Happy Birthday Teija
Happy Birthday little sister. You came into our lives when you were so young. You embraced us despite the circumstances.
Storytime: So, I had to add this story and I hope you remember it. There were times when you and two other unnamed sisters made trips to the kitchen late at night to take snacks when y’all were all supposed to be sleeping. Some kind of way you were noisy and always got caught by my mom. Once you were in trouble, you snitched on the other two and y’all were in trouble together. ?
I love that you always have a smile on your face. You are so strong and courageous.
It’s been such a blessing watching you grow over the years into motherhood. You are an amazing mom to my two nieces. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for you. I hope this birthday is amazing and this 27th year of your life is filled with blessings!
Love Wren
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”James 1:17 KJV
Waiting
I was watching the US Olympic trials yesterday and I was listening to the announcers. After several of the women competed, the announcers explained how the competitors had to sit and wait for the judges to make their decision on who would proceed and make it to Japan.
I can’t imagine, training for something pretty much all your life and then you have to sit and wait. At the moment, I thought about how I feel when I’m waiting. I wish I could say I wait patiently, but I’m human and all the time I’m not patient.
But just to think at the moment while we are waiting, we are exactly where God wants us to be. It’s the perfect moment to call on him and guess what he will always answer.
In your moment of waiting for whatever that thing is for you, remember to turn your posture to God and call on him. Because he loves to hear from us.
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
Romans 8:25 KJV
Worry Blueprint
I know this isn’t my typical blog day, but this was on my heart. I’ve been worried about trying to get everything done for an assignment to the point that I was stressed. One thing about emotions is you feel them throughout your body, so when I feel stress I feel the tension in my shoulders first and then it goes to every other part of my body. Once it gets to my mind, it’s the absolute worst, but God woke me up early this morning and allowed me to see this scripture and to have a conversation with him, and immediately I felt better.
I love when I read a scripture and it comes to life for me at that moment. I’ve read this scripture several times, but today, God illuminated my heart and mind to receive it, just for me. I realized this scripture gave personal steps for dealing with anxiety.
How do you deal with anxiety?
1. Don’t worry about anything. For me, I’ve started thinking about other stuff.2. Pray about everything. Pray about whatever you have going on whether big or small.3. Tell God what you need. God, I need...4. Thank him for what he’s already done. God, I thank you for my family, for allowing me to see a new day, etc...
So there you have it, a blueprint to stop worrying. I love to pray scriptures, so you could even turn the scripture into a prayer like:
God you said in your word not to worry.... instead God I’m bringing this situation to you in prayer. God, I need you to help me with...God, I thank you for being a provider with food on the table. I thank you for a new day. I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
Be blessed! ?
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”Philippians 4:6 NLT
Broken Windshields
My friend recently shared a story with me about their car. In the story, they shared they had a crack in their window shield, which they recently repaired. After the repair to the windshield was completed they realized they would still look for the crack in the windshield when they drove around because they were so familiar with it. This story stuck out to me because this is a situation we can often find ourselves in. We leave a broken situation for a little while and on our road to healing or doing something different we miss the old and familiar situation and start looking for the cracks again. Remember, forget the old cracked and broken things and stay on the road to healing.
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3 NASB2020
Enjoying the Now
Have you ever worked toward a goal such as a desired salary range, a new position at work, a degree, a certain number of followers on social media, etc...
Once you hit that the goal, what’s next?
You obtain the desired salary, you enjoy it for a quick moment and then you want more.
You get the new job and the excitement quickly goes away after the stress of training.
There’s always a new goal, new accomplishment, or new task that strive towards after the high of reaching your initial goal fades. The sermon at church was recently about this.
My pastor mentioned it is like you are constantly chasing the high of what’s next and not enjoying the now of the moment.
There’s always going to be a new car, new position, more money, bigger house, etc... that you want, but have you taken a moment to be present in the now and trust God with the next thing.
I’m sure many of the things we are experiencing now are answered prayers, which we previously prayed.
I’m making a conscious decision to enjoy them now and I’m trusting God with what’s next. Of course, I still have goals, desires, and things I would like to accomplish, but I’m also going to rest in what I know God has already done and I’ll leave the future to him.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 KJV
All you have to do is ask...
So, what are we waiting for? God already knows when we need help, he’s just waiting for us to ask.“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NASB2020
All I Need is Understanding
I believe it was the girls' group, Xscape that said, “What I need from you is understanding. How can we communicate if you don't hear what I say?”
I’ve often said any type of a great relationship takes communication; however, they also take comprehension and understanding.
Storytime: I was texting someone a couple of weeks ago and from my text message I felt like they should have grasped what I was saying. I mean have y’all ever been there? Like you said what you said and in your head, it made complete sense, but once you communicated with the other person they heard or read something completely different? Maybe it is just me. ?
I thought I communicated very effectively in my personal and professional life. I’m sure I even listed “effective communication” on a past resume or two as a skillset. ??
However, sometimes what you are saying and what someone hears or interprets are two completely different things. So, it is important to clarify, read messages in context and ask additional questions if you are unsure because assuming something will have you looking cray-cray, especially when you are wrong.
While this situation stemmed from an experience in my personal life, I’ve seen where this has often happened in other situations as well, especially when people read the Bible. They will read one thing out of context and assume without asking God to help them understand what they are reading. The Bible even tells us don’t lean to our understanding and to acknowledge God.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB2020
Sponsorship
There’s a buzz word going around in corporate America called sponsorship. My understanding of the word is a sponsor is someone who is an advocate for you when you are or aren’t in the room for a position, project, opportunity and etc...A good sponsor should be a person who is asking others - have you considered (insert name).I went to an amazing virtual conference a few weeks ago called Sharp Heels and several of the speakers spoke of sponsorship and how their sponsors helped them obtain new opportunities within their company. Often time when I hear a word I like to think of how it could be used in another context.
When I thought of the word sponsorship- I thought of Jesus Christ. I know there is God the Father, God the son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit - who all make up the Trinity. But I like to think of every one of individually and collectively to make it more relatable for me. Jesus, is our personal advocate - like how sway! He’s sponsoring us in heaven to his father. He’s advocating on our behalf to his Father pleading our case.
Picture this - Jesus is sitting on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. He’s sees the best in us and also sees our full life from the end to the beginning and advocates for us. ❤️
“who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”Romans 8:34 NASB2020
My Helper
I recently started a new position at work. Yay me! ?? Once the excitement of the position wore off I was like - what I’m the heck am I going to be doing? ?
I’ll be working in the compliance department, but guess what? I don’t have any prior compliance experience, so I’m going to need reinforcement help outside of my trainer and mentor to calm my mind and my heart when I may feel overwhelmed with new information. So, who do you think I’m calling?
I’ll be calling on the Holy Spirit, who’s also known as our helper. I mentioned before I know God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all part of the Trinity which work cohesively together, but just like the three branches of government all work together, each branch has a separate role and responsibility. (Side note - I heard the three branches of government example on someone’s IG story and I thought that was a great way for me to explain the Trinity)
Anywho, back to the Holy Spirit, he’s our helper.
Have you asked the Holy Spirit to help you lately?
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” John 14:26 NASB2020
Band-Aids
Story-time: I was listening to a story a couple of weeks ago about someone who has a garden and there was one patch of an area in which they didn’t plant anything for their dogs to have an area to take care of their business.
The person’s goal was to stop grass from growing in this area.
To temporarily fix this situation they poured mulch over the grass, which worked temporarily until the grass grew through the mulch. So they added more mulch until the grass grew through that also. Eventually, the person became tired of the temporary fixes and grabbed their shovel and dug up all the mulch and the grass- which finally got to the root cause of their issue. They were finally able to stop the grass from growing.
Often time, we know there’s a root cause for a situation, but we only address a symptom instead of dealing with the issue in its entirety and become frustrated when the same problem arises. Dig deep, do the work, identify and address the root cause vs. slapping a band-aid on the situation.
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.”Jeremiah 30:17 KJV
Abba, Father
I acknowledge God as my Heavenly Father. So, when I think about my relationship with him, I think about a father and daughter relationship. My father is deceased, but I look at the scriptures, other healthy father/daughter relationships around me, and my relationship with my father to understand the role of a father.
Picture this: You are in school and you were in trouble for something. You make it home from school and your father is already aware of what happened because he received an e-mail from the teacher about your behavior. So, once you get home you run to your father to tell him the news.
At that moment, of sharing the news with your father you may feel vulnerable and awful for your behavior. But your father is good, so he covers you.
Later on in the day, y’all have a conversation about it, he calls you higher and he reminds you that he loves you.
This is how I picture my relationship with God - though I may do wrong, God is there to be a father even in the midst of what is going on.
There’s nothing I can do or anything anyone can say to change the love my Heavenly Father has for me as his daughter. Just like a natural father may have to discipline or correct a child, God does this for us as well, but it’s only because he wants the best for us.
This is why I can call him Abba, Father.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 NASB2020
Faith
So, I believe that a parent is more willing to help their child if they see them working for something versus seeing them do absolutely nothing.
For example, if you see a child making their bed, you are more likely to come help if you see them putting in the effort to try, even if it is wrong, versus if you see them sitting on the floor doing nothing.
