Order & organization, methods & plans…this is what usually makes me tick. But on this faith journey I’m constantly reminded of and blown away by the “messy” blessings. The blessings found in the unorganized and the unplanned. The blessings I might have missed because a person, place or situation didn’t render on my “perfection” meter. … Continue reading Messy Blessings
My name is LaShona with a “La” for melody, a capital “S”, and a long "o" . But I’ve been called LaShonda, Shalonda, Shalona and (a favorite) Lasagna. Like a mispronounced name, sometimes we are labeled as something or someone we are not. Those labels can be hurtful, demoralizing and relegate us to boxes that … Continue reading What’s Your Name?
Some mornings are picture perfect. Other mornings? Not so much. Maybe it’s been one of “those” mornings or one of “those” weeks…the good news is we don’t have to finish the way we started. REFOCUS. RECLAIM. REFRESH…RESTART.
Ready, set and we’re off! The holiday season is in full swing. Expressions of gratitude, tidings of comfort & joy and shopping deals abound. But for some of us there is only stress and trepidation. The goodness and beauty of the season are eclipsed by neverending to-do lists and unrealistic expectations. So what if we … Continue reading What If
Isn't it funny how we attribute our own characteristics to God? We change our minds all the time so God must change His mind too, right? How often do we embark on a mission, project or task only to let it fall by the wayside? We become distracted with other endeavors or discouraged by imperfect … Continue reading Continue
Just wanted to start off the week with a little marriage & husband appreciation. I’ve been married for almost 17 years. No, it has not been all sunshine & rainbows. Yes, every step has been and continues to be worth it. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else. We dream To … Continue reading One
If you’re a creature of habit like me, you might agree that routine is our groove. It gives rhyme and reason to our day. Our routine seems to set everything right in our little world. But what happens when our little world shifts? What happens when our routine collides with possibility? Possibility wrapped in the … Continue reading Routine
Sometimes the path forward is standing still and letting God speak. Listen. He will make it clear.
Justified lies still lie Selfishly protecting comfort Desperately hoarding acceptance Necessary truths left unsaid Denying their power to set free -LAS “Instead we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.” - Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
I’d stopped and started more times than I could count. Waded into the water only to quickly retreat to the familiarity of the shore. What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I needed to do something different. I needed accountability. I’d done writing conferences and workshops … Continue reading The Blessing of Accountability
Barnabas Blessings: thoughts, verses, words... to encourage... 