I will gladly strive...

Hello, World!

I guess since I already messed up today by sleeping late, I might as well make the best of the rest of my day.

I may not be able to go to church, but I can still spend my time in prayer and with Jesus and in reflection.

Speaking of reflection:

This year really hasn't been a bad year. It's probably not one of the best years I've had (that was last year), but I really can't complain too much.

I started out the year learning a new job that I never thought I would be working or even that I would like doing. For the first time in my life I was proud of where I was and who I had become.

At times, it wore on me as I fought to stay the person that God had led me to become. It was mentally taxing and I wasn't really sure if it was a fight that was meant for me.

So, God used my imperfect judgement to take it all away, and He opened doors that I thought had been closed in order for me to have hope and survive.

I've seen so many doors opened for me that I thought had been closed this year for good. And if God can open a closed door, then maybe all hope is not lost and I'll find myself back where I was at the beginning of the year next year.

Because as I said in yesterday's post, I have learned that nothing is final.

This year I have come into contact with people that I thought was a permanent part of my past and had no place in my future. But God has shown me that relationships are as much His to build as they are my responsibility to maintain.

Life is a struggle. Living it and embracing the struggle with all your might is what makes the American dream come alive! And, it's what makes me proud to be who I am.

I don't know where I'm going to end up next year but I know God has blessed me this year. I know He blessed me this morning to be able to wake up and look at the beautiful day ahead. He has open the doors of heaven and looked down from his throne and told me, "Shonda, my child, I love you!"

And, looking back, I can almost hear Him whisper, "Just wait. The best is yet to come! Watch what I can do!"

So, no matter what troubles I have today, and no matter how uncertain my future seems right now, I know that God is in control and everything's going to be alright. And I know He has a reason for everything. So, if my struggles are meant to give me a life more abundant then I will gladly strive.

Have a blessed day!

Takin' Care of Business...

WHEW! What a DAY!

First, I went to Flower Acres Baptist Church today to get much needed produce they were giving away. The Harvest Food Bank ships produce to various places around the area to be picked up by those who could use it. When Farmers have produce they can't sell commercially for whatever reason (too thick, too thin, too big, too small) rather than waste it, they let the food banks have it for the needy. Some of it may be day old apples (still good, just didn't sell) etc. I got a whole box of them today...(as well as cabbage, white onions, LOTS of potatoes and a box of plums and 2 small watermelons and about a 50 lb bag of carrots.

I went to three different houses to distribute my over-abundance to people who I knew needed it badly. I still ended up with a WHOLE lot to store back.

Then, I went to make a delivery of Avon. On the way, I took a $30 order from a previous customer who called me. Then, I made my delivery. I collected the money and gave the customer some of the carrots and apples I still had a lot of.

Then, I came home, unloaded my car, then took off to make another big delivery.

After collecting the money, I decided to splurge and buy a $5.00 Roast for the crock pot. We haven't had real meat for a few days and I am ready for some protein in my body. With the carrots, onions and potatoes, I'm going to feast!

Also, I hadn't even had a glass of tea today, so I was suffering. LOL.

When I finally sat down with my glass of tea, after running all day, I received another order for Avon, bringing my order total to over $200 so far for this campaign!

I haven't even started making call-backs yet! And, I didn't do some of what I wanted to get accomplished today because I didn't have time. There is always tomorrow...

My day has been blessed!

Jump Start

Hello, World!

Today was the worse day ever. Well, okay, it wasn't TOO bad. I did get to go to church. LOL

I walked ALL the way up the street (7 blocks) knocking on doors in 95+ degree weather. I was SOOO hot. And, no relief once I got back to my car, because I don't have air-conditioning. I didn't sell ANYTHING and I gave out about 6 brochures.

I decided to go to the Crazy Horse and rest and have a coke (and MAYBE someone might want some Avon while I am there...) but, no sale. I did rest up, though. The Bartender took one look at me and when I told her I had just finished door to door and needed to cool off, she exclaimed, "OH, I was wondering!" I was soaking wet with sweat and I know my face was redder than a beet. She bought me a coke.

I had the money. I tipped her with it.

I drank two cokes and left to try to sell again...but it was nearly 6 PM and God nudged me and said, "It's Wednesday night. You are here in town...." so I went to church.

I saw Miss Marcy (what a unique blessing she is!) and I told her about my day and what I was up to. When it came time to leave, I told her, "I haven't sold anything today. I can't go home until I do. So, I better get going..." She bought a $4.00 shower gel from me, so I could say I sold something and go home. LOL

I love Miss Marcy.

She even said a special prayer with me before I left.

I got in my car and the key was still in the "on" position. CLICKCLICKCLICK said my car. Sigh...

I went back into the church to ask for a jump. "Does anyone have cables? I'm stuck!"

Praise God for a guy who had some and came to help me out.

I came home and was looking forward to scrounging up something to eat and getting out of these pasted on clothes and fixing a gigantic glass of sweet iced tea.

After turning off my car in my drive and re-starting it three times to make sure it would start, I came in the house.

Fred informed me that food was on the stove, ready for me to eat. Praise GOD! He had even just let the dogs out so I wouldn't be bothered while I settled in.

I got comfortable, ate and then let the dogs, who REALLY smell good from the skin-so-soft and bath I gave them earlier today, in.

Milo and Otis fought over loves from me for a few minutes, then I made them "GET OFF ME, YA'LL! Go play! Go on, get down!" They did.

Here I am, now realizing how much God loves me, in spite of a hot, tiring, unprofitable day. He reminds me that I am SO blessed!

Mark 8:36
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

As for today, I am not discouraged. I know my Lord rewards hard work sooner or later.

Have a blessed night!

Praising God because He is God!

Hello, World!

Today, I woke up and made spaghetti.

That is the thing about being a day-sleeper. When I wake up, it is time for dinner. So, I made spaghetti for me and the guys.

Then, I sat down and opened my Facebook. Immediately, I was looking at a memory from this day in 2014.

It was the year I made the decision that changed my life. The year I decided to follow Jesus with my whole being -- heart, soul and mind -- and to remain single and focused on God.

So much has changed since that year. God has blessed me enormously. But, I have learned that the struggle never really ends. It just becomes easier to endure with a different perspective.

For instance, I used to not have nice clothes to wear. Now, I have clothes to wash and put away, and decide what to wear, what I want to keep and what I want to give away. I am just not complaining now, because I remember four years ago -- which seems like only yesterday -- when I had no clothes. I praise God for the struggle.

I don't complain about having to clean my house because I now have a home to call my own that I need to clean. Four years ago, I was barely able to pay rent on a cheap apartment.

I don't complain about not having a defogger, heat and air in my car or a window that won't roll all the way up, causing me to have to park so far from the entrance at work, because four years ago I didn't have a car. What a blessing my car is!

My phone window is cracked, but I have a phone.

I have food in my kitchen refrigerator and freezer and in the cupboards.

I have a GREAT job. I never in a million years thought I would be where I am now just four years ago. I worked at a hotel, cleaning rooms for about 20 hours a week at just above minimum wage. Then, I went to work at a local hospital cleaning rooms for twice the pay. Then I went to work at Denny's restaurant. And now, I am a corrections officer at a local prison working for the great state of Texas!

I have my health. Praise GOD! I have my health. Three months ago, I could have died, but God saw fit to let me live!

I praise God for the insurance that God provided through my great job! It helped me pay my bills during my recuperation! Four years ago, I was told I had to live with my illness. Three months ago, I was told that if I hadn't gone to the emergency room to seek help when I did, I would not have lived another week.

I have my computer. Four years ago, I did not have one. I scrimped and saved. My laptop computer now has missing buttons so I have to hook up a keyboard. The mouse pad sucks so I got me a wireless mouse. My screen is lopsided...but I have a computer. It has been a source of entertainment and communication with all of you on a daily basis. It has been my means of reaching out, advising, asking for help, and telling you all how God has blessed me, and how He can bless YOU!

God has brought me so far, so fast, one day at a time. While I was going through it, however, it seemed like it was taking forever. Now, as I look back, it's as if it was only yesterday.

God will not snap His fingers to make things happen when you want it. He will give you opportunities, and make you wait for the results, so you can praise Him all the more when it finally happens! So you can clearly see God's hand in where you are!

God has given me so much. Now I struggle to figure out what my goals should be, if I should have the goals that I set, and when does contentment mean I stop striving to be in a better place -- mind, body and soul?

I think I have come to the conclusion that it's okay to strive, as long as I accept that if I remain where I am for the rest of my life, it will be okay, simply because God is God.

I am blessed

Today I was going through my Facebook memories. Three years ago to day I posted this:

I love it when people want to put their two cents worth in about my life and say, "If you'd do this, or if you wouldn't do that..."

It amuses me. I look at them as if they are aliens, because what they suggest for me is so out of my world. I can't help but smile when they tell me, "You can't get there from here..." because I am already closer to "there" than they are, or they think I am.

"Maybe you shouldn't (do this or that)" when what I am doing is working just fine for me. A few little "kinks" and "swirls" now and then, but even that seems to be working for me.

When they tell me "You can't" I just say, "Watch me."

I am so blessed. I had one of those days that not only blessed me, but reminded me of how blessed I am even if I had not been blessed the way I was today. It's like everything is just falling into place. Even when there are "kinks" in my day, even those "kinks" work toward blessing me. I keep wondering, When is the bubble going to burst? Will it always be this way? How can I make sure it will?!

Am I the same person I was three years ago? It sure looks that way; except, I can't help but wonder what I would have posted about that day had I known where I would be today.

I am so blessed today. Even more than I was on that day. Or, am I? Each day is complete with it's own blessings. Each blessing is different, but just as profound.

I am blessed. Period.

On May 5, 2013 (5 years ago) I posted this:

When you start seeing every little thing as a blessing, THAT'S when you know you are truly blessed.

I am, without a doubt, still the same person.

Today I have a new job, a new home, and it is semi-furnished with what I need. God has directed my path and blessed me. Even now, I can't see how He could possibly bless me more -- but I know God. He'll find a way, if that is what He desires to do.