Mother of 5 beautiful children, friend of books, avid reader, bubble baths are life! I enjoy long walks and hiking, I seek adventure. Writing makes me a better person, I love to share my thoughts.
Here are 5 fruits that will change your life: FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22)
LOVE: I could always use more love in my life. The Bible says that what good is love that is only extended to those that love us in return! We must seek out the unlovable and practice loving them beyond their pain. Hurt people hurt people as we have heard. I can admit that I have said the HATE word in anger and pain. I regret it and as I realize my great need for love and acceptance, I am learning to love a bit more. We are to love God and others, sounds simple but love is not what we see in the movies!
JOY: The Joy of the Lord is our strength. God has called us to remain content, and endure through life’s difficulties. The Joy that comes from trusting God in the unseen realm. We are not happy all the time, but joy is knowing that life is meant to have highs and lows. We appreciate life more because of the struggles.
PEACE: Inner peace, a peace that comes from knowing a sovereign God. The resolve to stay in peace, this one is a hard one! Not to let worry take over.
PATIENCE: There are different seasons in our life, just like the weather or like farming. There is a time to plant, cultivate, and then reap a harvest. The weather is always changing even if it is subtle changes, from one season to the next. It takes patience to grow things, we must wait for the product of our labor. God desires for us to wait on Him, we learn to wait and have patience during hardships.
KINDNESS: The world is broken, there are a lot of hurting people. We cannot turn a blind eye, we must share our resources, time, love, and empathy with the world. It doesn’t always have to be grand gestures: a smile, a word of encouragement, pay for a meal, etc. We all have had experiences that could have turned us bitter and unloving. We choose each day to see the good in others. It is with love and kindness that God draws us to himself.
These are only 5 out of 9 fruits of the Spirit, that are discussed in the Bible, I wanted to stay on theme but all are for our benefit. These fruits are the product of having a relationship with God and allowing him to guide you. The Holy Spirit helps us to grow from faith to faith. Our fruit develops over time and grows better and more tasteful.
Everyone has different temperament’s and some of these things may come easier to you than others. For example I tend to be a pretty upbeat and optimistic person, just by nature. I have been called smiley, because I often smile for no reason! That’s good news in the development of our character is that some of these we are already naturally inclined to. Now for me patience is not my strong suit! I tend to be in a hurry all throughout my life and I want to always know what is next.
What fruit is in your garden?
We all are a work in progress, and until we take our final breath we will always be developing and learning. I hope that you will read up on these fruits, because they are what leads to prosperity, great relationships, and peace beyond external challenges.
Class of 2007 (Key from my high school graduation 👩🎓)
“Every locked door has a key, every problem has a solution.”
This key says: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5).
May 24, 2007
This was the day I was graduating from high school, seems so long ago. I was eighteen, I didn’t know much but I knew that I was done with high school! Friends, family, and church members all gathering around to wish me congratulations. My friends and I were planning what we would wear after graduation, and what party we would go to later. The ceremony was long and boring. I was nervous as I crossed that stage, not sure what life would hold next.
As I was taking pictures with everyone, they were coming up and handing me love gifts. I received quite a bit of money, cards, and little trinkets. My hands full with my acquired diploma, and the gifts I smiled a cheesy grin. Smile! Another photo! I was ready to go now! My little black Honda Accord calling my name, I was ready to put high school behind me. There were lots of good memories but many poor choices as well. Such is life, we all think we know everything at that age! Some days I wish I could grab my shoulders and shake that little girl!
However regrets wont get us too far we have to accept that our mistakes and failures, they shape who we become. I am proud of the woman I am now, but there is still a lot of growing up to do. I used to think thirty-six was old, now that I am here I know I have a long life to live. Matter of fact my birthday is less than a month away!
The Key to Success
There were a handful of church members that came to my high school graduation, I truly appreciate that they did that. It was so sweet of them. One guy named LA, gave me this key in a beautiful little box. I have had this key for eighteen years this month! How in the world has it been so long? I immediately loved this gift because it was so unique and I carry with me all the time. I keep it in my purse. I am surprised I still have it! LA died several years ago, and I still can see his smile in my mind. He was such a kind man, he was always impeccably dressed, and had a little dance in his walk. He didn’t know that that gift would be still special to me, all these years later.
Capstone to Faith
Capstone: Is the final stone that is placed when building a structure. The significance here is that God wants us to have that image of completion in our minds. The good work God is doing, he will finish. The final piece to the puzzle is just as important as all the rest, but sometimes it can be what motivates us to keep working towards a goal; to think of the finished product. I took this key out of my purse and I put it on my dresser. It serves as a reminder of God’s promises to me, and a symbol of hope. I know better days are ahead. I look at it each day and I move forward.
What does your capstone look like?
The other day I was listening to a sermon that was talking about we need to start dreaming and trying again for things that we have given up on. The preacher told a story about Zerubbabel in the Bible, who had a dream and mission to rebuild temple, but he faced adversity and almost gave up. God encouraged him to finish.
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
He had only laid the foundation, but the people began discouraging him and he gets down and stops building. Then fifteen years later a prophetic word comes from Zechariah:
“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
Have you ever given up on something you really wanted to accomplish? Maybe because of adversity and discouragement, like in this story?
This story should serve as a reminder to us all that sometimes our dreams may get delayed for various reasons but it is okay to begin again. God never starts something that he doesn’t plan to finish. He has a plan for our lives and we should look to him for guidance. Today I am encouraging you and that younger version of me, not to give up. To keep believing and working hard to accomplish all that you have in your heart.
What did you want to be when you “grew up”?
I always said that I wanted to be a secretary, because I loved office work and being organized. After high school, I went to a technical college for Medical Office Specialist. I began doing clerical work in various positions over the years. I truly enjoyed it and learned a lot. However, there were other dreams as I evolved and matured. I desired to be married, have a family, write a book, travel, sing in public, buy a new home, earn my degree, etc. So many dreams! I have many accomplished many of the dreams but there are still more. Sometimes my dreams scare me, they seem too hard or impossible. However that is where faith comes in: faith is the evidence of the unseen.
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How to Begin Again:
Review the past. (Sometimes we can’t go forward until we go back.) Study what worked and what didn’t.
Align your goals and values. (God’s will vs. My own) What is your WHY?
Forgive yourself (Move forward without regrets and shame)
Plan the next steps. (Start small, but START!)
Embrace change, welcome help from others.
Keep learning, trust your abilities, and be persistent!
Hey YOU! Yes, you don’t you dare quit! Get your fire and passion back and GO GET IT!
Step out of the box, don’t let the fear of people keep you from your destiny! GOD has approved you.
VALIDATION ADDICTION
Being addicted to others approval, has harmful impacts on mental health, relationships, and self-esteem. I can be the first to admit that I have struggled with desiring all too often to be liked and approved by people. There has to be a deep sense of knowing who we are despite if other people validate you. The issue with our society, is that we all are seeking to be approved by the wrong audience. God wants us to follow him, not the trends of the ever-changing world. If you base your decisions and life on what other people think of you, it will cause you to walk someone else’s path. What God has for you may be unique, uncomfortable and different than the social norms.
“Are you sacrificing who you are because you’re addicted to approval, worried about what everyone thinks?” -Joel Osteen
Signs of Approval Seeking Behavior (Sourced: Choosing Therapy.com)
You struggle to form your own opinions
You have trouble saying no
You apologize too much
Low self-esteem
Constantly putting others needs above your own
You go along to get along
You feel anxious about what other people think of you
You attempt to control others
You try and present yourself in the best possible light
You are terrified of rejection
Let me tell you friend, we can take advice, listen to wise counsel, and learn from others, but don’t take it to heart so deeply; that you ignore what you know deep down. We all have insecurities, and we need to learn how to silence the noise of others. We don’t wallow in pity and tear ourselves down based on our weaknesses. These perfect images, lives, and stories are what people want you to see about their lives. Don’t take social media to heart, and compare your life to others. Each person has a timing for their life. My timing is not the same as yours, my growth rate also will be different from yours.
Sometimes you have to do it alone.
There are paths you will walk alone, and may not have the support or approval from others. Many times, that is just a distraction that will paralyze you from moving forward. The doors of opportunity, are not open to everyone; some doors are only for you. The Bible is also clear about not seeking people to approve what God has put in your heart. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 KJV). People will always love you when you stay in the metaphorical box that they put you in. You cannot control anyone’s mind and thoughts about you.
How to overcome Validation Addiction (Sourced: Choosing Therapy.com)
Go with God. (Led by the spirit of God)
Be more assertive. (Practice expressing yourself better)
Learn to set boundaries. (No, is a powerful word)
Seek approval from yourself first. (your values, beliefs, moral code, intuition)
Limit social media exposure. (Take breaks regularly)
Listen to the voice within. God has called each of us to certain things. There are people needing you to walk in your uniqueness and live your truth! They will need the words of wisdom, your personal accounts, testaments of faith, and your help. We can impact lives greater when we are our true selves. You are not a clone, there is one you! Take the high road, live with integrity.
Some of you have deleted content that was pure gold, because you worried if people would agree or like it!
Many people who are creatives, they get caught up in what is trending, what sells: therefore they dilute their work to fit society. God gives us messages to share, and sometimes they are hard to say. We cannot water down the message, or filter it to fit social norms. Break out of the mold, some people will not approve you anyway. God is the one we should be living for, and audience of one. Hold your head up, you are special and loved! Your true identity is found in the creator that made you! You are not just another number. I challenge you to get in God’s word and see what he has to say!
Let me help you here are some affirmations from he word of God:
5 Scriptures That Define Your Worth:
You are beautiful. (Psalm 45:11)
You are lovely. (Daniel 12:3)
You are loved. (Jeremiah 31:3)
You are special. (Ephesians 2:10)
You are chosen. (John 15:16)
I am learning to appreciate ME! This is me, no makeup, flaws and all.
STOP 🛑 Living for LIKES, COMMENTS, APPROVAL!! I know it’s hard but WE can do it! Let’s be authentic and genuine!
Good morning, or maybe it’s good afternoon! Wherever you are tuning in from. First, I hope your day is going well, if not hold on, this too shall pass! I am laying in bed listening to the birds, my husband snoring and the cars that are passing by, outside my home. It’s another day. I feel grateful.
I have been blogging for one year now, and it’s been on my heart to say THANK YOU! I want to shoutout my small but mighty followers! I appreciate the support and kind words. Thanks for taking time out to read my blog! I know there are some of you who only read or comment for the reciprocity and that’s okay too! It’s so important to share. When we share we are showing up for ourselves and others!
When I started this blog, I wasn’t sure that anyone would connect with my thoughts. Perhaps it was just ramblings of a mad woman lol! 😂 I have always been a reflective and deeply emotional person. When I started writing as a child, it felt wonderful to have a place to express myself. This blog gave me a window to the world, I never knew I needed! I have learned from you guys, laughed, cried and truly connected to your stories. Writing comes in so many forms, I used to write fictional stories, I have stepped away from that.
When I started blogging, I almost felt a sort of betrayal to my younger self. She wanted so badly to just write a fictional story and have it published. However, life has taken me through unimaginable situations and I had to start sharing those truths! I could no longer hide behind my safe, pretty stories. I had to emerge from the shadows and be a beacon of hope. Yes, you can go through abuse, rejection, abandonment, heartbreak, depression, anxiety, trauma and still have a voice! You can refuse to be silenced by the darkness.
There is a part of me that still wants to write that fiction book, but my heart tells me this is the important work. The journey of healing, through what I have always found solace in: writing. My words have transformed into a map, the path to a new beginning. When you go through extreme trauma, one of the main responses is to retreat into oneself. The shame of sins you didn’t commit becomes like a scarlet letter. The process of sharing personal experiences has been a struggle. There is the wounded part of me that wants to isolate and conceal.
However, the Lord has given me an opportunity to turn pain into purpose. I began to realize that I must share. I testify of his faithfulness in world full of chaos. I know that there is still beauty in this life. This blog has been a blessing to me. I appreciate all of you! I hope that I can continue to inspire your hearts!
Thank you, and for those who are unauthentic: I hope you learn to be better. Don’t comment or like someone’s writing or posts for your own gain. Try and be genuine and the followers will come! There are enough plastic people in the world.
Yesterday’s beauty right in my own yard!
“I feel like my story just proves how important not only social media is, but how important it is to be your authentic self. Because when you’re really truly your authentic self, the right people will find you. And when they find you, it will be for exactly who you are.”
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
“I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13 KJV)
My Roses are back! This is one of God’s goodness!
This entire Psalm is truly a bold declaration of faith. It has been a prayer for me many times! This verse in particular, the dramatic nature of it truly resonates with me. I had fainted, (Lose consciousness; weak and dizzy) Many reference this to meaning faint of heart so to speak, and that means something is too intense for someone to handle. Also could mean lack of courage. When I think of these statements I think of being unable to bear the weight of something heavy in our lives. There are many circumstances that can put us in this state of mind.
If we watch the news and listen to the chatter of social media, it will be easy to feed into fear and worry. There are rumors of food and supplies shortages about to take place in the US. The climate change, and economic difficulties all over the world. What if it is true? Will we start panicking? What will we stand upon in the days of trouble? David says in this Psalm, that the Lord is who he will be relying on. Sometimes we have to take a stand, and declare that we will stay in faith regardless of what it looks like.
The thing about faith in God it takes great courage, because oftentimes we cannot see anything happening externally. We have checked off our little do-gooder list and yet there seems to be no response from God. This is where this verse has shown up in my life. I have had to wait out some uncomfortable situations, without losing hope completely because I know the character of God. That is the same for David he knows that his faith must be stronger than his doubts, fears, or external circumstances.
Pexels Library (Plant seeds of faith and watch them grow)
What is faith anyway? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV). In short, faith is the belief that what is unseen is still worth believing in because that is the basis of our walk with God. He is an unseen God, and we choose to believe the testimonies and the ancient texts of faith. The essence of believing without necessarily seeing. Everyone is born with a measure of faith and that faith must be grown like these little seeds pictured above.
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by hearing the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV). Our faith gets stronger when we meditate, pray and put into practice what we have learned. Then when a believer has been indwelled by the Holy Spirit, they are able to have a deeper belief in who God. The Holy Spirit testifies who God is to our inner knowing. The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, but different from our human spirit and intuition. Our intuition is based on the natural, while the Holy Spirit is a supernatural being.
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Suffering can have many different causes:and none of us are exempt from it.
These are some of the forms of suffering: Satanic attacks, sinful disobedience against God, consequences of sin, persecution from unbelievers, and pruning from God. As Christian’s we believe that suffering has purpose, I also believe that other religions also see suffering as a model for growth. “We grow through, what we go through.” It’s is a belief that a believer in Jesus, suffers for the glory of God, just as he did. David understood that he would go through hardships, but they could be weighed against the goodness of God. He declared that every time God’s goodness trumps all these things, regardless of the kind of suffering.
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The weight of our burdens can often feel like the picture above, it’s heavy and we are in need of a spotter. We need someone to help us bear the weight, in case our arms give out as we are pushing it away from us. Can the guy lift the weights alone? It is possible, yet dangerous. The same goes for our daily lives, we need God and each other to assist us in carrying the tough burdens. We don’t want to risk fainting and loosing our grip. David felt the weight of life, pressing him down and yet he chose to declare God’s goodness and faithfulness anyway! Jesus said “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV).
Jesus wants to meet us in the weary, heavy, tired, and say: “Let me help.”
It’s as if he is standing over you, with each lift and helping you hold that bar up one more time. Just one more day, one foot before the other; each step harder than the last. We feel our strength failing and right before we drop it, we cry out for help! It’s too much, I cannot do this alone! The good news of the gospel is that we don’t have to. Jesus is our strength. He gives us what we need to carry on.
“I had fainted unless I believed to see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.” Psalm 21:13
There is something so comforting about someone seeing the real, unique you. This kind of person sees beyond just the words that you say. It’s like they can hear the non-verbal banter between your heart and mind. How grateful I have been to have met people like this in my life. What a relief it is to not always have to verbally explain what is going on in your life. The greatest interactions are often quiet, gentle, and calm. They can just sit there next to you and say nothing at all.
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Then maybe a hug or a brief touch but the silence is all that is necessary. Many people feel the silence with empty words, promises and just plain chatter! I cannot count the amount of times that I just wanted the noise to stop! I hate small talk, it’s either meaningful conversations or to simply coexist. I relish those warm, moments of unconditional love. A great gift is someone that can interpret your body language and know when to speak.
I hope this kind of love has found you. Even if it is just friendly, and simple. Romantic love is beautiful, but there are many types of love out there and far less complicated. It’s like the kind that is between two best friends. How you know when they are about to call, or finish their sentences. That close bond, makes any hardship a little bit easier. I can remember those days, with my high school best friend, where we a sat and read our books quietly. I miss her dearly, life has taken us far apart. We let life get in the way of that close friendship.
However, I accept that our journeys are how they should be and we cannot hold too tightly to anyone. The part of being grateful for the special people in our lives, includes knowing when to let go if needed. True love, isn’t about control, and such is true in friendship. I don’t talk to her often anymore, but we know what we mean to one another. I pray she is happy and at peace. I am so thankful to the people that have came into my life at just the right time.
Have you ever had someone come up to you and give you just the right words? Life is truly connected. I am remembering to keep looking for those moments of reassurance, support, kindness. Not only am I looking for it, I have learned even more how to give it out! In meditation yesterday, the instructor said to think on one recent experience that made you feel good. As I gathered my thoughts I realized that each moment that I was referencing, included another person.
I say this to make the point that connection, is what we all crave. This world can make us want to disconnect, build a wall, and hide but we cannot forget our path. God’s design was for us to feel connected to the Earth, himself and most importantly each other! Don’t let darkness in others get inside of you, stay friendly and cheerful. You may not fit everywhere but on your path there will be divine connections awaiting. Cherish them, allow them to grow you, and open your heart. Happy Reading!
Photo I took from a museum: “The Painter”
What do you see when you look at the artist in this photo above?
*I notice that the colors on his palette are the same colors all around him. As if he is painting his world.
I love the story of the prodigal son, in Luke 15. It’s a a familiar story and as I read it this morning, I was moved like I read it for the first time. This younger son asked for his inheritance early, and went away from home. As you know, he wastes all his money and sits in his shame for a while. Who knows how long he has waited there, far away from home: starving, isolated, and heavy with regret. His head knows that his Father is wealthy, but he thinks that the Father will be angry.
There he continues to be in lack, and trying to fix it by finding a job amongst the pig farmers. His resources are spent and there is a famine in the country that he has ran off to, what now? He is literally starving, working amongst filthy pigs, and no one has even noticed his plight. How lonely it is to be caught up in sin, shame and guilt!
That is Satan’s greatest tactic, to make us feel like our head knowledge is greater than what our heart knows. This younger man knows his Father will love him no matter what, he knows in his heart he should go home and admit his failures to a loving Father. I can imagine the people he is working with, are also discouraging him because Lord knows Satan will us those closest to you to instill doubt in the love God has for you. They will remind you of your every failure and watch you suffer. Christians do this to other Christians! Casting condemnation, as if it is ours to give!
In our hearts, when we have truly met with a loving, gracious, and forgiving God, we should know what his response will be. It’s the same, just as this Father and his son in the story. When the young man went home, he had planned to beg his Father’s forgiveness, and ask to work as a hired hand! He expects his own family to shame him! How many times have we ourselves went to enter back into God’s arms expecting: rejection, punishment, and to be turned away? Religion serves a God of constant demands, punishment, hostility and abandonment. Jesus, has arms open wide, just as the Father in this parable. The son came home and was greeted with joy and celebration, in spite of his sin. Jesus hates sin, but he doesn’t reject us when we come with humble hearts. Come home.
Shiloh Rose Archive 