Good day my loves! So much has happened since we last caught up! March was rather interesting. I pray you all are safe and doing well during this time of isolation and quarantine. I am very much an introvert, so I enjoy alone time, but this is a lot! I am not really one to give out lots of hugs, but I actually wanted to hug a person and could not! I was just starting to break out of my shell a little and now I have to pause. I started co-facilitating a Bible study at my job, I went to a salsa dancing class and it was a very exhilarating moment for me(You guys should TOTALLY try it!), I went to some events and was just generally trying to be social and now we have to be socially distant! For those who love to interact, I can only imagine the struggle. While we have no idea how long this may last, we are in a perfect position to do things we have put off, work on developing ourselves as well as our relationships, and learn and grow in many areas as the Internet and books have given us that power. But how will life be different for us and those around us when we can finally come out? Let’s talk about someone that was isolated and had to make moves once he was released. Bible study time!!!

So, the character in the Bible I want to talk about is usually just talked about in Children’s Church. I was thinking about who I could use that was in isolation, like us, and I thought about Jonah. Everyone knows that Jonah was the guy that was swallowed by a giant fish. Jonah has a whole book to himself in the Bible for you to go reference. I’m gonna give you a brief synopsis to paint my picture. God spoke to Jonah saying “Get up and go to Nineveh to announce my judgement because of their wickedness.” Jonah was like “I’m ’bout to go somewhere, but not there!” Jonah got up and paid for a ticket to go to a place called Tarshish via boat. According to some articles I read, Tarshish was a mighty long way from Nineveh! Jonah boarded the boat headed far away from his assignment and suddenly God hurled a powerful storm in the seas.

The men on the boat started throwing off cargo to make it easier to manage with no luck. Jonah was at the bottom of the boat asleep! They knew something was up with that and told him he needed to pray to his God! He admitted that he was probably the reason for this storm and told them to throw him over. They didn’t want to, but immediately after they did, the seas were calmed. The men were in awe and they came to serve God. Even in our disobedience, we can still draw others to the Father! Well, when Jonah was thrown over, God arranged for a giant fish to swallow him. He was inside of a fish for 3 days and 3 nights. I wonder what he did with that time of isolation? The Bible says he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and the Lord ordered the fish to spit him out on land, but did it take him that long to pray?

Once he was released, God asked Jonah to do the same thing again. This proves that there are some things that only you or I can do! People that only we can reach. I’m sure he could have gotten someone else without resistance, but this was a job for Jonah. Did I mention he was a whole Prophet? He finally went to Nineveh and all he said was “In 40 days from now, the town of Nineveh will be destroyed.” They immediately responded with fasting and surrender. That seemed insignificant, but it came from the person that was mandated to carry that message. God saw their response and changed His mind about the destruction. Jonah was BIG mad! He did not like the people from Nineveh and did not want them to be saved. To the point that he wanted to die because God saved them! He knew that when he delivered that message the loving-kindness of God would have mercy on them if they responded by making corrections to their way of life. He was selfish with his salvation and the mercy God gave him. Aren’t we like that sometimes?

God gave him an illustration of a plant that gave him shelter and allowed a worm to eat the stem for it to die. He was concerned about the plant that he did not produce and was not concerned about 120,000 people and animals that simply did not know any better. We are in a time of isolation and there are soooo many people out there that simply don’t know the “right” way. The church as a whole is doing an excellent job in showing the love of God right now with the help of technology, but this is a desperate time and when you are desperate, you will grasp anything. But, what about when we are out of isolation? How will we keep them involved? How will we make sure that they have a community of people to lead them in the right direction? Will we be able to rehabilitate those that were already weak in faith before they were taken away from the accountability of their church? Maybe this separation from our assemblies was to show us how to serve more than just those that go to church with us. We don’t have to save the world individually, but there are those we are assigned to impact in different capacities. Jonah did what he needed to do and it produced good fruit, but he had a massive attitude towards those he was called to lead to deliverance!

We do that as well, or maybe it’s just me that can identify some areas I can do better. It could be because we don’t feel like we will be received well, we may feel inadequate because of our past, we may feel like we are just a regular church member, or we just ignore the call on our lives because it cost too much. During this time, we don’t really have an excuse. We have no distractions, no social gatherings, we have probably watched everything on Netflix and Hulu, and we have nowhere to go but the grocery stores. We should come out better, in some capacity, than we were when we went in quarantine. We have an opportunity to grow and mature so that we can be better for ourselves and those around us. So, what are you gonna do when you get out of the belly of your home? Who’s deliverance is in the words you have been chosen to say? Just something to ponder during this #Alonetogether time!

