The Unique View

Last Thursday sitting at my desk, one of my lovely team mates Lauren came over with a birthday card for me to sign. I signed it and told her, next time she can sign my name.  I work from home four days a week and in the office one day a week so I miss many office events. My comment sparked a song to jump in my spirit called, Sign Me Up, and it goes like this: Sign me up for the Christian Jubilee Write my name on the role I’ve been changed since the Lord has lifted me I wanna be, ready when Jesus comes Cause when he comes The trumpet will surely sound When he comes The saints in Christ shall rise My heart is fixed My mind is made up I wanna be ready when Jesus comes. At 6:45 am, this gave me a pep in my step, God's word does that to me.  Those of you who visit my blog or are friends with me on Facebook know that I live with a chronic illness and many days are not good days. This song is another reminder that no matter the storm...

We are well into the new year. We have made new strides, added new goals, and dumped the trash of things that no longer serve us. Yes, we are off and running.  Are you out of breath yet? Have you taken a pause wondering, what were you thinking? I am sure somewhere along the way, you have had a touch of doubt, frustration, and even aggravation. Don't you dare give up. You got this. I have to tell myself this at every turn of my day. Living with a chronic illness is exhausting. Striving to make a difference everyday is even more exhausting when you do not feel your best. Though I do not look like what I walk with, I keep bouncing. I often hear God whisper, do not grow weary in well doing. I have to pause and offer up praise because it is a reminder that He knows. God knows exactly how we feel even if we don't verbally express it. He knows. And with that, we must rise up to the occasion, square our shoulders and lift our heads up high, because we got it. This reminds me o...

Everywhere you turn, there is the evidence that love is in the air. One day out of 365 days, many are running around trying to find that perfect gift that says, I love you. In the late 1920’s, 7 gangsters were killed in Chicago, Illinois. The day was, February 14, 1929 to be exact. This day was called, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre now called the sweetest day of the year. When I was much younger, I loved this time of the year. I too was one of many who ran around trying to find that perfect gift for those that I wanted to show love. As I have gotten older and have come to learn in greater awareness what love is and what it is not, I no longer feel compelled to make my mark with a particular trinket or treat. While I was going about my tasks today, I watched people and a thought came to me. On Valentine’s Day, so much love will be shown and in the next day, hatred, anger, and abuse will be the morning cup. A slap in the face, a punch, a cross word will replace the, I...

I have walked through some very dark times personally and emotionally.  Millions suffer from depression and there are several degrees of depression. There is no one set experience. Families have been impacted by suicide, murder of a loved one, an addictions as a result of depression not being addressed. Many have gotten comfortable wearing that mask because this is how they have conditioned themselves to survive.  Though I still suffer from time to time, I am much more aware of the signs and have a better handle on swinging that thing back over to a position of peace. No anxiety. No conversations about how bad this or that is. No pealing scabs from the many scars for them to bleed all over again, taking longer to heal. Can you relate? As I get older and lean towards that senior discount, I have learned many valuable lessons that have helped me grow, heal, and rejoice while in the storm of depression. And in my growing, I have had the pleasure of ministering to those wh...

Unless you have a chronic illness, you will never know what it is like for someone who does. You will never understand how on one day you can be on top of the world feeling no pain to the next day being taken down by the invisible attacker.  Chronic pain comes in many forms. In my case, it is due to a condition called, cervical spinal stenosis. This is caused by the cervical bones in the neck pressing on the spinal cord causing anything from numbness in the limbs to shutting down the activity in your brain. Yes your spinal cord along with your heart is the central parts in your body, if they are not working properly, the body is tossed into confusion.                                                 Today I feel defeated. I feel let down and tota...

For months, I have been in an uneasy place in my spirit and my life. I have also been on some great highs and enjoying much more. I have allowed my imagination to consume me to the point of not taking much action. I have let myself flow in the joys that God has provided. Even though I know that the Father is with me, I have been in a dark and muddy valley. In this valley, my self-talk is not all that blessed. My self-talk is of frustration and admonishment. My self-talk jumps on the back of depression and shuts me down. It is a great and awesome wonder that God is the great revealer of all things, because He no doubt knows everything. I understand that it is all par for the course in which He has already predestined specifically for me. In my journal writing on Friday morning, all I could write was praises to God thanking Him for all that He has saved me from, pages of praise. I gave Him my heartfelt desire and pain acknowledging that my flesh has grabbed hold of the negativ...

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on his vision and purpose. We reflect on all that as happened and will happen in civil and human rights. Many celebrations are under way and for that, I think it is important for the youth to be present in learning their history, full and an uncut. As we cry out and mourn the loss of the young and old due to senseless violence, let us continue to lift our voices for justice and peace. The voice and message of Dr. King still rings truth today, and as we see in the media, we are a long way from that promise land spoken so eloquently by Dr. King. Though the nation celebrates the man whose voice was silenced due to the fight for justice, we should continue every day the journey in the same pursuit.  We should shout loud every day for justice and peace. We should not let a tragedy drive us out of the shadows. We must step forward boldly and with confidence bringing awareness to that which we know...