church – A Thomas Point of View

December 10, 2018December 6, 2018

Motivational Monday Moment – 12.10.18

I’m back with the Motivational Monday Moment. For my new readers, this is where I try to encourage you to keep pushing on despite your circumstances. Trust me – I’ve fallen victim to my own circumstances and have wallowed in the hells of despair only to be reminded that trouble don’t last always and that this right now is temporary.

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This last month has been hell. Chaos all around me that put me in a negative mind space. I was literally grasping at straws to keep from cursing and losing my dang mind. I was angry and although I had every right to be I was letting the chaos of the situation alter my core. I was keeping that anger inside and was ready to kick some butt.

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Until the 1st of December.

I had a session with my therapist who had been out of town for the last month and she centered my soul. She said to me that I need to ask God to give me peace in the situation. She reminded me that the Bible says…

Philippians 4:7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

She told me that God would give me peace but I needed to pray for myself. I needed to pray to God to give me peace. Wow! She was right. I was praying for everyone around me but not for me. I needed to pray for myself. And in her office that day she prayed over me and my spirit and God gave me peace. It was as though he had been waiting for me to come to him on behalf of myself.

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I surrendered my all and got peace in my spirit. This peace is helping me in the chaos of my life to stand and just let God be God. I can’t stop the chaos, but I can surrender to be peaceful. God is in control of it all.

That is my wish for you today. That you surrender to the peace and know that this season is only temporary. That the chaos will come but if you ask God for peace, I promise you that He will give it to you. What will you ask Him for today?

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page @mskeeinmd.

A Royal Love

I watched the Royal Wedding Saturday morning of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Yep, I actually set my alarm and woke up to see history in the making. I was excited to be witnessing the union of the youngest of Diana’s boys getting married to the woman of his dreams. It was pretty darn awesome.

That being said, I wanted to give you my feedback on the wedding. Nope, I couldn’t do it on Saturday because I had a LONG day and I wanted to gather my thoughts. In between live tweeting and checking Facebook I think I have summarized what I thought of the wedding in one word…perfect.

The wedding was a perfect blend of modern and traditional. It brought tears to my eyes to not only see the bride and groom smiling and holding hands throughout the ceremony, but to see that they had a gospel choir, a black woman in clergy robe (this is big), a young black boy playing the cello and the black Bishop from Chicago who came to the ceremony to preach. It was perfect.

All I needed to see them do was the jump the broom, but that would have been too black. But, it didn’t matter. The love that I saw between the two of them made me smile from ear to ear. It was historic that he’s marrying a black woman and I can literally see the face of the monarchy changing. History was made.

She’s strong and independent and she represents the best in women and wants the best for women. She married and divorced and showed that you can still find love after divorce. Mr. C asked “Why did she wear white and she’s divorced?” There’s no shame in being divorced and yes she can wear white if she wants to. I explained the only people that should really wear white on their wedding days are virgins and 95% of the weddings occurring now aren’t between virgins, so wear what you want.

I’m ecstatic to see history made again. Love was the word of the day and the couple exuded so much love that I got chills. I added them to my prayer list because Lord knows we need more love in this world.

Note: I do not own the rights to this photo. I did a Google search and got it off-line.

Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

April 10, 2017May 17, 2017

Motivational Monday Moment– 4/10/2017

My Motivational Monday Moment is inspired by my momma. She told me to pray for protection. She and I were discussing some drama that I’m dealing with and she said that you have to remember to say your prayers of protection. Ask God to protect you from spiritual warfare.

What are the prayers of protection? They are Psalms 27, Psalms 37, Psalms 71 and Psalms 91. Ya’ll we are about to have church this Monday morning. This was right on time for me. I started reading the Psalms and it was my prayer to the Lord. I knew that I was on the path and that what I was going through was nothing new to Him.

The book of Psalms is a book of poetry. It speaks to were we are in different times in our lives and that God is still the same unchanging God. But, I needed to be reassured of that because I’m going through a storm. That’s what my momma reminded me of. God’s protection is promised in these prayers.

God knows all and hears all. I need Him. I need his protection. You ever heard that phrase “Can’t nobody do me like Jesus?” Well, I was having that moment because I knew where my help and strength come from. I was humbled and reminded as my pastor said so eloquently yesterday in church “to recognize better”. I was in better.

I loved being in better and even though it seems that people wanted to keep me in bitter, I knew better. I needed God to protect my heart and my spirit. I know that I am not alone this morning. We’ve all been there.

The thing about this faith is that it doesn’t mean that we won’t have trials or tribulations. We will. We will be put in the middle of storm and wonder “Why, o’ why has my God forsaken me?” But, you know what? He hasn’t.

He is still the same God. We just need to ask God to be our protection. He hears all and answers all. If you’re going through your own personal hell or you know someone that is, send them the Psalms. Pray over them. Let them know that God is and has always been our refuge.

Happy Monday Loves!

Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

September 26, 2016September 26, 2016

Motivational Monday Moment – 9/26/16

It’s the last Monday in September in the ninth month. Can you believe that the year is almost over? Whew! It went by too fast. There’s still time though.

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What is there still time to do? Serve. Be of service to someone. My Monday Motivational Moment is to encourage you to serve. Serving others is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Why? Because you are giving of your time.

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Time is valuable.

We all value our time. But, we know that we should be generous in the giving of our time to those that need us.

Mark 10:45 (NRSV)

⁴⁵For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

I know you’re probably saying, “I’m too busy. I got a million things going on right now.” Right? Well, how many of those million things that you’re doing are for others. Serving others in a situation that is more beneficial?

We have to be of service. Serving others makes us not only feel better, but those we serve are greatly rewarded. Time can no longer be a variable. We must find a way to make our moments in life count.

Give of ourselves selflessly. Just like the Bible commands us to do. What if God was selfish with his time? How many of us would benefit? Not many.

But, there are many reasons to volunteer…

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Still not convinced. Guess what I got to do this weekend? I got the amazing opportunity to be of service to others when my church had it’s annual Mission Blitz. It’s our annual day of service. We go out in the community and serve others through various organizations.

Where did I go? Martha’s Table. It was an amazing opportunity to serve others. Me and some of my fellow church members went to DC to help with their food distribution and you know what? We weren’t the only ones.

There were a number of other volunteers there. It was amazing. It was a great reminder of how bless we are to have access to food and quality food at that. I like some of the great programs they put on including a Pop-Up Market at local elementary schools and a couple of community centers. The Pop-Up Markets allow families to select from fresh, seasonal produce and healthy pantry staples at no cost every month.

Isn’t that amazing? There are so many people in this country who have food security issues and no access to fresh food that this organization is changing that. Can you imagine what it’s like to not be able to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables for your family? If you can imagine, can you imagine having an organization provide you access to the fresh fruit and produce at no cost to you?

Many organizations, like Martha’s Table need help all year round and I decided that I wanted to get some of my girlfriends involved. We always gripe about things that are stressing us out and wouldn’t it be amazing to do service for others? That’s one of my goals for the remaining 2016 and going into 2017.

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Serving others.

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July 25, 2016July 25, 2016

The Introduction

This is the 110th year anniversary of my church. We had a homecoming celebration the weekend of July 8th through July 10th where we had a praise celebration through song and dance, our church picnic and of course church on Sunday.

It was an awesome filled weekend of activities and after the week America had, there was no other place I wanted to be than with other folks praising and worshipping Jesus. I needed a spiritual rejuvenation and a renewing of my mind. I had to get my focus back after the violence we saw. So, I headed to the Lord’s house to fellowship.

I invited one of my besties back to the church because she was a former member that I wanted to invite home. I invited a couple of other people, my girlfriend Christine and her family were invited to the church picnic and Mr. C was invited to church on Friday night for the praise session.

This was the first time that I had ever invited a man to see the place where I worshipped. To visit my church. To be a part of something so profound in my life. I paused for a second wondering if I was ready.

Truth is…I was. This is the best way to get to know me. Knowing what is important to me. My faith is important to me so I wanted to share that with him. It was also the first time that he would meet Munch.

I wasn’t worried. Munch wanted to meet him. Munch sees his name on the car dash as we converse back and forth in the mornings and on the way home in the evenings. He asked to meet him a couple of month’s ago. I asked him why. His response was “I know all your friends.”

He’s right. He does. I don’t have any friendships that I call meaningful and they haven’t met my son. My son is an integral part of who I am and all that I value. So, I asked Mr. C if he wanted to come to church. He asked “Won’t your son be there?” “Yes” I replied. He came.

