Month: January 2016

I love reality weight loss shows. I’ve been watching the Biggest Loser for years, but now there are a few more weight loss shows that’s been added to the network. Last night, I tuned into one called, My Diet Is Better Than Yours. Basically each contestant is paired up with a personal trainer and their specially designed diet plan. And of course there are physical challenges and weigh-ins. No reality show is complete without the “d” word, DRAMA!

Okay, so the contestants are on the show because they need help, simple as that. On last nights episode, one of the contestants revealed that she made an executive decision to discontinue her diet because she was upset with her trainer. The trainer said she was tired of hearing how tired she was so the contestant decided to stop the plan. ***Reality shows are edited for great TV, so I’m commenting about what they aired.*** I think the contestant was the only one who didn’t see the fact that she was self sabotaging her success. Long story short, she gave up because she didn’t like the trainers response. While everyone encouraged her to stay including the host who was in tears, she chose to QUIT!! The reason goes beyond her trainer’s response. It’s much deeper than that.

That episode reminded me of all the rejection letters that I received for my manuscript. My 2015 was FULL of NO’S, literally. One day I received the best rejection letter EVER because it had lots of suggestions on how to improve my story as well as my writing. I knew it would take a lot of work, but I was willing to do exactly what I was told to do. Now here’s the reality after the initial, “okay, I can do this.” IT WAS SOOOO HARD AT TIMES THAT I WANTED TO SAY F O R G E T   I T!!!! It wasn’t like the publishing company that made all of the suggestions said if you make the changes we’ll sign you. I remember thinking one day, what if I make the suggestions and they still say no? Now that’s a great thought to make you throw in the towel, huh? There were days that I would sit in front of my laptop void of any creative juice praying for the Lord to help me. LOL Bottom line, the suggestions that were made truly made my manuscript better. I wrestled with giant (Goliath) doubtful and discouraging thoughts practically talking myself out of trying. Whew, so glad I didn’t give up! AUTUMN MOON COMING THIS FALL! 😀

Hey you! Don’t give up. You can do it! Stay focused on God and the purpose for what you are doing. What you’re dealing with may seem impossible like David vs Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:47 says, And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” Be encouraged. I pray that contestant will look to God for her strength and look deep within to realize what’s really holding her back, at least in that episode, is herself. She is her own Goliath.

Just blogging it out . . . Oh and HAPPY FRIDAY!! 😀

Throughout the 16 years that my husband, Antoine, and I have been married, we’ve had some interesting encounters with other couples to say the least. I think the most memorable encounter was the time we tried a bible study for married couples shortly after we had gotten married. The first time we attended, we noticed there was a negative vibe. The couples were literally complaining and tearing each other down. Despite the vibe, we decided to give it shot to see if that night was a rare occurrence. Unfortunately, the bible study was actually The Spouse Bashing Club. Whoa and NO! Okay, it wasn’t actually called that, but the couples dogged each other like it was. We even tried to join in the conversation by saying positive things; however, we were quickly shut down by comments such as, “Just wait until you’ve been married five years.” or “Just wait until you have kids.” or “Marriage is hard, just wait a little while longer and you’ll see what we’re talking about.” Antoine and I left there and NEVER went back. Those people were so miserable that they practically told us that we were headed for marriage-hell.

What did we learn from that experience? We learned that bashing each other only makes things worse and stay away from The Spouse Bashing Club. LOL If you’ve chosen to be married, you and your spouse have chosen to live happily ever after with an imperfect person. Here’s an analogy that my husband will be proud of because it involves sports:  Imagine you’re watching a basketball game where a player just can’t seem to make a basket. This dude miss shot after shot after shot. All of a sudden one of his teammates goes over to the other team in the middle of the game and starts bashing the guy for missing the shots. I think everyone would be shocked. That’s kind of what we do when we complain to other people about the goings-on (funny word 😀 ) in our marriage.

The bible tells us in Romans 3:23, For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If a problem arises in your marriage, discuss it with your spouse. If you can’t seem to solve it on your own and feel you need to talk to someone, go to God first. Think about why you want to talk to someone else. If it’s because you’re trying to find someone to be on your side, STOP! If you’ve chosen Team Marriage, there are no other teammates involved. (Except God.) If your spouse is the one who made the mistake, show grace because you will DEFINITELY need it one day. If you’re having serious issues, consider counseling with a licensed professional or a certified pastor, not your mama! (Humor to get your attention.)

Marriage was designed by God, but He never promised us perfection. Build your team, don’t tear it down by focusing on each other’s faults. And by all means, stay away from The Spouse Bashing Club.

Just blogging it out . . . Oh and HAPPY THURSDAY! 😀

I’ve always thought of myself as someone with a big imagination. I’m a writer of fiction stories so it’s kind of a requirement, right? LOL My mission is to reach, teach, and inspire families GLOBALLY through creative writing. Globally-of,relating to, or involving the whole earth. I don’t know about you, but the earth is pretty big to me. How can someone like me accomplish something that involves the entire earth? I’m a bona fide introvert. In fact, Merriam-Webster will be adding my picture next to the word introvert. 😀 I’m kidding of course. I don’t have a formal education in English outside of the English classes I was required to take and the few electives I signed up for; I have a BS in Nutrition & Dietetics; and I am far from being world-renowned. I don’t even know my neighbors. LOL

This morning I ran across Ephesians 3:20,21 (NIV) 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I’ve read that a bunch of times, but this morning I really put some thought into it. With God’s power working through me, I’m able to do even more than I can ask or think. It’s not about who I think I am. It’s about who I think God is. If I doubt myself or if other people doubt me, we’re doubting God’s ability and not operating in faith. Mark 10:27 says, But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

When I chose a career in Nutrition, I knew that I could help people, but I can honestly say I didn’t ask God. I didn’t really start seeking God about my purpose until a tragic life altering event. My sister called me one night in Dec 2009 to tell me that my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother passed away five years ago yesterday. I wrote the first draft of my first book, A LOVE UNCOMMON, while coping with her illness. Long story short, I got tired of doing things my way.

I hope it doesn’t take a tragic event for you to yield to God’s purpose for your life. If you haven’t already, ask Him now and wait for the answer. Then trust Him to accomplish it. Remember Matthew 9:29 (Amp) says, Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith [your trust and confidence in My power and My ability to heal] it will be done to you.”

Just blogging it out . . . Oh and HAPPY WEDNESDAY! 😀

 

 

 

 

Super Bowl! And my husband is very excited. I remember many years ago when my husband and I first got married, women would tell me that I better start liking football or Antoine would find some other woman that does. Buy a book. Learn about the game. Do whatever it takes to make myself fall in love with the game. Am I a football fan? Nope! Am I trying to be? Nope! Is he bugging me about liking football? No more than I’m bugging him about liking ballet and theater. So the answer is no.

Marriage is a serious relationship that was designed by God. In fact, marriage is the first institution that God gave mankind. But does that mean we are supposed to like the exact same things in order for us to be happy? I don’t think so. However, I respect the fact that my man is a football fan. When he’s watching football, I may join him on the couch, but I’ll probably start reading, writing, or fall asleep. Or, he’ll watch the game in a different room. I don’t bug him no matter how much I joke about it. I let him enjoy it. If you ask him if he’s going to a Super Bowl Party, he’ll say, “no”. If you ask him why, he’ll say, “I have my own private Super Bowl Party at home sponsored by T.A.N.Y.A.” LOL And that’s totally his choice.

It’s okay if you don’t like football, ladies. It’s more important for you to respect each other and your differences. And by all means, don’t invite fear into your marriage.

Just blogging it out . . . Oh and HAPPY TUESDAY!

The title of this post seemed pretty insensitive when you first read it, huh? <In my Overton Wakefield Jones voice.> Just trying to get your attention. LOL I wonder how many of you know who Overton is.

Anyway, there are times in my life when it seems like I have hit a wall head on. I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I think about all the things I have to do, I just want to veg out in front of the TV and eat my weight in skittles, the red bag. Which is why I try not to think about everything all at once. I failed this morning. I thought about everything that I’m trying to accomplish and became a little overwhelmed. My mind went into movie mode. I pictured myself stuck in a deep pool of mud from the waist down struggling to move forward while long branches dangled in my face during a rain storm. As I TRIED to walk, I kept my head down keeping my eyes fixed on the mud while pushing the branches away from me. My strength quickly faded and I began to sink. I decided to look up one last time before completely sinking into the mud. Instead of pushing the branches away from me, I held onto one of the strongest branches allowing me to pull myself up again. And when I looked forward, dry ground was just a few steps away.

Trying to get through that pool of mud by my own strength almost made me maggot feed. (Graphic, I know. Trying to get your attention again.) It wasn’t until I stopped focusing on the mud that I noticed that the branches were not a threat after all. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Good old Paul and his thorn made a great point in that verse. I can’t depend on my strength (willpower, self-control, self-discipline) because eventually I will reach my limit. But God’s strength is infinite, UNLIMITED!! So, if you’re feeling weak, GOOD! Let’s depend on God’s strength together!

Just blogging it out . . .  Oh and HAPPY MONDAY! 😀

Today is the 22nd day of the year! I know it may be too soon to say, but this year is flying by and February is just around the corner. I just chuckled to myself because I pictured my husband, Antoine, shaking his head. He doesn’t like when I focus on time. I have a habit of saying stuff like this on Saturday morning, “the weekend is almost over.” LOL That is a little overboard.

Okay, here’s my point. We don’t have time to waste. There are situations around us that can take us off course if we allow them. This isn’t a call for us to walk around all robotish. (I know that’s not a word, but I think it’s kind of funny.) However, we should be mindful of the time we are spending doing things that waste our valuable time and energy. Have you ever gotten mad about something that didn’t really have anything to do with you like a post on FB? After reading the post you google the topic to get more information about it. Then before you notice, you’ve wasted an hour of your day. Maybe that’s just me. LOL

I said all that to say, stay focused on what God has for you. One of my favorite bible verses is, Isaiah 26:3 (amp) “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

No matter what’s going on in this world, God has a plan. Trust!

Just blogging it out . . . Oh and HAPPY FRIDAY!