Day Fourteen – Removing Clutter

October 1, 2023

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16 NESV

As I tried to give a gift to someone that needed what I’m going to unload, I quickly learned not everyone wants help, including me.

I arrived at a beautiful home that had tattered window treatment. I have at least 5 faux window blinds that I’ll never use. In a nutshell, they do not fit my windows. So! I immediately offered them to the person I was visiting with no strings attached! I guess I’ve always been a “no strings attached” giver. Why? Usually, when I’m given something “FREE” the whatever comes with a hidden tag and a price that is always too high for me to pay. As a result, I have spent days, weeks, months and sometimes years paying for something that isn’t worth its prior owner’s ‘free’ cost. Therefore, I usually don’t take gifts from others and made a vow to always give ‘with no strings attached.’ Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, heal the wounds of those that were hurt from receiving gifts that had hidden costs. Amen

Day Thirteen – Removing Clutter

September 20, 2023

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2

I live in Colorado and today I’ve come to realize our foothills are considered mountains in other states. And the same can be applied to clutter and or problems. My hardest struggles might be solved easily by someone else and vice versa. And! During my clutter removing journey I’m having to remind myself daily about celebrating small victories. Doing so is part of self love because loving myself has been one of the hardest things in life. Yet, many of my friends have perfected self love and I admire them for their abilities; mainly, because God wants us to love everyone including ourselves. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, hold our hands as we learn to love ourselves and others, including our enemies. 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

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

Day Ten – Removing Clutter

September 25, 2023

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, comfort the minds that are weary and burdened so they can find rest in Christ. Amen

Day Nine – Removing Clutter

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will received, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24

Yesterday, I had to remove mental clutter to regain focus on clearing my home of things not needed and or wanted. So! My husband, my son, my baby daddy and I took a trip to one of my favorite stores! Menards! And as usual I got lost in the joy of being there. The field trip reminded me home is where the heart should be and joy should always be abound. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, give my home and all who live within it your unquestionable joy. 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 Prayers of a Black Woman

October 12

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

PRAYER

Father God, thank you again for another day to live an abundant life. Lord, give strength to those that are oppressed by the feelings of loneliness. Free them to a mindset of living an abundant life. Show them how to meet others that are good and kind. Awaken their spirits to recognize deceitful people and strengthen them to call upon you to avoid snares of manipulative individuals. 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

October 10

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Proverbs 21:19

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for every relationship to flourish within healthy boundaries. And should a person find themselves in a toxic environment, I ask that you uncover the root of the discord and show each individual the roles they play concerning the situation. 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