I pray that during this time God gives us a hunger and thirst for Him. I pray that we have a passion like never before to grow and to advance the kingdom. I pray that we are discovering gifts, talents, and skills that we can use to help others. We will continue to trust that God is with us in this time of isolation and ask Him what He wants us to receive personally from this time. I thank Him for wisdom, strategy, and direction of what we need to do once released into our new norm. All things work together for the good of those who love Him, so there has to be glory after this. I pray that you and your families will continue to be well, safe, and healthy! While you are praying, please continue to pray for your communities and our world that God will heal our land as we humble ourselves and cry out to Him. Love you all to pieces!!

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Hello lovelies!!! Hope you all are doing well. I want to start by giving you all a brief update. So, in December’s post “Soul Surgery” I mentioned that I was seeking counseling. I am still attending my sessions and even though I still have moments that I want to just walk out, I stay because I need it. I have no idea why I didn’t commit to this earlier, but I guess I had to get to a place where I was truly tired of where I was in order for it to be effective. I went expecting to make changes in my life and I have discovered so much about myself. Counseling has provoked so much personal reflection and revelation, so in this blog I am going to allow you into some of my personal journaling escapades.

One morning in prayer, I heard “burn it” but I had no idea what it was all about. Not sure if it was the same day, but I decided to journal a little and I received revelation of that phrase. I started writing about a particular place I was in emotionally that I did not want to be. Y’all I messed around caught one or two feelings for someone! This was a familiar place, but not a welcomed experience. Yes, I’m single but I kinda wanna skip that whole catching feelings part. I just want “He that finds a wife” to just come through, show intentional interest, and we can live happily ever after! However, this was an opportunity to grow. I wrote “God said He would give me beauty for ashes, but am I willing to burn fear, rejection, and pride to see the beauty that could come?” I truly believe that was a game changing question. In counseling I have discovered that my fear and fear of rejection is rooted very deeply. Particularly in the area of relationships. So the question is, how bad do I want the freedom? Am I willing to come into agreement with God about burning the things in my life that keep me from seeing the beauty and obtaining the promise?

Fire is a powerful element. In the Bible, God has been compared to a refiner’s fire. As I researched, a refiner’s fire does not destroy, but it burns away the impurities that ruin its value, leaving the gold or silver in tact. Fear and fear of rejection ruin my value. They cause me to see myself in a distorted view. I accepted the impurities because I didn’t want to sit in the uncomfortable place as the impurities burn.

At the beginning of the year, I asked God to show me the beauty. The beautiful places that I haven’t discovered within me and within my journey. People always see the broken parts of me in the blogs, but I needed God to show me the beauty so I can share that too. I realized there has been beauty in each post. I have shared moments that have hurt me, traumatized me, and damaged me yet I still show up every day to actively participate in my healing and share. That is how I am overcoming and allowing those ashes to turn into beauty. One way I can participate is by being courageous.

So about that feeling I caught, I tried to subtly show that your girl was interested. Very subtly, but this was HUGE for me because I am not usually courageous in this area. It did not have the exact outcome that I expected and I felt defeated, disappointed, and SALTY! I told my friend that I thought I just needed to write it out to get my life together, since pushing him down is frowned upon!🤣 I knew it had to be God because despite what some think, I ain’t that deep! I was reminded about the saying “Loosing the battle does not mean you have lost the war.” I began writing that I needed to celebrate the small victories. I may not win the war in the moment, but there was a victory somewhere. Each time I am presented an opportunity to be courageous there is mental war. There is the force that says “Pursue and overtake!” Then there is the force that says “If you don’t win the war, what’s the point? So have a seat.” Each time I choose to be courageous the latter voice is defeated and something DIES!! Even if it is just a false belief in that moment. If I get in the practice of being courageous, eventually the war will be won and that thing that needs to die will be destroyed. Freedom comes after the war is won!

This journaling revelation was for me in that moment, but I wholeheartedly believe that this is for so many of you as well. This was just my example. God has called us to be courageous and victorious. We will not win every battle, but we have to show up and take our position to win the war. Each time we fight we allow God to refine us and we grow. This is truly a refining period in my life, and I am fighting in the war for my future. But I did ask to see the beauty, right? And I can hardly wait to see the finished product!

