Throwback Thursday Poetry Time: Current Situation

I wrote this poem years ago and released it in my 2015 book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me.

As I read it now, I realize life often seems to go in circles, and the world is so broken. I am grateful, though, that I have an anchor of hope and a Comforter within who reminds me of His love and care and that He will always be there.

These may have been things occurring some years ago, but they, and much more, are still going on today. I wrote this when I was looking at a broken world. Years later, I realize I am not exempt from that brokenness either. I have experienced my own struggles, imperfections, disappointments, and moments of fear. But through it all, God has continued to be my anchor.

Without further ado, here is one of my older poems that still seems to be the current situation.

Current Situation

Sink holes all over our land

But it’s not the only thing falling apart or sinking in

As our country gets farther from God

And more comfortable with sin

City officials on trial for scandals and deceit

Suicide is on the rise because of inner despair and defeat

Black men are being killed out of fear and hate,

Leaving families behind

Our children walking around with violence On their minds

Negative hustles are growing destructively strong

Begging is tough

And even our little girls are tremendously rough

For the poor, resources are scarce

But for the rich, they are not

Our nation is experiencing moral decay

And the core of family has begun to increasingly rot

College tuition increasing

And right along with debt

Sanity decreasing Right along with soul’ identity theft

The devil doesn’t just want to steal your mind

he hopes to put your soul in a bind

Living within the realms of the city

Cost too much too

Old ways, old things, old habits,

We need something new

Spiritual battles, internal wars

Aids cases rise as he/she scores

Emotions are cold

The wicked are bold

The hurt hurts

The confuse confuses

The dead walks

The gossiper talks

Oil prices rise

Then fall

The cost of bread is increasing

Hunger won’t stall

Politicians cheat and lie

Keepin’ up with the Joneses has gone wild

As we scram to get someone else’s life and style

That we cannot buy

We can’t even afford to die

Babies are being abused

Women coming up missing

Young children are being targeted with perversion and used

Children growing up fast

Childhoods don’t last

Life was hard

And is much harder now

For those who think they don’t have anything to lose

They throw in the towels

Nothing new on the news

It’s the same corruption, murder, and crime

Horror and fake stuff on TV helps to desensitize us

And it’s all about me and mines

Liars and disloyalty help us to distrust

It seems like this nation is on a collision course to hell

But the Kingdom of God will prevail

We, siblings of Christ, are the salt of the earth

And the light of the world

Have we been walking in God’s authority, His word

To push back darkness in the lives of every man, woman, boy and girl?

Have we erected altars of prayer to God

And welcomed His presence over and in our land?

Have we straddled the fence or are we taking a stand?

Have we emerged in selfishness, sugar coating, and pride?

Have we impacted the nations or are we still asleep?

Selah

Light Up Your Heart (Get Back Up)

Just some encouragement for you today:

Get back up. And don’t give up.

My Poem — Light Up Your Heart (Don’t Give Up)

You have dimmed your light for too long
That you have adjusted your vision to the dark.
Now I’m going to need you to open up your heart.


And see yourself the way God does.
You need to be brave.
I know the world seems to cave
In, on all sides.
I know you feel like you are falling apart
But you will rise to the top
And all your pieces will come together
From a version of you that is healed and better.


Don’t give up.
And don’t let go of His hand.
He will give you the wisdom and grace to stand.
Don’t give up.
Don’t give in.
Take one day at a time
Until you land
Where God is taking you to expand
And be full of His joy.


You’ve been feeling like a failure
But trust — you are going to win.
You won’t be the same tomorrow as today
Don’t give up
You will eventually be okay.

Video:

Still in the Christmas Spirit!

I’m still in the Christmas spirit and our tree is still up. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Praying for peace and comfort for many of us who have lost loved ones, going through a hard time financially, or experiencing depression in this season.

God bless you!

Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

Getting Back To Self

Right now, you may be at the part of your journey where you have discovered that you are wanting more or even less. You may have lost your motivation or inspiration. You may be burnt out or overwhelmed. You may be leaking emotionally and much stuff is coming to the surface waiting for your discovery, acknowledgement, and healing. You may be comparing or desperately trying to create a bucket list. Your insecurities may be screaming and your career may be looking at a different you than when you first started, causing you to feel a change is necessary. Whether you are 22 or 42, or even 62, you are coming to the realization that there is more to life but the only one that can fulfill you is God. And the only one who needs you to heal the most is you because you are with you and in your skin 24-7.

I think when you get to this part of the journey, you are really looking for you. Who are you really? And what do you need here on out as you heal, grow and prepare for new seasons in your life. It is time to get back to self. Meet your authentic self. See yourself the way God does. Live life where His voice is first and yours is second.

Getting back to self requires unlearning old things that need to be unlearned. It requires healing, humility, honesty, and patience. It requires also analyzing and sometimes resetting your motives and intentions. It requires self-care, self-love, and setting boundaries. It requires being vulnerable and healing the little person inside from the trauma you have endured since birth or even since the womb. It requires time and work as well as acknowledging all of you, including your flaws and parts that you feel are unlovable. It requires gratitude and making peace with self where necessary. It requires allowing God to help you to navigate through your healing journey.

It requires you to be present and you to be you, the you God knew before you were even in your mother’s womb and the you He desired and destined for you to be.

Feel free to leave your comments below. And if you need prayer, please indicate so and we will pray for you.

Things To Not Say…

Someone may be experiencing a loss, burnout, anxiety, depression, consistent stress. And when someone expresses his/her heart, issue or struggle, offer compassion and a listening ear. (If saved) Let the Holy Spirit lead you from there.

But do not say these things:

Just pray about it.

Stop saying that.

Everyone has anxiety.

Be strong.

These statements can sound dismissive. They can sound insensitive. How do you know the person isn’t praying and that fight to get out of the bed or talking with someone was the answer to their prayers. Yes, sometimes a person saying things out of habit or unloading on another can be frustrating or even overwhelming. When it is too much, you have the right to protect your boundaries and your own mental health. However, don’t leave your compassion to the wayside.

Don’t tell someone “everyone has anxiety or depression right now”. You took the focus off of the person needing someone to listen and put the focus on everyone. It seems dismissive and one can be left feeling that they should have never said anything. Even moreso, one can feel like what he/she feels doesn’t matter or isn’t of concern. “If everyone else is dealing with this why I am complaining. Just deal with it.”

“Be strong.” As if expressing yourself and struggling is a sign of weakness. And one must learn to process everything they feel instead of ignoring it.

In any event, let us show compassion. Not every time someone needs advice but if you must, use wisdom, preferably Godly wisdom. And most importantly, listen. Sometimes, people just want to be heard and some of us are doing the work to overcome. We just need perhaps a hug (upon permission), a prayer or encouragement, patience, or just to be seen and heard.

Merry Christmas And A New Year Is Loading…

This year went by quick but seemed so long. It is like 2021 copied and pasted 2020. The struggle was real. And we are continually learning to deal with the new normal. I was going to do a post about my year in review with more pictures, but naw. I don’t need to post anymore selfies or photos or make it all about me. This year was stressful and blessful at the same time for me and I bet for many of you all also, and that’s that. I just pray as we approach a new year that the things we need to fall off fall off so we can walk lightly and respond well in this new year as well as receive what God has for us. And learn what we need to learn to pass some tests and overcome some more things. I pray for those of us struggling with anxiety and depression to pack on courage to keep going and to take one day at a time, trusting God all the way.

Anyway, I am elated to say if you are reading this that you and I both made it to December and we are close to a new year. Although our finances may not be where they need to be, we still have a roof over our heads and food on our tables. Although we still have some more healing to do along our healing journey, we have come a long way. This year was not easy. It was stressful and heavy. This year also, I anticipated feeling depressed again on my birthday (12/10), but I actually felt ok. I even looked better despite having Covid and being in quarantine. My entire immediate family had Covid with mild symptoms and towards the end of our quarantine, we believe we also got food poisoning. But we are well today and grateful.

I know the holidays may be hard for some and many are going through right now, but I pray you have a joyous day. I pray you hear laughter, feel loved, and reach out to someone that God has just for you to touch your heart and lift your spirit and vice versa. I pray you have enough to eat. I pray that you remember those lost loved ones with a smile and that you understand that it is okay to grieve too. I pray that you are healthy or getting well. I pray that you start new traditions like watching a Christmas movie that you will watch every Christmas. Or cook a new dish and share it with your elderly neighbor or single mom. I pray that you embrace yourself through your healing journey and take one day at a time. I pray you won’t be so hard on yourself and know that you are worthy and loved by God, the Great I Am.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Christmas In The Winter Available Now At Amazon

Bring It To The Surface Bible Reading Plan

We lose a lot of things along the way in our journeys of life like confidence and hope, and sometimes ourselves. Some of us are fighting to regain our health mentally or physically. Some of us are carrying loads of pain and hiding behind masks, no pun intended. But God! He wants us to heal. He wants us to grow. He wants us to be free. I am so excited to bring to you this Bible Reading Plan titled after my latest book, Bring It To The Surface. So, grab your bible and I pray you allow God to bring some things to the surface so that your healing and recovery can start today. And for those already on your healing journeys, I pray this encourages you to not abandon the process and to seek and trust God one day at a time. It is a five day reading plan and its purpose is to guide you towards seeking God for your healing and recovery. So, welcome and enjoy, and let’s draw near to God who loves us beyond measure.

To get the Bring It To The Surface Bible Plan, please subscribe below to our email list for updates, giveaways, new book announcements and more. Your email will not be shared with any third parties.

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Available now on Amazon!

Bring It To The Surface