The Thoughts of a Coffee Drinking Vessel

One of the worse things that you could say to a person that is opening up to you is this: "At least you haven't....." ' We all have a struggle in life that we deal with. Trials and tribulations do come. And it isn't easy for some people to come out say what it is that they are facing. So when they come to you it means something. It means that they trust you and they are in a state of emergency. When a person is wounded we do not add salt to the wound. Be the ear that they are looking for in that moment. If you have ever experienced what they are going through share your story. Don't get super duper deep and start quoting things you probably don't read yourself (had to go there, if it doesn't apply don't get offended). If you are still experiencing it don't fake. Tell them you understand their pain and pray for each other in that moment. Whatever you do please don't belittle their situation. They should never feel worse leaving your pr...

Sex Drugs Food Excessive Hours Sleep Which of these are using to cover the pain you are currently dealing with? You are walking around with this mask on telling the world that you are okay and in the dark you are not dealing with it but you are trying to numb it. When you are finished with your vices you go back to your secret place because the pain you were trying to hide is actually worse. Your impromptu decisions have added a layer to what you are trying to heal. How do I know this? Because I did it myself and here lately I have found myself almost falling into old habits. I choose to snack instead of talk. I prefer sleeping over conversations at times. I thought I was finding my peace. I was hiding my pain instead. I am learning to cry when it's needed. Scream when necessary. I know I am allowed to feel what I feel in the moment. I can have my moment. Encouraging scriptures for this blog are Psalm 91 and Philippians 4. The whole chapters. How about those vices? Th...

I have so many questions in my head right now. I am not understanding a few things that I have seen and that I have heard. How many times have we all experienced this in our lives. I often think of two phrases from my goddaughters (their mother has given me permission to quote them) that I find myself saying out loud. They are "It's ALWAYS ME" and "It's Not My Fault". First one: It's always me. Yes it is. Why is it always me? There are other people that can do it and say it and live it and breathe it. Why am I the go to? Will someone else please stand up and the MVP, the VIP, be something...please. The reason why it is always you can be found in John 15:16(NCV) "You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask in my name." It's always you because you have been chosen to produce fruit. You gotta work because there is something in you...

You are probably looking at the title like what in the world. Don't worry so am I and I am the one writing this. An electric tear: It's when you are crying on the inside and smiling on the outside. Your body is in a state of shock and the pain is electric. Who cries electric tears? Those who have to step up because others are unwilling to do their assignment. Those who are sacrificing everything to make sure everyone stays afloat. Those who bear the burdens of others who refuse to deal with their own personal issues by hiding behind a professional mask. This is the season that those who cry electric tears are going to start crying out instead. No longer will they hide. They have a root to get to and they don't have time to deal with others surface issues. It is personal at this point because it affects how they do business. The great thing is through all of this their tears are still being held in a bottle. Psalm 56:8(NLT) "You keep track of all my sorrows. Y...

This is a blog of encouragement and it is also part of my testimony. I hope that it elevates your thinking and encourages your heart. I graduated high school in 1998 from Hibriten High School in Lenoir, North Carolina by the skin of my teeth. I actually had to attend Saturday school in order to get my diploma. And it wasn't that I couldn't do the work. I passed all my mandatory classes such as Math, English, Science, etc. I failed certain electives on purpose to prove this one point: I was always right and I would always get my way. It got me right in to Saturday school. Kudos Rika.. Kudos. Shortly after graduation I moved back to Maryland to help some family for a while. When I came back to North Carolina, I gave my life to Christ for real, and started working. In 2000 or 2001, I decided that I wanted to pursue my college education. I attended the community college in my county and only got 3 or 6 credits. Whomp. Why? Because during a break I worked 40 hours a week at my j...

We cannot avoid hurt and pain but we have the choice to heal from it. What are you allowing to grow in your garden? Has the seed of unforgiveness been planted? If so it is time to till the soil and get it out. One seed can determine what grows the fastest especially if you are watering it. Water the seeds of love, joy, peace, and forgiveness. Realize some people will never apologize to your face. Recognize that the Lord forgives you DAILY for things you have done that were a lot worse than what was done to you. Remember unforgiveness is a sin. Pray the Lord's Prayer everyday. Matthew 6:9-15 with emphasis on verses 12-15. You want the Lord to forgive you? Learn to forgive other people. Blessings, peace, and love

So many times we go back to the way things used to be. Realize that it is dysfunctional to be comfortable in chaos.We are called to live in peace(Colossians 3:15). If anything, you should want to gravitate far away from the people and things that drive you up a wall. We can love from a distance. Every person doesn't have to have access to you all the time. You cannot be everything to them and nothing to yourself. Do you really want to heal? You have to ask yourself this question. When you are truly ready to heal you will not deflect from those issues anymore. You will stop cutting the branches of the dead tree and get to the root. You have to pull out the pain so it can stop pulling you down. Many physical ailments are caused by not forgiving and holding on to things that you know you should let go of. Your mental health affects your physical health. I am a witness. When I am good on the inside my body is not in pain. When I am not so good, it is a whole different story. In thi...