D.E.A.T.H. is NOT an OPTION

     For some reason when some people go through rough spots in their lives they see death as the only way of escape.  It is not uncommon in these times to turn on the local or national news and hear tragic stories of people committing suicide for one reason or another.  Their self-inflicted demise leaves many wondering what could have been going on that prompted them to take their life.  These questions are not posed to judge the individual, but are done so to try to understand how someone could harm themselves in that manner.
     We all are human.  We will go through our own personal struggles.  Your struggle may be that you have been out of work for a long time and you cannot see how things are going to get better.  Someone else may be facing an eviction and you see no way to house your family.  Someone may be battling a severe illness and is in constant pain and turmoil.  Maybe you are even going through bouts of depression and loneliness.  As the title of a book by the late Bebe Moore Campbell states, Your Blues Ain't Like Mine.  Our struggles may be different, but there is One thing that we have in common - A God who cares about what we are going through. 

     Bad things can happen to even the best of us.  No one is exempt from trials and tribulations.  What we have to realize, however, is that what we go through is not some form of punishment from God.  We have to remember that when walking this walk with Christ, we will suffer as He did.  Peter states in I Peter 4:(12-13):  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  Your suffering is only for a little while.  Joy really does come in the morning.  ...After you have suffered a little while, (God) will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (I Peter 5:10). 

     As we go through our storms, our attitudes and faith is what God is watching.  It is hard to smile when you are in pain, but continue to believe Him.  It's hard to smile when the eviction notice is on the door, but continue to believe Him.  It's hard to smile when you can't pay all of your bills, but continue to believe Him.  God is faithful and He will not let us down.  It is our faith that pleases Him. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).  Do you believe that He can bring you out of whatever situation you may be going through right now?  Do you trust Him to do what you cannot?  God will never leave you, nor will He forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  God has all the power and ability to bring you out of your storm, therefore, D.E.A.T.H is NOT an OPTION.  When He says it is time, then, and only then, is when you should leave this earth.  

     I know it is hard to hear this sometimes, but God will not put more on us than we can bear (I Corinthians 10:13).  If you find yourself feeling that there is no other way out, contact a trusted friend, loved one, or even seek some professional help.  Only pride will keep you from asking for help.  God loves you.  God really does care what happens to you.  Reading His word will strengthen you and keep you...Be Blessed!

Not BET's Sunday Best...

I stated on a facebook posting this week that when you are trying to reach your goals you may hear a thousand No's before you get that one Yes.  I have heard the word NO so much in my life that I am beginning to think that it is a part of  my legal name.

Just this past weekend I auditioned for BET's Sunday Best - a talent contest seeking undiscovered gospel artists.  It was a long and tedious process and long story short, I did not even make it past the first round of auditions.  I have to be honest and say that I was not extremely disappointed.  Sure, it would have been cool to have been a finalist but that was not what God had planned.  I give props where props are due and I have to say that there were so many talented singers in my group of 30 (yes, 30 people auditioned in one room with 30 seconds each to sing). 

Although this avenue did not work out for me that does not mean that I will throw in the towel and not pursue other avenues.  I may not have been their idea of Sunday Best, but I am God's idea of His Best!  I know my purpose in life and I will continue to give my all to reaching my goals...

If you are in pursuit of your dreams and doors keep getting slammed shut in your face, don't take that as a sign that you should give up, take it as a sign that you are on the right path.  If you remain steadfast and continue in hot pursuit, eventually the windows of Heaven will begin to open up and pour down so many blessings that you will not have room enough in which to receive it all - that means you have to pass on the blessings to others.  Keep fighting past all the challenges and one day you will get the YES that you have been searching for... Be Blessed...

Signed,
Future Gospel Recording Artist in the Making

My "Husband" Wish List Has Changed

     Many singles that I know have a list of requirements that they want their potential mate to fill.  I, myself, have one of those lists.  It was super long until I read an article this morning that has shortened the list to the core.  The author of the article was stating how when she was younger she had this long laundry list of things that she wanted in a mate but that the more she grew and matured, the more she had to re-evaluate her list.  I thought about this and came to the conclusion that the article really made a lot of sense because the girl I was when I made my list about 8 years ago has blossomed into this mature woman and I have found that my needs now are not the same as before. 

     Like many women, I had the stereotypical list of requirements.  I wanted tall, dark, and handsome.  Rich was definitely on the list, and so forth and so on.  It would be factual if I say that I had at least 40 requirements that my potential mate had to fulfill.  But I took some time this morning to re-evaluate myself and that l-i-s-t.  When I finished the list, it only had about 5 requirements.  Well look at me!! 

     Because I believe that God is a matchmaker and can bring the right person into my life, I am trusting Him to bring me someone that has a personal relationship with Him.  If he has a personal relationship with God and respects HIM, then I can trust that he will respect and love me as my FATHER does.  What more can a girl ask for.  If he is Spirit led then all the rest will fall into place... That's my new list!  Kudos to me...I love you God!!!

Application

I just completed an online application that took over an hour to complete...BRRRR.  My brain is fried...

In Mourning...

I am having a hard time getting myself together.  My worse thoughts have come to pass.  I have dropped my Blackberry a few times during the course of its life, HARD.  This time, however, it did not survive the fall...We have been together for almost a year now and it made my life so much easier.  Oh, how I remember the days  of texting, facebooking, chatting.  The memories.  I don't know what the grieving period is, but this is not good.  What happens when someone calls me today?  Where will my text messages go?  Now I have to actually plug in the laptop to get on facebook.  OK, give me a minute...sniff...sniff...sniff....  Oh, My God!  I just realized that I don't have access to my contacts because I never inserted the disc thingy that came with the phone...Oh, this is going to be worse than I thought...Someone, please help me!!  I am lost in translation....OUTTA Here!!!

W-2

Well, my employer finally decided to send out the W-2s.  I used to be like everyone else and depend on a refund so that I could ball out of control.  Wisdom has kicked in and has said girl, use your money wisely to get ahead in life...Nothing wrong with using the money to make purchases of things that you need.  Just don't blow it all on nonsense...smoochesssss....

Yeaaaah, Macy's Card is Here!

I am too excited.  I love to shop at Macy's!  So what, right?  I have been participating in an online survey for a couple of years and had never redeemed any of my points for prizes until they started offering gift cards.  Usually when you sign up for surveys they are bogus and you never see anything from them, hence my excitement to actually receive my Macy's gift card today!!! Macys.com, here I come!!

My Life in the SonShine!

Just thought that I would create this particular blog so that I can have a way to write about my daily life.  Sometimes it's just great to get my thoughts out or what I am experiencing at any given time.  I don't know what's going to come out and have no format other than to just write...stay tuned...kisses and blessingsssssss...Torya