Hello everyone,

I am going to change the topics I discuss in this blog. Beginning Saturday, June 15, 2024, I will only blog about my Faith, Goals, Lessons Learned, Hardships, Hobbies, and Plans. I pray this will give me a better range of topics to discuss and keep me focused on my ultimate goal: spending eternity with Jesus.

I hope you continue to join me on this new journey and change of direction. And if not, I do not have any hard feelings.

Keep praying as the World needs it.

I do not have much to say this time. Here’s a list of things I have been thinking of as of late:

1. Finishing book 5, my goal is 10 and I am not sure I am going to make it
2. I love my job, but I want to start my own company
   • Literally, I have no ideas
3. I want to give back to the community but am struggling to find something
   • Guess I could go to the Shelter and cook
4. Ending this Blog
   • Think I have ran out of things to say and/or I am in a better position and my life is boring
5. New Hobbies
   • My life is boring!!!

Remember, Pray about all things especially for this world as it needs Jesus.

I have been thinking about what is next. Lately, I have been thinking of ways to give back to the community. I used to work for a company that supports their communities, and it was always rewarding. I miss the opportunities to give back and interact with different types of people. Thus, I started brainstorming ways to give back.

There are typical ways, such as helping people by giving money or volunteering at a food bank, but imagine if I owned a business centered around assisting the communities and those needing assistance.

I am waiting for God to confirm or lead me in the way I should go with this vision. I am thinking that I will buy a food truck, cook meals, and drive to people who are unable to make it to different resources.

I believe my next adventure is coming and I know that God will bless it and that I will be able to be successful in this endeavor.

Pray for everyone, as they could use the deliverance. 

People would commonly say, what you do not like about someone is reflected in you. The things one does not like about someone else remind one of their insecurities or inefficiencies. I thought that phrasing to be correct until I realized that my not liking a habit someone has, has nothing to do with me being that way, rather it is a behavior that does not fit with who I am as an individual. For example, a rowdy person, I do not like that behavior because I am not about chaos, instead I prefer to have peace in my life.

I also realized that if one looks hard enough, there are plenty of opportunities to mentor or teach someone something. Before disencumbering my chain of being responsible for everyone’s output at work, I used to get stressed out and want to quit my job. I used to cry about it and complain to family about how no one cared but me, I used to dread coming to work because I knew it meant that even though everyone was collecting a paycheck, I was the only one working. Thank God that I was freed from that chain because I am now able to tell someone else to let it go. I am able to sympathize and empathize with others who are experiencing those same feelings.

As I said recently, you are not responsible for someone else’s work. You should be accountable for your work and let the rest go because you will lose sleep over tasks that are someone else’s responsibility. It is time to let it all go. If someone has questions, direct that person to the one who is responsible for completing that task, and stop answering for them. I know it is hard initially, but trust me, you will live longer if you let it go.

Pray for the world, as it needs it. Speak positivity over yourself and those you love.

When you feel like no one is watching you, I see you. I embody the emotions you feel as you feel them, it is like we are connected in more ways than one. When you are depressed or sad, I too feel miserable and depressed. I may express it differently so that you are allowed to experience those emotions because you should be allowed to live in that emotion temporarily. When you are happy or celebrating, I am delighted and cheering for you all the time.

When you think no one is paying attention I am. I see you when you feel unseen, I understand you when you feel misunderstood, and I hear you when you feel unheard. I understand you when you are speaking in circles and cannot find the words needed to express your thoughts. I am able to interpret your motions when there are no words to be spoken. I want you to know that I see you, hear you, understand you, and know you.

When you need someone to speak to and no one is there, I will always be there. When you need someone to listen to you, I will always be here for you. Yes, I may express my opinions but I hear you and I understand you. I know it is hard to understand so many but trust me, love conquers all. And I love you, together we get it.

I know you see me and maybe a little puzzled by me, but I know you see me. I feel you standing beside me just as I stand beside you.

Remember, when you feel like no one is paying attention, I always see you and pay attention to you.

I found a place in my life that I need to work on, and it bothers me. I was told by my dad (stepdad) that I “do not have any street smarts.” And he was right. There were two instances, in which this was proven to me, so I am working on being street-smart. I have a lot of book knowledge, and corporate knowledge, and would not be able to survive on the street, Lord bless I never have to, but there are instances in life where I need to have more world knowledge.

My mom’s favorite saying is, “The world doesn’t owe you anything.” And I have found that to be true. I also read “What you ask for, you will receive.” And I have found that to be true. No one is as honest as they appear to be or as honest as I hope they would be, but I am finding out this is a part of life.

In one instance, I was selling something to an entity, and they provided a price. I got law advice and my mom’s advice. I went with the lawyer’s advice and determined; that I should have gone with what my mom said. In another instance, I was wronged and provided a high price. The entity was unwilling to pay and provided me a price and I countered but not by much. Afterward, I realized I should have asked for at least 10% of my ask.

Twice the ball was in my court and I lowballed myself. That hurts, but it is a learning. One that I did not catch on the second go around but I will on the third and going forward, hopefully.

I am not there yet, but soon I will be street smart too and have more knowledge of the world.

Continue to pray for the world and yourself as we could all use Jesus Christ.

While looking up at the sky, I am overwhelmed with a sense of peace and amazement at everything the world encompasses. God made this place for man and woman to care for and enjoy.

While flying from one place to another I had the liberty to be between the clouds. I experienced feelings similar to being between the ocean and the sky! It is hard to differentiate which is which from afar, the same with the clouds. It was a solid realization that God is still magnificent and perfect. Despite being on a plane with others, who were talking, coughing, or snoring, I had this deep sense of peace. That all is well and all will be well.

I am far from perfect, but this grace that God has extended to me is perfect.

It is hard to believe that I am able to experience such wonders and sights. I remember thinking when I was younger, it would be awesome to jump from cloud to cloud! Here I am again thinking how wonderful it would be to jump from cloud to cloud and lay on one under the sun, feeling its warmth.

I could only imagine how great it will be to hang out with the angels that watch the earth from the heavens and how wonderful it will be to hang out with Jesus!

To know that this plane, which looks like a toy if standing on earth looking up, is probably a toy that God is watching from His throne!

How wonderful it feels to be under God’s watch and in His line of sight!

Being in between the clouds is truly an experience that I will carry in my heart even when my feet are planted on the earth!

Remember pray for the world and everyone in it as they need it!

As I mentioned previously, there are some chains that I picked up that I need to put back down. Those chains include – the chain of lack of self-confidence, lack of self-care, neglect, poverty, helplessness, and so many others.

I have allowed my helplessness to bring a lack of confidence. As I mentioned, I am not the strongest hair braider and rely on my mother to braid my hair. However, I have noticed that if it is a style she does not like, then she will not do it well, so I end up taking it down anyway. Then I try to do it and of course, it comes out in an afro and looks unmanageable. I have realized that many things go into being confident and one of those things is looks. I dress well but my hair, to me, does not match my look and it is frustrating. In the end, it brings about a feeling of not wanting to take care of myself.

What is the use of caring about the clothes I wear if my hair is a mess anyway? So, I started halfway caring about what I put on. I have this great job but my look does not match it and it is annoying. I want to remain natural but I sometimes go back and forth with thinking that relaxers may be best. When I try not to think about it, then it comes out with me neglecting my hair or something else.

Speaking of neglect, not only have I neglected myself but I have also neglected God and the way I should go. I am doing better now, with making my way back to where I need to be, it is not easy to always go to God but it is always necessary. I am continuing to spend time with God and praying that I am doing the things that I need to do. I have found that life is getting better.

It is so easy to put chains on but so hard to take them off and hard to keep lugging them around. My current thought is, to do what makes me happy as long as it is aligned with God. So, maybe I’ll go back to relaxers, and try natural later if I want.

Remember pray about all things and for this world, as it needs it.  

I remember when I asked those who read my blog before the New Year in 2021 to join me on their knees to bring in the New Year and to speak prosperity, love, and peace over themselves and their loved ones. Here it is 2024 and Bible Study has continued, but it has not continued without its challenges. It is kind of funny how even when communing with other Christians, the devil has a way of showing up, even if it is for a minute. I was and still am determined not to be caught off guard when my focus is on the Lord. However, he got me one Saturday, and I caught him the next time he tried to interject.

My older sisters have always had a problem with me and my younger sister, we do not know what the problem is, so we say, “It is between them and God” and we leave it there. But what I will not allow is them to steal the Lord’s time or to attack me when it is undeserving. Anyways, on Saturday, one of my older sisters showed up and she proceeded to bring in garbage that I do not directly recall right now. Still, somehow the argument ensued until I ended it by saying, we are done discussing this right now. She neglected to show up to another Bible Study session because “Rhonda cuts me short and does not allow me to speak my mind,” is what she told my mother. It is not that I will not allow her to speak her mind, because the point of Bible Study is to bring our personal experiences into how the Bible is fulfilling itself. Just as Jonah ran in the Bible, I run today from God when there is something that I do not want to do but He calls me to do it.

Then my aunt used to show up to Bible Study. She brought up the past which is a sore spot for my mother and contorted some facts that my eldest sister was not willing to let go. My eldest sister and aunt began to argue over the past when I interjected, “We can discuss family matters after Bible Study.” Everyone got quiet we proceeded and when it ended so did the attendance of that aunt. However, I later learned that it was because of “Rhonda” that she stopped showing up.

Then my eldest sister who used to show up every Saturday, became spotty in her attendance then stopped showing up. Now her attendance is sporadic. However, I still show up.

The only ones still showing up faithfully and loyally are myself and my mother. We enjoy the company of each other and the lessons from the Word. We enjoy hearing each other’s testimonies and tribulations because we know that God is great and will bring us out of all things! We continue to pray for the family while not indulging in their problems.

Some major lessons have come out of hosting and continuing Bible Study which I will share.

1. When God calls you to continue, you must continue. There have been so many times in which I said, “I should not show up,” and then find myself joining the Google Meets because I feel that I am missing something that God needs me to know. Even when I have appointments I find time to make it, it has become something that has to be done on Saturday at 10 am and I feel so much better afterward. There are tears of release sometimes and laughs of joy and always praise given to God for being who He Is.
2. The devil can show up too. It was amazing that the devil thought he could cause corruption during a time that was dedicated to God. I am so glad that I recognized him and put him in his place, outside of our Bible Study, there is no place for evil, disruption, distraction, hatred, jealousy, or lies during that time. It is important to remember that the devil can intercede in anyone at any time, and while many people may say he’s there to cause lies, sometimes if the truth causes pain he will force true feelings out of the one being interceded. While I know my sisters have a problem with me, I will still love them but I will not be a part of their mess while they straighten out their problems.
3. Communing with other Christians, reminds one that they are not isolated or their problems are not unique. One of the tricks of the devil is to convince Christians and the human race that they are alone, when in fact Christians and people are not. The devil will also try and convince one that one’s problems are unique to only them and no one else has ever experienced something similar, when in fact that is not true. Why, does he want to convince one that one is alone? So that it is easier to fall victim to his tricks, manipulate, and isolate one from love.
4. Life is a consistent battle, that must be fought spiritually. Every day, one is faced with so many choices, and there is either right or wrong, no gray space. Christians must wear the Armor of God at all times, and be prepared to battle at any time, in any place.

In conclusion, it is imperative to be on guard at all times and to remain faithful and loyal to Christ, who is being served. Garbage has no place during the Lord’s time and it will remain that way. If I am the reason why one stops showing up, one has larger problems as no one should be able to separate one from the Lord.

Remember, pray about all things and speak life!