Pass Me a Cookie

I recall a wonderful beautician I had when I lived in Texas.  Every time I walked out of her shop, I looked like I had the best hair style in town.  But not only did I get my hair done; I got my head done too.  She always deposited positive words of wisdom in me.  One day I told her about an incident with my son and the discipline that followed from his father.  As I shared this with my beautician, she simply told me wait until your husband is finished then go give your son a cookie.  Not a literal cookie, but the motherly love that will remind him that discipline comes because we love him.  The cookie represented the encouragement and love needed to move on from that moment.    And on a side note, when my mother disciplined me, she used to say, “This hurts me more than it hurts you.”  I never believed that until I became a mother and my own child needed discipline!

Discipline, correction, even constructive criticism does not feel good; however, it is a necessary part of the process of building character, building hope, and helping you pursue your destiny and reach your goals. — Pass Me a Cookie

Be aware of your inner voice that often questions “Can I?” “Will I be able to…?”  Do not allow it to keep you from doing you. – Pass Me a Cookie

On your journey to success, there will be obstacles, but continue to pursue.  I remind you to stand firm and prepare yourself to go forward.

What is your cookie?  What keeps you with a positive mindset focusing on what lies ahead?  Is it your faith in God?  Is it knowing that the Bible says that you can, with faith, tell the mountain to move out of your way and it will move?  (Paraphrased from Mark 11:23).  Maybe your cookie is knowing that the Bible says in Matthew 19:26 with God all things are possible. 

Maybe your cookie is your determination to be a change agent, to be the one to make a difference?  If so, recall this famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi, you must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Nothing is accomplished as you sit idly wondering and wishing.  Get up, bake the cookies AND pass them around.  Allow your excitement and determination to be contagious.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Implode or Explode?

As the scaffolding comes down, don’t let it implode and cancel your plans, your vision, or your goals.  When it is identified and your decision has been made, stand firm and hold fast to your decision not allowing discouragement to cause you to waver.  Be prepared for discouragement, it will come and it will come in many forms:  family, friends, procrastination, fear, the weather, etc.  Discouragement can cause the walls of the scaffolding you have fought so hard to bring down to implode canceling what you have worked so hard for.

How do you respond?  Do you implode also or do you stand in the face of adversity, in the face of discouragement and declare I will face the challenge; I will speak to this mountain and go forth to reach my destiny, my goal, and accomplish the purpose God has planned for me.

Standing firm strengthens your will and your faith.  Believe in yourself and your successes just as God believes in you and the plans he has purposed for you that will give you a future and hope.

I leave you to ponder this familiar poem by Langston Hughes…

A Dream Deferred
Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

I hope this message inspires and challenges you to stand firm, push through and anticipate the explosion of your vision and your dream into reality.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Spring Renewal

Greetings!

Returning to my blog after a lengthy hiatus, I continue to use scaffolding metaphorically as a person, a situation, an illness, or anything that you can identify as something in or around your life that needs to come down. During this time away, I completed a Master’s Degree, moved to new city, and accomplished a few other tasks that were set before me.  Now I suggest that during this season of renewing and refreshing, allow your soul and spirit an opportunity to reconnect with God. 

There is a quote that says, “A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.”  My personal experience is that the initial step towards my goal takes great faith, but it is that step of that faith that leads to an outcome better than I ever expected.  Let me give you an example.

It was a great accomplishment in my life when I obtained my Bachelor’s degree so when the idea was presented to pursue a Master’s Degree, it felt so far away, almost unreachable; however that first step of faith led to the planning, the preparation, and ultimately the realization of that magnificent goal.

Whatever your goals, wishes, or aspirations, take the first step of faith towards fulfillment.  Tear down the scaffolding of doubt, indecision, and fear and let there be a spring time in your life where your dreams and plans bloom and the rivers of your thoughts flow fresh with new ideas.

Mount up with wings as eagles and soar…

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Bringing the Walls Down

I have metaphorically used scaffolding, a wall that encloses or supports a building or structure, throughout my writing and I continue that theme here.

There comes a time when the walls of scaffolding need to come down.  Is there a wall of scaffolding that is surrounding you?  Perhaps it is even holding you back from your forward progress.  It takes faith to move beyond the walls of the scaffolding.  It takes faith to move from the walls of certainty into an area of uncertainty.  It takes faith to move from the safety and assurance of the known into an area of unknown.  It takes faith to see beyond today and look towards a brighter tomorrow.  It takes faith to choose path A over path B.  You may ask, which way is my most prosperous future?  You may wonder which way promises healthy living.  You may ask the Lord, which way is the plan You have for my life?  If I am to walk in the will of God, which path should I take?

Matthew 7: 13-14 lays part of it out for you.  From the NKJV it says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  In this parable, the broad path symbolizes the myriad of choices, feel good moments, and quick fixes but they each lead to an end of destruction.  The narrow way sounds like it may be hard to get through but it is, however, wide enough for all that choose it.  This path is for those that choose to place God first and follow his plan for your future.  The narrow path leads to a life of purpose and hope with an expected end.

It may take reaching beyond our familiar comfort zone, but reach out, press forth, make a difference.  God bless you.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

May Thoughts/June Thoughts

May Thoughts
The foundation is built and what goes in the foundation helps solidify the structure that will sit on top of it.  If your foundation is solid, if it has been laid with love, compassion, and making right choices, then your life will reflect righteousness and purposeful living.  I have heard it said, “Do what’s right because it’s what’s right.”

It was Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the anniversary of the passing of my brother.  My previous message of removing the scaffolding of grief applied to me repeatedly throughout the month.  It was a necessary to remove that part of the scaffolding that suffocated like a shroud.  The light came in and the sweet memories were once again revealed. 

Mother's Day is one of the many occasions we are given to reflect on our mother’s love and the support we were given over the years as well as the impact she had on our lives making us who we are today.  I remember my mother having the heart and the wisdom to see in me my strengths and hopes yet supporting me in my difficult times.  What do you remember about your mother?  If she is still here, when did you last speak to her, shared a pleasant thought?  If she is not still here, think of your fondest memory now and allow the light from your scaffolding to shine through.

June Thoughts

Be a person of integrity.
Hold on to your integrity.
Your plan, your goal, your ultimate desire should be to live a life of integrity.
Never allow falsehoods and negativity to engulf you.
Who are you when the scaffolding comes down?
When the walls are bare, and there’s no one there?
Who are you?
Where do you stand?
Do you have an unbreakable grip on integrity?

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

The Lord is My Shepherd

Have you read the 23^rd Psalm?  I mean REALLY read it.  Not simply recite it from memory but I mean have you read it, absorbed it, digested it…it is GOOD!

 ATTENTION!!            ATTENTION!!           ATTENTION!!

I draw your attention to this Psalm because it has often been the foundation of our Bible reading and recitation.  Many important points about this psalm should be read and absorbed into your spirit.  Join me as we read this Psalm again….together….for the first time.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

This psalm is written by a shepherd (David) who served as King about The Shepherd, the King of Kings (Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).

The job of a shepherd is to take care of and lead sheep.  Sheep are known for not being the smartest animal and therefore need a shepherd to take care of them.  Likewise, Psalm 100:3 says that We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  As sheep, we also need caring for and just as the shepherd tends to every one of his flock; likewise The Shepherd tends to and cares for every one of His flock.
The 23^rd Psalm declares the goodness of God as the Shepherd caring and providing for us, his sheep.  As we trust God for our cares, we will not need anything.
The Lord is my Shepherd-I trust him, He is able and he does take care of me
He provides us green pastures – not dry, barren wasteland
Still waters yet not stagnant or rough stormy but fresh, spring water to quench our thirst.
Restores my soul as opposed to leaving me down and lost.  He restores us, revives us, refreshes us.
Shadow of death – there is no need to fear a shadow, it cannot hurt you.  Even at the end of my days, I have no need to fear because God has promised his comfort and protection.
Prepares a table in the presence of my enemies – although it may seem I don’t have all I want, I do have all I need.  My necessities are provided.  People or situations that seek to destroy me will not succeed because again, He is my protection.
Anoint my head with oil- the oil symbolizes the most precious gift for the most precious person
My cup runs over – not just enough to get by but blessings, comfort, and protection more than I expected or anticipated or probably even deserve. 

Goodness and mercy – our guardian angels are always with us
Dwell in the house of the Lord forever- When all is said and done here, the Lord has a special place for me to live n eternity with him.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Lift Every Voice...

By God’s grace we come to the close of another Black History month, I admonish you to forge on through this day and the days ahead recalling the significance of the many contributions by Black Americans to this country…the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Then I admonish you to realize with open eyes and open heart that we, as a people, have not arrived.  Many forward steps have turned into backward steps but we must push forward.

There are many pioneers currently striving for the end to racial tension and bulldozing down the racial divide.  There are many who are striving for voter equality.  There are many fighting for social service programs to care for our elderly and educate our children.  We need to stand with these pioneers and many others.

If your voice is a political voice, then by all means politic.

If your voice is an educator, then by all means teach.

If your voice is a caregiver, then by all means treat.

If you are a creator, inventor, artist, then by all means, do it.

If you are a child finding your way, then by all means listen, search, and explore.

Perhaps you choose to adorn yourself in the African brocade garments and elegant African dress and coat to represent your culture as we did on a Sunday during Black History Month.

Whatever your voice, lift it; whatever your gift, let it be heard, let it be seen.  Are you an athlete? Perhaps you are a strategic thinker? Does the power of your words motivate people to action?  Are you a great listener? Write down your dreams, your hopes, your talents.  Write it down so you can see it and work on it.  “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

Never forget where we have come from and prepare for the journey that lies ahead.

Our struggles may not look great at the moment but through God’s grace we will come out shining like pure gold.

Use the gifts and talents you have to make a difference in your home, your community, your nation.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown