2020 has been the year of losses that were completely beyond many of our imaginations. I mean, we started the year off losing Kobe and Gianna (Gigi) Bryant and the seven others on that plane. Then there were many who lost their lives to Covid-19 (numbers still climbing) and other health challenges, rampant violence in cities, police brutality, and the simple act of normal day-to-day living.
After the tragic loss of Chadwick Bozeman, I rewatched Black Panther this weekend. There is a quote in the movie that stood out to me! However, this time it resonated in my spirit! “You get to decide what kind of King you are going to be!
And it got me to thinking, We get to decide what kind of humans we are going to be! We get to decide what type of men or women we are going to be! We get to decide what type of Christians/Believers we are going to be!
Each day we have a choice to not only make changes but lead by example! The current state of world is truly going to hell in a hand basket!
Philippians 2:1-30 reads, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

We have a choice people! The time to change is now! At any moment, we can decide how we will respond to everything that is happening on this so called planet earth!
What will you decide today?

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You ever hear something that seeps in and then stays in your spirit. My Pastor has planted a garden. And he has been sharing his gardening journey. Well there was this one time that he talked about exposed roots. And I could not get those two words out of my spirit. Then God began to reveal things to me.

During inspection when I purchased my home, they discovered that the planted tree outside my home was the wrong tree. The tree was causing plumbing issues in the house. The roots in the tree grow and spread out instead of growing down in the ground. They fixed the initial problem by digging from the house to the street. However, because the tree is still living the roots have begun to creep out in different crevices in the concrete.

And it made me think about my own roots and how they have begun to become exposed. Especially since, I am in a true cycle of healing. I am Letting things go that no longer serve me! I am Forgiving myself and people who I feel may have harmed me! I am Acknowledging things from the past that kept me bound; but expressing those things, because I witness certain cycles in my children.

Well as I learn to walk in my freedom; I promised God I would lead them to theirs, and any others who came along the way. 2nd Timothy 2:15 states, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

So it got me to thinking about life and how some families can’t get healed because “We just don’t talk about those things!” Or you hear “We are private people!” No one wants to address the elephants in the room. Meanwhile, many are suffering in silence or acting out in one way or another! They battle depression, anxiety, addictive behaviors, promiscuity, alcoholism, whatever you put your own name to it! Well the buried secrets need to be released so that it leads to freedom.

Are you willing to dig up the roots to reclaim your freedom?

Are you feeling down today? Does it feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Are you seeking answers? Isaiah 40:31 reads, “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Sometimes we allow the trials of life to take over. And in most cases that is normal. But what is not normal is to stay in those places. God does not want us to be anxious. We should not be in places where we cannot rest. Are you taking time out for yourself to rejuvenate? Read a good book! Take a hot bath! Hang out with some friends! Sit in nature! There are so many ways we can boost our own energy. Maybe really listen for God.

He usually sends us the answers right on time but sometimes we are too clouded or preoccupied to see or hear.

I challenge you today to lay at his feet whatever is burdening you.

As much as the world will tell you different! The people you encounter. The family members in your life who may say cruel things. The ones you love, and they don’t know how to love you back. The employers who don’t appreciate your work. That business that may have failed. The failed marriages or relationships. Stop doubting what you know you can do! Sometimes it takes a few times to get things right! That is simply not a bad thing. We end up being to hard on ourselves because of past experiences.

Learning to let go and just surrender can be difficult. Are there things that God told you and somewhere you hear a voice that tells you different? You are who God says you are! Your identity is tied to God and not man! Begin saying those things with some power! You are worthy of everything that God says you deserve! Speak those things over your life! Proclaim with your voice with power and authority! You MUST take your POWER back! Philippians 2:13 reads, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and work for his good pleasure!”

You can’t stay stuck in those emotions and feelings. You must speak life over yourself. It starts from within!

Are you willing to believe what God says about you today?

There are many times in life where we want to hide or not share things we experience. Most times this is due to not wanting to be judged. I mean we never know how the answers to questions will appear. I have received information to numerous resources simply by opening my mouth. And I have learned sharing could be beneficial for me and also help others. Galatians 6:2 states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We are told to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Of course, this is totally difficult with the world we live in today.

The difference of opinions with the daily afflictions of life. Politics, pandemic, and racial tensions. It seems the world no longer believes in “It is okay to disagree!” We are all not going to agree on everything. This would be according to how we were raised, things we have experienced, and even our own stances on religious beliefs.

I however have decided to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me. There is no longer a reason to be ashamed or be afraid to say, “I need help.” Because the reality is that I don’t always have all the answers. Another way to look at it is, I could be being led to that person for a reason. We simply cannot keep living in our own bubbles because eventually they burst. I remember a poem I wrote after an encounter with a man on the bus. To be honest, he was really strange. The title was called Searching. It was basically talking about how we encounter people every day. And whether the interaction is negative or positive, we must make our own choice. And then apply it to our lives for that day.  We control our own narratives.

Are you willing to be transparent in your daily interactions?

