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Enough to Win
God is up to something special. I can feel it in the atmosphere. Things are different. A change is on the horizon. Although I often feel that I don’t have enough or that I’m not enough, God is constantly telling me something different. Before 2019, I don’t ever remember hearing about Jael. She’s a notable woman in the Bible, but if you’re reading straight through, just for reading’s sake, you’re likely to skip over her. There aren’t many verses that tell her story. She doesn’t have much, but she has just enough to win. Sunday’s sermon came from Judges 4:14-24. We’re introduced to the prophetess Deborah. She is speaking to…
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The Floor is Lava
Bible Study Mama holds fast to the claim that she prefers comedies over romance when forced to pick a movie genre. Here lately, I have made it my mission to test her theory out. She came to my house bearing the gift of dinner on Friday. What’s better than dinner and a movie? I put on a comedy to see if her stance remained firm. She stayed after the movie and did not seem to have any intention of leaving. The night was still young. I knew she wouldn’t spend the night, because she is NOT a fan of my cat, Fitz. As I scrolled through our options of entertainment,…
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New Beginnings
2020 has been a strange year. I can’t think of any other way to describe it. God has humbled me and changed me in ways that I could not have predicted. Change has been all around me. Sometimes, it’s hard to catch my breath. While sitting at home during my job’s shutdown, I was feverishly looking for a job. I perused employment websites looking for a position. Any position. Through that time, the good Lord kept me. He sent the right people to me. He used them to bless me financially to keep me afloat. I never went hungry or had utilities turned off. Although I love to float in…
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The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3 Another Wednesday has come and gone. So, you know what that means, right? I get the opportunity to share with you my big take-aways from the REfresh Bible study. Of course, I never cover it all. I just take time to recount the fragments that spoke to me. I tell you the pieces that I’m going to take with me and mull over as the week goes on. You could always tune in on Wednesday nights yourself to find the pieces that fit into the holes of your life. Enough chitter chat. Let’s discuss the…
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Carry Me
Although I haven’t mentioned Fitz, my cat, in a while, don’t worry. He’s still here. Not only is he now an official adult at one year old, but we have also officially been roommates for a year. He has matured from a teeny, tiny little kitten into a hefty, plump, and rotund cat. With all the changes going on in the world and with me personally, I forgot that it was time for his annual shots. The vet sent a friendly e-mail reminder and a postcard. I called and scheduled his appointment. Then my prep work had to begin. I heard horror stories from other cat owners about vet time…
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Embrace Growth
What they say is true. A picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe even a million words. When I left work, I felt pulled to look at old pictures. Google Photos is my friend. It allowed me to peruse my life and recall different moments in time. An added bonus to my trip down memory lane is that my cousin found an old jump drive. She started sending pictures from ten years ago. Back to the time that I cut off all my relaxed hair and embraced my natural hair. Baby, let me tell you. I thank God for growth. Super short hair was not my friend, but I was…
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The Father Made the Difference
Yesterday’s sermon covered an often-told Bible story. We revisited the story of the prodigal son. Many of us are familiar with analyzing the son’s actions. We talk about how he wanted it all now. We speak of his impatience and foolishness and then rejoice over his return to himself. The sermon, however, focused on the father’s love and the fact that the father’s love made all the difference. Let’s dive into it. Luke 15:11-32 recounts the tale of the prodigal son. Jesus often spoke in parables to make His points more relatable to the audience. It was an opportunity to help others see themselves and recognize their fallacies. In this…
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Happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father’s Day! Let me make a confession. I spend lots of time thinking about a Mother’s Day gift. I poke and prod to see what my mom wants way ahead of time. But Father’s Day…well, that’s a different story. It is no secret that I don’t have a close relationship with my biological father or stepfather (is ex-stepfather a term)? And while I have many men in my life that have stepped in to fill in the gap, I’m not as intentional about giving them the honor that they deserve. Clearly, that’s a character flaw of mine. I need to do better. I need to be better. My biological…
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Protests and Policies
Goooooood morning ya’ll! I’m not going to hold you long. Wednesday nights have become a very integral part of my week. Even when I’m bogged down with activity, I look forward to the REfresh Bible study. It helps me adjust my focus and often provides comic relief as well. Last night was no exception. The panel discussion format continued to reign supreme and steered our focus towards educating ourselves about the legal system and our rights. Protesting is a good way to show your frustration with inequality. After protesting, we need practical steps to activate change. After protesting, we have to get in tune with the policies that are perpetuating…
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Count Up the Cost
Competition brings out the beast in me. I’m a winner. I like to win. I want to win. So, it should come as no surprise to you that I can turn any simple thing into a competition. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t walk around like a big bully challenging people to duels. I have a healthy appreciation for games and fun. Being the big sister to Bible Study Brother helped shape his fiercely competitive nature. I keep him on his toes. We were in a store one day getting groceries. Occasionally, we like to have fat kid collaboration meals. We decide on a meal that we want to…
