POV

Fear and Faith are two powerful words. They can evoke angst or calm, dread or peace.  I have worked myself into a tizzy over scenarios I had created in my head. Fear of a negative situation that I had willed into existence with my words and thoughts overcame any positive outcome. 

The power of the tongue is real. We can speak life or death.... but oh, when I walk out on faith- the belief and trust in God for things unseen, I'm blessed every time. Now, I must tell you, the Lord is not here to answer our every prayer the way we desire, he's here to direct our path in the way that blesses us overall. Sometimes that will show up as life's rejection but God's protection.  I challenge you to lean into faith and less into fear until fear completely disappears.

Have you ever been motivated by the doings of others? I have. Over a decade ago I met this woman with a voice that gave me chills. She casually mentioned that she would be opening up for PJ Morton just in case I wanted to come. I came and so did many the others. Her modesty would have one assume she didn't know the power her gift carried. I later found out that that was her superpower. Her modest demeanor was an acknowledgment of God’s work through her. What a blessing.

Meet today's guest, Keia Johnson. She's a 

lover of the arts, a soul singer, an actor, a director, a business owner, a world traveler, an educator, and a friend. 

In this episode, Keia shares how she discovered her love for singing, her softness in the midst of a cold world, and how stepping outside her comfort zone caused a powerful shift.

I hope Keia’s episode motivates you to challenge your goals and walk into your greatness.

"Nobody told me that the road would be easy but I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me." Mary Mary 
 God's plan has its fair share of bumps and bruises. It's trials and tribulations, but while you experience those hard days, remind yourself of the good ones. The days made easier when favor and faith won, the times when your belief outweighed your unbelief. The path to our heart's desires is just as rich as the destination so I challenge you to praise him all along the way for some of our most beautiful memories are layered with tears, heartache, grace, and mercy. Nothing is by chance and what we bear is what we were built to handle so when you feel like the bad outweighs the good, rest in the fact that your present rain will soon create a fantastic rainbow full of answered prayers and continued grace. You've got this. Just dust yourself off and try again because, for your every one step, God will take two.

Life is full of winding roads, detours, halted moments and paths less traveled.  While finding your way, don't forget to notice the sunshine, the rainbow after the rain, and the blessings that find you along your journey. 
 Often times we stay laser-focused on our final destination and miss the lessons that create the blessings. We miss the beauty of the challenge that builds character and makes us who we are,  so while you're climbing up that road to joy, success, and happiness, stop and take it all in. Now that's living.

We made it ya'll!!! We made it to 2024 and that's something to celebrate because everyone didn't. That alone merits a praise break!
Every year, I give myself a word. This word helps me get closer to my goals. This year my word is focused. I am focused on being better today than I was yesterday. 
What's your word?

We were born to live, to love and be loved, to feel fully and experience life present in the moment. Everyone who has a birthday day has an expiration date so while we’re here, let’s live out loud. Let’s love with our whole hearts, let’s get out of our way and run toward what scares us so we can realize it isn’t real. We were born with what we need to shine and God will give us the rest along the way. 

Life is too short to not celebrate the special people in your life. Words alone can heal a heart and motivate a spirit.  I have met strangers who shared words of encouragement with me and those encounters were the pick-me-up I needed. Don't hesitate to do the same and receive it when it's given to you too because no one has to share. Often we don't see the gifts we carry. We walk around feeling less than when we are beautifully and wonderfully made.  Walk tall in the essence of who you are and gift people with your words. Who will you celebrate today?

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7;7-8
  It's true, we have not because we ask not and when we ask and don't prepare to receive it, we set ourselves  up for disappointment. Our preparation should come with our prayers so make sure you make room to receive what you've prayed for. Sometimes that involves healing past wounds, forgiveness of self and closing doors of situations that no longer serve you. When my prayers are answered, I want to be in a sustainable place to enjoy them and I pray that same prayer for you.

Our lives are determined by our choices. What's important to us,  what we need to feel happy, joyful, peaceful, and alive. Sometimes we forget that and find ourselves making decisions that don't benefit us because we've decided to give our power away, to care about what others think, to lean into people pleasing, or fall straight into self-neglect. Whatever it is, stop it! Your life is your own. Remind yourself that what others think of you is none of your business and that no is a complete sentence. Trust your judgment and your gut and remember who you're living for.

Often we dim our light out of fear. We think we're unworthy of the beauty that comes with being seen and respected. We fall back into the shadows because we want to be like everyone else when we weren't made to be like everyone else. You are an individual masterpiece worthy of every ohh and ahh. Your gifts and talents are yours to share and enjoy. The world would have you believe that conforming to the status norm is the way to go but Jesus thinks differently. He made you unique and authentic. You are perfectly imperfect on purpose and the sooner you walk in the essence of all you are, the sooner you will attract all your heart desires. It's your light that draws people and things, not your darkness. Stand firm and confident in all you are and watch your life shift in the direction you desire. You're worth it.