I thought about this last week and it helped me process the concept of faith with works discussed in the book of James. The scripture says,
“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
James 2:26 NASB2020
This reminded me I should be partnering with my Heavenly Father, God to show him I trust him. He wants to see me working and trying vs. sitting down saying, “Whoa is me I’m not sure what to do next.” ?
To give another example, if you are stuck on the side of the road, and you are sitting inside your car doing nothing, people are probably less likely to stop to offer you help. But, someone will be willing to help you if you are outside of your car trying to fix your vehicle or even if you pop the hood of your car.
So with all of that being said, what works are you doing to put your faith into action?
“What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”
James 2:14 NASB2020
#TBT Throwback Travel
This week, I’m changing to Throwback Thursday to Throwback Travel.Five years ago on April 15, 2016, I took my first trip to another country.If it wasn’t for, I would not have made it on this trip, because I was ready to go back on the plane after the first 30 minutes of arrival. She was an amazing friend, kept me from booking a flight out and she assured me things would be okay.Interesting fact: I wrote my first blog after this trip. I’ll have to share it with you all soon. My blog title was: Curbside Chronicles.
My trip to the Dominican Republic was a trip to remember for sure. I call it my worst/best trip. I’m grateful it was such an interesting trip filled with both highs and lows because it expanded my love for travel and prepared me for some of the worst scenarios that I may experience with traveling. I can’t fit all this entire trip experience into one blog, but I’ll give you a few of the highlights from DR.
Trip Memorable Highlights
1. I forgot to tell my bank I was traveling out of the country and they froze my bank account.2. I was trying to unlock my bank account and incurred over $150.00 in roaming fees.3. We road motorcycles aka moto-taxes with a total of 4 people on them.4. We hung out with some locals and ended up in a questionable area.5. We came back to the hotel and learned the doors were locked, so we set on the curve and waited we found a side entrance.6. I had the best homemade chips and fresh smoothies in my life.7. We traveled to another city by bus in another country and honestly had no idea where we were going.
Whew...that was a fun trip adventure.What’s your interesting travel story?
Grace
So usually, I am on my A-game, getting so many things done, crossing stuff off my list, and being a super overachiever. But to be honest, in this season, I am not feeling the motivation at all. Y’all ever been there or is it just me? ?
I’ll start working out, but then I also eat a cookie. ? I’ll start writing a book, but I’ll start watching a television show. I can’t figure out why I’m not in an overdriven mood right now - it’s like I’m on cruise control, but I want to get stuff done. ?
How do you push forward when you have limited motivation?
I’ve learned the best thing for me to do is to chunk my time, even if it is 15-minute increments. I’ll work for 15 minutes and then do something else to try to bring my mind back to focus. In addition to chunking my time, I’ll also ask God for grace to get certain tasks completed.
I’m not sure when I learned this concept about asking God for grace, but I’m so glad I did. I probably heard this concept in a sermon, so, thank you, Pastor. ? The scripture says, he gives us a measure of grace. So if God gives me grace so freely, I may as well take advantage of it and use it. Grace is free 99 to receive, so ask God for grace to get things done!
Question of the Day: What are some things you do when you feel unmotivated to get things done?
Scripture: “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7 NASB2020
And
“Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” Hebrews 4:16 NASB2020
That’s not even my hurt...
This blog started from a conversation with a few friends and I wanted to share it with others.
I remember when I was younger in elementary school and a friend would say to me, I’m not this person's friend, so you shouldn’t be their friend either. “
Sounds familiar? Lol.
But the reality is - that’s not even my hurt. You can be friends with someone and another person may choose to not be friends with them because of their experiences. But whatever happened between others should be for them to resolve and it shouldn’t be hurt you carry as your own.
Sometimes, you are mad at others not even realizing you may have limited information from one party. Usually, we aren’t even familiar with all the nuances of the situation and we carry other burdens like they are our own.
I’ve also seen this happen with children as well when their parents have an argument or if their parents divorced. Kids are sometimes forced to select one parent over another. It can often be an awkward situation for the child, when they can be loved by both parents.
Take a moment to think about the hurt you are carrying. Release that hurt to God and breathe again.
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”Proverbs 12:25 KJV
It’s Good Friday
But was it a Good Friday for Jesus?
Picture this - the night before our Savior was crucified he had dinner with his friends known as the last supper. Jesus being all-knowing knew the next day he would be crucified.
Many hated him and lied on him. They spit on him, beat him, and placed a painful crown on his head with thorns.
What was he even guilty of? They couldn’t find any fault with him.
In addition to all of this, there was his disciple who betrayed him (Judas) and the other disciple, Peter who denied him three times.
