Shared Post from Ellanwanua.com Love is Not Touchy

1 Corinthians 13:5 PHILLIPS)


I read this young lady’s post and it touched me so much that I had to share it with everyone. Please check out the preview then click on the link below it to read the full story.

LOVE IS NOT TOUCHY

I watched a short film by Juwon Odetayo on youtube early hours of this morning titled “FADING”. It was short and very intriguing. This film is a motivation to today’s blog post.

I’ll put the link to the film at the end of the blog post.

We have one silent entitlement. Okay, let me not generalize. Most of us do. and it is this: We think we are “entitled” to be offended when we are offended by people. I do it too. So, you are not alone.

But, in recent weeks, I’ve been constantly reminded that being touchy is not my right. Neither is it a fruit of the Spirit. Sometimes, I feel so hurt or angry and justified, and I tell God, “Didn’t You hear what she just told me?” That was completely unfair! Or “Those comments are enough to get any sane person mad,” and I am quickly reminded that LOVE IS NOT TOUCHY.

To continue reading click on the link below.

What If

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com

In this land we live in, there are so many kinds of people, places and things. There is not one thing that is the same as another. Whether it’s man made or God made. Everything and everyone have their distinct identity.

With each unique being, it troubles me that some people and things are being deliberately shunned because they do not fit a certain mold. That leads me to a state of confusion.

For example, why is a well maintained green and yellow house called an eyesore by other homeowners, whose houses are all gray and blue cookie cutter homes with peeling paint and rotten shutters?

Why is finding larger clothes and shoes sizes harder than small? Yes, it requires more material and labor. I get that.

Why is it harder to find skin products when you have skin disorders, skin diseases, and burn scars?

Why do people in authority positions make rules for others but exclude themselves from such regulations?

Why do some people detest one another because their mirror reflection does not match?

What if that green and yellow house caused other people to see the beauty in it?

What if larger clothes and shoe sizes were just as easy to find as small?

What if finding skin products for people with skin disorders, diseases or burn scars sat right next to other skin products?

What if those high-ranking position holders stopped for a minute to think of themselves being held to the same rules that now exclude them? How would they feel being told that they cannot do something that is vital to their very being?

What if that reflection in the mirror reflected the words Love Thy Neighbor?

When you exclude people, places, and things, you never get to see how beautiful they are because you are looking with darkened eyes. But when you remove your blinders, you will open a whole new world of greatness.

The next time someone tries to dim your light because you don’t fit in, do not dim theirs in retaliation. Show them just how big and bright your light is.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved Desiree Future

What If

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com

In this land we live in, there are so many kinds of people, places and things. There is not one thing that is the same as another. Whether it’s man made or God made. Everything and everyone have their distinct identity.

With each unique being, it troubles me that some people and things are being deliberately shunned because they do not fit a certain mold. That leads me to a state of confusion.

For example, why is a well maintained green and yellow house called an eyesore by other homeowners, whose houses are all gray and blue cookie cutter homes with peeling paint and rotten shutters?

Why is finding larger clothes and shoes sizes harder than small? Yes, it requires more material and labor. I get that.

Why is it harder to find skin products when you have skin disorders, skin diseases, and burn scars?

Why do people in authority positions make rules for others but exclude themselves from such regulations?

Why do some people detest one another because their mirror reflection does not match?

What if that green and yellow house caused other people to see the beauty in it?

What if larger clothes and shoe sizes were just as easy to find as small?

What if finding skin products for people with skin disorders, diseases or burn scars sat right next to other skin products?

What if those high-ranking position holders stopped for a minute to think of themselves being held to the same rules that now exclude them? How would they feel being told that they cannot do something that is vital to their very being?

What if that reflection in the mirror reflected the words Love Thy Neighbor?

When you exclude people, places, and things, you never get to see how beautiful they are because you are looking with darkened eyes. But when you remove your blinders, you will open a whole new world of greatness.

The next time someone tries to dim your light because you don’t fit in, do not dim theirs in retaliation. Show them just how big and bright your light is.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved Desiree Future

Trust the Process

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where everything that could go wrong went wrong? Did you literally want to beg God to turn you back into a child because this adulting life is not the life for you? If you’ve answered yes to both questions, then welcome to my world.

Just last week, I got a flat on the way to work. Thank God for a kind lady who caught me at the light one block away from the parking lot, letting me know. AAA is a godsend since I don’t know how to change a tire.

While carrying my friend’s birthday gift, the bag handle broke, causing me to have to carry it tight on my chest. Not a good idea since the bag had glitter on it. I glittered bombed myself. My coat, purse, and workbag all had silver glitter everywhere.  

The next day, I was at the tire shop getting a new tire. I found out I needed all new tires. I wanted to cry because with an upcoming trip that put a dent in my budget.

With the tire and glitter, I then lost my laundry card. I had just put a substantial amount of money on. I looked for three hours inside my home and in the car. I’m not one to lose things, as I pride myself in being organized. But when I lose things it’s a bit hurtful.

With all of this going on, it seemed I was just having awful week. But here’s my take on it. I could have been driving on the highway when my tires blew and gotten into an accident. The glitter could have been permanently stuck to my face and hair. (Not pretty). I could not have had money to replace the laundry card to do my laundry.

Sometimes we have moments where things go wrong. However, trust the process that God knows what He’s doing. Car accident avoided, looking like a craft teacher while working in a professional environment avoided and having to wash clothes and coat by hand avoided. No matter what happens, God has your back.

Guest Post by Lisa Larsen Hill

Hello loyal readers March 1st blog post is written by a good friend of mine who just so happens to be a writer as well. Please welcome her here to Hope, Faith & a Smile

Do we realize in our daily lives, its just the small things?

On a visit to California, we’d just finished dinner at a Long Beach vegan restaurant with my brother and niece. I’m not a vegan but my niece is. The offerings and delicious meal delighted me and I made a note to check out vegan restaurants on my return to New York. It was a warm night as we walked back to the Airbnb. A young couple with their 7 – 8-year-old daughter was skipping in front of us. The little girl turned around and started talking about her day. She was excited about her visit to the aquarium and told us all sorts of facts she gathered.

We asked her questions, which she was delighted to tell us more.

We walked along for some time and then they turned down a different street, I said, “Good night sweetheart.”

And this tiny little charming voice responded, “Good night, sweetheart.”

Both the parents and all of us ahhh’d and giggled for her pure innocence.

Sometimes in our daily lives truly it’s the small things.

How often do we celebrate a moment? An ordinary task of just walking down the street can turn into a delightful memory. My husband and I now say, “Good night, sweetheart,” and glow, remembering this sweet connection to a stranger.

I love this lyric by Sam Cooke’s song “That’s Heaven to Me.”

“The things that I see as I walk along the streets – a little flower that blooms in May, a lovely sunset at the end of a day, someone helping a stranger along the way – that’s heaven to me.”

With all the bad news screaming for attention from everywhere, realizing it’s just the small things bring us joy.

What’s a small thing that’s lifted you up?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12.

Lisa Larsen Hill is Founder and President of Seeds of Faith for Women Inc, a 501 c (3). She is co-founder of Daughters of Abraham, bringing women of the three Abrahamic faiths together. A Christian Seminar leader/Certified Lay Speaker for over 20+ years, she serves various churches on Long Island. She is a speaker and member of the Network of Biblical Storytellers. Lisa is a contributing writer to Courage to Write and is represented by Books & Such Literary Management in pursuit of publishing her first Biblical fiction story. She is married to her best friend, Roger Hill.

To find out what Lisa is up to find her on her below social media platforms.

I’m Looking for Greater

A person from humble beginnings can appreciate small things. They understand what it means to grow up shopping at thrift stores, receiving hand-me-down clothes, and waiting in long lines to apply for government help. These people recognize they can’t afford to purchase the newest footwear or electronic device that has hit the market. Public transportation and walking is their mode of getting from point A to B and C and the rest of the alphabet. Birthdays and Christmas are not on the calendar due to the rent and utility bills needing to be paid.

For some, as they grow up and achieve success, they look back on where they came from and rejoice because they made it out. Even going back to help others in need. For others, they steer clear of what caused them to be ridiculed because they were poor. In their minds, it’s a place they never want to visit again.

What happens when they leave but keep their mindset the same? Do they want the best or just settle for the little?

I’ve been accepting the little because it’s better than nothing. But recently I became upset because I didn’t get what I wanted or rather needed. It was not because I didn’t take it a step further to gain what I desired. I had become accustomed to accepting small things. Not to say little things doesn’t matter because, trust me, they make an enormous difference. But saying that my brain was functioning at such a low level when offered gifts, I had a hard time accepting them. Which offended the person who was offering the item to me. That caused a chain reaction which led me being the one who accepts any minor thing. When I know deep down inside, it wasn’t what I wanted. Then that led me to purchase what I wanted.

I’ve learned when you think of receiving the lowest, that’s what you will receive. But you have the mindset of receiving greater than that’s what you’ll get. I’m looking for greater. What are you looking for?