T'is the Season...

 This Season and most highly commercialized holidays are dubbed as a time of 'Accessibility' as well as 'Fraudulence.'  We tend to sometimes get so caught up in the merriment, gift-giving, and the hype of it all until we let our guards down. We get bogged down with so much to do until we necessitate a ‘To Do List’.

 And there we go, ‘checking our lists and cheching it twice...’ Lol. We must remember that bargains are not necessarily bargains. I’ve always heard the phrase “too good to be true." Well, you’d best believe that if it seems too good to be true, then usually it’s NOT true! This doesn't mean that you need to be self-conscious, but be watchful.

Don’t let fear stop you in your tracks from enjoying this beautiful season. Have faith that what you want to do, you can still do it without being stagnated by fear of the trickery of this world. There will always be thieves who are watching and waiting for the innocent looking ones… those whom they think they can take advantage of and prey upon. Don’t be a victim of immobility… just make a move!

In my daily walk, not just busy seasons, I struggle with so many doubts as to whether I can or cannot do certain things, failure, being scammed. So I take whatever cautions I deem reliable. Putting God first in my moves, I then, ‘JUST DO IT!’ When I really look at the BIG picture, I remember what my Momma use to say- "you'll never know if you never try."

But... if you’ve ever experienced deception, you realize it can hamper the strongest of individuals…My 'go to' scripture whenever I have doubt is Luke 7:6 NIV:  And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Definition of faith: The act of believing in or attempting something whose outcome has not been proven or is unknown; thus 'taking a chance...'

Not for just the season, but Faith should play a major role in your daily life. Faith is belief that you can, not that you just might. Faith gives you hope, when all hope is gone. Faith gives you strength to keep pressing on. Faith is that little voice that says, “Don’t give up.” Faith is the drink which overflows a cup.

Faith is the substance of hope and belief of things unseen. Faith allows you to step out on a limb, without the fear of falling. Faith takes you places your mind cannot fathom. Faith opens doors you could never imagine. Faith gives you access to do all things! Faith is the password- The key, in Jesus’ name!

T’is the Season to take a leap of Faith, knowing wherever, whenever or IF you fall, He will catch you it - it only takes a first step.

Blessings

PJ Payne

Count It All Joy

Can you truly say that in all you do and all you go through, you consider it a blessing? When you have arrived to that point in your journey - you've made it! I say that because it takes a forbearing person, a strong person, a resilient person, a forgiving person, AND a God-fearing individual all rolled up into one, to understand and know that through it all ‘it is well’.

This time of the year is quite difficult for many of us. Some are ill, have lost loved ones, in a financial straight, depressed, or even homeless. And a lot of us know and remember the havoc Hurricane Harvey played in our lives. We are still recovering. These trials and sundry times can strip us of any fragment of joy we could conjure up. But … James 1:2-7, BSB says, ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.’ So ask and believe. Don’t be the double-minded, doubting person. You may receive what you were expecting... Nothing. Even so, you are still blessed.

Count your blessings.... one by one. Over and over again, realizing the sum; the sum of what you've got minus the sum of what you've given; then you'll find that you're rich, bountifully rich, in spite of your misgivings... 

No matter what you’re going through, He’s Blessing You. So count it ALL joy!

Continued Blessings,
PJPayne

Glory, Glory

I am thinking...

Everyone has or has had a special person in his or her life that impacted them forever.  That impact was so profound that you never forgot that individual. You wondered how they did what they did. They went through so much and seem to come out untarnished, unscathed, praising, shouting and giving God the Glory for even the hardships! These were what you considered STRONG individuals. Have you ever wished you could possess those types of strengths? 

Well in my lifetime, I have met a few people like this. The most impressionable one was a ‘Praising and Praying’ woman, Gloria (Sister Sally). She impacted my life deeply. I met her a number of years ago when I was still a ‘babe in Christ’. We were both young women at the time, but she had a special gift.  She was prayerful and humble.  I was impressionable and ‘on fire’ for the Lord. I absorbed and gravitated to every little positive setting I encountered.   I desired to work in His Church in whatever capacity I could.