My bestie and god son sat next to each other and Mr. C came later and sat in the back. He came over after church service and I introduced him to my Munch. I said “Munch, this is Mr. C. You said you wanted to meet him.” He smiled and shook his hand and said “Hi”. It was cool.

Munch was cool with it. Munch mentioned that he wanted to meet him because I’m always talking about him. He said, “Mommy always tells you the bad stuff I do.” Mr. C laughed. I replied, “Nope, I tell him the good and the bad. He gives me encouragement and clarity on how to deal with your moods love. He has a son. He’s been through this before.” Munch said, “But, I don’t want you to tell him the bad stuff.” I laughed.

It was over. No worries about him meeting someone. He had met someone in the most special place…church. He wasn’t concerned that mommy had a new friend. He was more concerned that I shared the “bad things” he did. My child is hilarious.

Just like that my parenting fear was over. All the moments where I struggled to decide if I wanted my son to ever meet someone went down the drain. I was now able to allow the fluidity of the situation to occur.

It’s been 9 months since I met Mr. C and now my son can put a face to a name. We are slowly enjoying this process of getting to know each other and our families. It takes time. I’m learning patience.

Next up though…we are actually going to do a Color Run in DC in October and bring our sons. Exercise and partying. That should be interesting.

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016

Randomness on Leap Year!

Yes, it’s the last day of February and leap year. How awesome is that? I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of purpose and actually well rested. So, let me tell you six random things on this beautiful leap year day.

My son sang with the Sunbeam choir at church yesterday for the Black History Month Presentation. He looked so cute in his little dress shirt and bow tie. Very handsome. However, he continued to wave at me and his family most of the performance and at one point in the service I thought he had caught the holy spirit with his dancing and singing. It was hard to tell. I just smiled at the boy who gives me so much joy.
I didn’t see Mr. C this weekend at all. Can you believe it? It’s the first time in 5 months that I haven’t seen him on a Saturday. It was weird. He felt bad, but it was cool. I hung out with my girlfriend Saturday night for some much-needed quality time. She’s trying to convince me to come to Vegas in May and as much as I want to I can’t do it. It’s not the money as much as the time frame. I can’t do it then. Ugh!
I took off my acrylic nails and got a manicure Friday night. My nail tech is the best. I make bi-weekly hair and nail maintenance a part of my budget. I am now rocking my “real nails” and hopefully I won’t bite them off. It truly is a bad habit. But, don’t my nails look cute though?

I’m in full party planning mode for Munch’s 8th birthday party on April 30th. His birthday falls on a Saturday this year and he told me that he wanted a pool party. All the dang swimming pools are booked on his birthday. I was explaining this to him and he said, “What does booked mean?” Ugh! I hate those type of questions because I feel like I can’t explain it to him in 7-year-old terms. We are having a Sonic birthday party.
I got some boxes and started taping them up this weekend for the move. I have so much to do and I’m looking around overwhelmed. I am praying for strength because moving sucks and it can be a lot. I just have to keep motivating myself to do something everyday so that I won’t be crunching it at the last-minute.
It’s the last day of Black History Month and I didn’t get a chance to highlight some of the people who I wanted to. I thought okay, I can spend time over the next 12 months highlighting some folks of notable interest. I don’t have to stop in February. I can keep going and that’s what I’m planning to do. People that I know. Some that I don’t that are making a difference in the community.

That’s about all the randomness going on right now. I hope you have a wonderful Monday and leap year!

February 7, 2016February 3, 2016

The Master’s Love

Did you know that one of my favorite books in the bible is Romans? Yep, it is. It is my go to book when I feel that God’s forgotten me. It allows me to remember that the Master’s Love is unforgettable and the bond that we have is unbreakable. His love is endless.

That love allows me to know love, be loved and give love. Because He gives it so freely. Even when I’m not obedient and I feel as though I am all alone. He reminds me that I am His and He is mine.

Trust me when I tell you that I know what it is like to feel abandoned by friends and family and you feel as though your prayers are falling on deaf ears, but trust me when I tell you that they are not. Sometimes you just need to pray and let it alone. Trust that He knows that you are standing in the need of prayer and everything will work according to His will.

It gets frustrating. It gets hard. It can be overwhelming. But, trust me when I tell you that nobody can do you like Jesus. His grace and mercy are unmatched and that love will never leave you.

Romans 5:8 (NRSV)

⁸But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015

Sinner’s Prayer

You know sometimes I just can’t pray for folks who mean me harm. You know the people who try to maliciously destroy me or despise me so much that all they do is stress me out. I know what you’re thinking…why are you letting them? Human nature. I have to deal with difficult people.

I hate it though. I hate that I have to interact or deal with people who have grudges against me and strive to cause me misery. I just pray the typical sinner’s prayer, “God please smite my enemies. You promised me that you would make them my footstools. Any day now would be super.”

I told you that it was a sinner’s prayer. But, what do you do when it is affecting how you co-parent? How do you get better? I know that I can’t change others. I can only change me. I know I can’t make people respect me or treat me like I treat them. I just want to co-parent in peace.

However, my spirit was in turmoil last night. I was feeling overwhelmed and tearful at the relationship that feels sometimes like it is an uphill battle. In a perfect world, my son’s father and I would just want to do what is best for our son. Protect his spirit and truly respect each other as co-parents. But, that doesn’t happen.

In my very intimate circles I share my frustrations, fears and tears as it relates to this situation. The common consensus is to just be strong and pray for him. What? Pray for him? Why? I can’t. He is so mean to me sometimes and praying isn’t going to help.

You see what I did right there? I tried to tell folks that God can’t. That I know more than God because God can’t change him. However, God always knows how to bring me back in line. Let me tell you how…

My friend was going through some things on her job and her boss was attacking her from every which way. She feared losing her job. She prayed. She sent out her resume. She prayed. She was constantly afraid that she would lose her job that it was stressing her out. Causing her physical, mental and spiritual pain. One day when we were having dinner I was sharing my experience with her when I went through something similar with a former supervisor.

I told her that it all worked out in my favor, but I wish I would have prayed for my supervisor. That was my only regret. I told her that she needs to pray for those that wish to cause her harm. Pray for her enemies. Pray for her supervisor. I told her that it is hard, but you have to try to pray for her. She said okay.

We had a chance to catch up recently and I asked her how everything is going at work and she said, “Better. No problems with my supervisor saying disrespectful things to me, but I still don’t trust the environment, but she’s a lot better.” I smiled. She said, “I remember that you told me to pray for her and I did. I believe that prayer worked.”

I gave her advice over something that I wished I had done when under attack. My God! I didn’t know how soon it would be before God gave me another opportunity to do what He has commanded me to do.

Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV)

Love Your Enemies

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,^[b] ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

I had to pray for my son’s father. Why? Because I know better. I prayed a sinner’s prayer, but I’m committing to pray for him and for all those that persecute me. I didn’t know how to start. I mean what could I say that would make sense?

Thank God for friends. He sent me these prayers this morning and I already started to pray because it can only improve our relationship and our ability to co-parent effectively. Maybe my praying will inspire you to pray for those who despise you as well. Collectively I believe we can make a change.

November 13, 2015

Praying for Paris

Psalm 46 (NRSV): God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I am praying for those in Paris who have been struck by violence this evening. The death toll is climbing and we as a nation need to offer up a collective prayer. Senseless violence destroys us as a society. It rips through who we are as a people. Human.

Please pray with me.

September 17, 2015September 17, 2015

TBT – Munch’s First Year

Hi Everyone,

In reminiscing about my baby growing up I decided to do a Throwback Thursday (TBT) posting on my munch. Munch is now 7, but when he was first born, I was in awe. I’m still in awe today, but I have a more laid back, you won’t know I’m in awe because you’ll probably use it to your advantage approach with him. His first year was filled with so many wonderful things and the best two that happened was his dedication and his first birthday party.

Munch was dedicated at our church at six months old. He was the cutest and fattest six month old ever. My church doesn’t use water to dedicate children. We pray over the child and affirm our ability to lead and guide children to Christ so that they can make the decision to be baptized on their own at some point.

This was a big deal for us because his dad and I met at church. We were in the same church choir, youth group and got married in that church. So, it was essentially coming full circle. We were surrounded by friends and family who had flown in as far as California to take part in this blessed event with a reception that followed afterwards.

His first birthday was in spectacular form as well because we invited everyone and their mom literally. Munch was still learning to walk and had fallen a couple of days before at day care and scratched his nose. I freaked. His first birthday is right around the corner. No way I thought. But, in the end it was the biggest brown eyes and sweetest smile that I remembered. Not the scratch on his nose. Okay, I’m lying. You can still see the scratch. LOL!

Here are some of my memories: