Every Woman... By Maya Angelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .......

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...


We forget sometimes as wives and mothers how to live, how to inspire each other, pick one another up and embrace the fact that we are women.. As we honor those who have passed before us this weekend, let us remember to honor those around us who are alive, who do have special places in our hearts.. Isnt that the greatest honor we can do?


Enjoy your weekend..

Gains or Losses

Gains or losses?

May 22, 2009

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." – Philippians 3:7 Is loss always negative? Are valleys always to be avoided? Is loss of a job always the end of something good? The normal response to loss is grief, avoidance, even anger. But loss can be a good thing. Sometimes loss forces you to make a life-saving change. Losing a job can propel you to learn a new skill that leads you to a productive new career. Failure to get into a particular school might direct you to the school where God wants you to meet someone special. Loss of revenue can motivate you to examine your budget to learn where there have been extravagances. Spending time in the valleys can challenge you to look to the hills and keep your eyes on Christ. When loss forces you to focus on Christ—it is ALWAYS a gain! Is there any loss you are coming to grips with in your life right now? Give yourself time to grieve, but remain confident that God will show you better things to come as you stay focused on him. Ive never delt with loss very well. Swept it under the rug.. Sometimes we have to realize we can not do it alone..God did not intend for us to greive alone.. Its his desire to lean on him , his love and compassion that will sustain us and carry us through our days. May your day ahead be filled with many smiles and happy moments..

Following that plan

Take one step

May 17, 2009

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." – Hebrews 11:8

Abraham had it "made in the shade" when God asked him to leave it all behind. God gave Abraham an impossible dream. "You will be the father of a great nation," he said. And God promised Abraham this nation, Israel, would be blessed and would be a blessing to other nations.

It's easy to follow God when he asks us to do something we're familiar with. But when he calls us to step into uncharted territory where we feel inadequate or unprepared, that takes extreme faith. Abraham bravely stepped out in faith, and in that act of obedience became the model of extreme faith.

What is God calling you to do? All he asks is that you take one step for now. Don't let the comfort and security of your present position keep you from experiencing all God has for you. Step out in faith today!
* * *

Has God been talking to you recently about moving into uncharted territory where you feel inadequate or unprepared? Where is he calling you to go? What is he asking you to do? What is one thing you will do today to move, by faith, in that new direction?

Its hard to make choices about something you feel so inadiquate in doing. My personal experiences keeptelling me to make sure Im following God and to leave my own personal adjenda aside.. When we allow God's hand to guide us we will find our lives more fulfilled and

our hearts less anxouse.

Hoping this finds your day the best it can be..