I loved to sing, but also soon became a part of a group of Lady Prayer Warriors, for lack of a better title. There were a number of us, as we would go to homes and hospitals to pray with the elderly, sick and shut-in. I recognized instantly that Sister Sally always prayed hard and fervently. I thought…  ”It’s as though no one else is in the room… just her and God.” Whenever she finished, I felt as though I had been cleansed of whatever tarnishing I had and renewed spiritually. That’s how powerful her prayers were.

There was a mutual bond in this group, but for some reason, a few of us just ‘clicked.’  Soon we begin to take turns going to each other’s home to fellowship and pray. I think Sister Sally ‘literally’ taught me how to pray. We prayed for each other, as we were all married, had children, and had no shame in “Letting Go and Letting God!”  We allowed His Spirit to encompass, move and envelope our very being, remembering the scripture: Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst”. And it never failed, as we would each take a turn to pray, it seemed Sister Sally would ALWAYS say the last prayer. Time was of no essence, as we let God have His way. 

I loved watching her when we would meet. Through our initial conversations, she would sometimes sit with her hands on her lap, a broad smile on her face, eyes closed and she would rock back and forth… a very serene vision to witness.  It was like she was slowly gearing up - getting ready to exalt God through prayer. She would pray so passionately and unselfishly, we were automatically brought to tears. On many occasions, we could have easily used more than one box of Kleenex.  She would be crying and her nose would be red and runny (as did ours) and by the time we released hands and opened our eyes, we needed a shower.  “Ain’t God Good!” 

I cannot forget those days. This is for the Praying Woman, who is still in my life.  She taught by example, how a woman prays. “To God Give the Glory!” God bless you, Sister Sally!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Thank Him...

Are there times when you just want to hide from everyone and everything... run away from home, from work, just run away from it all? Well, join the crowd!

At some point, so many of us want to do just that – run away. Maybe more than once, lol. Some of you may have even acted upon it. Cowards like me didn't have the courage. I would have been wondering what I was leaving behind or what was going on while I was away. But, if you had the strength to do so, okay… hopefully, you went back.

I guess that is why I spend each morning with my Coffee and Thee. Although I may have just arisen from a night's rest, that’s my unwinding time. It’s my time to be with my thoughts, my God, my space, and my coffee. To calm your ‘run away from it all’ spirit, I suggest that you pick your space and chill. Maybe, just maybe you can keep your sanity in the midst of it all.

 No doubt about it, life and things happen! There is NO escaping! But what you must do is “brace yourself for the unexpected. Then embrace it!” If you expected it, then you would not have allowed it to happen in the first place; especially if it had a negative effect on you or your livelihood. Anything you deem detrimental, you do everything within your power to block it, right?

I heard a sermon recently with a title that says it all. When you go through your trials and tribulations, realize this… ‘It Had to Happen’! Your highs, your lows, your distress, and despair – God is taking you down an unknown path and only He knows your final destination. Given the message he wanted to portray, the Minister elaborated in as eloquent a manner as possible - “Stop looking for the reason and start looking for the revelation!”  Start rejoicing and thanking Him!

What I’ve learned is, when something unexpected or drastic happens, we naturally seek answers and ask why.  Everything you deem as ‘going wrong’ is not necessarily going wrong. “He wouldn’t have brought you to it, if He couldn’t bring you through it.” Brace yourself and hunker down, because He may be preparing you for the ride of a lifetime.  But remember who is your pilot, your chauffeur, your navigator; you can make the worst thing that ever happened in your life, work for your best.

It’s hard to be grateful and thankful when everything around you seems to be in shambles. This is especially so, if you are the type of person who is the ‘leanee,’ instead of the leaner. Basically, you have been the one on whom everyone can depend … the confidante, spiritual adviser, a listening ear, the Rock of Gibraltar, the invincible one - need I go on? I’m sure you get the picture. So tell me, who do you go to when you’re in need of support? Do you deny yourself? Do you not open up? Are you repudiating the fact that you have problems or issues? Do you just hold it all in?

Well God knows us better than we know ourselves. He allows us to fall down sometimes so that we will understand exactly where our help AND the help of others, comes from when we get up. Psalm 121:1-2 KJV …from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

There is just no escaping what God’s plan is for your life. Just let Him take the reins. Stop saying ‘thanks, but no thanks,’ when your little feeble mind tells you that you don’t need to go through the hardships you’re enduring. Let the chips fall where they may. Somehow, by way of those downfalls, you really will be able to help someone in dire need of support. The comfort you will be able to give will have been through experience and the BEST teacher.

So, take your punches and don’t run away. Instead, pick yourself up, pick your space and time, and give Him thanks for it all. Yes, it’s Thanksgiving time! Thank him for what you’ve been through AND as hard as it seems, what you are about to go through.

Blessings,

PJ Payne

The Cost

Do you ever wish you could turn back the hands of time... to relive a part of your life? What if you were a kid again? Would you have done anything differently? Would you have taken a different path, as an adult? Would you have not made the choices that you did? If you did make mistakes, do you think you would have rectified them immediately, had you an opportunity? Or would you have been the 'bad boy or girl', seeking attention?
Do you ever wish...?

The Cost

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

How different would things be

Would I have left or stayed

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

My pace would have been a little slower

Would have paved a brighter pathway

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

The things I deemed important

Would have taken back seat to kids and family

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

I would have walked a mile for a smile

And a tear would not have donned a face

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

Living life, and loving harder

Would have been the order of the day

If I had known yesterday

What I know today

I would have struggled more, 
to give, versus to have

Realizing the rewards 
of the 'price' He paid

What I know today...

Blessing, 

PJ Payne

On Bended Knees...

When we open our eyes each morning, we know not what the day will bring, what obstacles we will face, or what our day will encompass. All we really have is grace and thanksgiving that God has given us another opportunity and ability to see another day. One of His miraculous works... Some were not so fortunate.

 

So what should we do to show our gratitude? “First, give Him the glory for it all!” Thank Him, right now! Secondly, we know prayer changes things. None of us would have made it this far had we not believed in a higher power… in something or someone bigger and greater than you or I… Believing in something as magnanimous as having the ability to watch over us as we slumbered; taking care of our loved ones… even the roof over our heads. What AWESOMENESS! And yet some have the audacity to ‘not believe’? How much more proof do you need?

That’s why I dubbed this article ‘On Bended Knees’. The bend of the knee is the most humbling, yet powerful position one can have. I consider it ‘A Stance’! There is an old saying that comes to mind as I paraphrase… ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.’ Well, what I’m saying is, when you’re on your knees, you’re standing up for what you deem important…

So get on bended knee and stand up –

For Jesus

For your beliefs

For your rights

Hatred to cease

For your family

Your Ethics

Defending your character

Less we forget...

For good health

Our children

Spiritual wars

Healing

For your freedom

The ‘Little Guy’

Humility

NO Genocide

For our Leader

Relief

The Country

Peace

For there is nothing more humbling than the ‘Stance of the Knee’.

Blessing,

PJ Payne 

No Escape

Are there times when you just want to hide from everyone and everything... run away from home, from work, just run away from it all? Well, join the crowd! You are not alone. 

So many of us at some point in life wanted to do that.  More than once, lol. Some may have acted upon it, others like myself didn't have the courage. But good for those of you who had the strength.  Hopefully, you came back. I guess that is why I spend each morning with my Coffee and Thee. It’s  my unwinding time although I may have just arisen from a night's rest. It’s  my time to be with my thoughts, My God, my space, and my Coffee.

Pick your space and maybe, just maybe you can keep your sanity in the midst of it all. Life and things happen! There is NO escaping! But what you must do is “Brace yourself for the unexpected. Then Embrace it!” If you did expect it, you would not have allowed it to happen; especially if it had a negative effect on you or your livelihood. Anything you deem detrimental you block it, right? I heard a sermon recently with a title that says it all. When you go through your trials and tribulations… realize this “It had to happen -” your distress and despair. So stop looking for the reason and start looking for the revelation.  You can make the worst thing that ever happened in your life, work for your best!

There is just no escaping what God’s plan is for your life.

The Plan

Don’t worry about a thing

Tell Him everything

And as changes began to happen

Don’t forget to THANK the Master

Because He already had the plan

He just took it out of your hand

… so there is No Escape

Blessings

PJ Payne

Come Clean!

I've learned that most of the time, we all want to portray our 'best face'… put our ‘best foot forward’! No one wants the world to see their bad side...not on purpose anyway! So we put up a façade; masking the real person.

Are you being true to yourself or those you come in contact with? Do you have a corner of your life that reeks of disarray and disorganization? Do you think to hide your imperfections like wearing makeup, display good character traits? Do you fear getting ‘found out’ so you continue to hide at whatever costs? What portion of your life are these deficiencies displayed? At work, in the desk drawer? At home, in the closet or on that junk table? Surely your flaws they are not visible to the naked eye? When will you finally come out? It’s bound to happen, so why hide? The REAL you will eventually come through, so just come clean!

No matter what you say

No matter what you do

That which you keep in the dark

Is really a reflection of you

You can’t always hide behind a curtain

Stuff you think won’t be seen

Cause when you least expect it

A visitor’s gonna come clean

About how things really look

And it’s ALL about you

They won’t say it to your face

But the truth will come through

And let a visitor open a closet

Which exposes a whole lot

Wow! Do you or do you not have junk?

Is there even a clean spot?

 Be it a secret,

Or be it known

Indiscretions aren't always discrete

If overexposed or shown

Get real, get ready

Make a change, keep it steady

Get it done, make strides

Cause obviously what think you hid

You really didn't hide

In essence what you “don’t” do

Comes out, Comes clean

And says a lot

About you!

~PJ Payne

The Scenic Route

Sometimes answers are right before our eyes and we can't see them. Then God steps in and we finally realize that it was there all along. He allows us to run around in circles by trying to work things out on our own. Our progression is worrying, making wrong decisions, going in the wrong directions - taking a long scenic route.  Then He brings us back to where He wanted us to be from the very beginning. So, with a trail of errors and mistakes behind us, we do what we should have done in the first place – trust and wait on Him!

As a writer/poet, I have found that some of us cannot just sit down and write something. The process may involve concentrating and meditating.  For me, ‘atmosphere’ is everything.  And then there are times when everything just flows.  “Ohhh, such epiphanies!”  But most of all, writing is about development - development via the mind, experiences, tribulations, joys, and sorrows. The culmination of it all allows one to tell his or her story.  If you have a broad imagination, the sky is limitless; but when you go through something, it's surreal and you have no problem telling your story.

I never thought that a prayer I had prayed would be answered by way of a devastating event.  Lately, I had become restless and felt the need to get away from everything and experience something different. My desire was to take a final trip before summer’s end.  I love to drive and survey the beauty of God’s creations. All I need for traveling inspiration is my ‘brew,’ a beautiful sunrise, and in the midst, write about my escapades.  My finances were NOT great, so I knew what I desired was bigger than my pocket. I may be a little late, expounding on such a devastating event, but as time goes on, I realized that I must say something. "Thank you, Hurricane Harvey, for being the catalyst which took me for a ride."

On Friday, August 25^th, as the rain began to fall and the probability of Harvey really hitting Houston set in, I knew I needed to make a decision. Stay or leave?  I was teetering – indecisive, not knowing the magnitude of the storm, at that point.  I love my kids and what most parents don’t want is to be a burden on their young adult children. Although they would not consider it such, I could not encumber them with added stress, if I had other options.  So, through some opposition, fear, reluctance, and finally relief, I made a decision – “And then I felt peace.”  Phil. 4:7 NLT; Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. “I left for East Texas.”  I didn’t realize at the time how God was working it all out for me because what I failed to mention is “stress was not a good fit for me,” since I’d recently been ill. I also did not consider the fact that I was broke – He fixed that too! Yes, I took that long-awaited TRIP I thought I needed. The circumstances were definitely not of my choosing, but His choice.

That week away was an emotional roller coaster as I watched flooding, magnitudes of heroic rescues, displaced families, and even reports of water rising and evacuation in my own neighborhood. At one point my tears were streaming uncontrollably. I felt helpless because I was helpless.  I realize now that the barrage of emotions I felt during the hurricane was labeled ‘survivor’s guilt’.  I was not heeding the peace God had given me on my initial decision because I had begun to worry, even though His word says ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…’  Phil. 4:6 NLT. As crazy as it seems, things could have been worse.  So I began praying and thanking God for His grace and mercy!  

As I drove on my return trip, I saw rivers where initially there were none; piles and piles of debris in communities.  I was even re-routed because of road closures. Finally, the sky seemed to open up – sun shining brightly, as though nothing had happened… and I was home.

I may have taken the scenic route

To see what You wanted from me, Lord

I may have taken the scenic route

But in hindsight, saw what You wanted me to see.

To see You working, give You the glory

See miracles unfold, and now tell Your story

of ‘The Scenic Route’

Keep the Faith

Sitting and sipping my third cup o' Joe this morning I am thinking, as usual. It’s time, yes it’s time to stop ignoring the fact that you really don’t have the last word in your actions, reactions, even a well thought out and plan of action.

Because of what so many of us have endured during Hurricane Harvey, a friend suggested that I blog about the patience it takes to weather this transition we've all been affected by. Does it seem that no matter what you plan to do, there are always hiccups in the outcome… even if you think you’ve crossed all the ‘T’s and dotted all the ‘I’s?  Well, that’s just a part of life. During this hurricane fiasco, there are two characteristics we have all had to develop... Patience and Faith.

Patience: The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. I’m sure you’ve heard the cliché ‘Patience is a virtue’. Yes, it is a good quality. Our trials and experiences in life help us mature to the level of understanding that things don’t always happen in our time=frame or when we want it.

And then there’s Faith: The act of believing in or attempting something whose outcome has not been proven or is unknown; thus 'taking a chance...  You know not what the outcome will be.

You see, they each go hand in hand. It takes the patience to wait and understand that that which you seek in answers or otherwise, will come in due time… not always when you expect it. And when your answers arrive, they will have been worth the wait. Also, whatever your struggles were in the midst of patiently waiting, won’t seem so big after all.

Have the patience and faith to ride out your storm. There is joy in the horizon.

Faith should play

a major role in your daily life.

Faith is belief that you can,

not that you just might

Faith gives you hope

when all hope is gone

Faith gives you strength

to keep pressing on

Faith is that little voice that says

“Don’t give up.”

Faith is the drink

which overflows a cup

Faith is the substance of hope

and belief of things unseen

Faith allows you to step out on a limb,

without the fear of falling

Faith takes you places

your mind cannot fathom

Faith opens doors

 you could never imagine

Faith gives you access

to do all things!

Faith is the password -

The key, in Jesus’ name!

"Keep the Faith"!

What's Your Fuel?

As a writer and poet, I believe what inspires me is life’s lessons, COFFEE, and the Holy Spirit. These thoroughfares, so to speak, always inspire me to put on paper what's in my head, but also, a large part of my inspiration has come by seeing and listening to the works of some of our most renowned artists and poets, namely Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. I truly believe most writers write through inspirations and experiences. Heritage is also a stepping stone to articulate our movement, convey our thoughts, and put them to print. 

Sometimes I feel as though I have so much to say and if I didn't have a outlet, I'd burst wide open... my brain goes much faster than even my fingers can wrap around a pen, type on a keyboard, or even my body can move, to express what I am thinking.

My thoughts utter, via pen, whatever creeps into mind at that time.  

I've been writing since my kids were little and always thought of it as my "Coffee and Thee" moments whereas I spent time alone (whenever I could, lol). 

Today my inspiration is about children… just the thought of them and how precious they are. 

My children are a large part of my inspirations… Life wouldn’t be the same; they are my fuel...

My Petroleum

You are my inspiration

my source of rejuvenation

The fuel that

jump-starts my day

Little words

that pave the way.

The sweetener

for my cup-o-tea        

The morning coffee

I think I need

Time well spent with you

Refreshing, fulfilling

Bonds so close

for you, I'm willing....

Seeing your smiles

carry me that extra mile.

Throughout the day

memories pave the way

Encompassing and

soothing my soul

giving me peace

lightening my load

And when I began again...

You are my inspiration

my source of rejuvenation

My Petroleum

PJ Payne

Look Up!

Differences! It is what makes us unique. “I'm not like you and you're not like me." Differences! They are not disdainful, just adjustable because one has to adjust to another person’s dissimilarities. We were all made equal, but not alike. The whole makeup of an individual (genetically or environmentally) may have similarities, but not identical.

With that being said, because we are all different, don’t allow your diversity to be a stumbling block in your life. Don’t let another person’s view of you ‘make or break you,’ because they may be for you today and against you tomorrow.

I want to briefly share a story of an individual on Instagram. She posted this and asked for advice.

