The Power of Words by Poetyss

We have all heard the old cliché of “Everything happens for a reason”. In fact, I have used this principle/verse as a teaching tool and as a comfort mechanism to my children and close friends. But oh my how it’s a different situation when you have to swallow a pill of your own medicine….
This past weekend, I was on one end of the emotional rollercoaster that Vivian Green sings about, all the way back to the other. Being saved for many years, I know that we have to learn to control our emotions, because they can guide our heart to make very bad decisions. For the most part, I think I do a pretty good job keeping my cool. Even if I’m a mess on the inside, I pray it away, paint on the smile and keep it moving. But the enemy has a way of catching you off guard sometimes.
Most of my friends and family know I am not a morning person- at all. So when my phone starts ringing at 8 am on a Saturday morning, I’m thinking “This better be an emergency.” Well, it was my brother. My mother, my brother and I have a difficult relationship at best, but that’s for another day and another blog entry. Let’s just say that I wasn’t very nice to him. That phone call generated a reaction out of me that was out of my usual character, and my reaction unfortunately created a domino effect that consumed the majority of my day and my heart.

As the dust tried to settle, reality snuck in and I realized that my biting words created a horrible situation. Proverbs 13:3 (New Living Translation) tells us that “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” Was I wrong in what I said during our conversation? No. Was the delivery wrong? Absolutely. We have to know the right way to convey a message, and when it’s time to stop talking. This time around I failed on both accounts.

I jumped right back into the fray trying to correct my wrong. And as things are getting progressively worse, I’m thinking “What am I doing wrong here? Why can’t I get this right?”

And then I heard it. Clear as can be. But I opened my mouth with another gust of sanctified anger only to have my voice taken away and the voice was a little bit stronger.

“Let me move.”

There was nothing left to say, nothing more to argue. I have tried since I was a little girl to mend these relationships in my life, only to get hurt and exhausted from the efforts. I thought I had reached the point in my life where I had let this go so that God could move. Only to find myself after all these years right up in the middle of it again. My words, my shouting, my crying wasn’t helping anything at all. I was fueling an already toxic situation. So, nothing left to do but hang up.

I did what I could, and this is a situation that God and only God can fix. Its so hard in the moment to fight being consumed by the overwhelming emotions that try to taint our decision making. That’s why its so important to be still in the moment. We can be so quick to react, that we don’t think about how our reaction is going to affect other people, and ourselves after the moment is over.

I got another call today, midway through me typing this. Funny how God works, and how you see things come full circle. I think some of my points hit home with my brother. I was more careful with my words today. Encouraging and pointed, instead of stern and direct. Only time will tell, I have learned that. But as I close this, it’s off my mind and in God’s hands…. For good!! When you finally release a situation, it feels like a fresh new breath. Now if I could apply this to other areas of my life….. Lol

About Poetyss

About me..... Where do I start? Alot of times we tend to define ourselves with our jobs, thinking that is what represents us. But I want to start this by saying that I am a child of God and a firm believer that Jesus is our Savior. That is the force that guides me and comes first and foremost in my daily life. I am a 30-something woman who is on the intriguing path to find my purpose and get this thing called life right!! I love writing, in all of its forms, and have been writing plays, stories, news articles and poetry since I was about 6 yrs old. I have alot of thoughts and dreams that I have been able to express through my poetry and writing, and now blessfully through this blog! So, now that we have that established... lol.. I'll give you my credentials. :) I am a mother of 3 wonderful and awesome children, a 10 yr old daughter, 5 yr old son and an 18 mth old son. I have recently discovered a new gift and started my own jewelry company called Agape Couture Jewelry, through which I design and handcraft custom jewelry. And I love it!! :) I currently work for the court system in New Jersey, so you can imagine the stuff I see on a daily basis! But honestly, that is what fuels my fire for what I do. We need another outlet, another source, another way, to show the world that there are options. You don't have to follow the pied piper, make your own way and let the Lord show you the path. If I can share that message, my heart is fulfilled. And I hope and pray that in doing so, I can somehow bless and fulfill yours. Many blessings family, Poetyss

Time Management Test

The enemy is attacking my time management plan. As hard as I try I can't seem to publish my posts when I intend to and there are always distractions when it's time to read or write. What makes matters worse is that he is using my family as the weapon of choice. Issues only seem to arise when I'm at home. This post was actually written in my "down-time" at work and is being typed and published in the comfort of my new office, the bathroom in my bedroom. It is the only place where I cannot be interrupted or be an interruption. Just about all of my posts have been researched, drafted, and edited at work. I have essays, devotionals, and whatever was on my mind at the time all ready to be published when I get to my computer…at home. Am I being tested? Maybe. It's time to put my foot down and explain (graciously and lovingly) that during a certain time frame I would like to be uninterrupted (as was advised in my Time Management post).

The devil knows my reading and writing are my direct line to the Father. I feel closest to Him when I am studying Scripture and writing what's on my heart. Reading and writing have always been my outlets and my avenue of communication. When I'm happy, I write. When I'm upset, I write. If there is something I want to be heard, I write it. But now that I know that this is my gift from God, the one that fell from His grace, is now jealous and is trying to steal it from me. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!

+Prayer+

Father, I have hit a bump in the road. Lord give me the strength, the wisdom, the courage, and most importantly the grace to tell my family how important the work You assigned to me is. Put Your words in my mouth to explain to them that it is time for You I ask for without interruption. Help me make them understand that this is our time together Lord and it is precious to me. I am so grateful for the gift You have given me and I thank You for using me to glorify Your Name. I rebuke the adversary and his tactics in using my family to get between us, in the Name of Jesus!

+Amen+

Thou Art Worthy

"Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love." –St. Clare of Assisi

After having tried and "failed" at so many things I began to believe my life wasn't worth anything. I thought that the lives of others would be better off without me. My daughter always preferred to be with her grandmother and it seemed like my family never came to my place to see me. I was a magnet for unhealthy relationships. My attempts at getting a degree were just that – attempts. My finances were horrible. Bankruptcy, repossession, eviction, bad credit, you name it. I had no hope, no faith, no light. I was in complete darkness; right where God needed me to be.
He opened my eyes so I could take a good look at myself. I saw things around me that I knew were not me. I found myself in places I should not have been with people I who supposedly cared for me. I was doing things I know I should not have been. Most of the time I was high, drunk, and alone. Finally it hit me, "What are you doing to yourself?!" it was at that point when things started to change.
The Lord heard me and began calling my name. A hunger and a thirst rumbled in my belly that only He could feed. When I had questions and needed direction the right people, books, and programs would just pop up. I stopped smoking, drinking and getting high cold turkey all at the same time. My financial issues took a radical change. I went from not being able to get approved for an apartment to finding a private owner who didn't care about credit to two years later being approved for a mortgage. But most importantly I shed relationships that were toxic to me and began the most satisfying, unconditionally loving relationship I have ever known.
God loves us in spite of us. We all fantasize about a relationship where that great love would lay down their life for us and rescue us from the evil one. Well, there is no fairy tale about it, someone already did. We are worth so much to God that He created and sent His only Son Jesus Christ to live our sin, show us how to rise above it, and then died to save our souls. He loves us so much that he has already made a plan for us to live spirit-filled, abundant lives. Jesus came back after He died to reassure us that we would be okay if we abide by Him and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Jesus is our Intercessor, our Comforter, our Protector and Provider. He is our Confidant, our Friend, and our Father. With Jesus we are never alone.
No one other than God can value us more. One we open our hearts to let Him in, His love will give us the ability to love ourselves and others more than ever before. We will know our worth and be able to tell others our testimony enabling others to see their worth. I praise God for rescuing me, loving me, and delivering me from evil.

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:12, KJV)

On my mind....

Blessings to you! I don't have anything formally written today just have some things and ideas I want to share.  Well first I'm trying to keep up with my new time management plans. My last post was actually published in the morning after my husband left for work. So far so good on that.  I have some other writings I'm working on as well.  Doing pretty good with my reading schedule.  I actually got a chance to read today while I sat under the dryer giving meyself a deep conditioning treatment......which lead me to an idea.  Somehow I'm thinking about doing a hair journal.  I'll have to pray on it though. But I have started taking some steps just in case.  I'm also thinking about adding another author to 30 and Saved and expanding. I'll update you on that as well.  I"ll be talking to her soon and putting together some ideas ( I was actually supposed to call her yesterday....I guess I fell off a little with the time schedule on that...I'll get it together.  I have faith.)  Unfortunately church was canceled due to the snow, but I praised, worshiped and got the word anyhow.  All while I did my hair, lol.  Well, just wanted to catch up with ya'll and ramble a bit.......thanks for reading. Keep it Blessed!!!!!

Can't Find the Time.........

Up by 6 a.m. to be to work by 8 a.m., out by 4 p.m. get home around 5...hubby asked me to make some calls and left me a "hunny-do" list...study my Bible and do some writing in my down time....oh yea!  make sure the kids have rides from their afterschool activities...check my emails, catch up on Facebook.  Dang! What's for dinner? Go to the grocery store pick up a few things on the way home from work...make sure homework is done, start laundry, gas up the car.......

Sound familiar?  I feel like there is not enough time in a day.  Figuring out how to balance my time has become an obstacle. Even more so since getting married and taking on new responsibilities.  I must say I was getting a little overwhelmed.  But while doing some Bible study in my Woman's Study Bible I found some articles on time management which lead me to Scriptures on how God wants us to budget our time. 

Taking a lesson from the Jewish is a great start.  They actually start their day in the evening when the home begins to rest.  After dinner and the kitchen is clean I can take a few moments to get my head right,  think about what I would like to do the next day and pray for the Lord to lead me to accomplish the things that are most important to Him and that His will be done (Prov. 3:5-6).  I also must make it known to my family that there are things that are important to me to get done (Roma. 12:2) and assure them that their needs are included (Col. 4:5-6).  Above all however what is top priority is that all is done to glorify God (Prov. 16:3).

Using my time wisely is key.  Fortunately I have a job where I am able to utilize down time to spend studying my Bible, and working on posts and articles.  I will also try to get in the practice of getting up when my husband leaves for work.  I have an hour or so where I could maybe work on my blog, check some e-mails, and do some other projects.

When it's God's will, there will most certainly be a way.  Instead of getting stressed and overwhelmed I'll use the lessons learned from the Perfect Planner on how to budget my time.

*Thank you Lord for showing me how to use the time You gifted me with wisely.*