LOVE Under New Management

I love me some Him. I'll never love this way again.

That is my truth, because I am a woman in love.

How many ways do I love Him? I can't even count the ways.

I just love being in love with Him.

When I met Him, I could barely love myself.

I was too busy giving and receiving that "please baby, baby please - smack it up, flip it, rub it down" kind of love. Oh, no...

I was caught up in the kind of "love" that never fails to disappoint.

Then He came along, and showed me that true LOVE never fails.

He Loves me when I am unlovely. I can't help but love Him, because He first Loved me...

He keeps me when I don't want to kept, and so faithfully meets every single one of my needs.

When I am lost in lust, He takes my hand, speaks to my heart, and Loves me completely - from the inside out...

I sometimes wonder what kind of love this is, and why me?

Without hesitation, He simply says, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."

Ooo-ooo wee... That's what I'm talking about! A LOVE Supreme...

So now I am a woman - not just in love - but in love under new management.

Someone very special came into my life, and no one can take His place.

Only He can fill my empty space.

I'M IN LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT...

Reflection

I've got alot going on. Works in progress, projects in preparation stages. Lots to do, and my mind constantly in motion.

I thank God for the conversations he allows me to think that I'm having with myself. The ones where I'm sorting things out, either in my mind or out loud. The ones where I come to a conclusion - believing that I've gotten it all figured out - then he quietly, subtly, interjects His Truth, leaving me with no doubt.

Epiphany...

Yeah, I really love those moments.

Like Water for Wine

So, I'm back on my school grind, and my fall quarter starts out with Hydrotherapy - the use of water to revitalize, maintain, and restore health. 

I was none too thrilled about having to take this class, but it is required for my HHP program, so I'm getting it out of the way. This is the attitude that I walked into class with, but left with a better understanding of what Hydrotherapy is and how it relates to not only my practice, but my own well-being. 

I now understand why anytime my children complain about an ache, pain, headache or whatever - in all of my mommawisdomhood - I, without flinching, will prescribe a cup of water or a long shower, to soothe whatever ails them. Or why when I wash my hands or take a shower, I alternate between hot and cold water. Why? Because it works! My son swears by the shower cure... 

One of the most important things that I've learned, is that our bodies - being made up of 70% water - are most nearly fully hydrated when we divide our body weight by two, then drink that amount of water in ounces daily. 

Hydration formula expample: 130lbs / 2 = 65lbs .... presto, chango! 65oz water daily 

So now I'm on day four of my hydration challenge, and it has gotten easier as each day goes by. I can now tell the difference when I have not had my first 24oz or so for the day, and I no longer need to hit the head every 30 minutes - now I'm able to last for about an hour... 

I have to say that I am feeling better, am not having the sweet cravings that contributed to my gaining almost 20lbs in less than two months (WTW?!?! Yes, smh....), and will likely keep this up for life. 

Did I mention that I don't have to give up my wine? The water intake is in addition to whatever else you drink during the day. Thank You Lord for the water, and Thank You Jesus for the wine! 

We've Got to Do Better

Most of us seem to be taking our financial advice from those around us who aren't doing much better than we are. Those who would have us in debt and slaves to credit for status' sake, so that we can say, "Look at my house, my car and ALL of my stuff (even though my mortgage is upside down and I have no equity, my car is a depreciating asset and the fact that I still owe on the loan means it's not really an asset at all, and my 'stuff' is just sitting and not benefiting anyone)."  These same folks are working all of their adult lives but leaving no legacy to their future generations - nothing more than some trinkets and maybe some life insurance (if it's not eaten up by the debts that are left behind). Backwards thinking, and definitely not the future that our ancestors sacrificed and worked so hard to build for us. When and where did we get led astray?

Going forward, let us purpose to educate ourselves financially and try sitting at the feet of the true "have's", so that we can learn how to make money work for us - not the other way around - by creating and sustaining generational wealth for our children and grandchildren, which will enable us to be a greater benefit to our communities as well. Just a not so random thought, manifested from what I see and experience in my own environment on a daily basis. In the words of Dr. Tiffany Monroe, "You've got to choose a side."  I'm choosing to change my mindset - for my future generations - in order to break the cycle of financial ignorance and the "go figure it out yourself" mentality, and purposing to live in financial freedom.  Have you chosen your side?

Here We Go...

Recently, and on several occasions, I've been "challenged" on who I am, what I believe and what I have to say.  I don't claim to be perfect, I'm not always right, but that doesn't mean that I'm always wrong.  

I'm a follower of Jesus Christ and the mother of three amazing children.  Never in my life will I feel guilty about or apologize for either of these facts - they are what make me the woman that I am - nor will I even attempt to make anyone feel better about themselves by degrading myself or downplaying my truth.

God is my foundation, my strength, my help, and Jesus is the lover of my soul. Whatever He calls me to do, I willingly do. My children are gifts from God, whom I can't imagine living my life without. We love each other unconditionally, and support each other unceasingly.  It is more than an obligation, it is an honor to be their Momma.

The fact that I am raising my children by myself as a solo mom, and that I'm not complaining about or apologizing for my life's choices, seems to confuse some and inspire others.  The fact that I'm a saint, saved by God's grace - who occasionally sins - and that scripture instructs me to share my testimony and God's word with others, seems to offend some and uplift others.

I have no control over anyone else's ego or reaction to me, they may see something in me that they don't see in themselves. That realization can either be hurtful or helpful, depending on the person.  All I will say is this: I am God's creation, uniquely and purposely made in His image and likeness - nothing and no one on this earth can make or break me as long as I remain in God's will for my life - to that end, you can love me or leave me alone.

Truth IS! Slogan Tees, and then some!

Truth IS! Slogan Tees

My sister brought to my attention that some folk who read my blog may not realize when they see a pic of a tee-shirt along with my post, that it is an actual shirt that is available for sale in my online store - Truth IS! Slogan Tees.  So when I've posted a picture, you can simply click on the hyperlink right below it to take you directly to my online shop.

There are only a few products posted so far in the online store, but please believe that there is much more to come! I originally only started creating the tees so that I could put my slogans out there, plus - I think they're cute. :)  But now I have found a use for the sale of these shirts, and am so thankful for divine inspiration!

I am in the process of establishing a non-profit organization, called His Abundant Storehouse (H.A.S.), which is purposed to assist single and solo mothers with offsetting their childcare, medical and food expenses. The need is definitely there, and I have experienced it myself at different times during my own journey through solo motherhood.  I believe that we are all given our life's experiences in order to be able to empathize with and ultimately be of service to others. At the same time, those of us who are in need of assistance of any kind, need to understand and acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with needing and asking for help. In this aspect of my life's journey, the lessons have been learned (more times than I care to remember), but nonetheless learned.

For some of us - especially single/solo moms - the act of giving to others or lending a helping hand, is so much of who we are, that we become uncomfortable or uneasy when, we in turn, are the ones who need help. Hear me when I say - whomever I am speaking to - and understand that this "discomfort" or "dis-ease" is nothing but a spirit of pride.  We are reminded by Proverbs 16:18 that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  If you haven't already done so, please learn the lesson before you put yourself in a position of  unnecessary struggle - I say this to you with love...

That being said, I have been inspired to contribute all of the proceeds from sales at Truth IS! Slogan Tees towards funding of His Abundant Storehouse.  I pray that this is well received by all who would wish nothing but positive energy and thoughts to what I am working to accomplish, and that H.A.S. is as bountiful a blessing as I have already envisioned it to be!

SuperNatural Woman

Truth IS! Slogan Tees

I've fought it for so long, some days refusing to even put it on.

But now I wear it with pride, because my perception of it - my TRUTH - is now crystal and clear.

You see, the "S" on my chest is not a curse, for I am highly favored and blessed.

This "S", that God chose for me, is meant to Sustain my faith, to Serve others and to Survive this life.

Not my opinion, but simply because God Said So!

Believe me - I've tried to let it go, but I can't and it won't let me be.

I know what it is to want to stop the world from spinning, and disappear for a time, in order to just...BREATHE.

So now, I humbly choose to Surrender to Him, Sacrifice for others, and Separate myself from the natural and ordinary.  The "S" on my chest makes my existence Supernatural and extraordinary!

This is a dedication to all of my ladies, who go above and beyond - my Sisters, raising their babies to be better than, working those 12+ hour days, finishing those college degrees, becoming entreprenuers and striving to be their genuine selves - all while trusting in God, who put the "S" on their chests, to finish the good work in them that HE began.