Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thankful Me

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! Right now, I am sitting here with a full tummy watching football with my family. It's a good night even though some family is not here-they are in other places. I am so thankful that we had an awesome meal-My fam can throw down in the kitchen so we are never disappointed.. I am blessed to be in North Carolina with my sister in law, niece, and nephew. It has been nine and a half years since I've seen the kids, who are now wonderful young adults.

I am reminded that despite the trials and tribulations that I experience daily, God is good and I remain extremely blessed even when the lessons are painful. I am here with my children. We arrived safely despite the rain and even a bit of snow that followed us from Virginia to North Carolina. It is a blessing to see the children all interact without any awkwardness. It is also funny to see them all sitting on the sofa with at least one device in hand. It's driving my sister in law nuts.

I have heard from almost all the people who mean the most to me. I have posted a thankful post every day this month on Facebook. Some days, my posts were deep and others, they were mundane and frivolous but still, I had much to be thankful for. Not just during this season, but every day of the year. The holidays are difficult for many but hopefully despite missing their loved ones, they too realize that they are blessed.

God has always been good to me. He shows me favor in great ways and small. Any problems or worries usually end up being a waste of time and energy. I simply need to remember that He has never ever left me alone or without a solution better than I could conceive for myself. I am trying daily to surrender all to Him--all my fears, troubles, worries, desires, and burdens. It is not easy but it does build my faith.

If you are reading my blog, you too have many reasons to be thankful. You are here. You are breathing. You woke up this morning. You have electricity. You have food, clothing, and shelter. You have enough. In other words, you are blessed.  I hope you have given thanks with a grateful heart. As we wind down the year, remember to bless others. Pay it forward in some small way. Be kind, be giving, and smile. Let the love of Christ and all that He has done for you shine brightly throughout this season. Count your blessings!

In Diva Love,

Pam



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

You Need a Friend or Two

I spent part of my weekend hanging out with several of my good girlfriends. Of course we couldn't get together without seeing The Best Man Holiday.  Like most women who saw the film, we laughed and cried and laughed some more. We thoroughly enjoyed the male eye candy. Morris Chestnut is mighty fine! Seriously though, the movie was good, really good. It was a worthy sequel to a much adored film.

I am not reviewing the movie. I just want to give it a shout out because it was an ode to life and friendship. If you live long enough, you will see friends come and go, and you will experience the highs and lows of life with them. Sometimes, you will have epic battles that strain the relationship, and at others, life's blows will make those battles insignificant and draw you back together because you can't imagine any other folks who could share this experience with you.

The Best Man Holiday is a life film. It isn't a Black film. You can check out a great blog on that here: blog.  It is my story and it can easily be your story, whoever you are. We all get by with a lil help from our friends--Those friends who know our hearts and for whom no explanation for the craziness in your life is needed.  I have those and I hope you do too. I encourage you to see the film. It will lend to great discussion afterward, even if you didn't already know and love each and every one of the characters. Then, celebrate the people you cherish most, the friends that see you through thick and thin, that are your ride or dies. Life is short, don't be lonely-open your heart! Proverbs 27:17(NLT) says," As iron sharpens, iron, so a friend sharpens a friend". Who in your world is sharpening you?

In Diva Love,

Pam

Monday, November 18, 2013

Just Keep It Shut

I had the craziest week ever last week! I can't even process it all to blog about it. When I reflect on it and all the other drama in my life right now, I realize so much of it goes straight to people not knowing what to say out of their mouths. God was wise and of course He already knew, that we would probably misuse it more than any of us could ever imagine. James 3:7-10, (MSG) says, " This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue--it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongue we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" Oh I have been pondering this thought for weeks because our words carry so much power. the encourage but Lord knows, they also inflict a great deal of pain. I walked into a co-worker's office the other day and she had this on her wall. I am going to share it because, it was perfect and it is a lesson worth learning and worth teaching. If we can work on each of these, our world and the world at large would be a better place. None of us has arrived when it comes to the use of our tongue. I challenge you to try to use yours to speak life, heal, and encourage. The small act will make a difference in some one's life, I promise you. So here it goes.....

Don't Open Your Mouth When:

     1. In the heat of anger-Proverbs 14:17
     2. You don't have all of the facts-Proverbs 18:13
     3. You haven't verified the story-Deuteronomy 17:6
     4. If your words will offend a weaker person-James 4:11
     5. It is time to listen-Proverbs 13:1
     6. You are tempted to make light of holy things-Ecclesiastes 5:2
     7. If you would be ashamed of your words later-Proverbs 8:8
     8. You are tempted to joke about sin-Proverbs 14:9
     9. If your words would convey the wrong impression-Proverbs 17:27
   10. If the issue is none of your business-Proverbs 14:10
   11. You are tempted to tell an outright lie-Proverbs 4:24
   12. If your words will damage someone else's reputation-Proverbs 16:27
   13. If your words will damage a friendship-Proverbs 16:28
   14. You are feeling critical-James 3:9
   15. If you can't say it without screaming it-Proverbs 25:28
   16. If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your family and friends-Peter 2:21-23
   17. If you may have to eat your words later-Proverbs 18:21
   18. If you have already said it more than one time-Proverbs 19:13
   19. You are tempted to flatter a wicked person-Proverbs 24:24
   20. You are supposed to be working instead-Proverbs 14:23

You know I will never extend a challenge without stepping up to the plate myself. I have a hard time with my tongue just like most everyone I know. That being said, I will be carefully working on 1, 14, and 18. Pray for me in that area.  Let's all do our best to do better! Remember  "If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble."-Proverbs 21:23


Blessing and not cursing,
in Diva love,

Pam

Monday, November 11, 2013

Salute A Veteran!

Happy Veteran's Day to those who serve and protect. My sincere thanks to each of you who have chosen the military as your career. You each give selflessly of your time and talents and often you are not given the accolades that you deserve. My hats off to your families, because they too make huge sacrifices and are often forgotten. Because of your dedication, I and every other US citizen is able to move about freely, and have many choices and opportunities afforded to us. I sincerely thank you for all you do to make my life richer and fuller!


With Gratitude and Diva Love, 
Pam

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A Season of Gratitude

It's November which is the kick-off of my favorite time of year. I absolutely love Thanksgiving and I enjoy shopping for Christmas. I am amazed and in awe at the beauty of colors that God has fashioned for us during the Autumn season. It remains the best time for family photos in the outdoors. This season usually puts me in reflective mode. i am constantly reviewing the years happenings and giving thanks for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me and those with whom I do life. 

Like most people, I try to post at least one thing on Facebook that I am thankful for every day. There are many small blessings each day no matter whether things are going well in your life or not. If you wake up in America with food, clothing, and shelter, you have most third world countries beat. If you can add peace of mind or health to that,  well you are winning in life. Love would be the cherry on top. Everyone I know has at least three people that they know love them. So what am I really trying to say?

The message is clear. You are blessed. As such, you should be blessing others. Sharing your gratitude helps other folks realize their own blessings. God didn't give us any resources to hoard up for ourselves. Everything is to be shared to build up and edify others. The life you live may be the only testimony some people see. Touching another person's life is a priceless venture. Not only do they feel good but, my goodness, it does wonders for you too!

I am overwhelmingly thankful for so many things but as I sit typing this blog, I am thankful that I have a voice. Yes, I have kept it to myself for almost a whole year and I do regret it but as I stated before, sometimes you have to be quiet and let God have His way. He is not through with me yet but I can use my voice. My valley season is by no means over but I still have unspeakable joy. When praises go up, blessings do come down. I am abundantly thankful for favor. I have problems and often, I don't know how they will be resolved. Fortunately for me, things ALWAYS seem to work out. God's favor ain't always fair but I rejoice whenever it falls upon me. I hope that you will find joy and peace in the small things....be grateful for whatever comes your way. Yes, you do have to stand in a position of praise during difficult times. It isn't easy but complaining doesn't help. Never lose hope, God sees you in the midst of it all and He understands. So, my friends, what are you praising God for? Please, share your blessings, name them one by one. It will increase your faith and give others' a sense of hope.

In praising Diva mode,

Pam

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Missing In Action

MIA.....yep that is me! But here I is, alive and no worse for the wear. I can't believe it has been almost a year since I posted a blog. In my mind, I've written a thousand posts. Guess what? That's exactly where they have stayed, in my mind. No excuses, no writer's block, and no posts. You know what that means? I haven't been working out all my issues. Remember this blog is therapy for me.

Seriously though, it has been a roller coaster of a year and sometimes you really do have to be still and keep your mouth closed. You have to let God minister to you. So, November is here and it is my favorite time of year. The season of thankfulness. I am back! At least I think I am. I am going to try to post weekly from now till the end of the year. Please note that I said that I will try. My season of crazy is on-going so I make no promises. Know that I have missed writing and I needed to get back to it. One step closer to me being true to ME.  So if you are reading this, I am thankful to you still being out there to share my life experiences and opinions with you. Hugs!

Pam

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Your Mission, If You Choose To Accept It...

Well the New Year has begun and many of you have made resolutions, promises to yourselves and others, or commitments to change, improve, or remove things in your lives. I am not good about resolutions, so I simply don't make them. My every year goal is to be better and do better but most important to look more like Christ and to please Him. That, in and of itself, is a daily challenge. 

To that end, I decided to set a mission statement for this year. My inspiration to do so was prompted by my daughter and her school. At the beginning of each school year (her school has only been in existence for two years), she has to come up with a personal mission statement.  Each and every class has to come up with a mission statement that reflects what they want to accomplish and how they plan to handle the challenges and triumphs of the year ahead. The school also has a mission statement. Their values are derived from the extremely successful series by Stephen Covey,  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.  I am impressed by the mission statements that my daughter has come up with personally and that her classes have come up with as a collective unit.

So, here is the mission, should you choose to accept it. Set your mission statement for 2013. It can be as lofty or simple as you wish to make it. I am also going to set my own. Think about what you want the statement to reflect, make sure it is inspiring and realistic. Take a week or two to marinate on it and tweak it if you must. I promise to share my own within two weeks. I am currently revising it so it can reflect the things I want to achieve, improve, or show in this New Year. I can't wait to hear what you come up with. Please leave them in the comments or e-mail with your statement. I am going to select one lucky reader to get a small gift compliments of me. So get busy! In Habakkuk 2:2-3(ESV), "And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." Have fun, I can't wait to read them. For now, have a great week!

In Diva Love and Purpose,

Pam

Tuesday, January 1, 2013