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
Familiar yet Uncomfortable The space you’ve occupied For so long Has taken a different shape You no longer fit To remain denies The reality of what you know To be true You can not stay The space has shifted And so must you -LAS
Assumptions are not Truth Yet narratives are created Lines are drawn Walls are built On the shaky foundation Of what someone thought Misunderstandings and offense Fueled by the unknown When all one had to do was Just Ask -LAS
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... 