This blog is more than just a creative outlet or revenue stream for me. It started as a place for me to share anything and everything that I felt has made my life better and more beautiful, hoping it might help do the same for you! I have shared everything from fashion advice, to life advice. I love curating products that I think are awesome and sharing encouraging words that hopefully offer hope or make your life more beautiful. Whether I am trying to save you time sourcing amazing products, offering advice or inspiration and ideas – I want to use my education, passions and giftings to serve and bring value to your life. Everything I share is genuine and authentic to my personal opinion or personal taste.
I try to be open and transparent, while remaining private in areas, to keep something sacred for me and my family. That said, the reason I do this, isn’t just a pay check (although it’s amazing that this passion has turned into a revenue stream). In fact for a couple years I generated no income from this “hobby.” That said, as cliche as it sounds, I share because I care! Whether it is a new pair of shoes, an incredible restaurant or a life lesson I have learned – I want to share my experience in hopes it will help you in some way – big or small.
Over the last several months, I have been reading very sad news and burdened with data regarding increase in suicide rates since the Covid pandemic began. It’s hard to imagine all the people out there suffering with mental illnesses during this very difficult season. I want you to know, I care. I care about you and I care about your well-being. Even if I don’t know you personally, I still care, deeply. The said, I shared this on my social media accounts yesterday, before I signed off on my fast. I felt to share it here too, as I believe we are facing a major crisis, even bigger than the covid crisis right now and I want to do all I can to help anyone in need.
This week, I lost an old friend. He was battling mental health issues and I didn’t know – many didn’t. I hadn’t spoken to him in at least 15 years. However, 9 days before he left this world, he reached out to me in relation to a post I shared regarding the pandemic. He said he felt we were on the same page and asked me to reflect. I was having a busy day with the kids, packing up to head out of town and just felt I didn’t have time to delve into my thoughts on all this via text that day. I made sure I liked his message so he knew I wasn’t ignoring him and hoped to get back to him when I could.
However, that never happened. Obviously, after finding out the news of his passing, I was pretty gutted, to say the very least. I wonder if I had answered if our conversation might have been taken in another direction and I maybe could have offered encouragement or hope to him. I know there is no way I could have known, but I still feel like I failed him. After all, I feel part of my purpose is to encourage people. Realizing I might have lost the opportunity to do that is pretty heavy. Moving forward I will always do my best to make time for people. People matter more than anything this world has to offer and we just never know what someone might be facing. So many are suffering on a daily basis and even more so from the lockdowns, fear, isolation and the divides stemming from this pandemic.
I am praying to God for eyes to see inside the sufferings of people. So I can be in better tune and help in any way I can or as God leads. I just want any of you to know, if you’re suffering, please don’t be ashamed. It’s okay – everyone struggles with things, but please don’t suffer alone. Reach out to someone and talk. even more importantly, reach out to your heavenly father, who loves you and wants the best for you. He created you for a divine purpose and will give you all that you need if you lean into him.
Yesterday, while I was on my walk, a song came on called, Jirah by Maverick City Music, Elevation Worship. I had heard it before, but it really resonated with me in a special way yesterday. So I was listening to it on repeat for the duration of my walk, as I spent time praying and reflecting on this post and I felt in my spirit to share it here, as I feel that it will be very uplifting to many. My favourite part of the song (there are many) was where it says, “You would cross an ocean, so I wouldn’t drown.” Isn’t that powerful?! God Loves us this much!!! I mean, Jesus died for us; that’s how much He loves us. I pray everyone reading this would get that into their spirit today – that God would give you a revelaltion of His love for you.
We all have purpose and are loved more than we can imagine by the one that made us. If you don’t know Jesus in an intimate way, its so easy to begin – simply acknowledge in your heart or say it out loud: Jesus, I want to know you and make you Lord of my life. I believe you are the son of God and died for my sins. Please forgive me for anything I might have done to hurt others or myself by going against your word. Please help me to become the person you created me to be. It’s as simple as that – by faith receive the gift of His salvation and continue to get to know him like you would a friend. Read his word, pray/talk to him and find a bible based church to attend. If you made this decision today, you just made the most important decision of your life. Not only are you promised eternity with God, but He is going to give you joy unspeakable and take you places you never imagined.
Leaving you with some scriptures that I know will encourage anyone battling fear, anxiety and/or depression, to read and mediate on. Through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let all your requests be known to Jesus Christ. Share your yoke with God so He can carry your burdens.
Philippians 4:6-8 KJV | Isaiah 41:10 KJV | Psalms 118:6 KJV | Joshua 1:9 KJV | Psalms 34:17-18 KJV | Psalms 3:3 KJV |Romans 8:26 KJV | Psalms 32:10 KJV | Psalms 37:23-24 KJV |Isaiah 26:3 KJV | Matthew 11:28-30 KJV |1 Corinthians 7:32 KJV | Isaiah 40:31 KJV |Jeremiah 29:11 KJV| Philippians 4:19 KJV |2 Timothy 1:7 KJV | Matthew 6:34 KJV |Colossians 3:15 KJV |Psalms 55:22 KJV |Proverbs 12:25 KJV |1 Peter 5:7 KJV | Hebrews 13:6 KJV | Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV | Psalms 112:7 KJV | Deuteronomy 31:6-8 KJV | Philippians 4:13 KJV | . John 16:33 KJV | Psalms 30:5 KJV | Psalms 9:9 KJV | Romans 15:13 KJV |
There is so much power in God’s word because it is truth. It brings life. I love the scripture: “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22
To my dear old friend, it might have been a long time since we had hung out or chatted, but in ways, high school still feels like yesterday. I will always remember your kind spirit, your smile and laugh. There was a light in your eyes and a calmness you brought with you. I am sorry you felt you had to go, but I am glad our paths crossed. Gone too soon from this life, but I pray you’re at ease now in the arms of our heavenly father. Dedicating this post in honour to you. I believe it will help someone and isn’t in vein, Praying for your family and all those that knew and loved you and hope to see you on the other side someday – in a place where there is no more sickness, sadness, fear or darkness – only the light and the goodness our God exudes – for eternity.
