Tag: Motivational

Day Four – Harvesting Money

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4

The other day, I planted a bush that I bought last summer. Honestly, I was so amazed it survived! Before I could plant the bush in its new home, I needed to remove the low-voltage landscaping lights and their wiring. Typically, I just toss everything away, but this time I had a different idea. I saved the wire my husband bought decades ago for $50. I sat outside at a table and started harvesting the copper. It was quite a challenge! So, I called my sister, who’s an expert at this, but she wasn’t very helpful, other than telling me how copper is priced. As a result, my determination became my best ally, and I managed to get it done! Now, I need to harvest more copper to make my efforts fruitful when I sell my copper wire. I have already spent the money. I have my eyes on a beautiful new bush I spotted at Lowe’s for $200. I can’t help but wonder how many others might throw money away like I did! Later, hoping for a bit of financial luck to splurge on something desired. Well, I found more copper wire that needs to be stripped! And! I need to get going in the yard. Wish me luck on both!  Cha-Ching!

PRAYER

Father God, guide me today and every day to enhance my life and prosperity.  Amen

Day Three – Working In Pain

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. ~Lance Armstrong

I reinjured myself on Mother’s Day. The tears did not come until I spoke to a close family member. I experienced distress for various reasons. I was injured and in pain, rendering me unable to work in my yard temporarily. Yesterday has come and gone. Despite this, I found myself laboring in discomfort to clear and clean a small section of the yard. I struggled to raise my left arm to dispose of trash in the bin, but my right arm came to the rescue! It exhibited strength comparable to Hercules. Ultimately, my mind, soul, and body found peace after working in the yard—peace of happiness, peace of mind, and a sense of accomplishment. Life is good!

SIDE NOTE: This photo is of the area I’m working in. My husband and I call it section three. See how I cleared and cleaned the area filled with weeds. One of my main challenges outside of working with a hurt arm was removing all the roots of the Bermuda grass. Personally, I dislike Bermuda grass. It’s invasive and a gardener’s nightmare when trying to establish planting beds. Sigh. Oh! Well! Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, help us achieve our goals and reach our greatest potential, even in painful moments. Amen

Luke 12:48 – Abundance of Knowledge

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

Sometimes, you have to embody the words you preach! 

Yesterday, I contacted a business regarding an issue with one of their products. In my first call, I spoke with a young Black woman. While she was managing my account, I shared my thoughts concerning the current situation in the U.S. Unfortunately, the call dropped, and I had to contact the company again to resolve the issue. Interestingly,  the second representative I spoke to was a White woman. She started the conversation off on a sour note! Frustrated with her attitude, I requested a transfer, but she told me I had no choice but to continue speaking with her. In response, I said I would hang up and call back. I did just that! On my third call, I talked to another Black woman. I got straight to the point because I didn’t want the call to drop, and while she was assisting me, we discussed something that prompted her to say, “I live in a poor state.” The way she expressed it made me feel she felt trapped.   We managed to resolve the issue, and the call ended with pleasantries and her feeling unheard regarding a personal disappointment.

To my surprise, she called me on her cell phone! I answered. I usually don’t answer calls unless I recognize the number or anticipate a business inquiry. Our conversation was brief, but nothing I said seemed to alleviate the pain she was expressing. Her responses made it evident that she felt isolated in her struggles as if she were the only one experiencing what she was going through.

This morning, I received a message that my Facebook page was scheduled for permanent removal due to trademark violations. A Meta’s customer service representative offered me the option to file a complaint, but I have none—it’s their business and their rules. I chose to move forward calmly. Although I was surprised that the email didn’t specify the content that was being violated, I responded that I respect others’ rights and understand Facebook/Meta must act in their interests. With that said, “Black Women Have It Going On” remains true regardless of the status of a Facebook page. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, I express my gratitude for the ability to read, understand, and the freedom to articulate my thoughts. I ask that I never intentionally use my blessings to harm others, regardless of whether they deserve such a response. I urge you to visit every workplace and bring forth the spirit of peace, freeing individuals who feel trapped, believing their current position is the ultimate goal. Show them the many opportunities that await. Amen

Removing Clutter!

Today as I began my day I found this post among my published writings. It was just what the doctor ordered for a Monday! The content got my heart pumping and my spirit moving! So! I’m reblogging it! Have a great day living your best life! ~Annette

What To Do With Extra Time

Bouncing Back From Bad Choices

The Prompt That Sounds Like a Kenny Loggins Song

Every Friday I read the thoughts of several WordPress bloggers. Today, I read several that talked about rejoicing in the pain of self and or others.  My soul was saying “what the heck are you reading!”  After losing the ability to unread those blogs where the messages went horribly wrong, I came upon a blog post that gives hope.  It is an easy read that has a strong message God cares for us.  And the loss of hope is the reason why those other posts weren’t [in my opinion] great reads.  Yet, I was committed to find at least one post that held aspiration.  And!  I found it!  And!  I’m sharing it!  Enjoy! ~Annette

Day Forty – Removing Clutter

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13

Let’s pray!

Today, Lord, I’m praying a worldwide Valentine’s prayer of love.  I ask the following of you because all people deserve to live a fulfilling life.  I pray for people in power that think and act and like children.  Their immaturity has a negative impact on those they lead and the world.  I pray that you will show them the level of their thinking in such a way that it gives them the desire and ability to change. Amen 

Day Thirty Nine – Removing Clutter

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 

Day Thirty Six – Removing Clutter

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

Day Thirty Two – Removing Clutter

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 13:4

I wrote this post four days ago and it was painful to throw good food away today.

Yesterday, I waited to hear from a friend concerning items she said she wanted. I have 10 family size boxes of Cheerios that expired in the month of August. I don’t want to throw them away because they could be food for chickens.

A week or so ago my friend told me she struggles financially to buy feed for the chickens and the turkey in her backyard. I was shocked she even had them! Especially since she has 11 dogs, not sure how many just born puppies and lord only knows how many cats and kittens. Given she’s the only person that works in the household I felt somewhat sorry for her on many levels.

I’m guessing the chickens and the turkey belong to her son-in-law that lives with her and doesn’t have a job. Well, any-who, the son-in-law said he would take the expired cereal off my hands. You would think since he doesn’t have a job and his livestock need food HE WOULD HAVE MADE THE EFFORT TO STOP BY MY HOME TO PICK THE CEREAL UP SINCE THEY WERE IN DENVER! I live minutes away from the highway! It would have taken him just a few minutes of his time to come to my home and pick up FREE food for his livestock! OMG! Some people really do come with special instructions! Really!

I started to take the food to them! Then I remembered my nasty habit of always trying to rescue people that have much more time than me. Later finding myself trying to pour and drink from an empty cup! Today, I will send my friend a text to see if she wants the food and give her one day to pick it up. If she tells me she doesn’t want the boxes of cereal I will post them in a community page as “FREE” with hours only for pick-up. If I still have the boxes of cereal by the time trash day comes around I will throw them away and move on with removing clutter from my home.

Well it’s four days later and they never showed up! Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Father God, I pray for the lazy person that sits around waiting for things to fall in their lap.  I pray that you stir up their spirit and show them the error of their ways.  Let the slothful mindset they have end with them and not become a family legacy.  Amen 

Day Thirty One – Removing Clutter

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.