Increase Giving

Good morning family. Happy belated birthday to Turk (Charm's dad). We're blessed to have him in our lives. There are so many fathers who aren't attentive and don't care whether they have a relationship with their children or not. So ladies, when you find a guy who goes the distance for his children, respect it and thank God for it. So we're getting ready to finish this year out and I couldn't be happier. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me and my family. There's one area in particular that I want to focus on and that's giving more. And not just giving what I don't need but giving from the heart to fulfill the needs of others. Giving based on how God says we should give. We accumulate so much when we really need very little to survive. What I know for certain is that God wants us to be cheerful givers and not people who pinch off a little here and a little there to satisfy our conscious. I know that He's not pleased when we hoard things and money. He's not pleased when we give "junk" away. I constantly remind my grand-kids about their blessings and that there are so many children who don't have. As I remind them, I need a good reminder myself. There's so much need in the world and it's only getting worse. This morning I pray that we all understand our role in the lives of our fellow man. TeamIncreaseGiving. Bblessedloveyou. Malachi 1 vs 1-14

Share My Story

Good morning family. All praises due to the Most High. It's the last Saturday of 2013 and I'm ready for whatever comes. Praying for Turk and Ms Cheryl's family as they prepare for their Aunt's funeral services today. From what I understand, she lived a full life, no regrets, 80 years old. Life is a wonderful thing if we allow it to be. We need to be better at sharing our "life experiences" with the new generation. They need to understand where we come from. It's also important that we bring our ancestor's history forward. To many of us have left the "stories" of old behind us because we don't feel their important enough to share. I don't know about you but I want to know more about where I came from. I want my children to feel my "past" and understand that I didn't always focus on doing "the right thing". Keep in mind that the strongest people have struggles. They get through them by sharing their experiences and seeking advice from elders and peers. We are weakest when we hide our failures and refuse to ask for help. This morning I pray  that we all look for and take the opportunity to talk about our experiences. We should share those things that have weakened us and those things that have given us strength. It's also a good idea to journal. Whenever I find something my mom wrote, it warms my heart and makes me feel good inside. Just seeing her hand writing brings back memories of days gone by. Everyone have a super Saturday. TeamShareMyStory. Bblessedloveyou.

Godly Relationships

Good morning family. What a fabulous day we had yesterday. Thanking God for family and friends. He is doing a wonderful work in our lives. Things aren't perfect and we still have problems but when we understand the plan of our Father we're able to move forward. I woke up this morning thinking about a text I received last night from someone I truly love and admire. I was reminded that until our relationship with God is right, we won't have "healthy" relationships outside of His will. We have to get His word in our system in order to understand how we should function in the "worldly system". We can't have a good relationship with money if we don't break spending habits, reverse the affects of our debts, focus on giving and get over the fear of being without. We can't have good relationships with people until we begin to walk in His love and peace. We can't progress on our jobs if we don't present our leaders with the right attitude (Godly). Bottom line, those uncomfortable feelings, those frequent tears and that constant fear will not subside until our relationship with God is strengthened. The life line He presents is the only thing that will save us. Feeling blessed and ready for the New Year. Have an amazing day. TeamGodlyRelationships. Bblessedloveyou.

Blessed

Good morning family. Merry Christmas. It has been a beautiful morning. I looked at Dee and said, so it's like Christmas #29 that we've celebrated as The Matthews Family. God is so good. My family has had it's share of disagreements and arguments this year. We've cried, screamed, yelled and said very hurtful things to each other. The amazing thing about family is that we recover and we move on. The good days certainly out way the bad. For anyone who's stuck and confused, frustrated and tired, misunderstood and lost, let go and move on. Our Lord and Savior was sent for our healing. Receive it with an open heart and everything else will come. God loves us unconditionally and I'm so glad He does. Without Him, we are lost. His word says that we can do all things through Him. That means we can forgive, we can love, we can receive and most of all we can live "the good life". This morning I am so satisfied, not because of the gifts under the tree, but because He lives in my heart. TeamBlessed. Bblessedloveyou. Merry Christmas from The Matthews Family. Can ya'll believe we have 10 grands, 5 girls and 5 boys...just wow every time I think about it.

Handle With Care

Good afternoon family. Christmas Eve. Can't believe we're here but I'm excited for the babies. They've been planning and plotting for the last few weeks. Making Christmas list and really focusing on what they want. As I was making breakfast this morning I thought about all the choices children have today. From the type cereal they eat to the type shoes they wear. I don't know what kind of kid I would have been if I'd been presented with so much stuff. Probably severely damaged, who knows. I had cereal that had to have sugar added and got new shoes three times a year (back to school, Christmas and Easter). Before we present our children with their gifts this Christmas season, I hope everyone has reminded them that they are extremely blessed. We're living in fast times where everything is for sale, especially our children. We can't allow them to bought by commercials, celebrities, money, material things and their peers. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to help give our grands a nice Christmas but I'm most thankful for being able to hold real conversations with them about life. That's the true gift. While you have the chance, while you have their attention drop some knowledge on them. Ask them what their goals are, ask them what Christmas means to them and remind them that gifts/money/people are not the key to true happiness. There is so much more to life. God has blessed us and entrusted us with these precious beings. Handle with care and remember, a good parent is not defined by how much they give, a good parent is defined by how much they love. TeamHandleWithCare. Bblessedloveyou

Thankful For The Year

Good morning family. Thinking about Turk and Ms Cheryl this morning. Their Aunt passed away a few days ago. Please keep them lifted up in prayer. I feel like I'm on a journey, a good journey. Over the past year I've grown up a little more. I know that sounds crazy since I'll be 49 in a few months but it's so true. We never stop growing/maturing. My eyes are wide open and so is my heart. The word of God is moving me to places I would not have gone to before. So thankful for our Father who patiently waits for our change. I encourage anyone who's struggling right now to get into His word and find true acceptance and understanding. Our world is a frightful place right now. Things are moving so fast. We can't turn on the news without hearing a sad story. We can't turn on the news without hearing stories about our disfunctional government. I don't know about you but that's not what I signed up for. While I know we can't control the world, we can control ourselves. For me, I'm encouraged to be better by owning what I've done/who I am while being more than open to what God has planned for me. So very thankful for my family because they have to put up with the many "moods" of Sharon. TeamThankfulForTheYear. Bblessedloveyou

Sisterhood

Good morning family. Loving this Sunday morning. Feeling blessed and inspired. I almost allowed the actions of others steal my morning joy but God's messages of song and praise reminded me that I was being less than understanding and a little selfish. As women we sometime get a little to touchy/feely, a little to emotional about how and what we think others should be doing. What a powerful and wonderful night we had last night. My sisters, daughters, niece and friends made me feel so good. Laughter can cure and move us like nothing else. Two generations came together last and had a blast. Our God is doing a work in us all. I was blessed to see the young women lead. I was reminded that when we allow God to fill us, there's nothing we can't do. Never get to holy that you can't have fun. Never get so strong that you can't cry. Never become so independent that  pride won't let you ask for help. Never miss the opportunity to show love and to say I love you. We all need each other and I'm more than thankful for all of you TeamSisterhood. Bblesseloveyou

Maturity Comes

Good morning family. This feels like Sunday. We're up and moving, getting ready to finish up our Christmas shopping. Want to invite all the ladies over tonight for a "game night". Thought it would be fun to laugh a little, play some games and relax. No babies, no men, just us. If you're free, swing by for a good time and good eats. I don't think we ever outgrow "thinking back". We're often reminded that we shouldn't dwell on the past and I agree with this. But I can't help but think about my immature years and those things about me that still require additional maturity. I finally realized that being in a "grown up" body didn't make me a mature adult. Maturity truly kicks in when we realize that our parents loved us enough to offer correction and that their primary goal was to protect us. We looked at it as a restriction, lack of understanding on their part. What I've taken into "adult hood" is that our children may not understand everything we do, they may not behave the way we want them to and they may even resent us at times. But if we've done our part, giving all we could give, done all we can do, loved them as God says we should, then we need only sit back and wait for their maturity. Remember someone had to wait for us to mentally grow up. This morning I ask God to give us all "mature" hearts and minds, I pray that we all focus on being better/stronger people of God. I offer my children this, never sell out for what the world offers you because you've been bought and paid for in full. Jesus paid it all. Everyone have a blessed Saturday, happy shopping for those who have to put the final touches for the holiday. TeamMaturityComes, Bblessedloveyou.

