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 16, 2023

Finding Your Way – The Choices of Others

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9

Back in the day when I was a younger mom, single and very envious of those I thought were doing better than myself, a sister in Christ said, “I’ve learned to grow where I’ve been planted.” Back then l was puzzled by her statement. Honestly her savory words went over my head because she was one of those people I envied. She was married and her children had a father; therefore, I’d summed up her life as the greatest! Never comprehending everything she knew and loved with the exception of her husband and their children was down South as she learned to live in Colorado. And as a young woman she was having to navigate through life’s journey trusting God’s promises without being under her parent(s) love and guidance. Today, I feel great shame about my past mindset. It never dawned on me that she was making the best of life despite a choice or a series of choices made outside of self.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for life. Today I pray for those that struggle with envy. It shields true feelings concerning fear, failure, hate and starting over. In essence it’s robbing people of living their best life. Give their minds and restless spirits your peace in learning and putting into action how to grow where they’ve been planted despite unfavorable choices. 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

June 2, 2023

Finding Your Way – 30 Pieces of Silver

“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me”.
Acts 26:18

Sometimes in an effort to gain financial security people will do anything to get there! As they are unknowingly selling their souls to the prince of this world. Unlike Judas, who’s role was to betray Christ and to be given redemption for the part he played, greed is blinding when lies and deceit keeps the ambitious from realizing they’ve sold their priceless eternal inheritance for far less than what they stand to gain on Earth.

Father God, Heaven and Hell are real! And I would like to think I will be going to Heaven and not because I’m perfect but because I do try to live a life pleasing to you. However, my presence and your blessings are causing a few people to sell their souls for “30 pieces of silver.” Jealousy, hate, greed, sorrow, the lack of self-worth have made them my tormentors and robbing me of spiritual peace. And, as a result, I’m praying for the eyes of my enemies to be spiritually opened to their foolishness. Lord, don’t leave them ignorant! Let them see and understand why they were recruited to do the dirty job they’ve been doing for the prince of this world. With your love, convict their souls day and night of the wrongs they are committing against themselves, against you, against me and all the others they’ve involved in the sideshow. Turn them from their evil ways before their spiritual inheritance is stolen from them. Restore peace to all involved in this moment in time by removing the blinders of Satan from eyes and his evil from hearts. Amen

Prayers Of A Woman – 7 Deadly Sins

JANUARY 16

Wow! Happy New Year! With the last two months being hectic because of the holidays, celebrating the new year can add to the leftover stresses from the prior year. It’s not only a new day but it’s a new year! And we have the opportunity to plan and make big changes! Woohoo!

It’s a good time to reflect on things we wanted to do and didn’t or things we started and never finished or we can even reflect on our failures and learn from them. But the following questions beg answers: How important were those things? And if you complete them today how do they add value to your life? And is that value a significant force that will change your journey where you’re living on the plus side?

This year I hope to be more active in my public prayers. My focus will be living on the plus side and the seven deadly sins, pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. Happy New Year, my beloved!

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

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

October 9

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Jeremiah 29:7

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please comfort the hearts of those that feel like they are in exile, assuring them they aren’t alone because of your presence. Helping them always to flourish wherever home is. 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

The Prayer’s of Black Women

March 15

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

A couple of months back a friend took over her daughter’s broken relationship. It became [to me] a Facebook tell all shame a thon. It was done to shame the cheating boyfriend and restore the jilted daughter’s honor. Unfortunately, mom and child became victims of bad advice; mainly, because those that care for them wanted the best for them. Sadly, we live in a time where we avoid pain in an effort to feel wanted. And we rob the soul of searching and seeking greater understanding of our existence.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for another day, please bless all who read this simple prayer with at least one friend that is faithful to their relationship and be a beacon of your truth. Amen