Can you imagine him hanging on the cross for my sins, for your sins, and the sins of everyone in this world? The Bible says darkness fell on the face of the earth from the 6th to the 9th hour.
Even while he was in agony, he was thinking of you and me.
Even while he was in pain, he witnessed to the person next to him on the cross.
Even while he hung on a cross with nails in his hands, he asked his father to have mercy on someone else.
Even while he knew he wasn’t guilty, he asked his father to forgive others because they knew not what they had done.
Jesus died for the sins of the world, but before he died he hung on the cross to be the perfect example for us.
We know he rose from the dead which is significantly important - but today don’t forget Mary’s baby, the son of David, God’s beloved son, hung on the cross for you and me.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 KJV
Catastrophizing
Y’all ever have conversations with yourself? Okay, maybe it’s just me. Let me give y’all an example. ? So, if I have to have a conversation with someone about something I’ll play the conversation in my head before it takes place. I’ve already prepared myself to receive a negative response- when the conversation hasn’t even taken place and to be honest that may not even be their response. ? My assumed negative response may even be from a prior experience that had nothing to do with that person. ?
I was listening to a podcast a few weeks ago and a couple discussed this and as I listened I was like yikes that’s been my reaction in a couple of situations. I could relate to so many of the things they mentioned and how my body and brain automatically prepare for a negative situation without even knowing all the facts. This sounds crazy even when I was writing it. Lol.
Part of getting better comes from you doing the work. The great news is that I’m aware of my behavior and I take it to God.
The Bible is clear on bringing every thought into captivity. So when I think of a negative thought, I don’t dwell on it and I replace it with scripture. Also, I’ve started allowing people to answer questions themselves without assuming the worst. And guess what y’all - it’s been such a positive experience. Woosah.
Question of the Day: What is something that you have acknowledged about yourself that you are working on?
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Saved by Grace
I’m taking an apologetics class at church. One of the counterarguments that we discussed was that some believe we could be saved by good works. While I don’t believe this, it was interesting to think about at the moment. I’ll share what I believe later in the blog. I started to think of how many works would it require for me to feel like I’m saved and secure.
Would I have to repeat new works daily or would my works from yesterday be enough? ?
And then I thought about how big my good works would have to be for me to be saved? Could small good works save me too? ? Or do I have to go big or stay at home? These are all rhetorical questions that don’t require an answer. Lol.
But the cool thing about reading and learning is I bring my questions to God and allow him and the word of God to define my standard.
All of that to say, I’m so glad that my good works don’t save me and that I’m saved by faith through God’s unmerited grace.
It’s nothing that I can do to earn his grace, I don’t deserve his grace, and yet he gives it to me freely. And for that I’m grateful! ??????
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8 KJV
It’s Been a Year...
Let’s flash back to the first week in March of 2020. Life was still normal for us as we had previously known it. I still remember - I was less than two weeks away from flying to Europe or so I thought until all of our lives were changed and then we adjusted and have kept readjusting every since.
It’s been over a year since the pandemic first begin and mask were introduced in the US. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share five of my biggest takeaways since Covid started.
- Put God first in every area of your life.
- I enjoy working from home. It’s been the biggest blessing in my life and allowed great flexibility.
- I’ve paid off debt and saved way more money since the pandemic began.
- Value your relationships with your friends and loved ones. Spend time with them when you can even if it’s only via zoom.
- Enjoy your life and have fun. Life is so short to be wondering what you should have started but didn’t or who you should have contacted but didn’t. Just do it!
This pandemic season allowed me to slow down, smell the roses and increase my relationship with God. The most beautiful thing is God is with us always even in the midst of a whole pandemic.
What have you learned amid the pandemic?
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ”Matthew 28:20 KJV
Waiting
Let's be honest most people don’t enjoy waiting for things. I can admit, I don’t enjoy waiting.
Waiting on food to be cooked - just run me my food!
Waiting on the results of a test - did I pass or not?
Waiting on a job decision - Am I hired?
Waiting on a house to be built- Can I move in yet?
Those are just some of the few situations in which we as a society have to wait on something or someone else to determine the next steps.
How do you deal with the waiting? Are you patient? Or impatient?
As you all know, I’m always going, to be honest in my blogs and I can admit I can be impatient sometimes. ? I want things rushed or I want to know the result immediately. Sometimes when I am reading a good book, I’ll skip to the last chapter and then read the rest of the book.
But, I’m learning to be more patient. It’s def a learned skill. The most important thing for me right now is my attitude while I’m patiently waiting. Can I have joy, while I wait? ?
Share below how you deal with being patient.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 KJV