Working On The Inside

Good morning family. Prayed up on this "Terrific Thursday". So thankful for the blessings of the Lord today and every day. Listening to Bishop Jakes this morning I was reminded that we can't focus on the negative. It's so easy to allow what other people are doing and saying affect how we feel about our situations. I'm more than grateful for where the Lord is taking me and my family. It may not always look like we're changing on the outside but the Lord is doing a "mighty work" in those I love. Don't be fooled by what they say and how they're responding to life right now. God is bringing them out of bondage. What I know for sure is that praise and obedience brings blessings and release. This morning I ask our Father in Heaven to continue keeping us all. Thanking Him for deliverance and for loving us. Giving Him the honor and glory for everything, the good and the bad. Thanking Him for this precious gift of life. And a truly heart felt thanks for our families and friends. May God's blessings cover us all during this holiday season. AMEN..TeamWorkingOnTheInside. Bblessedloveyou

Less Is More

Good morning family. I've been MIA for a couple of days. It's crazy how we allow distractions to take us away from things we need to be doing. So, one week till Christmas. I have to say, I'm excited because I love seeing my grandkids reactions to what they receive. There's nothing like seeing happy children. I'm hoping everyone's holiday is filled with love and joy no matter what is received or given. The father of a young lady's children in our neighborhood was killed recently. Today would have been his 30th birthday. I met this young man twice but knew of him through my children and Facebook postings. The young man who took his life is 23 years old. Both African American. My heart breaks every time a story like this is played out. What our younger generation fails to realize is that money/material things/fame are temporary. None of this is worth taking a life or loosing a life. What's left behind is destruction and heart ache when acts of violence are committed. They're selfishly thinking that if they had more, things would be better. Guess what, more doesn't make it better especially if it's obtained illegally. My family has had it's fair share of tragedy but my family has also done their fair share of dirt. This morning I ask our Father in Heaven to touch the hearts of all those who are caught up in a world that brings pain to others and I also ask Him for healing. I ask God to be with our families, continue blessing us and allow us to bless others. Praying that we make informed choices, choices based on what God says and not based on what we want. "For what does it profits a man to gain the whole wide world and loose his soul?" Mark 8:36. TeamLessIsMore. Bblessedloveyou. Please say a special prayer for Keisha and her children.

Help Us Lord

Good afternoon family. Enjoying the warm up this morning. A little rainy but warm. Praying everyone is having a nice Sunday. Doing something important but mainly thanking God for another day. It's easy to get side tracked and not give Him "His Time". It's easy to think we're doing all this "stuff" on our own and not give Him praise and thanks. Thinking the money we're making or the people we hang out with is a sign of success is a false assumption, a band-aid. Our true focus should be on the things of God. Only He can give us peace. There is no amount of money that will protect you from evil. The more you make the more you'll be looking over your shoulder and walking in "paranoia". In addition to this, the people who choose to hang with you may turn out to be like "roaches". Full of disease with no more to offer than infestation of your heart/mind. This morning I pray that we all seek what God has for us. Father God I pray that You be our reason for doing anything. I pray that if there be anyone of us looking for approval, that it be Your approval and not the approval of this sometimes "horrible world". I ask You, Father God to touch our hearts and minds as we maneuver through relationships and situations that cause us pain and bring us to anger. I pray that we each learn to speak the "language of love" as opposed to hateful words. I pray that every selfish tendency be doused with a good dose of good will and love. Father God, I ask that we all use our God given "talents and tools" for your will and not personal gain. I pray for this generation of children who have lost sight of You. I ask You to touch their hearts Lord, allow them to change and experience love as You intended. Lord thanking You for Your grace and mercy, for loving us even though we haven't earned it. In Jesus' Holy Name, AMEN. TeamHelpUsLord. Bblessedloveyou.

Stretched Blesdings

Good morning family. I hope everyone had a great week no matter what was going on. Got the morning started off with Mia crying because her mom was leaving for work. Then the party really started when Baby Cory and Mya woke up. Needless to say the "house" has been up since 5am. God is good. I've been thinking about how far my blessings have stretched. I know I've been covered by grace all my life. Never wanting for anything even when I thought I didn't have enough. But this morning it hit me that the blessings I've received and the ones I'm receiving now have been stretched over a period of time, a very long time. What I mean is I've received so much but didn't always see the blessing in what was received. But that/those blessing(s) just kept stretching and kept giving. I know there are other people like me who have taken people and things for granted not fully understanding "true purpose". A good example I have is the house we live in. I've never really fully embraced it because it's old but what I've overlooked is that it's provided shelter for many. It was a starting point for my immediate family and extended family. It has served it's purpose and most people can't see Dee and me living anywhere else. It's a blessing that has truly been stretched. One of the greatest blessings has been my husband. Lord knows he's put up with a lot but by the grace of God, he stuck it out. As we get closer to celebrating (it's actually a daily celebration) the birth of our Savior, I pray each of us understand that His birth is the greatest blessing anyone of us has received. What He bought to this earth has stretched over several generations and it's the Gift that keeps on giving. Here's to "stretched blessings". TeamStretchedBlessings. Bblessedloveyou.

Love Our Children

Good morning family. Baby Cory had a big day yesterday. He was so excited about his birthday. It warms my heart to see a child, any child happy about life. I am forever thankful for the gift of parenthood. God has graced us with the beauty of our children and so much more. It doesn't take much to raise healthy children, happy children, loving children. We just have to love them and treat them like our future depends on every breath they take. Parenting is not a competition, it's about completion. When we properly "sponsor" our children the world will see how much they are loved. The best gift anyone can give a child is the knowledge and understanding of God's word. Some may grow up and tuck it away in the hearts until they fall into a "season" of distress and hurt but once that knowledge is there, they'll always have it and come back to it. As I watched Cory interacting with his friends last night, I felt good inside because children should be filled with hope and joy. It's our job to help them balance their needs and wants. It's our job to help them understand blessings. We have to do this so they won't grow up worrying about not having everything, not having enough. We have to change what the "American Dream" has become and focus on what it used to be based on. Honesty, hard work, respect, love, support and wisdom based on what God set forth. Let's be honest, we've all been fooled by the "American Dream". We've lost sight and our consciousness is bankrupt. Me, I'm working on changing my approach, my understanding of life and how it should be lived. I have to be honest and tell you, I'm afraid to think of what our future will be like if we don't raise stronger-God-fearing children. TeamLoveOurChildren. Bblessedloveyou

Be Pleased With Me

Good morning family. December is moving like a speed racer but I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to every moment of it. During a Sunday School lesson I asked my grandchildren to be mindful of their behavior and if they ever wondered whether or not what they were doing was wrong, to stop and ask "if God would be pleased with me?". That's a question that stays on my mind all day, in all my work and interactions. So many times our "strengths" or "hard headedness" doesn't allow us to see or acknowledge our wrong doings. We feel justified/vindicated. Then later, sometimes much later, conviction and shame take over. Maybe this hasn't happened to you but it's happened to me several times. The good news, God forgives and allows us to get back up. He sends us a way out, a way through the mess we created. If/when we understand what He's teaching us and where He's taking us, what was weak becomes strong, we rise above. Maybe this isn't you, but it certainly has been me. What I thought were my "shining moments" were probably my most shameful because I was satisfying "flesh". Those occasions and situations I thought needed celebrating were the ones I should have been embarrassed to share. But when you get His word in your spirit, the forgiveness and the freedom received is overwhelming. It makes you want to "whoop", it gives you "fresh sight". Father God, this morning I pray for those of us who have been brainwashed, those of us who try so hard to keep up appearances, for those who put more faith in money and things than we do in You Father God, I pray for those who have created bad habits and are passing those same bad habits on to their children, I pray for those who don't know or don't understand their history, I pray for those who don't support their culture and I pray that we all begin to see the beauty in who we are. Lord we need You more than ever. Please watch over all and send Your healing. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN. TeamBePleasedWithMe. Bblessedloveyou.

