Operation Holiday

When you think about the Holidays, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Family, food, eating and fun.. Right? I was coming from class yesterday and felt the strong urge to redirect my emotions back to my happy place. When I saw a homeless person cross the street.. There it goes again.. God tugged at my heart strings and prompted me to move, this time I hd no direction...This urgency was pondering in my mind while I was in transition. I then had to stop at a red-light and had another encounter with another homeless person.. He asked for money and then said, "Hey ma'am do you remember me? You gave me a couple of dollars last week." I got home and the light bulb went off.. I was having a pretty crappy day.. I was so tired from class and just wanted to go home and get in my bed. . The idea was as bright as the sun waking me up in the morning without my alarm clock.

How can I be of service to someone that has no place to go for the Holidays? How can I make sure that if they have no place to go, that they are warm during the cold? The Lord blessed me with the idea of inviting someone that I do not know into my home to share Thanksgiving dinner with and/or to start a Fundraiser to collect monies to purchase blankets and/or socks to the less fortunate.. So the question is this.. Can I count you in to do one of the two ideas?

It's not about the money, the possible akward encounter of having a guest in your home that you don't know.. The blessing is in the deed.. It's a blessing just to be...

 

 

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities for the Holidays, please check out http://www.operationturkey.com/..

HEB- Feast of Sharing
For more information on how to volunteer click on the title link

Monday Toast

I am a work in progress, I know it can be done. Often times we have encounters with individuals. Where we have no clue why they are in our lives and we often question what they are here for. (Can we just keep it real- I know I am not the only person that has posed this question. Right?) So we go on with our lives in hopes of everything being peaceful, because we think that life is just all peachy and stuff. Lol.. Yea right! So we keep on trucking. I believe we encounter 2 types of people in our lives, "haters" and "lovers" we most certainly know the difference between the two don't we? I feel that God offers us challenges in our lives. I call them "test" It builds character, because without these character building sessions. How will we ever see the potential of our growth? Babies don't stay babies too long. They eventually mature and have learned all of these incredible things that will allow them to make the right decisions as they go through life. Now! I am going to make this real quick, because I am sure you have to go to work and so do I. Lol.. In your journey of life. You will encounter some individuals that are easy to love. Love them anyway. In your journey you may also encounter some that you may find difficult to love. Love them anyway. I mean, some folks have hurt you beyond your hurt, talked about you, lied on you, treated you in such a way that when you woke up the next morning. You posed the question, "Why me?" or " What did I do to deserve this?" A good friend and I were having a conversation and she said, " Why not you" Love. Love them anyway. Love them through you hurt, love them through your pain, love them through their lies, love them through their backstabbing, backbiting, and complete ugliness. You don't have to understand it. But the fact of the matter is. There is a much bigger picture to this test. That God is about to bless you. When you take your eyes off the problem and give it minimal energy. You will find that A. You are learning to grow in the midst of adversity and B. You are becoming stronger and shielding yourself from all things that are not of God. So the next time you come in contact with a spirit of uncertainty, the next time someone wants to start some mess with you and you don't have a clue of what or why the drama has started, the next time you are called uppity because you won't engage in a "circle" that speak in ALL CAPS and talks negatively about other's, and the next time you are labeled, " she thinks she is all that!" Love them anyway. The enemy gets mighty confused when you respond oppositely. You give him less power and you are on your way to a much stronger, less stressful you.. Just know that in the beginning of your transformation, no one but your "Lovers" will be able to understand why you are making the change, that you are making. They will even question you. Love them anyway. (these scriptures came to mind)

Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has taken you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

The morning after

Breakfast is a great way to start your morning. My first encounter was on a lovely Tuesday morning. The weather was just right. The walk was not to far, I parked my car, and did the Cha-Cha all the way to the door. As busy as downtown was the commute was about 10 minutes. This was my first encounter. So after an eventful Saturday of wine pouring and meeting and greeting and 5 hours on the part-time job. I decided to treat myself to breakfast. Before all the homework and word jumbling thought of writing a 400 word essay for one of my classes. This time the ambiance had transitioned from calm to busy. The "Pecan Street Festival" was in town. Parking was a task. However the reward was worth the 5 minute walk and of course I ordered the grits again. What I remembered from Tuesday was the sweet melody my taste buds played when I indulged in my first spoonful. I knew that I would return. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the company of yourself, while closing you eyes and savoring the taste of straight up goodness. As I am writing this. I was politely interrupted. (Plug) A lady is standing in the center of the restaurant asked, "what is that smell?" I thought she was talking about the food, as she walked past me, she said, "It's you!!! Well I think." This perfect stranger, leaned to smell me. She was all in my hair and stuff. Lol..(awkward) she leaned toward my body and said," oh my God! I had been here for 20 minutes and I was trying to pick up on who or what that was. What do you have on?" I replied, "Nytesun" by :African Visions, you butta believe it." She didn't quite understand that last statement, however she will when she goes to look up the product for purchase online. The second interruption you know I didn't mind. It was the presence of a beautiful angel. She appeared to be one years of age and she wanted to hug me. Since this is one of my free gifts to the world. I reached out and hugged her. Anyone that knows me knows that I heart children. Life is so enjoyable when you encounter such blessings in your life whether they are yours or you can send them home. Lol.... Breakfast at "Carrobs Cafee" was such a treat, I will say. You MUST try the "Caribbean tea" The family owned business opened on July 1, 2010 by Robert and Carol Barnes. I plan to come again for lunch in the very near future. Taste and see that the Lord is good.. MMMM.. As I begin to conclude this short story. The official announcement was made yesterday that I am the newest member of the team to "Ujima Magazine" Yay me! Yep! God is still in the blessing business. Since this is my "first" congratulatory story. I decided to share this with you, plug a couple of businesses and in all giving God the glory. I will leave you with this, " If you have a talent, allow yourself to nurture it during the Winter time, drop off the dead leaves during the Fall, plant your seed in the Spring and by Summer you will have enough sun to watch it grow. " During this process seasons come and go, however there is always a season to give praise.



Carrobs Cafee
605 Sabine St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 382-0603
carrobscafe.com

"Rehab"

How many times have you experienced not so Christlike behavior? Whether it be with you or someone that you know. Yea, yea, yea. We all go through things in life. But God happens! So instead of the issue being dealt with. You recieve a passive-agressive response that, " A church is a place for the sick" I concur 50% with this response. However, the reality is this.. Follow me please..... When one enters a place of rehabilitation. They either transition or become restored in such a fashion that they are able to be released, if they are released it usually means they are being restored.. So the moral of the story is this. We are not perfect! I know this! You owe it to yourself to be blessed beyond what you can see. If you don't recognize your worth who will? Therefore if any man in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things are passed away; behold, all things are becoming new (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Question: When you walk into his house. You are searching for something. Why leave without an answer? Why come in the house if you are going to leave the same way? It's a waste of time and time is of the essence..

There comes a time when you have to stop blaming others for your downfall and begin to look at yourself. The greatest assessment that you could ever make is the self assessment..Get better, learn more, and begin to love the new you