The Beauty of Solitude

Times of Refreshing

Maybe it stems from being number eight in a brood of eight. Maybe it’s because growing up in a large family I’ve always had to “fight” for time alone. Maybe it’s because at times I just enjoy my own company. Whatever the reason, from the time I was a child until this very moment I have always craved, seek and fought for my moments of solitude.

I enjoy being able to be alone to reflect, to meditate on the word of God, to curl up and visit old friends through the pages of a good book, listen to music, sing dance or just sit and enjoy the silence and the peacefulness of my self-imposed solitude.

I find that the times of solitude is a necessity in my life. It gives me time to rejuvenate when I’ve given all I can for a time. It helps me to reflect on some of the blessings in my life, family, friends, possessions, peace of mind, health strength… It also renews me for when it’s all over.

I’ve also found out that one of the most beautiful thing about solitude is knowing that when I want it to end all I have to do is take a walk outside or simply pick up the phone and dial a number. That’s the beauty of solitude; knowing that it isn’t forever. Friends, family, company are only a phone call away.


For more thoughts on the Beauty of Solitude visit Keziah this week's hostess of the Carnival of Beauty at A Woman Who Fears the Lord

Merry Christmas One and All

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Christmas at my House

Christmas at my house... hmmm. Just saying it brings back memories of waking up Christmas morning to wonderful aromas, hearing my mother moving around in the kitchen preparing the Christmas meal, listening to her scold my dad for getting in the way, which by the way still happens.

There was never a lot of gifts at my house when I was growing up, sometimes we got books and pencils, other necessities or prehaps a toy, because in a family of eight children there often wasn't enough money for extravagant gifts. However, looking back I don't think of how deprived I was because, the gifts would have been long gone. I think of how blessed I was. My house was always filled with laughter, love, good cheer and lots and lots of food.

Present day in my house is not much different from 20+ years ago, except the family is much, much larger. We still don't concentrate so much on the gifts, although don't get me wrong it's always nice to get gifts. But, Christmas at my house is still about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family, friends and food :)

We go strictly traditional at my house at Christmas. My dad, my five brothers and older nephews usually grab all of the seats at the table and my mom, sisters and sisters-in-law are usually serving the food. You notice I didn't mention myself, well being the youngest I can still make myself scarce without being missed to quickly. (If I miss the serving I usually get stuck with kitchen duty afterwards though)

My favorite part of Christmas at my house is when we gather as a family, while Mommy prays for the entire family. Her prayer always sets the tone for the entire day. Along with that treasured tradition is the annual, can't do without, back to the past trip. This is where we all just sit around, usually after Christmas dinner, and reminisce about when we were younger, how different things were back then, tricks we played on each other (like when my brother Enoch talked me into let him give my doll a haircut. He convinced me that it would grow back.) We still call those days, "da good ol' days".

That's Christmas at my house. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Written December 2005



Things have changed in my family since Christmas last year. My mother is no longer with us. So Christmas 2005 will forever be in my memory.

Gifts I'd Like to Give

There are a few gifts I’d love to give this Christmas if only they were mine to give…

First of all, I’d love to give every young lady I come into contact with the ability to see that she is a person of value, with special unique qualities.

Next, I’d like to help her understand that her destiny is in her hand and the future that she wants is hers if she’d but follow God’s plan.

Then, I’d like to help her realize that life is not going to pass her by if she’d delay a few pleasures and focus on her goals.

Finally, if I had the ability this Christmas, I’d dry every young lady’s tears, erase every disappointment, calm every fear.


Yes, if I had the ability, I’d really do it if I could. But, one thing I can do young lady is let you know that you are loved.

God loves you, you are special, a part of his perfect plan, trust him and he’ll guide you into realizing the dreams you may think are far beyond your reach.



(I wrote this piece for Girl Talk Magazine several years ago, but I thought this was an appropriate time to share it again.)

Rescue Yourself

Do you dream about your Prince Charming riding into your life in a gorgeous hummer and rescuing you from your ordinary life?

When I was growing up a lot of the songs and shows intended for female audience encouraged girls to dream about a hero coming along and rescuing the damsel in distress from her dreary existence and then they both ride into the sunset and live happily ever after.

Many ladies old and young buy into the concept of a tall dark and handsome Prince Charming or a smooth knight in shining silver Mercedes coming in and sweeping them off their feet. Some young ladies buy into this concept so much until instead of living life to the fullest, going to college or finding something meaningful to do with their lives they spend it waiting to be swept off their feet. Unfortunately when they are, they often find out that life is not the fairy tale they pictured it to be.

That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I heard some of my fourth grade girls sing a song I’d never heard before. (I confess to musical ignorance) The lyrics were so vastly different from those I grew up listening to. It painted a different picture of the much beloved Cinderella and encouraged young ladies to rescue themselves.

I don’t wanna be like Cinderella
Sitting in a dark old dusty cellar…
I don’t wanna be like someone waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
I’d rather rescue myself

Don’t think I’m knocking Cinderella, I love the story myself but I thought it was nice to hear a song that encourage young ladies to be self sufficient and rely on their own inner strength, ambition and intelligence to make it in life.

Yes, I agree, it’s nice to sometimes dream about being rescued from your seemingly ordinary or stressful life by a tall, dark handsome guy pulling up in his shining, silver mercedes (swoon). However, wouldn’t you like to improve your own situation? Isn’t it simply sweeter to have choices? I mean it’s nice to have someone rescue you but wouldn’t you at least want to know that when it truly matters you’re able to, with God’s help of course, rescue yourself?

Article from june/aug issue of Girl Talk Magazine

Happy Thanksgiving

Today there are so many things that I'm thankful for. If I tried to list them the list would be endless. So I thought I'd talk about what I'm most thankful for.

Today I'm most thankful for salvation. That has been the most precious gift I've ever received. I accepted this freely given gift over sixteen years ago and it's still as fresh and new as when I first received it.

This freely given gift has made me a better person. It has made me a more loving daughter, sister, auntie, cousin teacher, friend... This gift has changed me as a person and my life in general. It's the gift that I would never in a million years consider returning or exchanging.

So today, on Thanksgiving Day I'd like to say thank you Lord for the gift that keeps giving and giving... Salvation.

Come on and bless the Lord with me

Psalm 34 1-3

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.