Dressed up Garbage Can

Lindsey Lohan's substance abuse issues has landed her in jail again. America's Idol, Fantasia, allegedly attempted suicide and was unsuccessful. The best golfer of my generation, Tiger Woods,went from number one to multiple sex scandels. Terrell Owens has worn over three NFL team jerseys and battles abandonment issues related to his father. All of these people have fame and money. They are beautiful and hansome with many opportunities in their hands. The problem is that they are dressed up garbage cans. We all are in some sense.

No one wants to place their hands inside a garbage can. The garbage can is where we place our trash; things we do not want or things we want to hide. Sometimes people can appear to have it all together. So much so, that others may want to be just like them. I admire a lot of people, but I do not want to be a dressed up garbage can. I want to be renewed and whole on the inside. I don't want to carry around "stuff." Stuff becomes trash if not recycled. Look at yourself. What do you need to recycle and resolve? Are you a dressed up garbage can concealing your hurt and pain from the world? What issues are buried at the bottom? Its time to take the trash out; its time to clean yourself up from the inside out. If you don't, your pretty little trash can will run over and all your "stuff" will fall out for everyone to see. Empty the trash.

Have a sweet day,
Shaneka

You Sound So Sweet

This past week, I saw a common theme with several people- hopelessness, defeat, and fear. My heart was grieved at the end of the week because so many people are hurting as a result of how cruel someone has been to them. People are wanting to walk away from their jobs because of how rude their supervisors are. Relationships are broken because of how demeaning one's partner is. It is sad to watch a person's spirit be abused and victimized.

Words are so important and powerful. You must believe this. Positive statements can affirm someone. We need to become encouragers of one another. Let your words be gentle and sweet as honey. "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119: 103). Everyone needs to hear positive words because they sound so sweet. Positive talk soothes pain, it gives us the motivation to go on a little further, it inspires us, and it lifts us above our problems. Positive words reaches down and pulls us up, straightens our backs, lifts our head up, aligns our shoulders, and lifts our leg to step forward. It stirs our spirit up positively.

This week, make sure someone leaves your presence feeling that you sounded so sweet to their soul because you do not know what they are going through in their lives.

Have a sweet day,
Shaneka

Don't Give Up

Years ago, there was a woman who had a problem that needed to be resolved and she went to the judge everyday. The judge didn't want to be bothered with her or even consider her issue. She refused to give up. This lady basically bugged the heck out of him because she knew that he was the only one that could help her. The judge said, "even though this woman bothers me I will give her what she wants otherwise she will continue to wear me out." This woman was persistent.

This week I want to impart a message of perseverance to you. There are times when giving up may be the best thing for you to do; however when you allow fear to become the determining factor for giving up then it is unacceptable. Fear is the opposite of faith. You must first acknowledge that you are afraid. It could be that you're afraid of failing or losing something or someone. Once you identify what you are fearful of then affirm that you can do anything through your Higher Power who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).

When you feel like throwing in the towel and walking away, find the courage to pray(1 Chronicles 17: 25).

Next understand that you must not be distracted by negative thoughts, people, or things. Be focused (1 Corinthians 15:58). Keep pushing and believing. Don't give up!

Have a sweet day,
Shaneka