Your obedience to God unlocks doors. Be obedient.♥️
Sometimes you have to become quiet so you are better able to hear that still small voice.
As much as we would love to step out on our own, let’s not do so. Let’s remain obedient to God. He holds the keys that will unlock miracles and blessings.
Happy Sunday! This morning I woke up singing “Here I Am” by Marvin Sapp. There were times when I almost gave up. There were times when I did say, “Lord, this is too much.” Yet I survived. Now, here I am, still standing; and standing tall!
Aren’t we all striving to exceed, excel, and/or overcome something.💙
So there’s this video trending on social media of a young man explaining how marriage has been one of his biggest adversities. He’s been married seven years and has an outside child that’s almost two years old. He said one of the ways he tried to make amends with his wife was by sending her a blue heart daily. The first day he sent one. The second day he sent two. The third day he sent three….and so forth. Y’all, he was so proud of himself.Well, he never made it past 21 days. He said sending hearts every day was just too hard to do. Listened, I tried not to laugh because he seemed so sincere, but it was so funny. How could that be difficult?
And I wasn’t alone. Most people agreed that sending hearts daily wasn’t that difficult to do nor was it special. However, he saw it as something special, as well as challenging. Who were we to judge? To him, sending blue hearts for 21 days was an accomplishment. He had achieved something he didn’t believe he could. And we don’t know, maybe his wife thought it was special too and was also proud of him.💙
Well, after searching for the young man’s name, because I had planned to use something he said during the interview as a quote (exceeding, excelling, and overcoming), I discovered he was an aspiring motivational speaker and that he truly loved his wife. When I tell you my laughter and judgment was replaced with compassion and respect. Y’all, this young man is just like everyone else trying to figure out how to maneuver through this circus called life. How many times have you wished you would have responded or said something differently? How many times have you made costly mistakes but by the grace of God you’re still standing? I believe we can agree that all of us have had similar experiences.
Listen, God’s grace is everything. I believe we need to extend more of it than be so quick to judge. Right now, that small segment of his interview has gone viral. People are in the comments telling his wife she has a loser on her hands and that she needs to find better. So many opinions…
Anyway, here’s an Instagram reel Mr. Pugh had pinned to his page: JahTheVoice. Sending prayers up for him and his wife. Praying their marriage survives this.
This morning I am torn between sharing the song that’s currently in my head or, not one, but several Facebook memories. The song has nothing to do with the memories. It’s just what I woke up hearing.
Hmm…. Let’s see what I decide.
Well, I went to my journal for inspiration, and my entry from last year basically summed up the Facebook memories I was thinking of sharing. So, I guess I will share a snippet of what I wrote.
Journal Entry: February 4, 2023
Today’s quote was, “Keep Showing Up.” I’m learning more and more that my dreams are not meant to be given up on. Even when I feel like things just aren’t going to happen or everything is pointless, God shows me otherwise. Those goals that I wrote down years ago, as well as the dreams I had as a little girl, they’re all going to come to fruition. What I imagined over 40 years ago, I will have. I just have to keep showing up and allowing God to lead.
I ended the entry with–
Lord, I’m trusting You to do it Your way. Amen
Honestly, I really don’t need to write more. I believe that said it all. The only thing I will add is, no matter what, do not give up on your dreams. Many of mine are over 40 years in the making and I still have not given up so you don’t either. Love you!♥️
Shaun
P.S. That song that’s currently stuck in my head is “Exhale” by Whitney Houston. I know, very random, but that’s me. Smile
So many will settle for God’s blessings. However, I do not want His blessings without His favor.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, favor is defined as the support or approval of something or someone.
Listen, I love God’s blessings, and He gives them graciously; however, His approval is what I am seeking. Can’t you hear the Clark Sisters singing, “Blessed and Highly Favored”? I definitely can. Wishing you a beautifully, blessed day!♥️ ~Shaun
“Don’t take it for granted that we are here today. Just know that we’re blessed and highly favored.”
Earlier, someone liked a tweet I posted nearly eight years ago. Not sure how old tweets pop up because I never seem to see them, but evidently someone does. Here’s the tweet.
