Welcome, loves, to the P’osies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of “Poetry” and “Stories,” perfectly captures the essence of what we’re about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writers’ cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. We’ll be sharing our own work—from whispered verse to sprawling tales—and we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
Today, we have a fresh new poem being served. Grab your tea or coffee, come on in and enjoy!
Smile & Grace (c) 2025
Written By Tannika Nikeya
Love how you walk by people, acknowledging them with a warm smile—like chai tea’s warm embrace, silently sharing with them God’s amazing grace.
But I notice there is one person who doesn’t receive as many of those smiles, treated as though she were a forgotten child. Can she, too, have that same patience and mercy?
Can you give her that same smile— not just with your mouth, but with your eyes?
Or will the little girl in her continue to feel despised, less than, unseen, unheard, unworthy of love?
Give her your attention Receive His grace His mercy that His unfailing love will trace.
Let her know you see her. Don’t allow her to shrink or hide. Stop, embrace her, and let her smile shine on the inside.
What small act of kindness could you offer today to someone’s unseen heart… and even your own? 💛
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.
Welcome, loves, to the P’osies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of “Poetry” and “Stories,” perfectly captures the essence of what we’re about. In this series, my best friend and fellow writer will join me at our writers’ cafe with our laptops, pens and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes. We’ll be sharing our own work—from whispered verse to sprawling tales—and we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling. Think of this as your favorite local cafe, but instead of coffee, the aroma is of fresh ink and well-worn pages. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and let’s get started. We’re thrilled you’re here.
Today at the P’osies Cafe, we have a poem titled Invisible Tears (c) 2025, written by Tannika Nikeya. Without further ado:
With every invisible tear, she poured out her pain, letting their silence disappear within the drops of the rain. Her eyes filled with disappointment, her heart with grief, she promised the little girl within, one day she’d find relief.
She cradled her dreams in her arms, But with the blink of an eye, they disappeared. With every step she took, she feared, until the fog finally cleared. Sometimes victory waited on the other side, at other times, there was none. She felt stuck, yearning for things time could not give. She began to shrink back when it was her time to live.
But in the midst of it all, her tears reached her Father’s heart. He collected each one from the start. He hovered over her like a drone, when she was in crowded rooms and still felt alone.
He was near, closer than her shadow and her breath. He revived her and gave her life when she wanted to choose death.
When her heart was shattered, And she believed the lie she didn’t matter, when she felt overwhelmed and not good enough, when things get tough, and her sight nags her so, her father reminds her to walk by faith, to be still, and to know That He is God.
He helps her to grow and to heal, and yet, still, He helps her to grieve the self she left behind, and the losses she endures, no matter how hard she grinds. The “what if it never,” And the decisions far from clever, Far from wisdom.
Yet His words and His grace strengthen her faith. Because as complex as life is, her future will still be great. Her destiny fulfilled, She will be all that her younger self could never imagine, and the Father will help her understand it is because He can and He will.
And she will believe– wholeheartedly. Nothing lost. Nothing late. She’s been through hell, but she will be alright, because her Father is great.
He is faithful and trustworthy. He will never let her down. His word does not return to Him void. In it, truth can be found.
And she will believe,
wholeheartedly.
Accompanying Video:
Which line of this poem speaks most to your heart today?
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 rising again.
Reflection
I don’t know if I’ve defined “persevere” in our previous Persevere Series posts, but it’s crucial to understand what it means. According to Google, persevere means “to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.”
Perseverance looks like crawling in faith, taking one day at a time, abandoning perfection, and trusting God. It is leaning into His wisdom, doing things in His strength, and walking in His grace.
But perseverance isn’t always about pushing through, especially when you are sick, overworked, or struggling mentally and spiritually. Sometimes, God calls us to be still and know that He is God. Perseverance can also mean resting in His wisdom and power—allowing Him to restore us, as He did for Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-8). He leads us beside still waters and lets us rest in green meadows.
When God calls us to rest, it isn’t about sleeping all day, but about being intentional with your day—doing things that bring you joy, align with your purpose, and keep you in fellowship with God, yourself, or others. It is also an invitation to abide in Him and to trust Him, even with the unknown. In that rest, He restores and replenishes us—equipping us to face another day, another victory to be won, another storm to endure, and another test to be transformed into a testimony.
Rest clears the clutter in our minds, renews our rhythm, strengthens our bodies, and refreshes our spirits. Rest even allows us to be more productive—because it aligns us with God’s pace, not the world’s pressure.
So, on the days you feel like you must chase perfection and stay busy, answer God’s call to rest. When boundaries, purpose, and God’s presence feel lost in the noise of busyness, pause. Be still. Let God cover you with His love, fill you with His peace, and renew you with His fellowship.
In His rest, you’ll rise rejuvenated—ready to walk in purpose, live with clarity, and stand as more than a conqueror.
Scripture
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3
Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your peace and Your restoration. Thank You that Your love gives me the grace to face each new day and the rest I need. Help me to abide in You as You abide in me. Show me when and how to rest. Help me lean not on my own understanding but to trust You with all my heart. Keep me from filling my days with busyness or striving to please others. Teach me to be still and know that You are God: the One who loves me beyond measure and sustains me daily. I choose to rest in the richness of Your love and provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Welcome, loves, to the P’osies Cafe Series, a new gathering for lovers of language and narrative. Our name, a playful blend of “Poetry” and “Stories,” perfectly captures the essence of what we’re about.
In this series, my best friend, Saneatra, and fellow writer will join me at our virtual writers’ cafe with our laptops, pens, and paper, and a couple of iced mochas or chai lattes.
We’ll be sharing our own work—from whispered verse to sprawling tales—and we invite you to listen, reflect, and get lost in the power of storytelling.
Think of this as your favorite local cafe, but instead of coffee, the aroma is of fresh ink and well-worn pages. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and let’s get started. We’re thrilled you’re here.
Stay tuned for our first work of this series!!! In the meantime, check out my bestie on Facebook and Instagram: Saneatra polk as well as on TikTok, Saneatrap.
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 rising again.”
Reflection
Trials are never easy to endure. The pressure, fear, frustration, discomfort, grief, and worry can make anyone feel like giving up. But let us be encouraged: the testing of our faith produces perseverance. When we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, we are strengthened to press forward. As we hold fast to His Word and promises, we build both resilience and deeper trust in God.
One thing we must always remember is this: whether we are facing a trial or navigating a storm, we can not persevere without God Himself. It is His strength and His Spirit that lift us up and enable us to keep going.
Scripture
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” —James 1:2–4 (NIV)
Prayer
Father God, Grant us the grace to navigate the storms and trials of our lives. Cover us with the blood of Jesus, and remind us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Help us to persevere with joy, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Can I Depend on You” is an intimate conversation with God — asking, believing, and surrendering. When life gets uncertain, His faithfulness remains. A heartfelt Christian R&B song of learning to surrender and trust God.
This Sunday, I stayed home from church — not out of neglect, but out of necessity. With much work and my body being in a lot of pain this week, I listened to my body and followed my heart and took a rest. And sometimes, honoring God means pausing from our usual routines to care for the temple He’s given us. Today was one of those days, a Sabbath for both my body and spirit.
And with that, I was also led to study the Fear of the Lord. So, what is the fear of the Lord? Is it being afraid that God is chasing you down with lightning bolts and drizzles of fire behind every fleeting footsteps?
No. The Fear of the Lord is not about terror. For “Fear of the Lord” the main Hebrew word used in the Bible is:
יִרְאָה (yir’ah) — pronounced yeer-AH
Root: יָרֵא (yare) — to fear, revere, or stand in awe.
Meaning: Reverence, respect, deep awe, piety.
It’s an awareness of God’s holiness that shapes your behavior and keeps your heart humble before Him. With the Fear of the Lord and God’s love, God wants us to run to Him, not away from Him.
Before I go any further, I want us to read Psalm 34. Then we will walk through what God says about the Fear of the Lord in His Word.
Psalms 34:1-22 NLT [1] I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. [2] I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. [3] Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. [4] I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. [6] In my desperation, I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. [7] For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. [8] Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! [9] Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. [10] Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. [12] Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? [13] Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! [14] Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. [15] The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. [16] But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. [17] The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [19] The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. [20] For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! [21] Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. [22] But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
In Psalm 34, David, who pretended to be crazy in front of Abimilech to escape danger, gives his praises and testimony, gives an invitation to experience God’s goodness, gives instruction in the Fear of the Lord and lastly, details God’s care for the righteous.
But let’s delve deeper into the Fear of the Lord. What does God say about it further:
Proverbs 9:10: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (NLT)
Proverbs 1:7: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (NLT)
Proverbs 3: Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (NLT)
Hebrews 12:28: [Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (NLT)
Proverbs 29:23 & 25: [23] Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. [25] Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. (NLT)
Psalms 105: 1-8: Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (NLT)
Now that we have read some scriptures on our topic of study, let’s bring it home with the five pillars of the Fear of the Lord.
The 6 Pillars
Protection – Fearing the Lord is a safeguard, placing you under God’s loving protection. Corresponding scriptures: Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 19:23)
Knowledge – True understanding begins with reverence for Him. (Proverbs 1:7)
A Heart of Praise, Reverence, and Respect – At its core, the fear of the Lord is respect, reverence, and honor. It’s an attitude of worship that shapes everything we do. (Psalms 2:11; Psalms 33:8; Psalms 130:2-5; Psalms 105:1-8)
Wisdom – Discernment and right choices flow from fearing the Lord. (Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28)
Dependency Upon God – Fearing the Lord means trusting Him completely, rather than relying on our own limited understanding. I’m reminded daily that without God, I can do nothing. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6; Psalm 130:5)
(I forgot this one during the initial writing stage) Godly Sorrow – Godly sorrow is true repentance, and with it comes the fear of the Lord. Because He is holy and worthy of honor, our hearts—growing in spiritual maturity—will turn away from the things that keep us from drawing closer to Him and dwelling in His presence. (James 4:9)
Why does the Fear of the Lord Matter Today?
In a world that encourages self-reliance and pride, the Fear of the Lord keeps us humble, safe, and aligned with truth. Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. As believers, we are to recognize God’s power and holiness and respond accordingly. We must value what He says over what the world says, putting Him first and acknowledging His authority. We worship Him in spirit and in truth, not because He has an ego, but because our spirits respond to His character and His unfailing love. Ultimately, this leads to obedience. We want to honor Him in everything we think, say, and do. Living a holy life is a challenge, but with God’s grace, we can do it one day at a time.
Action Step
Take a moment today to ask yourself: in what ways am I showing respect, reverence, and honor to the Lord in my daily life?
Also, check out the corresponding video up on YouTube now!
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.
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.
Tannika Nikeya 