Hi there,

 

I'm so excited about my first book signing! Please join Best-Selling Authors LaChelle Weaver, Cheryl Ashford Daniels and me at the Chocolate Boutique in Morrisville, NC June 13th from 4-6pm. You're sure to have a great time! I hope to see you there. :)

 

Don't Look Back

 

God wants to bless you. But sometimes the blessing He wants to give you requires leaving your comfort zone and launching out into unknown and sometimes uncharted territory.  Do you trust Him enough to be obedient? Do you trust Him enough to leave the familiar? Do you believe that what lies ahead is better than what is behind you?

According to the account in Genesis 18 and 19, Abraham’s cousin Lot and his family lived in a city called Sodom. God was extremely displeased with the moral corruption of Sodom and its neighboring city, Gomorrah, and planned to destroy them both.  Abraham pleaded on behalf of his relative to at least spare Lot and his immediate family.  God agreed, however, in order for them to live they had to flee Sodom, head to a different city, and keep their eyes in front of them. God’s angels warned Lot’s family not to look back or else they, too, would be destroyed.

Lot and his daughters followed the instructions given by the angels.  Lot’s wife did not. Soon after they set off, she disobeyed God and looked back at Sodom. The moment she took her eyes off the promised blessing and looked back in the direction of her past, she immediately turned into a pillar of salt!

The bible doesn’t specify why Lot’s wife looked back.  Perhaps she wanted to see whether Sodom would indeed be destroyed.  Or maybe she wanted a final look at the home she had grown to know and love. But whatever the reason, she was disobedient and the results were deadly.

Although there are numerous lessons to be learned from this account, a few things stand out to me during this season of my life.

First, when God tells us to do something, we must do it.  Disobedience has deadly consequences. We cannot afford to compromise. We must take action to passionately follow His commands, understanding that obedience is always better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22b).

Second, God is a loving God who has wonderful things in store for His children.  He is also true to His word. When He urges you to leave your comfort zone, step into the unknown, and put your complete trust in Him, He is able to bless you exceeding abundantly above all you can ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In essence, all roads of trust and obedience lead to blessings!

Finally, don’t look back. Don’t allow yourself to return to the comfort zone of your past. Don’t even flirt with the idea of returning. Be confident that what you have left behind doesn’t compare to what He is calling you to step into!

THE DATING GAME

I am excited to announce that I am officially a published author.  Please check out my short story, "Holiday Party," in the Amazon #1 Best Seller THE DATING GAME.  The anthology is comprised of 16 stories by 17 talented authors. Each story is really good and I'm so thankful to be a part of it.  Purchase your copy today and leave a review on Amazon.

Thank you,
Lou

He Just Loved Me

 

I was devastated when I first found out I was pregnant.  I was a sophomore in college.  I wasn’t married. I wasn’t even in a relationship with my child’s father. I was nowhere near financially stable.  I didn’t feel I was mature enough or kind enough or selfless enough or wise enough to raise a baby.  To make matters worse, I was the pastor’s daughter.  I sang in the choir.  I was a Sunday School teacher. I should have known better. If I chose to keep the baby I would prove to be the stereotypical rebellious P.K. (preacher’s kid) and my secret sin would be exposed to the world. 

I felt so ashamed. I just knew that my mom and dad would be disappointed.  I remember thinking that terminating the pregnancy would be my best option.  That way only God and a couple friends would know about my indiscretion. I just hoped that God would forgive me for the choice I planned to make.

I scheduled my doctor’s appointment for a Tuesday and was certain the test in her office would confirm the results of two tests I had already taken at home.  I was prepared to tell her that I didn’t want to go through with the pregnancy.  I rehearsed the conversation in my mind as I headed to my parents’ home the day before my scheduled appointment. 

It was during that car ride that the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  “It will be alright,” He said.

I shook my head. I must not have heard correctly. 

“It will be alright,” He said again.  “Don’t worry about what people think.  I am with you and it will be alright.  Yes, your parents will be disappointed, but they will love you and your child unconditionally.”

I voiced my many other concerns, but God assured me that He would help me, that my child was a blessing, and that He would provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory.

“I am her Father.  She will be fine,” He assured me.

I remember feeling an overwhelming sensation of love after talking honestly with my heavenly Father.  I had heard about His love.  I thought I understood the depths of His love, but my conversation with Him during that car ride was when I really felt the power of His love. 