What war are you fighting and what has God asked you to allow Him to burn in this season? Take some time to seek Him for your personal revelation. I pray that we are able to identify those impurities that ruin our value. I pray that we freely give them to Him as a burnt offering in exchange for a pure, renewed relationship with the Father. I pray that God will consume those areas with His consuming, refiner’s fire and burn those areas so that we can see the beauty. Although the process may look contrary to His promises, I pray we clench tight to those promises and never lose sight of what has been spoken. He is strength in our weakness and He has already given us victory and power to win the war before us. We will not be defeated! We thank Him for giving us beauty from the ashes. He does all things well and He makes all things beautiful in it’s time! Amen!

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Well hello Lovelies! February is a month that is known for its celebration of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. During this month we honor the pioneers that have paved the way for us as women, and we celebrate the love for ourselves or allow ourselves to be celebrated by a significant other. There are many pioneer women in the Bible as well. Women that we admire and have grown to love. Typically the woman we are talking about this month is one that is mostly mentioned around Mother’s Day. If you haven’t figured it out already, this month we are talking about the Proverbs 31 Woman!

I have read this passage in the Bible so many times and thought “Ummm, she does too much, I kinda don’t wanna be like her. I’ll look for someone that isn’t so intense!” I’m not exactly the get up before everyone, cooking breakfast type. However, I tried the Proverbs 31 Project by Melissa Callaway. It is literally a year-long challenge with things to do to push towards the goal of being the Proverbs 31 woman of this age. I stopped around the 4th month; Right when she gave me that workout plan! I rebuked that because they did not have gyms then. It says she was strong, not skinny, just saying. Reading it sounded very intimidating and unrealistic, then I found The Passion Translation. I absolutely encourage you to check it out on the YouVersion App and study in comparison with other versions to get greater understanding. Many think that Proverbs 31 only applies to being a good wife and mother, but being a Proverbs 31 woman benefits our roles at work, business, at school, at church, and with friends. No one is exempt from needing to have good character. This woman was one of wisdom, strength, and virtue. The people around her were beneficiaries of the woman she was! Now, who wouldn’t want to be a woman of that caliber??

The verses about the virtuous woman start at Proverbs 31:10. In the Passion Translation, verse 10 says “Who could ever find a wife (woman) like this one-she is a woman of strength and mighty valor. She is full of wealth and wisdom. The price paid for her was greater than many jewels.” This lets us know that she has great value. She has been cultivated by spending time with God and has gained strength and wisdom. She has wealth, not just monetary, but as you read, you see that she is rich in relationships, favor, love, and honor. One of my favorite verses in this version is verse 14. It says “She gives out revelation-truth to feed others, she is like a trading ship bringing divine supplies from the merchant.” To me, this sounds like her mouth spews honesty and virtue because she is the trading ship and she brings divine wisdom, revelation, and understanding from the merchant, which is God! This shows us that she is not for the foolery! She had to keep her well pure.

This woman is not selfish, she reaches out to those in need and extends generosity. She is prepared for the future, this means being strategic about her next moves. Lazy is not her portion, as she proactively searches out the needs of her family. She looks good, and so does her family. Her husband and children honor her. She is a teacher, not just to her family, but she is generous with the wisdom that God has given her. The light on her life is infectious and makes others want to do whatever she did to get whatever she has! She is mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally available for her family. Her husband values and trust her to govern her areas of expertise because of the wisdom she holds. I gained a deeper revelation of this amazing woman and realized that she has many qualities and traits that I aspire to master!

Her value, fragrance, and oil are priceless! Not just anyone can afford what she has to offer! Ladies, we must protect our oil; Not everyone deserves it! This stands true in romantic and platonic relationships. God has called us priceless, precious jewels! Our oil can’t be duplicated. You know how two people can have on the same fragrance and they each smell different? Because they have different body chemistry! What I have won’t necessarily work for you and vice versa! Doesn’t that make you feel special? The fragrance you carry is specific to you! You work harder to protect something when you realize that you are the only one that can provide it! Beauty and charm are nice, but your fragrance adds substance and depth.

The Proverbs 31 woman was actually a portrait of the ideal woman meant to be “fit for a king.” However, these should be life goals. These qualities and characteristics keep us closer to God and draw others because they feel Him by just being in our presence. We will not get to this point by just reading books or going to conferences; We get there by understanding our true identity, cultivating our relationship with God, and hiding His word in our hearts. Psalms 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart so I might not sin against you.” When we know our standard, we at least make a conscious effort to do better. She had the heart of God. She was in a place where He poured out His heart concerning her directly to her. She was an investor. She invested her time, energy, and resources to serve God and those around her. This ladies, is a phenomenal woman.

I am a believer that when we ask God for something, He often answers us with an opportunity. We don’t have to aspire to be just like the Proverbs 31 Woman, however, I’m sure she possesses something we need more of. It could be “God I need to be more submissive.” Well, next time your husband makes a decision that is reasonable, but you will not enjoy, submit! That’s your opportunity! It may be “God I need to work on being so selfish.” When someone asks for some of your hot, salty McDonald’s fries, share!! That’s an opportunity! We get opportunities to grow in our character daily; from a micromanaging boss, a whiny kid, an unreasonable coworker, to an annoying mate. Y’all, people make it hard, don’t they? I know! There are many days I want to push someone down and hope they don’t get hurt! But those are opportunities, it’s up to us whether we accept the challenge or choose to stay where we are. Let’s take steps to grow and be better women for our community, jobs, ministries, friends, and our world! We are called to be change agents, so ask yourself “Am I changing my atmosphere for the good or bad?”

My prayer is that God brings those growth areas to our attention. That we don’t take offense, but allow it to bother us enough to change! I pray that we will continue to seek Him for how we should handle our opportunities to grow and enhance the women we are. I pray that He would give us grace and strength to pursue those changes. I pray that our change will be visible by all and that it ignites a fire within others to grow! We don’t have to be the Proverbs 31 Woman, but we can use her as a role model to be greater wives, mothers, and women!

Hey ladies and Happy New Year!! We are officially in a new decade! I hope it has served you well thus far and you are excited about all of the exciting new things in store! So, if you are a regular here or know me personally, you have probably gathered that I am a very skeptical person. I don’t usually take risks, but it is a goal of mine to take more risks in the future. I just kinda enjoy safety. Sometimes that same safety can allow me to be in a place of disobedience or in a place where my hearing is distorted by my skepticism. This month we are going to talk about someone kinda like me who had submit despite how things looked. He had to tell Jesus, “If you say so.”

This is the story of Simon Peter and it is found in Luke 5:1-11. We haven’t done Bible study in a while, so let’s do it! So Jesus was doing the work of the Lord preaching near the Sea of Galilee. He noticed that there were empty boats and men washing nets. He stepped in one of the boats and asked Simon Peter to push it out so He could teach from there. When He was done, He asked Simon Peter to go deeper and cast nets so that he could catch fish. Simon was like “Ummm so I have been out in these seas all night and I ain’t caught nothing, but if you say so.” Imagine what Simon Peter was thinking. He probably thought “First of all, I have already cleaned my nets.” Ladies, y’all know how we act when we wash dishes and someone uses a dish! We get all the way live! Also, Jesus was not a fisherman. How did He figure that by Him being there, the outcome would be any different?

Well, Simon Peter submitted and when they let down their nets, they were so full of fish, they began to tear! Y’all, that was overflow! Him and all the boys were shook! Simon Peter was like “Jesus, I am soooo sorry!!” He told him “No worries, but now you will be fishers of men.” At that point they began to follow Jesus. He was showing them that as they followed Him and His instruction, they could also bring others to Christ just like they caught those fish in the nets.

Do you see how his response lead him to more than he could ask for? After reading this I realized that I need to develop a mentality of “If you say so.” When Simon Peter developed that resolve, he had provision. He just had to listen and follow the plan. We ask too any questions, and we always want to know how things will look at the end. God gives us instructions in pieces to see if we will do it. Once the obedience is proven, we have unlocked the door to the next phase. We won’t always see the totality of a plan, we just have to learn to trust Him at His word and believe that the provision will be made.

So, in what area(s) do you need to have an “If you say so” mentality? What has God asked you to do but because you don’t see it working, you don’t submit? There are so many things we should be doing, but because we don’t know how it will look, we just sit there and look! To achieve greatness requires great risk. Let’s allow God in our lives as Simon Peter allowed Him in the boat and watch Him do the miraculous through our obedience and submission! I pray that we learn to hear and heed the voice of God. I pray that we will hear His voice and a stranger we will not follow. I pray that we see His provision in all that we do in His name. That we seek Him for every decision we make and when He gives instruction, we have the resolve of “If you say so!” Be blessed my loves!!😘