I have been a little more intentional lately about getting natural Vitamin D by sitting in the sun while I wait for my train. So on mornings like the one I had today — when I wake up worrying, stressed, and having to drag myself out of bed — I definitely need a little bit of God’s medicine.
Benefits of Vitamin D:
• Helps your body absorb calcium for healthy bones. • Supports your immune system, muscles, and heart. • Can also help boost serotonin, helping you feel good and brighten your day — literally.
Sometimes sunshine, fresh air, prayer, and a quiet moment with God can help more than we realize.
And hey, don’t forget to drink your water. Another mission of mine. Drink my water and mind my business.
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!
Jas removed the last clip-in extension from her hair and stared at her reflection, a full head of curls framing her face. For a moment, she could almost see her younger self standing in the same bathroom, smoke curling from a hot comb as she fought humidity and prayed for a life far away from Valley Hills.
Back then, she thought escape meant freedom.
Now she understood: no matter how far you run, God has a way of bringing you exactly where you need to be.
A loud bang at the door shattered her thoughts.
“Jasmine Marie! Open this door!”
Jas froze. Only her mother used her full name.
She opened the door slowly, but her mother pushed inside anyway.
“You move back and don’t tell me?”
Jas admitted softly. “I didn’t know how to face everybody.”
Her mother crossed her arms. “Face us for what?”
Jas looked around the apartment, boxes stacked against worn walls.
“After Joseph died everything fell apart. I spent so much time running from grief, running from this place.” Her voice cracked. “But I think God brought me back for a reason.”
The anger left her mother’s face almost instantly.
“I told you a long time ago,” she said gently, pulling Jas into a hug. “You can always come back home.”
Outside, tenants had gathered beside the building around folding tables crowded with food and laughter. One by one, old faces recognized her.
“Jas?!”
“Girl, is that you?”
Then someone asked the question she’d been dreading.
“Where’s Joe?”
Jas swallowed hard and told them everything.
When she finished, nobody judged her. They prayed with her, hugged her, fed her, and promised to help restore the building together.
Tanya handed Jas a bowl of baked macaroni and cheese.
One bite in, warm and familiar, and for the first time in a long while… Jas felt home.
Sis, you can always come back home. And sometimes, home is a place where a new you can still have hope and love.
Yesterday, I received a call that alerted me to some upcoming job-related uncertainty I would have to face. As I spoke with my colleague, I reminded him, as well as myself, that God is concerned with everything that concerns us and that He will meet our needs.
After much intercession, my colleague called back and said, “Keep praying,” because one area of uncertainty had already shifted into clarity—an answered prayer. God heard, and God answered.
And there are still some prayers we (yes, I’m talking to you and me) are waiting on—whether for God to answer or to give us the grace to receive His answer.
Uncertainty can bring fear, doubt, stress, and even cause us to freeze. But in this season, I am learning to trust God and His plans to prosper me and not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.
Life is not linear, and life on this side of heaven can feel chaotic and full of storms. But God still cares for us. He desires for us to grow, to thrive, and to receive His love and care.
Our resources may feel shaky at times—less secure than we thought—but as a pastor once said, “God is the source of our resources.” And he was right.
God cannot fail, He does not lie, and He is stable and secure. We can rest in Him because He is always working on our behalf.
So today, during my devotion time, God reminded me again. As I read the Word, both comfort and correction stood out to me—especially in these times of uncertainty in the world and in my own life. God is with us, and He calls us to seek Him.
He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is a present help in times of trouble. And when everything around us feels like it’s shaking and falling apart, He is the One holding us together—preparing us for what cannot be shaken.
Today’s Scriptures:
Acts of the Apostles 2:25 (NLT) “I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT [14] Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Hebrews 12:27-28 NLT [27] This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. [28] Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Reflection
What area of your life feels uncertain right now, and how is God inviting you to trust Him in it?
What would it look like for you to actively seek God while you wait for clarity or answers?
Homeownership, like life, has a way of testing you at inconvenient times.
Graphic Created by Gemini
My kitchen doesn’t look like a grand disaster featured here in this graphic right now—thank God. Yet it surely felt this way upon my discovery.
The dripping sound, a cracked water hose, and the evidence of a familiar staple beneath the sink, now full of nasty water, made my heart sink (no pun intended).
Not another problem.
Not another leak.
Not another issue with this house.
We’ve had plumbing issues before—costly ones that we couldn’t afford. The kind that required parts of the backyard to be dug up, brought stress into the home, and turned what should have been simple into a season of headaches and discord.
And that’s just plumbing, lol. Experiences like that keep you also on high alert. And they teach you afterwhile to be as proactive as you can and how to maintain the sanctity and functioning of your home.
Lately, I’ve been stressed by this chaotic winter, trying to stay patient in my gardening journey, and by a financial surprise—hardly one to welcome and greet with glee—that reinforced my goal to aggressively attack debt.
Standing in my kitchen, I felt the weight of it all at once. Literally. To the point I slowly collapsed.
I’m learning to do small DIYs, but I still feel more comfortable leaving major things, like plumbing, in professional hands. That said, since this was easy to disconnect, I believe I can manage replacing the water hose sprayer tomorrow. Hopefully, it brings a bit of relief.
This is the beauty of homeownership—the real kind.
When things break, you fix them. Sometimes they break at the most inconvenient times.
And over the years, you learn to take one thing at a time.
Sometimes we talk about healing like it’s a straight path, a perfect glow-up, or an isolated quiet spiritual moment. But healing–real healing–is none of those things. And in this season, God is teaching me what healing is not and why this journey too needs grace.
Seven Things Healing Is Not:
🫶🏾 Healing is not linear:
Progress rarely looks like simple forward motion. Sometimes, it’s a zigzag, a series of setbacks, necessary pauses, or even chaotic. And that is perfectly okay. Healing isn’t an easy journey or a straight line; it loops back because God heals in layers.
🫶🏾 Healing is not glamorous:
It’s just not pretty at times and it could leave you feeling like a hot mess. There are days when your glow dims, your soul feels heavy, your reflection is unrecognizable, and you wonder if you’re unraveling instead of recovering.
But sometimes your most “unglamorous” days are the most honest, most holy days, because you’re finally not pretending.
🫶🏾 Healing is not comfortable:
Growth stretches you. Confronting truth humbles you. Letting go breaks you before it frees you. Healing will make you face versions of yourself you thought you left behind — and God will use it all.
🫶🏾 Healing is not always quiet:
Healing can be loud—filled with the sound of tears, raw prayers, honest cries, and the truth you’ve swallowed for too long. Sometimes, it is the audible sound of a heart finally being unburdened after carrying too much for too many years.
You don’t have to be ashamed when your healing gets loud. But do allow God to comfort you and nurture you through the uncomfortable sounds of healing.
🫶🏾 Healing is not a one-time thing:
It is a continuous journey. This is not because God is slow, but because we are complex, layered, and deeply loved. Healing involves revisiting old wounds with new wisdom, new strength, and the fresh understanding that inviting God in can bring.
🫶🏾 Healing is not done in your own strength or wisdom:
You not only need a loving, strong support system, but you need Jesus also as the head and part of that support system for this tough journey.
Real healing requires His presence, His power, His truth, and His grace. You are simply not meant to navigate this process in your own strength.
Healing is a partnership with the Lord, not a solo mission.
🫶🏾 Healing is not void of accountability:
True healing often requires taking responsibility for our choices, setting and enforcing boundaries, and being radically honest with ourselves and others.
Without accountability, genuine growth can stall or even go in circles.
And lastly, we may not be responsible for every pain or trauma, but we are ultimately responsible for our healing process.
Welcome to my Persevere Series. God has been teaching me that perseverance is less about how strong I am and more about how faithful He is. Through these posts, I want to encourage you to keep going, trust His timing, and remember that even small steps count. Perseverance isn’t about perfection — it’s about leaning on God’s strength in every season, whether you’re walking, crawling, or getting back up after a fall.
Reflection:
Have you ever tried to run for a bus with your hands full, hoping nothing spills or falls out of your bag? I have, and sometimes I would miss the bus altogether. Sometimes it was because I didn’t leave on time, and other times because the bus arrived earlier than expected. But one thing I’ve noticed: the run is always easier when I’m carrying less.
That’s how it is in life and in our faith. When we’re weighed down by stress, fear, distractions, worries—or even sin—those weights slow us down. They drain our motivation. They cloud our focus. They make it hard to obey God, to see clearly, and to walk unashamed.
But thank God for Jesus! When we pause and place our burdens in the hands of the loving Savior, the One who both initiates and perfects our faith, He gives us the strength to persevere. He doesn’t just help us carry the load, He offers us an exchange: His yoke for ours. And His is easy, His burden is light.
If you haven’t yet made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. I can testify that even in life’s storms, He has never left me nor forsaken me. He is always near, ready to help and comfort us.
Scripture:
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now, He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Prayer:
Father God, Forgive us for holding onto what You’ve asked us to release. Forgive us for the sin that so easily entangles us. Thank You for Your mercy, for Your forgiveness, and for Your unfailing love. Thank You for the grace that enables us to run with endurance the race You’ve set before us. Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, never ashamed to bring Him every concern of our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Join me on a transformative journey as we explore the depths of healing, growth, and self-love in “Healing Journey: Playing Back Your Mental Tape.” This video was inspired by a post I wrote for my blog in 2021. In this heartfelt video, we discuss how we must address the things on our mental tape because they can shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. From childhood memories of feeling different to navigating adult heartaches, I too bravely share some things that are on my mental tape. But I didn’t just stop there with acknowledging these things. I embarked on a healing journey.
Learn how faith, self-reflection, and open conversations can pave the way for healing and understanding. Together, let’s break free from generational curses and embrace our worth. Like and share this video to inspire others on their journeys.
I run with purpose— Each step I take is traced With footprints of mercy and grace. Even when doubt tries to tag along, And fear whispers in my ear, I place one timid foot before the other, Wipe my eyes, Adjust my gaze So I can see things clear.
Sometimes, I fail, Desperately awaiting hope to appear along the trail. Sometimes, I grow weary. The race leaves me fatigued and dreary.
At times, I forget to lay Down the burdens I was never meant to carry. I pick up heavy baggage along the way— Get lost and make wrong turns, Down roads where I was never meant to tarry. I linger too long on trails My Father told me to leave behind. Yet He still encourages me forward, Keeping me connected to the Vine.
And with time—and lessons learned, And a saving grace so divine, With a word of compass, And mercy, And God’s comforting hands: Steady and kind, I can finish my race, Purposefully, One faithful step at a time.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Life gives us experiences that can provide us with knowledge about living and give us lessons for ourselves as well as others. So, I am always grateful for advice that is from life’s experience, wisdom, genuineness, and compassion.
Here are some of the best pieces of advice I have received:
You can’t please everyone. My mom once gave me this advice. And she was right. And, although I have made major progress in my people pleasing reform, I still have a ways to go in my journey. You can’t please everyone, and everyone may also include those you love. You will go nuts trying to accommodate and please everyone. And even if you set out to try to please everyone, someone still may not be satisfied.
Take one day at a time. I don’t remember where I exactly got this advice, but it is definitely something I have come to learn as well as it is my life’s motto. It is often said to break a large task or goal into smaller tasks or steps as well as to study something in chunks. Life to me should be dealt with in the same manner. Take one day at a time. Do what you can today. Don’t overwhelm yourself or your schedule. Focus. Prioritize. Know when to rest and know when to go. Don’t rush life. You miss important lessons and moments. Don’t skip any steps in your journey of life, healing, etc. Don’t let life’s worries keep you in yesterday or force you in tomorrow (although I know it is easier said than done). Take one day at a time and keep living while doing so.
Do what is best for you. My best friend gave me this piece of advice, and it was words I needed to hear. Let’s put a disclaimer here: it doesn’t mean to neglect your responsibilities or those you love. Or to do what is best for you that will harm someone else. And sometimes, we don’t know what may be best for us, so we need to seek God. Yet choosing you and doing what is best for you is necessary when you know or are learning what is best for you. When you know your deal breakers, goals, and purpose, and you are not going to compromise. When you have to protect yourself and maintain your well-being. When you remember that you are the one who has to live with the decisions you have made. When you remember that your comfort (sans comfort zone) and peace too matter.
Alright, those are my best pieces of advice. I would love to know some of your best pieces of advice.
Tannika Nikeya 