Motivation

You may wake up and feel like you don’t want to do anything. You may feel like the chores can wait. Everything can wait. Guess what? It can. You are living in the midst of a pandemic. Nothing is regular. Your routine is not normal. Things are different, and so are you. It’s okay. You lack motivation. You are tired. You are not your usual self. It’s okay. The routine will come. The new normal will become your normal. You will feel better. You will find your motivation. Until then, relax.

Meditate

Phillipians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

I based my whole book series on this verse. I recognized that our minds can easily drift to negative places. We naturally focus on what’s going wrong instead of what’s going right. We allow ourselves to panic. We think the worst and even prepare for it, but what if we allowed ourselves to meditate on the word of God? What if we meditated on his promises? What if we meditated on our God-given victories? What if we cleared our minds and thought about what brings us joy? What if we thought about what makes us smile? What if we thought about all our blessings? If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, maybe you should meditate.

Mindfulness

Sometimes, we get so caught up in our routines that we don’t stop and smell the flowers. Smelling the flowers is literally the act of being mindful. Stop and appreciate the little things. Notice the wind on your face. Feel the sun warming your skin. Take a deep breath. Savor that bite of your favorite food. Kiss a little bit longer. Play with your kids. Mindfulness is just a subtle reminder of truly appreciating all of God’s creation.

Strength

Commercials are the best. I remember the Secret deodorant commercial that always reminded us that it’s “strong enough for a man, but ph balanced for a woman.” Women are often thought of as the weaker species, but I was surrounded by women who had strength. My grandmother was a sharecropper. My mother was one of the first black students to integrate her high school. My aunt was in the military. I have a family full of survivors. Sometimes, we have to recognize that there is strength in letting go. There is strength in walking away. There is strength in not doing. There is strength in resting in God’s grace. There is strength in weakness. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who have taken off their cape of busyness. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who recognize the source of their strength. This Mother’s Day celebrate all the baby weight. This Mother’s Day celebrate all the scars and all the flaws. This Mother’s Day celebrate the women who found the strength to push past their fears and insecurities. This Mother’s Day celebrate all women who have nurtured, sacrificed, stepped up, and been present in your life regardless of their title. Happy Mother’s Day!

Sustenance

Psalm 37:25 KJV I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

God uses food in unique ways. He fed Adam and Eve in a garden. He gave manna to the children of Israel. He used a raven to feed Elijah. He fed the masses with five loaves of bread and two fish. God uses food to provide strength. God uses food to provide sustenance. God uses food to increase our faith and even to inspire the miraculous. I can say that I have probably eaten better during this pandemic than I have in a long time. God uses food to heal and restore. How is God providing sustenance for you?

Servant

Mother’s Day is Sunday for those of you who have lost track of time. Each day seems like the last. There is no distinction between days. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. As mothers, it’s an endless cycle of care. We care for our loved ones. We care for our home. We serve. We are servants. I’m sure we didn’t think that motherhood would translate to servanthood, and that’s not a bad thing. Christ reminds us time and time again about the importance of servanthood. In order to be first, you must be last. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. The bible even instructs us on how to serve. We are to do everything unto the Lord. Serve with all your soul in love. Your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Remember

Organization is key. We have nothing but time on our hands. We finally have the time to do all those projects around the house. We have time to take that online course. We have time to binge watch our favorite shows. Don’t forget that this is not a regular thing that we are experiencing. Remember that family is important. Remember you still need time for yourself. Remember it’s okay to feel. Remember that this is different for everyone. Remember that there are people who are experiencing this pandemic in a different way. Remember the less fortunate. Remember the grieving. Remember this lesson.