#WhatPain

WhatPain?                                   

 

Psalm 34:18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Romans 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 

Just a little encouragement for today… know that whatever pain you may be experiencing, God’s got you… he has you in the palm of His hand. He sees and knows all that you may be going through… and you are not in it alone.  You may feel that you have been left to deal on your own… you may feel that God can’t possibly be aware of your current situation… you scoff at the thought of others knowing… so you hold onto your pain. Today I am encouraging you to look up for the Lord is nigh… don’t stop praying, he hears your every cry. Whatever pain there is… just try speaking… “What pain?” Speak it, believe it… trust the process. God will always come through in whatever way He sees fit to bless/heal/deliver/mold you…  Peace and Blessings, friends.

~LaShawna

*Note to self: ..."But a little rain, mixed with God's own sunshine...makes me appreciate the good times."  #NoPainNoGain

 

#SnowBound

#SnowBound

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/01/20/d-c-area-forecast-serious-winter-storm-likely-friday-into-saturday-snow-showers-possible-today/





Well... looks like all of the inside-out-pajama-wearers have gotten their wish in the Capital Region and just about all of Maryland!  We've been quite lucky to have a warmer than usual winter season to date. To any readers who are still lucky enough to be without snow... be thankful... and if you have been dealing with the frigid temperatures and snow already into the winter season, then we are just catching up to you!

I just thought I'd take a moment to wish everyone well. Be safe and smart. Here's a checklist of things that may come in handy in the upcoming days for you and your family to stay on top of things.


#SnowStormEssentials

1. Batteries

2. Flashlights

3. Warm Blankets (also good to keep a few in your trunk along with First Aid and non-perishable food items like granola bars, water, etc.)

4. Shovel

5. Snow Blower

6. Aspirin

7. Generator

8. Gasoline (for the generator/snowblower)

9. Full tank of gas in vehicles

10. Full pantry/cupboards

11. Water

12. Charged up electronic devices

13. Movies

14. Books

15. If possible, leave a trickle of water to drip, so that your pipes won't burst during these freezing  temperatures. 

16. Don't overdo it... If you're out shoveling once the snow event is over... take your time. Pace yourself, and stop when needed. You don't need to go anywhere fast...it's a major snow event forecast... many roads will not be passable for a while. Many heart attacks and strokes occur due to folks trying to clear the way after a storm. Pay attention to your body.

17. Ice Melt/Rock Salt

18. Layers

19. Hot beverages (cocoa, tea, coffee)

20. Each Other (It's always best to be snowed in with family!)

Be safe everyone. If you're Snowbound... it's still a blessing... God gives us fluffy white sunshine...I love when it's just falling and everything is still. It reminds me of  Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I am God:".


As the beautiful flakes fall and rest all over our region... might it be nice to reflect on it's beauty and just how unique God has made each and every one? No two snowflakes are the same... how incredible is that? Makes me smile... hope it makes you smile too.


Note to self: Check on my neighbors... the elderly need us most at this time.

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

Online photo courtesy: MiddletonStreamTeam.org



#MoteInYourEye

#MoteInYourEye 

 

 

Anyone who is walking upright, with life and breath knows what it feels like to have a speck of dust, or an eyelash settle into his or her eye. It is the worst nuisance, and one that can consume you to the point that you end up with a very painful situation or a bloodshot orb.

There are oftentimes distractions that we tend to allow to cloud our vision, sometimes becoming a mote, or dust or speck.  We live in a world in which folks are quick to point out the mistakes and misgivings of others, but do not see the thing that is weighing us down.  There’s an interesting scripture that provides an excellent metaphor for this… Matthew 7:3 from the International Standard Version: "Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?”

I am doubtful that many of us have lived our lives without pointing our finger at someone, overlooking the remaining three that point backward toward ourselves at some time.  It’s human nature to shed the blame, or deny responsibility… whether it’s intentional or not, it happens.  My thought today, is that we can kindly help one another out by providing a little “Visine” to our friend, as he or she helps to pull the eyelash out of our eye.

I have made the mistake of stumbling and speaking about the actions of someone in my household who shall remain nameless (D.M.) –smile-- in front of my daughter… she stood eagerly listening as children do. She said to me after a point, “Well, sometimes you do that too, Mommie.” Okay, okay… I must admit that I am super anal about items that are out of place in my home; I do fluff pillows behind people no sooner than they’ve left the sofa or armchair…I do sweep the entryway several times…in an hour…wipe walls, countertops… straighten curtains… yes… anal. However, this one particular time, I had spoken about how this and that was out of order… and my sweet cherub corrected me! This may be trivial to some, but I am learning every day to not point fingers, and to make sure that there’s not a thing in my eye before I look for something in my neighbor’s. What have you so eagerly pointed out about your brother or sister that you could have easily overlooked, or offered your helping hand? My prayer is that I can remove the proverbial speck of dust before it blinds my own vision.

 

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

 

*Note to self: It's not that serious.

Photo: Online Image

#SheIsBlessed

Thanking God for another year!

I am blessed to see 40 years, or as my daughter said this morning... 4 decades!

God is faithful.  I love Him, and vow to make Him smile this year. I appreciate my parents for the life they've given and the rearing that has made me the woman I am today. It is their day as well. Love you Mommie and Daddy! Looking forward to a great day with my husband and daughter, and the remainder of the week/weekend with family.

I am grateful to live this life... one that has given so many opportunities to share God's love and encouragement through song and prose.

Thank you all for your encouragement and I pray that this day is also great for my readers.

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

Note to self: Keep on living, smiling, loving and serving!

#AboutThatLife

#AboutThatLife

Thank God for Jesus and the eternal life that He has given to us...

As a new year approaches, I am encouraging my readers to seek first the Lord as the year 2016 arrives. The Bible says if we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, all things will be given to us. (Matt 6:33) I am headed into this new year thankful, but most of all in the mode of seeking. Seeking Life, seeking how to help others more, seeking how to not be so materialistic, seeking how to make others smile, seeking how to take little... and try to make it much... for others to benefit from. I don't know about you, but in 2016... I'm about that life... that abundant life that overflows into the lives of others. If it means taking my "extra" to help feed or clothe or share the "good news" to someone who is in need... then that's what I'll be doing. It doesn't take much to do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. It doesn't take much to spend a little time & money to make someone else's day. Yes, my blog has been in the same vein for a minute... helping others... but what is life if someone else's life is not affected positively by your own?

Happy New Year friends. May the peace of God rest, rule and abide in your life and the lives of others that you are blessed to touch in this new season of opportunity.

Let's Be About That Life!

In the words of Mahalia Jackson..."If I can help somebody, as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, that he's travelling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Chorus:
My living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread love's message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain."

Peace and Blessings,

LaShawna

#SheWishes

#WishList

3 John 1:2 (King James Bible)

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

John 15:7 (New American Standard Bible)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

There are many folks out and about, hustling and bustling, web surfing, catalogue browsing... to find that perfect wish list item for their loved ones.  We all fall into the wave of shoppers, whether we begin in July, October... or wait for this last week leading up to the "big day". 

For some, a gift is as simple as a tin of cookies, baked fresh from the oven, delivered to the door of a neighbor. For others, it's placing a gift card into an envelope and placing in the mailbox with his or her mail carrier's name on it.  Some go even further to donate their time and resources to local shelters and food banks... giving of themselves, knowing that many are so unfortunate at this time of year... "Kris Kringle" doesn't pass by his or her "tree"... because there may not be one... there may not even be a home or a fireplace for good old "Saint Nicholas" to surreptitiously enter to grant wishes.

These and other thoughts about wishes, gifts, and "Santa" have been dancing in my head like sugar plums of the wonderful Christmas tale that many of us grew up on. However, the reality is that many of our brothers and sisters do not experience having their wish list checked off on Christmas Day... or any other day for that matter.  I'd like to think that we all live in a beautiful world where we all "pay it forward"... we reach out and touch, we help our brothers and sisters out, allowing for a smile... but some do not meet the mark. Most of us carry on in our own private lives selfishly... getting, getting and getting... not serving, giving, and helping.  I was touched when my daughter begged to find someone somewhere to help during this holiday season. She touched our hearts so, that we began to search the area for shelters and services.  I feel in my heart that she knows the plight of some, and her wish is to help others.  I thank God for such a compassionate child.

So, when you are summing up your wish list, checking twice the list of your child, husband, wife,  and loved ones... remember to be thankful that there's a wish to be granted. Whether you are on the receiving end, or otherwise... could you possibly remember that long ago there was a wish that all men might be saved, and be given a chance at life in abundance? That abundant life didn't/doesn't mean a life filled with Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Celine, Valentino, Hermes, Goyard, Louis Vuitton or Gucci. Nor does the abundant life necessarily mean life without stress, heartache, sickness or pain.  The abundant life-wish from our God through our Savior, Jesus Christ is one that has given us the opportunity to live with Peace, Love and Joy each day, knowing that we have a place with God if we live according to His Word... not just on one day that is so commercialized that I don't even seriously count it as a Christian holiday anymore. What I do count it as a time to pray, follow peace with all men and women whom I love and don't know (to love) but try to find love in my heart for all.  We are flawed, but there is a wish that settles upon our souls that we all find the way to redemption, that we all find the road to love unconditionally and to serve others.  I know that I have not met that mark 100% daily, but I do find that in my heart, there is a willingness, and if we act upon that... soon it will emanate through us into the hearts of others...causing wishes to become a reality and not just something we ponder within.

Peace and Blessings to all, may the God of our Salvation rest within your hearts at Christmas and all the New Year through.

~LaShawna

#SheIsJoyful

#Joyful

" Joy, joy... God's great joy. Joy, joy... down in my soul! Sweet beautiful... soul-saving joy... Oh, joy, joy in my soul!" ~K. Franklin

I am joyful at this time of year... many find it hard to be so, due to grief, depression, distance in relation to family members, lack, etc.  However, the Bible shares so many wonderful words of encouragement...on being joyful.  If you would just read these and meditate on them, I know that you will find a spot in your heart and mind to be joyful on today and throughout this holiday season.

Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalm 63:5-7 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psalm 96:11-13 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

*Note to self: Joy comes from within... and within me is Jesus... therefore I have #JesusJoy!


Photo courtesy: My own


Peace and Blessings,


LaShawna