wisdom

Emotions, Thoughts, Words

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” – Robert Frost

April has been a blur but I couldn’t let it end without paying homage to the rhythmic beauty that is poetry. Check out the Academy of American Poets to learn about the celebration. On this final day of the month, I celebrate with a poem of my own.

My friend

Who told you to shrink?

You diminish your stature

To fit narratives that don’t consider you

You mute your voice

To maintain a facade of peace

You darken your light

To  occupy spaces that don’t welcome you

Who told you to shrink?

Did fear whisper the worst?

Did your past call you unworthy?

Stand.

Speak.

Shine.

Shrink No More.

-LAS

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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

The Shadow of Doubt

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

“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?

Poetry Love

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

It’s that time of the year again to celebrate all things poetic. I’ve been celebrating all month with the Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day. And as I’ve begun to diligently work on my own book of poetry, I can’t let the month end without paying homage to a poet who has inspired me.

I’ve been in awe of Maya Angelou since I was a teenager reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. And I made it my mission to memorize her affirming Phenomenal Woman, regularly performing it in front of my bedroom mirror. So imagine my excitement, reading Cicely Tyson’s memoir (Just As I Am, a breathtaking read full of history and wisdom) and coming upon a quote from a poem by Ms. Angelou with which I was unfamiliar. This poem resonated deeply as I thought of my Gran Gran and all of the great souls who have passed.