X (formerly known as Twitter): June 21, 2016
Looking back over the past eight years, so many things happened that could have destroyed my spirit, made me give up, made me settle, made me lose faith, yet here I am. I am still standing and moving forward. As people say, I am so glad I don’t look like what I have been through. God is so good and merciful.
Not sure what prompted me to make that post. Sometimes I just post what I feel or hear. Either way, I see that someone needed that message today.
Here’s what I will add today. God already knows the outcome of our situations. He knew before we even knew there would be one. Our job is to rest in Him while He takes us through whatever we need to go through to get to the other side. As I mentioned before, there were plenty of things that could have taken me out, but I am still here. I am so grateful I didn’t give up or give in. Y’all, God is so good!
Listen, don’t give up. God’s got you! You will get through this. Right now I am hearing this song we used to sing in church (there are different variations) — “How I got over. How I got over. My soul looks back and wonder, how I got over.” Amen
Honestly, there is no telling where I would be without God’s grace or His love and protection. As the song “God’s Grace” says, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” I can only imagine the weapons that He has blocked over my lifetime and continues to block. That’s grace.
Everything you need is right here All of your problems, yes I’m aware And when you’re down, I’ll be right there You can call on me ’cause I hear your prayer No other name can put joy where there is pain He will do it for you but first you gotta know that it’s by God
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper I’m so glad to know (So glad) It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Say you got laid off Can’t pay your bills Sick, can’t get well My Jesus heals He’ll brighten up your darkest day Put trust in Him And he’ll make a way Anyone the son sets free – is free indeed He will set you free But first you got to be a believer and know that it’s by God
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper Anything your heart desires, my God is gonna see to it
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper It’ll never prosper, so come on in
Come on in before the sun goes down Even though the devil’s got you bound Know you’re tired of going round and round Take the Word and knock him down He’ll forgive you of your sins Open up and let Him in Let the Lord show you His love By the mighty God we’re conquerers
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper If you believe in it in your heart, raise your hands and sing
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper Say your battle is already won, you just keep on telling yourself
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No-no-no-no-no weapon formed-
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper No weapons formed (No weapons formed) Against me now (Against me now) Shall prosper
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper When trouble seem to follow you everywhere you go
It’s by God’s grace All things through Christ Jesus No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Food for thought: We want and expect the best, but are we giving God our BEST?
Is He getting your best?
Just imagine how good life would actually be if we gave God our best. I am so grateful He does not treat us like we treat Him. Y’all, we are definitely blessed. So thankful for God’s love, mercy, and grace. It’s unmatched!♥️
Y’all, I am really considering bringing back my Wednesday Writings. I used to share so much…perhaps a little too much. Guess you can say it’s where I shared my most transparent moments and feelings. Below is one I shared last year on this date. When I say it’s so timely and right on point!
Yesterday, I wrote about the atmosphere shift I could feel taking place, and about staying rooted and grounded in God and most importantly staying covered. Well, last year I wrote about declaring victory not defeat. Baby, I was going through some things and I had to let the enemy know that NO WEAPON formed against me would prosper!!! And I took the advice I shared yesterday, I stayed rooted and grounded in God and allowed Him to lead. Here’s a little of what I shared.
Facebook Memory: December 21, 2022
Y’all, life happens and challenges come. Be sure to VERBALLY declare victory over the overwhelming. Yes, speak your victory into the universe and watch things change.♥️
Listen, I was going through some things and at this moment, I am still going through a few things. Seems like you can never have the good without a little bit of bad or vice versa, you have the bad but there is always a little bit of good in each moment. My advice is to focus on the good, the positive. Focus on how great our God is. Y’all, He’s so good!! So very good. Honestly, I can barely remember what I was going through last year, but I know that whatever it was God handled it, and I know He will handle things again. I needed this memory. I am declaring victory over my life. What the enemy meant for harm will not prevail! My God is greater and mightier! Amen
Y’all, I cannot stress it enough, I am truly, truly blessed! I just love the way God loves me. He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. Forever grateful.
Thanks for reading. I pray that you are preparing for a peaceful and relaxing holiday break (those who have one), and spending the holidays with family and friends.
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