Friends
“Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Ones we can depend on
Friends”
Listen - I love my friends - but umm let’s talk about this accountability and vulnerability thing.
So, this year a couple of my friends and I decided to focus on our finances and physical health. Of course - I was all in because I want my bank account booming and y’all know summer is always right around the corner.
Storytime: I loved accountability until I had to send a picture of my scale after a weekend trip in which I ate tortilla chips and pico de Gallo amongst other delicious treats. ?
Like my body loves carbs and stores carbs, so there was some weight gain after that weekend. #cringe
Sharing that initial scale picture was a different level of transparency; however, it was good for me. The most beautiful thing about great friends are that they cover you, give you grace, challenge you and call you higher. We are simply walking through life together and I wouldn’t trade them for the world! I’m grateful to have so many amazing friends in my life!
Cheers to great friends! ?
Question of the Day: What’s One thing you love about your friends?
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17
Growth Conversations
Have you ever had to have a conversation with someone about something that was not pleasant? I’m sure some people even cringe just reading the title of the blog - but just know there’s a growth opportunity in the conversation.
I’m sure we all had those moments when we had to discuss something with a family member, a co-worker, a friend, an associate, a manager, etc...
How do you navigate those conversations?
As someone who’s had to have several of these conversations, while they can be challenging at first, they become easier to handle.
You may not believe this, but I used to be the person that could go 0 to 100, it’s not my proudest moment. ? But, I’m thankful to God for his saving grace! ??
Below, I’ll share the steps I’ve learned on my life journey I take to prepare for conversations - I like to refer to them as growth conversations now! So while I may still get a little nervous before a conversation, I feel so much better after I share my heart with someone.
My Top 5 Growth Conversations Tips
- Check your heart and make sure the conversation is rooted in a place of love.
- Pray about the conversation.
- Discuss or role-play the conversation with a trusted non-biased friend if needed.
- Ask open-ended questions that are not accusatory of the other person.
- If needed bring in a nonbiased third party and also be prepared to listen.
Share any tips you have for growth conversations!
“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with Loving kindness I have drawn you.”
Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
It’s About Relationship
I read this post about this guy’s Christian walk a couple of weeks ago and I related so much to everything he shared. I felt compelled to share some of my journey below. ?
I was born and raised in a Pentecostal/Church of God in Christ (COGIC) church and for us, that meant church all the time.? In middle school, my mom remarried and he became a Pastor - so that was even more church. ?
By the time I attended college, it was a different world for me. I met so many people with different views. This caused me to expand my horizon of what I thought I knew about God. After college, I went to a predominately white non-denominational church and now I’m currently in a predominantly black non-denominational Bible-based church. Woosah.
With all of the being said - it’s been a journey. I’ve had periods where I’ve unlearned doctrine which I felt was right and relearned new things about God. Throughout it all, I’ve learned there’s no perfect journey. My journey has not been an exponential linear growth chart, it’s been filled with detours, reroutes, right turns and so much more. I’ve embraced getting to know God for myself without feeling it was about a ritual performance and learned it was more about my relationship with God. Everyone’s steps are ordered by God in different ways to fulfill his divine purpose for our lives.So, whether you have been in church all your life or you are just learning about God for the first time today, stay on the course and enjoy your journey with God. He’s always there with us every step of the way. ❤️
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23-24 NLT
Wise Wednesday - Discipleship
Wise Wednesday!
Y’all I say this often but I’m far from perfect. I’m learning, growing, and being stretched to relearn things I thought I did well and then learned that I didn’t. ?
How can I walk with someone to help them become a follower of Christ? How can I show more love to others?
It can start with small acts of kindness such as but not limited to:- Checking on a friend or a family member.- Giving to others.- Praying for someone in need.- Feeding them.- Sharing a scripture.- Having a conversation with someone that doesn’t look like you.
Walking out someone Christian’s journey with them requires us to be more like God by showing his traits of love, grace, and mercy to others.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
How have you walked with someone on their journey to show God’s love?
Change is Certain
Change is a certainty we will all experience in life.
First off, Let me say, welcome back! I missed you guys and although I was on break- I was still writing because life was still happening.? Whew, Chile!
Let me jump right in and say I’m on my 4th manager within a rolling 12 month period. Woosah.
So, I think I know a little bit about change. Lol.The most amazing thing about change is, it allows you to grow and stretches you in ways you don’t even realize you have the capacity to be stretched.You learn, you fail, you try again and you keep going to overcome more obstacles. I’ve always told myself I’m a lifelong learner and the best way to test this out is to expire change.
In the words of a wise man named Rafiki, “You can either run from it or learn from it.”
Question: How do you deal with change?
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
The Best Gift Ever
Usually, around the holidays, most are excited to give. But what if we gave to others all year? How can we impact the world around us?
Life is happening all around us every day. Currently, we are in a global pandemic and people are longing for someone to reach out to them.
Often when people think of giving you think of money, but there’s much more you can give that doesn’t require a monetary token. Of course, if you have money, then be generous, but I’m going to share with you the best gift I received. Hopefully, you can share it with others! The best gift I’ve ever received- is the gift of salvation and you can have that same gift!
All you have to say is:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of a savior. I thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and rising from the dead to save me. By transferring my total trust to You alone as my Savior, I now receive the forgiveness for my sins and the free gift of eternal life that You offer me. In Jesus' name, Amen!
If you prayed this prayer, I’m excited with you and heaven is rejoicing over the gift you received of eternal life with God.
Here are three practical steps that I’ll share:
- Find a church home to join, because we thrive in a community.
- Read the Bible, even if it is only a scripture a day.
- Communicate with God through prayer.
Remember, when we become disciples of Christ, we become a conduit that God uses to impact others.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV