Trusting and Waiting on God

Waiting on God and trusting that He is really working it all together for our good, can be one of the hardest things we endure in our Christian life.

You may not agree with me on this. But have you ever wanted something so badly you’ve moved ahead of God making things happen for yourself? I think we all have at some point in our lives.

Some of you are married to, or separated or divorced from men who if you had waited on the Lord—you would never have been attached too. There are those of you who proclaimed the Lord said it was okay to buy that house or car. You now owe on a house you no longer live in because it was foreclosed on. And you have a car note or lease with insurance that takes all your money.

How many of us are single moms because we didn’t trust God enough to say, “No!” to the man who threatened to leave us, if we didn’t have sex with him? Yet, he left anyway or maybe married you, but you are miserable.

There are those of you who are in jobs, which you hate! But you begged God for this job. And you couldn’t possibly understand why He wouldn’t want you to have this better paying job? After all, it would increase your tithes and offers, so you jumped at it! But in truth, He never told you to take it.

I wonder how many of us are sad and discouraged because we don’t see God moving in a situation we have been prayerful about? How many of us have given up on family, marriages and loved ones? Maybe even our own healing or life changing experience?

I know a woman whose oven door spring broke and she had to use a stick to keep it closed. She wanted a new stove and a few other things done in the kitchen. Her husband, asked her to give him a few months and he would have the money. Well, her version of a few months and his were too different things, so she borrowed the money from her mother and had the work done. Yes, it caused big problems in their marriage. And it really wasn’t even about waiting on her husband, as much as not trusting God in the matter.

There are so many examples of everyday life where we have become impatient with God’s timing and have taken matters into our own hands. I know I’m guilty! But today I want to share my recent faith battle and victory.

In April of this year, I was finally granted health and dental insurance because of the Affordable Care Act, or as many know it as "Obama Care". I was excited and very happy, because the past couple of years, my teeth started getting loose and one fell out in the bottom front and both my wisdom teeth came out. Fillings that I’ve had for over 50 years fell out and I desperately needed dental work.

By this time, I knew I had some type of gum disease and would more than likely lose all my teeth. Honestly, I sat down and cried about it for a minute, and then moved on. Good dental health is so much more important than holding on to failing teeth.

I called a highly recommended dental school and made an appointment in May. I also made an appointment for the first day my insurance kicked in with my primary physician, who I hadn’t seen in years.

Long story short…when the labs came back I was diagnosed with thyroid disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

The Holy Spirit and I came up with a plan and then we let my doctor in on it. LOL! I only took the prescriptions for the thyroid, hypertension and a beta-blocker for my heart—due to the hypertension.

I made a drastic lifestyle change in my diet and exercise.

My first dental appointment had to be reschedule because my pressure was too high. My physician explained I would not be accepted into the program. We had to work on getting it lower.

In the beginning everything was going well. The weight was dropping off, I had more energy and then the heat of summer came and my numbers shot back up! Then another dental appointment went by the wayside. But this time I didn’t bother to reschedule. My doctor was increasing meds and my body wasn’t adjusting well.

To be honest and up front, I was tempted on more than one occasion to be upset with God. I didn’t understand? My mouth was getting worse and it was starting to affect my self-esteem and hinder my social life.

The scripture I have been standing on for this process is… And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NIV) Because good dental health is not a desire, but a true need.

By faith I made another dental appointment for October 18^th. I had six weeks to get my pressure down. Even though I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to do that, when I had been doing everything humanly possible—but I believed!

I also stopped taking my blood pressure reading every day. (Please do not stop taking your readings if that is what your doctor prescribes.) I’m just sharing my journey. My reason was, the numbers were not so good. And to work as hard as I was, by watching what I was eating, and cooking healthy and exercising and not see the numbers drop significantly, was discouraging. So, by faith I stopped for a few weeks before my appointment, and trusted God I would be accepted in the program.

And there was more—I now carried a deep shame from the state of my teeth.

Well, October 18^th, was this past Tuesday—my pressure was really good and I was accepted into the program. I met the student who was going to make up my plan with the residents and doctors. I’m scheduled to go back this coming Tuesday and will be moving forward to a new chapter in life.

Praise God!

