Good Love

I can't help but to reflect on yesterday. It was different. It wasn’t a lot of people. We all took all the necessary precautions. We ate. We drank. We napped. We ate again…but it felt different to be together. There wasn’t a lot of conversation about holiday plans. We relished in the day. We were grateful for these moments….together. We realized that tomorrow isn’t promised. We appreciated just being in the same room laughing and eating together. If 2020 hasn’t taught us anything, it has made us appreciate good love. It taught us not to take family and friends for granted. Hug a little longer. Smile a little harder. We just don’t know the next time we will be able to celebrate our victories together. Appreciate the moments to share good love!

Token

noun

1. a thing serving as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, etc.

I am a very visual person. If I can see it, I can do it. I’m really big about vision boards. I think it’s important to create. I’m a creative. I think that there things that come to your mind when you experience certain things. For example, songs can transport you to a different place and time. Smells can trigger memories. So, a token could be a tangible example of who you are in someone’s life. It’s your brand. It’s symbolic. It’s your logo. Who do people say you are? What do be people feel after they encounter your spirit? In Matthew 16, Christ asked his disciples, “who do you say I am?” Who would people say you are? What’s your token?

Unpredictable

I’m literally waiting with bated breath for the arrival of our daughter. This pregnancy has taught me that we are not in control. We have a sense of control, but not really. We can’t make ourselves breathe. We can’t make our heart pump. We can’t cause the sun to shine or the Earth to move. We can’t stop all nuisances in our life even if we wanted. Life is unpredictable. We can pray and try to move God. We can stomp our feet and have a tantrum. We can give up or we can choose to move forward. Still, we can’t control all the moving pieces of our lives. Woosah. Take a deep breath. Accept that life is unpredictable and that’s ok.

Too Late

We talk ourselves out of blessings. We declare that we've missed the mark. Despite the fact, we serve a God of second chances. We get discouraged by disappointment. We tell ourselves it's too late, when God whispers never. It's never too late to try again. It's never too late to start over. It's never too late to get it right. 

Author

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I've written two books which are a collection of my anecdotes about life, love, and wisdom. I started writing poems when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and interesting enough, I find it difficult to find the words to write about my mother's diagnosis. Maybe its the irony of it all. Maybe its the fear that I may join their ranks. Maybe its the hopelessness or vulnerability I feel every time I'm around my mother. Maybe its the doubt that God really is in control. In all of that, as a writer, I find comfort in thinking of God as an author. I don't have to be in control of this story. I don't have to make sure that the plot doesn't have holes. I don't have to create full characters. I'm not writing this story. I'm not in control. There's some comfort in not knowing the ending, and being genuinely surprised by life's turn of events. There is a peace in looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.

Be Content

Philippians 4:11-13(NIV) I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Verse 13 is a very popular scripture. It is often one that is recited and committed to memory. However, the verses that preceded it give context. The key to contentment is through God. Only God can give peace in hunger and need. Only God can give peace in plenty. Only God can give contentment. If you find yourself struggling in any of these areas, I challenge you to be content. Just maybe the more you're seeking is going to cost you more than you can afford to pay. More may cost you time, money, and peace. Be content. 

Don't Give Up!

I know it hasn't happened yet. I know you thought things would look differently. I know you expected a different outcome, but it's not over. You're not over. You're not done. You woke up today. There's still time. You're not too old. Your dream is not out of reach. It's easy to focus on the negatives. It's easy to see what's not going right, but don't give up. No matter what. You are more than capable of making your dreams come true. There are countless examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. So, don't give up on your dreams. Don't give up on that relationship. Don't give up on that business. Don't give up on that job. Don't give up on that kid. Don't give up on you.