Thankful, ALWAYS!

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL men!" 

(1 Timothy 2:1)

The time of the year has arrived where we consider contacting family, surrounding ourselves with all the ingredients of a huge repast of eating, drinking, and being merry.  Moreover, we should be able to look at life, being reminded of the past year, and seeing just how far we have come.  

Things have appeared to be a little more difficult than ever before, in various areas.  Yet knowing that things WILL work out, no matter what it looks like in the natural viewing of our eyes, it must bring positive feelings of the outlooks.

Can you see with your heart, and not just with your head, the fact that we have a warm place to lay our bodies, food for daily nourishment, transportation within our grasp?  There are loved ones, whether spouse, sibling, parent, even the company of a close friend, who constantly provide strength, encouragement and love, making you truly blessed.   

In addition, we have an opportunity to witness what it feels like to exist beyond our normal expectation, during a time of uncertainty, only to experience miraculous moves, signs and wonders, right before our very eyes.  

We have so much to be thankful for.  Today, and EVERY DAY. 

 Giving thanks always, for ALL THINGS, unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (Ephesians 5:20) 

Our children have more access to obtaining real exploration, through researching online, as well as libraries, book reading, historical events, and what they visualize by watching us, proof that they are quite blissful in the pleasures of life.  

Along with showering them with tangible means, they should also be made aware of how many are not as fortunate as they are, that they need to be grateful.  

Not just this week, while sitting around a feasted table, or watching a sports event, but showing they care when they see someone else, sleeping on a cardboard box outside, or the ongoing experience of sheer loneliness, having no available individual to show kindness to them.  

Ever wonder what it would be like if we did not have the amenities we possess, objects we see when we walk through our own homes?  However, out of all of the materialistic pieces, nothing stands out as being more priceless, than love, grace, and an abundant life.

Share your feelings, recognize your blessed existence, and remain gratified, in every way!   It could be the other way around,  We could be without, too.  BUT GOD saw fit to keep us, as an example, through humility and compassion, just so we can be more like Him.  Walk in His ways, appreciate, and be content, knowing it could be worse.  We are not better than anyone else, but we need to be mindful of  our blessed state, and continue to make it a habit, every day, to say to the Lord, "THANK YOU!"

Did You Really Just SAY That?!?

"Death and Life are in the POWER of the Tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof!" 

(Proverbs 18:21)

Do you know what's a bother to no end?  The fact that, as women today, too many of us are being noted as bossy, controlling and mouthy.  I know firsthand it does not apply to all of us, even if it appears that several members of the female persuasion are too outspoken for their own good.  

Telling themselves the old cliche, "this is the way I am, I have always been this way, and I don't plan on ever changing, for anyone," may appear empowering, but can also become detrimental to someone who is not sure who they are, or where their life is destined to go.  In other words, the words we speak, negative or doubtful statements, do not heal, or be good for encouragement.

Being a young child during the 1960s, we were always taught that whatever we speak out of our mouths, will determine who, what, or how we become, as adults.  

Remember when your parents told you things that were expressly for the cultivating of parental training, such as, "Don't play with matches, or you might start a fire," "cover your mouth when you yawn or sneeze," or "look both ways before crossing the street?"  Well, there was also a familiar phrase that all people from previous generations would use - "WATCH YOUR MOUTH!"

My father was a very organized, disciplined individual, who would verbalize things that would permeate throughout every place he engraced.  One motto he stood behind was, "always look a person in the eyes when you talk to them, and not hold your head down, in order to gain respect."  Another was, "the dictionary is full of words, so you don't have to use slang or profanity to get a point across!"  Dad believed that the way we spoke, utilizing positivity, would cause anyone, whether on the street corner, in a store, or even in the oval office, providing a sense of respect or honor to our personal make-up.

"A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul!"
Proverbs 18:7

Throughout my life, I have come in contact with some who perceive themselves to posses towers of pride, yet hatefully arrogant in nature.  Hearing what they say at times, feelings are hurt by their words, even forcing into a state of depression, as a result of "their honesty."  Why is it so important for us to be a beacon of self-conceit, not considering what or how we make insinuations to someone less fortunate, who may be experiencing a moment of distress?  What about when a person loses someone dear to their heart, who may have given up on life, only to be told afterward that they should just quickly "get over it, and move on," by some sort of pious individual, who could care less how anyone else may be feeling. 

God's intention for us is to be careful how we project what we release from our lips, no matter what the issue.  What about being mindful of how something sounds before reciting and projecting it outwardly?  James 1:19-22 tells us:  

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be QUICK to LISTEN, SLOW to SPEAK and SLOW to BECOME ANGRY, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires!  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth, and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the Word planted IN YOU, which can save you! Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS!"

Think before you speak!  Open your ears, and hear objectively, without judgement.  It never hurts to be nice, while paying attention, considering the moods of others. Carry the spirit of discernment, and a sensitive heart, which is imperative, when it comes to traits we have been called by God to display.  Stop being so mean, and haughty!  Empathize, and be fruitful in friendliness, with cheerful impressions!  

Be that virtuous woman, developing the beautiful seeds God planted in us, not to include the constant exhibiting of snobbish superiority, aggressively undermining a person's aspirations, just so you can feel you've arrived.  Always shower all people with the Love, Understanding, and Sincerity!  God is watching!

VOTE - It's The RIGHT Thing To Do!

Well, if you haven't already, it's that time again! What an exhilarating opportunity to behold, as well!  After everything that has occurred, everything we've heard or have envisioned, and for the generations prior to our beings, so much has materialized before our eyes.  However, in spite of some of the traumatic experiences, we have now reached another crucial impasse, continuing to keep what was fought for, rights that our ancestors literally put their blood, sweat and tears, on the line for.  

In the Declaration of  Independence, it plainly speaks, even though, at the time of conception and signing, only a portion of species were noted to have the luxury of claiming what it stated:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN are created equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable RIGHTS, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of The People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Do we even realize how truly blessed we have it now?  We are here, with the ability to live wherever we wish, eat anywhere we would like, have a job that we ourselves favor, and sport the vehicle we feel suits our stylish persona.  With that being said, it would behoove us to keep in mind what we should always do, proving that it does matter how much we desire things to change, and believing that it can happen for everyone in a powerful method.  

We have come such a long way.  Those individuals who existed before us, who endured monotony, shame, forlorn, and discrimination, held on to a strong message for us to perceive, daring to achieve!  In order to continue standing fast to believing THE DREAM, we must take full advantage of this esteemed opportunity, if not for anything but the fact that many lives were lost, just so we can have the rights we are fortunate enough to engage today. Never forgetting that God is our Keeper, Protector, and the Compassionate One first, prayerfully, make it a definite objective, to VOTE!  Blessings and peace to you, always!