Pebbles in a Pond

Greetings Readers I hope all is well with you and your families. I had an interesting day; One of our family members was placed in dire straights and ended up in the hospital with a not so great prognosis. It doesn't matter who it was, so don't call me and ask (smile), just know that it had a ripple effect in the family; and it actually got me to thinking. Do we really understand the implications of our decisions? I don't think so. Let's take something simple for an example. Let's say today you went out to lunch at a decent restaurant and at the end of the meal you tipped your waiter or waitress. Well depending on how well you tipped that person will make the difference on how much gas they can put in their car, if they can buy something to eat tonight or pay a bill or maybe go to the movies. You are probably thinking, yeah right - my contribution does not make that much of a difference in someones life. I would sorely disagree with you because you were not that person's only table. Every person that was served had the opportunity to show gratitude in the size of their tip and at the end of the day they will add up what they have and make the decision on what to do with their earnings. Our choices are much like those tips. At some point they add up either good or bad and we reap a harvest either good or bad. So we must be careful with our choices, they are powerful and will eventually yield a seed. If we litter our lives with a bunch of bad choices then the reaping will be sore and bitter. You may say but I have GOD, well I am glad that you do because He will help you by: 

• comforting you
• remind you of the peace He has left in you
• guide you to making better choices
• teach you how to forgive yourself and others
• create in you a spirit of excellence so you can be a better steward
• expand your awareness of Him and how badly you need Him
• develop a new appreciation for the sacrifice at the cross
• help free you from addictions
• help free you from destructive behavior by renewing your mind
• address and break patterns

But what He will not do is remove the consequences of our decisions. Just ask King David and Bathsheba - that pebble (his choice) had such a far reaching effect that it never really truly got out of his house.  Some of our decisions carry a heavy weight and go a far distance long outweighing the benefit of the moment. So I encourage you to think long and hard before you make what could be a life altering decision. I encourage to have a relationship with the LORD. I encourage you to yield to His will and not your own. Remember we can only see our bottom step. GOD sees up the street and around the corner and beyond. It is wise to follow His path and not our own. For your benefit check out Proverbs 3:1-7 and Matthew 7:13-14. One last thought - your decision never affects just you.

Never Complain

Today we were at the Children's Hospital 4k run and walk. I love volunteering at these events because I get to mingle with so many interesting people. The event was well organized, fun and full of a festive atmosphere; people from all walks of life didn't mind sharing their stories, triumphs and challenges. There were 'real' runners and runners at heart, the best were the ones who dressed up. The costumes were pretty amazing.  The whole day was awesome! It was great to be part of something bigger than yourself. What a huge benefit to the kids and parents at the hospital, some of which, we got to meet. I will tell you that I never felt so much love, compassion, understanding and caring in one place. Some kids had intellectual disabilities, like Myles and Nathan, others had physical challenges. But in the end it didn't matter - they were just kids who were enjoying the fresh air and companionship that only their loved ones could bring. Kudos to parents and friends who insist on an inclusive lifestyle so that your babies can enjoy many of the good things our community has to offer.

first day of school

September 10, 2013 - light bulb moment

Good Afternoon Viewers! This is going to be really awesome or a complete travesty! Either way I am committed to it. Since I am somewhere in my 'wait' - (i'll explain later) I thought I would do something productive such as create a blog. Those who know me well know that this was something that a team of wild horses couldn't drag me to do..because technology is not my friend. 
Anyhoot, one of my new friends turned me on to the whole blogging world and so here I am. I so wish I had my daughter here, she is like a tech guru- but she had to grow up and leave home. It's cool. It just means you are stuck with me, on my own and a lot of tech! ha ha 

Well I hope you enjoy all of my postings of our mis-adventures here in Richmond! 
xxoxxo
Souljourner
Nette
Charnette 
However you know me

Degrees of Perfection

You may be wondering what exactly do I do? What do I write about? Well to sum it up, I write about my experiences...the good the bad and the ugly. 

• Degrees of Perfection is the first publication of many and it is an introduction of me to the rest of you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it. 
• All of my works will be available in a print on demand format for your convenience. 
• All of my works are faith based because that is who I am. However don't exclude yourself because you don't believe as I do. I would very much enjoy your company, inputs and comments as I walk this journey. 
• You can catch a preview at my web site - www.degreesofperfection.com

SoulJourner Howard

Nette

Charnette

However you know me

Works in Progess:

The Fall of Eve - Spring 2014

A Different Walk - Summer 2014

From My Heart - a collection of poems - 2014

Ain't This The Way of Things

Greetings Reader! Today's reflection is born out of painful realization that life rarely follows the path that one sets. Do you realize that when you make plans, you are making them with only 1/4 of the information you need? As Sherlock Holmes said I can't solve the equation without knowing all of the variables. Well in this life we will never know all of the variables therefore we will never be able to adequately solve its many complex equations. It's painful I know but it's the truth. The sooner you accept it then the better and more productive your life will be. It is not an easy process at all, trust me...I am struggling as I am communicating this to you. Ever since we stepped out on faith and moved here to Richmond it has been one stupid issue after the other. Either the kids, finances, somebody's health or another door refusing to be opened. At some point you just have to stop and ask yourself what I am doing wrong? GOD, where is the lesson in this? What exactly is the purpose of this slow burn? I will explain that term later - but if you are in the place where you can't move forward, can't move back and are just 'stuck', then you might be able to relate.  I thought that once the degrees had been obtained I would have 'made it'. I thought once Nathan's health had improved then we would have made it. I thought once these bills were under control, Pooh out of school, Ant happy on his job and on and on and on. That we would have made it. The truth is while you are on this side, you never 'make it'. Our world is fallen and out of balance therefore none of our plans, aspirations or expectations will line up because we base them on only what is directly in front of us. A 1/2 truth as it were. It's not so bad if you can realize early in the game that control is only a illusion because you can't affect the outcome of your actions. A + B doesn't always = C and when it doesn't you have to be at peace with it and be able to regroup and move on. Honestly sometimes it can be very painful and too upsetting to deal with head on; but the sooner you do the better you will be; Emotionally, spiritually, mentality and physically. That is where I am right now in this moment. I didn't ask for these circumstances. I didn't ask for children with autism or kidney disease, I didn't ask to be rich in spirit but poor in the bank. I didn't ask for a lot of things and I am so HAPPY that GOD is who HE is and gave me what I needed to have. Without these different issues in my life, I would not have developed compassion for children and the families that support them no matter what. I would not have been able to learn that I can only control my reactions not the outcome- no matter how much I try.  I would not have learned that the path that GOD has for me is not the path I choose for myself and His way is so much better. I would not have learned to faithful rely on The Almighty nor believed in the power of prayer. I would not have been able to love my husband, my friend, my companion the way that I do since I let go of my expectations I had for him; and just accept him for who and how he is. I would not have learned to say and mean GOD I trust you even though I don't know what the outcome is or the purpose it holds. I promised a definition for you - slowburn- a low fire with just enough heat to be uncomfortable; to cause pain, discomfort and force change on the part of the afflicted; a challenge with no specified end. 
I will try to always leave you with something positive either a saying or a thought. Today's is - Nothing ever happens by accident and although you may not understand you have the assurance that if you are walking with the LORD then you are where you are supposed to be. Embrace His peace and give your mind some much needed rest. Psalm 91 can help you. Don't forget to check out my website for upcoming performances of the spoken word with a purpose presented under my pen name Souljourner Howard www.degreesofperfection.com.