Don’t let this season or the enemy’s forces cause you to shrink or go back.
A crushing season and a future that looks impossible can make you want to go back to Egypt. But keep moving forward, trusting in the Lord. His love and promises will prevail, because His love is unfailing and His Word cannot return to Him void.
Hold on to God a little tighter. Keep it real with God. Bring Him all the contents of your heart. He can handle it. And gather His Word concerning every circumstance. And sometimes faith requires us to be still, yet sometimes faith requires us to move. May we have the discernment to know the difference and the courage to act accordingly.
I’m looking forward to your testimonies and mine, even within these last four months of this year.
So, I think I am going to start a new series titled Throwback Thursday Poetry Time showcasing my older poetry. Come alongside me as I reintroduce my older poems and muse over my writing throughout the years. Let’s take a little trip through the archives. ✍🏾📖
Today’s poem comes from my first published book and is its namesake.
This poem was written during a season where I was learning to build my confidence as a writer, my voice as a person, and share with others a gift I thought was only for me.
Writing throughout the years became a place where I could explore emotion, imagination, healing, faith, and creativity. I began to understand that poetry isn’t simply something I write. It is an art form and a gift—one of the ways I can share what God has placed within me with others.
And when I wrote this poem, I believe I wanted to convey that expression and creative writing has allowed me to not only express myself and explore emotions and ideas, but also take the things I was afraid to say aloud and give them words through writing, especially poetry. It carries a freedom to do so also. I wanted to give myself permission to release the words of creativity, lessons, encouragement, wisdom and stories. That is a captive being set free.
For those of us who needed the reminder during a time of uncertainty or while facing some kind of hardship:
God takes care of His.
Don’t doubt that your Heavenly Father has your back. He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.
And that doesn’t mean hard times won’t come. It doesn’t mean we won’t experience uncertainty, lack, disappointment, or seasons where we don’t understand what God is doing.
It means we are not alone in those seasons.
God is there in the midst of them, caring for us, sustaining us, providing for us, and giving us what we need to keep going.
Psalm 37:25 reminds us that God’s faithfulness is not based on whether life is easy. David was speaking from a lifetime of experience. He had seen hardship, but he had also seen God’s faithfulness.
So if you’re in a difficult season today, don’t mistake the hardship for God’s absence. God takes care of His.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread. –Psalm 37:25
“The best person to take care of the old you is the young you.” — Smart Money Bro (Eric)
At the end of each video from Smart Money Bro, I’ve come to anticipate hearing him share his signature line.
His advice and financial literacy content are reasons why I decided to continue watching his channel and eventually follow him. But his signature line is another reason why I enjoy his channel. It serves as a reflective reminder to keep your future self in mind, and that you can start taking care of him or her today.
And that’s exactly what I am going to do. It can be difficult to have conversations and reflections about finances, health, and preparing for the future because of the weight of these topics. Yet they are crucial. Implementing healthy habits, making wise changes, and becoming a good steward of your life are all part of taking care of the older you—the one waiting years from now.
My channel has focused on faith, mental health, healing, purpose, stewardship, and more. I want to encourage others as well as myself that every stage of life calls us to live simply, fruitfully, and purposefully.
Do understand that preparing for the next season doesn’t mean missing the one you’re in. It means being fully present today while faithfully stewarding tomorrow. There is joy to be found in the current season even as you prepare for the next.
And in every season, God helps prepare us for the next one.
That preparation often requires hope—the flicker of hope that rests in the center of your heart. It requires your experiences, your willingness to unlearn some things to learn new things, reflection, planning with God’s wisdom, patience, and taking it one day at a time.
It also requires proper stewardship over every area of life: your health, finances, relationships, career, time, healing journey, thoughts, and more.
Growing older is a privilege. And when that season comes, you want your older self to thrive and breathe in the benefits of the seeds you planted when you were younger.
Life will still happen, but you can be better prepared to navigate it with greater wisdom, better health, and a greater sense of wholeness.
Your older self will thank you.
So start stretching today.
Start doing what you can to pay down your debt.
Start doing what you can to invest in your future.
Start eating healthier.
Start setting boundaries.
Start decluttering mentally and physically.
What will you start doing today that your older self will thank you for later? To check out Smart Money Bro’s channel, please visit:
I’ve been a little more active on YouTube lately but will get back here soon.
In the meantime, I invite you to join me on YouTube. You’ll find simple moments from everyday life, gardening, nature, faith, and a new series of reflections titled Live Simply.
I guess I have been Martha’ing for too long. Burned out. Tired. Stressed. Overwhelmed. And sometimes that’s when those old thoughts come back to visit. I pour out my tears to God for relief and I reach for Him spiritually to cradle me because no one is coming to save me or relieve me but Him. And sometimes I get scared and think He won’t come or come in time. Does this sound familiar?
But then you are reminded that He has come before and a flicker of hope turns back on and begins to get stronger. And you see His hand in the midst of darkness reaching out for me. And the light gets stronger. And all the tears that fell begin to dry up with breaths of relief.
There is a time and a place for everything but in this season Jesus wants you to sit with Him. Like Mary. And in every season actually, take time to sit with him. Rest in Him. Know that your worth isn’t predicated upon your titles or performance. You dont have to earn His love. He wants you to serve and give but not without His guidance, wisdom and love. Not with regret or resentment. Not in your own strength and unto burnout and weariness. He wants you to remember that rest is important. Trusting in Him is important. Depending on Him is necessary. And that He loves you with an unfailing love.
This week I plan to be still in my spirit and sit at His feet. And receive His love and Word. And to let His peace permeate my soul full of His providential care.
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-30)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (Peter 5:7)
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
The books may not sell. The readers may be few. The support may not always be there.
Still, don’t give up.
God blessed you with the ability to create.
You are bringing to fruition all that you are learning, imagining, growing, encouraging and leaving something behind to be read, received and treasured.
There is something special about seeing the end result of what you finally created and released courageously.
The sales may come. The recognition may come. The readers may come.
But don’t miss the joy that is already in your hands and heart.
7 Words of Encouragement for Women in This Season 🌹
Give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Not every season is for producing. Some seasons are for healing, learning, and becoming.
Stop trying to pour from an empty cup. It’s okay to see about you too. When you do, you show up more authentic, capable, grateful, and present.
Protect your peace. Not every conversation requires your participation, and not every opportunity requires your yes.
Navigate dating with intention. Remember that you are precious. God does not need you to compromise your values to receive His best for your life. Trust Him with your heart and His timing. What He has for you will never require you to dishonor someone else’s marriage or take someone else’s place.
Celebrate the small victories. Growth often happens quietly before it becomes visible.
See yourself the way God does. Your worth is not determined by others. He deemed you worthy before He placed you in your mother’s womb. So show up today—and begin to bloom.
Remember that you can always come back home. Sometimes home is a place where a new you can still find hope, healing, and love.
Looking for stories, poetry, and life lessons that encourage women through every season?
Download your FREE copy of the Valley Hills Apartments Digital Series, where women share laughter, lessons, reflections, and wisdom gathered along the way.
Because sometimes the best wisdom comes from women who have walked through the valley and are still learning to keep their eyes on the hills.
Sometimes, the best wisdom comes from women who have walked through the valley and are still learning to keep their eyes on the hills. Welcome to our new series: Valley Hill Apartments!
This week, we will have no featured story or poem as it is Mother’s Day weekend. The writers and ladies of Valley Hills Apartments Series pray that you have a blessed and beautiful Mother’s Day.
We also send our sincere prayers up for those who have lost their children or who have lost their mothers.
Tannika Nikeya 