Thoughts

A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

I could not let April end without celebrating the power of poetry and acknowledging the end of National Poetry Month. This month I actually took time to read my own collection of poetry It’s always an interesting exercise going back to read my own words. I alternate between “Wow, that was pretty good” and “Wow, what was I thinking?” This month I also spoke to my writing accountability group about my writing journey and battle with perfectionism. While I consider “speaker” low on my list of descriptors, I enjoyed the experience and think it’s a muscle I want to keep working. If you find yourself on the perfectionist scale, here are a few thoughts:

Perfectionism skews our perception. Our perception of God, of ourselves, and of others. It impacts how we engage the world and how we answer God’s call. Perfectionism tells us if it’s not right then we’re unworthy, unqualified and incompetent. The truth is we are Known & Loved. Called & Equipped. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose...”

Perfectionism steals our peace. Like a bully, it torments our mind and brings unrest to our spirit. Striving to do and be it all. Painstakingly crossing every “t” and dotting every “i”. Keeping up appearances. It can be exhausting.  1 Peter 5:7 in the Living Bible says “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”

Perfectionism stalls our progress. We believe the lie that if we can’t do it perfectly, we shouldn’t do it at all. We become Paralyzed, fearing failure. We are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones and “walk on the water.” The bondage of perfection & fear of failure keeps us from moving forward. Galatians 5:1 charges us to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” 

The pressure of perfection is released when we trust the One who is perfect. I am grateful that He redeems, He renews and with Him nothing is wasted. 

The One who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete His work in you.–

1 Thess 5:24 TPT 

Something about Spring

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

The sun’s energizing vitamin D. A vibrant tapestry of color. The promise of renewal. What was dormant is revived. What is dead is alive. All the things I love about Spring. The season also marked the celebration of my birthday (a little closer to the half century mark) and the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection (He got up!). It’s all put me in a (more than usual) reflective mood the past few weeks. Just a few musings…

Aging is a gift. Gray hair, wrinkles, menopausal mom bod and the like means I’m alive. Having the choice and resources to “fight” it or just let it do what it do is a blessing. I will see beauty at every stage.

There’s a difference between being nice and being kind. Too often I’ve been nice when I should have been kind enough to rock the boat. How often do we prioritize our comfort over someone’s need for the truth?

Most people just want to be seen and heard. Good, bad or indifferent- to see and to be seen is a mercy. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own stuff and miss it. Grace is a gift we can continually give and receive.

Less is more but extra isn’t bad. We can treasure simplicity but also find joy in the complex.

Jesus really is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I’ve questioned my faith. I’ve questioned the church. But the answer has remained the same- He is faithful and He is trustworthy. This is the Good News, ” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”

Happy Spring, Friends!

Angles

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

I couldn’t have imagined I would call Baltimore home for the past 20 years. Yet here I am. I’ve worked downtown for over a decade now and the cityscape never gets old. Yes, I know this is just a small part of the city. Yes, I know the city has its ills. But Baltimore has grown on me in ways I didn’t expect and I find my soul irritated by the consistently negative narratives. Can anything good come out of Baltimore? Yes, everyday. I see the ugly but I also see the beauty and I choose to seek the good.

What are you seeing? What are you seeking? Here’s a reminder to FIND A NEW ANGLE.

Book Update

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

A slight delay but still on the way😃

BARNABAS BLESSINGS: POEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT will be available on Amazon SOON.

While we wait…take a look inside.📖

#BarnabasBlessings #Books #Poetry #PoetryLovers #Encouragement #FaithWriter #TableofContents

The Shadow of Doubt

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“Without a shadow of a doubt”

Are you familiar with that phrase? Spoken with complete confidence that whatever it is, there is no question of truth or certainty. But what if there is a shadow of doubt. What do you do with it? What do you do with doubt?

Some bulldoze through with a “just do it” attitude. Doubt is a dirty word and a near heretical thought.

Some are paralyzed, unable to take a step forward, backwards or sideways. Doubt leaves them at a complete loss for what to do next.

I have found myself at both extremes and somewhere in between. But with time I’ve learned to view doubt as an invitation.

Doubt is an invitation. An invitation to check my motives. An invitation to dig at the roots of what triggers me and makes me tick. An invitation to seek wisdom and guidance. An invitation to stop and re-evaluate. An invitation to draw nearer to God.

The shadow of doubt is an invitation to rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 NIV).

What is doubt’s invitation to you?