Category: Inspirational

July 27, 2023

Finding Your Way – Fruits of Suffering

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

Happy throwback Thursday! Ten years ago, on July 26, 2013, I posted an inspirational story about the struggles of a butterfly. It was befitting for this however long series titled “Finding Your Way.”

I’ve often seen people fall completely apart when facing trials and tribulations. The emotional stresses tied to struggles sometimes paralyze folks to a point they can’t see the forest for the trees; thus, rendering them helpless. And as a result nothing gets done to the best of their ability. As to why finding your way through difficult situations is so very very important to living an abundant life.

“A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.  One day a small opening appeared.  He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole.  Then it stopped, as if it couldn’t go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly.  He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon.  The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body.  Neither happened!  In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around.  It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness  and haste did not understand:  The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.  Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us.  We will not be as strong as we could have been and we would never fly.” ~~Author Unknown

June 26, 2023

Finding Your Way – You’re Loved

“Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared this story and if I have I’m sorry for sharing it again but it’s such a powerful story that displays God’s love for you and I. I’ve been trying to change how I reach people concerning how they matter because I don’t want to send the message that I’m down on my luck. Especially since I have an amazing life! But! There was a time life sucked for me and my children. Well! Let me stop writing about whatever’s and get to the story. It’s long but worth every moment you read this message.

I had a brother once. He was my all in all when it came to family. Sadly, he was accidently killed by friends. I think I’ve shared how he died with you once or twice but I’m not sure. Well anyway when he died I felt alone in the world. I asked God why he took the only person I knew loved me. I was angry! Yet life kept on rolling. The trash was being picked up and people were going about their days as my heart was crushed. One day I went home and sat in a corner in my living room and began telling God about how I felt. That’s when he showed up! Literally! He was so big and we were so connected that I felt His presence was infinite. I’ll never forget that moment nor that day! Because that moment reminds me when I feel unloved and unlovable that I am loved.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for a day not promised. Help us live life to its fullest showing you appreciation for your never ending mercies. And my special request is, if you’re not too busy can you please stop by and visit with a believer and or an unbeliever that is suffering from broken hearts, thus showing them you care. Loving you always! Amen 

P.S.
God does love you and I love you too! I’m just an email away! Write me anytime. If I don’t respond post a comment letting me know you sent me an email and I promise to respond. Blessings to you and yours from me and mine. ~Annette

June 9, 2023

Finding Your Way – Redemption

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

John 6:12 KJV

The above scripture is one of my most favorite scriptures in the Bible. It has helped me time and time again to redeem my life; because, life happens!

PRAYER

Father God, someone is at a crossroads and they can’t move forwards because of a fragmented life. Father, take charge of their thoughts and show them how to gather up the fragments so none of their life is lost. They will need each moment, the good, the bad and the ugly, to help them on the journey to live their best life. Amen

June 5, 2023

Finding Your Way – The Good and Bad

He saved others, but He cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.

Matthew 27:42

You have to find your way through the good and bad encounters with society, family, friends and those considered as loved ones. Oftentimes when someone has done some incredible things for others and they themselves fall on hard times the ugly side of jealousy surfaces in others. And, as a result, the lack of support from anyone causes people to journey through life unhappy.

PRAYER

Father God, if we ask ourselves what would have happened to all of creation had Jesus came down from the cross, there is no answer to such a question. Christ couldn’t come down from the cross. His mission was to save the world on a grand scheme. And, as a result, failure was not an option.

Him fulfilling his commitment wasn’t easy. And many people don’t know and only a few people care that His hands were nailed to a cross, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a sharpened wedge type spear was attached to the cross underneath his bottom. Each time his weight gave into gravity under the fainting pressure of being crucified his fanny was forced on the object. Cutting deeper with each uncontrollable dropping of his body weight and causing intense pain until He hung His head and died for the sins of humankind.

Today, Lord, I pray for your peace for tormented souls that feel they can’t move forwards for the lack of support. Give them a kiss from Heaven. Give them a sign that they aren’t alone on their journey. Let them know trouble doesn’t last always for in Christ there is hope, peace, love and strength for living our best lives despite dark days.  Amen 

Prayers Of A Black Woman

October 20

Get a burning passion in your gut. Start letting the world know what you’ve got to say is important! Believe that God put you on this earth for a reason. Your higher purpose is to make a difference by what you have to say.

David W. Anderson [Founder of Famous Dave’s BBQ]

PRAYER

Father, today we’re revisiting a continued request from yesterday. Again I ask for you to give those that struggle with confidence their voice. Speak peace to their tormented souls so they realize their life is important. Amen

Prayers Of A Black Woman

October 19

No one has ever succeeded in life by being shy or timid. Right now you may be thinking to yourself, “I will never get the job I want because I am too afraid of selling myself” or “I could never be a leader because I am too afraid to speak in front of groups. I even have a hard time expressing myself in small groups?” Guess what — you’re not alone.”

David W. Anderson

I’ve shied away from having long prayers for many reasons when sharing them publicly. But today is special because of a conversation I had with a phenomenal person/woman. She and I have been friends for over thirty years.  I thought I knew all there was to know about her.  Then she shared with me that she liked parts of her job but was marginal at the parts that made her uncomfortable. Out of curiosity I asked what made her uncomfortable.  She said, “having  to meet with the customers face to face.”  My jaws dropped!  How could that be!  She being a minister’s wife caught me off guard with her statement of truth. She’s always speaking to people face to face.  So, is it her truth or just someone else’s perception embedded in her character?  

PRAYER

Father, thank you for another day to do things better than the day before. Today I ask that you give people who struggle with speaking up for themselves their voice. Show them how wonderfully made they are. Teaching them that sometimes truth is an illusion that changes with self acceptance and self knowledge.  Amen   

The Prayer’s of Black Women

March 16

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Provers 13:20

When my children were young I would tell them why people were good and or bad for them before I removed the toxic person from their life. I had no clue I was teaching and laying the foundation for them in becoming wise when it came to choosing their companions. I only knew it was the right thing to do, especially since I loved them and wanted the best for them.

Strengthening my beliefs when teaching my kids about healthy relationships was an episode on Focus On The Family. A young mother such as myself prayed for her children’s future spouses. From her thoughts it appears she nor I knew what we were truly asking God. Our prayers were lightyears in front of our requests. Hindsight is twenty twenty: In order for our children to pick excellent mates for themselves they had to become wise to relationships.

PRAYER

Lord always protect me and my descendants from harm with your wise counselors.  Amen

Make The Ordinary Come Alive

Photo taken at Rocky Mountain National Park by author, Annette Harrison

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples, and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.” ~William Martin

Valerie Castile

February 15

A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

Mitch Albom
Valerie Castile | Chris Juhn – MSR News

Valerie Castile’s unfortunate life change is every parent’s concern and every parent’s potential nightmare, especially for Black parents. Her son Philando was “denied the right to live” in a state she felt was safe to raise him. After his life was quickly taken during what should have been a minor traffic stop, she’s been on a mission to ensure interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve work together for public safety. To make certain police accountability continues and children are fed lunches daily, Valerie created the Philando Castile Relief Foundation.

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa

February 2

“I’m very interested in the life of racism, how racism works, how racism is felt and experienced by people,”

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa
Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa, Lecturer in Sociology | Photo taken from University Of Cambridge website

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa is Black-Mestiza and Mexican. She was born and raised in a middle class family in Mexico. She’s a co-founder of Collective to Eliminate Racism in Mexico (COPERA). Currently, she’s an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow in Social Sciences at Downing College. Her determination to shed light on racism in Mexico has aided in Mexicans of African descent being counted in a historic 2020 Census.