When Life Looks Messy

One summer, my mum decided to teach my sisters and me how to embroider. She thought it was a useful skill we needed in our arsenal, and it was something to remove any boredom we supposedly thought we had.

So, embroidery classes started at home during the hot summer. My mom bought white pillowcases, thread, and a pattern. The pattern showed us what we were trying to achieve, the thread was the right weight and color for the pattern, and the pillowcases were a blank canvas.

She then explained how each stitch produced a certain pattern;  satin, knot, and chain stitch are some that I remember. But there were many more. The thing with each of these stitches is that they produced a beautiful pattern on the right side of the pillow, but the underside was not so appealing. The underside is where you could correct mistakes without starting over. It's

Handling Weapons

Life can be a lot. It’s messy, complicated, and honestly, exhausting sometimes. There are moments when it feels like everything is working against you: a boss who seems to have it out for you, a friend who talks behind your back, or even someone you trusted taking you to small claims court. Yeah, it gets real.

When I feel like I’m being dragged through the mud, there’s one verse that always comes to mind. It’s one of those go-to scriptures people quote when things get tough:

Sleep When the Baby Sleeps - God's Gentle Reminder

Motherhood brings with it a flood of emotions — joy, wonder, exhaustion, and sometimes uncertainty. In the middle of it all, there are bits of timeless wisdom passed down through generations, whispering reminders of grace and care. One such piece of advice deeply shaped my early days as a mom.

This Easter......

I've heard it said that Easter Sunday is like the Super Bowl for Christians. It's the big event of the year; there's lots of excitement, kids learn about the Easter bunny (whatever that is), and you might actually make it to church for an Easter service. However, I find this analogy lacking because Easter and all it represents are so much bigger than a one-day, overhyped event.

This Easter, my heart hurts for all the human rights abuses that are happening right under our noses. This Easter, I'm saddened by what seems to be the inhumanity olympics in our country. This Easter, I think about the impact our choices have on us.

This Easter, I'm also thinking of close relationships and wishing some were different than what they are.

This Easter, I'm melancholy.

Forging Ahead

It's been a while since I've shared anything in this space, and recently, within the past weeks, I have been convicted to write more. It's not just a simple conviction; writing is where I learn to submit, surrender, and share. 

I'm not alone when I say the external factors that comprise our lives have seemed chaotic on a daily basis for the past months. There's political upheaval, which shows up in new policies daily, mass firings, natural disasters, plane crashes, need I go on? And yet, in the midst of this, we must live.

Anchored in Peace, Resolved in Love

January 2025 felt like an entire year! Whew!

Here's what I'm learning and relearning - the more time I spend with God, the less I am disturbed by the circumstances around me. The Peace that passes all understanding takes on a new meaning. There is a resolve that comes from surrendering to God. It dictates my thoughts, my actions, my words. Over time I hope it is producing a calmness in my spirit.

Though I was very jaded and cynical after the results of this years' election, I am reminded that I still must show love, must be love. This is where I am as we start February - restful, present, peaceful, resolute in love.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

What are you learning in this new year?

--Nylse

Thanks for reading. Please take a moment to share using the buttons below. Like my Facebook Page and follow along on Instagram. Don't forget to subscribe. If you're reading my new book, The Comfort of Night , please leave a review on Amazon or the publisher's site. Stay Encouraged!

Book Review - The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips

I haven't written as much as I did in the past but writing is still cathartic. It's peaceful and often when I'm writing, I'm worshipping my Creator. Sometimes I desire to write, but the words aren't there. And while God understands our inaudible words and moans, that would simply translate to a blank page that many would not understand.

So today, hopefully, the words will come. A cataclysmic event happened in our country on November 5th, and I was deeply disappointed with the results. I still am, but I know that I must take care of my heart. So it was fortuitous that I was reading The Garden Within during this time of deep disappointment.

As Christians, we unwittingly view emotions as bad or something we have to control and tamp down. How many of you have heard, "You're too emotional" as if that were a ding against you? And having heard that for most of your life, how does that make you feel? For a lot of my life, I tried to manage my emotions to make

Disconnected: My Journey Through the Abyss of Losing My Phone

I pride myself on always keeping my phone. My phone is the keeper of information for me and my family. It acts like Grand Central Station, providing direction for multiple locations/people.

Late Friday evening, we decided to go out to dinner. I quickly changed, grabbed my phone, and headed to the car. Our first stop was at a restaurant closing in thirty minutes, so the kitchen was already closed. Bummer.

I misplaced my phone somewhere between leaving

Driving Thoughts - Road Conditions May Vary

The daily rituals of living provide many opportunities for us to view life through a spiritual lens; driving is one such thing. Many years ago, I did some posts called Driving Thoughts, which resonated with so many and focused on things I've learned and applied to my life.

When I read this devotional from Sisters In Faith, I knew immediately this would provide a great spiritual application for many.

As you travel, you will encounter ever-changing weather. In some places, you will encounter problems caused by rain, but just as cars are built with windshield wipers, God will clear your vision when things get stormy. 

If I Had Sneezed

On this annual commemoration of Martin Luther King, I took my granddaughter to a local celebration. Today I learned for the first time of this speech. I'd heard parts of it before, but not in the context of surviving a life-threatening event.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. King gave his last speech before being assassinated. Before this speech, a couple of years back, while he was at a book signing, a demented lady stabbed Dr. King with a

When A Woman Steps In

I sometimes feel like women are often overlooked, which is why I love to discover little-known women of the Bible.  

I was struck this morning by what appears to be a minor detail in a familiar story - the handwriting on the wall. The Queen mother steps in and mentions that she knows of Daniel, who can interpret dreams. How would the story have turned out if the Queen had not known of Daniel? 

Let's backtrack.

In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar is partying; he uses the gold and
silver goblets from the holy temple in Jerusalem. King Belshazzar then sees a mysterious handwriting on the wall in response to the

Some Things I Learned this Summer

"Spend time with those you love. One of these days, you will say either, 'I wish I had,' or 'I'm glad I did". – Unknown

It turns out one of my first loves is my family. The family I created, the family I married into, and the family I was born into, and this year, for the first time in a long time, I had concentrated time with every variation of my family.

At the beginning of July, we enjoyed a long weekend at my brother's house for what we hope becomes an annual event - a family reunion. The

Birthday Week Celebrations

Good friends are hard to find. Once you realize this, you cherish what you have. The friend I have was heaven-sent. There was a time in my life as a young wife and mother when I felt and was incredibly lonely. I was learning who I was while trying to figure out the never-ending cycle of tasks raising little humans. I was glad my husband was there, but I needed more. 

I needed someone who really understood me (in a different way). Who understood the craziness of motherhood and the isolation that sometimes

I've Been Thinking - Part 1

I started writing this post approximately two years ago. I've never shared anything this personal but now feels like a good time to do so. I don't know when Part 2 will be published.

I became a Christian at the age of eight. It was during our church's annual crusade. One particular night the words of Pastor Tom Roberts pricked my heart. At the end of the crusade, all who made a decision to follow Christ were baptized at a local beach. To this day, I still remember being at the beach (I assumed my parents took me) and being baptized. I remember feeling like a "new" person, if that is possible for an 8-year-old. But more than that, I remember the next day at school, a classmate

I'll Never Tire of Mother's Day

Some people have a love-hate relationship with Mother's Day. I'm not one of those people; I absolutely love the day.

Motherhood is no easy task, and anything we do to celebrate mothers is worthwhile. Now I'm not saying go out and spend money you don't have, but if a day forces you to acknowledge what you can be doing often, then it's worthwhile.

And I know some don't have the best relationship with their mothers; I know all mothers aren't saints or well-meaning. I know motherhood might have been a surprise for some, and they didn't handle it well. I know some mothers never treated their offspring kindly. This is the complexity of human nature that we all wrestle with.

I had no aspirations of being a mother, yet I became one four times over. For me, motherhood forced me to grow; to view life differently through the lens of a child at various stages. Motherhood empowered me; it made me realize that I could do things differently, especially if I didn't like the way things were done to me and how they made me feel. Motherhood made me smarter; I learned to listen to my children recognizing there is lots of wisdom in the mouth of babes. Motherhood gave me discernment forcing me to do what's best for me and mine. Motherhood humbled me; I know nothing, yet these little ones are looking at me like I must know everything. And though I never planned on it, motherhood taught me sacrifice. I've sacrificed goals and possessions in the name of putting others needs before mine. I didn't even know I could do this, but I did it over and over again. One last thing - motherhood made me realize I'm multifaceted. I can do many things, including being a mom. Motherhood is not the be all and end-all that we sometimes make it out to be.

I think humans are wired for acknowledgement and affirmation. This day was initially created to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. When we honor another person, we are showing that their efforts are not in vain and they are not taken for granted. It's very easy to take people for granted, even if you never intended to. Everyone needs a pat on the back, if only for a day.

I hope you'll make the best of the day regardless of your situation. Enjoy the day and the weekend.

--Nylse

Thanks for reading. Please take a moment to share using the buttons below. Like my Facebook Page and follow along on Instagram. Don't forget to subscribe. If you're reading my new book, The Comfort of Night, please leave a review on Amazon or the publisher's site. Stay Encouraged!

Holy Week - It's All About Love

Source: ImageBank

This week is considered Holy Week. Do not take this for granted, for they are many who still do not realize the significance of this week and the actual events that transpired. I'll never forget the time at work when I told one of my employees about Good Friday. He was not familiar with the term and the meaning of the day. Back then, I felt nervous about sharing, but I shared anyway.

Here's a summary of what transpired this week:

Sunday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Jesus' triumphal entry is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.

Connections

"Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. The power that connection holds in our lives was confirmed when the main concern about connection emerged as the fear of disconnection; the fear that something we have done or failed to do, something about who we are or where we come from, has made us unlovable and unworthy of connection." Brene Brown, from her book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

In Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

As a young Afro-Carribean family living in America, we wanted to ensure our children knew who they were. One of the things that connected my husband and I was our knowledge of Black History and wanting our children to have better experiences than we had. We didn't want them to be judged by the color of their skin. 

We knew what it was like to navigate life as a Black person. We embraced who we are and wanted the same for our children. We never wanted them to feel less than others because of their skin color. We wanted them to walk through this world with confidence. On one of our many trips to Atlanta, we visited the King Center, which honors the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. I soon became aware of his writing A Letter from a Birmingham Jail. At the time, it was a small book in the bookstore, but I remember my husband grabbing it, saying it was essential reading.

From the Birmingham jail, where he was imprisoned as a

What a Year; A Year of Questions

There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ~Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God."

2022 asked many questions to which I'm still searching for answers.

I think it's good to question because it forces us to dig deeper, become more self-aware, and ultimately become more courageous as we answer those questions. I questioned myself, my circumstances, friendships, and relationships. I even directed some of these questions to  God, which was not an exercise in futility. I was pointed to Him and His word for answers. About answers - they're still showing up. 

Not So

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" That's what the song says, but I also find it wonderful because of the events we celebrate at this time of the year. Also, it's my birthday! Anyhow, Christians know the Christmas story ad nauseam and the joy around it can sometimes be lost.

There's a part of the Christmas story that I've been thinking about for a while, and it's the first birth - the birth of John the Baptist. John was born three months before Jesus, his more famous cousin, to Elizabeth and Zechariah.

John's birth is also miraculous, and his name even more so.