"It could be me..."

One day while out with my husband, I noticed a convertible beside us with 4 people in it - 3 men and one lady. I was about to comment about it to my husband - more like "condemningly" asking: 

"What's that lady doing in the company of 3 men?"

"The glass broke..."

I remember as if it was yesterday the first time I made that statement to my Mum (of blessed memory).

Cut it...

A few weeks ago I needed to redo my hair. When I undid my braids, I noticed that my hair had suffered damage such that some parts were shorter than the rest. So I mentioned to my husband that I want - more like really need - to cut or at least trim my hair. I did this of course to get his buy-in and, more importantly, his permission. As I pondered and wondered about the purpose of cutting it, the Holy Spirit dropped an enlightening life lesson in my heart - hence this post.

Working from home...

It's been 10 days since the WHO declared COVID19 a global pandemic. 

Some organizations have had to shut down 

while others have their staff now working from home.

Working from home is not the preferred way of working 

- especially when your children are home from school.

So it helps when everyone is helping 😊...

"I could have gotten that for you."

That was the statement I heard from a young lady after an older man had bent down to pick up something that dropped from his hand a few years ago. When I saw that I wondered whether it wasn't better for the lady to have said nothing rather than say she could have helped. 

"Nice-to-have" vs. "Need-to-have"

It's nice-to-have people like you but that's not what I live for.

I live for and need-to-have God's approval...in all I do.

I'm not sure why or how but this thought crossed my mind...so I decided to share it because I've learned over time that God rarely drops things in my heart for only my benefit. He drops them in my heart so that I am blessed and better equipped to be a blessing to others which is my purpose in life.

As I am "getting older", or as we now say "aging gracefully" (and gratefully), God is helping me become more crisp on my "Nice-to-have" vs. "Need-to-have" list. I have found that there is so much in my life - including some relationships that were just "Nice-to-have" and that is a terrible way to live.

Beyond relationships, there are some "picture perfect" things that we pursue and put ourselves under so much pressure to attain that are really nice-to-haves versus need-to-haves. You know how I know? By simple observation.

So my question for you is: "How many things in your life are nice-to-haves versus need-to-haves?"
As we go into spring-cleaning season, I encourage you to make and take the time to clear the clutter of "nice-to-haves" so you have room for the valuable "need-to-haves" to bloom.

Turn that grudge...

to gratitude...

P.R.O.S.P.E.R. to prosper...(1)

I don't know about you but I desire to prosper in every area of my life. Recently, God reminded me and a few other people of 7 things we need to do/be in order to prosper and I felt led to share them with you.

Online dictionaries including Google define "Prosper" as "to flourish physically; grow strong and healthy; to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish."

Looking through the Bible, it is certain that God also wants us to prosper - and this is how to...

Mirror, mirror

A few years ago the phrase "Mirror, mirror, on the wall..." came to mind. I cannot remember the related fairy tale and that's not what this post is about. It's about what your mirror really tells you - and us.

Proverbs 27: 19 says "Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart." (MSG)

Your face is really how you show up...wherever you are or go. However, your face always  amplifies what's really in your heart (and life). Let me explain..

Compensating? For real???!!!

A few weeks ago I saw something that shocked me - and very few things shock me.

I was passing by a store and noticed that they were advertising a "Compensating Cream" in their window. I'm not really into creams so it wasn't the fact that they were advertising the cream that shocked me it was the context. Let me see if I can find a picture (without disclosing the brand) - I sure don't want to pay any "compensation" to anyone - pun intended.

What do you see...

...when you look?

Not needed...

...or is there a need?

This post was triggered by this conversation that took less than 5 minutes:

Oh my - what did I just see...

...and learn?!

I really love learning...by observing and in other ways too.

I had a learning moment the day after I had the "Am I vain?"* experience which I wrote the post on(and I published at a later date- as I'm doing with this one).

"Domestic"?

From time to time I like reading signboards - just for fun... and then I saw one that made me think a bit deeply.

It said "Domestic Passengers Terminal." 

I had to read it twice and think about it.

Why are you...

...running so fast?

“I like your dress”

A few months ago when I said that very enthusiastically at work, I immediately heard the Holy Spirit say “Careful with compliments.” Huh? I thought…and then in His usual kind and candid way, he broke it down for me.

