In Everything Give Thanks

I was reminded that trouble don’t last always. We all have struggles. We all have strife. We all have thorns in our life. This life does not come without its share of disappointments and tragedies, as well as joyful and momentous occasions. In everything, give thanks. When things are plenty and when things are lacking, give thanks. When life is good and when life is disappointing, give thanks. When you’re not sure and doubt seems like the only way, give thanks. When you know if it was nothing but God, give thanks.

Thank God

Tomorrow many of us will sit around a table filled with culinary classics expressing our gratitude. Thank God. Thank God for the ability to share a meal with loved ones. Thank God for provision. Thank God for his miraculous healing. Thank God for his unmerited favor. Thank God for unanswered prayers. Thank God for detours. Thank God for unexpected blessings. Thank God for daily bread. Thank God for protection. Thank God for peace of mind. Thank God for a hedge of protection. Thank God for your functioning faculties. Thank God for increase. Thank God in all things.

Thank You

Two words can have such an impact. I teach my girls to say, “thank you.” I remind them that no one is obligated to do anything for you. Show gratitude for everything. Thank God for daily blessings. Thank your parents for provision. Thank associates for their graciousness. Thank strangers for their kindness, and thank those who hurt you for building you. I know that last one is hard, but I can testify that God has used every one of my pains to build me. Every part of every painful journey was worth it… is worth it. So today, I share the blessing of thank you. It is the ability to have gratitude no matter what. Thank you Lord for every trial and circumstance. Thank you Lord for every hurt and pain. Thank you Lord for every struggle. Thank you Lord for every valley. It makes the mountaintop that much sweeter. Thank you Lord for every blessing. Thank you Lord for every lesson.

Be Visual

We become what we see. We need positive imagery. We need positive icons. We need to be able to visualize ourselves in varied arenas. Every year my family creates personal vision boards to remind us of the goals we are trying to achieve that year. Some of the goals are collective, while others are individual. The power of visualization is getting in touch with our individual creative spirit. We can create our own reality, when we can see what we say. Be Visual!

Be Vocal

You have not because you ask not. Ask and it shall be given. Speak it until you see it. You've all heard these sayings. There is some truth to all of them. Creative power lies in speech. Negative speech creates negative environments. Even how you engage your plants affects how they grow. How you speak to your children determines alot about how they interact with the world around them. You have the power to be vocal. You can change your life by how you speak to yourself and your environment. You can affirm yourself. You can speak life or death. The choice is yours. Be vocal.

Be Vigilant

1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

God has not given us a spirit of fear. We should not live in fear. However, we still need to be aware. We need to be careful. There are thousands of women of color reported missing every year. Sex trafficking is at an all time high. Black market organ sales are up. The victims of these crimes look like myself, my kids, my friends, and my associates. We must stay alert, and we do need to be prepared to protect ourselves and those we love. We must be vigilant.

Ready or Not

I love playing Hide and Seek. I always have the best hiding spots, and I’m very good at finding people in unconventional places. Its funny how in my adult life, I still find myself hiding and seeking. I am always seeking to better myself and those around me, yet under the guise of being a wife and mother I tend to lose myself in my “to do” list. My dreams and goals are hidden under piles of laundry and doctor visits. I have to make a conscious effort to be me. I have to be deliberate in taking “me” time. Ready or Not here I come. It’s a declaration. It’s motivation. It’s a reminder that I am still in there. I still have wants and desires that I want to pursue. Ready or Not here I come. It’s a war cry. I am going to show up and be all that God has called me to be. Ready or Not here I come. I am telling my obstacles and distractions that I’m back in the game. Don’t believe me just watch!