Grayest of Days

When was your most dreary day?  It was that day that you had no joy in your heart regardless of what song you heard, word was said and no touch could helped you to feel good inside.
I recently had a couple of those days. The days were close together and no matter when the sun was or wasn't shining there was no joy to be found in my heart; I was in  total darkness inside.
Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world, the light that shines in us, and He should be the reason for our joy. However, we are human and we just don't feel it inside.
Here are some words of encouragement for you to read and absorb so the next day you are feeling low, you can have your cup filled to overflowing quickly.

Jesus wants you to know:

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence, On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight. On days like that, being content is as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step. Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. Dull gray rocks greet your gaze and cause your feet to ache.  Yet Joy is still attainable.  Search fro it as for hidden treasure.
begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence.  Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not.  Then, start talking with Me about whatever is on your mind.  Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing.  As you continue communicating with Me, your mood will gradually lighten.  Awareness of My marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day.


~Be encouraged


Psalm 21:6;  Proverbs 2:4

Steps of Faith

There are days when I believe I have enough faith to carry me through to the ends of my life. Then I am knocked down and feeling like I have to start all over again. 
Imagine if you will a staircase. To get to the top you must take one step at a time. With life, we have many trials and each step of faith gets us closer and closer to the top. However, there is no end in sight because faith goes on and on. The ultimate goal should be to get closer and closer to Jesus Christ with every step of faith we take. 

Romans 5:1-5
[ Faith Triumphs in Trouble ] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ,2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Yet, how often do you or I take the time to see our struggle as a step into something glorious?  Most of the time all we can think of is how awful we feel. We can't see past our noses. Really, we cannot see the joy that we should have, the praise on our lips for what we are going through to make us stronger to move up to the next step. The Word tells us we should go from glory to glory. 

2nd Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed in the same
image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

My friend, be encouraged, your trials will only last a short time. Your choices of today will also determine your stepping stones. I pray that you will give praise in your storms, take your steps with grace and mercy that are never failing and are here for only a short time. 

Be in peace today. 

Distorted Images

How many times have you looked at a picture of yourself and thought "I look awful!" Then the rest of the day you are feeling bad about yourself? I have been there many times. 

When I was a teenager, I would wake up disoriented and not knowing where I was along with looking at my fingers and seeing them literally fat and meaty. My face would feel numb and tingling. As long as I had remembered before turning the ripe age of 21, I weighted 97 pounds. When I was pregnant with my second child, I finally hit the ripe weight of 108. I was excited because I could give blood!

Weight has been an issue for me although most of society would say the opposite. Going back to when I was a teenager, I did a report in high school for anorexia and bulimia after hearing about Karen Carpenter dying from an eating disorder. Due to my interest in her death, that report kept me from being either one of those. None the less, mirrors were not my friends. 

Next, I got a little older and the issue was still with me. This time, I saw myself in pictures and definitely didn't (and still don't) enjoy seeing myself. My hips were too wide, my nose is too big, my smile takes over my face; don't mention my chin(s). I despise getting my pictures taken. I see myself distorted and ugly. 

I had a mentor that said to me "if you don't like what you see, change it."  Well that is all it took for this girl to hear and do something. I began to workout, eat less, but the camera kept showing me something different. So, I decided it doesn't work to do all this and quit; wrong choice. 

I gained twenty pounds and up to 146 at the age of forty four. I didn't like scales but when you join curves they take your measurements and weight. Yep, wow, I grew wide, and again, I didn't like what I saw. 

It wasn't until recently that I truly decided to make an honest effort at slimming down. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see. I want to see myself in a picture and like what I and others see. So I did something about it. 

I began trotting, jogging, running, Psykofit, jump ropes, jumping jacks, and other activities. I've slimmed down; for me. 

How about you, what do you want to change?  I encourage you to talk to a friend and get some insights on how they feel about themselves because you soon will learn that you are not alone. 

Recently, I had a little talk with Jesus about my negative attitude towards myself. I was upset. Then one day, it was like the light bulb went off. 

I was at work and people began telling me how good I looked and wanted to know what I was doing. I hadn't given it much thought since recess had become part of my daily routine. I was sitting near a mirror that helps me to see who is coming in the office from my desk. I realized as I was looking in it up close and saw the same distorted image in my head through this mirror. I then called my young and thin coworker to the room and told her what I needed her for. I realized I've been seeing myself as lie. 
Satan will use anything to get us to steal, kill, and destroy ourselves. Our eyes are made like a lens of a mirror or camera and we can see figures distorted the same way as mirrors / cameras. It was at that moment my light went off. I want eyes like Christ. I want to see myself the way God does. I don't want to be so concerned with my looks anymore. I will work out to keep myself fit and taking care of this temple, but I refuse to agree with the way Satan sees me or wants me to see myself. 
I'm shadowboxing my way through life. At times it is a struggle to fight so hard, but I want to be free from condemnation. I want to free from death and the lies that buy into every day. I know it is going to be fight as long as I am alive. I know there are things I can do to keep myself encouraged and strengthened to make sure I don't relapse and see myself like Satan does. I am willing to change my distorted images, are you? 

~ Be encouraged by knowing that the way you see yourself isn't always how Jesus sees you. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are worth more than rubies and diamonds. You can live in faith and not fear. You are an overcomer. You are hopeful and helpful to yourself and others. Stop believing the lie and step into the truth, run to it if you have to, but just move forward.  

Proverbs 31:10
John 10:10
Genesis 1:27

A Friendly Lunch Hour

 Isn't nice when you can have a bite to eat and listen to your friend talk about what is happening in their life or you get to talk about what is happening in your life?   It is like your meal then taste better, your drink is more appealing and you feel that smile cross your face more. That happened to me today.
I made a sandwich thinking I would just sit at the table and eat. I grabbed the newspaper ads to skim through only to find that they expired last week. Then, my friend showed up.
He prompted me to listen to him and is now prompting me to share His words with you.

YOU ARE MY BELOVED CHILD.  I chose  you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you.  Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.
Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being.  Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on.  But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purpose.


I have been feeling a joy in my spirit since I have gotten to work this morning. I don't know what is about to happen in my future; the next moment to 10 minutes or 10 months.  I don't have to worry about it. I just need to know that I am not in control, I am not king, and I don't have to be. I just need to trust in the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want God to be God in my life, so I can just be me.

~What do you want today?  Where are you looking for peace? What are you doing about it?
Be encouraged, there is a BIG God that is loving and kind, who wants His BEST for you.

My Brother

Did you know that I am the baby girl of five children?  Yep, I am sixteen years apart from the oldest son Charles Jr., and eight years difference from my sister Susan. I have a brother Marvin that we are fifteen years and Richard whom I am nine years apart from. My mom and dad didn't plan to have another child, but God saw it fit for them to save the best for last. Well, maybe not the best.
I want you to know that I love my siblings. I want to tell you about Marvin. He has been my best friend many times over. I don't know how old I was, but we went go cart riding because he worked at the one in town, collected money from his paper route customers, and just hang out because we could. One Easter I had to spend the night with Marvin at his home because my parents had to go somewhere. I was so afraid the Easter bunny was not going to come see me and he comforted me and shared the true meaning of Easter with me. That Sunday morning, I woke up and there was the biggest yellow cellophane covered basket I had ever seen. He got me dressed in my nice pretty white dress and we went to church.
As the seasons passed by, I moved south to Florida and he stayed in Virginia. However, when we get together or talk it's as if there has been no time that has separated us. I love this about our relationship.
I took my share of undesirable punches from my brothers too. When I went home to visit at the age of twenty or twenty two, I had on a pair of shorts and sat on the left side of Marvin on the couch as he was watching a football game with my dad.  When I sat down, he raised his left hand and slapped my leg with a "how are you doing lil' Sis!" scream. His hand hit the bareness of my leg and it HURT. My leg had welts raise up and the skin turned red as a pepper. We laugh about that now, but Marvin was very apologetic afterwards.
I love all my brothers, but Marvin has left an impression on me. We are not perfect people. We have given our parents reasons to worry over us, pray for us, and spank us too. I have a lot in common with this brother for some reason. I know that God had him in my life at just the right moments and still does. He encourages me, loves me, and even would fight for me if I told him I needed it. I love Marvin and my other brothers too.

Proverbs 18:24 says "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
In the book of John is says "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

I know I am not always the best friend to everyone. I want to be a TRUE friend. As a friend I cannot accomplish your task for you, but I can love you, pray for you, and walk with you; even carry you if I must. I want to be a TRUE friend that sees you in your sin and though I may not sit with you, I will love you and pray for you too and do my best to encourage you to a better friend too.

I would rather have more friends than anything else in the world. I have a true friend that loves me where I am in life. He cares about me because that is what God calls him to do. He calls me his sister and for that I am thankful.

I belong to a bigger family; God's family. I have many brothers and sisters that I cannot count them. They pray for me, with me, and encourage me. I don't know what I would do without them and I don't want to find out.

~ Be encouraged that if you are an only child, you can have more brothers and sisters than you can count. Let me introduce you to my Father God and His son Jesus Christ.