Very recently, a friend posted a devotional with theme of us understanding and appreciating ourselves and the value we bring to the: room, table, relationship and everyplace where we are. The devotional made me think about how I (to paraphrase the great Michael Jackson) see the woman in the mirror. I’m good with her now, but it hasn’t always been that way (and I can’t believe I was by myself in that line of thought). Like most, my definition of “enough” focused moreso on what I wasn’t and didn’t possess instead of who I am and do possess. Was I tall enough, pretty enough, was my hair long enough, were my hips just the right amount of enough . . . What I failed to understand was that I was created to look like me and my Creator specializes in works of art that formed fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14). What I also overlooked was that what made me who I am was (and is) more than what’s on the exterior. My Creator gave me a mind (I’m not the sharpest tack in the pack, but I’m not the dullest either) and a heart to care for people. I may not always ‘get it right’ but when I don’t I understand and am willing to accept my failures and ask for forgiveness. Our being enough doesn’t mean we’re perfect (perfection will not occur in this life); enough means we’re working while we’re in process to perfection. So, my sister, I encourage you to look in the mirror, see past the makeup, past the hair, past the shade of your complexion and examine the woman under the shell. Once you start loving HER, the shell will follow and you’ll see how enough you are. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette
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The mere fact that we’re so busy and distracted until someone has to remind us (ALL) to exhale, speaks volumes. How do I know you need to exhale? Because I’ve yet to meet a woman who isn’t doing a minimum of 3 things at the same time and who is so busy addressing the needs of everyone else until at the end of night she can’t remember the last thing she did for her own self. You are permitted to exhale; release, even if it only for a minute, everything that’s weighing on you. The truth of the matter is we were not designed to carry each and every burden; but there is someone who can handle all of them (1 Peter 5:7). From a physical standpoint, when we exhale, we push air out of our lungs and with it we release carbon dioxide from our body. Too much carbon dioxide in our bodies can leave us disoriented and can be an indication of a lack of balance. Failing to release things spiritually causes very similar things to occur in our spirit woman, we hold onto things, situations (and people) when we should be cleansing us for expanded opportunities and greater potential. Exhale, sisters and release the: tension; stress; anxiety; fear; insecurity and the lack of comfort in your own skin. I know, you’re a strong woman but can I tell you a secret? Even strong women occasionally need to exhale. Exhale and walk in the knowledge that you are competent; you are intelligent; you are worthy of love; you (with or without a spouse) are whole; you are beautiful and you deserve to be respected (Ps. 139:14). Blessings, Rev. Antoinette In a prior devotional, I discussed sleep and how important 8 hours of sleep a night are to me. This week, I feel compelled to review being still. What’s the difference between being asleep and being still? According to the Mayo Clinic, “sleep allows time for your mind and body to recover from the day's work; our brain sorts the important information from the unimportant and files long-term memory and during sleep, our hormones are regulated” http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep-the-foundation-for-healthy-habits/art-20270117. Stillness is different from sleep, when we are still, we intentionally set aside time while we are fully conscious to separate ourselves to focus on those things important to us.
Trust me, like you, I’m a very busy woman and being still is not something that came easy to me however this year I had no other choice but to learn how to be still. Do you know what I discovered during my stillness? The world did not stop revolving; the sun kept rising and my family somehow survived without me managing everything for everyone. When we are still, we hold the important close and keep the secondary at arms distance. Stillness helps us recognize who is truly with us; who provides for us; who protects us and who we cannot survive without (Ps. 62:5, Ps. 131: 2 & Isaiah 40:31). Today, I encourage you to take a 15 minute stillness break. It can occur during your lunchtime or during a couple of coffee breaks but be still and focus on where your help comes from. I already know where mine comes from so I can trust Him to receive my stillness. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette
Very recently, I’ve learned I had to regulate my intake of Vitamin K. What, in my preacher voice, is Vitamin K? It is a vitamin found in green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collards, etc.) that assists with blood clotting. Why do I have to regulate my intake? Because as someone whose survived heart surgery, I now take an anti-coagulant (something to limit blood clotting). Although I still eat the veggies I love, I’m mindful to not ‘go overboard’ (such as having: a spinach salad for lunch on Monday; kale and cranberry salad with dinner on Tuesday and collards with smoked turkey on Wednesday). Did I mention I love my veggies? Just as I’ve had to learn to have a bit more balance in my physical diet; I’m learning to be more balanced spiritually (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). What’s a spiritually balanced diet? Prayer/meditation + Personal Devotions + Corporate Worship + Work (engaging in actions that align with my belief system to positively change the arenas in which I work, live and worship) + Family Time + Fellowship with Friends. I must admit, there have been times when my scales were off balance but I am now very clear – every part is needed for me to enjoy having a balanced life. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette No, the title is not a mistake and yes, I’m aware of the celebrations on tomorrow, July 4th. Similar to many others, I’m looking forward to cookouts with friends and family and no 4th of July would be complete for me without grilled food. Yet as I celebrate “Independence”; I celebrate being completely and totally dependent spiritually.
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AuthorRev. Antoinette Gatewood-Sykes, Inspirational Speaker Archives
May 2019
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