Priority Check #3

note to self:

Don’t give up. Keep persevering. God isn’t finished yet but do your part. God will take care of the rest.

As we are approaching the final stretch of January, I believe it’s very important that we take that the time to reflect. The days are passing by and for some of us, it may feel like we are back at square one. It feels like nothing is happening or even working for us. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at a few questions that can help us target the root of our issue. Are you ready to sit and reflect? Alright, let’s go.

Questions:

1. If you can describe the past three weeks in one word, what would it be?

2. Are you accomplishing your goals? How are you managing your time on a day to day basis?

3. How are you doing? (Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Spiritually, Financially). All the ally’s your way.

4. Are you planting or being lazy?

5. What is one thing you have learned about yourself since the year started? What are some habits your still struggling with and what are you willing to do, to break these habits?

6. What are some major things you need to take seriously?

7. Are you currently reading any books? If so, feel free to share?

8. Are you saving or spending more?

9. Are you consuming junk or eating fresh and so clean?

10. What can you do for someone this week that will lighten the burden they’re carrying?

PC: Epicfeli

Thank you for taking the time to read/reflect with me. I hope that this was helpful. Have an awesome week 😊✨.

Prayer Request/Advice

💌: poeticharmonylove@gmail.com

Verse To Ponder:

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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14

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Feeling Stagnant?

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” -Corrie ten Boom

Like the sun, I will rise and shine again. This feeling of stagnation won’t be here forever. It will come and go but today the test has begun. The sun wasn’t shining. It was hiding somewhere in the West Coast. I woke up this morning feeling so stagnant. I felt like there’s so much more that I should be doing. I couldn’t help but cry while having my conversations with God. Look, there is nothing wrong with crying. Don’t let anyone tell you that crying is for the sensitive. Cry your tears as you cast your burdens unto God because He cares. Babies cry. You can also cry. Life happens and sometimes it’s unbearable.

After taking the time to reflect, I felt a calm in my spirit. Prepared for the day and got ready to catch the bus. Bus ride was smooth. The weather was chill, not too cold. Just the way that I like it. Arrived to work very early and my manager insisted that I should start early at 8:40am instead of 9:30am since there was so much work to be done. I clocked in and got right to the plow. She was so right. So much work to be done on this Saturday as we await the snow storm. While working, I saw this beautiful girl with freckles while shelving the candles. I complimented her and we spoke briefly. Our conversation made my day. She was only in 7th grade. Mind you, I was having a somewhat rough morning with all the thoughts of what is next whirling all around my mind. I don’t know but there’s something about helping people, complimenting them and giving them advice that makes me happy. I believe that every opportunity you get to speak a word or be a light to someone, should never be taken for granted. You never know how you can be a light to someone. You don’t have to pretend. Just let it flow naturally. After a long day, it’s always good to take the time to reflect. I could have allowed my thoughts of what is next to get in the way of what awaited me throughout the day. After work, I decided to purchase the letter board that I’ve been eyeing for two days. Surprisingly, someone hadn’t bought it yet. When I arrived home, I decided to play around with my letter board. This letter board thing takes time. On my way back from work, I thought about what I wanted to display on my letter board and the only words that came to me was “God isn’t finished yet.” I share this to remind you that no matter what season you may be in and the current thoughts that you may be having in regards to what is next and what lies ahead of you, know that God is in Control. As I stood at the bus stop to work and on my way back, I kept singing this song that was sung while on my mission trip to Uganda. It goes like this: Cast Your Burdens unto Jesus for He cares for you. Higher Higher, Higher Higher, Higher Higher, Jesus Higher. Lower Lower, Lower, Lower, Lower, Lower, Lower, Jesus Higher. I was reminded in that moment to continue to cast my burdens unto God because He alone cares. He has a plan for my life and He will surely see me through each step of the way. God is not finished with you yet. His promises still remain for you. Remain in Him. Rest in God. Tell him about your worries and let Him take care of the matter. There is nothing too big for the God that we serve. What God can do, Leave everything in the hands of the one who created you. He will purposely use every mishap for His glory.

Lesson: Just because I feel stagnant doesn’t mean that God isn’t moving. God is always at work. He does the greatest work in the background to showcase his glory.

Questions to reflect upon:

1. Why am I feeling stagnant? Am I part of the problem? Is my procrastination causing me to feel this way?

2. Have I prayed about it?

3. How often do I feel this way?

Verses To Ponder:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. God bless you 🙏🏿😊

Alone Time With God

Question of the day: When last did you spend time with God alone?

You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

-Psalm 63:1

Welcome to week 3 of January. I hope your wee is coming along well by far. As the days are swiftly passing, I would like for us to take the time to reflect on the question of the day. I love doing question of the day. It’s something I always incorporated in my daily life for a long while now. As you take the time to reflect, here are some questions to think about and also pray about in regards to your walk with God. Take the time to read Psalm 63.

Questions:

1. Do you find it difficult to spend time alone with God? If so why is it difficult?

2. Do you only open your Bible when you are at church or at a Conference and etc?

3. What are you willing to do to spend time alone with God?

4. What are some of the things that are hindering you from spending time alone with God?

5. Have you prayed about it?

6. When is the best time of the day for you to spend time with God?

7. Do you have any friends or a community of believers that can help you in your walk with God?

*Tips on Spending Time With God.

1. Make God your priority. Don’t say it with your mouth, let your heart/actions be connected with the words you speak.

2. Set a time for you and God. Understand that your time with God is sacred. Don’t allow anything or anyone to get in the way of you spending time with your King.

3. Have a journal where you can take notes.

4. If you don’t know what specific Bible chapter to study, pray about it. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Also, for example, if you are interested in a specific topic such as learning about the Holy Spirit, the book of Acts and John is the go to chapters.

5. Social media and other demands can wait. In a generation where social media is most peoples go to in the morning, learning to spend time with God before attending to your notifications and lives demands, putting God shows a lot about your priority. There’s a time for everything. For me, the best time for me to open up my Bible and reflect on scriptures are usually in the mornings and usually before I go to bed. I don’t have a specific time that I seek the Lord but the mornings are just afresh. I get to hear the birds chirp and sit at the presence of the Lord. It’s such a blessing.

6. Waking up early to spend time with the Lord sets the tone for your day. Everyone wakes up at different times due to many reasons. No matter the time, simply making time for God makes all the difference. God has so much to say to each and everyone of His children. We are His sheep and it’s a promise that we will hear His voice. We have to thirst and long for the Lord. More of God and less of you.

7. If you are struggling, ask the Lord to help you. Ask a friend or someone who is walking with God about their journey. Please not just anybody. Pray for God to lead you. Through conversation, you can learn one or two things from them. Understand that you are on a journey. Our walk with God is not about who will get to Heaven first. God is continually working in each of us but we have to do our part. You have to be willing to learn and grow. God won’t force us to come to Him. We are reminded in James 4:8 that we should ” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”. It is a promise that God will draw near to us. May God give us the grace and a deeper hunger to remain in His presence.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. God bless you. If you have a prayer request or need an advice on something, you can email me at 💌: poeticharmonylove@gmail.com . Until next time, stay blessed and rooted in Christ 🙏🏿😊

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” -John 15:5

PC: Xaneasiamah, Muneeebalam

Things You Can Do In 2019 🌻🤔👩🏿‍💻👩🏿‍🍳🧖🏿‍♀️💅🏿🏃🏿‍♀️

Let the adventures begin! I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see what 2019 has in stored for me. This is the year of God’s best and outpouring. Yes, it’s the start of the year but it’s never too early for you to jot down all the things you’ll like to do in 2019. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you all some things you can do in 2019. Are you ready? Let’s go!

To do list in 2019 (From Me To You 😊)

1. Save at least $400-$800 before the year ends.

2. Read a book every month

3. Visit a city, country or town that you’ve never been to before

4. Cook 6 cultural dishes

5. Take a dance class

6. Go and watch a show on Broadway

7. Start your business

8. Read your Bible/Grow deeper in your walk with God.

9. Eat at 3-5 restaurants and review them on the restaurants website

10. Drink at least 7 cups of water a day

11. Write for a magazine or newspaper company

12. Get a new job

13. Bake a Cake from scratch.

14. Go to bed earlier than usual

15. Write a letter to a friend or someone you know or don’t really know.

16. Go 3-6 months without social media (YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and etc.)

17. Watch an International film

18. Apply For Masters Program 👩🏿‍🎓

19. Start your YouTube channel

20. Eat breakfast everyday

21. Go for your annual check-up (Doctor)

22. Spend time with family/friends more often than usual

23. Let go of that friendship/relationship that no longer serves you.

24. Fast/Pray more often

25. Share your testimony with someone

26. Buy a gift for at least 3 people (Small or Big. It’s the thought that really matters)

27. Take time to reflect on your life

28. Journal 📔 (Document The Moment)

29. Lose weight

30. Wake up at 5am for at least a month

32. Cook more than eating out

33. Learn to braid hair/make a wig

34. Be apart of a church (Find community)

35. Apply to that school you always wanted to attend

36. Go on a mission trip

37. Visit at least 2 countries

38. Go to brunch by yourself

39. Fix your bed every morning

40. Support someone’s business whether financially or general support)

41. Pray for your friends

42. Volunteer at a place of interest

43. Watch the sunrise and sunset

44. Join a ministry/organization at church or university

45. Go apple picking

46. Go on a retreat alone or with your church

47. Take time to reach out to your friends and loved ones more often

48. Go to a library and pick up one of your favorite childhood book and read it.

49. Write down how you feel whether in a journal or say it verbally.

50. Make your own milkshake or ice cream

51. Get yourself a massage

52. Conquer your greatest fear. Say No to FEAR.

53. Update your resume

54. Play a sport you’ve never played before

55. Smile and laugh more often 🤗😂

56. Learn to enjoy your own company.

57. Cook a meal for your parents

58. Learn a new skill (photography, dancing, cooking and etc)

59. Visit a museum

60. Learn a new language

61. Save your receipts monthly and see how much you spent. You can do this by getting a plastic bowl and placing your receipt in it.

62. Change your bedsheet more often (If you change your bedsheet once a month, honey child, that’s gotta change)

63. Wash your clothes more often (Don’t wait till the end of the month before you wash your clothes). So your best!

64. Accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.

65. Minimize how much time you spend on social media. Set one or two days aside in the week to go on social media.

66. Take a walk more often (Go to the gym more)

67. Stop procrastinating

68. Go back to school. Apply for scholarships.

69. Ask for help. Be bold. Ask questions!

70. Compliment someone (genuinely)

71. Eat more fruits and vegetables 🥥🍓🥑

72. Sit for 30 minutes at least once or twice in a week and reflect about your life. Write down what you need to work on/release.

73. Take care of yourself ( shower, brush your teeth, pamper yourself from time to time)

74. Clean your room

75. Donate your clothes to a thrift store or a clothing company

76. Don’t be late to meetings! If you are always late, change that habit

77. Honey, use coupons. Don’t be afraid or lazy to use those coupons. Be on a budget

78. Pay for someone’s grocery or meal

79. Run a half marathon

80. Visit an orphanage

81. Ride a bike

82. Invest in yourself

83. Learn to say NO when you don’t want to do something. You can please everyone.

84. Listen to a podcast every week

85. Start a Bible plan on the Holy Bible App

86. Delete unwanted email’s 📧

87. Buy a book

88. Attend an event (Curlfest, AfroPunk and etc.)

89. Create your own website

90. Take classes whether online or in class of something you are interested in learning.

91. Go at least 8 hours without using your phone.

92. Bake a cookie 🍪

93. Start knitting and crocheting

94. Apply to Medical School

95. Go to the movies by yourself or with a friend 🎥 🍿

96. Start paying off your student loans

97. Start your blog 😊🌻

98. Go to the beach 🏖

99. Take more pictures of places, yourself and etc. Create memories.

100. Live. Make Mistakes. Forgive. Love. Be a light unto those you meet 🙏🏿🤗.

There is so much in stored for you but you must choose to pursue your dreams and say No to your bed on many days.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. It took a while to write the list because I had to really think but it was worth it. I could also look back and reflect. Until next time, bloom. Don’t allow anyone to stifle your petals. Be a flower in your own garden 😊✨🌸

PC: Bed (Temi Coker)

My Word For The Year 🙌🏿😊

So the year has begun. The days are flying by like the wind, awaiting for no one. The birds are minding their business, not worrying about what tomorrow holds or where food will come from because they know that their Heavenly Father will supply their needs. The weather is so cold. No warmth in the East Coast. The sun is nowhere to be found.

Around this time of the year is when people from all around the world have created their vision boards and goals. Some are still gathering their thoughts 💭 and boards to start writing down their goals. For two years now, I’ve been choosing a word to focus on for the year. Before this year started, I asked God what my word should be this year. I prayed about it. While walking around in the journal section at work, the words just flowed like water. To be exact on December 13th, 2018, the only words I heard in my spirit was Pray, Praise and Pursue Purpose. I held on to those words like it was my baby. I wrote it down and really took time to reflect on those words. At the start of 2018, my word was Consistency. I must say 2018 was all year round consistency in every area. What I put my mind to, I was able to accomplish with the Lord on my side. Consistency has carried itself to 2019. It refused to be left behind in 2018. So why pray, praise and pursue? It’s fascinating to me because now thinking back on all the notes and things I spoke to Lord about throughout 2018, it connects very well like a puzzle. Pray, Praise, Pursue Purpose. In all that I do, I will pray. Praise shall not depart my lips. The trials will come but I know my God. I will choose to magnify my God and not my circumstances. Pursue Purpose. I won’t allow fear to pursue the previous things the Lord has laid on my heart. I will choose to seek the Lord at all times even when times are tough and it seems like my goals are not being executed. I will choose to release my thoughts to God for His plans are of God and they are Greater.

My time spent with the Lord is my favorite part of my day. I talk to the Lord a lot. I mean He’s my friend so why not speak to Him? David spoke to the Lord and He heard the cries from his Holy Hill. If you don’t speak to the Lord, please make an effort to do so in 2019. The Lord is waiting on you. He’s got a lot to say to you. Before the year ended, I had plans on making an audio about not being silent about the gifts that God has given you. I didn’t have time to make that audio because I had so many things to do before the year ended so I pushed it to this month. So I will be making an audio soon.

At the start of the year, I was so excited for the new year to begin but let me be honest, I had my fears. See, my word of the year is pray, praise and pursue but I must say out of all the three words my biggest fear is PURSUE. God knew exactly why he laid the word PURSUE specifically in my spirit. Since the year started, I’ve heard the word PURSUE like an alarm ringing nonstop. First, I heard the word PURSUE while reading my devotional. Then the following day while watching a Youtube video by Kim Cash Tate, she mentioned the word pursue and it was so bold on her thumbnail. I’m like okay Lord, I know that’s you. Then, I was watching another video by a blogger who was sharing her experience about landing a three book signing deal and the release of her books in the year 2020. Then she mentioned the word PURSUE. My Lord, it’s only the second day of January and your already speaking to me like Moses in the burning bush. Oh to even top it off, my Pastor’s wife messaged me saying “Happy New Year Karen! This is your year! God wants you to shine this year, come out of your hiding and let your light shine.” When I read that message, I didn’t understand it until I spoke to one of my friends about this message. It was so funny because before the year started I was talking about making an audio about “Not being silent about our gifts”. That audio was supposed to be for me and to help others with their struggle of hiding their gift but God was probably saying “Slow down my child. I’m going to remind you again of the word Pursue.” Yesterday in church, praise was emphasized so many times, it was like whoa. For a while now, when I start a project, it takes a while to complete or even when I do start I keep it on the low. A few people will know but for the most part, it’s usually between me and God. I’m not someone that broadcast what I’m doing. If I am having a conversation with you, yes I will share without you even asking. Transparency is my middle name. Not on my birth certificate but you know what I mean. I love to share ideas or anything in general.

Through my conversation with my friend, she explained to me that I can’t hide my gifts and talents. I still don’t know how I am hiding my gifts. I love to write and I use my blog for that purpose and I do share from time to time my blog posts. I enjoy taking pictures but I don’t do it much unless its an occasion. I’m going to do my best to learn new skills and use them for God’s glory. I’ve shared my word for this year. I honestly wasn’t going to share my word of the year on my blog. It was between God and I but here I am. I’ve shared. So, what is your word for the year? If you don’t have one, you can still come up with one. I can’t wait to here what your word is for the year 🙂

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I really appreciate it 🌻.  I hope you were encouraged and blessed. Until next time, stay blessed and rooted in Christ 🙂

Accomplishing Your Goals or Making Excuses?

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. -Proverbs 16:3

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. -Proverbs 10:4

At the start of a new year, so many people create vision boards while others create a list of the things they want to accomplish. A few percentage of people don’t create anything for many reasons. For someone like me, I create a list of things I need to get done. I set a timer for about 10 minutes and write down anything that comes to mind. I don’t take a look at the list until the last day of year or the first week of the new year. In that moment is when I check to see what I have accomplished. It’s an interesting yet great feeling. It’s a time of reflection for me to really see what I need to improve on and what I did well on. It’s very easy to create a list of what we want to get accomplished but the real test comes when we actually take a step to accomplish our goals. In the beginning of the year, we see the excitement and the list of goals that most people have set for themselves. Whether on social media or on a blog, someone around the world is sharing their goals for the new year. I love the idea but for some reason, when we get to mid-March, our zeal for accomplishing our goals start to dwindle. We start to make excuses instead of having the same fire as we did from the start. We wait for the next motivational speaker to spit a quote before we get back on our feet. That should never be the case.

Discipline is a number one factor in every expect of our lives. We must learn to stay focused. No one will accomplish our goals for us. If we aren’t willing to do the work, we won’t get anywhere. Just imagine planting a seed and not watering it but yet still expect the seed to have amounted to something beautiful. We have to be willing to do our part. If you are not willing to be a farmer in your own garden, don’t be surprised when harvest season arrives and your crops are nowhere to be found. You must learn to accomplish your goals like your life is dependent on it. God has placed a gift within you for a purpose. You are not here by coincidence. You are here for a PURPOSE, Whether it’s writing, encouraging others, teaching, giving, and etc, allow God to water and use you for His Glory. The goals you have in mind for this year, commit each and every one of them to God but learn to do your part. Spend time in prayer. Ask God to let His will be done in your life. Ask the Lord to lead you in every step that you take. God will not fail you. This is the beginning of the year. It’s not the time to start making excuses. Don’t sleep on your goals. Don’t let your eyes be so fixated on other people’s accomplishments that you forget the goals that you need to tackle. Don’t give up!. Wake up and turn those God-Given gifts into reality. There’s so much that God has deposited within you. Darling, God is waiting on you!.

Tips on how to tackle your goals

1. Set a time for yourself. If one of your goals is to read a book every month. Set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour everyday where you spend time reading. I have been doing this for a while now. I don’t attend to anything unless I finish reading my book.

2. If your goal is start a business, start researching and asking others who have their own business questions.

3. Discipline. This is really important. You don’t need motivation. You need to learn how to discipline yourself. There will be days when you won’t feel like doing certain things but when you are disciplined, that’s all you will need. So rise up and get those goals accomplished.

Xoxo,

Karen 😘

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. P.S. I hope that your year is coming along well 😊. Until next time, stay blessed and rooted in Christ 🙏🏿

New Beginnings 🎈💐

New Year

New beginnings

Sunrise

Open door

New chapter

New goals

Renewed perspective

Fresh start but will

learn to take time to rest.

Take time to tackle each goal

one day at a time.

Sweet child,

find hope in the Lord

and don’t forget to smile.

Greater is ahead of you.

For with God,

all things are possible.

You are a pillar of greatness ✨.

My prayer for you for 2019:

1. I pray that you will experience the height, depth, width of God’s love for you. A revelation of his love in every area of your life.

2. May you draw ever close to God. May you seek Him in all your ways and make Him a priority not by the words you speak but by your lifestyle.

3. May you find hope in the Lord. Call upon His name in the valley and be rest assured that He hears you. You are His child. He cares for you and He has a plan for your life.

4. May all your goals be accomplished. No procrastination. Focus and consistency in every area.

5. Commit your ways to God and may he turn your sorrows into praises. Magnify the Lord in every season.

6. May you find strength in times of weakness and may you be reminded of this truth, that God’s grace is sufficient for you in every hour, second, minute, month and day.

7. May you be a light unto those you meet. A representative of Christ wherever your foot threads upon.

8. May light, joy parade your doorsteps. The favor of God be your yours. Radiate for the Lord.

9. God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

10. May you experience the outpouring of God’s blessings wherever you go. In His presence is where you will dwell. The things of the Lord will bring you joy. You will not lack no good thing in Jesus name. May you be a vessel of honor used for God’s Glory 🙌🏿😊

Xoxo 😘: Karen Owusu