So I didn’t disappear! LOL, I am in the process of getting my house in order. I had a dream last night and there were all of these open doors but whenever I tried to get to the door, I would trip over something. Or there would be some sort of blockage in front of the door.

When I woke up from the dream, I heard a voice loud and clear say! “In order for you to receive what is coming, I need you to declutter because you don’t have room!”

Well before the dream, I had started getting rid of things and throwing old things away. I am making room for NEW.
Isaiah 43:19 reads, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I had already began the internal purge process months and years ago. It is now onto the physical and financial decluttering. If God was to do a work would you be ready?

So I leave you with this today. Is there room in your house for the things that God is about to do in your life? Ponder on that!

How many times have we gave something to God but took it back? Are we really leaning in and trusting God? Are we allowing God to be in the driver’s seat of our lives? I can raise my hand and say, “That’s me!” There are many things that I felt like I gave over to God, but then put my hands back on it. God’s promises are all throughout the bible. If I can be vulnerable with anyone, then I would think God would be at the top of that list. Are worry, fear, anxiety, or lack; in whatever capacity, controlling your narrative? Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”

So, let those things go that are hindering you from moving forward. Forgive those people who may have caused you warm. That forgiveness is more for you than them in the first place! Release any heaviness that is overtaking your body or spirit today! But most of all let God back in the driver’s seat!

Can you take your hands off your life today and allow God to lead?

A sister of mine posted last night on her social media, “Lord Keep Me Different!” She is a woman that I admire because of her strength, tenacity, vision, passion, and her heart for people. She also slays the mess out of someone’s hair! And then the Holy Spirit began speaking to me.

Are you aware that there is something different about you for a reason? You were created to be unique. You were created to be different! You were placed on this earth to not fit in! Think about it how many products or businesses are similar, but there is something that is unique about that product that makes you purchase it.

Matthew 5:16 reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” We can’t continue to live a life of comparison where we look at others and not have confidence in ourselves!
God designed us to have divine abilities. And this is encompassed in each and every one of us. Not one person is the same! There may be similarities but something about you stands out! I challenge you to Hold on to that today! And then ask God to show you what to do with those differences! Because once you embrace them, God can move in a way like never before!
Are you willing to be different today?

Well I went to school this morning! Which is hilarious to say since I have not attended school in years. My youngest child just completed high school. So why do you ask? Well, today was the first day of school for the state of North Carolina. And I went to assist my mother, who has two very small school aged children. And as I began to help them navigate the first day, I began to see the struggle of many to come. I mean my siblings are in Pre-K and Kindergarten.

I am sure that there was a personal experience had by all with the new virtual school environments. The entire state had issues connecting into the main teaching system. Zoom seemed to fair out just fine. I watched language barriers for parents of children who were ESL. One student was in a classroom setting where the background was noisy, and the teacher seemed to be assisting another child. Children and parents were struggling to take their children off mute so they could speak. One class seemed to end almost 20 minutes early. Reason unknown! However, the teacher was an awesome sport by keeping the children entertained and explaining one of the biggest class rules, raise your hand before you speak!

But then I began to think about the many other children across the world. The children who do not have that support or computers/Ipads, etc. What if they don’t have a parent or family member who can help keep them structured during their daily learning? The parents, guardians, or family that had to adjust their schedules to ensure that a child learns in this virtual environment. And I immediately thought about the saying, “We have to have the patience of Job.” Romans 12:12 reads, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

During this time of adjustment, we will all have to keep hope that “This too shall pass!” That we won’t have to experience this long; and if we do for some reason, we will have learned how to make the best of what we can’t control! The other things that resonated in my spirit is “It will take a village to get this done” So if you are able to serve in any capacity, I challenge you to do so. Although we did not create this debacle of a mess; WE CAN control how we look at the situation. We can learn patience during this time. Most of all we can be the hands and feet of Jesus and find a way to help. Lastly, we can stay in constant prayer, because we all will need it.

How can you serve today?

There were many in my circle that professed their love to each other on yesterday. There were several marriages that took place. Relationship declarations where people were announcing new relationships.  I can’t even imagine how many other people around the world got married on this day as well. It got me to thinking about love in general. Love is a sacrifice! Love is communication! Love is vulnerability! Love is disagreement! Love can be suffering! Love is a sacrifice. But most of all, Love is a choice!

We choose to Love! We make a conscious choice to open ourselves up to make new discoveries with someone else. And I am referring to Love overall, not just romantic love. Agape love! God’s Love! See God loves us regardless! We; however, choose to love God because he gave us free will! It is the same as choosing to love the individuals we encounter daily. Jesus was a sacrifice! And He knew it! John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish and have eternal life.”

Love is the very thing that keeps the universe circling. And some may say no with all the crazy events taking place in the world today. But think about the announcements that are not displayed. When someone decides to help someone out and they don’t require public display. Or they start organizations that will benefit other people. The people that sacrifice their own to make sure that someone has what they need. That ultimately is Jesus! And He wants the same from us. He wants us to sacrifice, to come to him and give any and everything that keeps us from becoming who we are destined to be to HIM.

So today, I want you to think about love.

Are you open to Love today? If not, how can change so that You always show Love?