Can you imagine if April 15th were a person? I can imagine April was going about her life; she probably had tons of friends and was well loved by the other calendar named women. Sister April was not bothering anyone when Congress decided she would become the due date for filing federal income taxes. The day before, April was probably out buying shoes and getting ice cream with her friends and the next day she went into hiding. Have you ever had someone else’s actions seemingly mark your life? If so, rest assured my sister. You are valued and valuable. You are a woman of destiny and determination. You are a woman of intellect and integrity. You can reclaim your life and you can, once again, walk with you head held high. How? Well, in my preacher voice, I’m so glad you asked. 1. Know your life isn’t accidental (Esth. 4:14). Every part of you was intentionally formed and nothing in your life, no matter how painful, was without purpose. Some purposes are beyond us. Sometimes what we go through is so we can help someone else who without our help wouldn’t get through it on their own. 2. Know you don’t have to walk alone (Jos. 1:9). I’m as guilty of shutting down as anyone else. Thankfully, I have a support system of the Divine and people who walk the face of the earth who refuse to let me walk alone. When I’m depressed, they give me space while letting me know they have my back. 3. Know what is and what is not your responsibility (Rom 14:12). We are not accountable for the actions of others. Stop beating yourself up over what you could not control. We are responsible for our response to them and, when needed, for seeking healing from them. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette The other day I read something akin to “A real queen knows how to adjust another queen’s crown without letting the world know”. Can we take a few moments to unpack that profound saying? In order to have our crowns adjusted we have to:
1. Wear our crown. Sometimes our crown is visible but more often than not, it’s a mental state. No matter how challenging the situation may be, we cannot allow it to define who we are; our definition is from a much, much higher source (Heb. 13:6). 2. Be secure enough to have other competent, intelligent and qualified people surrounding us. Sometimes the only people who can understand what you’re facing are those who are facing or who have faced it as well. Surround yourself with them; learn from them and allow yourself to become someone else’s teacher and role model. (Proverbs 27:17) 3. Be appreciative. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my queenly crew it is private crown correcting is a gift that is not given by all. Those who check you privately love you; those who need to do it publically may be using your dilemma to promote their own agenda (Matt. 18:15). “Hold still” while I adjust your crown my sister queen. We haven’t come this far in vain. There is a Kingdom that needs the words, insights, skills and gifts the Divine has placed in us. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette Don’t Be Fooled
I’ve never been one to “go all in” on April Fools’ Day. Is it because I think it’s unspiritual, NO. Laughter, joy, merriment and fun are all positive things in the Bible. I think the Divine gives some people wonderful senses of humor and love being around them. So why don’t I “go all in”? Honestly, I’m simply not creative enough to think of anything that would be interesting enough to fool people. The fun of April Fools’ aside, there are some things that I refused to be hoodwinked or fall for the “okey doke” on. Falling for them can have serious consequences. What are they? 1. Deceptive words from deceptive people (Eph. 5:6) – its been said that the deepest wounds are from those who are closest to us. Their words slide like new socks on a freshly cleaned hardwood floor and they are just as dangerous. 2. Easy money (Prov. 13:11) – here’s the truth of the matter, very few of us have ALL the money we want ALL the time. Who else knows to question when someone says they have a sure thing or they can “hook you up” with another $5 or $10k with very little work? In the words of our ancestors, all that glitters. . . 3. Love without commitment (John 15:13) – I hate to break it to you but cheap and easy love isn’t love, its emotional indigestion. You feel full but after a while, it will pass and leave a stench. Ask the Divine for someone who not only loves your body, but who loves your mind and your spirit woman. For someone who can walk with you into your destiny while being able to catch you if you fall. No fooling around. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette |
AuthorRev. Antoinette Gatewood-Sykes, Inspirational Speaker Archives
May 2019
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