Gardening Update: What I’ve Learned So Far


Just a quick garden update: I have been researching, and yes, using ChatGpt to aid me in maintaining my garden beds and veggies. This is my first time gardening and I was a bit intimidated by the process.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7

I understand that this scripture primarily reminds believers that we are not alone in the work of the Kingdom. Moreover, no one is more superior than the others. Some are called to plant the Word, others to water through discipling, and all of us are called to remain humble because it is God who brings the growth, the success, and the results. Any fruit that comes is by His power alone.

But as I read this scripture, it also helps me to understand that in my gardening venture—and as I plant and water—that it is God that breathes life upon my little garden beds of veggies and herbs.

I’m deeply grateful for the growth that God has brought to my garden beds. I am also grateful for His careful watch over them during this Midwestern cold. Seeing the garlic shoots, thyme, arugula, kale, and more sprout up just before the cold settled in is both satisfying and a relief. 

The only thing I wished I would have understood or did better is structuring the space of the seeds because I have to continually thin the veggies as they grow. This ensures they won’t be bunched up and compete for sunlight or space.

And if you are wondering about the cold, I planted veggies and herbs that can endure the winter season with a little extra support such as frost covers when temps drop too low. And the last time I peeked in on them, those little baby sprouts were doing well. Today, while it is a bit warmer than the previous days, I am going to check them again to see how they are holding up. And I am looking forward to when they are much bigger and fully ready to harvest. 


Reflection:

How does remembering that God gives the increase change the way you view your efforts—both spiritually and practically?

Lessons on Unfulfillment & Growth

Sometimes what people say sparks judgment… or it sparks reflection. Here’s what Ayesha Curry reminded me about fulfillment, identity, and walking with God through it all.

Ayesha Curry is being dragged online for saying she never wanted to be married or have children — that she wanted to be a “career girl.”

It made me think of these statements I heard before: that a curly-haired person often wants straight hair, and the one with straight hair often wants curls. The single woman may envy the married one, and the married woman may envy the single one. You get the point — so many of us wrestle with some kind of discontentment, and we never really know deep down what is going on with someone or what is happening behind the closed doors of their homes.

So, instead of joining the dragging, I felt led to turn this into a moment of reflection — and encouragement.

Ayesha isn’t the first woman to express this kind of longing or unfulfillment. But she must be careful about oversharing and processing deeply personal pain in public spaces. She’s mentioned going to therapy, which is good — but I hope she’s also doing the heart work with God. Because therapy is helpful, but true healing happens when we let Jesus into the process.

When I’ve had to face my own pain, I’ve asked God to show me the root causes — the “why” behind the hurt — and to lead me forward. Healing with Him hits differently.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned that I think we as women — especially Christian women — can remember when we feel unfulfilled or lost:

1. Only God can fulfill you. No person, title, or situation can do what only the Creator can.


2. Nobody can keep you happy forever. Happiness is fleeting. True joy is rooted in God, not in circumstances.


3. Know who you are outside of your roles. You are more than your job, your family, or your church position.


4. Rediscover what lights you up. Don’t get lost in others’ expectations. Find your God-given passions and purpose.


5. Don’t make “the good girl,” “church girl,” or “career woman” your identity. Those are titles, not your essence.

Note: this is not saying go out and sin. It is not saying go out and be wordly. It is not saying that “good girl,” “church girl,” or “career woman,” are bad. But what it is saying is your identity should not be wrapped up in these titles, positions, etc.
Your true identity is found in Christ. And if we fail to maintain perfection, some of us will be crushed under a false standard of perfection that can never be obtained. Instead aim to make right decisions, not forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers, live life on purpose and in purpose. Aim to please God and not man. Aim to live a life that is full and enriched.


6. Embrace all of life’s seasons. The dull and hard ones often teach us the most about ourselves and about God.


7. Evolve and grow. You won’t be the same ten years from now as you are today. Let God continue shaping your heart to reflect His Son.


8. Reinvent yourself if you need to.
If you know you want a simpler lifestyle or to grow more confident, take steps toward creating the life you need — one that also honors God. Maybe you want to freshen up your wardrobe, travel more, or step into your “rich auntie” era — do it! Just check your motives.

Are you doing it to seek validation only, prove something, or outshine someone? If so, pause and reflect. But if you’re doing it because you’re healing, growing, and wanting to live more fully, go for it.

And don’t allow people to box you in. You don’t have to stay stuck in who you used to be or in the image others have of you. Grow, evolve, and glow up — with God leading the way.


9. Develop a heart of gratitude. But don’t neglect the room for grieving the life you thought you should have had, or wanted, or have yet to experience within your healing journey. Sometimes we don’t know what we truly want when we’re younger. Grieving is natural and necessary, but there are things, some so small yet so monumental, to be grateful for.


10. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
And get back to living. Sometimes we need to hear our own pain. And sometimes we need to refrain from constantly rehearsing our pain and get back up and live — living the life that allows us to breathe again. Not perform. Not live in someone else’s image of us. Not constantly going and never stopping to rest and enjoy that which or who is around us.

So be encouraged, Ayesha — and to the rest of the ladies who may also feel lost, unfulfilled, or just need to get off the spinning wheel or out of the box of the world or others’ expectations.

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:

For High School Students

In the dream I had last night, this is what I saw myself saying (I woke up and found my phone to immediately jot it down as it I believe it is encouragement from the Lord, so clock it):

High school may be the  best years for some or the worst years for some. However, may you learn and not just academically what you need to learn, learn to pivot, and navigate storms with wisdom, courage, and God’s grace.

And I will add: May you grow and begin to build the foundations of your future. High school is just a small fraction of your life. Your world is and future will be much bigger than high school. And the best is yet to come. Be encouraged and finish strong. Find your safe, God-appointed tribe that Lavell Harris, my former student and speaker at one of my school sites’s recent graduation, says, “corrects you in private and celebrates you in public.” I pray you have the support, truth, and love to usher you into your God-given destiny. May you start and finish strong. May you not give up, and may you learn who God created you to be, in Jesus’ name, amen.

This is encouragement for our high school youth, and congratulations to the class of 2025 high school graduates!

All Things Autumn🍂

Autumn a.k.a Fall is now my new favorite season!!!!! I love the rich colors, the Fall Season staples like pumpkin spice, Apple Cider, Apple and Sweet Potatoe Pies, and warm sweaters. I also like the sunny, brisk weather. I also like the transformation of nature that reminds us that change can be beautiful and letting go is crucial at times.

Here are some photos of my Autumn season so far. Some of my fall looks, fall foods, drinks and places I have experienced so far.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving now!!!!

While you check out the photos, I also have videos up on YouTube. 


And I also want to know what is your favorite things about Fall?

Note: All photos taken by me except one. Tannika Nikeya

You Get Better

What do you think gets better with age?

Currently, it seems that ageism is increasing, or maybe because of social media, getting more awareness.

Ageism, according to Google, is defined as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age.

It can show up in the discrimination of an elderly person applying for a job, the demonizing of young people when not understood, or the unrealistic expectations placed upon an older or younger woman.

It is scary that younger people are getting messages that they should have everything settled and figured out by 21 and that older people should stop living as soon they turn 60. Or that someone is even old at 35, 40, and there is nothing left in life for them. Assinine thinking. (This is not a license for young people to not apply themselves and start the work to figure things out or live recklessly. Nor is it a license for older people to live recklessly and never mature mentally, emotionally, etc.)

We all, good Lord’s will, get older. Or are supposed to get older. If you wake up each day, getting older is inevitable. And it is NOT a bad thing. It is blessing. Some people leave this earth too soon. Moreover, some people’s dreams, goals and potential go to the grave without being brought to fruition or even to full capacity or total fulfillment.

And that part is disheartening.

So, remember, we all get older and it is a good thing. However, watching yourself change and evolve, moreso physically, can bring about a variety of emotions, and can be scary for some.

But don’t fret. Life gets better, yet.

And what gets better with age, you ask.

You.

Yes, you.

As you get maturer. As you become an adult. And as you become a grown grown person as some say, you should become better.

Not perfect. But better.

Your self awareness should be building. Your true confidence unlocking. You should be growing in wisdom. You should be more accountable and responsible. You should be busy living and not just existing. You should be awakening into the you, God created you to be.

So, with age, you get better. And life should get better. You are learning to live more authentic. You are healing. You are becoming more self-aware. You are unlearning some things to learn the right things. You are learning how to truly take care of you.

You have built up resilience and you have learned to persevere. And for some of us, you have learned when to rest and how to. You have set goals for yourself and maybe not all of them, but some of them. And you are realizing with age, it is not over yet.

Life is just beginning. Or you have come to the middle of your life where there is a plot twist, and you are in for a good treat. Especially with God leading the way.