The simplest definition of grief is a person’s response to loss.
Death is the most acceptable reason for grief, but death is not the source of all grief. Loss is the source of grief. And we must evolve our understanding of grief to courageously allow Continue reading
May 13, 2012, was the first Mother’s Day after my mother’s death. I vividly remember the pain and disbelief of that day. Continue reading
Worry is the Chief thief of our hope! It is relentless. Like a stalker, it lies in wait, anticipating the next moment you will dare to start taking intentional action steps to move forward into your calling. Continue reading
Transition is the uncomfortable space between where/who you were and where/who you are hoping to be or become. The pain of transition can make us romanticize what life was “before.” Continue reading
Light, in the depths of deceit, ignorance, and fear, we search for light.
We long to see again because sight is Continue reading
Most times, I use my social media to give me a slight reprieve from the busyness of my workday. I might jump onto Instagram or Facebook to take a break from my actual work on any given day. These little breaks allow me to momentarily escape Continue reading
Emotions are indicators that identify the condition of the heart in a particular moment. Continue reading
The idea of you precedes your conception. God knew you before you were knit together. And, He envisioned all that you would be and spared nothing from the inside out, designing you perfectly.
When the Master Creator completed You, His Exquisite Masterpiece, He marveled at His expertise, and He declared Continue reading
One of the most debilitating lies we tend to believe is that we are inadequate. The thought that we lack some critical Continue reading
When a new month begins, I often enter it with anxiousness and regret. I find myself anxious about how the month will unfold yet regretful about what failed to happen prior. Anxiety Continue reading
In theory, I know how important it is to lay every piece of apprehension to the side and Start. In reality, I tend Continue reading
This Thanksgiving, I found myself overwhelmed at times with gratitude for the simplest things. We were fortunate to have Continue reading
Many pursue it, but few find it.
Creativity is a spiritual issue. Any progress is made by leaps of faith, some small, some large.— Julia Cameron
You are creative. I know you didn’t ask for my opinion on this, and most likely I’ve never experienced your art. Yet, it is important for me to remind you that before you ever picked up that pen, paintbrush, instrument, camera, or script, you were destined to be a Creator. Yes, well before you Continue reading
Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful , pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always .
Philippians 4:8, TPT
This is a question that you may not come across, or ask yourself often, but I’d like you to think about it, just for a moment.
When you reflect on your life, right now, are you more hopeful that goodness is your ultimate outcome, or are you more hopeless, or, afraid and timid about the unknown aspects of your future?
I ask the question because it is one that I have trained myself to consider often. What I am really assessing for myself is, am I expecting good in my life, even Continue reading
Over the weekend I came across 2 different social media posts that immediately got my attention when I read these words,
These words pierced my heart immediately, and tears sprang up in the corners of my eyes. It was not until I read them that I realized, I’ve been waiting for “Ready” for a very long time! I have desperately wanted the feeling of READINESS to come and rescue me from all of my insecurities associated with showing up in spaces of discomfort. Continue reading
Right now, you may be reading this message from the ditch of complacency, feeling sorry for yourself because it seems like everything you do, you end up in the same place. Meanwhile, as you look around at others, it seems like everyone else is outpacing you.
May I offer you this thought,
Let’s face it, the vast majority of people, myself included, are not comfortable starting something new. New beginnings come packaged with Continue reading
-Jeremiah 29:11
The days we are living in are the type of times where we can easily allow ourselves to be so consumed by things that we have no control over, that we neglect what we do have control over.
So tonight, I am interrupting my scheduled post to sincerely check in with you and ask each of you,
–Me
Have you ever found yourself back at the START-LINE when you should be getting closer to the FINISH LINE? If you haven’t ever found yourself there,
BUT, for those of you who can relate to the reality of re-starting something that should be finished, this “Hope Note” is tailor-made for YOU, so I’m glad you’re here! Continue reading
-GOD
This is the classic question that God asks Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, after their disobedience. I am fascinated by this question. Why would the only ONE who knows EVERYTHING, and is EVERYWHERE need to ask such a question? Didn’t He know where they were?
OF COURSE HE DID!!! So why the question? I am convinced that this question was about Adam and Eve’s awareness , and not God’s ignorance. The goal of the question was to awaken them to the reality of their present moment.
Is it possible that God is asking you a question that is meant to jolt you awake from your slumber to your Present reality? Could God have drawn you to this blog because you’ve been sleep walking through 2020, and you don’t even know it?
It was around the mid-to-end of August that I sensed God sound an alarm in my own life. The purpose of the question I heard was very similar to Adam and Eve’s, but it was not the same question. The question I heard from Heaven was, Continue reading
God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us – in the dreariest, most dreadful moments – can see the possibility of hope.
~Maya Angelou
A new year grants us the opportunity for a fresh start. It’s a gift given to allow us to reflect, release, and refocus.
What I enjoy most about this time of year, more than the resolutions, vision boards, and words or buzz phrases of the year, is the fresh positive energy that I sense all around. There is this collective sense, even if temporary, that,
Do you know what that energy really is? Continue reading
To bloom in chaos, you must resist the distractions that create it.
To bloom in chaos, you must have the confidence to know every battle is not yours to fight. Continue reading
ro·man·ti·cize/rōˈman(t)əˌsīz/verb
Transition is the uncomfortable space between where / who, you were, and where/who you are hoping to be or become. The pain of transition can make us romanticize about what life was “before.” Continue reading
He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
-Psalm 147:10-11
God is not asking, expecting, nor insisting that you be strong. He celebrates when you boldly choose to root your hope in Him.
We exist in a world where strength is highly celebrated, which can cause us to become stuck in a never ending cycle of striving to prove ourselves. Continue reading
All of your experiences, all of your pain, all of your disappointments, all of your victories, everything about you is necessary for your Purpose. There is not one thing that you have, tangible or intangible, that is unnecessary. It is the sum total of it all that God will maximize, and allow you to thrive in your Calling, Continue reading
Why do we insist on making things so difficult for ourselves? It’s like we refuse to believe that “slow and steady [truly does] win the race.” We may say we believe that, but our actions often reveal that we really believe DRASTIC and UNREASONABLE is the only way to win. Continue reading
Now Faith.
Can you see it?
Can you feel it?
Can you taste it?
A faith so bold, so strong, not even death Continue reading
Mental or moral strength to persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
Merrian-Webster Dictionary
STRENGTH.
PERSERVERENCE.
BOLDNESS.
If I were asked to define courage using 1 word, I would choose one of the words listed above. I love the idea of courage, and having the privilege to witness it at work in the lives of others. Today, I had the honor of witnessing the manifestation of many seeds of courage on display at a ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening of a business. I left the event excited about the future, and proud of the business owner, who had undoubtedly pressed past, and jumped over many obstacles to realize her dream.
There was something special about seeing the tangible fruit of courage. I was inspired, and I started to think about what courage really is, versus the misconceptions of it. Continue reading
I have yet to meet a person who enjoys waiting. I know I don’t, and we live in a society that insists on everything being instant! Yet, Patience is described as a ”spiritual fruit” in the Bible, a fruit that every follower of Christ should exemplify in our everyday living. There’s no wonder why it’s essential that we learn to wait on God because waiting on answered prayers to manifest is one of the best ways to develop the fruit of patience in our lives.
Hope Notes 