Today is Mother’s Day. Even though I did not at first feel I should I need to share some words. My mother has been with the Lord for almost twenty-three years, it is a hard holiday. My mother was strict and did not let me do much. My parents picked my friends and they did not just let me hang around anybody. Many times I would wonder why she was so hard on me. I am the only child and was in my teens at the time I naturally felt this way. But now that I look back at it and I see why. She wanted me to be somebody, to put God first, to have integrity and character.
My mother always told me that she was not my friend, but my mother.
As a teenager I would wonder what did that mean? Girls are having friends over; but I could not have my friends over. Why can’t I go to the party?
With some years hopefully for some comes wisdom. My mother wanted me to know that she was not hear to make me feel good even, when you may not be right. My mother told it like it is and didn’t pull any punches with me. I didn’t have a lot of role models when I was young. My best role models are my parents, my grandmother, and my aunt. My mother wanted me to get an education and I did. She wanted me to stick with the books and not get hooked up with the wrong crowd and praise the Lord I didn’t. My mother was not perfect; but she was and is in my heart, a Proverbs 31 woman. She always looked out for the best interest for me and she believed in me.
I was not planned.
What do you mean, you say?
I was not a planned pregnancy. My mother didn’t want to have children. My grandmother told my mother go on ahead and have that baby and she did., By God’s grace and mercy, my mother delivered me, a healthy 8lbs. 6 oz. baby girl.
My mother and father helped me and sacrifice for me to have a good life. My grandmother helped and was also there for me. They loved me and it hurts that they are not here on earth in the flesh. I know that they all believed in God and that Jesus Christ died for their sins, so I know they are in heaven. Virtuous, Virtuous, Virtuous I say as I literally run through the halls expressing my thankfulness to God for giving me such loving jewels in my life that are with my heart. I know they are Jesus followers, but it does still hurt.
Joyce Meyer has on her calendar the title for today, “The Only Way Out Is Through”.
I continually have to thank the Lord that I had such a rich inheritance of Godly parents and a Godly Grandmother. I know that they wouldn’t want me to feel any other way.
The Proverbs 31 Woman is my mother and my grandmother. My Aunt is still here on earth so I am putting her in here too because she is the description of character and integrity. Please read Proverbs 31 below, its a lot to take in but the words have so much wisdom in them.
Proverbs 31
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
*BibleGateway
God loves you and if you are not feeling so great today because it seems like everyone is having fun on this Mother’s Day. It is not about the day, it is about what you do each day that counts. We celebrate moms, dad moms, moms who adopt, step moms, pet moms, those who influence are lives, those who are mothering and mentoring. We comfort those who have lost a child, those who are having difficulty with adopting, those who are estranged from their children, those who are having interferences in having kids; peace and comfort to you.
Remember you are not alone and that God is for you.
Psalm 23:4,6
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. … Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
II Corinthians1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”
Lord have mercy! There has been so much that has been said this past week about the Shea Moisture controversial ad.
Taking a look at it now after all the words have been said.
If you haven’t been online and seen the ad here it is below.
What are your thoughts?
My first reaction to the video was this is going to be a video about hair stories and how women have conquered their hair hate. I saw one woman of color tell her story of being teased for the kind of hair she had; and then gaining acceptance of her hair. I do know her curls were loosely textured. One article said the woman in the ad was multi-racial. Maybe, I do not know. Heck, my curls are the same texture and my parents were not two different ethnicities. Then the video cut to two caucasian women, one who briefly talk about hair color and the other one not knowing what to do with her hair.
Will Shea Moisture be carrying a hair coloring line?
I am like, hmmmm…
I have been using Shea Moisture products for a couple of years now. The company wanted to expand its market to include women of all colors who have hair issues. I think diversifying their products is a great idea. However, I believe that this ad did not portray what the Shea Moisture company wanted it to convey. The first model was the only one holding the product. There is no mention of what products the other models used or how they used the products or what Shea Moisture meant to them. Simply put, it was bad editing of a much larger story that was not included in the final product. Take a look at the video below that was released one month before the controversial video aired. This video include good editing and is a good example of hair stories and conquering them. This video was on their Youtube channel and is dated March 28, 2017.
I have heard that the Shea moisture products ingredients have changed; but in this video the owner says that they have not. Take a look at this video below that features an interview where the owner addresses the controversy, how the company is looking to expand its market ,and talks about the products themselves.
I have noticed that some people are talking about Shea Moisture but have not used any of the products. There is freedom of speech and everyone can have an opinion.
I wanted to share an image of the Shea Moisture hair products in my closet.
Shea Moisture Hair Products
1 jar Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Anti-Breakage Masque
1 jar Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque w/Sea Kelp & Argan Oil
1 jar Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Curl Enhancing Smoothie w/ Silk Protein & Neem Oil Thick, Curly Hair – Using this up and probably will not be purchasing because I am starting to make my own cream.
2 jars of Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oi Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-in Conditioner w/Shea Butter, Peppermint & Keratin
1 container of Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner w/Sea Kelp, Argan Oil, & Shea Butter for Dry, Damaged hair (Almost all gone)
1 Spritzer of Shea moisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair High Shine Glosser w/ Keratin, Peptides, and Botanical Extracts
1 Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus KIDS Extra Moisturizer Detangler w/Slippery & Marshmallow Extracts
Shea Moisture has a full line of products that are not only hair care products. I actually have more Bath and Beauty products in my closet. The bubble baths, the hand and body scrubs, and the soaps are a regular part of my bath regime. I even like to mix the bubble bath scents.
Shea Moisture Bath and Body Products
1 bar of Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shea Butter Soap
1 bar of Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus dry oil mist
1 bar of Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Bath, Body & Massage oil
1 Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Energizing Bubble Bath & Body Wash
1 Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Energizing Body Lotion
1 Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex Bath, Body & Massage oil w/ Mango Butter & Green Coffee Bean Extract
1 Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Energizing Hand & Body Scrub
1 Shea Moisture Lavender & Wild Orchid Bubble Bath & Body Wash w/ Shea Butter
1 Shea Moisture Raw Shea & Cupuacu Daily Defense Bubble Bath & Body Wash w/ Passiflora & Pistachio Oils
1 Shea Moisture Raw Shea & Cupuacu Daily Defense Hand & Body Scrub w/ Passiflora & Pistachio Oils
1 Shea Moisture Argan Oil & Raw Shea Dry oil mist w/ Frankincense & Myrrh
There has been a lot of talk about the company that now owns and partners with Shea Moisture, but I am not talking about that company in this post ( It’s a lot about them online) because the Owner and Founder Richelieu Dennis is still answering to the mission and brand of the company. Dennis (Shea Moisture) offered an apology that was on its Instagram page. Please read below. It comes across as sincere.
Will I stop using Shea Moisture products? No. This promotion has been going on since March, I think this was just bad editing of a much larger campaign by the company. Please take a look at the full campaign here –> EverybodyGetsLove
I do not use many of Shea Moisture hair products because everything is not 100% natural. I really like the leave-in, but it is not 100% natural. Instead I have been looking into making my own leave-in.
Let me know your thoughts about the ad. Has your opinion of Shea Moisture changed since this ad aired? Do you even use any Shea Moisture products? Will you continue to use the products in the future? It will be interesting to see what Shea Moisture next campaign ad will be in the coming months.
Do you keep your emotions locked up on the inside? Do you feel like a failure every time you make a mistake?
With Lisa Bevere’s new book, Without Rival, she speaks to these issues that have trapped women for a long time. In her book, Bevere serves as an advocate for women. Through her encouraging words, she inspires women to be all that they can be by stretching them to do more and be more. Bevere herself reads the ChristianAudio version of the book. I enjoy an audiobook the most when the author reads the book because it provides a deeper and more personal connection to the author.
One quote from Lisa resonates with me — “The fact that if you failed doesn’t make you a failure.”
Matthew 25:13:30
“Not about our pace but about how we win the race.”
I agree that, as women, we have to remember we are not too old, too young, too experienced or too inexperienced. We have to watch what we say about ourselves because it is so easy to get caught in to that what everyone else says trap.
There are so many nuggets and even study questions after each chapter. I had to pause and repeat and pause again to get the questions all written down. I advise you to get a notebook so you can write down the questions and notes of what speaks to you.
It was also good to hear her speak about examples of how she is working on herself and talked about her personal struggles.
For example, whatever you do, don’t compare yourself with other people. It’s so easy to wish what someone else has or does for a living. You have heard this before, but the grass is not always greener on the other side. There may be some potholes in that yard.
“Comparison = refuge for the cowardly.”
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt
Lisa gives scriptural back up in this book, so it is not just your regular self-help handbook.
Another nugget from Lisa:
“Fame is not what makes someone a king.”
This book is full and deep with spiritual revelation. I recommend this book because it is just you and God working through these processes of really, looking at yourself. Each chapter is a Bible Study. This book makes you think and take a look at what really matters.
“Without God, we are nothing; but as we seek him, we find him.”
FTC Disclaimer:
ChristianAudio provided us with this audiobook as a free downloaded in exchange for writing this review. We received no monetary compensation for this review and all opinions and comments are our own.
Hope your day has been an awesome one!
February has come to end and the weather has been crazy to say the least. Temperatures have peaked out in the 70s in the middle of winter. Not just a day here and there. Most of the month has been abnormally above normal with regular high temperatures in the 60s and 70s. With temperatures like this, it leads to finds like this.
Yes, the daffodils are blooming the backyard. These springtime flowers are common in late March and early April, about the time of Easter Sunday. But the warm weather has caused a premature blooming season, even before the Easter (and Lenten) season even has begun. Hopefully this is not a sign of how spring and summer will be. I, for one, would like to see some snow. Our family, the doggies included, enjoy playing out in the snow, making snowmen and throwing snowballs. It is our hope that we will get at least one good snow fall before Spring actually arrives.
Thanking my Lord and Savior for everlasting life. Thankful for being surrounded by my hubby and my family.
“I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my Lord and my God.” Ps. 30:12 (CEV)
Thanksgiving Day is a time to reflect back on what I am thankful for. Thank God each and everyday for health, family, abundance of prosperity, and much more.
What about creating a list?
It’s so good to sit down and make a list. When you make of list of what you are thankful for, you can always go back to it for encouragement and even add more to it.
Thanksgiving is about the food, right?
No, it’s not just about the food. A lot is going on in America and the World right now, and we have so much on our prayer agendas to put before the Lord. I was searching for more information about the protest over the Dakota pipeline, and adding that on my prayer list. Praying for the Indian nation.
With today being Thanksgiving and thinking about the origins of the holiday, I remembered back to what I was taught in history class about the Pilgrims and the Indians. I didn’t know it was the Wampanoags nation, nor did I know much about these encounters. It is a shame that the history books then did not more provide the students with the full story. As a child I would read about that first thanksgiving and would watch cartoons during the holiday that depicted peace and unity.
However, I was not taught that the peace agreement between the Wampanoag nation and the Pilgrims did not last very long. On the Manataka American Indian Council website I read, “The Real Story of Thanksgiving,” the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag nation turned from peace to hatred. There was once peace but it didn’t even last 50 years. the The Pilgrims looked at the Wampanoag nation as teachers who taught them how to sustain the land they came to on the Mayflower, In contrast shortly after the peace agreement the relationship deteriorated in a downward spiral.
As a person of color researching her ancestry, I am disheartened because the story of Thanksgiving is not an entirely happy as some may have thought. Most of the time we only read one side of the story, but it is important that we take the time to read and study the whole story from all viewpoints.
I recently watched an American Experience (PBS) documentary about the Puritans. I don’t want to spoil it for you and give you all the highlights.However, I found it very interesting and thought-provoking. It made me want to learn more. The documentary is an hour and fifty four minutes so grab a cup of tea and let me know what you think afterwards.
Knowledge is power. Thanksgiving is not just another day.
A resource I plan to read:
“Invasion of American” by Francis Jennings on Amazon.com
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving and remember that if you are not with your loved ones or friends remember that Jesus loves you and you are special to Him and to us here at
BubblingwithEleganceandGrace.com
It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since our favorite beagle came running into our life. Back in November 2006; a runaway beagle had been rescued by a friend of a colleague from work. However, the friend and her family could not keep him because they already had three beagles of their own who didn’t like the new addition to their family. The friend was desperate to find a new home for him. She contacted her neighbors, her family and her friends, one of which was our colleague. Our colleague talked let us know that he was available because at the time, we wanted to have a second dog in the family. Not sure how it would go, we met the lady and her family and the beagle. But once we meet him, we knew we wanted to add him to our family.
On November 15, 2006; Giovanni David – “GIO” – came home with us. Needless to say, our life has never been the same since. Nor has it been quite either.
The many faces of Gio!
The early days with Gio were touch and go. He was a runaway dog from the streets that needed to learn how to love and how to be discipled. He could not be trusted in the house by himself. He would scratch up the walls, he would leave us presents in odd places and he would bark all the time. We recruited the help of a trainer to see what could be done. After she spent only 90 minutes with him, he was now staying in a crate when were gone, he stopped leaving the presents and he started to show us love. Through tough love and discipline, he is now a sweet and lovable; but still very loud beagle. And we would not have it any other way.
True to his beagle nature, Gio is called to the wild and wants to be outside any opportunity he can. No, he is not chasing rabbits, instead he is often in hot pursuit of the squirrels who call our backyard home. Gio is chasing them up the tree, across the yard and any which way he came. He is doing all he can to catch one of them. And I know with his determination that he just might do it.
If being outside is Gio’s number one love, then eating would be a close second. Gio is always ready for food. He often reminds us when it is time to eat. We see him looking at his Snoopy watch; getting ready for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And my goodness, don’t be a minute late from the regularly scheduled meal; he will let you know. He will bark at you, he will nudge you and will not leave you alone until you give him the food. He is also the King of Treats in the house. Once we finish our dinner, he is ready for his treats. It could be one of his biscuits, or it could be baby carrots (yes, carrots) or even nuts. Oh don’t forget the cheese. He loves him some cheese. It doesn’t matter the kind – hard cheese or shredded, Italian or Colby Jack. He will eat it all. He can hear the crinkling of the plastic wrapper in the refrigerator and he will come running.
Gio waiting for a treat (or two, or possibly even three or four).
Gio is a super-excited beagle and has a strong attitude at times. Okay, all the time. When we come home from work or church and we let him out of his crate; it is a barking fest until he gets outside and takes care of his business. He is also in hot pursuit of those squirrels to make sure they get out of his backyard. Then when we come back inside, he knows it is time to eat. And he won’t stop the barking until you give him the food. Sometimes I wonder who is in charge of this household.
Trying to get Gio to focus
Just as much as Gio loves to play hard and also sleeps hard too. When his squirrel chasing duties are done for the day; he will snuggle in bed, cover up in his blankets and snore l louder than any human that I know. It is also so sweet to know, when we go to the living room and read our Bible Chapter; GIo will come up there, laying on the carpet right next to us. And when we finish, he is ready to go back on his own bed.
Gio laying next to us while we are ready our daily Bible chapter.
Please join with me in wishing Gio a very happy birthday.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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