I chose Victory....

I remember always thinking, when I have children they'll have their father's last name, they'll have this, they'll have that. All because I do not carry my father's last name.

Did it effect me as a child? Sure it did. Did it define me as an adult? No it did not. 

I remember growing up always remembering things from my childhood that were always not good. Yes I had fun as a kid but to me, it wasn't the fun that other kids talked about. 

Did it effect me as a child? Sure it did. Did it define me as an adult? No it did not. 

One of my biggest lessons, biggest spiritual breakthroughs came in the form of forgiveness. Yes I've heard many people say, you have to forgive so You'll heal. While that maybe true, I soon learned not only do you have to heal but you also have to forgive yourself so that you can move one.  

I know, why are you forgiving yourself? You're forgiving yourself because, if you're anything like me, you carried the weight of not feeling good enough. You carried the weight of being mad at yourself, you carried the weight of whatever was done against you. 

It's so second nature to carry extra baggage when you don't have too. We pick it up and it becomes part of our genetic make up. We carry being the victim almost like its a badge. 

I was hurt

I was ignored

I was talked about 

I was laughed at

I was judged

I suffered.....

You become tired of it but you don't know how to drop it. You want to smile but you lost it being mad at yourself because of how someone made you feel. 

When and how do you take back ownership of your own life? You forgive yourself and cut the excess  off! Is it hard? 

Yes it's hard.

Will it be easy? No it won't. 

But will it be worth it?  Yes it will. 

My lovies, let today be the day you chose YOUR victory. Let today be the start of something new for you. No more self pity, no more blaming, no more carrying the weight of the world. Carry your own stuff, that's all you're fully responsible for anyway. 

Join me in choosing, VICTORY!! 

Signed, 

Simply Forgiven, Simply Victorious, Simply Cheneka 

Simple Reminders..

I'm not perfect but I Love God. I make mistakes, I stumble but I always get back up and try it again.. 

Today is only Monday but my FAITH and PRAYER life have been tested. Sometimes, God will use situations to position us. 

I was positioned yesterday.. I prayed yesterday and I cried yesterday. 

Today I woke up, still feeling God's presence. I was a bit quieter than normal ( wasn't extremely social) and I just spent time listening... 

Then it happened, a sistergirl reached out and the tears fell. It was such an unexpected text but it warned my heart. 

My Lovies, I challenge you to trust the process. Trust change, trust moves, trust tears, trust frustrations because it's the beginning of the making of you. And when you least expect it, God will remind you, "You're right where I would have you to be to Change the World"...

Let your light speak for you, be okay with your mistakes and trust that someone is watching and learning.. 

Signed, 

I've learned A lot but I PRAY more! 

Politically Correct... ( A Moment of Truth)

  Sometimes, when I sit and think of things I've done and said as a while growing up and coming into my own; I can truly say I was mean ole chick!!
 This morning, as the Partners of my church were gathered on the line for our morning prayer call, my Pastor made a comment that kinda caught me( and I'm sure many others) off guard..

After he said it, I sat and thought about it and I agreed with him.
God, I AM thankful I woke up in my right mind
God, I AM thankful I was able to blink my eyes, move my hands and feet without assistance
God, I AM thankful I can read, write and express myself based on what and how I feel, NOT what's programmed in me
God, TODAY I AM Thankful just for life and the option to move at my own speed

When I heard the terms "slow" and "retarded" growing up, I instantly thought of the kids who rode the short yellow buses, with helmets and drooled( don't judge me) but today, after my Pastor put it into a different perspective, I realized life has paralyzed many of us, leaving us in slow and retarded states.

We are "slow" to respond when God is speaking to us and we're "retarded" because our actions are and have become delayed. I must admit, I have had slow moments in life. And it's not because I was born that way, it was just my way of thinking at that moment.

 Let's take it a bit further, our responses to life in general with all of it's challenges, ups and downs have left us in "slow" and "retarded" non-responsive states. Our reactions to someone mistreating us, taking advantage or even  belittling us has left us numb and even slow. Slow to respond and delayed with a response. Hmmmmm, how many time have you stood and not responded??

While, it's politically correct not to use offensive words, sometimes the politically correct term has more than one use.
I will NEVER purposely call anyone out of their name or make fun of them, however if a word has two meaning it's POLITICALLY correct to use it, I will!!

17 years ago, we used the term slow alot. 16 years later, I refuse to act in a slow state. There is always that person who is mean and hurtful waiting to catch you on your off day and call you out of your name because  there's just mean spirited people in the world.. Don't fall victim!!

Signed,
I'm Refocused
Refreshed
Renewed and Rebuilding Daily~~