She Stands

In reading the book of Isaiah I have been fixated on  Isaiah 60:1-22. Here it speaks of the prophetic promises of restoration and the hope for Israel while in captivity.  I began to think about the promised restorations for my life and what has held me captive.  One in particular has been my financial struggles over the years, robbing Peter to pay Paul maneuvers , but then again who hasn't had a struggle such as that from time to time? As a single parent I became good  surviving from pay check to pay check  and accepted my captivity of  financial stress as a never ending norm of life.  It was not the lack that held me captive, I knew my daddy God would provide,  it was the stress of the unknown as to how and where all would work together in my favor. Stress has its own special way of showing up out of no where.  It is famous for sneaking in on me during the midnight hour. I wake up to find sub consciously I have been grinding ...

Years ago had I seen a bible ripped , torn or in any other condition other than perfect my gasp would have been louder than a bull horn. My religious law attitude had me so tangled up I believed the bible, my bible, God's holy word should be nothing but in pristine appearance. And to see one full of highlighted passages and notes written in the margins,was unthinkable for me. My thought process sadly was distorted and bound by a religious spirit which could not see past law and embrace relationship. Once I began to learn of the precious relationship Jesus wanted to have with me and that His words are yes indeed holy however they are written with love from a father to his daughter, my lawful spirit began to crumble and my relationship began to grow. As my thirst for His knowledge  began to increase , my idea of my bible's appearance changed.  I highlighted, made notes in my margins, placed sticky notes out to the sides of certain passages, circled and underlined scriptur...

Photo Credit: Tracy Teppler This beautiful picture is the home of my dear friend, sister in Christ and blogger companion , Tracy Teppler. I met Tracy through blogging four years ago, a relationship  my daddy God blessed me with at the right time. Tracy is a keep it real, do not settle in life, stand tall, warrior through prayer woman of God. And she is my friend............. The funny thing is, Tracy and I have never met face to face. Tracy lives in South Africa and I in the United States. We text , Facebook and email each other. We pray together, we fast together and we share our most precious cries for our loved ones and it never fails when one of us reaches out to the other with a " Hey how are you?" ........Our timing, God's timing ,  is impeccable. It is then we spill our over whelming emotions, desires, joy, praise reports and prayer request with one another.   Our daddy God gives us those who he knows will be the support system we need. The ones who with...

The sitcom Reba is a favorite of mine and my family's. We love to watch the comedy portrayed in every day life circumstances and the message that love covers all,......no matter what. I find myself relating to Reba's character. She is a single mom helping her young daughter and family find their place in life  in world full of set backs, judgments and trying times. Though her role and my life have some similarities not all is the same. My youngest daughter and her family currently live with me as they too are finding their place in life. Although I have no "Barbara Jean"  bursting through my door, my life, for all intense purposes, reflects portions of her world. It's not easy trying to meet the needs of the ones I love when there are times I can barely  meet my own needs. I do my best and honestly there are times when I feel my best is not good enough. It is within those times I find myself irritated, frustrated, weary , heart broken and a failure. I m...

One bad decision , one wrong turn , and a life suddenly full of disappointments, criticism, hardships, and the judgmental eye of the world...... This was what her young life had become in  a short period of time. She didn't understand how it all came to this, but it had, and making the right steps seemed like such an impossible task. No longer did she have the support system of those around her, no longer did they see the possibilities she had, only the lack the world had now deemed her future. Her tough out side exterior over shadowed the brokenness and self doubt her heart held. Her face once glowing with hope illuminated a hardened and desperate soul, a soul needing for someone to see past all the wrong and witness the heart bleeding changes taking place deep within. She began to fight her way back through all the self induced pain. One small step at a time, she is making her way. The world is echoing her faults with every step, love that is offered comes with cond...

There have been season's in my life when God has instructed me to walk through the desert. He doesn't give me the whole picture...... Just one softly spoken instruction for each step directed and ordered by Him. I am in one of those seasons now..... Walking through a desert in faith, believing the promises from my daddy God~ It can be difficult, this walk in the desert. I want to continue and succeed. I want to get to the place He has for me. My steps get heavier, my lips are parched, I am tired and my soul cries out.  Should I turn around? Sit down and cry? Beg and plead for him to move me faster? My flesh is growing tired and weary...... And then I hear in my heart............ Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  I walk on, not giving in to the temptations of my flesh, when all I want to do is si...

I joined my home church  in Texas for a 21 day fast and all though I did not fast food, I did however fast social media. Where technology can be a great tool in spreading the word and love of God, in the grand scheme of things I have learned it can also be an addicting crutch. Fasting has shown me what my priorities have become and through His grace I see where much correction is needed.  With one click of a button scrolling online for scripture and daily encouragement  became easier than time spent opening my bible and seeking God through His written word.  The ease of keeping up with family and friends through social media has taken over phone conversations and face to face visits.  I am guilty in justifying my time spent catching up through social media has more flexibility in my daily life, however it has become less personable. Time is a commodity, once gone, that can never be regain. It is is not a negative source as I have many loved ones spre...