Risky Business

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 26

When No One Is Watching

Let’s just say that my week has been sprinkled with tests and trials. It’s all good because last week’s challenge had me in a good mindset to handle them. It wasn’t easy, but with Jesus I could do all things good/well. I learned the importance of doing the right thing even when it seems like no one is watching. I had to remember that Jesus was watching, and He considers everything that I do. I conclude that it was worth doing what’s right when I would have rather been petty. LOL, yes, petty! Nevertheless, I have peace and I feel good about being a child of God by choosing good over evil even in the little things.

How did you do with the last week’s challenge?

View the last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Consider This

Proverbs 31:16 says “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

Well, Tru Lady in Christ, I believe that it is important for us to try to improve ourselves when we can. I like verse 12 because it says that she “considers”. Usually when I look at this verse I think more about the action of her getting into real estate or working in a garden. But this time I am focusing on her mindset. It takes times to acquire real estate and it takes time to yield fruit from a garden. There is a lot of trust, trial, error, skills, and know how in order to be successful at either task. So, I conclude that the Proverbs 31 Woman needs to be open to improve herself in areas of life that may not always guarantee success initially. She must be open to learn and to consider risky or new things.

A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN TAKES THE TIME TO LEARN, WORK AND WAIT TO EARN NEW “FRUIT”. HER FRUITFULNESS COMES FROM CONSIDERING AND PLANTING WITH HER MIND AND HER HANDS. IT MAY BE A RISK AND MAY TAKE TIME, BUT THAT’S WHAT A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN DOES. (Watch video for a new skill.)

Don’t Be Scared

I challenge you to either learn how to do basic gardening or just sign up to learn a new skill. Don’t be afraid. Proverbs 31 Women consider things before she gets into them. She assess the risk and goes for it with the guidance of Jesus Christ. You can do it! I am not sure what I am going to do yet, but I am going to consider something. We got this!

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:16)
Pray that God leads you to the next thing you need to consider and how to go for it.
Write in your journal your journey to learn something new to be more fruitful in your life.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

The Choice Is Yours

Jun19

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 25

Off The Grid

What is crazy is I got so caught up in all kinds of things that I literally didn’t even realize I forgot to post last week! I had thought that I could even post mid-week, but then the power went out. Faced with challenges to stay cool during the HOTTEST days of the year and praying that the little bit of food I had would not spoil, I just couldn’t get this done. For the greater good of the entire area, certain areas were intentionally shut down so that they could fix damages made by a storm to our city’s electrical grids. It was an imposition and really threw me off. So, I have had to give myself grace that I missed a week in the devotional journey. I hope that you can understand and forgive me, too, reader.

How did you do with the last challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Sometimes things happen. The key is not to stay in a state of bewilderment, but to move forward once you get your footing. Yeah, forgive yourself and move on. Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Obedience in ALL Things

Proverbs 31:12 says “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

Last week was uncomfortable to say the least, but it was revealing, also. The Lord showed me how being obedient in the little things made my unexpected circumstances easier to deal with than a lot of others. To keep it simple, I did not have a lot of food sitting in my fridge and my freezer was full. I had been led to focus on frozen vegetables and not fresh a while ago. That move had me only losing some opened mayonnaise and a meal of leftovers. I had fought through laziness 2 days before the outage and washed many loads of clothing. Because of this, I had plenty of clean clothing to choose from during this time. I had cleaned my apartment pretty decently early in that week, so I was not bothered by an untidy space. I had purchased emergency tap lights a few months ago, so I had lights when others did not. All because I was obedient in the small things, I was content (though uncomfortable) during the trial.

I imagine that you are wondering “what does my small preparations have to do with the focus verse this week”? A Proverbs 31 Woman must choose to do good in all things every single day in every single way. Originally, I wanted to focus on the verse where the Proverbs 31 Woman prepared her household as that would be an obvious fit. However, what is on my heart today is that choosing to obey God in the little things gives you and those you love a freedom to handle difficult things better whenever they come. To push through fatigue, laziness, and self-righteousness to choose to do good reaps greater benefits than justification to procrastinate or fight for yourself. It is not a stretch, I promise you. Think about it for yourself… ask God to make it relative to you… then, you will understand what I mean.

MAKE GOOD CHOICES. YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW. YOUR DUTY IS LAID OUT FOR YOU IN GOD’S WORD. THOUGH IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE EASY, FOR A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IT IS THE TRUE DEFINITION OF A GOOD WOMAN. DO GOOD AND NOT EVIL.

A Lifetime of Goodness

For those women that are married, I want to encourage you to understand that there are MANY ways to do your husband good and not evil all the days of your life. No, this verse does not mean to be a doormat or anything. It does mean that you intentionally make choices to treat him well even when he doesn’t deserve it. You make choices to keep you all’s household prepared so that he can more easily fulfill his role to be the protector, provider, and priest for your home. Things won’t always seem peachy, but your job as a Tru Lady in Christ is to live out Christ’s example. Yes, even in your marriage. Do him good, Woman of God. Obey God with the little things and watch Jesus work things out. I am trying to tell you. To have a lifetime of goodness is predicated upon your daily choices. Do him good and not evil ALL the days of your life. With Jesus, you can do all things as He gives you strength. God bless you, daughter!

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:12)
Pray that God continues to lead you not into temptation, but to deliver you from evil. In other words, that He continues to help you make the choice to do good in all things.
Write in your journal any struggles you experience choosing to do good and not evil in your marriage and/or your everyday life this week?

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Hand’s Up If You…

Jun5

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 23

Best for My Life

We had a holiday off from work and we ladies had another Lady’s Day on May 31st. I enjoyed my time of peace and simplistic joy. Last week’s challenge made me look at myself and I began a new journey to glow up. I want the best for my life and the Lord has laid it out in His Word. So with this life that I have been given, I want to spend the rest of it being of excellence in everything. It’s going to be something of a journey, but I will no longer settle for less than God’s best.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

It is very much important to take time to better yourself. That looks like different things for different people. The point of it all is to always seek for excellence. Never settling for the mediocre. Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Watch Her Hands

Proverbs 31:19 says “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”

This week I have had to tend to my hands more attentively. No one thinks of how much your hands do until they are threatened to not do them anymore. My hands were getting tight from overuse and tingly when blood was not properly circulating through them. I spent over 30 minutes massaging and stretching my hands every morning as indicated by the experts scattered throughout Google. Over the next four or five days, my hands were beginning to feel better and not strained. All of this made me think…

A Proverbs 31 Woman is always using her hands. Skillfully, she put her hands to use to do a myriad of things. Many of us do not make clothes or use the tools described in verse 19, but we use other tools to handle the affairs of our well-being and that of our households. I just thought that it is best for us all to be mindful that our hands are well taken care of so that we can take care of our business well for a long time. It had been YEARS since I had given my hands some much-needed TLC… what about you? Have you shown your hands any love lately?

I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THE HANDS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU. MAKE SURE YOU ARE PUTTING THEM TO GOOD USE. LAY HOLD TO ALL OF YOUR LIFE’S RESPONSIBILITIES APPLYING THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT.

Give Yourself A Hand

Today’s challenge is short, but heavy. When you look over your life do you feel like you are doing all that your hands have been designed to do? Are you engaging your hands in activities that will greatly benefit you and your family? Now is the time to put your hands to good use. And to applaud yourself for all that you are already doing. Your hands are of the utmost value especially when you are a Proverbs 31 Woman! So, take a moment to give yourself a hand clap. Then, get busy… your hands have work to do!

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:19)
Pray that God will show you all of the ways you can put your hands to good use for His glory. More practically, also pray that He shows you how to properly take care of your hands so that they can continue to do their job uninterrupted.
Write in your journal what all your hands lay hold onto this week. What are your thoughts about your activities?

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Excellence Defined

May29

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 22

Fit for a Lady

I enjoyed doing last week’s challenge. I think I had lost myself over the years. I haven’t been very mindful of my fashion style for various reasons throughout the years. More focus on financial responsibilities, learning to be a wife, switching careers, and weight issues siphoned my development of fashion that would be suitable for a Tru Lady of Christ. After prayer, I went to a quality woman’s store and bought a few key items that were 40% off. They are classy, versatile, beautiful, AND modest. I felt like a real woman again lol. Now, I need to actually wear them.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Your outward appearance is significant. God gave us a guideline to follow. We have to adopt the mind of Christ even in our fashion. Fashion ourselves after His Word. Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

In A Class Of Her Own

Proverbs 31:29 says “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”

The realization of the matter is that the Proverbs 31 Woman is many things. A lot of people complain today and say that there is no way that anyone could or should do all of the things that are outlined in that scripture. I have seen and heard many people – women and men – go to great lengths to present their opinions as to why the Proverbs 31 scripture doesn’t mean it what it means as to say it is impossible to be all of that. Their arguments should always fall on deaf ears because of the 29th verse. The Proverbs 31 Woman excels above them all which includes those women who do well in life.

When you read and study to become like the Proverbs 31 Woman know that over time with the help of Jesus Christ, you can and will be like that woman. Don’t settle for average. Aim to be the absolute best that God has called for us to be. You don’t have to overwork yourself, but you do have to excel…. you can do it!

I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS BE YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST. IT IS WRITTEN IN HIS WORD THAT YOU CAN BE OF AN EXCELLENT NATURE IN ALL THINGS. IF CLAIR HUXTABLE CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU! LOL

You Can Have It All

I know that Clair Huxtable is a fictional character, but that character was modeled after a real person. THAT is just TV. When you dedicate yourself to being excellent and committing every way unto the Lord, then you too will be among a small class of women. I believe that we can do it and I hope that you believe it, too.

Did you know that this week is the 31st? It is officially a Lady Day! Make sure that you take a holiday to celebrate and love on you!

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:29)
Pray that God will strengthen you and show you how to do all things with excellence.
Write in your journal how you can practically begin to do certain things with a more excellent nature. Also, write down those things that you already do well.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Find Fine Quality

May22

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 21

He Will Rise To The Top

Last week was full of revelations for me, personally. What I learned doing last week’s challenge is that when you fully trust God with every area of your life, which includes choosing your husband, then you will be all right. I mean it… ALL will be right. No matter what the circumstances may currently be nor what may have taken place in the past, your soon-to-be or already husband will rise to the top JUST like cream does. Place that man in God’s hands, pray for him, love and respect him, and expect for things to be all right in the sight of God. Amen and amen.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

It is not always easy to let God take control and help you navigate through life. We, as people, always think we know what’s best or how things should go. Truth be told… we simply do not! I am ever learning that the best bet in life is to let go and let God in everything. Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Be A Beautiful Lady

Proverbs 31:22 says “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”

To be beautiful is a given in the girl world. No matter how she defines her fashion style, she wants to be beautiful. The thing is… is when you decide to be a Tru Lady of Christ you decide to lay down your definition of beautiful and take on the Lord’s. What I love about God is that He CREATED all things beautiful, and He will not have us out here looking like a butt-ugly boo monster simply because we are His child. GOD defines beauty. The Proverbs 31 Woman shows us that she takes special care to choose (or in her day… to make) fine-looking clothing for herself AND her home furniture. Silk fabric and the color purple are of a regal pedigree and are of the highest quality to wear.

Now all I want us to do with this challenge is to understand that God has standards. Yes, ladies… even for your clothing. Have you ever read the description of heaven? It is BEAUTIFUL! God is the best fashion stylist there is… no comparison. We should trust His Word and choose quality fabrics with beautiful colors that make us shine. Being very careful to not bring glory unto our flesh, but to dress that brings glory unto God. Be a beautiful lady that when anyone sees you, they think of how God made such a beautiful creation. Scale your wardrobe, sis. Release those items that are not becoming of a Tru Lady in Christ. Search and pay for quality items that will last and will hang beautifully on your frame. A Proverbs 31 Woman is not busted or sloppy or trifling… she is a beautiful lady.

SOME OF US THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT WHAT WE WEAR WHILE OTHERS OF US DO NOT PUT ENOUGH THOUGHT INTO IT. TAKE NOTE FROM THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN AND RECOGNIZE THAT QUALITY WOMEN WEAR QUALITY CLOTHING. LISTEN TO THIS SOUND ADVICE FROM THIS MAN AND HIS WIFE… I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO LEVEL UP TO GOD’S LEVEL IN YOUR WARDROBE. (Watch the video below.)

Fine Versus Sensual… There IS A Difference

I have been a woman all of my life (a little woman when I was a little girl) and I KNOW that we struggle with this topic. Every woman wants to look and feel beautiful. Every woman has her own style. According to Proverbs 31:22, she is supposed to! However, there is a fine line for what it means to be “fine” and still be a Tru Lady in Christ. Our society today did not teach us all how to make our own clothing, so we are subjected to what we are offered and is available for us to buy. That means that we have an additional responsibility of being very conscious and led by the Holy Spirit to choose our fine attire. The goal is for it to frame our face and let the glory of God shine through so that others will recognize that we are beautiful. The video below is a clear-cut guide and is full of examples of what should and should not hang off of a real Proverbs 31 Woman. REMEMBER these are examples are not the end all be all.

Be truthful with yourself and employ God as your fashion stylist from this day on. He knows beauty better than any magazine or model you’ve ever seen. Let us not be sensual but aim to be beautiful in the sight of God.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:22)
Pray that God will show you how to dress that will bring Him glory. His creations are beautiful, and you are no exception. Seek His wisdom on your wardrobe today.
Write in your journal what will define your fashion style that will bring God glory. Do you need to go shopping? Do you need to give things/thrown things away? Write your discoveries in your journal.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Cream of the Crop

May15

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 20

You Only Get One

I hope that you were able to give honor to your mother last week. As my mother spent her Mother’s Day in the hospital, I was reminded that each of us only gets one mother. Sure, we can have mothers-in-law, godmothers, grandmothers, and mother figures that are good to us. However, we’re only birthed through one. No matter the status of you and your mother’s relationship, please remember that we are to give them honor. The benefit is that this is what God wants us to do and He will reward you with long life when you do.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I love my mama! She can be a trip sometimes, but she is my mother. I have learned a lot from mine, and I am grateful for her. Well, it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

That Kind of Man

Proverbs 31:23 says “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

Tru Ladies of Christ desire to be married. No matter what society dictates, most women want to be married to a good man. This week, we focus on Proverbs 31:23 that describes the man that the Proverbs 31 Woman is married to. What I like about this scripture is that he has a reputation in important places and he sits among established leaders. This indicates that her husband knows how to carry himself amongst people of distinction. She chose to be the wife of a man whose reputation proceeds him in a good way. The scripture indicates that her husband thinks about his choices and is wise with the company that he keeps. He does not settle and yet he sits under AND among great men. Think about it… if he lives this way outside of the home, he will uphold a high, godly standard when it comes to being a husband to you in the home.

I like this because it is written to remind us that who you choose to marry is JUST as important as how you carry yourself as a woman. My prayer for those of you that are waiting to be found by your God-given husband is to PAY ATTENTION TO WHO THE MAN IS not just who he has the potential to become. Do not ignore red flags. A true Proverbs 31 Woman considers what kind of man she marries. Don’t just be “in love” and all of that. Recognize that the man described in the scripture did not become known overnight nor did he earn his way to sit among the elders of the land as a young buck. To achieve this status took time and years of good, righteous choices. Young lady, please keep in mind that God has a specific plan for your life and whomever you choose to become one with should be on this man’s level one day. The Proverbs 31 Woman is wise even in her choice of husband.

To the women that are already married: submit your marriage unto the Lord so that your husband will be known in the gates and sit amongst the elders of the land. Whether your husband already is this way or is far from it…KNOW that God loves you AND him. Be the Proverbs 31 Wife to your husband and keep praying! Believe and watch God move in your husband’s life. The bottom line is that Proverbs 31 Women have husbands with a reputation that she can be proud of, and he cultivates his wisdom by choosing to be in the company of wise leaders.

NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF WOMAN YOU ARE I KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO BE MARRIED TO A GOOD MAN. MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE THE KIND OF WIFE THAT ATTRACTS THIS KIND OF MAN. BE THE KIND OF WIFE THAT SUPPORTS HER HUSBAND TO BECOME THE KIND OF MAN GOD HAS DESIGNED HIM TO BE. (Watch the video below.)

Don’t Settle for Less Than God’s Best

This week is all about us understanding that God does not desire for us to be with men for the sake of just being with men. Our choice for a husband has to be a wise one that is led by the Spirit of the Lord. You have to love the words written in Proverbs 31 and yet people tend to skim by this verse. A Tru Lady in Christ must be wise in her choice of husband. It is the mark of a real Proverbs 31 Woman. Don’t forget that the man described will get to this status eventually, BUT the choices that he makes and the lifestyle that he lives now is a GREAT indication for who he is to become. Choose wisely. Many men may find you but remember that you make the choice to be one man’s wife. Don’t settle… a Proverbs 31 Woman has a husband that any woman would be proud of. You deserve that as you, yourself, are learning be a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:23)
Single Women: Write in your journal your prayer that God will help you recognize the kind of man that He desires for you and that he will be one of good reputation with the wisdom to keep company of greatness… a true, godly man.
Married Women: Write in your journal how God can help you be the kind of wife that prays for and supports your husband to be the kind of man that will have a good reputation and wisdom to keep company of greatness…a true, godly man.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Remember the Womb

May8

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 19

Best Dressed

The beginning of May has brought more than May flowers in my little world. Hit with unexpected news and the resurfacing of old hurts has been the name of the game this past week. I NEEDED to wear strength and honor to get through all of the things. The Word of God is true, y’all. You must trust in Him because He is faithful, and He never fails.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Girl, check your clothes! What do you have on? Be sure to keep the strength and honor on… no matter what you go through. It’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Mama Used To Say

Proverbs 31:1 says “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”

Today is Mother’s Day around the US of A. I don’t have much to write for today’s devotional. I just want you to remember that the Word of God says to Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. I am not one for many holidays, but since they set it aside… utilize the momentum. Remember your mother today and give her honor.

REMEMBER THAT PROVERBS 31 WAS WRITTEN BECAUSE THE MOTHER OF A KING WAS GIVING HIM LIFE ADVICE AND WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY. THERE IS NO PROVERBS 31 WOMAN TO BECOME WITHOUT THE WISDOM OF A MOTHER. (Watch the video below.)

God Gave Us Each A Mother

Though this devotional is a light one, it is still very important. I challenge you to simply be grateful for the mother that you have/had. If you are able to show her that you love and care, then do so. If it is not physically possible, then think of great things and remember her. God commands that we honor our parents and today is set aside to do just that. Tru Ladies of Christ were birthed from the mother that God ordained for them to have.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:1)
Pray that God helps you find value in whatever your mother may have taught you at any point in your life.
Write in your journal how God has blessed you with the mother that you have and for the mother figures, also.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Outfit of the Day

May1

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 18

Hallelujah Anyhow

You know… when you set out to do what’s right in Christ and particularly to go against your flesh’s natural ways, trials quickly present themselves. Quickly! I hope that you were able to work out the law of kindness and were wise with your words last week. I did and I “paid” for it. I just want to remind you Tru Ladies that trying to live as Christ has called is to endure hardness as a good soldier. It is to crucify your flesh. It is to deny yourself and take up your cross. I was successful in the challenge, but my week was far more challenging than I ever thought that it would be. Well, to God be the glory anyhow.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Keep working on that tongue, it is imperative. Going forward I want to share a truth about being a Proverbs 31 Woman that should help you on your journey. It’s time for a new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Put It On… You Won’t Regret It

Proverbs 31:25 says “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Experiencing hard times? Life not that easy right now? I want you to know what the Proverbs 31 Woman always remembers as she goes through life. She remembers that in time she will be able to rejoice as long as she continues to wear the STRENGTH of Jesus Christ and allows God to HONOR her daily. It is not of her own power that she manifests greatness and great times. A Proverbs 31 Woman stands on the truth that she must stand IN God especially when times are not that great.

The word of God says, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” and it says that “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Be strong, sis! Tru Ladies of Christ must fashion themselves in the strength of God in order to make it in this world. For it is the way of a good woman of God.

According to dictionary.com, the word honor means honesty, fairness, or integrity in one’s beliefs and actions. In the above paragraphs, I mentioned that she will “allow God to honor her”. Let me expound. A Proverbs 31 Woman aligns her life with honesty and integrity – the ways of God – in all that she does and believes. As a result, she honors God daily and He in turn honors you. Tru Ladies of Christ must be mindful to choose to operate in integrity and fairness even when life is unfair to you. She must be honest even when the world around her is lying and seemingly getting away with it. Honor must be her clothing of choice. For God will respond and defend YOUR honor when you do so.

A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN KNOWS THAT HER BEST BET IN LIFE IS TO DO THINGS GOD’S WAY. WHEN SHE DOES, JESUS GIVES STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH AND WILL HONOR HER IN ALL THINGS. WHATEVER WAS TRYING YOU WILL NO LONGER AFFECT YOU IN GOD’S TIME. YOU SHALL REJOICE SOON! NEED A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER… (Watch the video below.)

Fashion Dictates

The importance of how a woman carries herself is often reflected in her choice of clothing. What a woman has on will tell you what kind of woman she may be. Keep in mind that a woman can change and that her clothing does not permanently mark her, but it definitely serves as a significant and worthy sign to consider. This is not only true in your choice of blouses, skirts and dresses, but also in your character. Any woman with style knows what “works” and is “trending”. A Proverbs 31 Woman knows what works for God and what will yield His greatness in our life. Strength (being strong) and honor (living with honest and integrity) are what’s hot in the kingdom of God. That sort of fashion dictates that you SHALL rejoice in time to come…it is guaranteed by the word of God.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:25)
Pray that God strengthens you and shows you His ways just to deal with things of life this week.
Write in your journal how God has shown up when you did things His way especially if you were challenged and tried.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Power of Your Tongue

Apr24

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 17

But It Is Warfare

Last week’s post seemed simple, but I was TRIED all week in that very principle to simply be sweet! I mean, I was TRIED!!!! I was lied to, talked crazy to, disrespected by children, underestimated by adults, ignored by people, and even stolen from…whew… it was a week! I could literally hear the Lord tell me to be sweet when I was caught totally off guard. I even had to step out and come back in the room singing “Sweet Jesus” before I could proceed with life. I could feel the surge of indignation and a desire to defend myself just as nastily as I was spoken to all through my physical body. I had to deny myself and allow Jesus to take control of my tongue and my face. It is not always easy to be sweet. It’s warfare, people! Nevertheless, God calls us to be Tru Ladies of Christ with a tongue of wisdom and speak with the law of kindness. Jesus, what a week! By His power and grace, I made it.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Last week’s challenge is easy in theory. To walk it out in mastery takes the Word of God, a joyful song, and a close relationship with Jesus Christ. No wonder it is so hard to find sweet people on earth today. Last week was so powerful in my life that I want to extend the challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Practice What You Preach

Proverbs 31:26 says “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.“

It is in the tongue that you give life or death to others and yourself. The world knows this. The body of Christ knows this. For the women, there are specific scriptures that address how we speak. We are to be gentle. We are to be meek. The law of kindness HAS to be in our tongue. Women of God, what is coming out of your mouth?

I implore you to practice what you preach/read in the Word of God. It is not enough to KNOW to do well and not do it. To develop the habit of speaking wisdom and kindness, there must be action behind it. How often are you listening to wise words? How often are you treating others the way you would want to be treated? How often are you considering God’s word to give to the poor or to help the widows and fatherless? Take this week to put this important principle into practice. Do it on purpose!

WE NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE SAY AND DO MATTERS. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW YOUR WORDS OR ACTIONS AFFECTS OTHERS. A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IS KNOWN FOR BEING WISE AND KIND. NEED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT? (Watch the video below.)

You Will Be Marked

The reputation of the Proverbs 31 Woman is why we try to model ourselves after her. The king’s mother in this scripture outlines what a good woman is marked by. It is so important that you practice speaking and doing wise and kind things. This is why this is a two-week challenge. You will be marked by what you’ve said and done. Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus. Come on, ladies, let’s fix these attitudes. Let’s lay down the snappy comebacks and petty retorts. Let’s move with kindness even when folks don’t deserve it. There’s work to be done… begin with your tongue.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:26)
Continue to pray to God that he shows you HOW to speak with wisdom and He shows you HIS law of kindness.
Write in your journal the ways that you are putting the scripture into action. Write down the accounts of kindness that you’ve shown others this week.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

To Be Or Not To Be…

Apr17

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 16

Down, But Not Out

Nothing slows you down like sickness especially when it comes out of nowhere. From Sunday to Saturday, I actively sought healing from the seemingly never-ending production of phlegm in the back of my throat. It affected my voice, and it affected my energy, but praise the living Jesus that was all that was affected. As a result, I only had enough energy to fight my sickness and go to work. It made me think… am I living my life to its fullest? It made me think… am I pleasing God continually? It made me think… will I ever truly be all that I believe that God wants to be? Let’s just say this past week made me vulnerable and pensive. I have no idea whether or not this fully relates to last week’s challenge, but that’s where I was.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I may have been down physically, but my spirit was still engaged and sought to serve the Lord first. I hope that you continue to seek God even when life gets you down. We will move on to the new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Wisdom Comes From The Wise

Proverbs 31:26 says “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.“

When I was a teenager, I started going to church. My small church housed members that were mostly the ages of 65 or older. These men and women had lived and were still living trying to serve God to the best of their abilities. They were full of wisdom and I wanted to put a spotlight on one of the most profound things that still applies today, especially to women. My favorite mother of the church and Sunday School teachers would randomly say to my young self, “Be sweet.”

Proverbs 31, verse 26 perfectly outlines what these mothers were trying to teach me. A Tru Lady of Christ is sweet. She speaks sweetly. She acts sweetly. Her face is sweet and not boorish. She is NOT a doormat, but she is kind, meek, sweet, and gentle. For this is the mark of a Proverbs 31 Woman. This is the mark of a godly woman. If we, women, are truly trying to live as God calls us to, we MUST BE SWEET! Period.

