Abindance

We are really good at not recognizing our blessings. We allow pride and embarrassment to keep us from accepting or asking for assistance. It's strange to me that most of us would rather ask a someone we don't know for help as opposed to leaning on our family and close friends. I understand that some people may not have a strong support system but for those who do, never be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. I'm thankful for everyone in my life. I know for certain that whatever need I have God will see that it's met. He sends the "right" people into my life at the " right" moment to offer the "right" assistance. I learned long ago to put my ego in my pocket, hold my head up, stop looking for the miraculous and focus on the obvious. I remind you as I remind myself, the devil is no match for God's endless grace and mercy, so stop giving him so much credit, accept help when you need it. Our God is awesome. TeamAbundance. Bblessedloveyou

Convicted

To all my "grown" women friends: let's remember that our actions and words should lend support and wisdom. I can honestly say that sometimes I purposely say and do things to let my husband know I'm aggravated. I'm dead wrong and I know it. I'm learning that It's not necessary or appropriate for me to use "nagging" as a weapon. If you know men, then you know that this method of communication is a complete turn off and against God's word. I listened and watch my parents fight through a large part of their marriage so unfortunately I brought those learned behaviors into mine. I'm thankful that my husband forgives my "craziness." I'm growing and un-doing my learned behavior because it's not attractive, actually sinful. I have responsibility to the women in my life to show them my God given role as a wife. We all have to step up to the plate, stop pretending and start loving. If we love the way God intended then the men in our lives will/should respond accordingly and be the leaders God intended them to be. Proverbs 27:vs 14-16. Gen 2:vs 22-23. Eph 5:vs 22-24. TeamConvicted. Bblessedloveyou

Normal

I attended my first candle light vigil for families who have lost loved ones to violence. To say the least, it was sad, heart wrenching. I sat there trying to figure out how I was supposed to feel. It's been almost six years since Cedric passed and by the grace of God I'm finally able to talk about him without totally breaking down. The goal of these vigils is to bring awareness to how many people are loosing their lives because of senseless/selfish crimes. I really couldn't find the words to describe how I was feeling during the ceremony, then a familiar face stepped to the mic and said it all, "this is not normal." We've grown accustomed to wearing t-shirts "in memory of", grown accustomed to gathering together to share our stories of loss, grown accustomed to releasing balloons in honor of, grown accustomed to rapping/rhyming about tragedy. It's not normal. It hurts to much. The grief and anger, it's not normal. The sad stories and heart ache, it's not normal. To all those who have experienced this pain, it's not normal but God is here in those "abnormal" moments. He's here to rock us to sleep when sleep escapes us. He's here to bring peace when there seems to be only chaos. He's here to ease our pain when it seems unbearable. While it may not feel normal to sit in a "seat of loss" I understand that sometimes we have to gather and share our stories in order to get back to normal. Things will never be the same but we can be sure that with God healing will come. TeamNormalAgain. Bblessedloveyou. Thanks to Compassionate Families for helping so many through their difficult time. Everyone handles loss differently but they bring the differences together. AMEN

God Is Good

God is so good. I remember stumbling through my days thinking I was having fun. Laughing at sin like it wasn't killing me. Living life like tomorrow wasn't coming. God forgave all that foolishness and let me live to tell it. I'm far from where I need to be, far from where I'm going but every day that God allows me to live I feel a step closer to being who He's called me to be. I continue praying for us all as we face our tomorrows. No one knows what's coming but we can be assured that if we want peace of mind and clean hearts we need only ask our Lord and Savior to be with us. Thanking God for my family. Thanking Him for giving me a husband who works overtime trying to figure me out and lead our family at the same time. For my children and grandchildren who make me want to be a better parent. I thank Him for filling my life with people who "include" me in their lives, they encourage my spiritual growth and love me for who I am. My heart is full, my cup "runneth" over. This joy......For anyone who feels lost, for anyone who feels they can't give up a sin filled life, for anyone seeking forgiveness or needing to forgive, for anyone seeking love......God's got it all. TeamBlessedFeeling. Bblessedloveyou

Responsibility

Thanking God for waking us up this morning. Thanking Him for forgiveness and vision. I realize that most of the problems I've faced have been created because of choices I've made. Do you know what a blessing it is to understand that? There are many who still blame their difficulties and short comings on others. Their "short sightedness" holds them captive therefore they can't experience true joy. I hear people make comments about their money woes, about people who have never liked them, about their struggles on their job, about their dysfunctional relationships/marriage or just life in general. I look at it like this, if I mismanage my money then "yes i'll be broke", I'm not concerned with who likes me because Jesus loves me, if I follow rules on my job and stop taking short cuts then I'll realize my full potential, if I stop using worldly standards in my relationships/marriage and start living/doing things following God's plan then I have a chance of being a supportive/loving mate and receiving the same. First and foremost, I'm still growing spiritually so I welcome life lessons. I am, we are blessed beyond measure but sometimes we cloud the blessings with our foolishness. This morning I pray that we all understand what part we play in our own short comings. I pray that we rise about the normal and look to God for help and strength. Accept responsibility for where you are this morning then get a move on towards change. TeamResponsibilty. Bblessedloveyou

Just Thankful

Up this morning picking up and thinking about my week. Remembering how I weaved in and out different moods. Thanking God for His goodness and grace even when I'm selfishly moving and responding to my situations. Thanking Him for my friends, allowing me access to their love and support even though we go for days and weeks without seeing/talking to each other. Thanking God for my husband who is usually the one who catches the blunt of my frustrations but loves me anyway and always supports me. Thanking God for a made up mind and will to keep moving forward. Thanking Him for my family, praying that He keeps us connected even if it's by means of social networking. Thanking Him for my family members who keep the family communication open especially my Aunt Willie Mae. Thanking Him for everything for He is in "the midst of it all" even when I feel regret welling up inside. Peace is what He brings, rest when I need it, good conversation when I can't talk to anyone else and courage when fear tries to take over. This life is good to each of us when we embrace and appreciate what we have as opposed to dragging through it complaining. Thanking Him for giving my grandchildren to parents who love and appreciate them. Here's to a bright future for all of us. Have beautiful day family because no matter what comes we're up/breathing. Winning. Amen TeamJustThankful. Bblessedloveyou. (May you rest in complete peace Uncle Dean)

Pushing Forward

Most people live life without preparing for what may come. They simple don't think about "what's next". If I'm being honest there are times that I'm not prepared because I'm distracted or I procrastinate. I didn't prepare for this part of my life, almost 50, kids grown, working full time, no concrete plans. There are a lot of people living just like me. I'm working on change but change is hard when you've been hard headed most of your adult life. Thankfully and faithfully I live with the knowledge that all things are possible with God. I have new goals, new ideas and different things I want to do. Every day I'm realizing that there are habits that I need to undo, there are lines I need to straighten out, actions I need to take in order to continue moving forward. I ask God daily to be my guide, give me wisdom and courage to ask for those things that will make me happy but keep me in His will. I pray that each of you are seeking happiness and God's will as well. Life can't always be perfect but God is the Perfecter, the Healer and Pure Supporter of our lives. Thanking Him for leading and caring for us all. TeamPushingForward. Bblessedloveyou.