perspective

The Release

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Last summer I released my first book Barnabas Blessings. It was a major accomplishment and still feels a bit surreal.

This summer I’m working on another major release…my first born into adulthood. There are documents and releases to sign declaring his new legal status. There are checklists and deadlines preparing to send him off to college. There’s the shift of authority as he asserts his independence.

There are other releases too. There’s the pruning necessary to remain, fruitful and connected to the Vine (John 15:5). There’s the shedding of weights that bound and distract (Hebrews 12:1). There are trust falls into the arms of Jesus instead of my limited understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

This is a season of joy and the bittersweet, fear and courage, hope and tinges of regret, answered prayers and not yets, hard questions and some hard answers. This season testifies to the power of Christ at work to sustain, transform and renew.

I’m reminded that a hand and heart open to release are also open to receive. As I release, I’m receiving the blessings of a present Father who proves Himself faithful over and over again.

What are you releasing and receiving today?

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” – Philippians 1:6 AMP

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.

Messy Blessings

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

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. The “perfect” and the imperfect…God works in it all. Don’t miss Him.

What’s Your Name?

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

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 can’t possibly contain all of who we are.

That label? That’s not your name. It’s not who you are. Just because it’s what you’ve been called doesn’t mean you have to answer.

“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

This Way

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Sometimes faith looks like walking in the opposite direction, going against our natural tendencies and everything we think we know. It’s uncomfortable, intimidating and…like a breeze of fresh, brisk air awakening the senses. Listen carefully, walk closely, God is doing something great.

What If

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

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 changed our perspective? Minimized perfection and magnified grace. What if we decided to simply opt out? Opt out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we dared to do something different? Let our “yes” be genuine and purposeful. Let our “no” be firm and free of guilt. What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…Grateful.

Endless Thanks

Unable to contain in just one day,

A lifetime of profession.

A daily exercise of appreciation,

For this life uniquely my own,

For the glorious triumphs,

For the disheartening defeats,

For the gift of grace,

For mercies renewed,

For everyday blessings,

For the difficult journeys,

For the smallest joys,

For the sting of self-reflection,

For the hope in growth,

For love unfettered and unconditional,

For the joy of family,

For the solace of friends.

Thanks to a God so Magnificent, so Wonderful, and so Good.

Humbled by His presence and in awe of His care. -LAS

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”

Psalms 105:1-2

Continue

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

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 progress. We even begin to rationalize reasons for not continuing on…”Well Gods it’s too late now, too much time has passed” or “It really wasn’t going the way I thought it would” or “I don’t think it really makes much of a difference anyway.”

God isn’t moved by our excuses, He is moved by our obedience. When He directs us to move, He fully understands the intricacies of our life and the challenges along our journey. We just have to trust He will give us grace for each step.

What have you let fall by the wayside? What needs to be continued? God has not changed His mind.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)