Self Care ~ Self Trust

Have you ever asked yourself…? What are you afraid of? When you feel stuck, what keeps you from moving? What keeps you from putting “Feet to Faith”? Do you give more merit to what others say about you than what God says about you? Do you believe for others, but not for yourself? Do you take Care of Yourself? Do you Trust Yourself?

That last two questions stirred in my mind for a few days. Trust and Care…

I realized that the people I trust are the same people that care about me. They take time and are patient, when I don’t understand, extend comforting words when I am hurting, they are patient and encouraging when I am slow to move. And that realization led me to the next question regarding care.

Do I care for myself? I mean really take care of myself? Do I extend grace to me? Do I offer comforting, positive words of affirmation to myself? Am I patient with me? Do I give myself a pass when I fail, or do I beat myself up with negative thoughts and words that confirm my failures? Do I encourage myself? Am I eagerly and readily able to forgive myself? Do I not trust myself because I don’t really take care of myself??? Do I take good care of my heart?

When I am slow to move forward and fear has clouded my path, when I can’t seem to make a move, or I am slow to forgive, I listen. Sometimes in a bath, sometimes sitting on the porch, often while taking a walk…I listen. I recently recorded positive words of affirmation in my own voice, and I play that recording and I listen to myself say these beautiful words to me. Because you see, hearing myself speak words of affirmation over me is far better than anyone else saying them. I must believe my own voice and hear my own voice just like I hear the voice of my Father. I must become acquainted with my voice, and not rely on the voices of others so much, I must believe what I say, before I believe what anyone else has to say over or about me. I repeat what God has said about me on the recording. Affirming words from my Father being told to me in my own voice is an extremely powerful indulgence and you owe it to yourself to try it. It may take you a few minutes to get it together and get over some awkwardness, BUT YOU ARE WORTH IT!

I have found that when I Care for Myself, I can Trust Myself… My thoughts regarding the unknown change. I may still be afraid of the unknown, but I am ready to move forward, ready to put Feet to Faith, leaving the comfortable, and familiar behind. You know the saying “Life is a Journey”, well, if you are not willing to move forward, how, and when will your journey ever begin? Caring and Trusting yourself and Reaffirming what God says about you will ready you to face the unknown and will help you slam the door in the face of fear as you leave that place of comfort and move forward on your life’s journey.

Being “strong and courageous,” as God commands us (Joshua 1:9), doesn’t require being fearless, but rather asking God for the grace to keep walking, when every next step feels terrifying or impossible.

I have found that there are so many answers to so many questions on the other side of fear.

My prayer is that Queen Sisterkeepers’ all over the globe will Begin the journey of taking good Care of Yourself, Trusting in Yourself, putting Feet to your Faith and Enjoy the Journey!

Luv

The Gift of Presence vs Presents...

Gifts Given Of The Heart Is For Giving Attention, Not Requesting It!!!

The Month Of December Is The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

~ Merry Christmas ~

• We Celebrate The Birth Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ! (Everyday!)

• We Get To Experience And Demonstrate God’s Love! (Everyday!)

• Christmas Shopping and Gift Giving!

• Gatherings With Family And Friends!

• Our Beloved Baby Girl Charlene Lorraine Went To Be With Jesus!

• My Birth~Day Which Is Five Days Before Christmas, But Celebrated The Entire Month! etc.

As The Planet Deals With A Radical Global Pandemic… 2020 Christmas Season Hits Differently This Year! Clearly There Has Been A Shift! A Time Of Weariness! A Time To Rest! Reflect! Repent! Forgive! Heal And Make Peace! A Time To Re-Focus With Our Eyes On Jesus~Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing! Let’s Just Pause, Breathe, and BE!!!

Although The World Is Becoming More Connected, People Are Becoming More Disconnected! Family Is God’s Idea And His Heartbeat! He Loves Us Unconditionally And Has Commanded Us To Love One Another As He Loves Us! Each Life Is A Gift To The World And Our Family And Friends Are A Gift From God! So, Let’s Not Miss The Opportunity To Be Thankful & Grateful For The Biggest Blessings Of God In Our Life… People ~ “You Gotta Love Them!”

James 1:16-17 Tells Us ~We Are Called To Pull Out The Good In People. It’s Too Easy To Point Out Someone’s Flaws. But Calling Out The Gold When It Is Hard To Find Is A True Gift.

Queens, Our Family Platform, Influence and Experiences do not have to look the same As Other Families! It’s A Beautiful Time To Look Beyond Our Dysfunction and Disqualifications Of Each Other And See Each Other’s Heart! Thank God We Are Not Too Guilty Because God Is Bigger Than Our Mess Ups! Thank God We Are Not Too Weird Because The Things That Make Us Different Are Our Greatest Strength! Thank God If We Are Too Loud, Just Know The Boldness Is A Wonder And God Wants To Use It! Thank God We Are Not Too Incapable! Thank God We Are Not Without Purpose! Know That We Are Right Where We’re Supposed To Be For A Special Reason!

Romans 12:9-10 Tells Us ~ Love Sincerely. Hate Evil. Hold On To What Is Good. Be Devoted To Each Other Like A Loving Family. Excel In Showing Respect For Each Other.

Resist The Temptation Of Previous Christmas Seasons Of Being Self-Focused And Self-Indulgent! Instead Of This Being A Busy Time Full Of “Making Your List And Checking It Twice Thing,” Resist The Opportunity To Be About Shopping To The Brink Of Bankruptcy; Eating To The Brink Of Explosion; And Watching Television To The Brink Of Insanity.

Queens, No Longer Will We Have Delusions of Grandeur Or A Blasé Attitude Taking Each Other For Granted! In Spite of However Young Or Old, However Loud, However Disengaged, However Challenging, Or Whatever Baggage Family Bring With Them; Forgive and Extend The Gift Of ‘I Believe In You!’ Know We All Are Deserving Of Dignity, Grace, And Value!

Moving Forward, Our New Normal Modus Operandi Should Be To Cultivate Meaningful And Frequent “Family Check-Ins!” Really See Our Love Ones As The Diamonds That They Are and Speak Kindness. Practice Hospitality With An Intentionality To Be With Them Not Just Doing For Them!

Our Full Presence ~ Not Presents Is The Greatest Gift of Love We Can Offer One Another! We Will

Get What It Means To Serve Others, To Love Well, To Be Patient, To Listen! Ask The Holy Spirit To Help Us Share With Our Family And In Our Neighborhoods The Gift of Fruit… Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self-Control!

Queens Remember… It’s All About The LOVE dah’Lins! ForReal! ForReal!

I Love Us!

Betty S

Giving Thanks From A Heart Full Of Thanksgiving and Gratitude

God’s steadfast love is the number one reason we should give thanks. God’s love has eternal purpose when everything else that’s celebrated is temporary. Although we look forward to the elaborate meal of turkey and it fixings, we should be careful not to tray away from the main focus of this day that is set aside for giving thanks, unto the Lord.

I am personally grateful that we are not limited to giving thanks just once a year, but we are encouraged to make it a lifestyle. Giving thanks everyday provides a deeper spiritual meaning and adds significant benefits to our everyday lives. Thanksgiving is the gratitude of faithfulness, and the tenderness of the heart. It helps our eyes stay focused on God, Who is the source of all good gifts. Thanksgiving keeps our hearts open and with open hearts the fruits of the spirit are manifested through us, making room for growth and maturity. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Thanksgiving day’s primary intention has everything to do with Giving Thanks for our Blessings from our hearts, so as we enjoy family, friends food and football we must remember the true reason for this season. Songs of Thanksgiving are embedded in our DNA. Gratitude draws us away from pain and fear and draws us to Jesus and helps us focus on the gifts of healing and love.

This Thanksgiving, let’s focus more on praising and declaring gratitude to our Heavenly Father for peace, joy, deliverance, blessings, favor, love and faithfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving!