A very chill day- it’s been a while

Are you exhausted yet?

After weeks of preparation for a book sale, submitting proposals, and facilitating my workshop From Stress to Strengths, it was time to relax. Not the pretend, “I’m going downstairs to chill”. A real relaxing weekend of free thoughts, mindless entertainment, and a glass of red wine.

It was so chill that I made reservations at the local Spanish grill and pre-ordered the Paella de Pollo y Chorizo for 2. It was so chill that we met two friends and talked about nothing of real relevance. It was so chill that we sat for two hours enjoying the company of friends.

It was so chill, we went to the final stop on Jordan Felix’s “Praise God for That” tour with Riley Clemmons.

Another free spirit moment to sing, dance, and praise the Lord to some intense base, fascinating light display, and authentic stories.

Sing with Me

Oh yeah! I watched two movies. Really watched- no book in my lap, no phone scrolling, just a good movie. The Accountant with Ben Afflack and Vantage Point with Forest Whittaker. Awesome chill movies with great story line, action fights, and pretty good car chase through Spain. (Wow- as I write this line, did we do the Spanish restaurant because of some subliminal thought)

Are you exhausted? When was the last time you took a chill day?

In the wisdom of Solomon, Ecc 3:18: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away,a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

But since it is now Monday, I end where Solomon ends Ecc 3:22~ “So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?”

Happy Monday and blessing for a beautiful week.

Always grateful,

My life as a time lapse

Do you have moments when life continues to move from day to day and you did not do that thing you committed to doing? That is me this week.

In October of 2024, I made the commitment to share pieces of my life. To share how everyday life coincides with my walk for Christ. How his word gives me the strength and the perseverance to pursue, endure, and persist in my gifts and talents. I sat several times this week to keep the Monday schedule- write a Blog!

Each time I sat to write there was nothing but a desire. The desire to write, the desire to keep the commitment, the desire to be the ideal person I am designed to be. All desire but no action.

In my quest to walk this journey of commitment and integrity, I was inspired by a time lapse video a friend of mine shared. It was the inspiration I needed to realize and see how quickly the world revolves, how quickly the days pass, and how quickly I can put commitments to the side.

To look at the sunrise in a 21 second video, taken over 30 minutes, is a wake up call for me to stay on task. As I write this quick post on Thursday, I find peace and give the anxiety to the Lord.

A day in your life

For His word says his yolk is easy. To be anxious for nothing… He sits at the door and knocks. All things work together for good… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit…

These words are truly what I needed today. “When I said, “My foot is slipping”, your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.” When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:18-19

This is the peace I embrace when my foot is slipping and my commitment to do goes a bit off schedule.

So on this Thursday, it is a time lapse from a Monday just a few seconds ago. A sequence of life frames set at intervals to record changes that take place slowly over time.

This is the grace of my Lord and Savior. The one who know the beginning and the end and records with forgiveness the frames of my life. A God that patiently waits for me to change slowly over time. A Savior that announces~” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Rev 3:20

I am that person.

Always grateful,

A Mother’s Love~What joy, what pain, what love?

As the month of Women’s History comes to pass, I remember my mom, Mary. The funny thing is, I don’t have to remember because she is always present. She is present not as the waxing moon in all its phases or some distant adventure in the past. I remember her everyday, even though she is gone.

I remember her in my thoughts of loneliness and times of joy. I remember the yummy yellow turnips she made every Thanksgiving which is now a staple at our Thanksgiving table. A root vegetable, peeled and cut into chunks ,boiled with salt and a piece of smoked turkey wing. Add a bit of black pepper and sugar then mash like mashed potatoes. I remember the times sitting at the table eating Bartlett pears from the can and stuffing the center half with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese mixed together. When I really need her presence, my favorite, be with Mom moment, is sardines, onions, mustard on a cracker.

It is those moments at the table, nourishing the body, feeding the soul, and loving the presence of each other, that I can recreate in the moment. Her sitting next to me and feeling her presence.

I remember how others said her name, Mary. Mary as if it were an expressions of who she was. Her name was said with meaning, with expression, and with love. My mom, Mary. The one who gave what she had to others. She would speak for others that would not speak for themself. She would fight a battle worthy of fighting, even if it were for someone else.

She was Mommy to me. I look at her pictures and still say Mommy. The Mommy that walked me to school on the first day of kindergarten and built the confidence by trusting me and my cousins to make it back home alone. The Mommy that showed delicate care and discipline in the very awkward situation that girls go through when “in love”. A Mommy full of wisdom to raise me up in the way that I should go.

