Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
I recently viewed Phil Robertson’s celebration of life ceremony. I was profoundly moved by his service for numerous reasons. However, the primary reason is that his legacy was grounded in truth. It is all too common for us to attend funerals where inaccuracies are presented about the deceased, either to enhance their reputation or to detract from it. During such moments, the atmosphere becomes laden with an unsettling heaviness, creating a sensation that the spirits are lingering, unable to transition peacefully.
In my family, we experienced the loss of a relative, and their offspring spent years proclaiming to anyone willing to listen that they represented their deceased parent’s legacy. Unbeknownst to them, many were laughing and speaking disparagingly about the parent, as their shortcomings were significant. And what was even more chilling was their behavior as they embraced their parents’ deceitful legacy as their own.
During my observation of Phil’s funeral, I arrived at the conclusion that it is not the deceased whom I fear, but rather the living individuals who perpetuate deception that instill a sense of apprehension within me. Consequently, I have chosen to forgo a traditional funeral in favor of a brief graveside service. My intention is to protect my children from the deception of those I have spent years shielding them against. I do not wish for my children to find themselves embroiled in disputes over possessions they did not earn and were only bequeathed to them upon my passing. It is my belief that my life should signify more than mere financial gain. I desire for them to understand that the time I dedicated to self-improvement, so I could become a better person and mother, is what truly matters, as I could not have achieved either without the guidance of Christ. And! This is what I witnessed at Phil’s services.
PRAYER
Father God, I humbly ask that you sweep over the souls who follow you and desire to follow you. Amen
A wise man saves for the future, but a foolish man spends whatever he gets. Proverbs 21:20
Yesterday, my husband and I shopped at Costco. During our visit, we returned several unopened bags of unsatisfactory Sargento crackers. While there, I decided to purchase additional Scrubbing Bubbles Citrus foaming bathroom cleaner. The package of four 25-ounce cans is on closeout for $9.97, making each can approximately $2.50, saving me at least $2.50 per can! I have two bathrooms and two men in the household, so I bought another case of five packages because I use the product daily. As a result, I’m saving $12.50 over the long run! That’s money earned by planning ahead! Can you say “cha-ching!”
Well, [sigh] a rather loud individual, accompanied by her indulgent mother, remarked, “Why would anyone need that much cleaner?” I found myself wanting to respond with a thought-provoking statement. Instead, I allowed the young girl and her mother to pass by, permitting them to feel a sense of triumph in their impolite behavior. Especially since the joke is on them! I’m shopping in their affluent community because they buy on an as-needed basis. As a result, when things go on clearance, most times those who are privileged or want to act like they are privileged won’t buy because they don’t need to. However! Smart women DO finish first!
I know I will need the product. Right now, prices are rising daily on this and that! So, when I can stock up on my favorites… guess what… I’m stocking up! I use my savings to help me get further along in life!
So! I guess what I’m trying to say is to never let the loudmouths dictate how you live on the plus side!
NOTE: The closeout price is not on Costco’s website. You must go to the store in Colorado to get this deal. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for the gift of another day to make things right! Lord, guide us in saving the money we’re putting aside from purchasing items at such incredible prices. Amen
It always seems impossible until it’s done. ~Nelson Mandela
Yesterday was a busy day! Ooh! Wee! As soon as my eyes opened, my feet hit the ground running! My day didn’t go as planned, but it went as well as possible. I started my day by visiting the local Home Depot. I had had enough of being locked out of the house once the door was shut. So, I was finally going to change the lock. But before I could do that, I needed to paint the front door’s exterior. Sadly, the front door exterior hadn’t been painted since the builder painted it over twenty-three years ago. It’s incredible how we can get used to subpar. Well! Yesterday was the day for giving the exterior door an updated look with paint and a new lock.
I returned home and asked my son to remove the old hardware, which he did. Then, he watched as I began to paint. Being an introvert, he prefers to observe unless invited to assist. As a Type A personality, I’ve been trying to avoid taking over projects and have been encouraging him to help when he’s interested. Together, we painted sections of the door, and the final result is fantastic!
As our day came to a close, he had volunteered to cook dinner, but things took a turn. He attempted to follow a recipe from a guy on YouTube, and it didn’t go as planned. Meanwhile, I was at Home Depot picking up more paint for the front door’s interior. Just as I was heading home, he called to say, “You and Mr. Jeff might want to grab something for dinner; the chicken didn’t turn out well.” I could sense the frustration in his voice. I replied, “Son! Gravy can hide a lot of mistakes! I’m about five minutes from home, so let’s see how we can solve this.”
When I got home, I entered the kitchen and discovered a man struggling with his cooking faux pas. I asked if I could taste the chicken he had already pan-fried in a cast-iron skillet. After tasting, I found the meat to have a good flavor. I told him it was great and that we would keep what he had made. Initially, I planned to prepare lemon chicken with capers, but I realized the lemons had gone bad. Instead, I made a roux, seasoning it with chicken bouillon and garlic. I also had him prepare some of those boxed hash browns from Costco. Dinner was ready!
I told him that nothing is impossible in the kitchen. He needed to trust his instincts and lose the thermometer! Why on earth are people cooking with thermometers now? My mom, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other great cooks never used one! Yet, they created amazing dishes! Everyone makes a mistake or two when cooking, but that shouldn’t make anyone feel like they’ve failed because a dish didn’t turn out perfectly. The bottom line is that cooking should never feel impossible! It’s a chance to create something worthwhile to eat instead of relying on fast food, which is usually unhealthy.
PRAYER
Father God, today marks a fresh start. Assist us in organizing our lives so that healthy eating becomes integral to our cooking experiences. Amen
OMG! After uploading the picture of my newly painted front door, I realized I also need to paint the trim underneath it! Oh! Well! That’s a project for a later day! Have a wonderful day living your best life! ~Annette
Black Women Have It Going On 