Tag: Black Women Have It Going On

Luke 12:48 – Conversations to Success

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

Greetings from the stunning, snow-covered Rocky Mountains! Though it’s chilly outside, my heart and home feel warm. I’ve been awake since 4 AM, enjoying a variety of shows and documentaries. While relaxing on the couch, I delved into documentaries about Hollywood icons as I studied their paths to fame.

From their stories, I gathered that each aspired to be skilled conversationalists who could express their needs, desires, and wants. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, you are the ultimate creator, unrivaled by anyone! Today, we enter your house filled with gratitude for our life. We approach you with a humble request: help us to speak boldly, yet always with love and respect for those we engage with. Please help us become our own best advocates as we journey through life. In doing so, we also demonstrate respect and love for ourselves. Amen. 

Praying Luke 12:48

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48 NIV

This weekend was exhausting! I encountered family conflict while trying to help a loved one achieve a more positive outcome. Unfortunately, I often ignore signs that my help isn’t needed because I see the unmet need or needs. And this weekend wasn’t different when it comes to how I spring into action when a loved one is having a hard time.  After my feelings were hurt once again, I began to question why I help those who don’t want my help, even though they need it!  Because it’s not like I don’t have tasks to start and finish in my own life. Yet!  Out of gratitude for the blessings I’ve received from God and others, I’ve tried to help people without regard for the harm I may sustain, and, without fail, I always end up emotionally drained.  Between you and me, I know that God doesn’t want His children to be unperceptive to how our actions impact our lives.  He says, “After you have done all that you can do, stand therefore and know that I am God.”  Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Lord, I’m here again in a public space, offering a heartfelt prayer. This past weekend provided me and many others a valuable opportunity to reflect on our actions. Today, I lift up prayers for those who share my spirit, striving to assist those with unmet needs, especially when the person in need may feel that everything is fine. Often, those who oppose our help express their concerns quite vocally and might even convey their frustrations in a hurtful manner. Their sometimes kind yet bitter words can truly sting! So today, Lord, I pray that we hear from you. Please help me and others navigate these feelings and grant us your divine guidance to know when to offer assistance, share your truth, or simply stand in awe, acknowledging that you are indeed God. Amen.

Perfect Peace in Questionable Times

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

As the world watches with bated breath, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States has decided to impose a 25% tariff on Canada, Mexico and 10% tariff on China. Upon hearing his decision and witnessing a snippet of him signing the Executive Order, I felt deeply anxious due to the unknown repercussions. However, soon after, I was restored to a renewed hope and faith in my country and God. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, thank you again for another day to live with your grace and in your mercy. My country needs you more now than ever before. Our current leader needs you now more than he probably has ever needed you before. Surround Him with people you can trust. Search his total being and help him search his heart and his thoughts before making decisions for America. I ask that You instill renewed hope in those who love America and those who, despite their grievances, call America their home. Amen.

Day Two – Removing Clutter

Last night, I struggled to organize my donation and giveaway piles. My body was tired, but my spirit urged me to continue. While sorting my books, I discovered a small collection of poems by Helen Steiner Rice. Finding the tiny book of faithful gems prompted me to call a friend who used to own it. Our nearly hour-long conversation touched on my personality and the challenges facing dreamers. Yes, I am a dreamer.

I can generate brilliant and mediocre ideas, but I often struggle to realize my dreams. I’m not alone, and my shortcomings don’t always hold me back. When it’s time to act, God helps me fulfill His purpose, providing strength during challenging moments. As I write my truths, I know once again that I’m not alone; therefore, I encourage others facing similar struggles to join me in making positive changes to achieve an abundant lifestyle.

I have no prayers for today. Sorry. But! I’m sharing a poem of faith with the hope it’s inspirational. Have a great day living your best life! ~Annette

Climb ‘Til Your Dream Comes True

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.

But always remember, the hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart start upward
And climb ‘Til you reach your dream.

For nothing in life that is worthy
Is never too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the Faith to believe.

For Faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God’s wisdom and will.

For Faith is a mover of mountains.
There’s nothing that God cannot do,
So start out today with Faith in your heart
And “Climb ‘Til Your Dream Comes True” !

– Helen Steiner Rice (1900 – 1981)

Reset on Decluttering – Day One

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready . . . The teacher will Disappear. Tao Te Ching

Greetings from the Midwest! For the past few years, I’ve felt like I was on a struggle bus. But today, I’m in a much better place—mentally and emotionally, spiritually I’m riding in an Uber! It’s clear to see the true and living God is showing His presence in my life.

I’m now moving forward with intention. I’ve started decluttering my space and surrounding myself with people who uplift me. Some are here by invitation, others have come into my life naturally through shared interests, and a few have intruded! Can you guess which ones I’ve firmly nudged towards the exit? While it’s not always easy to remove people from our lives, preparing ourselves mentally and emotionally for their absence is crucial. Now, let’s discuss my ongoing mission to help us eliminate clutter and embrace a more positive lifestyle.

Today, I’m tackling my book collection! I hadn’t realized just how many books I owned until I ran out of space on my shelf. I kept voicing my dilemma about parting with the ones I love. Surely, I can’t love every book on my shelves! In reality, I often fell in love with the titles without even knowing the content. My approach to selecting books mirrors how I used to choose boyfriends: I’d pick someone based on looks, only to discover later that he was a bad read—truly rotten to the core!

Now, I consider many qualities that make a good person great for me. Not that I’m looking for a partner, but just saying! And if my husband were to pass away, I won’t be replacing him with a human. Instead, I’m planning to get a dog and the best quilting machine available!  Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for your grace and mercies. Please give us clarity on how to declutter our homes and our lives. Amen

Day Thirty Five – Removing Clutter

Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Now that I’ve sorted, distributed, opened, saved and scanned one bag of mail, I can write a post.

Today, I would like to tell you about “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I remember the first time I heard this proverb. I was doing a crafting project reluctantly for a former pastor’s wife. It seems she was always calling on me to do this and to do that, while my young children went without my guidance. 

As I stood at the fabric counter complaining, forgoing all the dirty little details, the clerk’s life experiences had given her a birds eye view of my “good intentions.” Somewhere in-between me taking a breath, she took the opportunity to say, ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ Her words hit me like a ten ton brick! Why?    

During that time I was a single mom that desperately wanted to be accepted. As I write this post and have moments of reflections, I just gotta say, “Boy! I was stupid!” 

I was a single mom with little to no help financially from my children’s dads. And whatever money I had my kids were entitled to it first!  I should have been at home with them, because they deserved home baked cookies. And most importantly they needed structure! Doing such would have helped them transition easier in every area of their lives as they grew into adulthood. Sadly, I couldn’t give my children what I didn’t have, my poor spirit felt abandoned. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, today I pray for the souls that seek to be a part of something greater than themselves. Help them until you can help. In Jesus name I ask. Amen 

Day Eleven – Removing Clutter

September 28, 2023

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Unsplash photo by Duncan Kidd

OMG! I don’t even know how to write what happened yesterday into a short paragraph. But! I’ll start and end today’s post with the making of breakfast sandwiches.

I’m always watching homesteaders on YouTube. And lately I’ve been watching Acer Homestead/Scratch Pantry. I noticed I’ve become a sideline commentator as I get older. Well, Ms. Becky pre-makes meals! I thought I would do the same. I loved her idea of making breakfast sandwiches with sausage, egg, cheese and croissants and freezing them for later. The thought of having breakfast made in nanoseconds as I’m on this journey of removing clutter sounded great until . . . I tried to make them!

The moment ended up with me extremely tired, yelling at my husband for wanting a simple cup of coffee as I felt defeated. Who knew making 12 breakfast sandwiches would cast a cloud of uncertainty. But! They did! And I really felt bad about screaming at my husband. He relies on me to do most everything since walking is painful for him. He needs a hip replacement and his surgery is scheduled at the end of October. He accepted my sincere apology as we found humor in my adventure.

LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes defeat plays a major part in accumulating clutter because after I made those sandwiches I had no energy to clean, to organize and decide the fate of unwanted items. So!  Let’s pray!

PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for another day to get things right.  Amen 

Black Woman Have It Going On

February 6

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

Bob Marley
Photo Taken From: WeAreTheCity

Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a composer, singer, songwriter, cellist, arranger, pianist and producer. She was born in London, England and has an ancestral connection to Jamaica. Her understanding of music and her ability to execute her musical thoughts affords her the ability to create soulfully in many musical genres.

https://www.ayannamusic.com/playlist/

https://www.facebook.com/AyannaWJ/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayannawj/

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.

The Prayer’s of Black Women – Trusting God

Artist: Henry Lee Battle

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Let me and all that that live praise you for your wonderful works. Let us shout thanksgiving to declare your deeds of love. Amen