He loved me so much that He was willing to forgive me on the spot.  He wasn’t angry with me.  He just loved me. He even promised to bless my child (and me). He offered peace, if only I would trust Him.  He promised not to let me fall. That’s some kind of love!

Twelve years later, I look back and see that God was true to His word.  When I first told my parents, they both responded in love—especially my dad, who said that they would do whatever they could to support me.  And he absolutely meant it. As long as they lived they earnestly loved my daughter. They did above and beyond what was required to make sure she knew how loved she was. I was initially worried about graduating from college on time. I graduated on time and with honors. I didn’t start out as an affectionate or selfless mom. I had a lot of growing up to do. But God was right there with me. I can honestly say that I am now a wonderful mom. And just as God promised, my daughter has been such a blessing to me. I’m still not where I want to be financially, but my daughter has not “needed” for anything—God has provided.

I encourage you to cast your cares upon God because He cares for you. He will quiet your anxieties and give you peace that surpasses understanding, if only you will trust Him. Rest assured, when He makes a promise, He is faithful to keep it.

THE ME THAT REMAINS
by Loureva Slade

Those who really know me, know that I am very silly.  I love to laugh and have a good time.  (Even when I’m at home by myself, my silly thoughts keep me quite entertained.)

Anyway, the other day, I got an idea.  I put on my partial wig (that I bought for $20) and an outfit that I have never worn outside of my home and I had my daughter take some pictures of me.

I felt like a superstar.  A diva.  A vixen.  A No Limit Soldier “Hot Gurl.”

I was “on one.” 

“Take 20 more pictures, Amari,” I ordered, “And get a few close-ups.”  I put on sunglasses and took them off.  I threw on my favorite hat and took it off.  Outside it was raining, but inside my hallway it was a hot summer day.

I’m sure my daughter was shaking her head (on the inside), but she snapped away.

When my “shoot” was over, my thoughts turned serious.

It is fun to dress up.  It is fun to throw on a wig or sew in a weave and get your nails and makeup done.  It is fun to glue on some lashes or put in some contacts and bat your eyes like it’s nobody’s business.  It’s fun to put on some cute shoes and a “hot” outfit and walk out the house feeling fabulous.  But my hope for myself is that I never become so addicted to additions that when I take those things off I don’t recognize or like the me that remains.

I’ve seen it happen to so many women.  They take out the weave that gave them confidence and don’t recognize themselves.  The compliments and attention stop and their self-esteem takes a major hit.

I’ve seen young ladies refuse to leave their homes without makeup because they don’t feel pretty unless they have it on.

I, myself, have been the girl who thought name brand clothes made me look better.  I didn’t broadcast it, but back in the day I spent way more money than I should have because there was something about knowing how much an outfit cost that made me feel fly.

Oh, and I can’t forget the add-a-size bras.  I never left home without one on because I was embarrassed of my size A’s.

And that is a shame.

Our confidence should never be wrapped up in what we have on, or how we wear our hair, or whether we have on makeup.  You have to know and believe that you are a “Designer’s Original” because the almighty God created you in His image.  You are stunningly gorgeous regardless of what you wear.  You are absolutely beautiful regardless of the length or texture of your hair.  You are hot stuff with or without makeup or a push up bra.  You are truly a work of art—a masterpiece.

I hope you are able to see the heart of what I’m saying.  Enjoy yourself.  Switch things up.  Dress up.  Have fun.  Smile like you love life.  Live it up!  But please make sure you recognize and love the woman underneath it all.  She is beautiful…She is YOU.

 

 

Created to Glorify God

 The other day a young lady told me that she didn’t feel pretty.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  When I say this young lady is gorgeous, I mean she is absolutely stunningly beautiful with a personality to match.  I asked her what she perceived to be wrong with her looks and she told me that she didn’t like her lips, her teeth, or the scar on her face.  I spent a few minutes telling her that there is nothing wrong with her.  The things she perceives as flaws are not flaws at all.  She is beautiful just the way she is.  But then I decided to get a little deeper and explain the danger of focusing so much on ourselves that we lose sight of our true purpose.

The truth is that the enemy of our soul, Satan, hates us.  We remind him a great deal of our Creator and his goal is to kill, steal, and destroy us.  He knows how much it hurts God to see us hurting.  Satan uses the media and whatever else he can to feed us the idea that we’re not good enough because we don’t look like this person or because we don’t have as much as that person.  We forget that our Creator made us just the way we are and He doesn’t make any mistakes.  When we buy into Satan’s lies, our attention shifts away from God, where it should be, onto ourselves, where it should not be.  This is dangerous because we aren’t able to fully walk in our purpose when God is not the center of our attention.

It is so important for you to understand that your purpose is so much bigger than just you.  Romans 11:36 (LB) says, “For everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.”  What is our purpose?  It is to glorify God.  We were created to worship Him.  We were born to serve others.  Instead of spending time beating ourselves up for not looking exactly like someone else, we should thank God for creating us and then use our time to tell others about and draw attention to Him—for He is good.  He is all we need to live a joyful life.

It sounds like it’s easier said than done, but I encourage you to give it a try.  Instead of thinking about things you dislike about yourself all day long, think about ways you can be a blessing to others and then do those things.  Instead of sulking because you don’t like the way your hair looks today, choose to worship God and thank Him for all His many blessings.  Instead of talking negatively about yourself, take time to share Jesus with someone who may not know Him.  I guarantee you will feel so much better when you do.  You will be walking and living in your purpose.  You will be doing what you were born to do.

Unspeakable Joy in the Midst of Difficulties

I lost my parents in 2012.  My father died a few days before the 4th of July; and my mother, the day before Thanksgiving.  I’d be lying if I said that dealing with the loss of two people I had known and loved longer than anyone else on this earth was easy for me.  I’d be lying if I said that as these two holidays approach there isn't a part of me that gets emotional.  I’d be lying if I said I don’t still have days when I cry because I miss them so much.  But I am so thankful that I have been able to lean and depend on Jesus through it all. 

I remember when I found out that my parents had terminal cancer.  I was so afraid.  I was angry.  I felt overwhelmed and frustrated because I was aware of my powerlessness.  I talked with God all day every day because I knew that He was the only One who would fully understand how I felt.  He was the only One who could calm my fears.  He was the only One who thoroughly knew and understood my heart and I trusted Him to help me through.  I’m sure people who knew how much I loved my parents thought I would have an emotional breakdown.  But in my weakness, God was strong.  Because of Him I made it through that difficult period with an increased measure of faith and trust in Him.

I’m currently in the process of clearing my things out of their home, which I must say is also very difficult for me.  Looking through my old papers the other day took me on a trip down memory lane.  I realized that although the sickness and death of my parents was hands down the most difficult time of my life, there have been some other emotionally difficult times in my life as well—multiple heartbreaks, betrayal by friends, being the subject of slander, sometimes falling short of my expectations academically or creatively, etc.  In journal after journal I see that no matter what was happening in my life, I always poured out my heart to God.  I always told Him exactly how I felt and looked to Him for direction, comfort, understanding, joy, and peace.  He is the One who sustained me.

Many people make the mistake of retreating within themselves when they go through difficulties.  Sometimes they stop going to church.  Sometimes they stop reading the bible.  Sometimes they are so upset or disappointed with God that they refuse to talk with Him at all.  That only prolongs truly making it through the situation because He is the only One who can heal our broken hearts and make us whole. I encourage you to resist the urge to retreat and pour out your heart to Him.

Seeing my old journals and letters to God reminded me that being a Christian doesn’t promise that things will be easy in this life.  On the contrary, they will be difficult.  At times they will be really difficult.  But Jesus promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Because He actually walked the earth, He has experienced every emotion we will ever feel.  It follows that when we are having difficult times emotionally, Jesus knows exactly how we feel and He is right there with us in the midst of our struggles.  He will comfort us and see us through every single one of them, if we just look to Him.  I am a witness to that.

Romans 8:28 is my favorite scripture.  I am thankful that my difficulties will always turn out for good.  I trust God and know that He knows what He is doing.  I smile from within because I am a witness of God’s goodness.  I truly have unspeakable joy on the inside—joy that transcends what happens to me.  I thank Him because He has always been there for me no matter what.  I thank Him because I am able to understand, empathize with, and help others who have emotional struggles.  I’m thankful because although I have had difficulties, I have never stayed in them.  I have only grown through them.  I have looked to Him for strength and direction and He has, without fail, seen me through each and every one of them. 

Psalm 34:19 says: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.  I thoroughly believe that.  And I am confident that when new difficulties arise He will be faithful to help me through those as well. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to you own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.” Psalm 37:25