The exam and process was lengthy. I was in the dental chair for a little over 2 hours, and everyone who was part of the process (six people in all), were kind and very respectful. The Lord addressed the embarrassment and shame I felt with kindness and an overall general concern for my wellbeing.

And I must add the dentists were more than amazed I was not experiencing pain of any kind. (Again, God keeping me.)

Looking back over the past few months, I see how miserable I would have been had I started my dental work this summer as I had hoped. We had heat wave after heat wave. And the hotter it became, the more my pressure went up.

Also, my student dentist who is a junior was not there during the summer. And since I believe, I have the best they have to offer—he is also part of God’s plan and perfect timing.

You see sisters, when we are standing in faith—what we see in the natural has nothing to do with what God is supernaturally doing on our behalf. Even when we don't understand, we can't give up!

The issues my body struggled to overcome weren’t improving the way I wanted them too, and it looked as if I would never get my teeth done. And to top it off, the state of my mouth was getting worse.

There were days I really had to fight the good fight of the faith, and be encouraged by my dear friend and bible teacher. She kept reminding me of God’s faithfulness in my life and what my attitude should be if I really believed God’s Word.

Faith can be a tall order! And especially when what we see with our eyes translates into “It ain’t gonna happen!”

Paul gives us clear insight into how our faith should work. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (NKJV)

 The Amplified translation is really good too. 17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

I love how it says, “Disclosed in a way that awakens more faith.” That’s the core of our going from faith to faith. It’s never the same. It should be bigger and stronger than last time. There are times we don’t so much need a miracle as we need to remember a miracle once had.

I pray that today’s blog is encouraging to anyone struggling to trust and wait on God’s perfect timing.

And if you don't have a written account of God's miracles, answers to prayers and faithfulness in your life, may I suggest you recall as many of them as you can and write them down. This will help you on those dark days you want to give up or move ahead of God. Amen!

Until next week,

Love and Hugs

Ponnie

We Could Use More Cheerleaders in the Body!

Encore blog: June 13, 2014

In the sisterhood of Christ we are to help one another in ways that the world doesn’t.

Oh, and I have Bible to back me up, “They will know that you are mine, by the way you love one another.” Yup, that’s what Jesus has to say about it. But the world isn't necessarily seeing that we belong to Him from way we are loving on one another. Because as a group there is a weakness in the love and giving department.

One area we are very weak in...is encouraging each other to soar.

We aren’t the cheerleaders we could be. We don't applaud each other and shout, “You can do it sister! Go, Go, Go!” We’re not grabbing hold to support our sister when we see she is ready to give up or fall—no, secretly we often hope she fails.

   

Writing this blog made me dig deep within myself, because there was a time the person I just described, was me! And I needed to come clean, so I could share what was going on in my life at the time.

For one, I was a very (and I mean very), insecure person whose low self-esteem ruled my life, and filled my heart with envy. This stopped me from being totally happy for anyone else.

During the period when I wanted to be married, it hurt every time I heard someone had gotten engaged or had married. I would paint on a happy face and pretend I was happy for them, but the true state of my heart was one full with envy.

Whenever we put our self-worth or value into what we do or accomplish, we will always be envious of others. We will always see ourselves as not measuring up when someone else does better or one-ups us.

Well, this was all fine and good when I lived outside of the Kingdom of God. It's what people in darkness do. But things are supposed to change when we give up residency in the world and move into the Kingdom. And God demanded more of me as He does all His daughters. It was time for change. I had to start putting on the new me—the Jesus me!

Let’s fast forward to today…Now that my understanding of how much God loves me is growing and I've learned there is nothing He has for me that anyone can rob me of—I am free of envy!

The more I strive to walk in love—the freer I am! I Corinthians 13, tells us, “Love does not envy!”

It has taken time for me to learn to believe God what has to say about me. It has taken a lot of work, to no longer think my value or self-worth are linked to what I do or achieve. But it was worth the struggle, because now—I am free of so many things that weighed me down and stole my joy!

But this is a truth that some of us have yet to realize, and it is hurting the Body.

As you all know, I’m a writer. Okay, no big deal! There are plenty of writers in this world and so many different types of writers to boot! (And I am so happy I wasn't called to write text books—of any kind! LOL!) But guess what? None of us are the same—even if we write in the same genre. We all have different skill sets, personalities, and gifts. And this should make us happy for one another!

But in truth—we are so insecure and envious, we are not cheering each other on as we should.

It's sad to have to say this, "But I know women who don’t confess to know Jesus, but help and encourage me more than many of my sisters-in-Christ when it comes to my writing and what I am doing with it.” Prime example—for all the people (including family) I send a weekly email to with this link—very few bother to read the blog. How do I know? There’s a tracker on the blog site.  It doesn’t tell me who reads it, but just how many. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the numbers business, I’m just using this as an example of how we don’t support each other when we have an opportunity too.  

Yet, folks will not hesitate to ask me to edit things for them or share information that will enhance their writing endeavors. See, the Kingdom has many writers, want-to-be writers and writers-in-the-making. And I have learned to be happy for them all. Because what they are doing, has nothing to do with what God has anointed me to accomplish.

We are big on quoting scripture concerning sowing seed and gleaning a good harvest when it comes to our finances, but it can be overlooked when it comes to sowing seeds of love and encouragement. We don’t seem to put the same value on it as money. But a harvest of love, is something money will never be able to afford you.

Sisters, if you are one who is envious or jealous of others, you have a heart issue that needs to be worked on. First confess it to God and ask Him to help you get to the root and make change. Then purpose to encourage and cheer on as many as you can..even when your envious of them. 

When we see a sister trying to start her own business, we should cheer her on! Instead of being jealous someone bought her first house before you—cheer her on! She’s published her first book and you are still working on yours—cheer her on! She’s pregnant before you—cheer her on! She's trying to get healthy and is losing weight—cheer her on!

Become a cheerleader and let’s show the world what it really looks like to belong to Jesus.

Until next week,

Love and Hugs

Ponnie

Crimes of Opportunity

If you or anyone you know is in law enforcement, they will tell you that all crimes are not premeditated. There are many that happen as crimes of opportunity or rage—never planned at all.

Today I went for a walk and noticed a delivery man get out of his car, leaving it running and the driver’s door open while he walked up a long walkway to a porch. I witnessed this same scenario in the 70’s while working in an élite part of downtown Philadelphia. But the outcome was much different.

A man pulled up to a mailbox, got out of the driver’s side (car running), and while he was dropping the mail in, a man jumped in and drove off! The owner just stood there screaming. There were no cell phones back then.

The man today, still had a running car waiting for him when he stepped off the porch, but it made me think of how we can become so secure in what we do and where we live, we let our guard down and set ourselves up for crimes of opportunity.   

Of course this doesn’t let the culprit off the hook by any means. The man who stole the car was a thief at heart.

Being raised in a large city, I all too well understand the difference between certain parts of town. Some are less crime riddled than others, which can give people a false sense of security. Living in the suburbs or gated communities also has the propensity for the same delusions. Truth is…bad things happen all over—even in fortified mansions.

And we can also have the same type of mindset when it comes to our residency in the Kingdom of God. We think we got it like that! Salvation is it! Once we secure that, we don't have to do much else.

Jesus explains what the role of a thief is…“The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10a NKJV)

And Peter wanted to firm it up for us, “Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8 CJB)

But many of us are like the woman walking around the store with your pocketbook in the kiddy seat of the shopping cart who becomes distracted. Bam! If it’s open they might only snatch your wallet, but you see the man took her entire purse…crime of opportunity.

A thief at heart is crafty. They know how to scheme, plan and execute a plan. But they are also on the alert for crimes of opportunity. Sometimes it’s as simple as trying all the handles on cars to find the one that isn’t locked. Or walking down the street and seeing UPS leave a package on someone’s porch. They roam and are opportunists!

Well, where do you think such a spirit or lifestyle comes from?

Yup—the Father of all lies and deception, himself!

Some of us are in such a mess right now, from crimes of opportunity he has leveled against us. But, the truth of the matter—it’s our own fault. We failed to stay sober and alert! Just like the woman who left her purse in the shopping cart unattended.

Your husband walks through the door a little testy. He’s had a long day, and so have you. You ask him a simple question and he’s a bit snarky in the way he answers, and before you know it—bam! An argument has ensued and you’re now arguing about something that happened last week, last month or even last year! You go to bed angry and half speak to each other the next morning.

How did this happen? Well, could it be you haven’t been spending time in the Word and with God lately? Has life been busy and really distracting and all time consuming? Do you think going to church on Sunday is enough to keep you going? Well, if the answer is, “Yes.”…you have set yourself up for crimes of opportunity. And the thief (our Adversary) will swoop in and steal your joy, kill the peace in your home, destroy any hopes for a good night’s sleep and just devour up the love!

As a Believer, I’m sure you have experienced a spiritual attack of some kind in your walk with Christ. And what I have come to realize, they aren’t always planned as much as they are crimes of opportunity.

Our enemy sees when we are not spending the time required to stay sober, strong and on guard. He sees us drifting away from the One who keeps us. All he has to do is gather those little imps and they sit patiently and wait for an opportunity to assault us!

Crimes of opportunity almost always happen when we are not as careful or diligent as we could be. Spiritual crimes of opportunity also happen when we are weak, tried and frustrated. And how do we get there? By not being careful or diligent in staying sober, strong and on guard.  

And this is why I constantly encourage you to read and study your bibles.

It is impossible to build an ark during a raging storm. In other words, when the flood gates of hell open up on us—we best be prepared to deal with it. But not only for the big things. A good solid relationship with God makes for a better life all around.

Living to please God because we love Him is a great reward in itself.

If the wife would have taken notice her husband (from his reaction), probably had a bad day and  either answered in a soft voice (because the bible instructs that turns away anger), or kept quiet and not taken offense, she would have had a peaceful night in her home and bed.

Because when we are full of the Word and focused on pleasing God, we have a tendency to grab hold of His grace quicker, and do the right thing.

What crime of opportunity has our enemy laid on you lately? Was it anger, a wrong response, tit for tact, a poor attitude, meanness, unkindness? The home is one of his favorite places to hangout at, but he doesn't stop there. A crime of opportunity is just that...an opportunity. He could care less if it as at your place of work, church, in public or with friends.  

Well, whatever it was, review to see how you let it happen. Examine what exactly was going on with you at the time? And then do what the Word says to do and correct it.

Sisters, I can’t say it enough! Read your bibles and spend time with God! Guard yourselves against the crimes of opportunity that are levied against daily. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

CLUTTER

Encore blog, January 31, 2014

Clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self! ~Eleanor Brownn~

Wow!! When I first read this quote by Eleanor Brownn, it hit me like a ton of bricks! It made me stop and think about the things we as daughters of the King live with on a daily bases that doesn’t support the better us!

I chose this week’s photo because it’s a very good representation of what the inside of some of us looks like or a relationship we are in. It does give you a sense of emotional clutter as well as physical.

Housing and holding on to Old Ideas, is most defiantly living in the past.

Continually allowing Bad Habits to have rule gets us nowhere?

Toxic Relationships can affect everything about us!

Letting go seems to be very hard for people. Have you ever watched one of the hoarder shows? It’s amazing what people cling too. Same thing goes for toxic relationships. Women stay in marriages and relationships where they are physically and mentally abused for years. Many families have toxic relationships that just bring out the worst in everyone. Friendships can be summed up as toxic when one uses the other and never brings anything good or worthwhile to the table.

Bad habits become a way of life and gain rule over us. On many levels we realize they are there, but often don’t have the courage or conviction to make change.

Hanging on to old ideas stagnates and stunts our growth, yet we can still refuse to let go.

Why is that?

Fear!

This is the type of “Fear” Timothy warns us about, the type of fear that hinders and can paralyze us. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Women stay in toxic marriages and relationships out of fear of being alone. Often married women fear how they will make it on their own, especially if they have children. Some women are so desperate to be attached to someone (their self-esteem is so low) they view the abuse as a viable option to being alone.

It can be scary to have to move on and leave family and old friends behind—but many times that is what’s needed. As a parent you might need to put someone out of your house. When Jesus became prominent in my life, I lost ALL my friends, and I do mean ALL. That shows you what type of life I was living. I drank a lot ( way too much), smoked, cussed, partied, gossiped, had sex outside of marriage, was petty, unforgiving, envious of others, vindictive and just hung out with folks that by God’s standard were pure heathens! But then Christ got a hold of me, and I did become a new creature. And bit, by bit, I moved away from most of them and the others moved away from me. You see, I was no longer fun and one of them.

