Shame has been a mother tongue because I was taught to be ashamed—ashamed of my body, my size, the fullness of my nose, the width of my hips, the gap in my teeth, the volume of my laughter, the chocolate brown of my skin, and the depths of my joy. But those very things I used to hate, those very parts of me I used to loathe, have become the parts I love the most.
When I listen, God speaks to my innermost being, to my interstitial spaces. When I obey and act by faith, God moves big and bold on my behalf.
How amazing it is that even as I sleep, God is restoring my body, renewing my mind, and whispering divine truths to my soul! Lord, teach me to trust You more deeply, more fully, more widely. Help me to rest in the peace of Your presence and to embrace the lessons You weave into my life, whether they come through moments of clarity or quiet reflection or loud clangs of cymbals.
Much like if someone were to write me a check for $1,000,000, if I never went to the bank to cash or deposit it, the gift is no good!
What I do with ALL God gives me is up to me! It’s up to me how I steward my time, my energy, my resources. So while I surrender ALL, I also need to accept ALL in return, too!
The very thing that they said they would never do is actually the best thing that could happen to them. Have you ever wondered why it is that the things you said you would never do are the best things that have happened to you?
My heart rate soared, even as I sat still—a stark reminder of how deeply stress lives within us. I survived those past moments, but healing only came when I finally chose to live with intention. From recounting stress to rewriting my story, I’ve learned that true health isn’t just the absence of disease; it’s alignment of mind, body, and spirit.
Boundaries aren’t about rejecting others but about inviting healthy, meaningful connections. They’re your protective forcefield, ensuring you and your spaces remain safe, healthy, and secure.
When we align our honesty with truth, we step into a place of authenticity and divine connection. In that space, God’s love covers us, and we begin to live in freedom. The truth may feel heavy at first, but it is always lighter than carrying the weight of what we try to hide or ignore.
Here I am, in my bed… I saw a tragedy waiting to happen—uneaten tomato chunks and sauce flying everywhere, including on my sheets and comforter. Noooo! Anywho, the blood on my mattress and the impending doom of tomato sauce on my sheets got me thinking, ‘What is it about the color red? Surely there must be a sacred secret lurking about, something to do with the blood of Jesus!’ And then, I explored it. The blood of Jesus was never meant to be easily washed away. It was meant to stay—to cover us, protect us, and remind us of a love so deep that it could not be removed.
The truth is also simple, though: I am now who I once needed. I didn’t post or share my blog because I first needed to practice being courageous. To say the things I need to say without worrying whose eyes are reading what I’m saying. This blog is my heart on the screen! It’s my deepest prayer, darkest valleys, greatest hopes. It’s sharing my deep longings that yet remain to be fulfilled. This past year has been a practice run of can I really do it? Can I say the things?