IT MUST BE YOUR LEGACY TO SPEAK WISELY AND TO SHOW KINDNESS. IT GOES MUCH FARTHER THAN EVERY TALENT YOU SHOWCASE, EVERY BUSINESS YOU FLOURISH, AND EVERY CAUSE THAT YOU FIGHT FOR. A REAL PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IS SIMPLY SWEET.

One must understand the power of the words you speak. The late Dr. Maya Angelou understood all too well and shared this brief lesson about them. (Watch the video below.)

Who can find it?

As simple as the focus verse is, the application is not widespread amongst the women population today. I searched online for a cool video to share regarding the topic and my results were weak. Being a sweet person is not popular. It is popular to be powerful. It is popular to be independent. But I want us to all heed the words of the wise women from my youth… “BE SWEET.” That’s it! Period. The dividends are immeasurable.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:26)
Pray to God that he shows you HOW to speak with wisdom and He shows you HIS law of kindness.
Write in your journal what you found in the scriptures and heard in your prayer time. Reflect on how you will continuously evolve into a woman that is sweet.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

The Ripple Effect

Apr10

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 15

Do One Thing At A Time

Has anyone ever noticed how when you put your mind or schedule/to do list toward handling God’s business that the distractions RAMP UP?! Seriously, last week was more stressful in the easier places than usual. Nevertheless, I want to encourage those of you who intend to be good stewards over their households to NOT GIVE UP! I realized that something as simple as cleaning my kitchen dishes and mopping the bathroom floor can threaten the kingdom of darkness aka the enemy. Why? Because as you align your household with the will of God, the enemy will work on that very thing to keep you bound to an old way… to not let your household be free and successful. Again, I say…NEVERTHELESS, do NOT give up! I need you all to continue last week’s challenge by simply doing ONE thing at a time! Though these challenges are presented weekly, it does not mean that you fail if you did not finish yet. You allow the Holy Spirit to lead you (yes, even in cleaning and looking well to the ways of your household) and simply be obedient. He will give you strength to continue and then complete the work that He has started in you. All right… let that sink in.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Keep on with the spring cleaning! Your household will benefit greatly. As you continue that work, let’s add the new challenge. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Priorities Reflect Praise

Proverbs 31:28 says “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

I have noticed that most women measure their level of success by how well she is praised by others. It is simply just a fact of nature. It does not matter if she is a CEO or the ultimate stay at home mother… she desires praise that reflects her work. Do not let feminism fool you. Truthfully, even that movement seeks the same thing just from themselves or their counterparts. So, since this is an inherent need for the woman…how does she receive praise the Tru Lady way?

Proverbs 31, verse 28 provides the solution to our inherent need. As you read above, your children will call you blessed and your husband will praise you. I hear the hearts of some say things such as “I don’t have any children”, “what husband?”, “my relationships are estranged”, “isn’t there more to my life than being a wife and mother?”…. IF you are to be a Tru Lady of Christ, a real Proverbs 31 Woman recognizes where the REAL TREASURE resides! Before you exit this blog post, understand that your ultimate mission is NOT in being a wife and mother… IT IS IN SERVING JESUS CHRIST FIRST IN ALL THAT YOU DO!!!!!

Proverbs 31:30 says “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Verses 28 and 30 show the effect and cause when you follow this principle… your heritage (family) will call you blessed and praise you BECAUSE you fear the Lord! The praise you desire is guaranteed! You read the word “shall”, right? It is guaranteed when you prioritize worshipping Jesus Christ before everything. Others will notice and will RISE UP to CALL YOU BLESSED… they will publicly praise you. Not because you are beautiful or because you exude favor in all that you have/do, but because your worship is for real! Prioritizing Jesus FIRST = Praise for a successful life!

A TRU LADY’S FIRST PRIORITY IN HER LIFE IS TO WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH HER EVERYTHING BEFORE SHE PURSUES OTHER THINGS, AS IT SAYS IN MATTHEW 6:33. THIS INTENTIONAL WAY OF LIVING WILL FULFILL OUR NEED TO BE GENUINELY PRAISED…IT IS GUARANTEED!

The video below is an encouraging message to the daughters of God to keep going through your process with God to fulfill all that He has predestined for you to do. It is relevant because as you go through life as the Proverbs 31 Woman does, the message clearly emphasizes that you will fulfill it all as long as you follow Jesus EVEN when you feel like giving up. (Watch the video below.)

It’s Bigger Than That

The focus verses speak of having those you love to call you blessed and praise you before others. That sort of thing feels us as women up to continue to do what we have been commissioned. Keep your eyes and focus on what matters most: WORSHIP JESUS FIRST! All of the other things that have been placed in you and that have been outlined in the scripture of Proverbs 31 will fall into place. God’s Word guarantees it. You WILL be rewarded for it, too!!!! The Tru Lady’s life is so much bigger than “handling business”… if you do your life right, you will reap great rewards by simply fearing the Lord in all that you do.

Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scriptures (Proverbs 31:28 & 30)
Pray to God for clarity, direction, and removal of distractions as you seek to align your life with seeking God FIRST.
Write in your journal what and how you intend to worship God before everything else. Also, reflect on the benefits that manifest as you prioritize serving God first.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Get Ready… Get Set… GO!

Apr3

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 14

Rise Up and Spring Into What’s Next

Thank you, reader, for rejoining me on my journey to be a Tru Lady of Choice as one who is Clearly A Proverbs 31 Woman! I appreciate you. In my one year hiatus I have learned the value of rest and how it is essential to overall health. However, I also learned that I wouldn’t have needed so much essential rest if I had been handling my business God’s way instead of my own. (Ouch! That hurt because it is true!) Let me tell you that I sincerely wanted to do so many things while I was down, but I was in such a weak state that I simply couldn’t! It was and still is my desire to excellently walk in my role as a woman that God is pleased with. So, now that energy is returning and God has given me strength to continue on… let’s spring into some action! I am so excited to be back and ready to present this week’s devotional challenge.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Continue to rest, but now let’s get it in gear. You cannot beat hard work! This next challenge is not the most exciting, but it is a necessity if you are to fulfill your role as a Proverbs 31 Woman. Let’s get to it. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Laziness is NOT Becoming

Proverbs 31:27 says “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

Did any of you ever grow up hearing the saying that “cleanliness is next to godliness”? I most certainly did! Folks abided by this saying so much that they would ignorantly say that it is quoted in the Holy Bible. (It is not in the Bible, but it is a great saying nonetheless.) What IS quoted in the bible is this week’s focus scripture to look well to the ways of your household and not eat the bread of idleness. All that this means is that a Proverbs 31 Woman is constantly looking for ways to make her household run smoothly and successfully. She is not just sitting around doing nothing… eating junk (I added that last bit). The key thing in the verse here is to CONSTANTLY find ways to keep your home in order as there will ALWAYS be something that needs to be done. As aforementioned, rest is essential but it is not an excuse to participate in indolence. (Indolence is a noun that means the avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness.)

I propose that a great place to improve how you look well to the ways of your household is to do a deep clean this week. Now is the perfect time because cleaning products and appliances are on sale since it is officially spring-cleaning season. Your environment can dictate your mood. I don’t know the science behind it all, but I do know that it is true. Since we are called to do all things decently and in order, let’s take time to put our energies to truly clean our homes this week. Most of us do NOT like to do this, but it is one of the most basic ways to keep your household functioning smoothly and successfully. Whether you are a master cleaner or are naturally messy, I wanted to share a valuable YouTube video that provides tips on how to keep your home clean and fresh. Every little bit helps and we win when we learn from others. (Watch the video below.)

A TRU LADY IS A KEEPER OF HER HOME AS THE WORD OF GOD DESCRIBES IN TI TUS 2:5. RISE UP AND MEET GOD’S STANDARD TODAY.

You’ll Thank You Later

The focus verse speaks of not eating the bread of idleness. I am also sure that you have heard that “an idle mind is the devil’s playground”. You know what? IT IS!!!! What I want to point out about the verse though is that it says to not eat its bread. Hmm… that sounds to me like idleness is not necessarily a willing choice, but a temptation disguised as a tasty meal or treat. Let that resonate for a moment… Honestly, it is very easy to get caught up in other activities, scrolling the phone, binge-watching videos, or whatever that will zap your time and energy to where you will unintentionally neglect your household. It may be surviving, but is it well? Is it thriving?

Calling out to all of the Tru Ladies out there to look around your household and spring into action! Let’s begin with spring cleaning and reap the rewards of cleanliness and order for ourselves and our families. I promise you will thank you later! Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:27)
Pray to God for wisdom, strength, resources and guidance on how to look well on the ways of your household.
Write down your spring cleaning plan which should include specific tasks to set your household up for success. Then, journal throughout the week on how your plan is working/not working.

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

The Tru Lady is Back!

Mar28

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 13

Finish What You Start

Well, it has officially been a year since I last wrote a blog post for the Clearly A Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional. The last blog post was about getting rest. Apparently, I needed WAY more rest than I anticipated LOL! Truthfully, I am still learning how to rest and needed quite a bit of assistance. Nevertheless, I am back and the weekly devotional posts are returning next week.

How did you do with the last challenge…a year ago?

View the last Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Today’s post is for the 13th week of the overall challenge despite the fact that it has been OVER 365 days since my last post.

You CANNOT Pour From An Empty Cup

Proverbs 31:29 says “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”

In the last year, I have experienced several trials and difficulties that made it very easy for me not to write or do anything that would align with my personal vision for my life. I do not enjoy admitting that, but it is the truth. I reached the point of exhaustion in every area in my life that resulted in my need to simply stop. Through much trial and error, I finally found something that helped to move me out of my rut. I want to share that with you as I prepare to pick back up where I left off with this blog.

It is true what they say that “you CANNOT pour from an empty cup”. As a matter of fact, I learned that if you do not get adequate rest there are very real repercussions. I was so drained and unhealthy that I just didn’t want to move. Consequently, I didn’t. One day the Lord led me to this YouTube video that spoke about sacred rest and it piqued my interest. There was this doctor that was addressing my very area of need so I found out more about her, her book and the idea of sacred rest. (Watch her interview below.)

REAL REST IS MORE THAN SLEEP. A TRU LADY OF CHOICE SEEKS TO GROW IN HOW TO BE THE BEST SHE CAN BE IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE. THAT INCLUDES RESTING WELL…EVEN GOD RESTED ON THE 7TH DAY.

The 31st is OUR LADY DAY… celebrate well!

The focus verse speaks of excelling above them all. I figured that if I am going to actually become a true Proverbs 31 Woman then I need to learn from the best of the best regarding whatever. So, I am officially recommending to you all to check out this book and to take her rest quiz. The idea behind the book is explained in the video above. It is called Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD. What you will learn from the interview is that rest is more than sleep and it is the desire from our Creator that we get proper rest. I encourage you to take her rest quiz at www.restquiz.com and purchase her book to learn more.

REMEMBER TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOU THIS WEEK BECAUSE WE PURPOSEFULLY TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES ON OR NEAR THE 31ST OF EACH MONTH!!!!!

Though this post is not an official devotional challenge, I didn’t want to leave you without something to do before we start back next week. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:29)
Pray to God because you should!
Do something fun and restful this week because the 31st is OUR day!

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Life of a Real Princess

Mar21

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 12

That Cinderella Track

Hey all! I have been working hard!! Many times I have read and heard that being a Proverbs 31 Woman is almost impossible because no one can do ALL of those things all of the time and be normal. I don’t believe it is impossible, but it is VERY tiring. I gave my all this past week and took MANY naps over the weekend (with my mouth WIDE OPEN… lol). Listen, sis, no one said that being a Tru Lady of Choice wasn’t going to be hard work. Nevertheless, I survived the challenge.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

This is the 12th week in and this week’s new challenge may be some’s favorite. I am excited. Let’s get to this next challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Sleeping Beauty

Proverbs 31:10 says “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.“

As I have said in a previous blog post, you cannot pour from an empty cup. This week’s challenge is more of you deliberately making time to rest your crown. There is a time and a season for everything. Yes, a Proverbs 31 Woman has an outstanding work ethic, BUT she uses wisdom in her productivity, also. This may be the hardest challenge for some of you. Schedule time for REST this week. You know what rest is, right? Where you get somewhere and sit down or even lay down. I am not saying be a slouch, but even God rested on the seventh day.

Think of real princesses for a moment. True royalty have strict bed times so that they are fresh and effective the next day. In other words, rest is part of their routine. I can’t speak for women in other countries, but in the United States of America women are SERIOUSLY lacking in this area. We do a lot, but too many of us do not rest enough. We must have proper rest and a good balance in regards to work.

CREATE A REST ROUTINE IN YOUR JOURNAL THIS WEEK. THEN, PRAY FOR DISCIPLINE TO ACTUALLY REST IN THE WAY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS SHOWING YOU.

Photo by Ru016bdolfs Klintsons on Pexels.com

Lay down your crown and rest. Proper rest is essential for optimum productivity.

The focus verse accentuates more of knowing one’s worth and value. I like the question in the beginning. “Who can find a virtuous woman?” For the last few weeks, we have been engulfed in tasks that a Proverbs 31 Woman would partake in, but many people ignore the fact that in order to do these tasks well you will need to have strength. Strength comes from proper rest. Since this type of woman has such a high value like rubies, she NEEDS to have high-quality rest on a daily basis. Princesses don’t sleep in their crowns. As aforementioned, this challenge may be one of the hardest for some. I am encouraging you to TRY to create a rest routine and actually follow it! Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and be obedient as He leads you. Believe it or not, you can accomplish this! Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:10)
Pray to God for guidance and help to create and follow a REST ROUTINE
Journal about your journey in incorporating purposeful rest into your already busy schedule

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

All That and a Bag of Chips

Mar14

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 11

Burning the Midnight Oil

Last week, I began scheduling service to take care of my vehicle. She is 11 years old and is still good working condition. However, she has some serious cosmetic issues that I am aiming to tackle. I began with a long overdue repair and got that handled at the dealership. I was not completely pleased with the work of the laborers, but I will not stop until I have achieved my standard. Next, I am researching estimating costs for paint jobs and new tires. I am excited, but being deliberate about my moves regarding the car. For now, I am just happy that my side mirror is no longer being held together by electrical tape nor do I have to look into a cheap, compact magnifying mirror. I did well, but I am not done. I am going to keep it up. It may take a while, but I am going to get there.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

One challenge down, but the next one is in queue. This one will be more focused on mindset instead of task-focused. I am excited. Let’s get to this next challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Becoming Greatness

Proverbs 31:18 says “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.“

It is necessary to know who you are and what it is that you bring to life’s table. And for the things that you have yet to master, you must be willing to put in quality time and effort to achieve mastery. A Proverbs 31 Woman is a good woman with a good self-awareness and a committed work ethic. What is it that you need to recognize about yourself? Do you know your strengths? Do you know your gifts? The Word of God says that your gifts will make room for you. Nevertheless, a Tru Lady of Choice becomes established in what she has attained whether that is in skill, knowledge, wisdom, experience, etc. You have to know who you are. You have to work at who you are becoming. Because that, my girl, is what a Proverbs 31 Woman does and who she is. Spend time working on this this week.

SIT DOWN AND EVALUATE YOUR STRENGTHS, GIFTS, ETC. IN YOUR JOURNAL THIS WEEK. THEN, PRAY ABOUT WHO YOU ARE BECOMING IN CHRIST AND REESTABLISHING YOUR DRIVE TO GIVE 120% TO THAT.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

You can’t beat hard work. A real woman will keep going until its done knowing that she will produce excellence at the finish line.

The focus verse is simply true. Confidence, determination and discipline are key things to success. Success looks different for everyone, but the formula doesn’t change. Not even for the Proverbs 31 Woman. She must be productive and in her productivity she must bear good fruit. Mediocre is definitely not the creed for this type of woman. A Tru Lady must take honest stock in who she is and identify what is good about her. She has to know what her “brand” is. Everyone is good at something. She doesn’t wait for someone else to validate her…she knows herself! I, sincerely, hope that women take the time to dig into this challenge. The entire devotional is almost centered around this verse. Almost… All right. So, let’s do the work and develop hard-wired habits of greatness. You got this! Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:18)
Pray to God about your gifts, skills, talents and “good merchandise” and seek guidance on how to fully utilize them in your everyday life
Journal about your journey in being more productive, increasing your self-awareness and confidence, and developing good habits toward greatness

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

When the Seasons Change

Mar7

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 10

Wax on. Wax off.

Giving is so rewarding! I totally understand why the Proverbs 31 Woman makes this a standard practice in her life. There is so much to do for those in need. As the Word of God says, “the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.” I look forward to continuing last week’s challenge in my daily life.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

A new challenge awaits us. This one will also be brief, but be a bit different. Let’s get to this next challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Your Chariot Awaits

Proverbs 31:21 says “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.“

Tru Ladies are wise. Spring is on its way. I want to bring to your attention that Proverbs 31 Women are mindful and proactive about keeping her household prepared for the changing of seasons. Spring cleaning will be dealt with at a later time. This week, we need to take time to repair and prepare our vehicles for the new season. Get your vehicle fully maintenanced. Take care of those overdue repairs. Get your vehicle detailed and cleaned real good. Check those tires, wiper blades, batteries, hoses, belts, brakes, spark plugs, filters and fluids. The sun is starting to shine. This is a great time to put in focused effort to make sure your family’s transportation is clean and reliable. You have survived the snow, but your vehicle will need some TLC. Don’t be afraid of tending to the business of auto maintenance. Handle your business, Tru Lady!

REMEMBER TO RECORD YOUR THOUGHTS AND PROCESS OF PREPARING YOUR TRANSPORTATION FOR A NEW SEASON IN YOUR JOURNAL THIS WEEK.

Vroom…vroom. Real women are not afraid of taking care to take care of her chariot.

The focus verse doesn’t directly deal with automobiles. However, a Proverbs 31 Woman is not afraid to take care of those “manual labor” things in preparation for a change of seasons. No one is saying get under the hood yourself. But, lady, go ahead and schedule that service to get those squeaky brakes changed or get a real good car wash. You and your family deserve to ride in style. Doing so shows that you are again a preparer and a good steward. Hook your vehicles up this week, girl! Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:21)
Pray to God about guidance on what, where and how to properly get your vehicle taken care of so that your family is prepared for the new season
Journal about your journey to face any fears while taking charge of the maintaining of your family’s transportation

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Where’s Your Hand?

Feb28

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 9

We Give Because We Care

I did last week’s challenge, but I have got to work on properly planning on when I want to get certain foods. My fridge is stocked with good things, but I didn’t do well with the actual meal planning. I know how to do it, but got too busy to do it the right way. I will be more mindful going forward.

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I couldn’t wait and have already been doing this challenge. I simply believe in giving and this challenge is completely wrapped in it. Let’s get to this next challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Give It Up

Proverbs 31:20 says “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

Tru Ladies are not selfish! We are the daughters of God and it is in our nature to give. Make it a point to reach out to someone or some cause that is in need of what you have. Whether that is time, money, advice, or support. Be deliberate about your giving back this week. VOLUNTEER YOURSELF TO SOMEONE/THING IN NEED! It is truly the nature of God! #TruLadiesGive

REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IN YOUR JOURNAL THIS WEEK.

The power is in your hands, so give it to those who need it.

For the past few weeks we have been working on building our homes and families. When you get your home in order, then you can give to those who are in need. The Proverbs 31 Woman clearly is a woman that is about giving. She not only gives to her own home, but to those who are poor and have needs that she can assist with. It is up to her to reach out to them, not necessarily wait for them to ask for help. She is not only giving, but aware of those around her. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:20)
Pray to God about guidance on how to be a blessing to others around you who are in need
Journal about your journey of giving and volunteering

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Like The Ant

Feb21

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 8

Stored Up for Greatness

I am a firm believer that proper preparation is essential to doing life well. Think of the ant and the grasshopper story… the ant is a fantastic example for today’s blog!

I did a real good job with last week’s challenge! I still haven’t gotten that physical fitness together, but I’ll come back to it. Let me elaborate a bit on my success in doing last week’s challenge to get my finances in order. Money did not magically appear so that now I have a surplus nor did I invest in the stock market and hit a lick. I nailed this challenge because I KNOW where and what my finances are doing. I have a PLAN for my finances in more than one state…the current one, the “just in case” one and the future one. I still have bills and my savings is not yet where I want it, BUT I have a plan. I have began to be faithful to my realistic goals and am spending more time with my calculator before I make a frivolous purchase. It’s been very freeing and empowering. I feel responsible even in my financial needs. Thank God for direction!

How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I also am a firm believer in making things streamlined and relevant. So, the challenge for this week is related to our financial one. I am a bit reluctant, but still excited to present this week’s new challenge. There’s no time like to present to have a glow up, so let’s get to this next challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

The Grocery Glow Up

Proverbs 31:14 says “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”

This is a perfect time to “glow up” and shine in a new department of life: the FRIDGE! Put those cookbooks, family recipes, and Food Network show-watching skills to good use and buy food from the grocery store or farmer’s market that requires you to prepare something. In my 20s, I spent a lot of time in the deli and frozen food aisles. I would heat up a pre-made meal in a minute! BUT no matter what age you are now let’s put our “big girl panties” on and plan to purchase food that will feed the families in our homes well.

Clip your coupons, search the sales papers, set your budget, make your list, plan your route, bring your bags, get in the car and go GROCERY SHOPPING this week. Don’t do what you’ve normally done… really put your all into it and record any difference in your life because of your “glow up” in this department. I realize it may seem small, but a Proverbs 31 Woman brought her food from afar… I’m sure it wasn’t completely convenient. She most definitely had a plan. #TruLadiesShop

WRITE ABOUT THE IMPACT, IF ANY, YOUR GROCERY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE MAY HAVE HAD IN YOU OR YOUR FAMILY’S LIFE THIS WEEK.

When you prepare and plan, you AND your family reap a bounty of rewards.

Last week the challenge was about being a good steward over your finances. It only makes sense to put your financial plan in action by applying it to one of our most essential need: GROCERIES. A true Proverbs 31 Woman wants to shine in every area of her life including in her refrigerator. It doesn’t just happen out of the clear blue sky. The Word says that she got her food from afar… that food must have been the best for her and her family. She made plans for her shopping journey. She didn’t just stroll down the aisle without a plan. She didn’t go over budget because she was strategic. I don’t know much about a merchant ship, but they operate in intentional purpose because of the cargo on board. Wikipedia says that says that “A merchant ship, merchant vessel, trading vessel, or merchantman is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. This is in contrast to pleasure craft, which are used for personal recreation, and naval ships, which are used for military purposes.” Be like the merchant ship, like the Proverbs 31 Woman…glow up in your grocery game! Be prepared and plan for grocery greatness. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:14)
Pray to God about guidance on how to be a properly search for, pay for, shop for and be a steward of your groceries
Do what you are shown and already know to do – clip those coupons, search for those sales, plan those meals, shop at that good store
Journal about your journey to up your shopping game in the area of groceries. How did affect you differently AND your family?

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

It All Counts

Feb14

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 7

You Must Invest

I’ve got goals, but I need help achieving them!

I TOTALLY FAILED last week’s challenge! It’s almost funny that I still struggle with physically working out. I THOUGHT about working out at least 4 times last week, but still did nothing. I saved videos to a playlist and even scheduled a time to workout and still did nothing. It’s horrible. SO, I am going to attempt last week’s challenge again this week. Pray for me!

How did you do with the challenge last week?

View last week’s Challenge of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I am excited about this week’s challenge. I guess I got started a little early with this, but I am still going to present this challenge. It’s all about that money, honey. By no means, do I believe that money is everything and I do not love it. Nevertheless, I am no fool. Even the Bible speaks on how to handle money to take care of your business. Tru Ladies of Choice need to get real and get disciplined about how we handle money.

So, YES, I can’t wait to present this week’s challenge. Here we go.

Let’s do this together!

Make it rain

Proverbs 31:16 says “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

God wants his daughters to be successful in every sense of the word. That includes financially. Some ladies have their finances on lock, but more than some of us struggle with saving and long-term financial planning. So many women fall victim to “retail therapy” addictions and the such. This verse points out that a Proverbs 31 Woman PLANS to purchase something worthy of long-term investment and simply buys it. She knows how to labor and bring forth harvest from what she does; thus, enabling her to handle her money wisely to obtain what she wants.

Ladies, take account of your finances AND create a financial plan for 2021.
Seriously sit down and figure out what you want (consider a field). Then, map out how and when you can pay for it in full.

Are there other financial obstacles in your way? Get cracking on eliminating financial distractions such as old debts, overdue bills, overdrawn accounts and unnecessary spending. You may even have to find a side hustle (an additional job) to achieve your financial goals. No matter what, you can do it and there’s no time like the present!

REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN IN YOUR JOURNAL AS A REMINDER THAT #TruLadiesInvest.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Budget is a great word. If you plan today, you won’t have to worry about tomorrow.

Last week the challenge was about being a good steward over your physical body. It was mentioned how we should give God glory by taking better care of our health. The same applies when it comes to your financial health. God is a good Provider and He has never failed to give us what we need. The true issue is we mismanage what He has given. It is time to get a handle on this just like the Proverbs 31 Woman does. She CONSIDERED some land. In other words, she thought about and calculated how to purchase some land. She PLANTS or saves/budgets her money or seed wisely in order for her to have fruit. You must properly invest in yourself by developing good financial habits. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:16)
Pray to God about guidance on how to be a better steward of your finances
Write your FINANCIAL PLAN down – deal with debts, monthly budget, spending, savings, short-term and long-term goals
Journal about your journey to develop your plan to give God glory in your finances (this may take more than one week to journal)

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Body Strong

Feb7

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 6

Let’s Get Physical

Can you believe that it is already the second month of the year?!

So far on this journey, we have laid the foundational work which is to understand who the Proverbs 31 Woman is and who we already are in regards to her qualities. In my opinion, the hardest part of the journey is over. It’s always hard to start something new even when it is good for you. I want to remind you that the purpose of this blog – at this time – is to witness my journey into becoming the woman that God is calling me to be while studying the Proverbs 31 woman in the Bible. The challenges are posted to encourage you to join me on this journey!

I am content with what I have learned about myself through these challenges so far. I was surprised to find out that it was during the “break” or the recharge that I was able to get more of the challenges done. Maybe it has something to do with taking time to chill intentionally? I don’t know. How did you enjoy your first Lady’s Day last week?

View All January Challenges of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I enjoyed my Lady’s Day last week and spent time in prayer and meditation. I also gave myself a few chocolate treats and tried to get some extra naps (lol). One thing I have learned is that it isn’t easy to be a woman of integrity, let alone a Tru Woman of God as described in Proverbs 31 and 2 John 1. It is NECESSARY to take time to recharge and I hope that when the 31st comes by again, that you will purposefully take time for yourself.

Now, that I have shared a little of my good time I am beyond ready to present the new weekly challenge to you for this new month. It’s time to step it up a bit.

Let’s do this together!

WORK IT OUT

Proverbs 31:17 says “She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks.”

Ladies, we’ve got to WORK OUT! Though the world seems to be on the trendy healthy living bandwagon, God does call for women of virtue to be strong physically to carry out the plans He has for her. This week we’re going to focus on strengthening our bodies.

Ladies, get moving at LEAST 3 times this week.
Go for a walk, take a fitness class, play a sport, dance with friends, lift weights, or even do an aerobic exercise DVD. The types of exercise that you can engage in are endless, just get up and GET MOVING!

REMEMBER TO JOURNAL ABOUT YOUR EFFORTS TO BE #TruLadySTRONG.

Wake up! We were made to MOVE – not just in the spirit, but in the body as well.

I want you to understand that your physical health is not solely linked to your nutrition, your physique and your body image. God created and gave you the body that you possess. We owe it to Him to be a good steward! Begin to think of taking care of your physical body as more of a service to God rather than another gruesome chore. Your physical health is important and can no longer be ignored. We will begin by simply moving it a few days a week. You can do it!!! Pray and seek the Holy Spirit for guidance, but become serious about taking care of the body that God gave you. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Meditate on the focus scripture (Proverbs 31:17)
Pray to God about guidance on how to be a better steward of your body
Write your MOVEMENT PLAN down to be executed at least 3 days a week
Journal about your journey to get your body strong for the Lord

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

The 31st is OUR Day!

Jan31

Today is…

LADY’S DAY!

This journey to become a Tru Lady, which is a Proverbs 31 Woman of God, is challenging and takes a lot of effort.

Proverbs 31:31a says, “Give her of the fruit of her hands…”

The purpose of LADY’S DAY is to give yourself ME TIME! There are 7 Lady’s Days in the year 2021. I believe it is imperative for Tru Ladies of Choice to take care of self.

I encourage you to go back through your journal entries and the challenges to review your progress so far this year. Be purposeful with the rest of your day (and week). View the challenges below and take the poll, also!

Enjoy your day, Tru Lady! You deserve it!

View Devotional Info

CELEBRATE. BE FREE. TAKE STOCK.

2021-03-31T12:00:00

days

hours minutes seconds

until

Our NEXT Lady’s Day

I will post a new challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Tell Me Why

Jan25

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 4

Do It On Purpose

I can’t continue this journey without a why!

It seems like the days fly by at a slow pace. Does that come off confusing? It’s true though. My week was filled with a lot of changes and difficulties that would come out of nowhere. All of the things that occur seem to pop up yet last for so long. Thus, my previous statement. Needless to say, I didn’t do well with last week’s challenge. So, I am going to try it again this week while adding on this week’s challenge.

Authenticity and transparency are values that I treasure. I was bogged down with life’s cares that I simply didn’t make time to do the work. I figure that I need to determine my WHY. Why do I want to become more like a Proverbs 31 Woman? Why is it important for me to be a Tru Lady of Choice today?

I need to get my life and do better. How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View Challenge 2 of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Even though I slacked this week, I am ready to present a new weekly challenge to you. I definitely need it.

Let’s do this together!

Take the time to figure it out

What is your WHY?
In order to reach the Proverbs 31 Woman status that the scripture outlines, we must know what we want and ask God in full faith.

Write down what you’d like for you and your family’s future to be like going forward in this year.

Hold no request back! Think on it and write it down. We have not because we ask not. Make your requests known unto God.

The journey is worth it when you’re being fueled by your purpose.

I want you to seek God for the vision He has for your life. Take the time to truly evaluate yourself and your life. Why do you do what you do? Why aren’t you doing what you need to do to have what you desire to have? Why? Why? Why? When you aren’t knowledgeable of the purpose of a thing, you’re more likely to abandon it or give less than your best. It’s time to find your why. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Pray to God for the vision He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11)
Evaluate your life… are you who you’re destined to be?
Write your requests for you and your family down
Take your requests to the Lord
Sit still and figure out your WHY
Journal about your WHY specifically for this Proverbs 31 Woman journey

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Jewels Found in Rocks

Jan17

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Week 3

Know Your Worth

It’s the middle of January!

I have spent the past week working like a dog and reflecting on who I am. The things that matter most to me are my authenticity in identity, living out my God-given purpose and protecting my peace. As I researched my word of focus and worked to embody it in my daily life, I have learned that in everything I do that I want to produce good fruit. I have the mindset to want to cause others to bear good fruit. I am more vigilant in protecting the fruit that I have by not tainting my environment with others and things that have corrupt fruit. As the Word of God says, “you will know them by their fruits.”

Knowing who I am and finding focus in the present for my future has brought a lot of clarity to my life. How did you do with last week’s challenge?

View Challenge 1 of the PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

I didn’t have much to share of my personal journey of becoming more like the Proverbs 31 Woman this week. Nevertheless, I am excited to present a new weekly challenge to you and I can’t wait to do it myself.

Let’s do this together!

you really are a gem!

Read Proverbs 31:10-31 (click here to read) Then, look back at what you wrote from last week’s challenge.

Can you find your jewels in Proverbs 31?
Compare and contrast all of the wonderful characteristics you already have
to what is written in the scripture.

Reading the example of the Proverbs 31 Woman can be a bit overwhelming initially,
BUT you already have many, if not all, of those characteristics inside of you.
It’s time to uncover them and fully walk in them.

I have always loved the following lyrics from this song… read below.
“You know I only say it ’cause I’m truly genuine…
Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem, babygirl.” -Lauryn Hill

The quote above instantly reminds us women that it doesn’t matter what state of life you may be in that there are precious jewels inside of you. You are priceless and it is important to know your worth.

Diamonds are created by applying pressure to a designated rock.

I want you to study the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 Woman in the scripture. Write a list of the description of what this woman does. Then, go through this list and FIND yourself in the characteristics. I guarantee that you already have something in common with her. After you have studied her gems, reflect and journal about your own gems – even ones that haven’t been listed in the scripture. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Read Proverbs 31:10-31
Make a list of the Proverbs 31 Woman’s characteristics
Identify the characteristics that you share with the Proverbs 31 Woman
Pray and ask God to show you those things that make you YOU
Journal about the jewels you possess and your thoughts on your self-worth

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

Woman, Who Are You?

Jan10

Clearly a Proverbs 31 Woman Devotional – Weeks 1 & 2

Take Inventory & Find Your Focus

Happy 2021, Tru Ladies of Choice!

The new year tends to spark that part of the brain where we assess where we’ve been before to determine where we want to be going forward. This is when those pesky new year’s resolutions come up. Personally, I believe in new beginnings; however, I also believe that this custom has not produced a good return from the initial investment. I’d like to encourage us to effectively become the woman that God has designed you to be by using the Word of God as our foundation followed by intentional actions that will manifest what we desire.

WELCOME TO THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN JOURNEY!

Each Sunday, I will share my personal journey of becoming more like the Proverbs 31 Woman while also presenting a new weekly challenge for you to do the same.

I have, literally, been sitting on these challenges for years! Eventually, these challenges will be published into a devotional. For now, join me weekly on this blog. Let’s do this together!

The Naked You!

Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

Take a look at yourself..inside and out. Get naked. Write down what makes you YOU – uncover who you are today! Be very SPECIFIC about…

– your PHYSICAL attributes

– your SPIRITUAL gifts

– your STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

– your UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
– your TRU TALENTS

Really take the time to reflect on who you are RIGHT NOW – the good, the bad, and the ugly! In order to become the woman the Lord is calling for you to be, you have to know your starting point. WHO ARE YOU?

One Wordof Focus

Ladies, I believe that it is important to not only know who you are, but to also know what hinders you from being all that God has destined you to be. I want to encourage you all to seek out one word that embodies who and what you want to attain and maintain. That one word that instantly brings your mind into alignment with God’s plan for your life in this hour.

My one word of focus for 2021 is FRUIT!

After taking inventory of who I am and what I believe God wants for me at this time, the word FRUIT encompassed every goal and attitude. It is a word that surprisingly reminds me to focus and stay on track. Though it is not a word that I instantly gravitated toward, I did think that it was a perfect fit once I looked up its definition and searched for Bible scriptures. The entire chapter of John 15 and Galations 5:22-23 is speaking volumes to me and supports my word of focus.

I want you to do what I’ve done. After you have taken inventory of yourself and you have found your one word, reread your discoveries daily. Check out this week’s Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge below.

Challenge ACTION steps:

Write down the facts about WHO YOU ARE
Pray and ask God for clarity in direction for your life
Summarize what you learned into ONE WORD… (This word should be your word of FOCUS).
Define this word and write it down
Find scriptures and quotes to support your word
Find time to daily read what you wrote above

I will post the next challenge next week… until then use your actions and your voice to always be a TRU LADY of CHOICE!

You Betta Step!

Dec31

A new year is approaching in less than 24 hours and the timelines are jumping on every social media platform. It all looks and sounds so lovely as folks share their favorite scriptures, quotes, sermons, cartoons and resolutions. It’s convincingly inspiring EXCEPT… it’s mostly a bunch of empty promises! Another way that society has learned to “keep up with the Joneses” by displaying all of the right things that will insinuate that this coming year will be full of change, success, and happiness. Let’s move the cute banners and catchy phrases out of the way and get to the nitty gritty. If you TRULY want to get your life this coming year, YOU BETTA STEP!

Yep, spelled exactly like that, too. It’s time out for appearing as though we have our lives the way we imagined. There are 5 simple ways that will ensure that your life is stepping in the right direction and I want to share them with you.

#1 – You betta… STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!

The saying goes that if you want a different result that you must do things differently. If this indeed were easy, there would be no “success stories” or lists of influential people for the population to look up to. In order to achieve things you’ve never had, you will have to do things you’ve never done on a consistent basis. Whether small or large, whatever that “thing” is it will cause discomfort! Otherwise, you would have already been doing it. As my husband says, “you better get comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to live a different life!”.

#2 – You betta… STEP OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

Most of the time we are not living the life God is calling us to live because we are in His way. That’s right…YOU are messing you up! I realize that life can dish many blows that can knock us down or cause delays to our blessings, but the bounce back time can be a LOT quicker if you don’t do whatever it is that you do that is contrary to what God is asking of you. It doesn’t matter how harmless that thing is either. If God is calling you to be still, but you’re constantly moving to help the church, to build your network or help with the needy YOU ARE WRONG AND IN THE WAY! You can’t say you want better, but don’t do better. Get out of your way and listen to God and whoever God has placed in your life to lead or guide you at this time.

#3 – You betta… STEP INTO YOUR PURPOSE!

It is my opinion that you are wasting your life away doing things that don’t pertain to your purpose. Now, that may seem harsh, but once you are cognizant of the fact that you have a purpose on this here earth it then becomes your innate mission to begin to fulfill it. The Word of God says to seek ye first the kingdom of God in his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Why waste precious time doing things that you KNOW have no value to your life’s mission? Or worse, why waste time doing nothing? What are you waiting on? Your quality of life will improve when you purposefully step into your God-given purpose!

#4 – You betta… STEP TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM!

Listen, you were meant to be different. There is absolutely no reason to be like anyone else in any way, shape or form. It doesn’t matter if your drum beat is moving fast or slow. Listen to and step to your own drum. Your life will unfold so much more smoothly if you catch this sooner than later. Success only comes to you when you are in your lane. Stop swerving! Keep to the beat of YOUR drum! Your life is tailor made for you, no one else. Live it the way you were made to. PLEASE!

#5 – You betta… STEP WITH CONFIDENCE, HUMILITY AND JOY!

Life is short! The best way to get your life is to be grateful for what you already have now. To understand that your life could have been way worse. To realize that God didn’t make any junk so enjoy the life that you’ve been given. To fully embrace that this world needs whatever God put in you so confidently go after your dreams. Confidence shows God that you trust Him; consequently, you’ll be trusted with more to steward. Humility shows God that you know that you know where all blessings come from and that you are grateful; consequently, He will be pleased and keep you in a state of abundance. Joy shows God that no matter what circumstances present itself in your life that you know that the real treasure is being His child; consequently, He will keep you in a state of perfect peace wanting nothing. Don’t drag your feet anymore! Go through life giving God glory and expressing gratitude…it will completely change your life for the better.

Where is your life heading today? Are you living the life God predestined for you? If not, get your life! YOU BETTA STEP!!!

For one-on-one help bringing your God-given vision to fruition reach out to certified life coach, Djuana Ross, of Tru S.T.A.R.T. Life Coaching today at http://www.TruTalentPro.wixsite.com/TruStart

GRIND…My 2016 Vocabulary

Jul27

“G-R-I-N-D; I’m on my GRIND. G-R-I-N-D; I waste no time. G-R-I-N-D; it will all be mine cuz I AM ON MY GRIND!” – D. Monique

For the past 3 years, I have chosen one word to focus on for the entire year. You see, I’m a believer in new beginnings and absolutely love fresh starts. (Sometimes to a fault, I must admit.) Instead of having a laundry list of goals and “to dos”, I had ONE WORD that would imply every possible goal, desire and “to do” throughout the year. It’s been an interesting journey for me so far. Let’s backtrack a little…

In 2014, my word was PUSH… hoooooneeyyyyy, I most definitely was pushed in more ways than one! I was pushed out of my comfort zone. I had to push back at certain somebodies and situations to protect my growth. I pushed my way up and down I-75 as my mother faced brain surgery. I pushed others harder than I’d ever had before to do and be their best. I even found myself doing push-ups! (LOL really…I hate those things though). To sum it up, I’d say my 2014 sounded a lot like this song…

“It Pushed Me” by JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise (Click the link to listen)

Lyrics:

God gave me a vision of where I would be

But He didn’t show me what I’d go through on the journey

But everything that I faced prepared me for what God has for me to do

So now that I’m here I can praise Him for all that I had to go through

What the devil meant for evil God used to get the glory

It pushed me into my destiny. God used it to make me who He called me to be.

All of the test and trials were apart of God’s plan.

They have all made me stronger and taught me how to trust Him

That’s why my praise is so crazy and often misunderstood

Cause what the enemy thought would destroy me

God turned it around for my good…

Thank You for PUSHing me!

In 2015, my word was GO… Yo, I was so ready for this word!!!! I fired up a new Pinterest board, created a new vision board, compiled an extensive music playlist and made it a part of my lesson plans for all of my music students. This word really had my wheels turning and I must say that those two letters pack a LOT of power. Embodying this word enabled me to quit my job and trust God with a new one (I didn’t have one lined up when I resigned). I had increased my clientele in my business. I had been hired to do 7 jobs in that year alone! I was so blessed that I had to turn down 4 of them. I learned to let so much stuff go – literally, figuratively, emotionally, physically and relational. I got to go to a Stevie Wonder concert for $35 with fantastic company AND we got the VIP treatment (a random God -induced blessing). Shoot, my husband and I left an entire state on faith before we had jobs or our own place to live! That worked out, too, in case you were wondering! To sum it up, I’d say my 2015 really got going and many of the things on my vision board AND bucket list got crossed off (in completion). If my 2015 were a song, it would sound like these…

“Go Go Gadget Flow – Live” by Lupe Fiasco

I’m from a city in the midwest, best city in the whole wide wide world…

I got that go go go go go go go go go go gadget flow! (Love the intensity!)

“Go Hard” by Lecrae feat. Tedashii

Go hard or go home! Lord, use me…

[…] Man, forget my flesh. I done been crossed over, see the full court press

I’m a full court mess if the Lord don’t use me

Runnin’ from my trials thinkin’ everything’s groovy

If the Cross don’t move me, then I don’t wanna breathe no mo

If I ain’t seein’ Christ partna, I don’t wanna see no mo…

[..]So for God I go hard but I don’t wanna die tonight

But it’s too many people out here who ain’t heard about the Christ…

Go hard or go home! Lord, use me…
[..] Aw man we ain’t focused on the war we just kicking it

worried about our image and our space up on the internet

Take me out the game Coach, I don’t wanna play no mo

If I can’t give it all I got and leave it out there on the court

Thank you for the grace, for the will and the desire

Got me living for Your glory instead of living to retire

But I pray I never tire of going hard for Messiah

I don’t need no motivation…You’re the reason I’m inspired!

Go hard or go home! Lord, use me…

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH….LET’S GO! I LOVE THAT “GO HARD OR GO HOME”!

So, I know you can’t believe it, BUT we’re more than halfway through the year 2016! My word for this year is GRIND. The word grind means a lot of things, but to me it is all about working diligently with a relentless perseverance until my goals are achieved. The Grind. Always easier to talk about than to be about. However, it rings true that if you are not actually grinding then you have no grind. That’s what I set out for my 2016 to be about.

I must say that this year has been a challenge, but a welcomed one. I have been working toward mastering my grind one day at a time. My quote of focus for this word comes from the movie, Creed.

6a323a00c145507ce13db5fad8c665b9 “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” There are SO MANY GOALS in my vision that I am not only focused on reaching one of them but ALL of them. The application of this quote to my life is making it a lot easier to accomplish more than I ever have. I’m no longer overwhelmed with so much to do, but rather will tackle one task or one room (when cleaning) at a time. Before you know it, you’ve won that fight.

The NEXT blog post will go into depth about how the movie, Creed, enhanced my life and my grind. Look for it to post next Thursday, August 4th.

Instead of listing all of my goals, I will list a few of my results from my GRIND thus far.

I’ve lost 10 pounds! Just 50 more to go.
I’ve paid off 3 of my smaller debts. Paid in full!
My car is clean and is well-maintained. Still running smoothly. Thank You, Jesus!
I have a savings! (I didn’t have one before.)
My hair is finally at a healthier stage. I cut those tresses off, honey…had to be done.
I’ve checked off 3 more things on my life’s bucket list already.
I wake up early every day! As a result, I get more done.
I read more!
My life is better organized. I threw away everything I didn’t need and took pictures of momentos that were collecting dust.
My marriage is happy, healthy, better AND fun!!!!!!! I luh my baby!
I’ve helped launch my husband’s new business, Maine’s Express. It’s doing well. Check it out!
I’ve started a regular Periscope broadcast, Miss BJB Scope. Watch live on Fridays @ 8pm EST. (@TruTalentDiva120)
My company, Tru Talent Productions, has restructured and redesigned a few things and is still developing.
I created my first app, Tru Divas Club! It is available on Google Play Store right now. Coming soon to the Apple store.
I started a podcast, Tru Talent Diva Podcast. New podcasts available every Tuesday. Listen here: trutalentdiva.podbean.com
I finally have peace of mind, especially in dealing with people. (This is HUGE!)

…and there’s more in progress and to come! Folks, it’s only July! I’m so pumped.

The point of it all…

What this activity of choosing one word to focus on for the year has taught me is that you can do and have ANYTHING when God is the Master of your life! I know it’s the middle of the year, but I recommend asking God to show you what ONE WORD you need to focus on for the rest of this year. Then, gear up and see what God will lead you to. That Proverbs 31 Woman status is attainable as long as I’m aligned with the Man above.

My grind is made possible only by the grace, mercy and favor of God!

32 Ways to Get My Life

Jan23

January 20th has been MY day since 1984…it’s my born-day, the day of my birth. I remember almost every birthday I have had since I was 3 years old. I won’t bore you with my mundane memories, but I must say this 32nd one actually made me feel different lol. There’s a first for everything, right? 🙂

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What I mean is that I have always placed an enormous amount of emotional weight on celebrating my day of life. To be completely honest, I have felt unwanted all my life. 364 days of the year I spend giving to others so when January 20th rolls around I want people to care and think about me. It’s just the truth. The thing is is that I have generally been disappointed by my set expectation year in and year out. So since I turned 26 years old I began turning my unrealistic expectation around and just made it about me, no tests of love or loyalty. This year I wasn’t able to do much for myself AND I didn’t count my texts (FaceBook posts in the past) in hopes to quantify how much I am loved or remembered. You don’t know how proud of me I truly am for not feeling low because I couldn’t do anything and not many people contacted me on my birthday. #PatMyselfOnTheBack

So… I’m 32 years old now and I realize that I truly need to get my life in its entirety. You may not have noticed but I’ve cleaned my blog “house” a little bit. I had to streamline for ease and consistency. I’m getting too old to have so much stuff going on at once. Back to getting my life…

32 Ways To Get My Life…

Consistency is KEY! (I have great schedules and ideas, but my follow-through is horrible)
Keep my prayer closet occupied. (War Room taught me some stuff and I’ve started, I just need to do #1)
Listen more. (I have been working on this…it is NOT easy. Pray for me.)
Take more baths aka RELAX (I work too hard…period.)
Initiate contact with friends of old and new…stay in touch.
Have FUN, even if I have to do it alone. I only have one life.
Prevention will be my middle name. (I will continue to ignore other folks who don’t think about future consequences.)
Pamper myself! (I’ve been waiting for others to do it…nah, it’s on me shawty)
Remember the bigger cause which is the Kingdom of God. (Literally, NOTHING else matters)
Write journals…Write books…Write manuals…Write blogs…WRITE!
Block out all negativity. (It comes from everywhere; I have to fight against it constantly.)
Read! (I’ve gotten started and I truly have missed it.)
Laugh when it’s funny. Every time!
Never waste an opportunity to speak life-changing truth.
Be afraid of NO ONE and NOTHING. For Christ, I live and for Christ, I die.
Be still…(I can’t keep moving; there’s some things that I will consistently have to face.)
Keep my emotions to myself. (This one is a tricky one, but I know that most people honestly don’t care and I keep shooting myself in the foot. So, I’m going to just stop and that’s all there is to it. Gotta guard my heart.)
Cook! 🙂 I enjoy food and most people don’t make it well anymore, so I got it.
Vlog! (I have a LOT to say. I will express myself while I have a chance…strangers tend to hear me more than people who “know” me do.)
Keep saying “no”. (It’s been keeping me out of trouble. I’m going to keep doing it.)
Know MY truth. (People keep telling me who I am/what I am/what I’m capable of and I again will look INSIDE instead of to others.)
Let it go! Whatever and whoever it may be…I can’t fight anymore. It hurts too much.
Tell my story. There are so many people out here that are going through what I’ve been through and they just need to know that God CAN take them through it.
Call out bullcrap immediately. (Only when it’s necessary to do so. I want my peace now more than being heard or being right.)
Understand that people do not change. (I’m an optimist, but I get it now. My optimism does not trump facts.)
Be pretty! 🙂 (It’s just time, lol)
Protect myself at all costs. (I’m talking spiritually… guns… finances… emotions… all the way)
Get it done early. If I get it done as soon as I get it, then I won’t have to worry about it later.
Be grateful. When I look back over my life, there’s a lot of pain. HOWEVER, God has been TOO GOOD to me for me to not be more grateful than what I am.
SMILE!
Get my business in order. (I have made strides; I have to keep going.)
Grow up and never grow up simultaneously! 🙂

Below is my vision board from 2015…and it’s still kicking now. I hope it encourages you as it does me. I will probably update it soon though.

Vision Board 2015

32 has been hard on me already…time to do #2!

Watch God Do It!

Jun9

Giving Him the first love

Just in case you didn’t know…

GOD IS AWESOME!!!!!!

Many times over the course of my 31 years of life, I’ve heard people say, “God works in mysterious ways.” I knew what that meant intellectually and have seen Him work in people’s lives to where that statement had certainly been proven. Here lately, God is SHOWING UP and SHOWING OUT in my life, just for me. He has made me shake my own head and say audibly, “God sure works in mysterious ways.”

Jeremiah 29:11

It’s almost my bedtime (I’ll blog about that later), so I will keep this brief. In less than one month, I have stepped out on faith and resigned from a pretty secure place of employment with no sign of prospect, no savings and no true plan of what to do next…I listened to the leading of the Lord and just TRUSTED HIM completely (for once in my life). Within HOURS of that deed being final (no backsies), God had a dear old friend text me with a new job opportunity! If that isn’t enough, He has allowed me to see MORE of what the professional vision God has designed for my life and He’s allowing me to walk in it already. THEN, He has blessed my families (mine and the in-laws) by working in and through us family members to HEAL, RECONCILE, FORGIVE and BE DELIVERED! Aaaaaaa-aaa-amen!

Now, don’t get me wrong things are not all honky dory in every way YET. I see God moving and I just hear Him saying, “Watch Me work!” Don’t that make you excited?!!!! In response, I just say to God (for my life), “DO YO THANG, DADDY!”

DJ’s Beatz, Vol. 2: Overturning Distractions

May6

Just in case you wondering…

It seems as though I’m experiencing writer’s block…smh. I’m trying to get a handle on it. I promise! I am still committed to being on 120%!

Now back to our regularly scheduled post…

This week’s song: “Golden Days” by Kem featuring Jill Scott. I have been COMPLETELY distracted by everything in life it seems. Later in a video, I will share with you WHY this song applies and why YOU should listen and glean the nuggets of wisdom this song presents. Since my latest post (“Know Your Lines” video), my life has been inundated with a plethora of distractions, situations, circumstances and even feelings. UGHHHHHHHH! My nerves have been overworked this week and you know what….

IT’S ALL MY OWN FAULT!

Life has been throwing continual monkey wrenches into my everyday motion of things that I have allowed to throw me off course. Though I cannot control every situation or person, I can control how I respond. I’ve simply given too much power to people and to my emotions! It’s like everything irritates me. At first, it seemed that my monthly visitor may very well be contributing to the curtness of my rudicity (I am not completely certain that that is a word, BUT my version means the state of being RUDE) in response to people. That alone is not why I’ve been “spazzing”, as my husband would say. People provoke me! I’ve grown extremely tired of a few things and that has honestly been the catalyst in why I am distracted.

MY MONKEY WRENCH LIST (If you’ve read my blog before then you already know how much I love lists, so here we go!)

People not doing what THEY SAID they were going to do

Seriously, it has irritated me to no end for people to insist on doing something or asking me to assist them with something when they are NOT even holding up their end of THEIR OWN project/favor/request!

WHY is this a distraction? Answer: When I agree to do something, I attempt to give my all and it takes time to do that. Remember, I am on 120%. So, if I have to wait on you and beg and plead for you to do what you originally set up it throws me off. It stresses me out; thus, I spend more time on YOUR stuff than my own. That is just not cool!

Becoming a part-time parakeet

I. DO. NOT. LIKE. TO. REPEAT. MYSELF! Point, blank, period. I’m not a complete impatient person, BUT if I’ve said it, oversaid it, used pictures, mimed it and sent in written examples….what else do you want from me?!?! I don’t like to talk for my health, I really don’t. This is not just a statement toward the youth that I work with, but toward several adults, too. I am not a parakeet. It does not bring me pleasure to continually say things that I’ve already said.

My Sentimentality

To put it plainly, my feelings have been all over the place toward many situations. This is a monkey wrench because my feelings weren’t invited to the party that I’m attending right now. As ET (Eric Thomas) says, “at the end of your feelings is nothing”! I tell you that God is calling me to some places that my feelings cannot have a majority vote. Sometimes I’m SO compassionate and SO emotional that it becomes distracting and I can’t clearly see (spiritually and naturally) what is really going on.

I’ve had to really just overturn every distraction that I have. At the end of the day, distractions are MY FAULT only. I control who and what can deter me off course. The bible says that you must seek the kingdom of God FIRST and all of these other things will be added unto you. My affections must be on Him before I give attention to the things of earth. I have been distracted and I have found a way to GET MY LIFE! Watch the blog post below for the SOLUTION to distractions, please.

Know Your Lines

Apr30

Good early morning, blog world!

I have been through hell and back this week trying to post this blog! Just problems left and right…smh. I figure what I have to say must be relevant, so here you go.

I present to you my thoughts on the importance of knowing your lines to obtain and sustain true freedom and inner peace. Please watch. 🙂

I look a mess, but the message just may be what you need.

All I’m saying is KNOW YOUR LINES!

Let’s get our lives, people!

Love and peace,

Tru Diva

Fully Activated

Apr20

Once again, I had a ridiculously long hiatus away from this blog…(smh)

However, recently I have changed the radio station in my life and there’s some new songs I’m singing and living out now. With this new mindset that I have, you will DEFINITELY hear from me on a more regular basis. (STAY TUNED TO A NEW POST EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT!) So long are the days of 2-3 posts a year…which was sad to begin with. In the words of my aunt, “I’m a disgrace!” (LOL…inside joke, you had to be there to get it)

You may be wondering what is this new mindset that I claim to have that is going to make my commitment to my blog and the goals I write about actually stick this time. I’ll be happy to elaborate on my new “status” of living.

It’s simple, really. I finally said that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, prayed to God for guidance and set out to actually “GET MY LIFE”, as Tamar Braxton puts it! Ladies and gentlemen, your girl has been in transition and a shift has taken place. To put it plainly, I am FULLY ACTIVATED.

I’m on 120%!

Fitness Motivation

Yes, people…I’m living life with 120% effort and nothing less. I have written posts and have talked, talked, talked to folks about how I want to get my health in order and get my life in order. Well, I’ve been ready to get it. Day by day, I bring forth some effort to actively reach my goals. Every day is not easy and sometimes I do not reach my daily goal, BUT I am maximizing my time. THAT is proof that this Tru Diva is not giving up and I am COMMITTED to being all that God has purposed me to be!

Like most things in my life, I did not get to this mentality by happenstance. As a matter of fact, I’ve prayed, fasted, read the word, listened to inspiring people, let go of people, the past and ill-conceived perceptions, discovered the power of motivational videos by the world’s most respected speakers and flat out just looked at my true self in the mirror and decided to stop making excuses. This has been a very involved process and I know that God’s not done with me yet. He certainly is not. He has been giving me signs and clear messages to get me through and to it. One of which is the number 120.

Seriously, these numbers have been allllll up in my face for over a year now. When I turned 30 years old, I started writing private introspective journal entries…you know, reflecting on my life thus far. While writing one of them, I’d discovered that not only was I born on January 20th (1/20), BUT I was also born at 2:01pm. That discovery lead to me paying attention to many things in my life that involved a number of some sort. For example, my favorite number is 2. I became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.(founded in 1920) in 2010 AND my line number is #2. LOL…you may think I’m crazy at this point, but I’m just connecting the dots.

I can see it more clearly now. I am DESTINED to live my life ON 120!!! That’s just it!

Can I tell you that since I’ve discovered this connection…it has been a lot easier for me to revive my dreams and encourage myself to believe that I can do everything that God placed inside of me? It truly has. Right now it is after midnight and my tablet’s mus Look at this #zulilyfind! Black & White 'If You Change Nothing' Brick Décor #zulilyfinds ic player is shuffling through songs to fill my writing environment and the following songs play in this order:

Mariah Carey’s “Make It Happen”
followed by Brian McKnight’s “Win”
followed by Erica Walker’s “Show Me”
followed by Kalenna’s “Stronger”
followed by J. Cole’s “Crooked Smile”
followed by Whitney & Mariah’s “When You Believe”
and last Athena Cage’s “All Or Nothing”

My mindset – AND even my electronic devices – is on “what else can I do to fulfill my purpose before I go to bed?”

Amen. #Quotes #Inspiration I have committed to God and myself that it’s “all or nothing” in everything I do and am a part of. I work longer, work harder, work when it hurts, work when no one else will, work when I don’t want to…and then I must go the extra mile to achieve excellence! I won’t even allow myself to listen to music that is not adding value to my life. Listen to any or all of the seven songs above to see what I mean. IJS

Ladies and gentlemen, before I completely become annoyingly redundant, I am going to close this blog post with this…

Let’s get FULLY ACTIVATED in our lives! I AM!

You only get one so live it on 120%, that’s the only true way to do it!

good reflection questions

The Comeback

Sep21

It’s true… Absence has definitely made the heart fonder! It’s been a LONG time, but

I’M BACK!

I have been gone for over a year trying to get my life right. The truth is.. the ups and downs of life kept me very occupied and the last thing on my mind was losing sleep to write a post. Officially, blogworld…I apologize for committment issues. Please forgive me!

Now… there are several things on my mind. One of which is The TRUTH, plain and simple. My next few blog posts will deal with my truth, people’s perceived truths and ultimately God’s Truth.

STAY TUNED! (I’ll be back this time, lol)

To Have Or Not To Have…Why Am I Obsessing?

Jun27

Hello there, world!

I was preoccupied with a summer arts program for 2 weeks, which left me no time to blog! I feel the need to say, “I’m sorry”.

As you know, I’m on my whole “Extreme Life Makeover” kick, and I’m doing…OKAY. Eh, my mindset is more positive and my goals are right in front of me. I haven’t done very well with maintaining a regular fitness regimen, but at least I’m more aware of what I’m doing than I used to be. Plus, I’m happier…in a way.

Most of my happiness comes from just knowing! That reassuring feeling that you know what you want to do with your career and you know where you want to be in 6 weeks, 6 months and 5 years. I can’t stand not knowing, and it just makes me feel better to finally have a sense of knowing!

Yeah, but there’s a part of me that still doesn’t know and it’s lowkey driving me insane…

I have been secretly having this inner battle about HAVING BABIES for almost a year now. At first, my “baby fever” was just fantasizing about the superficial stuff. Ya know, nursery decorations, baby shower games and baby names. And it would only pop up once every few weeks or so. Never very intense, but just way more present than I was used to. THEN, I had a late period last summer…

I went out and bought my very first pregnancy test. I didn’t tell anybody, not even my husband, that I was suspicious of being with child. I Googled the mess out of which pregnancy tests were more accurate and could detect pregnancy the earliest. I spent 14.96 on a box of ClearBlue Digital Pregnancy Tests at WalMart.

NOW TELL ME THIS…I was nervous, a little embarassed and wanted some privacy while in the pregnancy test aisle, right. I had NEVER done this before. So, WHY did I run into somebody WHILE I was in the aisle trying to figure out which one to get?! And, of all people, I ran into my brother’s wife AND my little niece and nephew! Why is it every time you try to do/buy something on the low, you ALWAYS run into somebody you know?????

Long story short, I wasn’t pregnant…and I was mad because the first test in the box was defective. Back in August 2011, I was kinda relieved then. It was like, “whew, we’re just not ready”. Ever since I took that test, this “baby fever” has gotten worse and worse. To top it off, it seemed like every lady I ever knew was pregnant, getting pregnant or had a baby after that test. I mean, EVERYBODY!

Since I took that first test in August, I have found that at least one woman from every era of my life had a baby or got pregnant. My sister-in-law had twins in October. My old college roommate and college classmate had babies in November. My big sister from my first church home was pregnant with her first baby. My high school road dawg had gotten pregnant with her first baby this winter. More of my high school and college classmates were popping out babies and announcing pregnancies right and left from August 2011-present. Now, I’m EXTREMELY HAPPY for them all! I think they’re going to be fabulous mothers!

But now, my “baby fever” has intensified because it’s in my face ALL THE TIME! It’s definitely not their faults (sort of lol) that they’re pregnant, delivering babies at the same time. I don’t blame any of them at all. I blame myself…

First, let’s get this straight…I LOVE CHILDREN! I have worked with youth my entire life, and I love it. On the flip, I’d never wanted kids before I got married really. There’s something about love that can change even the most stubborn of minds. Plus, I believe I’ll be a good mother one day. Nevertheless, he and I never stressed the idea of children. We’re content if we have them; we’re content if we don’t. We have so many nieces and nephews that we already feel like we have children. So, he definitely hasn’t placed any pressure on me to have a baby. Until that pregnancy test, I never wondered about whether I was pregnant or not when my period was late.

Let me tell ya, ever since then my period has been late approximately 4-5 times since then. I have been a ball of confused nerves every time, too. It’s the same cycle every time…

my period is a day or 2 or 3 late –
my PMS symptoms are more intense (they’re SUPER similar to pregnancy symptoms) –
I convince myself to wait it out, but the not knowing kills me so I take a pregnancy test –
then the results turn up negative –
my period shows up the next day.

This mess drives me CRAZY! I learned through more Google research that the Dollar General pregnancy tests work just as well, so I stocked up on them. (This time only $1 each…this testing mess can drain a pocket if you’re not careful. I’m cheap!) What I hate most is the EMOTIONAL rollercoaster I ride during the process though!

This is my internal battle:

I am disappointed that I’m not pregnant – Relieved that I’m not pregnant…

I am hoping that I’m carrying a baby – Glad that I’m not carrying a baby because of xyz…

I really want to have a baby now while I’m in my prime – I prefer to be financially stable before bringing a baby into the world

I believe we’re ready to have a baby – We haven’t had enough time to ourselves yet

Just back and forth and back and forth with this…

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! WHY CAN’T I MAKE UP MY MIND?!

More importantly, WHY am I obsessing over this? I never used to before. I just didn’t. Now every time I have a cramp the wrong way or if I’m an hour late for my period, I think I’m pregnant. Just typing this blog, I’m wiping my forehead in frustration still waiting for my period to arrive. (I took a test today, it was negative.) I believe that I want a child, but the real question is WHEN? I think that must be it…I obsess because I don’t want to miss my time to be a mommy, but I also don’t want to have one too soon. I believe that God will bless or not bless us with one when it’s time, I do. It’s just the not knowing, that has me touching my belly every month to see if my fat is hard underneath or still squishy.

Ooh wee, pray for me! This baby thing is taking its toll on me already…and I don’t even have one yet!

To Populate or Not Populate…that is the question!

(ROFL!!!!! R. Kelly know he a MESS for using that word in his song! It just doesn’t sound like natural conversation…I laugh out loud every time I hear that part. POPULATE! Bwahahahahahaha!)

DJ’s Beatz, Vol. 1: Seeing It Before You See It

Jun8

This Week’s Song: “It’s Not Over” by Karen Clark Sheard

If you’ve read my previous posts, “Change” or “Just Do It…No More Excuses” you would know how dissatisfied I am with my life at this time of my life. Rather than just complain about it, I’ve taken an Extreme Life Makeover approach to transform my life into the one that I believe God has called for me to live. There’s a LOT that I need to change, accomplish and reprogram about my life. And honestly, it’s DAUNTING and DIFFICULT! Nevertheless, I will not give up!

It’s just that sometimes a monkey wrench gets thrown at you and you’re caught with that “Really?! Why even try?” feeling. This week my finances and employment situation has me so discouraged. I work as a part-time music teacher and the school year is now over until August. Unlike most full time teachers, I don’t have paychecks coming to me through the summer months. When I’m not in the classroom, I don’t get paid. Consequently, I have been on the hunt for a summer or additional part-time/full-time job since JANUARY! JANUARY!!!! I have applied to seemingly a hundred jobs and I have only been called in for ONE INTERVIEW, of which I did not get called back for the second interview. I haven’t given up, but the bills with due dates are coming and I have no income. Oh, and technically, I’m not unemployed since I’m expected back to school the next school year. All in all, I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged.

So while paying never-ending bills with my last school year paycheck at 6am, I just lost it! Nothing but tears of frustration and hopelessness. All of my money is basically gone now. 😦 Just discouraged. Then, I saw my Karen Clark-Sheard CD laying on my laptop and decided to pop it in. If nothing else, I needed to get in the presence of God. Mind you, I haven’t listened to this CD in maybe a year or more. I, clearly, forgot how POWERFUL the songs were! Let’s just say that through the progression of the CD, I heard God’s voice in song reminding me of who HE is. I was reminded that I have to have faith and that He’s never failed me. I was back at my center, emotions back in check and then “It’s Not Over” came on…

The line that got me was, “You gotta see it before you see it, or you never will see it!” My life no longer felt hopeless after she sang that. I could feel that God’s truly got me! I just gotta BELIEVE He’s going to work it out…or better yet, He’s already worked it out! So tell me, has life got you down?

Does it just seem like it’s just not going to work out?

I was readily reminded, while in tears, that you MUST walk by faith and not by sight. Everything in life will not be the way I want it and I may even struggle sometimes, BUT GOD has and will take care of you because

IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL GOD SAYS IT’S OVER!

HALLELUJAH!!!!

The lyrics to the song “IT’S NOT OVER” by Karen Clark Sheard are below. Be blessed and have faith. God’s got me and you!

View a YouTube video of the song here.

Song Lyrics:

It’s not over til God says it’s over

It’s not over til God says it’s over

He’s with you through stormy weather

Oh, the God I serve… He fails you never

He is a man of His word

It’s not over

Just hold on to your faith

Oh, it’s not over

He’ll make a way for your escape

Oh He has the last say

He’s never lost a case

You cannot go by what it looks like

We walk by faith and not by sight

You must believe in what Jesus said

He’s a man of His word

It’s not over

Hold to your faith

It’s not over

He’ll make a way for your escape

He’s never lost a case

It’s not over

“Is my living in vain? Or is my praying in vain?

But the Bible says, when thou prayest, you gotta go in your secret closet.”

Whatever you need it’s in the closet (referring to the prayer closet)

I’m coming out, I’m coming out, I’m coming out

I’m coming out of this thang

It’s not over

“One Sunday morning, I heard my pastor say, ‘You gotta see things that are not as though they were. You gotta see your way out’“

You gotta see it before you see it, or you never will see it!

You gotta see it before you see it, or you never will see it!

You gotta see it before you see it, or you never will see it!

You coming out, I’m coming out, We coming out

We’re coming out of this thang!

Just Do It…No More Excuses!

Jun5

Yesterday, I addressed how one of my B430 goals is to lose all of this dagblasted weight and wear a size 10-12. I have been engaged in the Battle of the Bulge since I was 15 years old. At the time, I didn’t realize that I had NOTHING to battle. I was too influenced by my environment and my own self-esteem issues to see that I was a FOOL!

My high school Senior Pic…not as small as the other girls, but not huge either.

I’d give anything to have that body back! Hindsight, I tell ya. Nevertheless, I realize that I’m definitely not meant to be this overweight, mildly obese at all. I looked great and I will look even better someday. In the pic above, I wore a size 14 comfortably. So, now I’m on an official journey to reach my B430 goal of a size 10-12. Let’s get it!

Truthfully, I tend to get unmotivated easily. I have started this journey countless times to no avail. With my 30th birthday looming over my head, I think I’ve finally found my “muse” to stick with it this time.

I’m not new to the health and wellness game either. I had a nutritionist at the age of 16, because I was “overweight”. (Yall know about those weight charts where you had to be like 110lbs if you’re 5’2″ tall. As a young BLACK girl and with my genes, I was never going to be the size those charts said.) I also worked at the YMCA for 2 years. I worked side by side with great trainers, had free access to the best exercise machines and rubbed elbows with top notch aerobics instructors. So, I learned a lot about how to get fit, what to eat, what really works, metabolism, the smart way to lose weight, all of that stuff…

I JUST NEVER DID ANY OF IT!

I know it works, too. I did it once during a Biggest Loser Contest and lost 12lbs in 3 months. I felt good, looked good and didn’t feel deprived or miserable throughout the process. I lost my way as soon as I had to quit that job. Thus, I know what to do and how to do it. So now comes the time for me to be like Nike and “JUST DO IT”!

To get me started here are my current goals, plans, etc. for the month of June:

DAILY GOALS

Drink lots of water! Specifically, a gallon of water 3 days a week and 2L of water 4 days a week.

Eat home-cooked meals with more veggies/fruits, less fats and sugars.

MOVE! Get up and do something everyday. Stretch, crunches, jumping jacks, walk, jog, something!!!!

Track my food and exercise activity with MyFitnessPal!

My NUMBERS PLAN

5 dress sizes down

10 inches off waist (all of my fat goes to my belly- I’m APPLE shaped)

25 percent increase of healthy eating (more produce and protein)

40 minutes of exercise daily at least 4 days a week

Lose 65 pounds

EXERCISE GOALS

RUN! I’m a heavy chested girl who has always hated running! So, I’m biting the bullet and going to learn how to run properly. My goal is to be able to run a 5K by late fall.

Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred! It’s only a 25 minute workout, BUT she will kill you!!!! I’ve made it 9 days once, but I’m determined to complete it before this year is over.

If you haven’t notice by now, I LOVE LISTS! 🙂 Anyway, to get me started, I found a nice workout plan to couple with my run/walk regimen to help me reach my goals. Remember, I’m supremely out of shape right now. I need to crawl before I walk.

So, let me get my Workout Music Playlist together…let’s get it!

Change

Jun4

I. AM. FED. UP. WITH. MY. LIFE!

I thought that by the time I reached my late twenties, I would have achieved 80% of the goals that I’d set for myself as a child. I had so many examples of what NOT to do, that I just KNEW that I was going to be where I wanted by now. I just knew it!

Well, I am less than 2 years away from turning the 3-0 and I am sooooooo not where I wanted to be in life! I feel like a failure when I think about it in detail. My 10 year high school reunion is coming up next month and I feel like I am nowhere near who I thought I should be or would be. I find myself asking,

“What do I have to show for my life in the past 10 years?”

“What amazing things will I dazzle my classmates with about my life?”

I, like most of the girls I hung out with in high school, had dreams, goals and visions of grandeur. My mind takes me back to the hotel room in Atlanta on our Senior Trip, where my closest friends and I were hashing out everything that we wanted to do and be by the age of 30. There were literal lists and at that time, everything seemed very attainable. I remember even thinking to myself while the others were describing their futures, that I would reach all of my goals BEFORE 30 with a year or two to spare. I loved challenging myself. Being an overachiever is what kept me out of trouble all of my life and I didn’t think that would change just because I would be an adult. When my turn came, I had a whole list of things that I confidently spewed out of my mouth. I had faith in God and myself to know that I will be everything that I dreamed to be. Let’s go back in time to revisit this list…

I would own my own successful record label or music company of some sorts. At the time, I called my future label, “DJWORKS RECORDS”.
I would be married, then have 2 children. Marriage FIRST was very non-negotiable for me. I told everyone that would listen that I didn’t want kids. So, the children part I always kept to myself, because kids worked my nerves so bad. But deep down inside, I’d always knew that I want to pop out 2 kids (a boy and a girl, to be exact) before age 30.
I would be a homeowner, living in LA or NYC or ATL or anywhere but Ohio.
I would be wealthy. Not so much a millionaire, but more like a thousandaire. Having no debt whatsoever.
I would buy my mother a house with my wealth.
I would be a stone cold fox wearing a size 8-10. (That was my dream size at that time. I was a size 14 in high school.)
My hair would be long, straight and beautiful all the time. Seems super shallow, BUT I had never had my hair the way I wanted it throughout my entire life. And what I wanted was that long, silky hair that I would blow in the wind and sculpt into intricate styles of ghetto fabulousness.
I would drive a convertible Mercedes Benz.

Seriously, I believed that I could do everything on that list by my deadline! I have always been one of those people that STICKS TO whatever she said she was going to do. I had to make good decisions the first time because I DID NOT LIKE TO CHANGE!

Welllllll….

Not only have I NOT reached any of my “Before 30 Goals”, I’ve changed many of them as well! For me, that’s a HUGE STEP. A really, really big step and indication that I, as a person, have changed in the past 10 years. I must admit, I am not happy with the fact that I only reached half of one of my goals (#2) even though I changed most of them. Time and life experiences has taught me that it is oftentimes necessary to change your dreams. That doesn’t even bother me. What bothers me is that I haven’t reached any of my NEW goals either! Take a look at my REVISED goals before 30:

Own, operate and generate a successful profit from my company, Tru Talent Productions and its many divisions. This is PARTIALLY reached. I own it and even operate it, BUT we have yet to find that niche to generate successful profit so that I can only work for myself.
Have two children, a son and daughter, with my husband. I have only been married for a little over a year now. We do not have any children, and yet we are neither sad nor glad about it. We believe that God will bless us when it’s time, but I can’t help but to hear my biological clock ticking….tick, tock…..tick, tock…
Live in North Carolina, MAYBE owning a condo or townhouse or small home. The economy and housing market recessions changed my mind considerably. The last thing I want is a huge 30+ year debt that could be taken away from me because I got laid off and missed a payment. I am open to owning something that would take maybe 10 years or less to pay off. PLUS, I am not ready for all of that responsibility! Even at age 28. I have a landlord of some sort all of my life. DIY projects and home improvement are just foreign to me and seem super risky. I’m just not ready for all of that. However, I AM ready to leave OHIO! All in God’s timing, of course. I just did not think that I would still be here at all! I mean not at all! North Carolina is calling, and hopefully before 31 I can call NC home.
I just want to be out of debt! I don’t need to be wealthy at all. They seem to have too many problems anyway. Mo money, mo problems is what they say. I just don’t want to owe anybody anymore! My goodness, someone should have told me that credit cards are the black hole of finances!!! I just paid off one and I have 2 more store charges to pay off THEN I tackle the major credit card. They’re not even that bad considering that I still owe Sallie Mae. I HATE SALLIE MAE! My prayer often is that there is this major systems crash that erases every trace of my existence and debt. I want to sign in one day and see that my account doesn’t exist or just find that some stranger paid it all in full. School loans are the devil incarnate!
Wearing a size 10-12. Now this goal only went up a size, but it’s generally the same. The major difference is that I no longer wear a 14. Now I have to get all of the rolls, love handles and fluff off of a size 18-20! Ugh…how could I have possibly allowed myself to get this big?! I have never been this big before and I’m uncomfortable and just outright hate it! Nevertheless, it’s my fault. I kick myself for thinking that I was fat in high school! Back then, I just had big breasts and a little gut. Now…I won’t even go there. I’m working now on reaching my goal size before 30, and I AM GOING TO DO IT! I cannot live this way any longer.
Growing my very healthy and natural hair down to my collar bone. I want to see my naturally curly, sometimes straight hair bounce up against my shoulders. When, or if, I decide to straighten it with a low heat iron it would drape across my cleavage. Overall, I wish for my hair to be super healthy! I’ve embraced me for me and this is way better than any other vision I had for my hair otherwise.
Driving a PAID OFF crossover vehicle. Yeah, I’m no longer interested in the Benz or any other luxury car for that matter. Just like with the house, I do not want all of that responsibility. It just costs too much for me to maintain, plain and simple. I have my eye on fuel efficient, stylish cars with awesome dashboard/console features. That’s darn near all I need and want. Oh, and I don’t want ANY car notes by age 30. However, unless a miracle is worked out…I will not make this goal by 30 either.
Want to make a difference in my community, letting others see Jesus in me. Now, I was saved in high school, but this was never a goal of mine. I guess I’ve matured in Christ. I, literally, want my days to be filled with spreading God’s love and His word to others throughout my life! I have learned that everything that I have mentioned and want to attain means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING if Jesus Christ is not glorified! “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you”

So, basically, I realize that I need CHANGE. I can reach some of these by age 30 if I sacrifice and work really hard with God’s help. Realistically, I will not achieve some of the others in time. I can deal with that, but what I will no longer deal with is MY OWN DEFEATIST ATTITUDE ABOUT MY LIFE! I am declaring a spiritual, mental, emotional, physical and financial makeover to take place in my life NOW! I am tired of being fed up; tired of feeling like a failure. It’s time to get it….go get my blessings! (Thank you, Mary Mary for that life anthem!)

So for starters, peep my 2012 Vision Board…I figure that if I can’t see it before I see, then I never will see it!

This is my vision board for 2012!