Tag: encouragement

Repeat after me: This is going to be a fantastic Monday!

Repeat after me:

This is going to be a fantastic Monday!

Now get out there and MAKE IT A FANTASTIC MONDAY!

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I used to dread Mondays, beloveds. And I mean ddddddddreeeeeeaaaaaaad them! Just the THOUGHT, of a Monday, sent my Fridays into SUCH a tailspin. Saturdays, you could forgetaboutit. I spent the whole of Saturday lamenting the upcoming Monday. So you KNOW Sunday was a wrap. Sundays were spent in holy terror of the coming Monday.

What, praytell, was I all fired up about Mondays for? Beats me, beloveds. I was just certain it would be the start of a hard week and having to go through a ton of hard this, that, the other and more where that and those came from.

As it turns out, none of the horror shows ever showed up. I tended to enjoy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and the rest of the week. Eventually, I learned to get some act right and to tell myself to shut up and enjoy the start of my week.

Enjoy the start of your week. Enjoy each moment in between. Life is short. Also, we too busy doing thangs than to fret about things that will never happen. Be encouraged. Asking for A Friend. In case no one has told you yet today: I love you.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

You are worth the wait.

I’m hungry.

I’m deciding on what to cook.

I am going to take my time and actually cook.

No microwave.

NO easy peasie.

I am going to take the time and prepare a good meal.

Then, I am going to enjoy said meal. I am going to savor it. I am going to bless the cook. I am going to make a fine desert.

I can’t wait!

I can wait patiently for the time to come to prepare myself a grand feast.

Life is short, beloveds.

You are soooooooooooooooo worth the wait.

Take some time to be good to you.

For you.

You are worth the wait.

anticipating,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I just finished washing the dishes from an exceptionally wonderful meal. It was soooooo tasty, I prepared more and did meal prep to enjoy for tomorrow. How great is that? What did I have? Not telling…lol. Be encouraged. Have some fun having your me time.

Speaking of me time, I am fixing to spend the rest of the evening watching some deliciously cheesy romcoms and daydreaming about what could perhaps possibly may be…..

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Unintended consequences: Stop fighting the wrong thing(s).

Every since maintenance had to go into the walls to repair from water damage, I have been fighting pesky bugs!

Ack!

I hhhhhhhhhaaaatttteee bugs.

Yet, they are an unintended consequence of the need to have the walls repaired.

It’s not my fault there were creepy things, on the outside. The inside needed mending.

Now, mended, I have to fight some outside peskies that found their way inward.

I used to fuss and lament about the bugs.

Not my fault!

It’s not fair they in here!

Until, God handed me some bug spray and told me to get to work.

I got to work.

I get to work.

Still.

I no longer waste time lamenting about what happened.

It is what it is.

The wall was what the wall was.

It’s fixed.

I am fixated on getting these dummies out of here.

I just stopped long enough, beloveds, to encourage you to focus on fighting the right thing(s). There is no need to keep wasting time lamenting what was broken.

Things broke.

Things have been repaired.

You have unintended consequences from your brokenness.

Move forward.

Move on.

Get to swatting away whatever it is needs fought.

Fight the right things.

Stop blaming yourself for being hurt.

Stop blaming life for being life.

Fix what you can.

Mitigate what needs mitigating.

Enjoy your in the meantime.

Speaking of which, a bowl of Cassandra Goulash is hollering for me to come quick.

Be encouraged and stop focusing on the brokenness. Focus, as best you can, on what has and is being healed. Rejoice. You got this.

enjoying life with you,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Who has desert? Asking for A Friend…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Move.

What moves you?

What are you moved by?

What are you trying to move?

What are you waiting for God to move?

Are you waiting for God to move for you because He is moved by your:

Feelings?

Fears?

Beloveds, God moves because He promises He will move.

God does NOT move for the sake of our feelings. He is NOT about handing out pillows for our hard places.

God/Life/The Universe has been waiting for US to move:

Out of His Way.

Out of our own way.

For our own good.

Towards our dreams.

Away from fear and doubt.

Move.

Move!

What moves you?

What are you moved by?

What are you trying to move?

What are you waiting for God to move?

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Be encouraged. Move forward. Don’t be afraid. Be afraid and do it anyway!

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Keep dreaming.

Dreaming is hard.

Unfulfilled dreams are terribly hard to carry around.

Keep dreaming.

After mom died, I took all my dreams and stuffed them in a closet. Angry, I yelled at God to take the dreams and….

One day, God told me to take my dreams out of the closet and begin to tote them, again. I told Him ‘No way!!’ He kept pestering me to take my dreams and get to toting them. I kept on saying ‘No!’

I don’t know what finally got me to toting my dreams, again. I just found myself toting them. Angrily, at first. Eventually, I was grateful for them. Toting them helped me to heal.

Completely? No. Enough to where I drag them along and share them with mom over coffee. Virtually, for her. For real for real, for me…lol.

Keep dreaming, beloveds. Your dreams will and are taking you to awesome places. Some places will take you a lifetime to get to. Enjoy the journey. As shall I.

enjoying dreaming again,


Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Ah, dreams. Why you taking so long to get here? Why you keep running from me? Asking for a friend…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Sometimes, what you really want is not what you REALLY want.

God: Sometimes, what you really want is not what you REALLY want.

Me: Whatcha mean?

God: What do you want? REALLY?

Me: Well, I want/need a sabbatical from work.

God: Why?

Me: Well, I NEED a sabbatical so I can have:

Time to write.

Time to rest.

Time to explore.

God: Why can’t you do those things now?

Me: I’m toooooooooooooo busy at work.

God: Don’t you get off days?

Me: Well, yea…

God: Does your job work you around the clock?

