WSR: BREATHLESS

Greetings …

I pray all is well with you tonight - 

Even as I am full aware and saddened that THINGS ARE NOT WELL

They are not well in our spirits

They are not well in our emotions

They are not well in our nation … the United States

‘United’ … that is strong word

Thus far, 2020 has seen us ‘united’ –

United is witnessing the tremendous loss of life due to COVID-19

United in enduring restrictions due to COVID-19

United is disbelief of a MAN being gunned down by vigilantes

United in shock and horror of the life being squeezed out of a MAN

Yet, despite all of these instances of being united –

There remains such great disunity and division

It leaves me BREATHLESS

My heart aches tonight –

Part of it is because I am still attempting to cope with the loss of my mother two weeks ago. However, part of it is because of the tremendous injustices which take place on a continual basis. It resurfaced intense feelings and opinions regarding injustices in this world – regarding my mom, regarding our communities, regarding our society at large and regarding myself. This has been a hard year and it is only the end of May.

Again, it leaves me BREATHLESS

When I viewed the video of George Floyd –

it filled me with intense and profound sadness.

I was sad for this MAN

I was sad for his family

I was sad for our communities

I was sad for black people – men and women

That could have been one of my sons

That could have been one of my nephews, one of my cousins

That could have been my brother or my Father

That could have been me –

I have had the ‘discussion’ with my sons – in an attempt to try to preserve their lives if ever they have an encounter with the police. And they have had encounters. Thankfully, they have lived through the encounters. But it is a real concern. I am concerned every time they leave the house. This should not be.

I have been profiled by the police – pulled over by two police cruisers for a working ‘non-working’ tail light. One approached on the right, one approached on the left – and I sat terrified, knowing full well that one wrong move by me could mean I would never see my sons again. This should not be.

DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME –

I am not anti-police. My cousin was a police officer, my ex-husband was a police officer and a corrections officer. I have great deal of respect for law enforcement officers and the unique challenges they face on a daily basis. But, like any field of employment, there are good and there are bad. When it is bad … it is very bad, and sadly, often directed at people of color. But that is not the only thing that has me troubled.

I am saddened at the violence being perpetrated by civilians; I am overwhelmed at the destruction taking place in cities throughout our nation.

There are protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate. They are attempting to draw much needed attention to the disparities which exist in our communities. And then there are terrorists who are bent on destruction and dishonest gain. They should be ashamed of themselves and they should be arrested. ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE STREETS FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS – THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.

There are peaceful protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate.

Yet sadly, there are many who will continue to ignore the voice, the cries of the protesters – using as an excuse or justification, the actions of the terrorists. This should not be.

 

UNDERSTAND, THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE EVEN IN HOW MANY POLICE VIEW AND TREAT WHITE AND NON-WHITE PROTESTERS

 

When there were protests to have the country open back up, some of those protesters, white protesters, were screaming right in the face of police officers. Contrast that with a video from New York last evening where a young black man, hands raised and standing in front of an officer, was approached by that officer, had his mask removed by that officer and was pepper-sprayed in the face by that officer. This should not be. I love all people – but I am also not blind to disparities based upon race and socio-economic factors.

I’m saddened and overwhelmed and BREATHLESS.

I do not know what the answer is …

I have been having some hard discussions with the LORD

I do not understand how or why wickedness seems to prevail in so many instances. It has been a triggering situation for me – unearthing painful feelings associated with many of the injustices I have witnessed and endured … both generally and personally.

However, this I do know –

‘I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’  Psalm 27:13

This is what I am clinging to this evening.

 

I pray you have a blessed and safe evening –

I pray you will join me in praying for our world

Hope is rising ...

Day is breaking,

Birds are chirping,

And as I listen to the word of this song, I count my blessings:

“You’re the One;

There You go again,

Lifting my heart, lifting my head

Hope is rising, as I see You smiling”

My Redeemer … You Are …

SUNSET ... SUNRISE

Good Evening

I pray all is well with you this Thursday evening 

This has been the longest [and shortest] week in the world

That may not make sense but, trust me, it is entirely accurate

Saturday Morning May 16, 2020

I lost my best friend in the entire world

Tomorrow we will all remember her life and bid her farewell

Tomorrow will be a bittersweet day – a day of sorrow and celebration

It is sad for us, but it is a celebration for her

Therefore, I grapple between feelings of sadness and joy

The two can actually co-exist … contrary to popular belief

I have joy because I was able to see her Saturday morning

            Before and after her ascent into heaven

            The sun setting on earth and rising in glory

I have joy because I know where she is – and I know I will see her again

LOVING MOM — AWESOME NANA — MIGHTY WOMAN OF GOD

‘Well done good and faithful servant … Enter into the joy of your LORD’ Matthew 25:21

Truthfully –

This post is more for me than it is for anyone else who might read it,

And that is okay for today …

Have a Blessed Evening

FAITHFUL GOD, LOVING FATHER

Good Morning

Yes, it is indeed a good morning - 

Despite the circumstances, despite the trials,

Every day the LORD has made is good and filled with His mercies

I have only two short phrases to share this morning:

Faithful God
Loving Father

Sometimes –

You just have to focus on the truth & remember who He is:

Faithful God … Loving Father …

When we do not understand: Faithful God, Loving Father

When we are anxious or fearful: Faithful God … Loving Father

When we experience painful loss: Faithful God & Loving Father

WHAT WE EXPERIENCE DOES NOT CHANGE WHO HE IS

HE IS A Faithful God

HE IS A Loving Father

I’ll be praying for you today –

Please, say a short prayer for me as well

Have a Blessed Day

WSR REPORT: THE LIGHT

Good Morning …

I pray all is well - 

I wanted to share this post with you today

I came across it while I was preparing my message yesterday.

The content was originally posted in 2014 – part of a series called ‘The Light’

However, I believe it holds a special significance in view of the past several weeks and ongoing challenges with COVID-19. Sheltered in place for weeks, there has been ample time to reflect … on everything.

Now, I will not pretend to know why all of what has happened has transpired. However, I believe the LORD has the ability to work through every situation and circumstance we encounter – to develop us, to grow us, to shape our character and to help us prioritize and refocus on what is important and essential. We cannot make Him known without knowing Him. Therefore, it is necessary and critical to undergo inner transformation. 

It all begins at home. I hope you enjoy!

Have a Blessed Day!

______________________________________

-originally posted January 25, 2014

‘… and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ Acts 1:8

Many are well familiar with the commissioning declaration in Acts 1:8. However, in verse four of that same chapter, we find the disciples being commanded to not depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father – The Holy Spirit.

Jesus told them that they would be His witnesses,

And that it would begin right where they were … at home

Yet all too often, it is the home which suffers the most – even among those who have dedicated themselves to being the light in their church, in their workplace and in their communities. Know that you cannot effectively and credibly export what is not first cultivated and established at home.

Noted humanitarian Mother Theresa has been quoted as saying, ‘We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.'

I Timothy 5:8 tells us [when speaking of families caring for widows] that anyone who does not provide for his own household is worse than an infidel.

We must understand – whether physical needs, spiritual needs or emotional needs – the light which emanates from one’s life should first be impacting the ones closest to them. My children would have a tremendously difficult time understanding all the giving that has taken place over the years if I only concentrated my attentions outward. However, my aim has always been to convey – by my words, my actions, my life – that they are my number one priority. So I ask …

• Do our families get the best part of us or what is left over after work and other obligations?
• Do they get quality and quantity time?
• Do they know they are loved?
• Do we speak the truth in love?
• Does our commitment to quality and respectful communication extend to the family – or do we raise our voices and use sarcasm?
• Do we actively strive to block the day’s frustrations from entering our home?
• Is there an overwhelming feeling of peace in the home?
• Is dinner special every night or only when there are guests?
• Are we able to laugh and have fun?
• Do they know they are loved unconditionally?
• Do we pray and demonstrate an unyielding and unwavering commitment to the LORD?
• Do the fruits of the spirit permeate the atmosphere - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
• If our family members were asked to describe us, what words would they use?

Understand, no one will hit the mark every day, in every instance – not at home or anywhere else. However, our heart desire should be to want to give our very best to our loved ones, to be our very best – in Christ – for our loved ones. 

I fail often. Yet I will quickly acknowledge my faults, apologize and work to remedy the situation. It is not a matter of being a perfect, excellent, shining example in every interaction with family. It is, however, a matter of striving for excellence in every interaction.

Ultimately, as we tend to the light in our hearts and in our homes, we will realize that the task of shining a light for others is significantly eased. Rather than searching for opportunities to shine the light of Christ, we will find people curiously drawn to the light of love which floods every area of our lives.

2014: The Light … keep it shining … start at home

May God Bless You Abundantly … Have a Great Week!

2020: Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day!

I pray all is well today and that your day is off to a great start

It is certainly not like any Mother’s Day we have experienced before –

I am actually unable to see my Mom today – this Mother’s Day;

There is still a strict non-visitation policy in place due to COVID-19

                Yet, I am thankful knowing that she is safe

There is no person like a mom

There is certainly no person like my Mom – and I love her and miss her so much!

Yet I know there are several people missing their moms today 

My heart goes out to all those who have lost their mom –

                Whether it was due to this virus or other reasons

I pray that the LORD would comfort you …

Mother’s Day is always special to me –

My youngest was almost a Mother’s Day baby – he missed it by four hours

He turned twenty-six yesterday! I can hardly believe it … the time is flying

But he is not the only reason Mother’s Day is special,

I have three somebodies who make being a mother … an absolute joy

Mother’s Day is a day for me to honor my sons

It is a privilege to share life with them – 

It has taken on a whole new dimension being 'sheltered in' with them; 

They have not changed –  my awareness of all the reasons I appreciate them has

They bless me in ways they will never fully know

Proverbs 31 speaks of a woman of great character –

She rises early, manages her business and supplies for her household

I can relate to those aspects – even as I lack in many other areas

Yet one area where this is no shortage or shortfall,

‘Her children rise up and call her blessed …’ Proverbs 31:28

My sons still do that – they call me blessed

Despite all the twist and turns, the stumbles and failures – they still bless me

In many aspects, they look on me with the eyes of their Father – their heavenly Father

Our love for one another is mutual and ever-lasting

What a blessing!

TODAY –

I pray, whether you are spending time with your mom or away,

Take some time to reflect on the blessing she has been and still is

If you are a mom, this Mother’s Day,

Take some time to reflect on the blessing that your children are

‘Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him’ Psalm 127:3

Be Blessed this Mother’s Day –

I send the warmest wishes your way … today & always

Happy Mother’s Day!

SHE DOES NOT STOP

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!

I pray the LORD bless you, keep you and make His face to shine upon you … 

Today & Always

Just because gatherings have stopped doesn’t mean the church has.

Jesus said, 'I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.' Matt. 16:18

The Church … she does not stop

If you are in need of some encouragement & solid teaching, please join my home church, BridgeChurch online. 

Services at 10am and 11:15am Each Sunday: https://www.bridgechurch.tv/

Have a Blessed Day!

WSR REPORT: CAST THOSE CARES

Hello Friends …

I pray all is going well for you this Saturday afternoon

Today has been a beautiful day –

The temperature has been perfect,

And I have had this overwhelming feeling of calmness all day

There is a song I have been listening to all week –

The song is ‘Always Faithful’ by Bethel

This song has been resonating somewhere deep inside

The song talks about how:

‘I sought the LORD and heard me,

‘I sought the LORD and heard my cry,

‘I sought the LORD and He heard my cry, and He answered me’

I cry every time I hear it …

I keep reflecting on His goodness … how good He has been to me

His goodness is nothing new … neither is my thankfulness for it

However, there are times when you are so much more aware –

It is like all your senses are turned up to a thousand

‘Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you’ I Peter 5:7

This verse –

It has taken on an entirely next-level degree of significance in my life,

Especially during this season of my life

This is probably one of the shorter posts that I’ll write

                I tend to be a bit long-winded …

I just want to encourage you this evening –

Cast those cares on Him – it’s all about trust

His shoulders are broad enough

He has no rival, He has no equal …

He has inscribed you on the palms of His hands

He cannot forget you … He will not fail you!

There is NO ONE like the LORD God Almighty!

There truly is no place you can go where He will not meet you

There is no place you can go where He will not chase after you

He’s faithful!

I pray you will have a peace-filled evening …

God Bless & Stay Safe