Hmmm...

A few weeks ago, I had a very…hmmm….teachable situation and as happens now and again, I was the student.

Do you ever remember your mother, aunt, grandma, father or anyone for that matter ever saying that you should ensure that “the floors are clean enough to eat off”? Well I sort of kind of do – can’t point to the exact time but remember that being a Cleaning criteria of sorts. So that was the very “instruction” that went through my mind when I walked into an airport washroom and noticed from the corner of my eye someone doing something with their sandwich (in the wrapping paper) on the floor while in the stall. “Oh my God!” I thought, “your mother or whoever said the floor must be clean to eat off  may not have meant it literally – and even if the person did, I doubt that it included a toilet floor – at least not one in the airport.”

I wondered if anyone else had noticed and went on to do my business which was why I came into the Washroom in the first place. Of course, I kept wondering to myself, why would anyone take an idiomatic expression literally? I started concluding “That’s really idiotic – oh but why?”

I had a fast assignment so I came out to wash my hands and noticed that the lady was still in her stall. I then decided to wash my hands a little longer so I could see the “end of the story.” I kept debating whether to intervene and provide unsolicited advice. As the thoughts ran through my mind, she came out and tossed the sandwich in the bin. Phew!! Thank God – o my! Knowing that these days more and more chemicals as used as Cleaning agents especially in Public places, I was concerned that some of it could have gotten to the sandwich through the sandwich wrapper – so I was sincerely relieved.

As I left the Washroom, the Holy Spirit started speaking to, not spanking, me. Here’s what He taught me:

• Don’t assume – it was that direct. He also reminded me of how a former boss had split up the word into 3 parts to explain that assuming can make you and me look bad…I’ll  let you figure out the split
• Withhold judgement – This is closely linked to the first lesson. Essentially, things are not always what they seem, we must be careful not to make conclusions based on what we see. Until we see or know the full story, we don’t have all the facts – so withhold judgement. This also applies to hearsay
• If you notice a “life-threatening” situation, intervene – the “Milk of Human kindness” should always flow in our veins
• In this age of more and more chemicals, we should do our utmost to use less and less chemicals – that way, we can actually have floors that are not just clean but safe enough to eat off as we know children (some who don’t know better) tend too from time to time especially when you’re not watching
• Most importantly, keep your eyes and ears open – teachable moments abound around us. Learn and live wisely

"What's your key #?"

I never cease to be amazed how & where God speaks - we just need seeing eyes & hearing ears.*
I needed a spare key & the person helping me asked: "What's your key #?" in order to follow-up on my request. I checked and the number was "247." As I responded, the song that popped in my heart and out of my mouth was:

24-7 I will praise You Jehovah

24-7 I will praise Your Holy Name

Wondering what the point is?

As I repeated the number "247" the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that it was because the Lord watches over me 24-7** that I still have lockers and drawers that need to be opened with a key. In fact beyond that, that's why I'm still alive and well - He confirmed it on the evening of the day that I started writing this piece. Our God never sleeps nor slumbers - He never dozes or gets drowsy - join me in saying and singing:

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say, ² “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side When men rose up against us, ³ Then they would have [quickly] swallowed us alive,When their wrath was kindled against us; ⁴ Then the waters would have engulfed us, The torrent would have swept over our soul;⁵ Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.” ⁶ Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to be torn by their teeth. ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The trap is broken and we have escaped. ⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124 - AMP)

Our (MY) help is in the Name of the Lord - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5GfljAj6-0

Thank you Lord, that Your eyes and ears are "OPEN" 24-7.

References:
*Proverbs 20:12 - Ears to hear and eyes to see - both are gifts from the Lord. (NLT)
** Ps 121 - I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem] - From where shall my help come? ² My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly]. ⁵ The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. ⁶ The sun will not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. ⁷ The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your life. ⁸ The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in [everything that you do] From this time forth and forever. (AMP - emphasis mine)

"Jidelim ya..."*

This was the beginning of an interesting series of scenes...

Spell-check vs Sense check

As much as I'm a stickler for spelling and proper grammar, I have now added another filter when I'm writing: "Sense-check." The reason is very simple: A number of words that slip through on written communication could create damage if not caught.