Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.
Psalm 54:4
PRAYER
Father God, gathering up the fragments of our lives when they’ve been shattered can be hard. Please help us on our journey as we clear the clutter from our homes and our lives. Amen
I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 142
I began writing a post that made my soul feel uneasy. It was clear it didn’t want to share the content I found noteworthy, therefore, I deleted what I wrote. And, I asked God to give me a prayer for today. He gave me Psalm 142:3, “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.” That verse is so profound. I read the entire Psalm to see what the author was writing about.
Ah! Awh! Psalm 142 is David praying when he was in the cave! I love that moment! I’m sorry David had to endure such. But! OMG! That moment has been my benchmark for dealing with enemies. Really! Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, someone is under great stress. They are being heavily pursued by their enemy/enemies. Hide them under the breastplate of righteousness. Shelter them under your protection. Let them enter into your rest and dance in the rain. Amen
A couple of days ago as I wrapped up my post I quickly changed my mind on what I would share today after reading Proverbs 13. Yet, Proverbs 13:4 is my scripture for today. Have a great day living your best life! Blessings to you and yours from me and mine! ~Annette
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Today, I came on just to read something inspirational. Ask and it shall be given! I found a very profound blog post, simply written about knowledge being power. It’s thought provoking and moving! So, today I won’t be writing a post but sharing one and encouraging my visitors to read it. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, your word say’s “we have not because we ask not.” Well today Lord I’m asking that you give people an appetite to seek knowledge to make wiser choices. Amen
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
When I was a young woman my dad would always say, “My home is my sanctuary.” Meaning his home was his sanctuary. He was so at peace with apartment life that he kept his door slightly opened as he sat at his kitchen table in nothing but his whitety tighties! It’s clear to see he disregarded how his behavior could have made his neighbors uncomfortable. But! My son’s who were used to wearing bed/street clothing in our home quickly suggested to their grandfather to put clothing on during one of their visits. My dad told them, “This is my house.” So, as young men who wanted to spend time with their grandfather they overlooked what temporarily made them uncomfortable.
Now! I totally disagree with my dad’s actions when it came to him sitting around in his undies with the door open and in the presence of others. But! I wholeheartedly agreed with him that our homes are our sanctuaries! And! With each new day we need to protect its tranquility. As why I’m on this clutter removing journey because I DO NOT function well in chaos, never have and never will! Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, give those that seek peace your peace. Amen
October 21 2023
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Well! Several days ago, I made it to the Salvation Army with my donations! When I opened the sliding door to the middle cavity of my van the guy said, “Wow! You got this car filled!.” Oh! Yes! I did have my car filled! And, I plan on filling it again until my home no longer has clutter. And, yes, I even donated those really nice storage bins because I’m not playing. I gotta get my home cleared, clean and remodeled.
Today I’m packing the car with items that can hopefully benefit Habitat For Humanity. All the items I’ve purchased within the last 20 years to upgrade the upstairs and or finished the basement of my home are outdated and taking up prime real estate in my garage. So! They gotta go! Including those 2 cases of red Christmas lights [tire screech]! I might want to rethink giving away the red Christmas lights! Especially since things are so expensive now! Ok! I’ll keep the cases of Christmas lights but I gotta give up something else to make space for them on a shelf. This is a Winnie the Pooh moment, think think think. I know! I can donate those ceiling fans I couldn’t sell on Facebook MarketPlace years ago. Clutter problem solved!
Side note: I haven’t posted in a couple of days because I fell off the wagon when it came to removing clutter from my home. Life happens! However, this morning I’ve dusted myself off from the fall and I’m back in the saddle! I have a house to clean and remodeling projects to complete! Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, sometimes we fall and our hurt determines how long we stay down. Today, Lord, I ask that you whisper in the ears of those that feel defeated they are loved. Loved by you, your son, the Holy Spirit and people like me that believe in you. Amen
October 17, 2023
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Wow! Sometimes on my clutter removing journey I really do have funny moments. Yesterday was the 3rd day for me burning the left behind paperwork that belonged to my oldest son. Sadly, because life happens, I wasn’t able to burn all the documents consecutively but it did take three days of my life to attend to someone else’s responsibility. Any-who! I sent my son a text as I neared the end of the project. It had a photo of the cover of a family genealogy book. I asked him if the book was the one he was missing; because he claimed my mom had taken it and had gotten rid of it. He replied with a “yes.”
Well any-who, I sent the same photo to a paternal cousin. I told her how the book came to be in my possession. She said, “You should keep that book. He left it behind.” I told her I would make copies of the book for her and I and give the book to my son. The book means the world to him as it was given to him by my dad, his late grandfather. But here’s where the story gets hilarious!
After sending my son a photo of the cover I also sent him a photo of me reaching the end of burning his personal paperwork. So! When I called him he said, “MOMMA! You didn’t burn my book did you!” His question left me puzzled with my own question of “why would I burn his book.” Then I said, “No! Why would I burn your book!” He says, “Because the last picture you sent was of something burning!” I started laughing and assured him I didn’t burn his book. Afterwards, he told me how he got the book and how much it meant to him.
My son is extremely frugal! Extremely! He asked, “Mom, are you going to send that book to me when you send me my photos? If you do, I will send you the postage.” Now! He was willing to let me send him his photos/pictures/framed artwork on my dime, but that book means so much to him that he is now willing to pay postage for everything. Wow! And! The book is poorly put together and is stained with whatever! Yet, that small bundle of paper that’s clamped together with some type of closure means the world to him.
What I’ve learned from this moment is that sometimes we lose things of value and always find them when we clear clutter from our homes and our minds. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, help us to clear clutter from our homes and or our minds and afterwards help us to organize and prioritize both spaces so we can enjoy our divine purpose. Amen
October 16, 2023
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
PSALM 32:8
The car is loaded from the back to the middle! And! I did leave the driver’s seat unfilled though! Because had I not, I couldn’t get all the stuff I have to donate to the Salvation Army!
When I was a young single mom I always made a dollar too much to get food stamps for a family of three and later four, therefore, I was always struggling to make ends meet. Since buying food took a big chunk of what I made it was not unusual for me not to have money to pay my electric bill. I’m not even sure how I heard about the Salvation Army but I went to them for help. I remember sitting in an office and being extremely nervous as I was being asked questions concerning my finances. Honestly, I was ashamed! I couldn’t take care of myself and the children that depended on me! I had to go to strangers and ask for help! OMG! Telling this story ties into my feelings concerning my snaky ex! Let me move on quickly before I get myself upset!
Well! Each time I had to go there I felt so bad for asking for financial assistance. So for two years they paid my bill. Both visits meant I got my bill paid once a year through their organization. And glory be to God, their kindness allowed me to financially breath and sleep without worry for at least a month or two. It was then when I began to give what I could share to the person ringing a bell standing near a red pot in front of King Soopers grocery store every holiday. My donations were never over $20 dollars but I gave what I had.
My son’s are all grown and making it on their own without help from me, their dad’s and or stepdad. And every now and then when a melancholy moment returns and visits them about our past life of never having enough money they find strength in their journey and push themselves to be inspired for greater accomplishments.
Today, despite my emotional ties to never having enough so long ago has also helped me when it comes to releasing unused items to a worthy organization that has a great humanitarian cause. May the items always give joy to the new owners. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for keeping your eye on us and being an understanding teacher that lovingly instructs those that want to hear your wisdom. Bless all donations great and or small for the glory of God and for the good of humanity. Amen
October 15, 2023
The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
PSALM 33:11
As I write about my experiences with renovating my mom’s home and dealing with the snaky ex, I’m quickly reminded that some things perceivably hard and or bad gotta work a certain way to bring God’s plan to the forefront for our lives. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your strength and always let it be front and center on our journey. Amen
October 10, 2023
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Titus 1:16 ESV
Why was I crying about the missed opportunity when it came to working with my friend? Well, I’ve done DIY projects forever. Twenty years ago I remodeled my first home I’d purchase for $43,500 and later sold it for $175,000. I made a nice profit of $131,500! As a result, I was able to pay off several student loans, pay several creditors off, move my children and myself to a better neighborhood and pay cash for a new car to boot! So, after years of remodeling my current home, I felt I could increase the estate’s finances by renovating my mom’s home after she had died. The task was easier said than done! Remodeling my own home on my own time and dime is one thing but when I entered into the construction arena with little to no knowledge, I became easy prey! Therefore, I found myself doing jobs that were harder than what I’ve ever done because of the outrageous bids I got. I became extremely tired and physically sick from it all. So, I cried because I knew my friend had the resources to help me. I didn’t know how to contact her. My ex rents her basement apartment and knew I was struggling. Yet, he never said a word to either she nor I to lighten my load. What a snake! It has always been about him! Never about the kids and surely never about the woman that gave him two wonderful gifts he claims he loves. And tomorrow always comes with him saying “I’m a nice guy.” What a freakin snake! Sigh. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, protect your children by covering them with the blood of Jesus. Amen.
Black Women Have It Going On 