We Need To Rest

Good morning family. Happy Monday. What a blessing to see another day. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I like to walk in the room and see my grandchildren while they're sleeping. I used to do the same when my kids were young. There's something about the peace that's on their faces as they rest. They have full/robust personalities when they're running around playing but just watching them sleep fills my heart. It reminds me that no matter what mischief they got into during the day they are still able to lie down and dream, release worry. What if we, as adults, found that same peace at night? What if we let our daily problems rest? Our children don't fully understand "real" problems, they haven't created "real" chaos but it's just amazing to watch them let the cares of the day float away as they sleep. They get up running and ready to start all over. Their personalities are the same, they smile, they laugh and they cry but they understand/believe tomorrow is coming. This morning I pray the peace of God fall over each of us. Asking our Father in Heaven to watch over us as we go about our day. Thanking Him for rest and asking Him to cover His "children". Praying that if there is anyone of us who can't find peace, who can't rest, let go and Let God. He wants us to rest like babies knowing there is always tomorrow as long as it's in His will. Father God, I ask that You touch our hearts and help us understand Your forgiving grace. Remembering that You truly love us. Father, thank You for everything, every waking moment and every moment of rest/peace. Let us see the true miracle of life. AMEN. TeamWeNeedToRest. Bblessedloveyou.

Get Off The Fence

Good morning family. Thankful as always for Sundays. I know that every day is a blessing and we should walk in His word but Sundays can be the most fulfilling and reflective. Mostly because a lot of us don't hear "a word" until Sunday. Gotta do better. Have you ever lost something or someone and knew it was your fault? Maybe a relationship you sabotaged or a possession you didn't take care of? There are a lot of us who loose people and things because we place little value or no value on or in them. Some are absent either physically or emotionally when their children are growing up. As a result, the child doesn't acknowledge them when they become an adult. Some were blessed with a good man or a good woman but because they recognized the blessing to late, they're now alone. Many of us have lost homes, cars, jobs and valuables because we wanted to upgrade to something we couldn't afford or we simply didn't take care of what we had. My eyes filled with tears as I watched a movie yesterday. A man who'd had a beautiful wife and a wonderful son wouldn't settle in with his family. His spirit wasn't ready to do so until another man stepped in and began to appreciate the beauty of his family. What is this "thing" inside of us that keeps us from doing the right thing until we're forced to? What is it that keeps us from walking that straight line until we're forced to? I think most of us know what we should be doing but we allow our minds to trick us into believing we have more time, that we can beat the odds, that we can straddle the fence just a little while longer. I don't know about you but straddling the fence makes me tired, straddling the fence has caused me to miss out on family life, straddling the fence has caused heartache and pain, straddling the fence has affected me financially and most importantly straddling the fence has kept me from doing/living as God would have me live. This morning I pray that each of us take a long look at our lives, think about those things we're still on the fence about, what needs to change? We won't always make the right decisions or choices but when we let God lead, our way is so much clearer. TeamGetOffTheFence. Bblessedloveyou. Jude 1:20-25, Hosea 14:9

Camera Life

Good morning family. Ready for this Saturday morning to officially start. Thankful for all the day will bring. God is good. There's always someone at our house. The doors are constantly opening and closing. At one point I started locking the front and back door, making everyone go in the side door. My son, with his funny self, said "pretty soon we're going to have to climb in a window to get in if you keep locking doors". I'm sharing this because I often think about the crazy-off the wall things we do at home. Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself, what if there was a camera following you? Would you want the outside world to see you like this? What would people say if they heard you say or do that? I have to be honest, when I'm in "a mood" and things aren't going my way, I would be embarrassed if someone outside my family witnessed my behaviour. What I know about myself is that I emotionally short change my family, the ones who love me the most. I expect them to be mind readers and see things the way I do. I can be a tyrant when I'm focused on a "clean house" and I get frustrated when things aren't "just right". Maybe we need cameras in our homes, maybe it would push us to be more compassionate and understanding mothers/fathers/children. The good news is, God is like a camara. He's watching and recording even though He all ready knows how everything ends. Our job is to focus on His word and become the loving/responsible people He wants us to be. We have to "unlearn" old habits and be more accepting/open in our homes. We get rated at work for how well we perform but at home there is no rating system so we fail to fully think through our actions/reactions. It's like there's is no accountability only "selfish expectations". But that's not how God wants us to be. I don't know about you but I'm choosing to do better/be better in our home. TeamCameraLife. Bblessedloveyou

Flawed

Good morning family. Shout out to my folks in TX and OK. Ya'll be careful on that ice today. I haven't driven on icy roads since 1980 something. Praying everyone be safe and stay home if you can. Yesterday I told a story from my point of view about 5 or 6 times. By the end of the day I realized that the story I was telling wasn't that important and I was only telling it to gain sympathy from those who took the time to listen. Why do we do things like that? I say we because I know I"m not alone, there are several people who do the same thing. We take offense to what someone says or does and we just run with it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could "shut up" and let it go? To many times we take the low road, indulging in gossip and voicing our opinions about petty things that won't matter next week. This morning I asked God to forgive me for my "pettiness". To be honest, it's not attractive and it's pointless when we venture down the roads that serve no purpose other than to make us feel better about our shortcomings. What we should focus on and remember is that everyone makes mistakes, there is not one perfect person on this earth. The "beautiful" people on TV are flawed, the leaders in our work place are flawed, our church leaders are flawed, our family members are flawed and I don't know about you, but I'm definitely flawed. The good news, God loves us, flaws and all. So today and everyday, I'm thankful that He forgives and my goal is to stay in "my" lane, no crossing that lane of "shame". TeamFlawed. Bblessedloveyou.

Still Climbing

Good morning family. I'm back at work today. The last few days out of the office weren't my most productive but nevertheless I enjoyed being at home. I missed my work family and look forward to seeing them today. So I keep having this reoccurring thought. Thinking back on when I realized I was an adult. For some of us, we're well into our late 20's before we actually begin living independent lives, taking ownership of who we're supposed to be, I know that was the case for me. I was 26 when I realized I wasn't living a "mature" life. I know this was the time because I'd just given birth to my fourth and last child. Back then I lived by my own rules, not really caring what anyone thought of me. You know that phrase we throw around, "I don't care what other people think", that was my excuse for living a "hellish" life. Most times when we say things like that, we're not doing the right thing so we pop off with "this is my life and I'll live it like I want". Guess what, it really isn't our life to live like we want. God has placed us here for a reason, His reasons. True enough, He allows us to choose how we'll live but we all know there's only one "true" way, His. I don't beat myself up for not maturing fast enough or for taking my responsibilities for granted. In all honesty I feel like I lived the way I did so my story could help someone else. Teen-aged parent, teen-aged wife, raised in the church but fell off, fell behind, barely graduating high school and disregarding a higher education. But for His grace and mercy I would still be living "my" way. Life isn't perfect, but it's so much better. Still have work to do and I'm still climbing. My message for you and me this morning is, get out of the way, let go and let God. Pure and simple. TeamStillClimbing. Bblessedloveyou.

No More Lack

Good morning family. Praying that everyone is having a fabulous day and thanking God for vision, thanking Him for our future no matter what it holds. I know I keep bringing up the holidays but I can't help but think about all the mothers and fathers who are probably worried and anxious about how they'll provide for their families. For some the anxiety and worry is a daily thing because there is a sense/feeling of "lack". Lack causes confusion, leads us down the road of "bad choices". What we focus on can be what we become. So when we focus on lack of "whatever" it consumes us. Maybe this is just "my truth" but I know it happens. The lack of attention will cause us to act our or shut down. The lack of love makes us feel like it's okay to hurt others, to withhold love. The lack of money can turn us into thieves. Oh you don't steal? What about the items that are purchased from the local "boosters"? Lack! But what a wonderful feeling it is to know that our God covers all "lack". His love is so powerful that it will/can remove all feelings/thoughts of lack. Please go into this holiday season understanding that we are celebrating life, understanding that it's about "The Spiritual Birth-Gift" that God gave a dying world and not about the material-gifting that we've become accustomed to. TeamNoMoreLack. Bblessedlovyou

Missing The Old Days

Good morning family. Enjoying a quiet house this morning. I don't know about you but I get excited about being alone sometimes. With everything and everybody being so busy, it's important to enjoy a little peace. Don't get me wrong, I love the chaos and noise but I also love being by myself every now and then. Praying that everyone has a blessed/productive day whether at home or work. My grandkids are full of questions and ideas. They never cease to amaze me. Sometimes I think the generations before them, mine and my parents, were so much stronger but then I think about everything their exposed to that I wasn't. When I watched television as a child, I was protected. The people who made TV shows and commercials made sure I didn't see anything or hear anything that wasn't child-appropriate. The people on TV had drug problems, marital problems and other things going on but I didn't know it. I was under the impression that they were living beautiful lives, dreamy lives. Now a days our children see and hear just about any and everything on TV. We have to constantly monitor what they're taking in, looking at. The love of money has pushed our networks to the limit. I know it's up to the adults to control what goes on in our households but don't you miss the old days when you didn't have to spend so much time patrolling your living rooms? I bring this up because my grands do ask a lot of questions and I work towards having the right answers. I think to many times we're allowing the outside world to answer their questions because it's easier. In order to help our children grow into strong adults we have to set the right examples, have the good/honest answers, be good people. Lastly we have to ensure they understand what God says about them, who God is to them and what it really means to be loved by God. Praying for all as we move closer to the Christmas holiday. Let your light shine for our children, they need us more than ever. TeamMissingTheOldDays. Bblesseloveyou.

I'm Not Impressed

Good morning family. Thanking God for waking us this morning. It's so important that we recognize the true gift that life is. As we move closer to Christmas I hope and pray that we all understand the true purpose of the holiday celebration. This is a season to share who we are, to grow and rebuild, more importantly, it's a season to honor the birth of Christ. Yesterday I heard a lot of things that really hit home for me. One thing a pastor said was "as a young man, I needed a lot of attention, needed the spotlight on me". He went on to say that as he grew older, he didn't want all that attention, it was no long important. When we're young we tend to focus more in impressing people, wanting to be the center of attention. We dress to impress, we drive fancy cars (that we can't afford) to impress, we carry fancy purses (with no money in them) to impress, we purchase homes (that we shouldn't) to impress and the list goes on. We crave attention. This craving gets us in a lot of trouble. Our finances suffer, our relationships suffer and we are so stressed out that we can't enjoy the things we purchased in attempt to impress others. Now this is totally about me because there have been times that I focused far to much on impressing people who really didn't deserve it but my immature mind thought they did. My thoughts were based on what they had, not who they were. I encourage and pray for anyone who's living to impress others, to stop it. We should live to "inspire". The gifts and opportunities that God has given us should be used to help others, to promote authenticity and to be uplifting. I pray that we each be considerate and honest as we fellowship with family and friends. I ask God to open our minds and hearts, bridle our tongues so we don't say the wrong things, take our focus off what we don't have and give Him total thanks and praise for everything He's allowed. It is such a blessing to be a blessing, walk in it, speak it and live to inspire. TeamI'mNotImpressed. Bblessedloveyou.

Balance

Good morning family. Looking forward to a good Sunday, all day. Thankful for God allowing me/us to wake up this morning. So very thankful for His grace and favor. Lord knows I don't feel like I deserve any of it but He keeps on blessing me even when I'm not at my best. We walk through life taking what we have for granted, spending our time moaning and complaining, forgetting how He's kept us over the years. My granddaughter Samyah Iris Matthews was born a premie. She was the size of my husband's hand. A tiny life born to to live a "huge" life. Today is her 8th birthday. God is good. Truly a blessing. My daughter often reminds me that I'm nicer at work than I am at home. I agree with her. My work life is balanced/a controlled environment. No one sits at my desk or bothers my things. If someone needs something from me they ask before taking. When I need help/assistance completing work I need only ask and someone is there. So it goes without saying that I feel more relaxed at work because my days are pretty predictable, rules/guidelines are in place. Now, I don't feel that it's right to have a "work" personality and "home" personality". I feel that I should be balanced enough that my family sees a "stress" free me, the "me" my co-workers see. As a women, we like to be the martyrs, the one who falls on the sword of "cleaning/cooking/care-taking". Our intentions are good because it's what we're supposed to do. But what I realize about me is that being a martyr, taking on this responsibility is draining. It keeps me from being the best me at home. Because we work together, my daughter gets to see the "work-life" me and I'm happy about that, glad she's seen a different "momma". This morning I pray for me as I pray for you. Father God, I pray for that we all learn to let go no matter where we are. I pray for the women and men running households, praying they find structure and organization. Lord teach us to ask for what we want/need, keeping us humble based on Your word. Lord we have to be better at asking for help as opposed to demanding. Lord teach us to share how we feel as opposed to lashing out when we feel no one is listening. In Jesus' Precious Name, AMEN. TeamBalance. Bblessedloveyou