Let’s talk about healing after being wounded. What is the definition of a wound? A wound is an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact. Was your wound self-inflicted or accidental?
About 7 months ago, I received an injury to my heart and it was cut in 2 , and I could definitely feel the blow or impact to my heart and feelings of being wounded. My husband told me in December that he wanted a divorce. He said that he was tired of living this life. He said that he went to church for me , stopped drinking for me, and stopped smoking for me. He also said,”
can’t you tell I have been avoiding you and haven’t been intimate with you?” I would see him attend church occasionally and seemed to enjoy it. So I assumed a transformation. Right?
Suddenly,I had to face the ugly truth. and proceeded with all the divorce paperwork. A friend stopped me. ““She said the only way you are going to heal is ” Forgiveness “.” I said, Sarcastically, ” Oh Ok”, ” Forgiveness”. She said. “ You need to forgive yourself and to forgive him in order for my healing to begin.” Was I unequally yoked before marriage? Did he have only a form of godliness? God asked us to pray as such……….
Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.
I have always had a metaphorical list of the things that I thought would be proof positive that I “had arrived”. While it is important to be clear about our vision and intentional in the steps that we take in order to reach those goals, my fixation on my list wasn’t healthy.
Instead of using my list as a roadmap, I allowed it to become a roadblock. I became so focused on what I wanted and when I wanted it, that I ignored the many boxes that God had checked off on my list. I minimized God’s blessings in my life and magnified would I erroneously perceived as failure. After all, I had it all planned out. I knew the type of home that I wanted, the ideal career, the qualities that my “perfect” husband would possess, the kind of car that I wanted to drive, and the list went on and on.
When time passed and certain boxes weren’t checked, I allowed disappointment to speak louder than gratitude. I would like to have believed that my list was divinely inspired. But, if I were, to be honest with myself, it wasn’t. My list was all about me and what I wanted. I didn’t truly leave room for God’s plan and his divine timing.
Sure, I quoted Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
However, my words didn’t match my actions. I didn’t truly allow God’s plans to replace mine. As, I strive to go deeper in my faith, my list has changed drastically.
I now realize that I need to do a Quality Check on the items that I put on my list.
In deciding if something should even be on my list, I realize that I needed to ask the following questions:
Is this about me or about glorifying God?
Have I followed His instructions in order to check the box, or am I leaning to my own understanding?
Am I trusting his perfect timing or am I allowing the delay to provoke me?
While I admit, in my immaturity, there were things on my list that were trivial; but there have also been unchecked boxes that have broken my heart. These boxes were not materialistic. They cut deep, and I am still trusting God to heal my heart. I would never have imagined that I would lose my father to pancreatic cancer weeks after burying my grandfather.
I would never have imagined the prognosis that my husband and I received during a doctor’s visit. I would have never imagined making sacrifices to show up for others who I called friends, only for them to be nowhere to be found when I needed them most.
Though the pain is real, God’s love and wisdom is greater. Romans 8:28 perfectly surmises the dilemma of the unchecked box.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I pray the God give you peace and hope as you reflect upon your unchecked box.
2nd Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”.
As I look back at my life and where I am now there is one thing that has always came up and that is Fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of Rejection, fear of being alone, fear of what could be. Overall it is FEAR. It says in the bible there is no place for fear if you have faith in Jesus our saviour. Did you know that fear is mentioned in the bible 500 times?
Fear begins in the mind. With that being said it is important to be aware of the state of your mind. What are you thinking about? What are you allowing to feed your mind? It is important to speak truth over your life. Don’t allow the enemy to sneak in and put fear in your mind. Fear is a spirit. If you have the spirit of fear on you, then you don’t get to operate in the spirit of Love, power, and a sound mind! God has not given us the spirit of fear he has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
This means that we must be bold and have confidence and use the power God has given us. Secondly we need to love as Christ has loved us. And lastly we must have self-discipline to the things of God and to fight against the spirit of fear. I would watch people do businesses via facebook using facebook live to do live sales , i really enjoyed watching live pearl parties, and i got the idea to start my own business.
I was afraid that I wouldn’t have many customers or wouldn’t be good enough. I was allowing fear to stop me from starting my business. Then I remembered the scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 , and I prayed, and told myself I can do this. I decided to face that fear and create my business Leanna’s Treasures. My business is a pearl show and more.
Here are some ways that helped me work through that fear : 1. Just do it- Go for it give it a try! By trying I could have two outcomes: it could be successful or not. I would not know what the outcome would be if I didn’t try. 2. Believe you can! Tell yourself you are able and proclaim it, with self declarations. 3. Have Faith over Fear! Your faith is greater than your fear!
I was God’s woman before I gave myself in holy matrimony. Now i’m single again. I’ve learned to appreciate my singleness, knowing it is a gift from God. The transition from marriage to singleness was a grief process and I’ve learned that one grieves because you loved well.
When the walls came down, I felt naked, vulnerable, scared, and confused. But I’m God’s woman I thought to myself. I must take this time to break open and not break down. As I look back my most painful times were my most holy times. Transitioning to singleness I’ve learned to nurture silence and solitude in my broken, angry and noisy heart.
The discipline of silence is a command from Psalm 46:10: “Cease striving and know that I am God. Stand silence! Know that I am God!” (TLB). To know Him is to become intimate with Him.We are commanded to stop, nurture stillness, enter His rest as we listen and wait upon, which I learned upon, is up on Him in His word, in His arms as our souls undergo surgery. This surgery cuts and mends brokenness causing one to be able to plunge deeper than before.
When the walls came down, I felt naked, vulnerable, scared, and confused. But I’m God’s woman I thought to myself. I must take this time to break open and not break down. As I look back my most painful times were my most holy times. Transitioning to singleness I’ve learned to nurture silence and solitude in my broken, angry and noisy heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you; says the Lord plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and hope. (AMP)
Tools For Purpose
By: Apostle Beth Howard “Her Story”
What better way to be encouraged about your future than to receive it from the mouth of your Father God. Oftentimes you feel the pressure of walking forward without knowing exactly what’s ahead. Perhaps if you were more certain that your purpose was knocking on the door of your heart, you’d be reassured. Because purpose doesn’t stop, then why should you? You see your hopes and dreams in the rearview mirror in your mind’s eye and it seems like they’re close but not close enough. You tend to lose sight of God’s Words. – His thoughts and plans. You forget your purpose is knocking at the door of your heart but waiting for maturation for entry.
You’ve heard along the way of your path — journey if you will That God will never leave you and when betrayal invades your space. The place that you made your station. You think God went on vacation. NOPE- He’s only waiting to see if you connect your purpose to His sustaining hand. Through many dangers like death, life, toils, and snares-still purpose will rise and knock because it must speak. It must declare. It’s carrying your peace, well-being, and of course your hope and future.
So why are you discouraged? Your father God has not just a purpose but a Great plan and he wants to reveal it, understand? Eventually, He sees that you’re ready to open the door, and your purpose comes waltzing you across the floor. Suddenly Purpose meets plans and plans meets peace and peace meets what you’re always been waiting for. Ms.Lady, I said Purpose doesn’t stop, so why should you? Keep walking through those doors. All you need is your sister, your girl, or your mom to remind you that there’s more.
As you step into the new chapters of your life you tend to slow your pace down, you find out living for God is a more serious race; You slow down and ask yourself……..Now, what is my purpose? No for real what is MY purpose specifically? This time you hear– Purpose is a date with destiny- They go together just like Holy Matrimony.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis said, “Purpose and goals are not the same things. I say it because your goals have to be aligned with your majesty, your savior, and your king. Why? From time to time you can miss your target, miss your mark. You learn to get back on course and not fall apart.Cause purpose won’t stop, So why should you?”
You’ve been given a few tools, if you put to use will show you exactly what to do. But here’s a few more to put in your quiver. When it’s time they will deliver. Remember you’re on a journey— alone and often difficult process of personal change and development But take these three of the most powerful tools to carry as you succeed. Not only your brand, or your financial bag but take integrity, love and forgiveness which is all IronClad.
INTEGRITY
Newly elected President Biden says,”There is no peace without unity.” Cicely Tyson said she was “determined to fight hard until the end”, and she did. MAY SHE REST IN HEAVEN (Dec. 19, 1924- Jan. 28, 2021). Those two individuals provided the world with two more tools for purpose. Therefore, I come to remind you that there’s no reconciliation without REAL FORGIVENESS.
All of the above tools are designed for your purpose that you will need throughout life. Remember: Purpose doesn’t stop ; so why should you- keep going until the end and hold on – God Got You!
[The Message: James: 10-11]– Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
The Process
By: Emmanuella Augusme “Her Story”
If you do it this way, then you’ll get it”. “If you go that way, it will be there”. “If you take this, then it will come.” “No, no, no”!! “You’re doing it all wrong, if you do it exactly like this, then you’ll have it”.
How many of you have heard these well-known phrases, either from our close friends, family members, colleagues, mentors, attorneys, teachers, etc? Those words sound pretty convincing and definitely promising. After taking others advice, doors continued to close [many many many] times and I was not understanding the reasons behind it. Can I personally share this with you? After I heard these promising words and nothing would happen, I would terribly cry. I would tell God, “but this person just told me that this is what they did, and then, they got it.” This is where rejection became embedded in me.
Many close individuals are unaware of this situation because it is a private matter. Now, I have decided that it is time to share it with others, since it is pivotal of my story. I am an immigrant in this country. I have been residing in this country for almost 23 years. My family and I had faced so much shame and challenges because our situation that appears as “fixable”; at least to the people who were aware of it. We were informed of all the shortcuts, tricks, tips, advice, gimmicks. “You name it”, just so our family would become legal citizens of this country. Wait!! There is more, but it will be disclose it in due time.
We’re not citizens [YET]. Clearly, I am here to share to you about the process. Earlier, I shared that this situation encouraged the spirit of rejection. Along the way came fear, doubt, and unbelief.
I have experienced the same for relationships, obtaining an education, jobs, etc. Recently, I reflected on why God has me and/or my family taking the longer road. “Why”, can’t I just have it like now just like normal people do”? I just could not understand it. In April 2019, I received a dreadful news from the best- well-known immigration attorney of the US regarding our “case”. At that moment, instead of shedding tears, the holy-spirit led me to this scripture. This special moment brought me clarity, comfort and peace. I said to myself, “WOW” God, you really care about me, my situation, and you see what we’re facing. I have accepted that my situation(s) may or may not change. Also, I have learned that it is not about what I will receive at the end. It is in the process of any given situations, that I’ve seen and experienced Gods exquisite faithfulness. In the process, I leaned on him, when I don’t understand and to be patient. In addition, I sensed that every detail matter(s) during the process and is part of His plans for our lives. I also recognized that several of my prayers that I have prayed are not small prayers but are big and audacious types of prayers. Taking the advice of shortcuts from individual(s), would not have displayed His Glorious manners. Instead, it would just demonstrate the simplistic ways introduced by mankind.
So, I have a shared a small part of my story. At this time, I encourage you to reflect on your current situation. For example, a situation like experiencing multiple failed pregnancies, failing multiple tests, failed marriage(s), no answer/cure on an illness, on-going prayers for loved ones to have changed behaviors etc. But how are you doing during the process? Are you complaining? Are you going to multiple people to find you the “right answers”? Are you crying a lot about it? I know, I know, it easier said than done. But I [feel] for you. Mark my word, it is feels way better to rely on His infallible promising word(s).
Dear Jesus, forgive me for trying to abort the process. Forgive me for taking others advice(s) before I search and rely on Your word. I pray that I will have an unwavering faith in the process. I pray that in the process, I will be mindful to not quit and at all time honoring You. Remind me, that you care about every detail of my life, and that you are putting it all together. Remind me, that it is not about me but ultimately about You. During the process, I am giving you all the praise and all the glory in Jesus Name. Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:13-Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love-yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. TPT (The Passion Translation
A Journey Back To Love
By Antoya Jones: “Her Story”
My search for love began very early in life; my earliest relations with love, acceptance, affirmation, and validation started in the environment I was raised in. My surroundings did not produce the much-needed attributes required to start my development off on the right foot. Thus, I started an inevitable search for all of these and most importantly love, in all the wrong places, no doubt. This search landed me in some of the most traumatic situations and experiences, all while, trying to find the things that should’ve been given by those who God chose to bring me here.
I’ve come to the realization, after walking out of this journey called life for several years now, that self-love is one of the most important parts of recovery and complete healing. The lack of self-love will find you in a state of mind and posture that allows rejection to grow and continue to take shape in your life, as the norm, abandonment, or feelings of abandonment will increase, and traumatic experiences will seemingly find you one after another, almost like a magnetic for horrible encounters is attached to you. Have you ever felt like there was a target on you that says, “Hey people, come and hurt me, reject me, use me, and abuse me?” It is the victim aroma, or rejected scent that attracts the most unwanted company. After several experiences such as these within friendships, relationships be it platonic or romantic, partnerships, or within leadership opportunities, I found myself overcompensating to please others and ultimately becoming a “people pleaser”, which is an emotional death sentence.
Life after childhood trauma, a challenging marriage, and divorce, after looking for love in all the wrong places, and seeking validation by what I can do for people got very, very old and nearly broke me indefinitely. However, my faith in God, the most amazing thing my mother shared with me and helped develop in me, is what set me on the path to recovery and healing. My constant communication with him and finding out what his word says about me brought me into an awareness of who I really am and whom I belong to. I also became aware that my worth and value comes from him. Although it comes from him it is up to me to maintain my worth and value based on what I allow in and out of my life, heart, and space.
True healing comes from God. He taught me and continues to teach me about my authentic self and who He created me to be. I was nearly destroyed before I could really be introduced to me or discover what I like or dislike. My voice was taken away through violations before I knew to say, “No, that’s not ok, or this shouldn’t be happening. Before I knew my rights as a young girl, lady, or woman it had all been distorted for me….BUT GOD! He taught me that I am enough and I am the TOTAL package, I have what it takes in any situation or arena.
Journeying with self-love has increased my desire to live free from self-hate, self-sabotage, rejection, abuse, and trauma. I have to consistently, to this day, denounce and watch for the things the enemy will try to use to pull me back to dark places I once lived in, I have been set free and choose to remain on this path of self-love for life; it is truly necessary to sincerely love someone else. Love is a commitment, whether it’s being committed to loving yourself or another. It’s not for the faint at heart; it requires strength and patience.
Are you in a good relationship with you?
Do you like yourself?
Are you in a love/hate relationship with you?
Depending on how you answered those questions will determine how you relate to and interact with others; it doesn’t matter what type of connection or relationship it is. In order to be victorious in this area, you have to be willing to admit where you’re broken and how you got there. Acknowledge your past and how it’s operating in your now and hindering your future. Let those responsible for your pain off the hook by truly forgiving them and after that forgive yourself for your role in the pain you are or have experienced. Even if it’s based on the actions of those who dropped or betrayed you, just let it all go.
Prepare yourself for LOVE:
Be in a true love relationship with yourself
Discover the best parts of you and what you uniquely bring to any table in front of you
Protect your heart, value, and space
Have faith in God and exercise faith in all your relationships (People are human, see beyond where they are right now)
Don’t change you for anyone (You may need to mature in areas or readjust or break old habits, don’t get me wrong, but changing to make someone else happy with you or accept you will only weaken and ultimately destroy you. The right person will see you and value you for you!)
We were created for connection; the right connection is out there for you. Lose yourself on your self-love journey and be committed to yourself before committing to someone else. Do the work; you owe it to yourself to reach your full potential. All that is for you will show up out of nowhere when you least expect it and most of the time in ways you would normally not expect. The road to recovery and healing takes full reliance on God. Take all the time in the world loving yourself and trust me your heart will find a home.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a season for everything and a time and a purpose for every matter under the heavens.
In A Season
By Lin Taylor: “Her Story”
We have only one chance to live every minute. What will you do or say that will make a difference to someone else? Each heart you touch may change the community you live in, the family you are a part of, the friends you are fortunate enough to have as a part of your journey! So laugh, cry, and embrace each other’s joys and sorrows. Life is so much better when traveled together! We do not live life in the rear- view mirror.
SHAKE OFF THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS. PUT ON THE GARMENT OF PRAISE. JOY IS NEW EVERY MORNING! OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE GOOD FUTURE BEFORE YOU! WALK INTO YOUR HARVEST! YOU ARE LOVED, TREASURED, ENOUGH, PERFECT, REDEEMED, A DAUGHTER OF THE KING!
3 WAYS TO LIFT THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS
LISTEN TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP MUSIC, SINGING, AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD REGULARLY.
CREATE A GRATITUDE LIST.
WRITE A ‘THANK YOU’ NOTE TO ALL THE PEOPLE ON YOUR
Stay connected in community & sisterhood
Sending you positive vibes!! Peace, love and the grace of God!!
Can you believe the year is almost over? 2020 has been quite the year hasn’t it? Many of us begun the year with dreams, goals, aspirations, and hopes. Shortly after, it was all challenged. We did not see it coming but guess what, God did. God saw 2020 from the beginning, to the middle, and he knows the end. Daughter of God there is hope for you. God loves you and has not forgotten about you. He sees your hurt, your pain, and even the tragedy of those whom you may have lost this year. He knows your daily struggles and he is not far. God is close.
As a matter of fact, he is closer than the air you breathe. God is not only close to you, but he is also strategic towards you. I believe that in times of famine, testing, and growth God has a strategy to send provision for you. He has provisions of finances, strength, peace, and endurance for you. However, today I want to focus on God’s provision of relationships and hope. What key relationships has God provided to you in this season? For the Israelites it was Esther and for the widow it was Elijah. One of God’s key provisions during times of testing is people. God sends relationships to strengthen, encourage, re-direct, lift, prophesy to, and sharpen us. You are not alone.
As you journey through this month, I want to encourage you to remain in community. God did not create us to be lonely or suffer silently. Reach out to those around you and do not be afraid to fellowship and draw from those key relationships. I encourage you to be intentional about cultivating the relationships God has sent to you. Here are a few ways to receive God’s provision of hope and relationships for you in this season:
1. Pray Daily
Cast your cares, fears, worries, and thoughts to God. Exchange them for hope and peace. Give God your grief.
2. Slow down & listen to the Holy Spirit.
Walk at a God pace. Take the time to slow down and smell the flowers, let God speak to your situation, do not rush, and remember to enjoy life.
3. Be Intentional.
Be intentional about identifying the key relationships God has sent your way and cultivate them. This can be as simple as a weekly phone call or grabbing coffee with a friend. Be open to receive the ministry of community.
Are you praying daily?
3. Be Intentional.
Be intentional about identifying the key relationships God has sent your way and cultivate them. This can be as simple as a weekly phone call or grabbing coffee with a friend. Be open to receive the ministry of community.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
With Love,
Marie-laure Latimore
Adjective: done on purpose; deliberate “An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.” John C Maxwell
Sending you positive vibes!! Peace, love and the grace of God!!
November is a month when our hearts and minds very naturally turn toward being thankful. This has been an extraordinary year filled with challenges of every variety. Those that test our values, our families, our finances, our friendships, even the very core of our hearts. As we reflect this year, I hope we have taken the opportunities to shake up and shake off our robotic existence.
I believe the world had a bigger disease than COVID 19 that plagued us, that of busyness. We had gotten to the point of cramming so much activity into our lives that we forgot we occupied this life with other humans that mattered. We forgot to connect with each other, know each other, and love each other at a visceral level.
Maybe this change was not such a bad outcome. Use your time wisely beloved. Love those God has put in your care. We have each other for such a short time. Be present! I am so thankful for each of you.
As adults, some tend to think that we should not follow the ways our parents and that now since we are “grown” we don’t have to respect and protect. But I’m here to say the latter. We should now, more than ever respect and protect our parents. Our father’s provided disciplines that led us to be strong individuals and know how to work through trials of this society. While our mother taught us teachings of love and spoken words to be able to effectively communicate with the world.
During these trying times in our nation we need those disciplines and teachings and if we are not respecting and protecting them they will be forever lost. Which in turn leads us to accept and believe anything society throws at us. Are you protecting and respecting your family values?
This is the year of Transformation. Ps 115 The Lord remembers us, and he will surely bless us. May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. If we start each day with giving thanks and outdo one another in showing honor, we can make 2021 better than any year before it! May the Lord bless you and protect you.May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Num 6:24-26.
I love you! Mama Lin
Sending you positive vibes!! Peace, love and the grace of God!!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