The Mommy that held me accountable to the things I said I would do. Like the high school year of hazing to join a high school sorority- the toilet tissue in the hair and the weird outfits. And the firm no when asked to drive me instead of taking the 2 buses to school.

Mommy, a women of strength- like the hard covering of the yellow turnip. But she was also delicate and seemed like she felt the pain of the world. Like a flower pushing through the hard rocks, she was determined. A mother’s love is never lost on the child. I am my mother’s child and I embrace every moment with gratitude and joy to have known her.

SO, of all the awards and accolades expressed to others during this month of Women’s History- My mom is my reward and I am hers. Thank you Mom for all you did for others. As you rest in the heavens above, may you forever be at peace.

From Momma Jo, to Grandma Callie, to Grandma Catherine, to Mommy Mary, I thank these women for the life they lived, the joy they brought, and the love expressed. I thank them for the worship and prayers prayed that has strengthened this child to stand tall, love others, and love the LORD. I thank them for the peace they showed when times were hard. It is a peace that passes all understanding. And I thank them for being the women they were created to be. For I am better because of them.

To all the other women out there, thank you for being you! Let your light shine!

Always grateful,

Pieces of Me~Women in his-story.

As I reflect on my life during this Month of Women’s History and the trickle down effect through the generations, I realize I am all of the women in my life. Last week, I embraced the oral stories of Momma Jo and the fortitude that has trickled down from her.

Generations not so far removed are Grandma Callie and Grandma Catherine. If still living today, would be 110+ years. Like the flowers that bloom season after season, their spirit for life resonate in my my mind and heart.

My strength along the many grooved paths of life come from the women that have passed on before me.

Grandma Callie, a wife, a mother, who worked as a domestic. A devoted believer of God in heaven and Christ his son. A women who diligently went to her Tuesday lodge meeting. A women who always embraced all of my stubbornness and my talents. Grandma Callie for the welcoming love expressed for my husband by asking him to clip her toenails, to the joy she engulfed of her great grandchildren.

Grandma Callie, the women who would sit on the porch proudly wearing the hat I crocheted, with the window pane stitch, given to her with all the love expected from a small child. Grandma Callie, the women who’s long prayers at Thanksgiving dinner are still missed today. Grandma Callie, the women who, on a domestic income, determined to buy land as a foothold for her children to have ownership in this place we call America. Grandma Callie, a women that has made history in my life and many others.

Grandma Catherine, my paternal grandmother. Her determination to excel at her job working the lines. For her insight to invest, for her insight to own property, rent out to others that needed a place to call home. Grandma Catherine for her show of love to my girls by ensuring they had their Sunday go to church hat and purse. The memories they still hold today. Grandma Catherine for her determined battle through Alzheimer’s and her stubbornness to the end. Grandma Catherine, for her sweet smile that holds a memory in my heart.

These two women have sprinkled their spirit on me like the dandelions that blow in the wind. They have grounded me in perseverance. They have grounded me in God’s truth. They have personified the maskil that has guided me through life. The wisdom forever captured in the seventy eight Psalm that comes from the Lord-” My people, hear my teaching, listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will teach you lessons from the past- things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

May we all press on through the generations and remember the history from whence we come.

Always grateful,

A Grammie, (not the Grammy) for – And the Award Goes to:

Did you know it is Women’s History Month? What started out as a week of recognition is now a month on the international calendar. The theme for 2025 ” Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

Over this month I will be highlighting the woman who have impacted my life.

So, this week the award goes to Momma Jo.

My maternal great grandmother- an American Indian of the Cherokee People. I embrace the oral tradition of the stories told of her strength, her fortitude, and her undeniable person-hood in the presence of those that sought to deny her heritage and her people.

I embrace the strength that has trickled down from Momma Jo through the generations of women that have passed on before me- my mother and my grandmother. I walk in the faith of God above that was shared with me in the home by these wonderful women. I embrace the prayers prayed for me that has grounded me in obedience and perseverance.

To all the 18 grandchildren with me today, to the generations beyond, may they also walk in strength and bring their own history. May they be recognized for the good they have and will do in their life. May they know that they matter and can make a difference in this world.

One generation commends your works to another;

they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Through all of life’s history, may we continue to lift up the Lord, for that is the source of our strength and the grace of forgiveness.

May I never forget the award winning grammie songs sung on my behalf from the woman that went before me and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Always grateful,