Me: Well, no…

God: Answer me this: Would working, for yourself, alleviate all your supposed money-related stresses?

Me: Well…hmm. Actually, there would be MORE stress as I would have to be the one fighting to keep funds in the bank, taking care of taxes owed, keeping fresh influx of cash coming in…

The more I questioned what I wanted…

The more I looked into what I desired to do for God, for folk, for me, the more I became:

Thoughtful.

Introspective.

Hopeful.

I just wanted to be. I just want to be. Me. That’s it.

I can be me anywhere.

I can be me working anywhere.

I can work on my dreams from anywhere.

Until then, I am enjoying my job. Right now. Right here. I thought I was frustrated and stifled because of my job.

It turns out I was frustrated and stifled because I didn’t fully KNOW what I wanted to do. What I wanted to be, with my life.

I was raised to dismiss me and my thoughts and dreams and hopes so I could serve others. Then, when I gave my life to Christ, I fell into the deep chasm of having to wait to be ‘chosen’ in order to be of service.

I was told I had to wait to be selected/assigned/called/yadayada/(insert your own buzz words here).

I was also told I would never be ‘used of God’ until I ‘came out of my pants’. Until I praised more quietly. Until I did this, that and the other thing.

I was told my passionate faith would ‘get old’ and would ‘wear out’ as it was just ‘baby faith’. SMH. I am as passionate, now, as I was all those decade ago. In fact, I love me some Him all the more.

I say all of that, beloveds, to say this:

God loves you. Period. Nuff said.

God loves YOU!

Yes, He appreciates your service. Yet, if you didn’t do another thing, if you lifted not another finger, if you served not one more soul, you would STILL be loved by God.

It breaks my heart there are so many folks who are ‘paying rent’ to the world, trying to pay rent to God and The Universe to earn the right to breathe. To be seen. To be loved. To be cherished.

You are all of those things and more, beloveds.

ALL God wants to do is to love you. Period. ALL He needs is your fellowship. Period.

It took decades for me to FINALLY give my shovel, my broom, my arms to God and simply sit with Him. BE with Him. Be loved by Him. Ah, God, how beautiful it is to KNOW I am loved and that I am NOT what I do.

In a sense, beloveds, if you love you some Him, your very life IS your ministry. Just you being you serves your fellow man. Just you loving, the way YOU love, sooooooooooooooo impacts the world around you.

Just you offering a hand, a prayer, a thought, an act of kindness, a smile, a hug, a boot to the rear, an admonition, a laugh, a gift, does so much to brighten all around you.

Be encouraged, beloveds. I’m tired and not sure my thoughts are being communicated beyond my brain fog and swollen fingers.

The bible says we are the branches. We are NOT the vine. We are not responsible for growing the grapes. We just ‘hang out’ whilst the grapes grow on us branches, eh?

I can normally articulate what it is my heart. My heart is too full, I guess, to come out in an orderly way. Crap.

Sometimes, what you really want, is not what you REALLY want.

What do you want?

REALLY?

I dare you to ask yourself so you can find out. The answer(s) may surprise you. Mine surprised me. If any would like to yak a bit further about this, shoot me an email: ttnette37@yahoo.com.

Be well.

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Ah, God. Give us some answers please/thanks. Asking for some friends.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Emergency Hugs.

*Cassandra rushes around, providing Emergency Hugs for all in need*

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hug))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

*hugs self*

*hugs self some more*

Be encouraged, beloveds.

We got this.

Our breakthroughs are at hand. Otherwise, the fight wouldn’t be sooooooooooooooooooo hard right now.

He got us.

Be encouraged.

In case no one has told you today: I love you.

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Yikes, life ain’t playing. That’s okay. I ain’t playin’ neither! I got thangs to do.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Get in your three.

I make sure to do three things each day:

Listen to something positive.

Watch something positive.

Read something positive.

Doesn’t matter what it is or how long it so long as it is positive, uplifting, of good report, inspiring, truthful(smh), etc.

Have you gotten in your three, beloveds?

If not, go way from me and get after it. You will be amazed how much joy you will have stored up for the hard times.

Get them in where you can fit them in….lol.

I am currently scaring all the neighbors hollering, er, singing badly to some Hillsong. Fantastic!

Enjoy your Friday!

hopeful,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Okay, um, you supposed to be getting them in where you can fit them in! Scoot now. Love someone. Starting with you.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

What do you see when you look at you?

What do you see when you look at you?

What do YOU see?

What do you see when you look at YOU?

Are you:

Satisfied?

Disappointed?

Do you think others are:

Satisfied?

Disappointed?

Do you think God is:

Satisfied?

Disappointed?

Are your friends:

Satisfied?

Disappointed?

What do you see when you look at you, beloveds?

If this sentence makes you cringe, ah, beloveds, I feel ya. I used to cringe when I asked myself this question.

I used to peer, at myself, through my fingers. I used to hold myself at arm’s lengths. And, not necessarily because of what I saw. I allowed my view to be clouded by the views of others.

No more.

NO MORE!

Now, the only lens I am concerned about are:

His.

Mine.

Rinse.

Repeat.

What do you see when you look at you?

asking for A Friend,


Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: In case no one has told you yet today: I love you. So does He. Jesus said tell you hi…..

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Be encouraged, Maggie.

Be encouraged, Maggie.

Stand fast, Ria.

Remain hopeful, beloveds.

We got this.

It’s okay to not understand.

It’s okay to wonder when.

It’s okay.

It will be okay.

When?

That I can not say. I CAN say:

You are loved and you are not alone.

Keep going.

going with you,


Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: If you are currently wondering how you are going to make it one more step…rejoice! Victory is at hand. Be encouraged, beloveds. Love someone. Starting with you. Asking for A Friend.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!