15 Days Til Christmas

December 11, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

(I apologize for the lateness. I forgot to push the publish button, but it is 15 days til Christmas.)

One of the things I love is getting my hair done. It has been an awesome gift this year. I only go a couple of times a year because that is about all I need, and it is always a blessed time. I always have a good time. I can not remember not having a good time.

The woman who does my hair is younger than me, but she has been raised in an old school way. It is always “Yes, Ma’am” and “Ms. Karen.” If she is cooking, there is always an extra plate. If she is selling something like, make up or such, I am buying.

The best part is I get to watch TV shows I would have never thought about watching. I admit, I would have not know what a “real housewife” was until I saw it at her house. Not only do I get to see it, but she updates me on what is really happening. She doesn’t hold them against the standard of society, but against God’s standard. I love that.

I get to walk through the generation gap with her. I get to listen to her opinion on love and life. She asks me what I think and allows me to pass on principles God has taught me. It is a good time had by all.

Although our lives are very different, I see common paths through Christ work in both of us.

16 Days Til Christmas

December 10, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

Another great moment from this year was the night we surprised my sister, which is a very difficult thing to do. She had received a promotion at work and some of her co workers organized the gathering at a local restaurant.

I will never understand the science around trying to sneak 20+ people into a public place to surprise someone, but hey it worked for us. There is something about honoring people in our lives as they achieve incredible things. People should get a pat on the back for work done well.

My sister is so funny in that she never caught on until they walked her to the table and we were all there waiting for her. I think that speaks to the caliber of friends you have. We have friends who like to celebrate life. We celebrate al the moments, great and small.

17 Days Til Christmas

December 9, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

the path I am on is not for the faint of heart

it is not for the ones who need hand holding

it is not for the ones who don’t believe

the path I am on was made for me

with the desire to laugh and eat

with the passion to feel

and the heart to do something

He made it just for me

He knew when I would get tired,

He knew the ones who would frustrate me

He would teach me to balance my temper and desire

this path He created just for me

I see it more clearly with each passing day

this year He lifted the veil a little higher

so I could see His glory shining through.

don’t try to walk my path

walk the one He made for you

so that you can see His glory too.

18 Days Til Christmas

December 8, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

Sometimes a gift doesn’t look like a gift. One of the most fun gifts I received this year was my small small group. I lead a study of God’s word with about 6 ladies who crack me up. Do we ever stay on topic? No. Do we ever finish on time? No. Does God use us to bless each other? You better believe it.

I am surrounded by a group of social workers who deal with tragedy in other people’s lives everyday. It helps me keep things in perspective about my own life. It reminds me that there is much in life we take for granted, like a sound mind and a well body.

These ladies keep me honest (it does help that two of them are my sisters). God teaches me a lot through them. I have been very fortunate to be born African American and female on this timeline in history. He has poured out such a gift of Himself on us. Not everyone in the group is African American, but His Spirit reigns in their lives also. There is a camaraderie with Christ that we are not ashamed of.

19 Days Till Christmas

December 7, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

One of the things I take for granted is the ability to attend church. God blessed me with the ability to attend a church where His word is taught in spirit and truth. It is not only a house with a great preacher, but a house filled with people who love Him. My many hours of service to the church have been spent with people who believe God is who He says He is. Iron sharpens iron.

The Lord has used my time at OCBF to broaden who I am as a mother, daughter, sister and artist. This summer I got work with some really talented folk from my church. These folks are so special to me, I scheduled the last day of shooting my movie to be spent with actors from my church. It was fun.

I love sitting under the teaching of Dr. Tony Evans. My pastor is unashamed of the gospel because he understands the power it holds (salvation for the Jew and Gentile). His passion for the Lord is contagious. He challenges my growth as Christian and strengthens my walk with the Savior.

I love this season in my life.

20 Days Til Christmas

December 6, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

I appreciate the awesome gift of a road trip. My WWCrew and I have been to many places. This year we made some short trips, but they were just as fun. There is nothing like taking off with my friends to chart uncharted territory.

We load up on snacks and hit the road. It is too fun. The car is filled with laughter and learning. We are foodies, so the destination usually involves a restaurant.

We stopped at KD’s in Oklahoma City. This one was fun. The menu’s lite up, the food is good, but warning the portions are huge. We have discovered through trial and error that there are two things we need to ensure a good meal: Dr. Pepper and Bread. We enjoyed the food and realize needed to walk around after eating.

We also believe in experiencing history and learning from the past. It was a beautiful day to visit the Oklahoma Memorial.

Life is too short to spend it with a bunch of haters. Cling to those who love you, let go of those who don’t. Peace is a gift and you need to protect it. Lots of people will say that they are your friends, but how do they react when you need them? When people show you who they are, believe it. God reveals things about people to us for a reason. He doesn’t want you to stop loving and praying for them, but He doesn’t want destructive people having influence in your life.

22 Days Til Christmas

December 4, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

This might be a weird Christmas present to some, but to me, it was one of the best. This year some friends invited us to a Passover Seder. This is a Jewish celebration of the Passover. Jewish people celebrate the passover to commemorate the night Death passed over them, but killed the Egyptian firstborn.

My friends went through a lot of trouble to walk some Christians through this meal and the readings. They prepared a meal and bought wine. They borrowed dishes and made copies of readings. They walked our Gentile minds through their Jewish experience. It was a great experience.

The bible I read puts the passover in a historical and spiritual perspective. Walking through some of the steps with my Jewish friends added a physical dimension for me. I couldn’t help but think, that this is what they did at the Last Supper.

I am grateful for the experience because it has added another dimension to my Christian walk.

23 Days Till Christmas

December 3, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

It is easy to get caught up in the need for more things. We spend a lot of time thinking about the things we want and dream about, but not enough time grateful for the things we have.

God has given me some awesome friends! I have the best time with my WWC (Wrong Way Crew). We have earned this nickname because we are always going the wrong way (directionally) even with GPS.

The night this name stuck, we were in Washington DC heading for our hotel. We had just gotten off the Metro and were walking down some dark streets with our suitcase. We walked almost two blocks from our hotel before we realized we were going the wrong way.

What I love about these ladies is that they make me laugh. I laugh so hard I almost black out for lack of oxygen. We have learned to enjoy life whether it is travelling across the country or hanging out in our home city.

24 Days Til Christmas

December 2, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

Some days God will give you a work environment that is like family. Cherish those moments. I remember being a young woman running around the editorial floor, dodging Shankman, giggling with Lois and wonder “what the world?” about Bob. I was inspired by Serena’s art and got the biggest kick out of Annette. They encourage me in a way, no one has since. We talked, laughed and supported one another.

Even though the company is gone and regular contact doesn’t happen, it is so sweet to gather together with these folks. This year I went to the reunion. It was a blessing. I loved having all of my sisters together.

It was a good reminder that sometimes coworkers can be lifelong friends. It is not always true, which is what makes them special.

My work experience over the last ten years has been filled with hateful, mean spirited people that the Lord has used to sand my rough places. He taught me through these people that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. He gave me the reunions and good memories during the tough times, so that I could hold on to them and know they are coming back again. He wanted me to know that not everyone you work with is going to be your friend and encourage you.

If you are having a rough patch, hold on to the good memories. They are coming back. The Lord is very good at separating sheep and goats. Watch and wait.

25 Days Til Christmas

December 1, 2014 / Psal121 / Leave a comment

In 25 days we will all meet around a tree or table or something and unwrap presents. When we buy these presents we will think of the people who we have encountered all year and their impact in our lives. The greatest gift was given more than 2000 years ago when God sent His son to earth in human form, in baby Jesus.

God has given me gifts all year. Over the next 25 days, I will share my bountiful year.