Love Trumps Hate and Violence

Good morning family. Thanking God for peace and prosperity. Praising Him for what He's already done and for everything coming. Please stop by today to help us celebrate Mia and Manny's birthday. Manny turns 10 next week and Mia turned 10 this past week. Dee's setting the TV up outside for game day. Lots of food. The news really takes stories and runs them into the ground. Everyone has an opinion of what should happen to all those involved in what's going on. We are a nation of people who love sitting in the judgment seat just so long as it's not us being judged. When it comes to domestic violence and child abuse, I've witnessed both. Here I go, "it's just my opinion" but I believe both can be considered learned behaviors in some instances. There are lot of men and women who grew up watching their parents fight and there are lot of men and women who were beaten with sticks and cords as a form of discipline. I personally saw my dad beat my mom on a few occasions. She would have to wear sunglasses out in public. A few months after my dad passed, my mom beat me with an extension cord. She'd never done that before but I believe she did it to show me that just because my dad was gone didn't mean I wasn't required to honor and obey her. She was in control. Fortunate for me, I have not been a victim of domestic violence as an adult nor did I beat my children with cords or sticks. That's not to say my children didn't get spankings/punishments but my husband and I chose to use traditional spankings. I'm praying that we all take a step back, ask God to watch over those who are filled with anger and violence, who feel compelled to control others through physical abuse. I don't know about you, but I have an opportunity of my own to fix the way I respond to others when I'm frustrated. I have an opportunity to see things from the point of view of others. I have an opportunity to stay in my own lane more often than not. Maybe if we start praising/praying for others instead of condemning/judging there would be less violence and more people loving who they are and accepting others for who they are. Love always trumps hate/violence. I'm just saying. TeamLoveTrumpsHateViolence. Bblessedloveyou.

Family Over Everything

Good Morning Family. I'm so glad it's Saturday. Some of us are on our way to Gainesville to watch/coach football. I've chosen to stay home today. Our little house needs some deep cleaning before Mia's birthday bash tomorrow. Feeling blessed beyond measure and so thankful that God allowed us to see another day. Mind you, this wasn't a perfect week, there were some disagreements within our family, a few misunderstandings, a little bit of judgment but at the end of day, we are still one. What people fail to realize is that we have to take the "salty" with the "sweet". Our good times far out weigh our bad. It baffles me as to how anyone who is a member of a family can stay away from their family just because they don't like the way something is going. I have to be honest, my feelings have been hurt by family members before but it didn't and couldn't change my love for them. What I know for sure is God didn't make a mistake when I was placed in this bloodline. My granddaughter asked me if God knew what she would do years down the line, I said "yes". She said, what if I changed my mind about doing it, I said "baby, He knows that too". He's all seeing and all knowing. His word says to trust Him, it doesn't say trust your family, it says trust Him. I'm a witness to the fact that if we truly honor and follow what He says, we'll get through any situation, forgiving others who have offended will be like breathing in a breath of fresh air. It took me years to understand that I was wasting energy holding grudges and living in the past. If you're mad about anything, let go of it, give it to God. Get in His word, have yourself some good praise and worship. I guarantee, things will feel better and look better on the other side of frustration and anger. TeamFOEforLife. Bblessedloveyou.

Thankful

Good morning family. Very thankful for a three day weekend. Hope everyone has had a productive weekend so far. We had a full Saturday following our grandkids. Blessed to see them growing and enjoying being young. One of the best things we can do for our children is to teach and remind them that childhood is a season that will help shape their future. What they're learning now can/will determine who and what they'll be as adults. Praying for my family and friends this morning. My friend Ms Laura and family will be laying her daughter to rest this coming week. The hardest thing in "this" life is to lose a child. Praying for our friend Mike, knowing that God can do the impossible. Also praying for Clint and his family as they prepare to lay their grandfather to rest. Some of us take our family and our health for granted. I pray that we all understand the importance of loving ourselves enough to take care of our minds/bodies and love our family members enough to accept who they are, gather as we should to celebrate our heritage. No one on earth is perfect. Praying that we all enjoy our Sunday. Giving God the honor and praise for all He's done and for what He's going to do in our lives. TeamThankfulForLife. Bblessedloveyou. Happy Birthday Tamika Bates and Rosa...

Back On Track

Good morning family. Enjoying the slow start to my day. Love three day weekends. Praying for safety and peace as we move through the day. Continued prayers for my family and friends. Thanking God for all that we have. There are so many who face the unknown, so many who didn't make it through another day. Yesterday I was reminded that we all have an opportunity to understand what life really means. Life isn't about how much money we have/what we can afford to buy. Life is about loving each other the way God's word directs us to. If I'm being honest, I sometimes get side tracked by what's going wrong and I forget everything that's right. I'm sometimes sidetracked because I want more than I have. I get sidetracked because people aren't moving the way I want them to. I get sidetracked because I entertain immature thoughts. I get sidetracked because I put to much faith in man. I get sidetracked because I forget to show love to those who love me. My Lord, I'm so thankful that You are here to help me get back on track. Without God, I would be lost and still wallowing in self pity, mourning everyone/everything I've lost. I pray we all understand how to love, I pray we find it in our hearts to forgive. I pray we realize that life as we know it today can change in seconds. I pray we use our words wisely. I pray for maturity. I pray that we face our fears and walk into our new seasons with courage. God I'm so thankful for all You've given. Lastly but certainly not least, I thank God for my husband/children. They are my heart beat. I may not always showing it, but I love and appreciate them. Today marks the 7th year of Cedric's passing, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. I thank God for healing/memories/strength. 27 years wasn't enough but tearfully I accept what God allowed. Moving on in life and giving Him honor and praise. TeamAMENBackonTRACK. Bblessedloveyou.

Friends and Family

Good morning family. Up early thinking about my family and friends, asking God to be a fence around us as we start another days journey. Sometimes getting up is the hard part depending on what's going on in our lives. What I've found is that if you/we make a heart felt effort to move, God will do the rest. Praying for the Young family this morning, asking God to give them the strength/courage they need to walk through whatever may come their way. Traveling grace for the ones who traveled to Louisiana and a Happy Birthday to Kawana Young. Asking God to also look in on my friend Laura. I know personally how she's feeling right now. I'm also thanking Him for friendship. I'm guilty of taking it for granted. Sometimes not truly realizing how much it's needed in times of celebration and in times of trouble. My family is a great support but my friends add to what my family provides. The laughter, memories, secrets and the "come back to reality" conversations have helped me be a better person. Everyone have a blessed day, stay prayed up and don't wait to thank God for the house, car, relationship or money you've been waiting for, but thank Him right now for getting you home safely last night, thank Him for protecting your children during their ball games yesterday, thank Him for allowing you to see another beautiful day and lastly, thank Him for the storms and the rain because we cannot/will not survive on sunshine alone. TeamFamilyFriends. Bblessedloveyou.

Happy Birthday Christopher Deforest Matthews

Good morning family. What a blessing to see another day, to breath when breathe could have been taken away. It's a blessing to appreciate the small things in life and to understand that we are here because God says so, nothing we've done, but God. I'm so priviledged and blessed to say happy 30th birthday to my son, Christopher Deforest Matthews. As a young mother I didn't understand the opportunity God had given me. He entrusted me with children, our most precious commodity. Now that I'm older, I realize that everything I did when my children were young influenced who they would be in life. Fortunately I wasn't the worse mom but I wasn't the best either. I can say with all honesty that my children are better parents than I ever thought of being. They are engaged and available to their children. I am so thankful for them and this life God has given us. Any day one of my children celebrates a birthday is a gift to me. They are my reason, they are my celebration, they simply...are everything. Now I can tell you, I don't always agree with the choices they make and they aren't always happy with me, but there has never been any doubt about how much they are loved. If you're young with young children, don't allow your frustrations to block your view of the future kings/queens God has entrusted you with. Speak to them and make them feel like the royalty they are, help them understand that they can conquer anything, fill their hearts/heads with hope and purpose. They are God's children but He's sharing them. It's up to us. God has given us the tools and resouces, use them. TeamHappyBirthdayChristopherDeforestMatthews. Bblessedloveyou.

Understanding

Good morning family. Loving this Friday morning. Looking forward to having the day off. Work has been so busy but it makes the days go by fast and I learn more. Praying this morning for my friends who are facing the unknown with regard to illness within their family. You never know what life is going to bring your way so always stay prayed up, expecting peace after the storm. The most wonderful thing I've found is that I have a better understanding about the issues we have to face. I understand that every day won't be easy but as each day goes by pain slowly subsides. I understand that the pressure of keeping up with life is eased when we give our issues over to God and follow His ways. I understand that what we pour into our babies isn't always what they need and that we need to align our parenting skills with what God's word says. I understand that perfection is something that I/we have to avoid in order to live a less stressful life. I understand that my change starts with me and not with pointing fingers at others. I understand that I must die daily in order to live. And the thought that woke me this morning, I understand that I have to be truthful and forth coming when speaking to those who seek my advise. (I woke up feeling like a hypocrite this morning). Father God, my Lord and Savior, I ask that you continue reminding me that Your way is the only way and reminding me that I have to be better than I was yesterday. TeamUnderstanding Bblessedloveyou AMEN.