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Be Kind To Her by Trish

Be Kind To Her….

 

The other day I penned these words and posted on my insta-story…

“To the one persevering in the midst of a pandemic…Keep persevering

To the one choosing joy over pain…Keep choosing

To the one clinging to love despite hurt…Keep clinging”

I’m not even going to pretend that this is “just another season” and it’s all okay.  It’s not okay…it’s hard and some days I find myself crying harder than I have in almost 4 years. There have been moments when it has felt like all hell has broken loose and I’m dodging arrows at every turn. I catch my breath long enough to dodge the next missile being launched.

Let’s see, global pandemic…check. National economic crisis…check. Misunderstandings, disrespect and lack of appreciation in relationships…check. Battle for justice…check. Racial tension…check. Hurricane Season…check. Limited interaction and social distanced relationships…check. And in the midst of the above checklist we are to figure out how to manage a home, business, work responsibilities, nurture a marriage, budget responsibly while not knowing financial future, keep the house spotless and fulfill the responsibilities within the home…(we each have our own “list”), be “present” at home, don’t forget to smile and act like you have it together when in reality you are one wrong comment or even look away from going off on someone. Basically, hold down the fort and keep your stuff together.

How in the world can we keep it together? We can’t and that is the very reason we need Jesus! I literally need Him as desperately as I need my next breath. Oh, and by the way, I can’t imagine you Mamas out there working your superpowers as you parent, home-school and/or work from home. And let’s not forget about the essential workers, teachers and on-going list of other women out there making it happen in their world and then coming home to make sure dinner is on the table in time. Y’all are the real MPV’s.

I say all of that to say…Be kind to her. Her being YOU. If no one else is appreciating your rock star effort in making that magic happen in your home during the year 2020…I salute you and I celebrate what you’re doing! This is not an easy season for any of us! I’m speaking to ladies because well, this is LADIES on Life but honestly, I commend everyone getting up every morning and choosing to do what it takes and choosing to LIVE BY FAITH. I know this is a crazy time, but we have a big God. The struggle may be real but the grace and strength He gives is even greater!

But ladies, I especially want to encourage YOU. Your worth is far above rubies, your value more precious than gold! If no one else sees or appreciates all you’re doing, know that God does and He will reward you.

Among that list of all we are facing, there is an even greater list.

You’re breathing…check

You somehow found time to have a break long enough to read this and be encouraged…check

You’re loved by the Creator of the World and He loves you more than life itself…check

You still have the ability to choose your responses…check

You have a direct access to God through prayer…check

You have an opportunity to see God do the miraculous in your life…check!

For every negative thing we’re facing, replace it with a positive and focus on that. I’m not saying live in denial of what is going on but redirect your focus and it will help redirect your day.

I would encourage you to write these verses down someplace where you will see it and everyday declare these words over your life as well as the entire book of Psalm 91, a declaration of God’s protection.

Psalms 61:2“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Galatians 6:9 KJV “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Psalms 3:3 “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”

James 1:2-4 2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

 

Be patient with the girl reading this post- she’s valuable.

Be loving with the woman you see in the mirror, she’s doing her best.

Be forgiving of the blunders  she may make and most of all, please be kind to her.

 

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Trials In Life by Sonya

 

During this time there has been many trials that you don’t plan on and try not to dwell on in life. It has been especially hard for everyone during Covid-19 where you experience trial after trial. These are unknown  times we are going through and territory with unexpected trials.
During these times,  I have encountered trials in both my marriage and with my family. It has been hard as I thought having all of this family time would bring us all closer. Instead it has caused conflict as we find ourselves getting on one another’s nerves.
My role as a Mother has been challenging as I’ve been impatient with my kids and find myself raising my voice at them if they don’t obey. I become someone I don’t like in my marriage and my family as this virus  has caused me to lose my  identity to some degree. I have found myself  lacking motivation the longer we have been in quarantine. I also found myself living in fear . We have worked  really  hard as a family to not be fearful and trust in God. Our church as been instrumental in this and always praying and pointing the church family to God. Isaiah  41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear, I will help you.”
During these trials, we have prayed and have chosen to trust God to carry our burdens and not leave us.
God is carrying us through this season and these trials. He doesn’t want us to be weighed down by what is going on.  He desires the very best for our lives and for us to not change from who He has created us to be and do.
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My Stronghold by Kenika

 

Psalm 27:14

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27 is one of my staples. Whether I’m sad, afraid, depressed or discouraged, I know I can turn to this passage to receive comfort and strength. It starts by making a statement, followed by a question, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom should I fear?”  Statement: The Lord is my light and my salvation. Question (as a result of this statement): Whom should I fear?  Well if that doesn’t kick you right in the gut, I don’t know what will. It’s like hey genius, He’s already your light and your salvation so remind me again, what’s the problem? That’s my paraphrase of course. The Psalm continues winding through different scenarios that can happen, but that we still shouldn’t be afraid of you know, because Jesus is the light and salvation. Evildoers come to devour, armies can be deployed, war can break out, the day of adversity will come, may I add, a pandemic can be raging, but we are to remain confident.   Confidence is a strong response to fear.  Fear is debilitating, dismantling and crippling so it’s a strong call to transform that into confidence.

After outlining all that we need not be afraid of, the Psalmist asks the Lord to hear his voice, be gracious and answer. He makes a declaration from his heart, “Seek his face,” followed by a plea for God not to leave him, even if his parents abandon him.  That is a deep cry for nearness from our Lord and Savior. Everyone else can leave, the world can go upside down but whatever you do, please don’t leave me.  After all these wonderfully laid out sentiments, the Psalm ends with this phrase, “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.”  (Psalm 27:14)

“I am certain…” there goes that confidence again.  Whatever we may be going through we can remain “confident” that we will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. The admonishment is to wait for Him, not to get impatient or to take matters into our own hands, but patiently wait.  Be strong, let your heart be courageous, such riveting words.  Actions words that couldn’t be further from the emotions of fear and anxiety.  But again, the Psalmist is expressing the confidence and assurance we already have through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. If you already have salvation, what else could possibly happen to you that you need to be afraid of? I’ll help you out, nothing.  If God is loving and powerful enough to enact a plan to save us and to make sure that we would be near to Him both now and forever, He is loving enough and powerful enough to get us through where we are now.  Be certain. Be confident. Wait. Be strong. Let your heart be courageous. Wait on the Lord.

 

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Finding Faith by Trish- Spring 2020

According to Romans 12:3, we’ve each been given a measure of faith. This means all of have been given a portion of this gift. Some say, “I’ve lost all faith or I don’t have faith” however God has already given this to us. Perhaps our faith has been tested or seemingly lost but in reality, the cares of this world have perhaps buried it making it difficult to obtain. 

To understand better what we’ve been given, let’s look at what this gift actually is.  Hebrews 11:1 (Kings James Version) says this: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

It’s so amazing to me that God in His vast generosity gave us the ability to believe for things we desire & hope for. Things not visible with our natural eyesight but can be seen through the eyes of FAITH.

To operate in Faith, we must first believe that God is able to do what we’ve asked or believed for. One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians 3:20 (NKV) “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…,”

 We must also believe for things in line with His Word. God honors His Word and He honors faith. God operates in order and with principles. We have every right as His children to ask and believe for anything according to His Word. He will not however operate outside of order. For example, it would be foolish for someone to pray and “believe in faith” for someone else’s husband. First of all, that is just messy, without integrity and completely outside of God’s plan.  You can however pray and believe God for a spouse that would align with your desires and His plan for your life. The subject of faith can be testy for some and I completely understand. Some have “used their faith” and been disappointed. This is tough. I remember when my Mom was sick in the hospital over 3 years ago. We stood in faith for her healing. We were given exactly 7 days with her from the time the medical team told us there was nothing more they could do. For the next 7 days, she spent intentional time; valuable time with her friends and family. Her natural body fading before our eyes but we stood in faith and declared the Word of Faith over her. SHE WAS HEALED…her healing just came in a different form. Faith can be “lost” or damaged when life gets overwhelming or things don’t turn out the way we planned/hoped for. This doesn’t change the integrity of God. This is when faith is utilized all the more when we trust Him when nothing makes sense.

A mentor of mine used to say “I can trust His Heart even when I can’t trace His Hand”. Whenever I find myself worrying or concerned about a matter, it means I’ve surrendered to the lie that says, “God isn’t able to help me with this”. That is an ugly lie that must be torn down and replaced with the Word of God.


Maybe you’ve found yourself in a place where your faith needs a jump-start. Maybe the cares of this world have dwindled what was once strong and vibrant to something weak and barely breathing. Today is the day to renew your faith. Choose to believe again!  Faith is like a muscle. The more it is “worked out”, the stronger it becomes. You don’t need a lot of faith to get started…just use what you have and watch it develop. 

Faith is strengthened by hearing the Word of God and applying His truth (His Word) to our circumstance. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) says “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We’re in the 1st Quarter of the New Year, allow yourself to trust God and watch Him work the impossible in your life!

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