I did try to hold on to some even though I knew they were not good for me. Why? Out of fear of not having any friends—fear of being lonely. And you know what? I was lonely for a period of time. But it was a time of purging on God’s part and they were all replaced by daughters of the King, “aka” mighty women of God!

At the time I had a best friend of over 17 years, and I really didn’t want to lose her, but the more I talked to her and listen to her cuss up a storm the more I realized I had to cut back on our conversations, because I was putting down “fitly” communications. The more she gossiped about others, the more I realized we were drifting apart. And then eventually I saw with clear eyes (because I no longer walked in darkness) that our friendship had been built on all things that were an assault to Christ and I had to let her go.

Now I tell you sisters, God replaced her with a best friend and mentor whose friendship is going on 24 years now. And He replaced all the others too. (See August 16, 2013, blog: Collective Wisdom,)

I had to let go of my old way of thinking and allow my mind to be continuously renewed by the Word of God. Old ideas and old ways of thinking were no longer acceptable in the Kingdom if I wanted to grow and move forward in Christ.

The breaking of old habits is the work in progress that we are, but that can’t be an excuse to stay enveloped in them. We must keep striving to reach a higher mark in life as Believers; we cannot allow the “clutter” to takeover and run our lives.

Sisters, what clutter do you have in your lives that is not supporting the “better you”? What clutter is tearing you down and holding you back? Once you have honestly answered these questions, then it is time to step out in faith to make change and let go.

We don’t have to be afraid of the unknown, because it is all known to God. Don’t be afraid to let old friends and some family members go. There are times it just has to be done. Don’t be afraid to get to a safe haven if you are being abused. It is not God’s will for anyone to be abused. Don’t be afraid to put an old dream to rest and move forward into something new. Remember what the Lord has told us, “Fear Not!”

Oh, and if the picture I used today reflects your home or bedroom in anyway—you really need to start there and get it cleaned up. Why? Because it truly is a reflection of things going on inside. Amen.

Blessings and Hugs

Until next week......Ponnie

Comparisons and Past Things!

Comparisons can be a plus or a negative in the life of a Believer. Bringing up the past is also a double sided coin. There is good to the past just as there are things we would choose to do over if we could. But because our sin nature has the tendency to look at the negative of things more so than the good or positive—we end up in the muck and mire most times.

Married women like to compare their husbands, to the men they see on television shows (especially soap operas), their neighbors, friends, family, coworkers and church members. Oops, don’t let me forget Facebook!

We often compare our husbands and marriages to others in a way that brings about envy, jealousy and covetousness, or pride. Either way, it feeds into our sinful nature.

A few weeks ago, there was a challenge going around on Facebook for married women to post pictures of them and their husbands for seven days. It was supposed to support marriage and love. The thought may have come from a good place, but in reality it really wasn’t such a good idea. And I say this because it came off as phony and an opportunity for people to brag in their pictures. I wrote a post about how I was tired of seeing it and jokingly threatened to block folks who kept doing it. But you know what; a lot of my married friends who did not participate were tired of it too. I didn’t ask them why, but from some of the comments on my post you could tell they were tired of the bombardment of pictures we've already seen.

One person who participated commented that it could be encouraging someone struggling in their marriage. Sorry, I didn’t buy that one, because if you are struggling in your marriage, seeing all these happy pictures of couples on vacations, at galas and so on—was not about to make you feel better. No! It was only going to magnify your problems. It only intensified the feelings of being lonely or a neglected wife.

Anyone who has been married any length of time knows—marriage takes work! And it is not always smiles, hugs and kisses. There are times of tears, misunderstandings, trials, tribulations and heartaches. Working with women in crisis I know all too well that abused women have many fabulous pictures of grand honeymoons, wedding anniversaries, bouquets of flowers, the latest diamond jewelry and family vacations. But if pictures were taken of their beatings, they would reveal black eyes, broken bones, bruises, welts and missing teeth. There are not enough diamonds or flowers to correct that!

There's an old saying, “A picture says a thousand words.” And the truth is—those thousand words can all be lies. Yet, we continue to judge outwardly and envy others. We might also know someone whose marriage is not the best and the flip side to that is—we get puffed up because in comparison, our husband shows up better.

But not only do married women have issues with comparisons…we all do. Single, married, widowed, separated, divorced or engaged. Comparing our lives and bodies to that of others is a common thread amongst us all. And in our own human state we have the tendency to focus on what we don’t have. Or if we do focus on what we have, it becomes prideful. So, what are we to do?

If we must make comparisons, then let it be God focused.

Okay, so maybe your marriage is not all you had hoped or would like it to be. But how is it in comparison with your obedience to God’s Word? What changes have been made as you decide to do things God’s way?

Has a soft and gentle answer to your husband, defused arguments and bad attitudes in your marriage? My bible says, it will! Does, seeing your husband for who he can be, versus who he is at the moment, empower your prayers for him, your marriage and your faith in God? It should!

You see sisters, when we compare our lives to God’s Word and what He is doing and has the capacity to do—it becomes a win-win.

Some of us are unhappy because life just didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. We are in our later years, and find ourselves facing health or financial issues. Some of us are steeped in debit from college loans, shopping, keeping up with the Jones’ or just poor management of our money. Some of us want to be married and have kids. Some of us feel God has not been fair in how He seems to reward others. Because when we look at their lives—they are just a mess!

With what is going on in the world today—we should know without a doubt that we are blessed and highly favored, just like the good book says!

Our mainstream Western news media is not good on world news. Well, truth be told, they’re not good on local news either. But we as Believers must make it a point to dig for world news about our brothers and sisters, and people in general, ourselves.

Take the people of Syria who have been catching it for some time now. Those who have not been able to get out are destitute, especially in Aleppo. The pictures of them just sitting in rubble without, proper shelter, sanitation, and food and water are heartbreaking. Today there was a report the aid that has been sent is to finally get through to those who so desperately need it. (Let's pray it does.)

Now I ask you “Can any of you say you’re experiencing this type of devastation and turmoil in your life?” Have you been driven out of your homeland, with nothing? And when I say, “Nothing,” I mean absolutely nothing, but the clothes on your back. You have no papers to verify who you are—not even that your children belong to you. This is what people are going through. Not knowing where their families are, drowning in overcrowded boats as refugees. One elderly Christian woman wasn’t even allowed to get her false teeth.

If we take time to compare our lives to the lives of those who are in the Middle East, we can only be grateful it is not us, but in a humble heart of gratitude because it could be. In fact, the way things are lining up…it most certainly could be us one day.

The past usually brings problems when viewed from our natural lens. We have this thing about the good old days. Which when viewed through the light of God’s Word, were far from a good old anything.

Yes, there are times we really need to look back. If only to see how far we have come versus looking forward at how far we are from where we think we should be. We need to remember the hard times and how God showed up in them. But most of all—how much stronger we are now.

 The hard times are the best times of growth in patience and faith.

Our past experiences with God give us our greatest point of reference as to how faithful He is to His promises!

Here’s a quick comparison and look back I recently did. Last year this time, I moved in as a roommate with another woman. Things were talked up to be a certain way, but in reality it was nothing like I had hoped and been led to believe. Honestly—I hated it there. But, it was a place I had to be for a season. And I know this to be true because I didn’t manipulate things in any way to move there. In fact it was a door God opened. For a time I was disappointed, felt cheated and deceived. But as I compare this time last year to now—I would not be in the peaceful state of mind I am in today, had I not experienced that 9 month season back then. It was necessary to prepare me for what I was to experience just a month after moving out.

Truthfully—what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger in Christ Jesus!

When we come to understand the truth Paul had learned about contentment. (See Philippians 14:11-13) It changes our perspective on life completely.  

You see sisters; your life is your life! And that includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.  So, stop comparing yourselves and your lives to others. Stop living in the past of the, “good ole days”. Stop wasting time on things you have no power to change and focus on the One who does.

I continue to encourage you to read your bibles daily—if only for 15 minutes a day.

If you really need to have a comparison, then compare your raggedy, messed up, sinful life to the new creature you are now. And focus on Jesus being Lord in your life and obey His commands. It will change your life forever. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie