Take your time friend.

Whitnee

Hey you!

Yes you, that confidence you are wearing looks good on you ma’am/sir!

What you say child?!!!…You ask what confidence am I talking about?

I mean where do I start? You see earlier a sweet friend of mine sent me a quote providing such joy and inspiration. She then directed me to Hebrews 6:10-12. When I read it I thought of you!

Who you ask? YOU!!!! You are the person who:

  • Endures so much yet never complains!
  • Gets the short end of the stick but always gives glory to God, which is where your strength comes from.
  • Never gives up even when you are broken down and tired.
  • Don’t let folks see you sweat even though your armpits are soiled almost everyday.
  • Find the positives in life even on the darkest of days.
  • Continues to be a blessing to others even though you have your own situation(s) going on.
  • Helps without stopping to take a breath, even when your energy has almost been depleted.
  • Gives from your “nothingness” while having great expectation that the Lord will provide.
  • Puts the ENCOURAGE in encouragement!
  • Is the gift that keeps on giving!

Yes child, that’s all you! “And then some,” like the old folks used to say.

You see a little birdie told me that while you are out and about, on your lunch break, on your way to school or work, on your way to pick up your kids, or maybe just at home mopping your floor…you needed to hear some words to lift your spirits.

I know you’ve been going through a lot and although you wonder when your load will get a little lighter, your Faith never failed! You continued to have hope in the living God no matter what has been thrown your way. You’ve continued to give God the glory despite you not feeling His presence as much lately.

Yes you might have grown weary. I’m sure you have been frustrated. Sure you’ve shed some tears. And of course you indulged in that fried cheesecake with caramel on the side to avoid sin or falling into temptation. Relax sis/bro; it’s all good!

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Hebrews 6:13-15

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

I know things are a little shaky right now or you are just starting to feel like yourself again. I know you’re still grieving. I know money might be a little tight. Sickness right now with covid, the flu, the common cold, and monkeypox; it’s almost impossible not to be super cautious and on the edge not wanting to get yourself sick or your loved ones sick. Sis/bro that is enough stress in itself right?! But guess what? Out of all the uncertainties, we know these things for sure:

  • Your faith is unbreakable.
  • Your hope in God is solid.
  • Your confidence in the Lord is beautiful and inspiring!
  • Your smile brightens up my day!
  • Your strength provides encouragement for others to keep pushing forward.
  • Your tears show your compassion.
  • Your scars show how much you’ve endured and give ME a reason to persevere.
  • Your heart leads others to Christ.
  • Your story brings much comfort and assurance in Christ.
  • You helped me know for myself that God is merciful, mighty, and all powerful.
  • You’ve help me realize what strength looks like because some of the losses, trials, and hard times you’ve faced, you made it look easy, and some folks would have broken a long time ago.

I could go on and on about YOU! Like Abraham, you’ve endured a lot. You’ve been patient, you’ve been hopeful, you’ve kept the faith. Just like Abraham, you will be rewarded.

Your story inspires me! Your life blesses me! Your presence lights paths for many that may have never said a mumbling word. You are a faithful servant and God admires you!

Honey, I know I don’t say it often enough but I love me some you! God’s favor is upon you! Keep walking in His light. Keep knocking down barriers created to hold you back. Keep taking risks and walking boldly in Christ. Continue to be understanding that though you don’t know what the future holds, you trust in the Author and finisher of our faith. Sis/bro take your time. Be persistent, remain faithful, obey God, follow His path, trust His way, continue to shine your light (don’t let NOBODY dim your light), you got this AND GOD HAS GOT YOU! 

I pray that the one reading todays message will smile! You aren’t on candid camera but you are on God’s radar. Don’t be afraid to be who God created you to be. Stop hiding who you are because folks around you don’t understand you are called by God to do just what you do. Winds are going to blow, storms will come but sis/bro again, you’ve got this, because my God’s got you! 

There are so many folks I thought of when God placed this message on my heart but I have to dedicate todays message to my friend Faith Daniels. While you are spending time with the Lord remember you have friends like Tatayana, Kelly, Ms. Samuel, Terri, Jasmine,Jamika, Erica, and many others that pray with and for you and family that adores you. The Lord giveth and He taketh away. You are a beautiful flower that God has watered with his love,
Grace, and mercy since you were in Annette’s stomach. You still have a lot to offer not just Joshua, Madison, and Elijah but to pig noses like me. I love you horse nose 😘 🤗

5 thoughts on “Take your time friend.”

      1. Awww shucks now!!! I have been trying to respond to this for the last 4 days. I am and have been filled with emotion and love…this is such an encouragement to me. This builds me up and I am so grateful for you seeing this in me. Lord knows I try to be an encouraging friend to others and uplift their spirits. I try to encourage myself at time especially in times like these….During the time that I have spent with just me and our Father, my eyes and ears have been open and I have been listening. I have been feeling lonely but God won’t let me truly be alone. You see Deanna and Marc was like the Life of the dirt road…..Everybody would come to the house and was guaranteed a plate. Nobody would leave hungry. Lord I was reminiscing about those days and memories full of joy, food, and laughter….And Let me tell you about Our Father in Heaven…I have been thinking about the book of Job….Now Lord knows I don’t think I could endure what happened to him…but Job remained faithful to our God and the Lord rewarded him in the end. So this weekend, Our neighbors son was turning 6. EJ was at camp so I planned on dropping gifts off and telling our neighbor’s son Happy birthday and going back home…..Little did I know what God had in store for me, so I went over there and there was tons of family outside and mostly all spoke Spanish and very little English. I was greeted by many smiles and nods. I finally found the birthday boy’s Father and he greeted me with the biggest smile and arm shake leading me to a tent where 2 caters where grilling food like Miyos or Yamatos. He said Stay and eat. Of course I was like no oh thank you, yet he persisted and said No you stay and Eat Kids too. Now By this time Josh and Maddie had taken off shoes and socks and were jumping in the huge bounce house in addition to the swing set that was next to it. His eyes were so warm and welcoming so I decided to stay. Now these neighbors are Hispanic and the display of food was plentiful and authentic. Looked absolutely amazing and it was. I tasted horchata for the first time and it was amazing. Now the couple I sat next to could barely speak English and I don’t speak Spanish well so their smile and hand gestures said enough! Everyone said Ola to me and I said hello back. I felt so welcome! We sang Happy Birthday in Spanish and in English. There was two pinyatas that all the kids got to hit. Maddie and Josh were really enjoying themselves in all the playing with other kids and candy that I dont give them. When all the kids were in the kids zone, I was asked if I wanted to take a ” shot ” of patron Lol. I bust out laughing and then someone asked what was my name and the Everyone started shouting Faith! Faith! Faith! Faith! So it was bottoms up for me! Lol. One drink didn’t hurt plus my home is in walking distance. Then Everyone starting clapping and shouting when I did. Boy oh boy the feeling was so awesome the love and warmth I felt in that moment was so great. I looked up to the sky and just thanked God because God was fulfilling me of my loneliness with complete strangers. That’s Our God for you. God will use anyone to fulfill his will and I am so thankful. My neighbor sent us home with plenty of food and drinks. They gave us warm loving hugs and wonderful memories and what to look forward to the near future. Ok. So that is just part One. That occurred on Saturday. So when we went to school bash hosted by Temple Zion Baptist Church, I became emotional about my Deanna….seeing church members that knew me and knew how close we were came up to me and just hugged me which of course made me cry. So the Pastor was there and surrounded me with prayer and asked if I would come to church on tomorrow. I told him yes. So Fast forward to Sunday at church, Maddie and Josh went to the nursery. There was a guest speaker today and she spoke about Spiritual attack on young folks. Her sermon was phenomenal. Well after the praise and worship, I was greeted by two church members that wanted to bless me.by filling up my gas tank and take us out to lunch. I had just filled up my tank so I declined. I declined lunch as well but they wouldn’t take no for an answer so off to lunch we went. We got to know each other well. You see they looked at the gas and lunch as the blessing which it was but for me the true blessing was time time spent, the joy, the laughter, the kindness. That was in a Blessing itself..Thanks to our God. God knows how and when to fill us up when we are weak. In our weakness He is made strong. And I give God all the Glory. Hallelujah!!! 👏🏿 Praise His Holy Name. And Whitnee the reason I am all those encouraging affirmations is because of God. I give God all the Glory and Praise! I thank you for this encouragement. I thank-you for being my friend. And I thank God to continue to help me with my Grief.

        Reply

        1. As I read over your response all I could do is give God the praise. He is so mighty and He knew just what to do to bring joy to your heart. For God to use this neighbor and this couple from your old church to make you feel the kindness, joy, and laughter you bring to people is simply amazing.

          I pray as you continue to grief the loss of your sweet and beautiful sister in law, Deanna, that God will put people in your life to keep this momentum going.

          And another thing I think Deanna and Marc would not mind passing that torch on to the oldest of the 2Live Crew. God has blessed him with a wonderful talent where not only the folks on the dirt road could support and benefit but even these people that God is connecting you to or reconnecting you too.

          Deanna leaves behind a legacy of openness, love, kindness, giving, helping others, and much more and that is something you and your kids can do by starting back your food ministry and restarting your YouTube and Facebook outlets so people can support what you all are doing.

          A good cause could be to donate a certain percentage to adult leukemia or even start a scholarship at Temple Zion in Deanna’s honor. There are so many things that will bring you joy and get everyone involved to stay together and you know the meals will bring folks together, especially black folks 😆.

          Well I’m so happy to hear this wonderful experience and I’m glad you shared your weekend experience with us.

          Reply

Comments, praises, general responses here: