In my young adult years, I had a hard time being seen for who I was.
I was always identified by where I grew up, whose sister I was or who I hung out with. Although I loved those aspects of myself, I was more.
As years went on, I had to make choices for my happiness. Choices often opposite of what I thought was expected of me. That meant becoming vulnerable to change and criticism.
That shift came with a yearning to experience more of what life had to offer. I began to look outside the walls put in place by others and myself to live a life God wanted me to live.
I began to capture these experiences in my writing. This became a way for me to purge, process and heal.
This blog is that journey and it continues. A journey full of love, tears, pride and lots of laughs.
Thanks for joining me.
Beloved Community or not?
A few years ago, I wanted to be involved in a church that was close to my home.
The church supported causes that I was passionate about. I was excited for the chance to serve with this team of people. I joined a bible study to get to know a few people. I shared with the group my desire to serve and I was later connected to one of the ministry leaders. In a brief conversation, I learned two of the three ministries did not need any more people.
Starting a New Year
Every December, many of us make resolutions for the coming year: some involve physical health. After punishing ourselves for consuming cookies and gaining weight while celebrating the holidays, we promise to lose the weight by setting unrealistic goals.
Christmas Day is Near
This Advent, I’ve been reflective and grateful. Although I’ve had a few disruptions and disappointments in recent days, I still have joy.
Podcasts Over Books in 2021
Podcasts Over Books in 2021
I love to read. But this year, I spent more time listening to podcasts than reading books. This is how I fill time during my commute to work.
Listening to a podcast is like listening to a good story – and I love a good story.
I this blog post, I share with you my favorite podcasts of 2021
Advent – Expectation in seeing God in the everyday
Waiting with expectation can be exciting - but also it can make you crazy.
I love Christmas! Specifically, I enjoy the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In the Christian tradition, this is called Advent.
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year – the church year. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ child. This is a major event for those of us who practice Christianity.
Be Kind, on Purpose…to Yourself
A challenge I hear often is, “Go out and be kind on purpose.” My husband says this phrase when closing his Monday morning Facebook Live prayer time.
It’s a wonderful reminder to start the week. Yet, in being kind to others, we forget to be kind to ourselves.
Remembering
This year was the 20th anniversary of the tragic incidents involving four planes used to attack America on September 11, 2001. As I love history, I watched many documentaries highlighting first-hand accounts from survivors.
On this anniversary, I paused to try to remember and attempt to imagine the pain and loss survivors felt that day and the impact on their lives today. To remember was the least I could do.
Grateful
Have you ever considered what happens when we decide to give thanks to God when we are going through a hard time? Have you ever been aware of what happens when we find something to be thankful for?
My awareness came during sixteen months of darkness.
It began in May of 2016 with my Dad’s diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.
Monday, Monday
One early Monday morning, I proclaimed to my husband, “Today will be a great day.” He asked, “Why?” and I told him I decided it would be.
Later when I arrived home at the end of the day, I asked my husband,” Was today a good day?” He paused like he was thinking and said, “You know what? Yes, it was.”
The Capacity to Forgive
In the late 1930’s-1940’s, a young boy was raised by his maternal grandparents in a rural town.
When he was born, the boy’s parents split, moved to separate cities, and started new lives without their son for reasons unknown. The boy was left to be raised alongside his uncles like their brother.
Life was tough. His grandfather was strict, and he had to work in the field tending tobacco and possibly other crops. He went to school, may have gotten in a bit of trouble, but nothing too serious.
I Love Fall
If a season could be a gateway drug, fall would be mine. The main event is Christmas. I love the smells, sounds and emotions that come with that holiday. But Christmas time seems so short.
Fall gives me time to savor many things I love.
Doing what we don’t want to do to get what we want
When people tell us what they want to accomplish, we tend to offer advice on what they need to do to get it. We often hear the phrase, “easier said than done.”
Quiet / Noisy
I like quiet spaces. There. I said it. I savor quiet time alone. It is WONDERFUL!
Our Faith While In the Meantime
Author and talk show host, Iyanla Vanzant wrote a book in 1999 entitled, In the Meantime. Readers of this book were likely anxious to get to the next phase of their lives. This book leads the reader through exercises that challenge the reader to reflect and do self-work before hastily moving to their next season. This block of time is referred to as, the meantime