thirTeeN

My son turned THIRTEEN this week!

We all know this happens – kids grow with time, but still I wonder, how has so much time flown by already? He is a kind heart, and such a delight, this manChild of mine…ever ready to help and so funny!

He said I would now have to “look up to him”! He is taller than me and most likely will very quickly be much taller than me!

He and his sister are among Heaven’s best gifts to me! I AM so fortunate and thankful to be gifted with them. In happy, sad, delightful or difficult moments, we know we have each other.

I shared the Scripture that was on my heart for him, this birthday…words I learned as a young child. These words are found in the Fourth verse of the Fourth Chapter of the Book of 1 John in the Holy Bible. It states, You can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them (evil forces), for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world.

It’s a reminder that no matter what comes against us, we will overcome. We will be alright. We have the Divine on our side and can defeat darkness.

The kids and I are enjoying and wrestling through this journey…it’s both-and…still…always. Here for it all.

Hope you’re fully embracing all the moments in and with your village. Light and Love to you!

Common Day Hero: You are a Light of Heaven to all whom you meet. I’m grateful to have been seated near you, so we could begin a friendship. EmilyP, I dedicate this post to you.

rickshaw

How many times have we traveled a path without realizing what was so close…within reach even, but just barely out of view?

I traveled past a shopping center for almost five months without ever seeing what was in “plain sight” – a lovely rickshaw! Yes, a rickshaw!

It’s parked in front of a local bicycle shop every day during business hours. And EVERY day for months, I traveled past it, almost on a daily basis and missed it!

I happened to be coming out of the shop next door one day and was so surprised at the sight!

I can’t begin to express my joy at this reminder of home. It was such a delight riding a rickshaw as a kid ~ to the market, to see a friend, just because my sister wanted to ride!

What (or who) has been in “plain sight” for you but ya only now seeing? Don’t fret – no worries at all here. The timeline is secure because the Divine plan is ever-unfolding.

Everything in its time!

The Divine has us…and every move, every pause, every step is full of purpose.

Common Day Hero: Your work isn’t going unnoticed. The way you diligently serve your family is seen and so appreciated. All that you carry in your heart is felt/known/shared by the Divine. Today, I dedicate this post to you, Aunty Ferida.

 

Jael (Yah-el)

Yeshu has been preppiN me for a very long time. Still/always preppiN. And I’m still failing…always forward! Still standing on HOPE (heavenly oxygen permeating earth)!
Growing up, I didn’t want to be female because I saw how much freedom males had. Females couldn’t go out past evening. Females had to dress a certain way. Females couldn’t be “loud”. On and on the list went that seemed to be slanted against females.
Therapy, journaling, prayer/meditation, some difficult friendships, books/articles and workshops over the course of time opened the door for me to embrace my feminine side. It looks different for all of us. I AM now so full of joy to be a woman…to see that it doesn’t hinder me in any way. I AM free to be me!
In December, twenty-eighteen, I met a woman and her husband for the first time.
As soon as I met them, I saw a vision of a Bible story I’d heard like a hun’ed times, growing up.
I saw the Red Sea parted…I saw Moses (staff in his hand) and both hands raised. I said to the couple, raise your hands in victory now (not literally, but ya know!) because just like The Divine parted the Red Sea, you will see and experience something similar. The Divine will part the Red Sea on your behalf.
Sidebar: when I’m sharing a word, feeling, vision or dream with someone, I typically say I’m a flawed human so whatever I see or share, just take what resonates with you. Any vision/dream/words that I share are simply an offering placed on the table for the taking…or not! I’m completely aight with it because I whole-heartedly believe the beauty of love is choice!
And I also don’t always see or feel things exactly as they will happen. Sometimes, I don’t accurately express what I see or feel. So, I practice the same. When someone shares, I make note of the whole piece, but I immediately take what resonates and set the rest aside (for a later time).
In August, twenty nineteen, we saw each other again at a party. As soon as we hugged, she said, you are Jael (Yah-el)! A flash back to childhood days in Sunday School. I said, yeah, I know the story. I asked if she’d be alright exchanging phone numbers and staying connected. She said sure!
As soon as I shared the vision that day, she hugged me and we cried together. I’m an empath. I could feel the weight of her pain. She shared that she had recently experienced a deep loss. That was it. We went our separate ways. Anytime she came to mind, I’d say a prayer. Sometimes, I’d just close my eyes and send love her way.
That day, soon as I got home, I wrote up a little modern-day, lali-version of the story. I thought I have a message hopefully empowering if I’m ever asked to speak! Just had the honor of sharing it this week!
I AM Jael.
The Hebrew pronunciation of the name is Yaa-el/Yah-el.
In Hebrew, Jael means mountain goat. Mountain goats live in hostile environments; they are agile, sure-footed, methodical climbers. It is said they can scale twelve feet in one jump!
Here’s the story: Well, first, I say, read it fa yaself to verify erything! It’s in the fourth chapter of the Book of Judges in the Holy Bible. Again, this the lali version!
A woman, Deborah, was a judge, prophetess, wife and mother. She was wise and the neighbors knew it! So, they (the people of Israel) came to her to present their “cases” and she helped resolve them.
One day, she sent for Barak to come see her. He came ova and she asked him, didn’t The Divine tell you to rally up yo’ troops and meet at Mount Tabor? And didn’t The Divine also say that you would “get” Sisera, the captain of the opposing army?
Barak said, gurrl, if you go, I’ll go. If you ain’t goin’ then I fa sho’ ain’t goin’. Deborah said, oh Imma go witchu, but victory gonna come to our people through a WomaN (whoop!whoop!)
Barak said, yah, cool, whateva, Imma go witchu! I reallY like that Barak esteemed Deborah; he saw her as an equal. So, they went and the next day and Deborah tol’ him THIS is the DAY when the enemy will be given to you by The LordT! So, Barak and ’em met Sisera and ’em and The Bible say, Barak got all of Sisera’s army…like all of dem…except Sisera.
Sisera got so confused and afraid that he started runnin’ away. I keep thinkin’ with ALL those horses, you gonna take off runnin’? Aight. I don’t know. I wasn’t there; maybe the horses got spooked too!
So, Sisera ran up to Jael’s tent. Only reason he felt like he could go to that tent was prolly coz her huZband (Heber) was friendly with Jabin, the King.
Jael went out to greet Sisera. She said, don’t be skeered. Come inside; get out of the heat.
The enemy came in all smug. He asked for water, but we (Easterners don’t give water to a general). She offered him milk. He drank, he probably ate too and then he thought he would take a nap.
Jael used that opportunity to drive a tent peg through his skull and Victory came to Israel through the hands of a woman that day! Jael may have been shaking; she may have had to take some deep/full breaths; she may have screamed into a pillow.
What we know is that she stepped in and did what needed to be done in the moment. Destiny fulfilled!
During this month of celebrating International Women’s Day, are there any ways we can embrace womanhood more? Tap into the Divine feminine side of ourselves more? Stand in our Power more?
What has Heaven placed on your heart that has you afraid because it’s an “uncommon” path? What has you thinking “I’m just a woman” or “that can’t be for me”?
Truth statements help me remember how powerful I AM…whether I feel it or not, I declare it! May you receive strength from it as well. Pick up ya tent peg (Truth) and slay the enemy (lies in ya mind).
I AM a Woman! I AM a Warrior! I AM a Winner!
Courage to you dear heart; may this be the month you step into all that the Divine has for you!
Here for and with you!
Common Day Hero: I don’t know your whole story. I know you have overcome much. I see your beauty, strength and tenacity; it fuels mine. I AM glad you’re in my life. AuntYasmin, I dedicate this post to you.

eggs

Many of us don’t want to be a burden in any way, so we settle. In relationships, careers, food (especially when placing an order), zip codes, vehicles, etc…we settle.

At times, when we know in our hearts that we need not speak, we don’t keep quiet. And when we know we need to speak, we remain silent.

I like my eggs not hard, but not runny and quite a few times others have become upset that I wouldn’t just go with the hard or runny.

Today, I’m here to tell you that you are FREE to take as long as you need to place your order. You are free to change up the specifications of your order to your liking, regardless…and that applies to ALL areas of life!

You are free to be firm and kind. It is possible. I’ve accommodated for too long, “gone along with” and entertained what hasn’t been good for my soul for far too long. Not.any.more!

What (or whom) are you creating distance from so that you can simultaneously have space to hold the people and things essential to your healing and growth?

It is alright to outgrow relationships and familiar spaces for your own evolution…and a revolution!

Common Day Hero: She isn’t known by many because she intentionally keeps a low profile. She works diligently to care well for her family/home. She is Alice, I dedicate this to you.

birthdays

This week, my father celebrated his sixth birthday in the afterlife…still so surreal; sigh. Will it always seem this…strange?

I miss him so terribly much. Wish I could hug him. Wish I could see his face here, physically. Wish I could tell him ALL the things I appreciate about him.

I know he’s having the time of his life, celebrating it up with all his family and friends in Heaven. He is one of the reasons I carry so much faith and love. He modeled loving all people. He was a strong man of faith.

His methods weren’t the greatest, but he instilled so much Scripture into my life from a very young age (three!) and those verses continue to guide, comfort and empower me…daily!

He was brilliant, an acute observer, quick-tempered, grateful for all he had and readily asked for and extended forgiveness.

He was named David. According to The Holy Bible, David was a man after God’s own heart. My dad, flawed like me, was a man after God’s own heart. Wish I could’ve seen that while he was physically here; I would’ve told him.

We represent the very heart of The Divine when we depend on the Power of Heaven, when we return (as often as necessary) to our foundation – the Ultimate Light and Eternal Love which carries us and empowers us to live in grace and forgiveness.

While my dad was here on Earth, our relationship wasn’t close/ideal. I began seeing all the good qualities after he relocated. I see him in dreams and visions; I know he’s close (closer now in some ways)…I know he loves me so much, supports my dreams, can relate to me and is so proud of me…it’s bitter-sweet.

There is no prerequisite to love.

Establish healthy boundaries with those in your life (a secure fence around the property line).

Enjoy (as fully and as best as possible) those who are presently in your life.

Empower yourself (in all the ways you need).

Common Day Hero: Gentle strength, Truth-teller, diligent worker, Man of Faith, witty, so many words to describe you. Every moment Heaven grants with you is a gift. Fazal-Pa, I dedicate this post to you.

valentine

It is said that over $24 billion was spent in the United States on Valentine’s Day, this week!

In searching for the origin of this “day of love”, there are many stories concerning St. Valentine. The one that I heard the most (through the years) was that St. Valentine was martyred for his faith, but I’m not sure how that morphed into spending money on romantic relationships!

The original intent re: celebrating love may have been good, but seems it’s turned into another commercialized frenzy and simply got people worldwide spending more money. sigh.

The beauty of true love is choice!

Regardless, of what ya choose each year for Valentine’s, here’s my wish for you – whether you have a Valentine or not, may you know in your very core that you are so deeply loved and held by The Divine…always.

I’m reminded of a Scripture – Verse three of Chapter thirty-one in the Book of Jeremiah in the Holy Bible. It says, I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

If you’re married, in a romantic relationship or situationShip or not be assured, you are loved with an everlasting, eternal, nevAH-evAH-ending, forever and always kind of love by Heaven. Maybe not by a human, but you are always loved by Heaven.

You Are So Deeply Loved by The Divine…AlwayS!

Common Day Hero: Grateful beyond words to call you my childhood friend. You so readily welcomed me back into your life and I am so glad we reconnected so deeply at a heart-level.  You’re a living Testament of the Kindness and Love of Yeshu, dear heart! I see it! ReneeG, today, I dedicate this post to you.

space

The space in between where I AM and where I want to be is typically the most anxiety-ridden and fear-filled place. And that is alright. Anxiety and fear are simply signals/signs.

Once recognized…once I AM aware of anxiety, fear and all other negatives, I have a choice. I can ignore, dismiss or disregard – this has not proven helpful for me in the past.

I can gather the strength to acknowledge it. At times, acknowledgement is my biggest hurdle.

Once acknowledged, I can sit with it for a minute (not a literal minute coz ya’ll know I can sit for a LONG time!). Anyhow, once acknowledged, sat with, faced (read: stared and made faces at), I can take some deep breaths, smash a pillow and then chart a course of action to help work through/process it all.

Processing for me begins internally (looks different for each of us) and then externally.

So, first acknowledge where I AM: presence fully in the present.

Write it all out; everything I see/sense/feel.

Then, process through it (sometimes this involves an intensive – workshop/seminar). Long term it typically include therapy (counseling, art, music, dance water, spiritual healing) and support groups.

As the unfolding takes place, the processing reveals things never before seen or things buried.

Hold all of the things up to the Light ~ sit with it, meditate on it, speak about it with those who are safe, pray about it and please do anything else that helps and causes no harm.

What needs to be discarded (holds no value/positive energy)? What needs to be dusted off and given space? What needs a long-term care plan?

What is the dream you’re holding?

I believe all of us have dreams – we’re either living the dream, working towards the dream or have buried the dream. For those who buried dreams or had dreams buried by someone else, this journey is to unearth the dream, make room for it, formulate a plan so we can fully live the dream, the rest of our days.

Fully enjoy where you are now.

Keep dreaming and journaling/processing it all.

Work towards where you wanna be.

What is the dream you’re unearthing…holding…building or reBuilding? I’m here with/for you!

Common Day Hero: You work tirelessly to ensure your family is well taken care of always. You live in light of eternity. You show up for ya friends; we love you. Beayonka, I dedicate this post to you today.

double

Double portion…I can’t even begin to accurately express ALL the emotions…the magnitude of the gratefulness I feel, typing those words.

In verse nine of Chapter two of the Book of II Kings in the Holy Bible, it says, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

In February 2020, I saw a vision of my dad leaning over the rails of heaven (not here to debate if heaven has rails!). He was beaming and as he smiled, I saw his mantle/anointing fall on me; symbolized by a royal blue shawl that I saw float down from him to me.

I followed the Voice of The Divine and took the month of January away from all social media. In the first week of January, I received a call from a friend I hadn’t seen in two years. She told me that she thought of me when a friend of hers (a church women’s group leader) mentioned needing a female speaker!

I called the women’s leader and was under the impression that I’d be speaking to the women’s group. Then, I got the official letter and read that I AM the main speaker scheduled for the Sunday service! I was overwhelmed with emotion.

I prepared as best I could. I was so nervous and just as excited and on Sunday, 30 January 2022, I spoke at a church in Dallas (my first paid speaking engagement!)…I believe forty people were present.  Despite my mess-ups, I felt like I was in my element.

The church had already told me they’d give me a check (an offering of love). I didn’t know the amount, but I told my kids that I’d give away a hundred percent. They said, what?! So, I explained that my dad practiced giving away one-hundred percent of the first check from a new job/contract.

They weren’t convinced about this practice and I reminded them that they’re free to believe/practice what they choose, as they are led. Only my kids knew that I’d committed to give away one hundred percent. So, imagine the look on their faces when after I received the check and after the announcements, a member stood up and said, I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to give more to this woman of God!

He didn’t ask anyone else to give, but others started reaching for their wallets and purses! Such kindness. So overwhelmed by the generosity of this small church.

The church collected over six hundred percent more than the check! The church women’s group also gave me gift cards to two different restaurants! Many tears of joy and gratitude. My children will continue to see the Love and Power of The Divine in our lives.

So grateful for this experience and the open door into all that Heaven has for me and my kids!

Common Day Hero: You are such a kind and fun person. You are an admirable wife and daughter/in-law as well as a phenomenal mom. Glad to share this journey with you. JenniferH, I dedicate this post to you.

121

From as early as I can remember, my mom has quoted Psalm 121 when we enter a vehicle. Before we buckle up, as we buckle up and as we start moving down the road, we’d hear these words. I find myself saying these very words and being comforted by them often.

May they comfort you, knowing The Divine offers Protection, Provision and the very Preservation of our souls.

Chapter 121 of the Book of Psalms from The Holy Bible (New King James Version, but please look up the version of your choice, the one that speaks best to your heart. This is just the version we heard/memorized).

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and even forevermore.

Common Day Hero: May you sense even now the way Heaven guards you. May your heart find reassurance in this Psalm and always may you know how deeply loved you are. My dearest HJ and TruG, I dedicate this post to you.

friendships

Friendship is said to be an interpersonal bond…a relationship of mutual endearment/warmth, trust and support.

Sometimes, I think of friendships as rocks or gems. I have been gifted with some rocks and some cool gems along the way…I have grown to see the value in every experience.

Some jagged, abrasive/coarse rocks cut and cause loss of blood and strength (unintentionally, at times, I’m sure). My personal experience has been that it was all necessary for me and I gained insight I wouldn’t otherwise have.

The beauty of the gems in my life (precious and few) is that we are free to feel, share, process and heal one another. We welcome one another fully into all the messy and miraculous that is our lives…no part is hidden.

I AM grateful for friendships that last despite turbulence, tornados and all sorts of terror (internal and external).

I AM grateful to be heard and given space to simply…be.

In all the shifting and shaking, after the rocks have fallen out, who are the gems in your life?

Gems: Hold each other (gently). Polish (help/heal) each other. Offer gratitude often. Grow/evolve alongside each other (at one’s own pace). Love well (listen, engage, forgive, share honestly and transparently).

Common Day Hero: We’ve both experienced inexplicable pain but so much joy as well…among them this unexpected friendship! You, brave heart, are a pleasant surprise and welcome treasure from Heaven. I cannot begin to express all that I see for you ~ The Divine has so much good coming your way. You have not yet seen the best…in every area. Today, I dedicate this post to you, dearest gem, RMA.

Scroll to top