Learning to live in this world through HOPE

New Year, New Master?

February 19, 2026

work smart not hard. said no social worker ever., Working for Jesus

If anyone ever follows this site, you know I am a jack of all trades master of none. Anything I do, I do it with all the passion I have in my bones. I also don’t seem to stay anywhere for an extended length of time, either. The company I work for shuts down, or my life experiences change drastically, or I graduate.

I have worked in corrections for years. I treat all my inmates with respect while keeping healthy boundaries. I have worked in local jail environments and I currently work at a prison. I have worked in child protective capacities, which I also tried to maintain with respect and boundaries. I have worked with troubled teens who have been hurt and who have hurt others. I have been in the school system for 4 years from substitute teaching to interning to now being a mental health liaison. I am by far perfect but I try my best to be a safe person for anyone I come in contact with.

The one thing that stands firm in my life of working is that I believe in change. I believe that we must live proactively and stop living reactively. Living reactively is not working. If you go back and read my story, you’ll see that I am in recovery from many things. I am in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse, from sexual, physical and mental abuse and all that it entails. If I didn’t believe in change, I wouldn’t be sitting here alive and well today. Working in corrections, child protective services and working with troubled teens all have one common theme. I meet people to help and support them AFTER the turmoil already exists.

I say all of that to say….when God brought me through the worst times of my life (so far, nothing is ever promised), I believe He gave me a burning desire to change the world. I have gone through the process of finding out what that meant. If God chose for me to live, than it had to be for something amazing, astronomical, undeniable. But what was it? I thought I could change children’s protective services. I do believe I changed a few lives. I thought I could change an inmates environment. I do think I make a difference by trying to show Gods love in small ways. I feel like I could change a child’s life before the justice system or state get involved. That is where I began to really feel something strongly.

If we don’t want someone to end up at a facility for out of control juveniles or worse, a jail or prison for choices made, then we have to prepare an environment of grace and knowledge to help young people make better, wiser, decisions. The inmates that I see every day were once children in school, living in environments that were unhealthy and unsafe. They were learning unhealthy coping mechanisms to survive their days. They didn’t have records. They slipped through the cracks. They were looked over because teachers can’t be EVERYTHING to EVERYONE, ALL THE TIME. Teachers have a duty to teach. Administration has a duty to manage daily life in schools. Counselors have a duty to ensure that state statistics are where they need to be and that juniors and seniors are ready for college or work field experiences. There is a gap. A huge gap. These students needed someone to talk to about their feelings, about their coping skill building, about their emotional regulation.

And another sad truth, if you don’t live under a rock, then you see the massive change happening to society. Smart phones and social media have completely changed our world and how everyone lives in it. I, for one, am part of this whirlwind. I handed my single digit children a tablet before I ever fully understood what that meant. They got cell phones before I realized managing them would be a full time job. Fast forward to today. Our youth have become isolated. They rely heavily on influence of social media to tell them how they feel and how they should act. Interactions within the school system are completely different. Students are finding it harder and harder to work together, to live in peace with each other. Cyber bullying and isolation are extremely high. Add this to unhealthy home environments and it leaves our children defenseless to their future lives on attempting independence safely.

The sad part that adults must take responsibility for is that adults are right there with them with their faces in their own technology, forgetting to reach adolescents through daily check ins and communication. When adults get home from work, they need time to wind down, decompress. But social media is taking entire chunks of life away from the fellowship we were created to have.

Our children are being left to be raised by social media and AI programs. Adults are overworked and oversold on what we THINK it takes to be happy. What we are TOLD it takes to be happy. The peaceful easygoing life doesn’t exist anymore.

I know this sounds like a rant and well, it is. A rant for my life, my children’s lives, my environment and the future I am leaving for my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I have a desire to be proactive. I want to reach children BEFORE they hake terrible life long choices that end them up in prison sentences. I went back to school to give me more certificates and letters behind my name because that seems to be the only way to get my voice heard. I will graduate with my MSW (Master of Social Work) in May. I am already attempting to make changes to my community to help my students, my families, and society in any way I can.

Follow me as I try to change the world, one tiny step at a time.

No comments on New Year, New Master?
…And then there was Ami

October 20, 2025

Turkey time

Life got busy. I seem to say that a lot. My last post was December 2024. This experience of surrogacy was different than my last. My IPs were from New York, as my first were local. The pregnancy went as planned. I created a healthy 7 pound baby. He was born in July. His parents were overjoyed to finally become mom and dad. It’s truly a beautiful experience to witness up close—the moment when parents first see their baby and step into the roles they’ve dreamed of and worked so hard to accomplish.

I feel I have come to a crossroads in many ways in my life. So many things have happened. So many things have changed my mind. I have learned through terrible choices in my past to slow down, think long and hard, THEN move forward……so here I am…..slowing down, thinking long and hard…..

No comments on …And then there was Ami
Beta get ready for a baby

December 11, 2024

Turkey time

First Beta (Friday)-349

Second Beta (Monday)-2087

Theres a whole baby being created in my womb.

Psalm 127:3

“Low children are a heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward”

Some don’t believe in surrogacy. I can see that perspective. I’ve heard that surrogacy is similar to when God promised Abraham many children. He and Sarah were impatient and took matters into their own hands. They used Sarah’s servant Hagar to create a child before God’s timing.

But also; Mary. She was our first surrogate. Jesus was born of a surrogate. That is a powerful example of how being a surrogate is a blessing.

The joy coming to the mother who never thought she would have a child is beyond anything I can explain. She thought her time was gone. She thought she would never experience being called “mom” or experiencing all of life’s firsts. I am a part of that miracle? What a blessing God has allowed me to partake in.

I am grateful for this opportunity. I am leaning on God through it all. I am a vessel for a blessing. God’s power guides me through each step, every emotion, and each moment.

I am due in August. Let’s grow this baby!

No comments on Beta get ready for a baby
🦃You little turkey 🦃

December 4, 2024

Turkey time

Suprise!!! I’m a surrogate again.

Tuesday, November 26 embryo transfer.

First positive test Friday (November 29)

Bloodwork to confirm will be Friday (December 6)

No comments on 🦃You little turkey 🦃
Locked up (they won’t let me out)

June 2, 2024

Prison Life, Working for Jesus

Part of the problem with not updating for 3 years is having to go way back in the past just to explain my thoughts in the present. (Remind me when I decide to dip out for several years how painful this is so that I don’t do it again)

I left DHR right after Covid hit. I was already frustrated with the red tape I continuously struggled with trying to balance between helping families and keeping kids safe and wanting the best for everyone involved but realizing often that DHR doesn’t have enough resources and parents don’t have enough support and follow through to achieve what is best for the children.

I left DHR to dispatch for the troopers. I truly enjoyed my position there. This was the same time my husband was attempting to become a trooper. I had to quit due to the hours not working out for my family. He ended up leaving the troopers also to go back to the sheriff’s office.

I had a friend that worked in the office of an online school. The hours were perfect and I had thought the environment fit me. I soon realized that I was made a bit rougher around the edges than what would fit into a modernized office environment. I was hired for a seasonal position and was not asked to return. The supervisor and I had a few words before I turned my notice in. I was at one of my lowest points in my life personally and the derogatory way I was treated was my last straw. I have gone to God about my feelings. I am big on making amends but I have just not felt it time to have that conversation with that person. I continue to seek guidance from Him awaiting discernment.

I happened upon a weekend job working at a teen facility that one of my school buddies worked at. It seemed like the perfect fit. Approximately 30 kiddos with traumatic stories to tell acting out from their pain which led them to be sent off to this camp. I know there’s a lot of negativity spoken about such camps but I truly loved my job and treated all of the kids wit respect while being stern with them. I was there for the last 3 years. It warmed my heart. It was 200 acres of farm, middle of the woods, life. It was basically a dream come true. It was the most physical job I have ever had and it tore my body up but I loved it and I loved each of the kiddos that came through that place in their own way. I got to see kids who hated everyone, hated themselves. I got to see them grow and gain confidence. I got to see them face their demons and stand up to their parent’s ( a lot of the issues the kids had stemmed from lack of parenting ability) in healthy ways having their feelings heard. It was tough. Ask any staff who truly believed in the place. It was emotionally draining often. I would have to contain the children when they would try to hurt themselves or others and I would jokingly tell them “If you wanted a hug, you could have just asked”. But they always knew I truly meant that and I feel like it showed in the connections I had with them. I was safe for them. I was unjudging. I was mean though. 😉 They’ll tell ya ha. Mrs. P. They decided to call me. They knew I meant business but would walk through fire for them. The place shut down OUT OF NOWHERE in February. One day I had a job, I was working the recovery group for campus, the next day they called me and let me go. The insurance for the year came out and it was unbelievably higher than the year before and they just couldn’t financially choose it for another year. So my dream was over . Just like that. We had to sign a waiver that stated we were to have zero contact with anyone from the camp. As soon as I was let go I reached out to those I had had the last 3 years. It was so nice catching up with them. Some of them are adults living their lives. Some of them are still stuck in stinkin’ thinkin’. But I cherish being able to check up on them through SM.

So it’s February. I have just had 2 shoulder surgeries from the life at the the facility. I was without a job.

I turned in my application for substituting within my kids school system in 2023. I began substituting and have continued to do this part time. I enjoy being a part of my kid’s school careers. It helps me to understand what the kids are going through and it helps me stay in their business. Some of them weren’t sure about it at first but now all 3 kids love when I sub. It doesn’t pay the bills but it’s the right thing for my family and their futures.

A friend of mine that I trained at DHR knew I was in hot pursuit of a new job due to my loss. She told me about this position where she worked at the local prison. It would be in the healthcare unit monitoring mental health inmates. I applied and a few weeks later I got the job. It’s an absolute Godsend. It’s part time but just enough to pay the bills I am responsible for. I work 2nd’s most days but if I’m here long enough I’m hoping to slip into days. I work mostly weekends so that I can be there for the kids during the week.

Through all of these job changes I see God. I see him lifting me up through the turmoil. I see him guiding me to the next position. I see him humbling me at every turn keeping my head level, gently showing me how I could have done things better. And I remember I am working for him not my employers (Colossians 3:23). At every single job I am able to speak into lives that desperately need to be spoken into. I allow God to guide me and give me the green light when it’s appropriate to speak about Jesus and I just show a mutual respect in other times that shines Jesus’ light without them knowing it’s his light that is shining. He shows me blessings through all of it. I am truly blessed in my employment.

2 comments on Locked up (they won’t let me out)
Quiet creeper, outed. FINALLY!

April 20, 2021

I WAS raised in a barn, Sober isn’t always sunshine. But living is ALWAYS beautiful

I was driving to work this morning. Just a typical day. I had found a CD (yes they still exist) from who knows when, Now 5. It was nostalgic. I was jamming hard to some of these hits. Some I passed quickly. EWE at some of the hits back then. I came across Lucky by Britney Spears. The song refers to a celebrity that from the outside has it all and on the inside, she’s just sad.

“If there’s nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night? Lost in an image, in a dream, but there’s no one there to wake her up. And the world is spinning, and she keeps on winning but tell me what happens when it stops?”

I realized at that moment that I have struggled with depression since I was a child.

It took me this long (and no it doesn’t matter exactly HOW old I am) to realize it. I remember talking with someone within the past year about anxiety vs. depression. I had mentioned that I had not been depressed, only anxious. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which turns into PMDD during my PMS time. I honestly believed until today that I had not been depressed. I’m a halfway intelligent person. I love learning and researching. How could I miss this? How could I be so close minded to the fact that I struggle with depression?

I believe it’s because I am genuinely a happy person. I enjoy the small things. I can feel amazing just by looking outside at nature. I had it in my mind that to feel joy must mean that I couldn’t possibly be depressed. I can find the silver lining in situations.

I was wrong.

I remember constantly thinking as a child that I was never good enough. I felt I came from a home that was too financially unstable. I always felt like my friends weren’t really my friends. I was only a cheerleader because I was small enough to easily throw around (which isn’t exactly wrong). I remember feeling inconvenient to everyone I was around. I remember feeling like I just wanted to go away. I had friends that felt the same as me, maybe even worse. I learned bad habits from them like cutting myself. I remember sneaking into my kitchen, past my family, taking a steak knife out of the drawer, and I would cut. I would cut very lightly. I would go back to my room, only to later return and do it a little bit more and a little harder. I would wear high socks and long sleeves to school the next day. I found myself trying to balance being cool, being confused about life, being sad enough and being funny enough. I traveled through my schools friend list (before social media existed), trying to find MY people. I appeared to get along with everyone and didn’t really have enemies. I found no comfort in friends. I felt like the friendships I had, I was trying so hard to keep them, were more like a job.

I was EXTREMELY small and always had to defend my eating habits. I didn’t have an eating disorder, I just had small genes. I didn’t mature until years after everyone else did. I looked like I was 10, until I was 17. I had braces for 4 years, and contraptions similar to car engines (pistons and such). I was picked on for my size but no one did it hatefully. I didn’t have a real boyfriend until I was 17, while my friends spent countless hours talking about theirs and the places they went and the things they did. I dove into heavy metal because the lyrics explained the pain I felt inside. I would listen to it at the highest volume, screaming the lyrics while my soul was tired and hurt. High school was not fun for me and depression, it seems, caused the majority of the chaos in my own head.

I guess I have, over the years, started putting things together. It started to really hit home when I was going through a box of memories. I found journals after journals that were filled with depressing poems and scratches of anger pouring out through my beautifully colored pens (obsessed with office supplies to this day. I still pushed it to the side, making jokes about it.

Of all things, of all the music genre’s I listen to, my ride to work listening to old school Britney Spears did me in. The song came on and it took me back to school. All of the feelings came rushing back. The loss of innocence. The immense pain felt only on the inside.

I take this as a God moment. He ever so gently guided me into my own self-realization. I was, and can be, depressed. I can enjoy life. I can rejoice life. I can be depressed. All in one.

It may not seem like a lot to you but for those of you in recovery, admitting is the first step to a beautiful life ahead.

I am thankful for this realization.

P.S. In the midst of this life I was miserably leading, is when I began dabbling in drugs and alcohol. When they say substance abuse is only a symptom, a surface issue, to the real problem, they mean it. Reread this if you need to understand the why? to me using and abusing substances. My story isn’t an exact match to every alcoholic/drug abuser, but there will definitely be some similarities.

7 comments on Quiet creeper, outed. FINALLY!
Celebrate Recovery and mean it!

April 15, 2021

Sober isn’t always sunshine. But living is ALWAYS beautiful

I started attending Celebrate Recovery for the first time 13 years ago. I was there for someone else, of course. Those of you that know, know how funny that is. But hey, whatever brings you in!!!

I started seeing the big picture and realized I wasn’t there for anyone else but myself. I was an addict. I was addicted to substances and I was addicted to people. I was addicted to chasing the high and pleasing the world. I can’t tell you which was more dangerous.

I began going religiously but of course, we are always recovering, never recovered. It has been a long process of continuous growth. I had so many unhealthy layers to get through, it has taken this long and I’m not stopping now!

I stopped the substance abuse, which I joke is the easy part. I then started peeling back the layers of unhealthy coping and that is where it has been hardest. I have had to stop relying on anything but God to get me through life. I have had to stop making excuses for my behaviors, choices, attitudes, ALL OF IT.

I began my first step study in 2013 and after book 2, as we were heading into book 3, I broke my ankle in a ridiculous, freak (too old to be doing) cheerleading accident. I was couch ridden for 6 weeks and had to end my step study.

I was upset but I also know God has a purpose.

I was in a marriage that neither one of us was prepared to be in. We had dated off and on for almost 10 years, married for 2. We both had sons from previous relationships and a daughter after our marriage. It was extremely unhealthy and when God says equally yoked HE MEANS EQUALLY YOKED.

We divorced in 2014. The actual divorce was uncontested, 50/50 custody, no child support…. but it was anything but that.

There has been a lot of healing, a lot of hurt, a lot of relying on God and releasing my unhealthy thoughts.

I hid from my duties for a while. I was still praying. Still asking God for guidance. I was not, however, living as I should. I stopped going to church weekly. I would go here and there. I dove into my career in law enforcement and college. I had gained some more unhealthy habits but I was determined to not let go of God.

Romans 5:8

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

In 2016, I reclaimed my life. I made a promise to get things together. I started attending church regularly. I began finally healing. I came back to CR. I graduated with my bachelors and went to work for DHR (child protection services). It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I had a few failed relationships. I was living in a big girl world and it took some getting used to. I was working in a world of chaos but I was blessed to have Celebrate Recovery and it’s principles guiding me through life and I was able to share this information with clients that asked. I was able to bring some clients to CR with me. It was wonderful.

In 2018 I really put a seriousness to healing my heart. As a woman, I want to love and I want to be loved. As an unhealthy sinner, I didn’t know how to properly attain it. I put a cross ring on my wedding finger and got down to business. I asked God to remove ALL the things. I did not date anyone. I even took myself on a romantic for one getaway to the Georgia Mountains (it’s in my blog but I don’t know how to link it here). I even made mistakes while I was there because I will NEVER be perfect (no men were involved, only a large amount of alcohol one evening). I was the happiest I think I have ever been.

I continued attending church weekly, CR weekly. I worked hard to put God at the forefront of my life.

In 2019, I reunited with this guy I went to high school with. We had never ran in the same circles but as life would have it, we bumped into each other on duty one day, then another. We began a relationship and are now married. It has not been easy, some our fault, some life’s journey. We both love God and He will see us through.

I am proud to say as of next week, I will have FINALLY completed a Step Study. I put in the work. I attended meetings and went to group weekly. I went when I didn’t want to. I went when I was sick. I went DURING COVID!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing can stop what God wills. I am dancing. I’m not dancing because life is perfect. I’m not dancing because what I want God to fix is fixed, actually the total opposite. Life is EXTREMELY tough right now. I’m dancing because I have buckled down and put in the nasty work. I have answered each and every question with as much diligence as I can. I have answered the tough questions. I have kept in close contact with my sponsor and accountability partners. I have remained faithful.

Please, reach out to a local church. I KNOW there is a Celebrate Recovery near you. I’m asking you to go. Go once, and when you realize how uncomfortable you are, do not let the devil whisper in your ear “this isn’t for you”. Because it is. What some don’t realize is recovery isn’t just about drugs or alcohol. Celebrate Recovery is about Hurts, Habits or Hang Ups. That means that anger that haunts you. That feeling of not good enough. That constant reminder in your brain of that thing that happened years ago. What that person did to you. What you did to that person. Those nasty thoughts you have when people are talking. The way you are terrified to be alone.

It’s helping you achieve a better life. Even when life isn’t better.

Prayer for Serenity

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr

Thank you for letting me share.

No comments on Celebrate Recovery and mean it!
God is Here!

April 14, 2021

Sober isn’t always sunshine. But living is ALWAYS beautiful

It is no hidden secret that I have taken my entire adult life to focus on healing (so I may be reasonably happy in this life and SUPREMELY happy with You forever in the next -CR) . I have prayed for God to prune me. I have asked God to convict me of what is not OF HIM. God loves me enough to take the baby (and the backwards) steps it has taken me to get where He wants me to be.

I was feeling pretty good about my work I have put in. Have you ever thought you were doing really good and then BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am ever so thankful for the pull of the Holy Spirit, and thankful to those who use it to help others. It’s extremely important to have people around you that are feeding into your end game, not those that drain you. Proverbs speaks of the importance of wisdom. In Chapter 1 Verse 5, a man (or woman) of understanding will acquire wisdom and increase learning. Again in Verse 7, fearing the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and fools despise wisdom and instruction. You get what I’m putting down here. God is VERY serious about always learning. As Paul says in Philippians (3:12) we have not arrived at our goal, but we will continue to press on for what Jesus has for us. Again in 1 Corinthians (9:24-27) we are here for the race and the ultimate prize of a forever crown. We are to go into “strict training”. The Bible does not say, WHOOP you’re saved through Jesus’ blood. You’re done. We are to fight a daily battle. He’s proud. He’s taking us to Heaven. But we are to work while we are here. Work on ourselves, Romans 12:2, by testing, what is good and acceptable and perfect. And work on the world, Matthew 4:19, he is making us fishers of men.

Which brings me to my latest epiphany. I met with a pastor recently. He is the husband of a work friend of mine. I met with him thinking I was going to whine about my life and he was going to pat me on the back and tell me everything was going to be ok and blame the entire world, and not my precious self. This man, with the complete guidance of the Holy Spirit, ripped through the walls of adult coping skills learned over a 15 year period, and got to the very root of my pain and suffering. IN THE FIRST 20 MINUTES. I am not going to sugar coat anything. I was raw and angry and embarrassed. I hysterically cried. I waved my hands around explaining that I had already dealt with my childhood pain and I did not want to go through it again. I could not keep my composure. I explained to him that I have been in counseling for years. I have been through step studies with Celebrate Recovery (completing one soon). I had made amends and forgiven all who hurt me. I meant every bit of my work. I was giving my resume, at this point, as a defense mechanism. We only had an hour and I was thankful. I left him feeling so angry. He could feel it but was kind through it all. I always did have to take time to process and am not silent until I do as I should be. Its a character defect.

As I processed, I realized that God had used this poor man to do His work. This man, who was a stranger, showed me that I had not truly given my pain to God. I may have tried. I may have worked through the feelings, but I did not completely give it to God. He showed me by taking me back to when it all started. I was that little girl again, lost and unprotected. This man showed me that God was there and he was waiting to take it all. Not help me manage it, but release it fully.

I have a new lease on life.

No miracles on the outside have happened. My life hasn’t completely taken a turn. Life is still extremely hard for me right now. But I have a peace that I did not have before.

(Philippians 3:12-14)Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

No comments on God is Here!
Labels don’t decide my life

April 12, 2021

out of ashes

Life has been a whirlwind. My stability that I took years to build has been slowly crumbling under my feet.

I see things but I don’t…….admit them at first. Now I’m head deep in a life that wasn’t quite prepared to have me in it yet.

I’m reminded of the scripture in Isaiah (26:3) that says God will keep us peaceful because we trust in Him. He does not say the chaos will go away. He does not say that he will shield us from our own consequences. He is a loving God but He is a God that shows us the work that must be done. When we are steadfast, he will help us hold onto peace in the life WE have chosen to live.

This has been an almost all consuming past 6 months. I have found myself letting go of what I KNOW is right and grasping onto fight or flight. That is not what God wants. I have allowed the devil to reach into my home and turn things upside down. The devil doesn’t just attack you, he attacks your family, your friends, your church, your work, your environment. EVERYTHING. When we let our guard down, he comes in on all sides. I have consumed myself with world problems and that was my first and biggest mistake.

In John (14:27) Jesus gives HIS peace to us. Jesus is not the world and he makes it clear so, Jesus giving us HIS peace is beyond our understanding. When Jesus says not to be afraid, He means it.

I have always said, I am not like a lot of Christians. I don’t fight the urge to think God doesn’t love me. I have been blessed with an understanding that He absolutely does and nothing will ever change that. I do, however, realize too late, that I have fallen back into the world and I have to fight to get back out. I have to fight to TRUST that He’s been here. He knows everything before it happens. This isn’t anything new to Him. Even in my mistrust, which in turn, you could say, shows that I DON’T truly understand His love. What a slap to His face and yet He still loves me.

God wants us to love, not with our love, because it isn’t enough, but with His. If I can love myself, my family, my community, with His love, there is nothing greater. Do you ever feel a strong pull to love others with your love and realize THAT IS A HORRIBLE IDEA????

So I leave you for this moment with an assurance that although life is extremely rocky right now, I am dying of myself and becoming new in Him. Again. For the billionth time. Because thank you, Grace and Mercy.

2 comments on Labels don’t decide my life
Scripture is forever!

January 4, 2021

scripture to soothe

I’ve seen a lot of people reaching out for scripture as we fearlessly (with slightly wobbly legs) walk into the 2021 year hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, knowing who is in control regardless.

One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 3 12-14:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Focusing on my own journey, not anyone else’s. Accepting I have achieved some but I have so much more to go. Pushing away from 2020 and rejoicing every step of this year as I near the prize.
Another favorite that I will focus on is Galatians 5:22:But the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
If my actions don’t fall in line with these, I ask God, and my support system, to assist me in pruning them out so that I may be fruitful and my family will prosper from it.

And last, for 2021, and forever, Hebrews 10: 23-25:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I will continue to encourage my people and I pray they continue to encourage me. Not through demands, but love and good deeds. I pray God has placed specific people in my life to do the same for me.

No comments on Scripture is forever!