Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Death

Death, we must all deal with it at some point in our lives.  Losing someone we care about is difficult for most people.  It’s not an easy journey to healing once you have lost a loved one.

I have been impacted by death also, on several occasions.  I understand that death is inevitable, but this knowledge never comforts me when a loved one is lost.  Regardless of how close or distant I am to a person, I find that if they die, I still mourn. 

The loss of my mother was the hardest death I have had to endure.  Now, every notification of death, takes me back to the moment my mother breathed her last breath.  She was a fighter, and fought her sickness until the bitter end.  Eventually she succumbed to death, but in the process she gained a heavenly home.

On Monday, I lost a cousin.  She, too, fought her illness until there was no more to fight.  As I think about her, her husband, and her children, I am reminded of how hard it was to lose my own mother.  I think about the good times this cousin and I had.  We didn’t agree on everything, but who does?  She was vibrant, full of life, happy, and an overall good person.  She loved family, and this was evident in her care of her immediate family, as well as the hard work she endured to keep the extended family together during family reunions.  As she battled cancer, she kept her spirits high and her words were always positive.  I thank God for her faith, because of her faith, she has opened her eyes in heaven.  This is the consolation our family can hold on to during this time of grief.

Dena,
Your smile was radiant
Your spirit uplifting
Your love was contagious
Your care evident
Your fight was hard
Your battle long
Your victory sweet
Your reward, your heavenly home
Your time on this earth seemed too short
But God knows what He is doing
We will remember all the goodness in you
As we hold on to the promise
To see you again
Beyond the clouds

With Love,

Paula Bibbs-Samuels

To the family of Beverly "Dena" Williams, know that you are covered in prayer, love, and comfort.


Friday, January 8, 2016

Different Battles = Different Approaches

Different Battles = Different Approaches


This week has been a different type of week for me.  I am struggling emotionally and I am not sure why.  I know that things have been constantly changing within my personal world, but nothing to definitely put my finger on to say, “this is why this is happening” or “this is why I feel the way I do”.  However, I have been feeling some type of way this week.  There seems to be no comfort to the downside of emotions I have, but there is no root for them either.

So, I have decided I am in a battle that I have not been in before.  We often fight battles on a daily basis.  We fight for our jobs by working diligently and with a minimal amount of errors.  We battle being good parents by attempting to make the right decisions for our children, discipline them correctly, and teach them the ways of the world, responsibility, and ownership.  We battle in relationships to make them work and to increase in our love for one another.  We battle spiritually to find balance and peace in our lives.

So, my battle is spiritual.  I get this.  However, I don’t believe I am going to be able to use my past experiences to get me through this fight.  Yes, I know to pray and read scripture to get direction on how to fight this battle, but I will not be able to depend on previous methods of operation in this fight.  This fight feels different.  I can’t put my finger on it, but there is a distinct difference in the battle, this call to action, this warfare than I have experienced previously. 

So, for this battle that is different, my approach will be different.  I understand that spiritually, the enemy wishes for my demise.  My weapons of warfare remain the same, but my battle strategy will be modified.  The end result remains the same, I will emerge victorious. 

Knowing how to fight is the beginning of this battle.  Knowing I must fight is the reason I am here.  Knowing my Savior has already won the victory is the reason I can go in unafraid, unworried, and undaunted.


#ThisMeansWar!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Planning


The New Year always brings about resolutions, and promises to do better.  We vow to make changes for the things we do not like. We find ourselves determined to lose weight, eat right, make better decisions, and save money.  All these things are good.  However, by February, we tend to have forgotten about all the empty promises made on January 1st 

Bookstores gain profits, gyms gain memberships, companies selling exercise fads gain as well. Oftentimes by March, the books have dust on them, the gym memberships are going to waste, and the exercise equipment has become a clothes rack.  Why?

Though we have good intentions, we have little or no follow through.  Discipline is required to make lifelong changes.  You didn’t just gain fifty pounds in one day, therefore, those pounds will not come off in a week.  Most likely your finances did not go down the drain in one day, but this happened because of a series of bad monetary decisions.  So, it is safe to say it will take more than a month to recover from all these bad decisions. 

Though you can ruin your credit without a plan, you can gain one hundred plans without a plan, and you make horrible decisions without a plan, you cannot get out of debt without a plan, nor can you lose weight without a plan, and you cannot make the best decisions for yourself without a plan. 

So, take time to plan your next move.  If you are determined to do better, plan to do better, and stick to the plan.

Don’t let this year look so similar to last year that you can’t tell the difference.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Depression

There was a time that I battled depression.  The funny thing is, I knew I was depressed but had no way of "pulling myself out of it".  For those who have never battled with this condition, let me tell you, it is not as easy as it seems to "just get over it," nor is it simple to "keep it moving".  For me, this condition could have been debilitating, except for the fact that I had children in the home.  There was mornings that I could barely drag myself out of the bed.  Dressing was like lifting 200 pound weights.  Brushing my teeth required a large amount of strength and endurance.  These things don't seem feasible to one who has not battled depression, but understand it is a real, everyday occurrence for those who experience depression.

It's hard to even describe this malady.  Most believe if you were stronger, you would not have to deal with such a wimpy condition as depression.  Yet, many are taking their own lives because of depression.  Many feel worthless, unwanted, and at a loss because of depression.  

Depression is not a weak person's ailment, but an ailment.  This ailment can cause many other areas of one's life to suffer.  Depression is real, BUT there is a remedy, a cure, if you will.  That cure is Christ.  I found that when I walk according to the Bible, keeping my mind stayed on Christ, I don't fall into depression.  When I am consumed with giving praise for the good and the bad alike, I can't be down in the dumps at the same time.  When I am in the joy of the Lord, depression is nowhere to be found.

So, my endeavor is to stay connected to Christ so that I can overcome depression.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

May God's Blessings be upon you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Be Encouraged!

Let your day be filled with laughter.
Let your light so shine.
Let your peace confound others.
Let you be surrounded by love.
Let your heart be filled.
Let your shoulders be light.
Let your conversation be useful.
Let your walk be upright.
Let your memories be sweet.
Let your smile be pure.
Let your expectations be met.
Let your day be good.
Let your night be better.
Be encouraged.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

God Is In Control

Never let your current situation determine your future destination.
Always remember that God is in control of everything.  He may allow some things to happen, but it does not mean He has left you to fend alone. 


Don't let a negative experience cause a series of negative experiences. 


God is in control.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Clear Separation

As I ponder this title, I am reminded of a glass window.  When looking through the glass, you can see clearly to the other side.  For instance, if it is raining outside and I’m inside a house, I can look through the window and see the rain.  I can see puddles being formed, people splashing, some with umbrellas trying to protect themselves from the rain, and cars driving through puddles, causing a splash.  I can see all of this and never get wet as long as I stay in the house. 

The Lord has told me that we need to be sure there is a “clear separation” between Christians and sinners.  The calamity we’ve seen thus far is nothing compared to what is going to happen, to what’s coming.  Christians need to be sure they are covered/sheltered under the wings of God.  Then, we will only see what happens and we won’t have to experience it ourselves. 
Take heed.

Psalm 91:1-7;  (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.