Just for Fun - Liebster Award

I use Grammarly's free plagiarism check because it helps you to say what you mean, and mean what you say!


Since I've been blogging, I've always wanted to receive a Liebster Award.  A Liebster Award would let me know that I'm being read, and someone, yes someone, actually likes what I write!!! I'm joking, but I do like the validation. So imagine my great surprise and pleasure when I was actually nominated by a fellow blogger - wooohooooo!!!

Thank you to the lovely Denise of Niecyisms for nominating me.

How it works: 

You list 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
You then nominate 11 other bloggers (with less than 200 followers) and give them 11 questions to answer.

11 Random facts about me.

1. I have a long neck; my neck is one of my favorite body parts, next to my legs.
2. I had a stiff thumb for many years and suddenly one day it was no longer stiff.
3. Have you ever heard of E-Rate? Most people have not but I manage this process as a consultant
4. Cooking no longer brings me joy, though I love to eat.
5. If I had the time, I would be a seamstress.
6. The creative side of me remains dormant but it has shown up in my children.
7. Being intellectual is sexy, so I enjoy conversations around deep thoughts.
8. Always on the hunt for a good facial moisturizer I'm currently loving Hope In a Jar by Philosophy.
9. Both my husband and I are the shortest ones in our families.
10. Gospel music will do it for me every time.
11. Folks are always amazed at the intricate hairstyles I do on my daughter's hair; I love natural hair and think it's the way to go.

Here are your questions-

1. What was your first pet? I never had my own personal pet but our family's first pet was a German shepherd named Gilda. She was named after a hurricane.
2. Who was your favorite childhood cartoon character? Mighty Mouse.
3. Do you prefer tea or coffee? Tea all day!!!
4. Where did you last vacation? Nassau, Bahamas and Jamaica.
5. What is your all time favorite movie and why? An Officer and a Gentleman; it's when I first swooned over Richard Gere.
6. What was your worst recipe fail what was the outcome? I have many; maybe baked spaghetti - the texture was really crunchy.
7. What is your favorite recreational activity? Running/jogging.
8. How do you get dressed both socks, then both shoes or sock, shoe, sock, shoe? Both socks then both shoes but I do not know the significance of this.
9. Have you traveled internationally? Where? The Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, Dominica
10. Who did you last visit? Running buddy for a run this morning.
11. What is a necessary luxury in your dream home? A bidet; or heated floors.

Unfortunately, I do not have 11 other bloggers to nominate so I accept this award in the spirit in which I was nominated.  Thanks so much.

What's That You Have In Your Hand?

This is what God said to Moses (Exodus 4:2) to demonstrate that he can use anything to show his Godness, His power, and His sovereignty. Moses was hesitant to do the task he was being called to, and God just wanted to let him know that he was not alone; that with Him, Moses could do what he was being called to do. We all know the story of Moses, how he led the Israelites out of Egypt. He's hailed as a hero but he started off very timid and got bolder as he saw how God worked. God doesn't need much to accomplish his purpose.
This song encapsulates what God can do with a little.

That's When He Steps In - by Alvin Slaughter

When we have a work to do

And the task ahead seems bigger than you

That's when He steps in

When you know in your heart that 

God's command takes more than can be done by man

That's when He steps in

He sees you at the point of your need

He sees you at the point of crossing your Red Sea

In the moment you call

When you've given your all

He steps in, He steps in

And He'll say

What's that you have in your hand

I can use it, if you're willing to lose it

Take the little you have and make it grand

I am El Shaddai and I'll more than supply your need

When all you have is oil in a jar

That's a reflection of where you are

That's when He steps in

A little boy's lunch of fish and bread

Is all you have for the need ahead

That's when He steps in

Let Him take it and bless it and break it and give it

He'll multiply it in the moment you live it

And in the moment you call

When you've given your all

He steps in, He steps in

And He'll say

What's that you have in your hand

I can use it, if you're willing to lose it

Take the little you have and make it grand

I am El Shaddai and I'll more than supply your need

(Repeat Chorus)


Are you willing to be used or are you hesitant like Moses? Is there something in your hand that God can use?

25 on 25 - Unload Your Baggage

This series culminates on March 25th which would mark my 25th wedding anniversary. To read previous posts in this short series click here and here.

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Twenty five years is a long time, and over that period of time I have recognized that we all come in to relationships with baggage - no one enters whole. Baggage is the stuff you carry with you on your life's journey that weighs you down. It can be remnants from childhood, a protective shell you built around yourself, pain from prior situations, or tactics for dealing with certain situations. These are all baggage in that they hinder your interactions with your partner. Many well-meaning individuals try to get rid of baggage before they enter in to a serious relationship, which is commendable but not complete, as you haven't met your life partner yet. Baggage becomes bulky and burdensome if not handled with care.

When I travel, I take luggage with me. My luggage contains the things I think I need for my journey. My luggage increases or decreases based on the length of my journey. When I reach my destination, I typically unpack, though if it’s a short trip I may live out of my suitcase, but to me that is never ideal.

In marriage, there's no need to continue to carry baggage that you've had all your life. Prior to meeting your spouse, some part of you felt it necessary to carry baggage, but the safety of marriage allows this baggage to be released. This is done carefully and with great consideration, for as you unload piece by piece you realize that you have greater freedom to love.

Baggage shows up in the ordinariness of life, like discovering you're disciplining a child a certain way only because that's what was done to you but seeing that it's not working in your situation. Unpacking of baggage is sacred; when you travel you don't want your luggage to be lost or mishandled. The same thing happens with baggage brought in to a marriage - it must be handled with care. If it is handled carelessly, you may feel entitled to holding on to your baggage even though it is weighing you down. It takes trust to allow your spouse to help you unpack. And unpacking can happen anywhere and anytime. When we travel we unpack when we have settled in. In life and marriage settling in can take a lifetime. The complexity of human nature is such that we may never discard of all of our baggage, but over time the load is lighter because you know you have someone to help you.

In our marriage we both have baggage around how we deal with money. It's not the money itself but what it represents to each of us. I'm frugal because I always want to ensure that I have. He's not as frugal as I, so sometimes we may butt heads over the most inane things. Over time we've both learned to look beyond the immediate situation and recognize each other's emotions so that we can handle the situation successfully.

Don't be afraid to release your baggage; the safety of marriage will allow you to do so. Trust the relationship, trust each other and trust God. If you think you are travelling lightly, ask your spouse to help you see what you're ignoring. Unpacking leads to greater love and intimacy.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

P.S. This post is part of the Happy Wives Club Blog Tour

The Face of God

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers who were estranged. Jacob had stolen Esau's birthright and Esau vowed to kill him, so Jacob left home. Jacob was younger than Esau, and by law should have received the blessing from Abraham. And what a blessing it was:

"From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” Genesis 27:28-29

Esau was very angry that he did not receive this blessing; instead Abraham blessed him with:

You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” Genesis 27:39-40

It was almost as if Esau got the leftovers.

Over the course of time, Jacob ends up at Laban's house (his uncle) and marries Leah and Rachel. He has twelve sons and one daughter and everything he touches seems to prosper. Jacob had become quite prosperous. Eventually it was time for Jacob to leave his father in law's house and in doing so he knew he would see Esau again. Unbeknownst to Jacob, Esau had done well for himself also.

When Jacob and Esau first met, initially Jacob was tentative, but when Esau smiled and welcomed him, ah, it was like the face of God.

Source

I'm sure a huge load was lifted off of Jacob's shoulders when he saw that smile, for to see the face of God means: peace, love, joy, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion - all good things that warm the heart, that excite, that bring abundant joy and to put it in much simpler terms - puts a perpetual smile on one's face.
Esau was wronged, but he chose to forgive; in doing so he displayed the face of God. As his father's blessing said, "when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck."

But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Genesis 33:10 NLT

Are you the face of God to others? Have you seen the face of God in others?