"Tough Love IN being THANKFUL"

"Tough Love IN being THANKFUL"

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5 KJV)

Psalms 100 is one of my favorite chapters in the book of Psalms. It simply tells us to praise The Lord, Serve Him with a Merry Heart, with a song on your heart, know that God has created us and none of our own doing. When we enter His Gates we should have a Spirit of Thanksgiving and into His Courts shifting the atmosphere with Praise. Be Thankful for who He is unto Him, plainly put He is Good. The Lord's Mercy is everlasting and unexplainable and He is the Truth and His Truth abides(remain), sustains(support/hold), withstands(to stand) and yields(produce) to ALL creations(generations). That was my paraphrase, rewording and translation of Psalms 100, it is my heart matter. 

On Sunday I experienced something that broke my heart. By Jayden being the only child he pretty much gets what he wants. Now, he does not ask for much when he does ask. We both have been learning and living out a HARD matter, and that is cutting WAY back and being thankful for what we have. Jayden is very observant, at times it appears he is not paying attention but those are the times he is most alert. When I am in the a salon working Jayden is able to see my clients giving me money for a service I rendered to them. He SEES money coming in but doesn't have a clue on what I have to pay out. We normally communicate about everything, but paying bills and staying a float we don't need to discuss those matters. Jayden is 8 years old and needs to remain pure at heart and free of worries. We rushed out of church on Sunday to meet with the mechanic because we barely made it the way the car was jerking on the way to church. Got to the mechanic's house and he accessed the car told me the problem and how much. I called Auto Zone ordered the part and went from there. In all the hustle and bustle I had to still be a Mother and feed my child. Before getting the car squared away I had to go to the grocery store. While in the store picking up the things we NEEDED and the things that were in the budget, Jayden wanted something that wasn't on the list or in the budget. So I said "let's compromise and get this instead of that". He said, "that's ok Mommy, I don't want anything". I said, "Jayden, keep in mind Mommy has to get the car fixed". I said, "we MUST be thankful for what we have"! He started to pout and was in a foul mood, so unlike him. Normally if I say I can't do a certain thing he says, "okay Mommy". But here lately I have been saying no which seems for a long while, due to cutting back and being Thankful for where we currently are. By no means is he spoil, he just doesn't really understand. We pay for our things and get in the car and Jayden has the saddest look on his face. I turn to him and say, "son, I so apologize and it will not always be this way". I went on to say, "we must ALWAYS be happy and Thankful for what we have, God is Faithful and He will Provide for us". By this time his eyes were filled with the biggest pocket of tears I have ever seen. He broke down out of hurt and cried his eyes out. My knees buckled because I felt his pain but refused to let a tear flow or fall. I told him, "Mommy's new job is coming soon and things will be much better". Needless to say, he cried even harder. At this time I am silently praying to The Lord and saying, "ok, these fancy words that I am so eloquently speaking are not working". This is where the story gets REAL!! LISTEN Jay, I need you to sit up straight, wipe your tears and KNOW who God is to You!!! I go on to tell him that, "God is a God of timing and when He opens the door I am going to run track getting there". While we are here, we will give Him Praise and Thanksgiving, I said, "He is our Father and He knows BEST"! It's going to happen, we must keep praying and believe!! Then Mommy 101 rose up and said, "you wanna ride or walk"? Right now, we have to get the things we need and not so much of the wants. I reminded him that we are BETTER than Blessed and we WILL give Thanksgiving unto The Lord.   I put the car in reverse and drove off into the sunset, his whole attitude and demeanor took a turn for the better. I am a Nurturer by nature but the Soldier and Tough Love had to take a difficult STAND.  Psalms 100 was heavy on my heart this am, because in a paraphrasing way I was telling Jayden  that on Sunday. I remember when he recited Psalms 100 verbatim at church and he was about 6 years old, it brought tears to my eyes. Now today at 8 years old he is not reciting it we are walking, living and breathing it.  And I leave you with this, "Be Thankful UNTO Him and Bless His Name, For The Lord IS Good; His Mercy is everlasting; and His Truth endureth to ALL generations. Psalms 100:4(clause b,5)

No matter what, God is MOST Faithful and Psalms 100 is a POWERFUL reminder. 

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!! Enjoy and Love on your Family for Family is MOST Important and a Blessing to have.  QDJ

This Devotional is dedicated to my Champion, King Jayden whom takes a licking and keep on ticking! I Love Him and I am most Thankful that God chose me to raise him.

"Build on What You Have"

"BUILD on What You Have"

Psalm 118:23 NLT

This is The Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see. 

Build--to establish, increase, or strengthen.

Growing up as a little girl I did not have a consistent relationship with my earthly Father. For reasons unknown to me he was in and out and seeing him was far and few between. I grew up not understanding why he wasn't consistent with me. In school, some of the kids fathers would pick them up from school and at times would come to the programs at school. I suffered as a teenager and for a season as an adult for him not being present. I remember when I opened up my first Salon my Father gave me $100, it was as if he had given me a million dollars. I treasured that moment for a long time. On 11/11/13 I was in Birmingham and I called him and He ANSWERED. Good God from Zion, He ANSWERED!!! When you seek and call on The Lord, He will ANSWER. I had not talk to him or seen him in a very long time, BUT, and can somebody say BUT!!! When I called, He ANSWERED!!! Lord Jesus!!! When he picked up the phone I said, "hey dad, I am coming to see you today". He said, "hey baby, ok I'll be here at 5". Keep in mind I really have not built a relationship with my earthly Father. For many years I tried but it never came to pass. So I pressed my way over to visit with him, not really knowing what I would say or how I would say it. When I got there we hugged each other and I proceeded to sit and talk. I began talking and being myself, it was as if he had been there all along. You see I had made up in my mind and settled in my heart that I had forgiven my Dad for the pain that he was unaware that he had caused in the previous years of my life. We were talking and laughing and having the time of our lives. I decided that the past didn't matter and that I would "Build on what I have", and at that particular time it was that NOW moment. The laughter and smiles on our faces was priceless!! I felt like a little girl sitting in McDonalds eating a cheeseburger happy meal that my Dad had bought and anxiously waiting to open up the toy inside the box. I had a BLAST!!! I had an opportunity to speak life to and over my Dad. I encouraged him and told him that, "we don't lay down or stay down, we get up for the Bless UP"! I told my Dad to open the blinds and let some life and light in the house. I called my Dad 2 days after visiting with him and he said, "girl you changed my life, I opened my blinds this morning". He went on to tell me that he had gone to work, in which he has not worked in a while. My Dad is equipped and certified in brick masonry, my Dad is a Builder. Lord help me God!!! My Jesus is a Builder and He has delivered and healed me so I am able to see my earthly Dad in a different light and to, "Build on What I Have". My Dad and I are establishing, increasing and strengthening our relationship, AND this IS The Lord's doing and it is wonderful to SEE. Psalm 118:23 NLT

God is mending broken relationships in this very hour. Forgiveness is necessary to move on to your next. I admonish you on today, if you don't have a functioning relationship with your Mother or Father reach out to them and watch God BUILD. The visit with my  Dad took my relationship  with God to another level. Build a strong relationship with God and He will Build everything else, including YOU! 

"Build on What You Have", that is your NOW!!! QDJ

There is a HUGE Shift in the Atmosphere, there is motion and movement in the places that seem still and stagnant. 

"Cuts ARE a Must"

"Cuts ARE a MUST"

John 15:1-2

"Iam the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. NIV

Cut-- to remove or eliminate 

This past Saturday at work was challenging and busy BUT when the last client showed up it changed my perspective of what I have been encountering. Oh Yeah!!! This particular client I hadn't seen in months, and I literally had to perform surgery. Her hair was in disarray and needed a MAJOR Cut!!! Good God from Zion! She said "I am prepared for what you must do today". So I entail, put my surgical gloves on and proceeded. I accessed, based, relaxed, neutralized, moisturized, conditioned, and detangled. Now here comes the meat of the matter, her hair use to be middle ways of her back. When she arrived on Saturday, her hair had traveled up her back and was all different lengths. As I picked up my surgical shears, her face began to light up like a down-town Christmas Tree(bright). She knew change,a new beginning and a fresh start was about to take place. Being a Certified Cosmetologist for 20 plus years, one thing I KNOW  about hair growth is, "Cuts are a MUST"!! Sweet Baby Jesus!!! It pricked my soul to have to cut her hair, for it was a MAJOR CUT!!! The ends were raggedy choppy and uneven. The word came to me, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.....John 15:2. In order for anyone's hair to GROW properly and healthy it must be trimmed/cut every 6 to 8 weeks. Not doing so, your hair will be stagnant, motionless, dormant, and idle. If in fact you are holding on to dead hair, people, situations, the past or ANY other thing that is hindering you, you will NEVER Grow. "Cuts are a MUST"! My Friends anything that has not produced life, light, positive action or change in this Season has to GO!! Cut it!! Because for growth purposes, the Father WILL. Insanity is doing or staying in something or with someone and things remain the same(folly, absurdity, craziness, unbalanced). Make the Cut!! After completing the CUT, her hair looked better felt better and moved better. Lord help me God! You SEE in order for Growth to take place, our Father has to CUT off ALL things that stunt our motion/movement. The Word goes on to say, "while every brach that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" John 15:2. So by me cutting/pruning off what was bad the productivity of what was left can NOW produce LIFE. That is what the Father(Gardener) is doing, cutting and Pruning so that we will remain in "The Vine". "I am the Vine: you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". John 15:5 

So in essence, what was NOT producing got cut and what was bearing fruit(the hair that was left) will be pruned for GREATER Productivity. From Glory to Glory. 

To Remain in the Vine, "Cuts are a MUST"! Let Him CUT you! QDJ

The cuts are painful but WILL Produce Purpose and necessary Growth! Be Encouraged!! Greater is HERE! 

Shout out to the "Ride or Die"!! Keep it Moving! Oh Yeah!!! Covenant Relationship, oh yes it IS! 

"unFeigned Love, Breeds unFettered PRAISE, Fervently"

"unFeigned Love, Breeds unFettered PRAISE, Fervently"

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  KJV

Unfeigned--sincere; genuine

Unfettered--to free from restraint; liberate

Feverently--having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm

When disappointment tries to birth interruption in or lives, remember that Love Conquers ALL. My Best Friend says all the time, "Love the hell(what is residing in a person) out of people". Even in let down/disappointments that people/situations may try to spill in your lap continue to sow unFeigned Love. Now this task at times can be most difficult, BUT with the full dependency on and in God, it shall be accomplished. On October 1, 2013, the month and season of "Harvest", I was given a job. The career move I have been waiting patiently on for sometime now. I was super excited, jumping up and down crying and thanking God for my Harvest! I began singing, "The Best is Yet to Come"and every other song I could think of pertaining to my Season of Harvest. I texted my Bishop screaming through via text message, something he had preached about, "MY HARVEST HAS COME"!!! Then I said out of my mouth, "Oh Yeah"!!!!  My "unfettered praise was fervent"!! Previously in June I had an interview with  the same company and position, BUT I got a, "Dear Abby" email(while on vacation at the beach) stating I didn't get the position and best of luck in my near future. Really???  Ok, while waiting on a date to start something didn't seem right. I called several times and I even talked to the person whom had copied my drivers license and took possession of my Certified Certification license(what I went to school for). They said "I will call you in a couple of days and give you an attentive date".  Well days went by and no phone call as promised. Was my Praise Unfettered and Fervent??? Answer, YES it was!!! Time went by and 21 days had suddenly come upon me. Study shows that a person can make a change in 21 days. We often fast for 21 days and it brings GRAND change in my life each and every time. Ok, I got up because enough was enough, I got dressed and headed to get some verbal answers because in my Spirit I already knew. When I got out of the car I looked at my calendar it was a Monday, BUT the 21st day. I walked in asked for the person and trust me they were waiting and expecting me, because they had my liscense that I went to school and worked hard for. Got in the office and to make a long story short this person spits disappointment to me out of their mouth while sliding me my liscense across the desk back to me. They said I have given the position to someone else. Oh my!! Not, Oh Yeah!! Really? Unbelievable!!! Oh, Yes IT was!!! I walked out, IN Love, with my knowledge, gift, liscense and my DIGNITY. I said thank you and left. On the onset I was HIGHLY disappointed, BUT I got passed it quick! Oh Yes I DID!!! You see, what God has for "Q" it IS for Me!! That was not for me. Can you still have unFeigned Love and unFettered Praise, Feverently after that?? Yes I DID!!! I couldn't be upset over what wasn't mine!! Because MINE is Pressed Down Shaken Together and Running Over!!! 

I Speak Life and Prophectically OVER myself:

Qua' Sonya that door closed and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has just opened another one. This one is, HUGE, COLOSSAL, MEGA, ENORMOUS, TREMENDOUS, STUPENDOUS, INCREDIBLE and WILL Shift me to a whole New, Next LEVEL!!! Already has!!!

My Brother said to me on yesterday, "There is no Climax without a climb"!! He also said, and I LOVE this one, "The Team Work, makes the Dream Work"!! Grand God from ZION!! You see, this particular situation has put FIRE under me, Oh Yes it has!!! Thank You for disappointing me, the stakes just went UP!! Oh Yeah!! You must ALWAYS Love inspite of, with Praise in your Heart and on your lips. In and with Geinuine Love it will ALWAYS tear DOWN satan's teeney, weeney kingdom. 

"unFeigned Love, Breeds unFettered Praise, Fervently"!!

My Worship is for REAL!! This Devotional is Dedicated to my BEST Friend!!!