Friends are another one of God's blessings

All of my life, I have had friends, I thought. They've enriched my life and I pray I have done the same for them. But lately, I've been really thinking about the true definition of a friend. Websters Dictionary describes a friend as "a person you know well and regard with affection and trust." That short definition is true, but I desire to add on to that definition based on my experience with friendship.

Not everyone is a friend. We have associates, co-workers, neighbors and casual acquaintances. Some of these people can not be trusted and frankly, some we really don't know all that well although we may see them everyday.

A friend to me is someone who has not judged, someone who can tell you the truth in the spirit of love and with no hidden agendas. A friend can cry and laugh with you. A friend can get angry at you but then realize that the friendship is much greater than the anger they hold. A friend will love you unconditionally and will always want your best. A friend is your cheerleader, coach, counselor, mentor, leader, and when necessary your truth serum.

So while I started off by saying that "All of my life, I have had friends," really, all of my life I have had plenty of associates, co-workers, neighbors and casual acquaintances. Being a friend and having a friend is a tall order and not many people can handle this kind of responsibility.

I have been blessed with a few good friends and I thank God for them. So, thank you:

Arnetta (My sister)
Lisa (My alter ego)
Glenda (Accountability Partner, Sister from another mister, Ace in the hole)
Cheryl (B-More)
Carol (Curl)
Lori (LoDuck)
Christal (Roomie)
Jacquie (Jaqs)
Denise (Dennie)

These are the people who have allowed me to come into their lives and who have come into mine and been a blessing. Pick your friends wisely as not all people have earned the right to be your friend and for those who have, bless them and thank God for them.

The Very Next Time...Consider This...

The very next time you get upset because someone cut you off in traffic; consider that they might be rushing to get to a loved one who needs them…

The very next time a clerk is rude to you at a grocery store, consider that they just received their paycheck and it’s been confirmed that they simply cannot feed their children…

The very next time you eat buffet style and throw away your food because you put too much on your plate, consider that there really are people who would love to eat your scraps…

The very next time you say something hurtful, mean or just downright ignorant to someone, consider how that might make you feel if someone said it to your mother…

The very next time your children try to guilt you into buying them something because their friends have it, consider not negotiating with them. No means No and don’t ask again…

The very next time your co-worker doesn’t speak to you after he/she’s passed you 19X in the hallway, consider speaking to them instead…

The very next time a homeless person asks for money, consider giving them food instead and remember, they are someone’s son, daughter, mother or father.

The very next time you throw clothes away because you have too many, consider giving them to a shelter or better yet, the person who has never had a new pair of pants…

The very next time you debate over whether you should tithe, consider what God gave up for us. HIS SON…

The very next time you see a young boy whose pants are hanging at his knees, consider buying him a belt instead of determining he’s a thug…

The very next time you see an overweight person stuff themselves with food, consider they are really feeding an emotional need with a physical act…

The very next time you tell someone that you love them, consider whether your actions pair up with your words…

The very next time you stress or worry, consider praying…

The very next time you think of someone who has been on your mind, consider calling them on the phone instead of emailing them…

The very next time you say T.G.I.F. (Thank God it’s Friday) considering thanking Him for the entire week…

The definition of CONSIDERATION means to give careful thought. I challenge you to give careful thought the very next time.

So In Love

I never knew that at the age of 47, I would be so in love with Jesus Christ. As a child, I grew up in an A.M.E. Church. My mother made sure that we attended Sunday school each Sunday, cooking classes on Saturday’s and Bible Study on Wednesday nights. She even sent us to summer long bible camp and tutoring class to make sure her children stayed grounded in Christ. As I grew into my teenage years and young adult years, church and Christ became further and further from my mind. Please don’t misunderstand, I have ALWAYS loved Christ, however; I never appreciated his power until I became an adult.

Fast forward 30+ years later; I have never been so in love. I have never fully given myself to any man, woman or child. Man disappoints….Christ doesn’t. I am not in the business of putting down someone else’s belief. If you want to pray to rocks, mountains, monkeys in cages, scorpions, or gaze at the stars believing they will grant you your wish, that is your belief, but I can tell you this…none of those things will get your soul into heaven and none of those things will have mercy on you.

Christ is the only one who will have mercy and grace when we don’t deserve it. He is the only one who will take you as you are. He is the only one who will forgive you over and over and over. He is the only one who will divinely protect you once you confess your sins and believe that He died so that you can live. He is the only one who promises that you will live forever with Him by accepting Him. I am living proof that Christ lives and is working in my life. When I have good news, I want to tell someone. I am telling you. You have to trust that what I am saying is truthful and that in order to escape the eternal fiery lake, you must turn to Christ.

What deeply saddens me is that some people will read this and never think twice about these words. Some will read and will choose to remain forever lost. They will go back to praying to rocks, mountains, monkeys in cages, scorpions, or gazing at the stars. Why don’t you give Christ a try? He will never leave or forsake you. I promise and HE promises!
God Bless You.

Summer Breeze ~

See the curtains hanging in the window
In the evening on a Friday night
A little light a-shining through the window
Lets me know everythings alright

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind

See the paper lying on the sidewalk
A little music from the house next door
So I walk on up to the door step
Through the screen and across the floor

Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom
July is dressed up and playing her tune
When I come home from a hard days work
And you're waiting there, not a care in the world

See the smile a-waiting in the kitchen
Food cooking and the plates for two
Feel the arms that reach out to hold me
In the evening when the day is through

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind

Just a not so silly thought...

Just a not so silly thought…

Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the "would've, could've and should've in life. It's a peaceful place for me because it describes a time free of mistakes, pain and loss and I enjoy getting lost in those moments of yesterday. As a young girl growing up in Philadelphia, I had no idea of the challenges waiting to face me as I matured into a woman. Yesterday was such a safe place. No cares, no worries, no debt, no responsibilities, and no heavy loads to carry when you could barely carry yourself.

As a woman today, I realize that I lived a life burying pain, hurt and loss in order to rid myself of my rightfully justified emotions. I also realize that I have been angry and resentful as a result of abandonment, injustice and punishment that wasn't mine. I buried these feelings so deeply that for years, there was no trace or evidence to show that they were ever my reality.

Thirty years later, I am now challenged to embrace the little girl within, love and comfort her and let her know that it is alright. I will never be able to change my past, the pain, the discomfort, injustice, punishment or abandonment but I am starting the process of realizing that even “would’ve, could’ve and should’ve would not have been able to save me because the life I have was predestined.

I have to be my own soldier and stand up for me. There are lyrics that say “You can’t hurry love” well I say “You can’t bury love.” For many years, I buried a part of me. I am love, I have love and I gave love to everyone and everything except the depth of me. Yesterday is long ago, but today and tomorrow, I am raising up the dead. I will love the depth of me.

When was the last time you...

You kissed someone and meant it?
You cooked a real meal and sprinkled each ingredient with tender and love?
You helped someone without expecting anything back?
You gave freely?
You watched a good movie with your loved one?
You didn't stress over the bills?
You just didn't care that you may be overweight?
Your mind felt free?
You cleaned your mental house?
You got rid of a toxic relationship?
You sang and didn't care who heard you?
You took a nice long bath?
You relaxed and focused on SELF?
You let someone do something nice for you?
You realized that today could be your last day on earth and time waits for no one?

"Nothing continues except change; nothing remains the same, nor should it.
Life is not a state of being, but a process of becoming. To go anywhere, we must leave where we are; to become anything else, we must stop being what we were..."

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Is This It?

Shower, Work, Eat, Sleep, Shower, Work, Eat, Sleep, Shower, Work, Eat Sleep! You're kidding me right? Is this all there is to life...shower, work, eat and sleep? I didn't sign up for this and I certainly would have never asked for THIS kind of life; however, this is all I find myself doing these days.

Will someone tell me that I am in the wrong body, that this life was meant for someone who did something awful in their past life? I'm too young, vibrant and way too much fun for this kind of life....yet it's mine.

How do you manage to squeeze the fun in or the days where you can have some time with just self? I long for a day when no one knows my name or telephone number. I long for a day when I can be by myself and do everything just for me. Am I living in a dream world to believe that those days no longer exist and that the few I get a year will never return? I ask the question again "Is This It"? Nooooooooooooooooo!

For so long I've believed that we were forced to deal with the knocks that life gave us and had the "It is what it is" attitude. That no longer holds true for me. Your life is what it is if you decide not to do anything about it. Your life remains what it is if you don't recognize that a change needs to happen.

My life is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it sure as hell beats the Shower, Work, Eat, Sleep routine. I make sure I get my fun in. I make sure I take care of me and I make sure that at the end of the day I've handsomely paid myself back.

I have to come first because I am the only one living in my body. I am the only one with my soul and spirit and if it's shattered, no one can let me borrow theirs. I've found that appreciating some of the simple things can turn it around for me. Many times it is purely a thought. Thoughts are so powerful and can take you any where at any time. What are you thinking?

If you're thinking "Is this it" tell yourself no and change your thoughts. Your entire mood will change and your behavior will soon follow. Dare to be selfish and give back to self. We have just one opportunity to get this right on earth.

I dare you to Shower, Work, Eat, Sleep, get a pedicure, work out, go dancing, visit a church, laugh, buy some flowers, watch a good movie, visit some friends, kiss your children, kiss them some more, play with a dog, take a hot bath, light some candles, enjoy a smooth glass of wine, tell your mate you love them, embrace the sun, talk to the elderly, buy yourself something special and do some traveling.

The next time you ask yourself "Is this It" I dare you to say NO!