As the old year ends and the new one begins, both transition seamlessly, one making way for the other. This silent passage beautifully reflects the continuous circle of life. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ~Romans 8:26-27 NIV
If life is happening, then you’re capable of handling its demands. This is something I’ve learned to say to myself. Especially after what appear to be tough times.
I called an old friend yesterday. She’s going through exactly what I struggled with five years ago. I remember hitting my own low point and feeling completely defeated. She sounded weary when she picked up, hopeless and unsure of herself. The worst part was that all her anxiety stemmed from worrying about local gossip and how others viewed her—I know that struggle intimately.
It’s an interesting truth that the struggles my friend is facing now are the same ones I once went through, and someone else is likely facing them, too. It can feel incredibly isolating, which is often the intention of the “prince of this world” as he wants us to feel alone and blow aimlessly with the winds of persecution.
But God has a different plan. He wants you to stay steadfast, with your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. While it is genuinely difficult to remain prayerful during such challenging moments, God knows exactly when to intervene powerfully on your behalf.
Trust the process. Remember that the rarest and most precious gems are often formed under the most difficult, unexplainable, and uncontrollable situations. Your strength is being forged in this moment. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender my heart to Your scrutiny. Expose any hidden corners, any anxious thoughts, any way that offends You. Fill the emptiness with Your transforming peace, that I might know Your presence fully. Amen
“I am bound to them though I cannot look into their eyes or hear their voices. I honor their history. I cherish their lives. I will tell their story. I will remember them for I am the result of the very love, struggle, sacrifice and journey of thousands.” Author Unknown
Good day from the beautiful lands of Colorado! Well! I never seem to post blogs I’ve written. Let’s see if this one will make the light of day.
A few days ago, I reached out to a second cousin on a genealogy website with what I thought was a simple question—just to find out which of her parents was connected to us. She responded that she couldn’t help because she doesn’t have access to my family tree. I wasn’t asking for much; I just wanted to know that one simple thing. That’s all I needed!
I told her I would grant her access to the tree I created for her and her family. I then clarified that I make a separate tree for each DNA match. I do this until I figure out how the person is related to me. This process helps me avoid errors.
Every tree will have errors, especially in the early stages of researching family history. And! I made several mistakes during my early research. Nothing frustrates me more than discovering such inaccuracies, only to have to pause my current research project. It is necessary to correct these errors, as leaving them unaddressed only deepens frustration and confusion.
My decision to deny access to my main genealogy tree instantly halted communication. I have since removed the pending invitation. This interaction reinforced a critical life lesson: Be selective about granting access to private spaces and data. People must be more intentional about setting these boundaries.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we ask that you watch over us on our journey to discover our family’s past. Amen
Black Women Have It Going On 