Category: Uncategorized

Embracing Your Season of Life

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I recently had a conversation with someone and I assumed they were calling to check on me, but they quickly proved my assumptions to be incorrect. I’ll paraphrase the conversation for you.They basically assumed if you are unmarried, then you are lonely. #wrong I quickly let him know that is not true in every situation.  Loneliness is a feeling that can be felt by anyone despite their marital status. Heck, you can be married and lonely.

If you are married: That’s awesome. ?If you are engaged: I can’t wait to see your wedding pics. ?If you are dating: Y’all are cute. ❤If you are single: Bruh, book the trip! ✈

Well, let’s just say that conversation didn’t go as planned; however, I let them know I can’t answer for anyone else but I’m content with where I am in life. God has me exactly where I’m supposed to be in this season of my life. If he gives me something before I am ready, it could destroy me, but that’s a completely different blog. When God is ready for me to have a boo, I’ll let yall know after I tell my sisters. (Gotta tell them first) Lol. Until then, I’ll keep fulfilling my purpose and passions that God has given me.

Everyone goes through life at their own pace. I can only speak for myself in my current season and singleness is not loneliness and it should not bring you any fear or embarrassment. “Singleness is actually very sacred and God wants you to honor this time by giving it completely to Him. God cares about your love life. He gave us the greatest love story ever, by giving us, Jesus. Make a declaration that you will not allow the voices within you or the voices around you to lead you astray from God’s plan for your life. ” – David and Ella

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! Psalms 139:17 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.139.17.KJV

Comparison

Posted on By wrenhowsway

It is easy to want to compare yourself to others because you may perceive them as being farther along than you. However, you have no idea what that person has sacrificed, bought, or given up to be in their position. It’s important to stay grounded in your faith and to surround yourself with people who encourage you. The social media platform can be deceiving. We often forget that most people, including myself, only post a millisecond of their entire week. You have no idea what happened before or after that post. If you are like me, it takes me even longer to post one picture. I’ll have 10 of what looks like the same picture and compare small differences before posting. #guiltyI only want to post what “appears” to be the best photo.I’ve recently started posting the moving photos and slightly blurry photos to my stories. Why? Because they are funny to me. I can’t take life too serious. It is a good way to add humor into your day and to remind myself, I’m not perfect. I’m human, I take awful photos sometimes and other times I take amazing photos. It just depends. So, don’t compare yourself to others, it is waste of time and energy that you can never get back. You can use that time to be more productive and work on yourself. And like this scripture says, are you seeking the approval of men or God?

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.1.10.KJV

They Don’t Make Stuff Like They Used To…

Posted on By wrenhowsway

My mom has pots, skillets, and pans that are older than me, heck they are probably about 40 years old or older.I have a set of pots and pans which is 5 to 10 years old, and it’s already falling apart.

Correction, one is broke!

Storytime: I was washing dishes a few weeks ago, and as I picked up my favorite skillet, the handle broke. I stood in my kitchen for a few minutes in disbelief trying to process what in the heck happened to my skillet. I had so many questions, such as:

1. I’m trying to be a great steward of my resources; why do I have to buy more skillets?

2. Is there any way I can “borrow” a skillet from my mom for a long time (meaning at least a year or two). Lol. Clearly, they don’t make things with the same quality they used to.

3. Why is my skillet broken anyway? Ain’t nobody got time for this. Lol.

4. How am I going to meal prep?  While I’m pondering these questions, I decided to go ahead and replace my cookware. I recently replaced and upgraded my pots and skillets. Let me tell y’all, it was worth every penny; it took my food prepping skills from basic to excellent! #wonthedoit

New motto: When something breaks, replace it and upgrade it! Everyone needs an upgrade every now and then!

P.S. If you read my holiday blog last year you will know I had to run to the store on Thanksgiving to purchase milk. Thankfully, I have all my ingredients this year, but I forgot to purchase aluminum foil. I can’t make this stuff up, I’m still a rookie, which is why I’m not hosting.

P.S.S. Thank you 7-11 for always being open and saving the day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Chronicles 16:34: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 

Boundaries

Posted on By wrenhowsway

Storytime:
I was watching my friend’s daughters the other day and they were riding in the car with me while I ran errands. One of the sisters told the other one while we were riding, scoot over I need some space. I immediately reminisced back to my childhood days in a home with 6 sisters and remembered several conversations in which I asked a sister to scoot over because I needed space. Lol.
This reminded me of the need for boundaries.
I’ve learned in every relationship there is an opportunity to establish healthy boundaries. Boundaries first start with how you treat yourself and then are reflected in how you treat others. It is okay to establish boundaries in all types of relationships.
How do you know if you need boundaries?
That’s a great question, I’m glad you ask, but first, let’s talk about a few types of boundaries.
There are emotional, personal and relational boundaries to name a few.
How do I know if I need boundaries?
1. Do I feel a situation goes against anything that makes me feel violated?
2. Do I say “OK” or say nothing when I would rather not do something for someone, because I don’t want a confrontation?
3. Do I let other people define what my behavior means? (Ex:
“You don’t really love me if you won’t…)
These are a few questions that can help you explore the topic of boundaries. The discussion of boundaries is such an in-depth topic. The main thing about boundaries is that it all starts with you and your identity. Of course, the responses will vary from person to person; however, it is okay to ask does this situation or relationship serves me? Some relationships will require tighter boundaries, while other boundaries can be loosely defined. It all starts with you and what you need to make you feel safe and what’s an acceptable way or behavior that you want someone to treat you.
I’ve done personal inner work to establish boundaries recently and I will say it allows you to feel free with the people you interact with while also serving ourselves and others in a healthy manner.

Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.
Proverbs 19:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.19.19.NLT

Staying in My Lane

Posted on By wrenhowsway

At this age, we all should have an idea of what is appropriate and what is not appropriate to do to someone else.  Everyone should have a moral compass that alerts you when you need to back up and give someone 50 feet, at least. Geesh.If your moral compass isn’t working, you can always opt to stay in your own lane and focus on yourself.If you are a driver or have at least taken a driving test, you will notice there are solid white lines or double yellow lines that you shouldn’t cross when driving. If you veer out of your lane while driving, then you have the possibility of colliding with another vehicle. And no one wants the issue and responsibility of an at-fault accident.How can you avoid this from happening? I’m glad you asked. You can stay in your lane and do what brings you joy and peace. Often times, we do things for other people and then we are often left empty. I’ve learned one of the most important relationships I can have is with myself.

A critical question I ask myself before I embark on a new task is, “Does this bring me joy or is this something I really want to do?”

  If it isn’t, then I probably will opt not to do it. #optout

No shade or hate loss. I realize when I am being intentional about time, pursuing my purpose and doing things that bring me joy, I have little to no time to worry about someone else.This doesn’t mean I don’t care about others, because I do. However, I can’t engulf myself in someone else’s situation and not have the energy to run my own race.

I believe the saying goes, “Sweep around your own front door before you try and sweep around mine.”

So, if you see me walking around looking like I am on a mission, just know I am being purposeful with the finite time I have on this earth to do his will for my life, and I am staying in my own lane.

 “… and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you…”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1th.4.11.AMP

Bucket List Trip #1 – Niagara Falls

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I’ve said before that I want to travel everywhere; however, I’m trying to pick one main place each year to travel to and maybe two additional trips.

 

At the beginning of the year, I stated in my blog I wanted to go to Niagara Falls. I love water and knew the scenery would be beautiful from pictures found online, so I needed to figure out how to get there the most affordable way.

Storytime: I’m an unconventional journeyer. I don’t mind traveling longer to get somewhere if it means saving money. I understand the easiest way to get to Niagara Falls is to fly to Buffalo, New York, start on the American side of the falls, and then come over to the Canadian side; however, my friend, Melanie, and I took the more scenic route. We flew to Detroit and drove to Niagara Falls. It was a windy yet beautiful and easy drive. Detroit is about 4 hours away, so if you go this way, make a great playlist and pray that the Canadian border patrol is nice when you cross the border.

Customs: Don’t expect a stamp at the border, as it is optional for them.

When we arrived, it was 4 am in the morning, but after resting and getting back up we arrived at the falls.

It was the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, so serene and relaxing. We were able to go down into the falls on the boat and feel the mist of the Canadian falls on our faces. While it was cold and our fingers were a little frozen, the moment was perfect. The Canadian Falls, the rainbow and the beautiful birds, it is a moment I’ll cherish forever. We closed our eyes momentarily to soak in the joy of the moment and even caught a beautiful rainbow in the background. My advice to you if you ever go to Niagara Falls—ensure you have your passport to go to the Canadian Falls. It is the more scenic side, and you can see both falls at the same time.

“I set My rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.”

Genesis 9:13 AMP

 

https://bible.com/bible/1588/gen.9.13.AMP