Monday Musings – Grace That Doesn’t Roll Its Eyes

 

I’ve discovered my superpower; it’s the ability to turn a simple task into a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. I’m not a climber, a marathon runner, nor a hiker. You may see me break into the occasional jog, but that will be due to me running from something.

A bumble bee, yellow jacket, or hornet, waiting to sink its tarsal claws into a blemish free area on my body can throw me into a fight or flight motion. And that would be the first sign of my lack of grace in the physical sense.

A friend asked me to speak at their church. I accepted the assignment, confident that I could manage the task. All I had to do was speak for 12-15 minutes. However, as the date drew nearer, I had a lot of questions. Am I the only person speaking? Is there a theme? Who is my audience?

The church was a different denomination than the church I attend, I began to wonder – what version of the Bible do they use? Do they refer to Jesus as Christ, Lord? Do they make reference to God, the Mother Mary, or the Holy Trinity? By this point I’m going on my figurative journey up Kilimanjaro without hiking boots. I dove into my meditation training with a mantra, deep breaths Ang, you can do this.

My saving grace (pun intended) was that I would use humor in my talk. The only guidelines my friend gave me were – “it’s not stand-up comedy, but feel free to share stories. You can use scriptures or include a hymn, but you don’t have to.”

A hymn!? No way, I was not going to let my secret out during a first encounter. I reserve my off-key shower singing voice for the folks at my church who roll their eyes in love each time I open my mouth to sing. Eye rolling, I had come up with a way to tie in humor the topic of my talk. This blossomed into the title – Grace that doesn’t role its eyes.

God’s grace does not role its eyes at the many crazy situations we find ourselves in or the pleas we make when feeling desperate. Grace, undeserving favor that God gives us, is a gift. I am so glad to have that favor because I need it in all situations.

As I  enter the intimate setting of the church space where I was speaking, I was greeted with hugs by some of the parishioners. One of them said, “Are you the minister for the day?”

In my thought bubble I said, ooo is that what I’m doing? With a bright smile I said, “I guess so.”

The woman pointed to a high back chair up front that had a red velvet back and cushion. She said, “You can sit up there.”

In my self-talk I said, Jesus take the wheel, this is a larger role than I thought I was doing.

I prayed, took a few deep breaths, relaxed, and presented my message. God’s grace came to the rescue again. This situation that I turned into a climb up Kilimanjaro, went well.

After the church service, there was one final episode where God could have rolled his eyes. The friend who invited me to their church asked me to sign the guest book, which was on a table at the back of the room. I began to sign my name, then noticed that the title across the top of the sheet read, Potluck.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation and mumbled to myself, I think it’s time to go home. But I didn’t. I chatted with the parishioners, gave final goodbyes then went home to decompress.

Faithful Friday - Abby and Zack Pray through the Alphabet

Hope, prayer, faith...we can all use a little of this during the Holiday season and in our daily walk. 

If you are looking for a a creative way to teach children about prayer check out my new book, Abby and Zach Pray through the Alphabet. In this debut picture book, it is my hope that every child who opens this book will grow in faith, joy, and love.

Below is a clip of Sunday School teacher Ms. A, reading to her young student.

Grab your copy of Abby and Zach just in time for the Holiday and share it with a little one in your life.

Order on Amazon here.

Mindful Monday – Prayers with a Twist – Learning Faith From A to Z

 

Are you doing the things that bring you joy? There’s no time like the present to get started.

If you have been following my blog, you know my passions are writing and performing comedy. Quite often the two intersect. When I’m not writing comedy sets, I’m working on essay writing or drafting a children’s book.

I posted over the weekend that I would reveal my latest project. Here it is, drumroll please…

Coming soon, my debut picture book – Abby and Zach Pray through The Alphabet will be published in time for Christmas. Pictured above is the book cover.

Abby and Zach are twin siblings who learn to pray in a fun way. Each letter of the alphabet is an opportunity to help children grow in faith and prayer. I once taught Sunday School for six- to eight-year-olds.

Like Abby and Zach, some of my Sunday School students asked simple questions about praying and were sometimes shy about leading a prayer. I wrote Abby and Zach to show children that learning to pray can be as easy as learning you’re a A-B-C’s.

I want children to feel comfortable with asking questions as they learn about faith and prayer. They will relate to things that Abby and Zach discover.

Do you know of a young child who would like to follow Abby and Zach on their journey of praying through the alphabet? I’ll keep you posted on pre-sale dates.

Motivational Monday – Connection Lost – Keeping the faith through a storm

 

My computer screen was filled with a gazillion emails from my inbox. I set aside time and began to tackle some of them when an error message popped up that said, connection lost. There wasn’t a total black out, but I was stalled in reading my emails or doing anything else on my computer.

My temporary moment of inconvenience gave me time to redirect my tasks. I pulled a devotional from my bookshelf and began to re-read a few pages that were folded down. A quote at the bottom of the page read, “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need.” -Mother Teresa

What do we do when the storms of life are raging? A first reaction may be to panic, worry, or feel overwhelmed. This is the time to put your hope in the Lord, no matter what your circumstances. Don’t lose your connection. Remain anchored in your faith. There are battles that we fight for our kids, our health, our finances, but we push through. That’s faith.

There’s a gospel song I’m reminded of with the following lyrics: There’s a storm out over the ocean and it’s moving this way. If your souls not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away. Keep the connection of your faith. It may not seem like it when you’re going through a challenge, but storms do pass. Your faith will help you push through it.

You may be familiar with the acronym P.U.S.H., - Pray Until Something Happens, it’s one to keep in the forefront of your mind. Prayer is one tool to keep in your toolbox of faith. No need to navigate the sea of troubles alone. Keep in mind that prayer does not only have to be used in times of struggle. You can send out prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for the things you have.

If you feel like you’re alone and your connection to your faith has been lost, reconnect. All is not lost, renew your faith today.

Motivational Monday – Destined to Win

Author Annie J. Adams

Are you destined to win? You can win, despite struggles and disappointments. In the anthology, Destined To Win, by Dr. Mary Segars, 17 women share their stories of overcoming less than favorable circumstances and situations.

The anthology is on Amazon’s Number One Best Seller’s List. My mother Rev. Annie Adams is one of the featured authors who had the courage to speak up in order to overcome a roadblock that kept her trapped in silence.

Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt like you’d never make It through? Perhaps you said, I can do this, but didn’t really feel it. Keep saying it, put faith behind it, and watch how you soar. You are destined to win.

I am reminded of an old, old (way older than me) gospel song that has powerful lyrics – Lord Help Me to Hold Out. Here is a portion of the lyrics:

My way may not be easy, you did not say that it would be.

But when it gets dark, can’t see my way, you told me to put my trust in Thee.

Lord Help me to hold out.

The women in Dr. Mary Segars book found a way to hold out, until their change came. Read their stories and be inspired. Add this book to your reading list.

Got my copy of the book

You too are destined to win.

  

Motivational Monday – Order My Steps

 

Order my steps...

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

How do you walk through your day? A long day at work can leave one feeling drained, worn out, and sapped of energy. Judging by the trail of shoes near my front door, that’s exactly what happened.

As I kicked off my shoes at the end of the day, I plopped onto the couch to unwind. In a brief moment of relaxation, I glanced at the shoes, and reflected on my day. The position of the shoes remined me of the gospel song, Order My Steps. The lyrics to the song say, “Order my steps in your word dear Lord. Lead me, guide me every day.”

Beginning the day with prayer is one way to prepare yourself for the day ahead. You fuel your body with food and your car with gas, it’s important to fuel your mind as well. Read a devotional, meditate, engage in something peaceful at the start of your day. You’ll find that you get more milage to get through your day.

If you ask God to order your steps, be ready to move your feet. If you say, Lord help me to get along with Karen today, she aggravates me; be ready for how he answers. When Karen comes up to you with a negative attitude, murmuring and complaining, resist the urge to cuss her out in your head (or out loud). Your steps are being ordered. How will you handle the situation?

If you need a reminder to calm yourself, get one of those W.W.J.D. bracelets and slide it on your wrist. You may remember them from the 1990’s, the thin wristband held acronym W.W.J.D. which stood for What Would Jesus Do. The significance of the bracelet was to remind the wearer to “act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through their actions.”

You don’t have to run this race called life, alone. Let your steps be ordered by the Lord. Begin each day in a quiet place, do something that provides you with peace or inspiration. Fill your spiritual with something positive. Before you respond to a situation think about the W.W.J.D. bracelet. 

YouTube Video Credit: account5able

What would Jesus do?

 

Feel Good Friday – Daily Bread – Faith and Thanksgiving

 

Photo Credit: Catholic News TT

It is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, what are you feasting on? Traditionally families come together to enjoy a feast and fellowship. There is often food left over that can be eaten the next day. Let’s feast on leftovers today, figuratively speaking.

We need daily bread to nourish not only our bodies, but our souls as well. Feed your soul and seek God for your daily direction, refuse to live stressed out. Nibble on this, God’s got this. Whatever you’re facing is a stumbling block that can be turned into a steppingstone. Count your blessings and put God first.

Be hungry for the love and word of God, and you will find nourishment. Not sure where to start? Start with a word of Thanksgiving – Lord I thank you for all you have already done. Now, that’s just my thought, your words may be different. Trust the Lord for all things large and small.

I woke up one morning with a pounding headache, It hurt to lift my head off the pillow. I forced myself to sit up, then felt nauseous. I rolled out of bed and said, “Lord I don’t want to be sick. Especially since I have the day off work tomorrow.” I shuffled to the medicine cabinet for an aspirin, popped one into my mouth, then sat down and listened to a morning meditation.

A warm cup of coffee in one hand and an ink pen in the other. I journaled as I listened to the soothing meditation. I refused to go down without a fight. I had plans for the day, mainly I wanted to get the house ready for Christmas. It wasn’t long before my headache disappeared, and I hung my Christmas lights.

In minutes, I assembled my artificial tree with the pre-lit lights, sprayed a burst of pine scent from a can, and sat. Watching the lights was peaceful. Perched on an end table next to me was a favorite snack – Cheez Its and Sparkling Ice water, accompanied by a daily devotional. These items were part of my daily bread.

I am thankful for each day I awake with energy, and my health. It’s not perfect, but it’s good. Today I am feasting on leftovers – memories of time spent with family.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Motivational Monday – Thanksgiving

 

A past Thanksgiving - when we could gather we made the most of it. Treasure your family.

Thanksgiving – the expression of gratitude, especially to God. We all have something to be thankful for, even in the midst of challenging situations.

During this season of living through a pandemic, many people are not able to enjoy family in their usual manner. I was planning to visit my mom for Thanksgiving and do what we usually do-eat, watch a movie, then fall asleep during the movie.

Then along came my brother saying, “We can meet at Mama’s house. What are you bringing?”

I said, “We?” If “we” go I’m bringing bleach, Lysol and hand sanitizer.” I knew my brother was referring to food, but I thought I would lighten the situation. My brother and I planned to have dinner with my mother, without our adult children…that has even changed with the latest “stay home” mandate.

How do you save Thanksgiving? Come up with a new recipe…

A Thanksgiving of Hope -  Recipe

1 Cup of Love

1 T of Joy

2 tsp Patience

Mix with gratitude

Serve warm and in large portions

Don’t be overwhelmed by things out of your control. I will go visit my mother, but it may not be the same day that my brother goes. How does that saying go…every day is a day of thanksgiving?

Give thanks for all that God has done and continues to do in your life. What are you thankful for in this moment?

 

Motivational Monday – Praising through a Pandemic

 

Inside looking out

Sunday mornings are quiet, and the house is warm, but the view from a picture window tell a different story. Trees swaying, leaves tumbling, and potted flowers dancing in the wind. The old routine of dashing off into the elements of nature, heading to Sunday morning church service is non-existent.

This pandemic can leave you longing for the days of sitting in the pews, rocking, and clapping as the sounds of singing, guitar playing and a piano, fill the sanctuary. Let’s not forget the sound of an infant crying or that usher with the white gloved hands leading you to a seat. You politely smile and point to a different seat, next to your friend.

We are all healing from a pandemic that has crippled us, our community, and our loved ones. There may be no more praising in the pews, but we can still praise from the porch, the parks, and the pastures. My grandmama used to say, “One monkey don’t stop no show” (I’ve discovered that’s actually an African American Proverb).

Virtual services are available and easily accessible. Don’t let your faith wander because the church doors are closed. Shout at the sink while washing dishes; praising because you had food on your plate. Cry at the cupboards – cries of joy, because there is food for another day. Dance on a dusty floor because you have a roof over your head and a dust mop to clean your messes.

Dance like David danced for the Lord, with shouts of joy and noise of horns. Don’t let this pandemic push your faith aside. In a music video I heard Bishop Marvin Winans say, “My present faith is based on a past experience. I know He’s (God) is able to deliver because He already has delivered.”

Think of a time when you weathered a storm – figuratively speaking or literally. Now get up and shout. Praise from the position you’re in right now.

As you settle down and become still, rest peacefully and know that God is in control.

 

Words of Wisdom - The Pumpkin Prayer

 

Photo Credit: Ministry to Children

There is a pumpkin carving activity that goes along with the Pumpkin Prayer. Check out the Ministry to Children website for details.

Feel Good Friday – Do You Have Faith Like Fireworks?

Photo Credit: The Alpena News

Bursts of Red, White, and Blue illuminate the sky. Sparkles of light sizzle, fizzle, and pop into the night sky. Fireworks are mesmerizing. We should have faith like fireworks, exploding with joy, about our faith.

Now more than ever, with our country in a crisis, we need a stable foundation of faith. While it may be comfortable to keep our faith to ourselves, we need to let it bubble to the surface, then burst from our bodies with joy. Be on the lookout for opportunities where you can share your faith.

We all experience challenges at some point in life. It doesn’t feel good when going through “a rough patch” as my grandfather would say. You may wonder how you will make I through. Somehow you make it through your struggle, you make it to the light at the end of the tunnel and you burst with joy. That’s faith.

Photo Credit: Bible Study Tools

Have you ever been so excited about something, that you couldn’t wait to tell someone? Go ahead, let it out, share your faith. Someone needs to hear your story. Some things you experience are not for you, but for you to be a light to someone else.

Let your faith sizzle, fizzle, and ignite someone else’s sparkle. Get excited. Be faithful. And shine.

Motivational Monday – Healing

Photo Credit: Biblestudytools.com

We need healing in our country. Close your eyes and look through the lens of your community, your state, our country – what do you see? In my community a police officer was caught on video hitting a woman on the top of her head while attempting to restrain her. At our state capitol, people march openly with guns, in protest of the continued stay home order.

In Minnesota, a handcuffed black man died after a police officer retrained him by pressing his knee on the man’s neck. Many places people are protesting, some are friendly protests, others erupted in violence. We need healing. How has your family been affected? If you have children, what the discussion look like in your home?

As I walked through my house gathering dishes, going through the motions of my routine casual Saturday, my son called my cell phone.

“Ma, I’m heading to the protest.”

My heart sank and I let out a sigh. Do I tell him not to go because there could be violence? Do I suppress his desire to be a part of change? To do so may appear hypocritical. You see, I participated in a sit-in during my college years. My mother marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he visited Kentucky State. We need healing.

I told my son, “I don’t really want you to go, but be safe, and wear your mask.”

Not long after that phone conversation, my other son came through the door, “Ma, I’m getting ready to go to the protest.”

I simply said, “Ok, stay with your brother.”

Do I need to say, my sons are black? Our conversations have been different lately.

My son left the house one night to go for a jog. He was wearing a hoodie. The first words out of my mouth were, “Please don’t put the hood over your head.” Forget the fact that sky glistened with bright stars and the air held a gentle breeze. It was a great night for a walk, but I feared for his safety, in our middle-class neighborhood.

Let us press pause; Stop what you’re doing right now and pray for your community, your state, our country, our families. We need healing.

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”     Isaiah 33:2

Feel Good Friday – What’s in your spiritual bank account?

Photo Credit: Jubilee Online Church

As we shelter in place, one day transitions into another without much delineation of what day it really is. I’ve often caught myself asking my son, “Is today Tuesday or Wednesday?”

“It’s Thursday.”

“Oh, that’s right trash day was yesterday.” Trash day was my identifier for the day of the week.

Our world is in a state of crisis. How do you handle a crisis? Each of us experiences pain, devastation, and emotion differently. One thing that is constant is that a Spiritual Bank account can come in handy. If you haven’t opened an account yet, it doesn’t take much to get started.

Make small, regular deposits to your account with consistent prayer as your currency. Pray over all areas of your life – family, finances, health. Build up a reserve that is ready for you in the event that a withdrawal is needed. Perhaps you set a low balance alert for yourself. This can simply be in the form of asking yourself, did I stop to pray or give thanks today?

I made a deposit into my account the other day as I ventured out of the house to visit my other. The last time I saw her was February when we got together for lunch. This time, we gathered for a Holiday, Memorial Day; a day set aside to remember veterans who lost their lives serving our country. It is also a time family and friends come together to embrace one another and create memories.

This year’s Holiday was different. Embracing family (outside of your household), and friends is discouraged. We took our chances, we hugged each other.  It was a brief embrace type of greeting, but it felt good to be with family. Don’t get me wrong, we took nothing lightly. There was constant hand washing and hand sanitizer available. And there was also Mama, a praying woman. This counted for yet another deposit into the Spiritual Bank account.

Your Spiritual Bank Account can include praying for others, praying for your community, and praying for healing. You decide your focus. During this time of the COVID virus, let’s take out this trash on Wednesday with the rest of the garbage.

As the adage says, It takes a village to raise a child; It’s going to take a village to fight against the crisis we are experiencing. Together we can do it. Keep a balance in your Spiritual Bank Account with prayer. Have a relationship with Jesus. Believe. Trust. Faith over Fear.

Make a deposit into your Spiritual Bank Account. There are no fees charges. Christ paid the cost long ago.

Wordless Wednesday - Discovering Calmness in Chaos

In a world of chaos, what do you find calming?

"How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."                                                                                                                                       -Psalm 104:24

What are your methods for finding a sense of calmness in the midst of chaos?

Motivational Monday – Unexpected Moments Deliver Hope

What do you do when you’ve done all you can? Stand. Anchored in faith.

“Let’s go for a walk,” I said to my sons.

“Okay, I can use a break,” said one son.

“Count me in,” said the other son.

The sun lost the battle against the clouds and refused to shine. The sky transitioned in tones of blue and grey as we set off on our walk. The sidewalk seemed to shrink as we attempted to walk side by side.

“Ma, you’re pushing me into the grass,” said one son.

“She can’t come on my side or she’ll be on top of my shoulder,” said the other son.

The banter continued as my sons reflected on their teen years.

“I remember when this trail seemed like we were a long way from home in the woods,” my son said.

Our walk that led to reflection also revealed how much we have to be thankful for. There were moments the two attempted to speak in code about their teen years. I pretended not to understand. Ha.

We didn’t plan where we would walk or the length of time. We simply walked, talked, and reveled in outbursts of laughter. In unexpected moments as these we find hope, we find comfort, and we are reassured that our storms are only temporary.

There comes a point in our lives when as parents, we’ve done all we can. As caregivers to our aging parents, we’ve done all we can. As health care works, we’ve done all we can. Fighting the COVID-19 virus, we’ve done all we can.

It’s time to STAND. Let the Lord see you through.

In unexpected moments, hold onto a mustard seed of faith, hope, and joy.

Bonding - An unexpected moment of sibling togetherness

Motivational Monday – A Checklist of Blessings

Backyard Blessings -Grateful for the sunshine, green grass, and home

Every day is a day of thanksgiving. What is on your checklist of blessings?

ü  Health

ü  Life

ü  Grace

ü  Job

ü  Food

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many people have been saying the phrase, ‘we’re all in this together.’ The silver lining amidst this pandemic is the outbreak of human kindness. While we are truly all in this together, we all hurt differently, and experience joy differently.

It’s not easy to express joy when you are hurting or a loved one is in pain. However, we can always find a reason to give thanks. Count your blessings more than your problems. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. We are living in perilous times.

When my young adult son was a new driver, I used to remind him to take his driver’s license whenever he left the house. The other day when he left the house, I reminded him, “don’t forget to take your gloves and mask.” Perilous times.

Now is the time to stand firm in faith, build up your spiritual immune system. Chicken soup, 

vitamin c and rest are ways we attempt to boost our immune system when the common cold is lurking. Your spiritual immune system can be built through, Lifestyle, Scripture Memory and Meditation, and Service.

An article on crosswalk.com describes those three immune system builders as this:

Lifestyle – living a healthy lifestyle physically is beneficial to your health. “Living a lifestyle of wisdom and acknowledging God in all your ways is foundational for spiritual health.”

Scripture Memory and Meditation – incorporate scripture into our hearts and minds, in the time of trouble we can easily recall the information.

Service – we are created to serve; we are spiritually healthy when we use our gifts and talents to serve others.

Read the full article here.

All the things listed above contribute to our blessings. Blessings come in all sizes. Celebrate and give thanks for them all.

What is on your checklist of blessings?

Motivational Monday – Don’t let your inspiration be quarantined

“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” John Muir

“…My inspiration has been quarantined in some faraway place called COVID19 (Ann Whitfield Paul-author). Ann expressed the feeling many people (that I’ve talked to) are experiencing as they are confined at home-feeling stuck. Don’t be discouraged. Be encouraged.

Find something each day that brings a smile to your face and spreads joy in your heart. Take a walk and observe things in nature that you may not have paid attention to in the past. In a short walk through my neighborhood, I heard frogs croaking in a nearby pond, and saw birds perched in yards.

Be inspired. What can you do to be creative at home and stimulate inspiration? Look through your junk drawer (assuming you have one), your box of scrap materials and crafts, old clothes; turn these things into projects. I pulled a crochet needle and yarn from a bin that has been packed away for years.

I began making loop, after loop, with my yarn and hoop. I work on it in the morning after breakfast and before stay-at-home work, then again in the evening. There is no finished product in mind, I have no pattern, it’s just loop, after loop, circle around and repeat. It doesn’t matter what the final project will look like, the process is relaxing.

If you feel as though worry is engulfing you and stifling your inspiration, let it go and cast your cares on God. He cares for us. It has been said that worry is interest paid on trouble that never happens. Joyce Meyer said, “worry sees the problem, but doesn’t see God. Faith sees the God who can handle the problem.”

Don’t let your inspiration be quarantined. Don’t be infected by fear or let fear control you. You can still have peace. I heard a preacher say, “Peace comes from God, not the CDC (Center for Disease Control). In this time of uncertainty in our communities, the world, and our families, God will give you the strength to push through.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. What will you do to keep your inspiration from being quarantined?

Motivational Monday – All Shook Up-A community in turmoil

“I don’t want to take classes online,” my son was dejected. He returned home for spring break, experienced fun times with his brother and friends, then the world was in turmoil. Schools closed, libraries closed. No hugging, no handshaking, and social distancing is strongly suggested. The Coronavirus has everyone all shook up.

Grocery store shelves are empty, healthy people are walking around in masks…fear is everywhere. In the midst of this abundance of anxiety, we still need faith. We can take precautions, exercise preventative measures and still remain faithful. This is the time to level up our faith.

Our U.S. currency says, In God We Trust. Let’s put our trust in Him as we come together as a community to help each other through this crisis. Is there a friend or neighbor who is not able to get to the store? Purchase an extra item for them while you’re out shopping or share something you have.

Here’s a quote I came across that is worth sharing:

“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”   - Author Unknown

While everyone around you is becoming all shook up, remain steadfast, prayerful, and helpful to someone in need. What you give comes back to you, but it may not be in the form of money. We can’t control a crisis, but we can control our response to it.

Be encouraged and know that this too shall pass.

Motivational Monday – Pray without ceasing

Photo Credit:Whatwomenshouldknow.org

Do you give up on something before you put forth the adequate effort? Do you quit after the first or second try? In baseball, it’s 3 strikes before you’re out. In picture book writing the main character encounters a challenge 3 times before the problem is resolved. The Bible says we should forgive a person 70 times 7 (which symbolizes boundlessness). Things take time.

Don’t Quit. Pray without ceasing.

Reflect on a situation where experienced setback, after setback and it didn’t seem like the struggle would end. But you made it through. Nothing is impossible with God.

Don’t Quit.

It was late evening after his high school basketball practice when my son called me and said, “Ma my car broke down again.”

The school was a fifteen-minute drive from our home, down non-lit back roads, past cornfields. I told my son to see if he could get a ride home and we would deal with it the next day. It was November in Michigan, snowy one day, bitter cold and dry the next.

The next morning, I drove my son to school, we had to arrive before 7am because his car was stalled in the bus lane. The car, an old model Buick, was at the edge of a circular drive. The circular drive was too long and curvy for us to push the car forward. We devised a plan.

Coats zipped to the neck and gloves on, we worked our plan. My son got behind the wheel to steer. He put the car in reverse because this was a shorter distance into the parking area.  I pushed from the front of the car. It didn’t budge. Daylight was beginning to break through the charcoal sky. We needed to move the car before the buses began to roll in.

I said, “Lord we need some help.” My son got out of the car and pushed from the front. We had the driver’s side door open. I planted myself in a squat position and pushed/pulled, turned the steering wheel, whatever I could do. We made progress and backed the car up enough to stop at the entrance of the parking area.

We returned the car gear to Neutral. My fingers felt like icicles inside my gloves, but we gained traction. We grunted and we pushed, inch by inch, until we reach a parking space. Slightly crooked, we left the car as it was and locked the doors. Less than five minutes passed as we heard air brakes. The first yellow school bus pulled into the circular drive of the school.

A prayer was answered. My son’s car was away from danger and so were we.

Don’t quit. Pray without ceasing.

You are prosperous, you are triumphant, you are blessed.

Motivational Monday – A Date with Jesus

“Treat your prayer time like a date night.” A local gospel radio show host said these words on her Sunday morning show. A date night is something we look forward to. We make every effort to keep that appointment. If we treat our prayer time like a date with Jesus, it will be a time that we anticipate with excitement.

At my grandfather’s church they used to sing a song with the lyrics, “Let us have a little talk with Jesus…” Prayer time is our opportunity to talk with Jesus, our date with Him. You don’t need to have a pitch nor a polished speech, He just wants to hear your voice.

Has something been weighing heavy on your mind, don’t hold it inside, talk to the Lord. There is no need to carry around heavy burdens. This is your season for greatness. Have a little talk with Jesus, tell Him all about your troubles. He will answer.

Below is a passage/story that a friend shared with me. I share it with you in hopes that you find a nugget of inspiration.

Flight 2020

Hello, welcome to Flight #2020. We are prepared to take off into the New Year. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt, and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose Altitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight.
The Captain (GOD) has cleared us for takeoff.

Destination: GREATNESS

Author Unknown

Schedule a date with Jesus, not just one date, how about multiple dates?