was wrong! Lol I was not exempt from being talked about, lied on, manipulated, etc and I had to step back and ask if I had prayed for anything specific. Then I realized, I asked God to show me the proper way to forgive. In return, I was faced with situations that forced me to stare forgiveness in the face.
Forgiveness is hard especially when you're in a situation like mine. I've come across so many people with hidden intentions and forgiveness has never come easily for me. One of my male friends has the ability to walk in love like no one else I know. I often go to him and vent about things pertaining to forgiveness and he always comes with a word on walking in love. I want to get to that place, where forgiveness comes just as natural as hostility. I understand that everyone can't and shouldn't be trusted but to get to a place where I can genuinely look at someone and say "you hurt me in this way or that way but I forgive you and love you anyway" is quite difficult.
But God has forgiven and loved each of us through everything we've ever asked forgiveness for so who am I to hold a grudge. I know I'm required to forgive. It just seems that the past year and a half has probably been the hardest year of forgiveness. I felt God saying that every person who seems to have my back won't, and many. have false intentions but that comes with the assignment. So I need to learn how to handle it and love people regardless.
Definitely one of my bigger challenges but I'm open to learn how because its required and I must live above the standard. I can't have unforgiveness clogging up my heart!

Short Hair, Don't Care

So I finally went completely NATURAL for my hair. I hadn't had a relaxer since Oct./Nov 2010, and my cousin cut all the relaxer out (over a month ago) early in July. I finally got the courage to start wearing it out last week, and I must say that I LOVE this new look for me! It is true what they say, that cutting your relaxed hair is so F R E E I N G!! My hair feels so soft, fluffy, and healthy! I feel more confident and somewhat Afro-centric. You should try it one day. :-)

BEFORE

AFTER

Still amazes me that my hair is so curly! Who woulda thought? Not I...

This is an entirely new journey for me. I'm excited about it, yet I have NO IDEA what I've gotten myself into! lol...join me!

Earthquakes, Soul Ties, and Distractions

Little did I know that I would experience a live EARTHQUAKE today. It was so random! Earthquakes and natural disasters rarely RARELY happen in VA! So I'm workin at Chick-fil-A bagging an order, and the building just starts shaking. I'd never felt the ground underneath me shake like that. I seriously thought Jesus was bout to crack the sky. Man, I kinda wish He had...this world is too crazzzyy for words. Everyone was freaking out, and it's just been the talk all day long. And probably will be tomorrow and in days to come. Plus, there's the possible aftershock. Then, there's a hurricane headed our way this weekend. So Jesus might not have come today, but He's on His way.

Remember this song? We used to sing this at my old church back in the day, but it's a fitting song for the present.

I kept thinking today, "Time to get right." Not just for me, but for the world. Jesus is coming back, and I'm not gonna lie...the thought sometimes scares me. I know I'm going to heaven, but it's a frightening fact that the world as I know it is going to end. Even more frightening is the future of those who don't know Jesus.

I don't claim to be super-spiritual, and my aim is definitely NOT to preach at you. I'm just being real. Don't you feel that something is going on beyond the physical, like in the spiritual realm? Natural disasters, bad weather, wars, people acting too foolish...think about what the world has come down to. Sin is so much more embraced now, and I'm sure God isn't pleased. Whew, imagine His wrath when He finally gets to that breaking point when He pulls the plug. I definitely don't wanna be on that end.

So, get right! You don't know the day or the hour. If anything, this whole event made me want to be more serious about God and His purpose in my life.

Now, moving on...soul ties and distractions. R A N D O M but....

Do you think you ever forget your first love? And if you can't, is that considered a soul tie? Or is it a merely a distraction? What do YOU think? [I don't feel like explaining where this is coming from. lol]

Nitey nite...i'll leave you with an AH-MAZING song that's been in my head since yesterday. :-)

Proverbs 31 Bound

Lately, I've been reading Proverbs 31. I think The Message translation is my favorite so far. Whether you're an avid Bible reader or not, I'm pretty sure you have heard talk referring to the "virtuous Proverbs 31 woman." Every guy wants or should want a chick like her. If you haven't read it all, Google it and read Proverbs 31:10-31.

Yea, so I've been reading this chapter and reading it and reading....and....I'm not her! At all! At least not yet...

That woman had it going on! She was productive and organized, and also made sure that her family was constructive with their time as well. Her days were all planned out---she probably had so much already completed before the time I usually wake up! And now in the summer (and when I'm not working), that's around 10AM. She wasn't lazy at all; she was a very successful businesswoman. She knew how to create multiple streams of income for her household--from selling her own handmade clothing to buying acres of land!

Unlike myself (yet lol), she was also "SKILLED in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking." I imagine that she could throw down in the kitchen..or the hut, tent, whatever. lol. Her place was probably so spotless and organized. I can't wait for the day when I'll be consistent in putting everything in its proper place. I don't know why I feel the need to throw everything on top of the bed or stuff things in drawers...smh. I'll get there one day soon though. :-)

I've realized that this virtuous woman did so much for her family and others. She wasn't just a pretty girl making googly eyes with her husband; she WORKED and did her job well. She embodied excellence and was an influential being in her community. She feared God, submitted to her husband, and kept her kids in check as well.

I just celebrated my 22nd birthday last week, and I've just felt that it's time for me to "grow up" in so many ways. If you saw me, you'd probably think I was still in high school. That's not a bad thing, but I'd like to dress in a way that is more appealing...not even for a man, but for me. I could have a ton of money in my bank account, and I would hardly go shopping even when I could stand a few new outfits. (I can still wear some things from middle and high school smh). Most likely, I'd spend the money on food. Bottom line: I'd just like to dress like a 22 year old should.

Ironically on my bday, my mom mentioned that I need "to put myself in a position to be found." She wasn't saying that I need to approach guys or be on the lookout for a man, but rather to just be prepared. Sometimes he's there, but he can't see you because you're not the YOU you're supposed to be. You're hidden from his view. Hope that makes sense. And once again, becoming this Proverbs 31 figure is NOT an adventure to somehow meet the man of my dreams. I mean, if it happens it happens. :-) But, that's not the ultimate goal.

I have several immature, childish characteristics. Maybe you do too. We all need to "grow up" in some way or another. Maturity doesn't necessarily mean older in age. It's the lessons you learn in life combined with the tests you pass on those subjects. I encourage each of you to read Proverbs 31 today--male or female. Ladies, you need to know your virtuous role. And fellas, you need to recognize who "the ONE" is supposed to look like so you don't settle for any ol' pretty thing that opens up her legs...oops! Did I just say--yurrpp! tee-hee! :-)

Be Inspired...

I stumbled across this on Facebook, and I love it! Enjoy!

Just Do It!

Hey all!

I do apologize for the inconsistency in this blog...I would say I've been so busy and haven't had the time, but then I'd be lying. I haven't really had any specific topics to talk about, but some of you may like my random ramblings...so here we go! :)

I just got some random inspiration from my mom. She was telling me of how she saw David and Tamela Mann (Mr. Brown & Cora from Tyler Perry's projects) on an interview. Apparently Tamela never intended to be an actress. Her main thing was to just sing songs in Perry's plays; however, Tyler Perry saw something else in her. And as we have seen, she is an accomplished actress with a few movies and a TV show under her belt. From what I understand, she never had any or much experience in acting. But look at where it got her!

My mom also mentioned Joni Lamb, co-founder of the Daystar Television Network. Lamb and her husband knew NOTHING about operating a television network, but God had placed the idea on their hearts to do so. Just from hearing that and knowing about the success of their network now, got me to thinking about my own God-given ideas and dreams (including this blog). If the Lord gave you an idea or witty invention, He will always provide ALL the necessities to allow it to come into fruition. 

There are tons of ideas on several subjects always floating around in my head, but what gets me is the HOW-TO on how to make it happen. So I may think on these ideas several times throughout the day, but I've realized that nothing is gonna happen until I make an effort. I may not know how to get there, but I know someone who does... *Enter, The Man Upstairs*

Faith without works is dead. I have to constantly remind myself of that, since I kind of feel inconsistent in areas where I should be fully consistent and diligent in. My mind tends to go idle at times, especially since it's summertime. smh...this should be the time when I'm at a peak of some sort and being actively productive in SOMETHING! 

Well, I'm getting there and I'm happy to report that I've got my mind under control!!! I literally thought I was going crazy about a week or two ago. But I realized I had to reach and pull closer to God, and I had to be reminded that He's my EVERYTHING. He just wanted his daughter's full attention. :-)

I've also been developing new habits. I'm reading the Word daily now, so that definitely helps. I shoulda been doing that the whole time, but....I tend to slip sometimes and get caught up in life doing everything and nothing at the same time. So, even if it's just a few verses, I take the time out to read my Bible daily. I pray more selflessly, and I listen for God's voice as well. 

I've also started a new goal to read at least 1 book a week. It is POSSIBLE!! You just have to make the time out to do so. So, that's what I'm doing now....I'm reading Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. What are you reading??? Start something!! An idle mind is a terrible thing...