Day Five – Bad Advice

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:13-14

I’m here, shaking my head at people who give terrible advice. Recently, I was talking with a long-time friend about my mortgage. He told me I couldn’t find a one-bedroom apartment for my current mortgage payment. His comment reminded me of a long-ago experience when I sought help with a utility bill. A customer service representative suggested I sell my house because I couldn’t afford the utilities. I found her suggestion offensive then and now. I’m grateful I persevered through my high mortgage payments. Now! I can live comfortably in a state and city I cherish.

At that time, I aspired to afford living in Colorado. My eagerness to pay my bills punctually might have lent unwarranted credibility to bad advice. Consequently, I could have sold my house and pursued apartment living as suggested by that woman. Wow! I’m really glad I didn’t take that route!

Not everyone who speaks freely and offers unsolicited advice truly has others’ best interests at heart. Therefore, prioritizing self-love should guide your life-changing decisions. With that said, it’s time for me to end this blog and go outside to work in my yard. Have a great weekend!

PRAYER

Lord, it’s the weekend; let us strive to be fruitful in our efforts. Amen.

Day Seventeen – Removing Clutter

October 6, 2023

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 NIV

As I was clearing mental clutter a couple of days ago I called my children’s dad to see if he could get in touch with a friend of mine from junior high. Only for him to finally come clean that he lives in her basement apartment. Apparently he’s lived with her for years! And, unknowingly, I’ve been to her house several times to pick him up for whatever! And the little creep never said he was renting from her! OMG! What a snake! And, sadly, it seems lately I’ve been dealing with many humans that have snake like behaviors! Can a girl get a break! Yet! The funny thing about this . . . I’m not the only person feeling as if I’ve been dealing with snakes lately! Oh! Well! A snake is always a snake! Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, speak your peace to my soul amidst evil doers. Amen




July 21, 2023

Finding Your Way – Evil Intentions

They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.

Isaiah 59:5

Yesterday my son called to tell me about his son’s unfortunate situation. It was identical to what he had experienced with his son’s mother. Apparently my grandson went to visit his toddler twin girls. When he got to their home he’d learned their mother had taken them elsewhere, thus, ensuring he would not get to visit with them. My grandson became upset and called his dad about his heart wrenching reality. My son told him not to do anything foolish over the matter and explained what had happened to him and what I’d told him about dating.

What I told my son when he was a young man: “if you want to know how a girl will act, meet her mom. Chances are she’s going to either be a carbon copy or polar opposite but more likely a carbon copy.” However that analogy can also be applied to social groups! If you want to know how a person thinks, observe the circle in which they travel. And! Even then you gotta be careful because you will always find chameleons in any social structure.

My grandson is very young and has little to no life experience; therefore, he’s paying a heavy price for his youthful follies. I pray he makes it to manhood without too much emotional baggage.  Because, sadly, he’s not getting it when it comes to cultivating healthy relationships.  His drive to score sexual encounters prohibits him from learning everyone has desires and or agendas. Let’s pray!

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for this day not promised. Heal the brokenness of people that have cultivated evil in their hearts. Speak peace and blessings to their life. Amen  

October 11

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions, small people do that. But the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.

Mark Twain

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for this day.  Guide us as we do day to day business.  Granting us the ability not to fall prey to the self promoting schemes of others.  Amen

Prayer’s of Black Women

September 27

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

Sometimes people find their thoughts and words changing when facing difficult moments. It’s during those times words can become mean and nasty. And as a result people find themselves plotting how to protect themselves from evil with evil. Let’s just say that’s not good. I remembered a Gunsmoke episode about an evil town. What led to an old man saying, “evil eats itself up” was the most important message. And! It’s true! Evil always consumes evil. So never allow anyone to goat you into doing something mean and nasty that you’ll regret later. Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Father God, ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.’ Lord please become a visible rock during turbulent times and a redeemer when thoughts and words aren’t savory. Amen