She went to a party one night, but didn’t change clothes… wearing what she had worn to work that day, which she considered traditional. Well, because she was dressed so differently from her peers, she was sneered at and shunned. There were comments like “Don’t you have something better than that dress; maybe something shorter or jeans?” And there were also references to how she was not fitting in. Being the individual she was, she did not reply to the person. Instead, she hung her head because this made her feel out of place. Although she wanted to, she didn’t leave, as it may have drawn more attention to her. Some time later someone else walked up to her and said: “You look beautiful in that traditional suit”. By now she was really confused. She thanked them and finally left the party feeling blank, empty, and puzzled.
In reply to her post, many of her followers said she should have said something back to the people who insulted her…even going as far as WHAT she should have said. She humbly thanked them and agreed. By then, I was baffled! But, there was one, ‘only one’ individual who said, “I read your post. I would continue dressing the way I felt the most comfortable, and would spend little if any time with people making unkind remarks… even on IG with this solicited, but very opinionated advice."

In my opinion, that was the best advice she could have received. Too many times we depend on what society thinks and dictates. It can get the best of even the strongest of individuals, if you allow it. Don't let anyone steal your joy. You are beautiful in your own skin, so OWN IT!

Look Up!

Don’t look down

Don’t you dare!

Look up, look up

Cause you are there

You are a light to others

Shine bright in the sky

Illuminate vibrancy

Clarity on high

Keep your head up

Esteem is your anchor

Pride is the foundation

Heritage… where you came from

You see, you can’t let man

Or anything steal your joy

Can’t let doubt dictate

To your mind and heart

Victory is yours for the taking

Your future is at stake

Claim it and sustain it

Just take your place

Don’t look down, I say

Don’t you dare!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

The Magic Touch

We are constantly hustling and bustling, trying to figure things out. We're shedding tears. Our blood pressure rises... we get frenzied when our backs are against the wall. Stuff happens!! So when we can't find immediate answers, those humanistic instincts kick in. But God is so good! He gives us just what we need, in His time, which is when we need it. Sometimes we don't even realize that we need help because we think we can work our own magic.

"Oh, ye of little faith," how soon we forget whose child we are. As Christians, we say we know God, but do we really? We throw up our hands in despair, we throw temper tantrums like little kids who can't have their way, and we get all worked up because 'we' can't work out the problem. We personalize failure and give up! But guess what? That's what He really wants us to do... let Him.

Just when we think it's all over, we've run the race, we've lost the battle, He is standing on the sidelines watching and waiting and then... HE INTERCEDES!

He guides us as He touches us… takes the reins to lead us out of confusion. He clears the path of obstacles so that we can see and think clearly, as to not draw own conclusions. And then, only then do we grasp who truly has the answers. Then and only then, we realize we had no control; no say in the matter. He’s already laid hands on the situation and unassumingly, worked it out.

The only magic touch is the 'Touch of the Master'! When we let Him guide us in the path He wants us to take, we will realize we're in for the ride of a life time with little effort of our own. Consequently, we wonder "what was all the fuss.”

Blessings,
PJ Payne

The Ride Outside

As I drive and ride, sometimes I just exhale. I absorb all the beauty around me. It's about the feeling, the atmosphere, auras... although others may not envision the beauty that I see. They may just see things, but I see miracles! Miracles of a new morning, a new day, dewdrops on leaves, bursting sun, hustle and bustle of traffic, and so on… I see and feel the blessing of just having a vehicle to ride in; even something as simple as being able to see! So yes, I enjoy the ride.

I’m not even consumed with actually driving, but freedom in a mental state, focusing on the moment. How sweet is the taste, very subtly, the opportunity to being foot loose and fancy free. See, I’m not in control of my destiny and what’s within my reach, in my hand, in my grasp, for that is His decision.  I realize, as human beings, we are powerless, no matter what WE think we are able to do… it’s all about God.  

So find your pleasure, find your peace, find your freedom. I've found mine...

A Ride Outside

Seems I wanna ride…

Wanna ‘scape by-ways and hide

Wanna through, hi-ways confide

Wanna spread my secret wide

Of my emotions, I’ll confess

Of my inner being, express

Of life’s’ turmoil and tests

Of how I cope and try my best

To keep at bay the insanity

To keep away the profanity

To know “this too shall pass”

To know freedom, alas

‘Til dispersion is free, not frugal

‘Til destiny cannot be 'googled’

‘Til there’s room for my scruples

‘Til there’s peace. How do you do it?

“Seems I wanna just ride.”

Blessings,
PJ Payne

An Eye!

As I drink my cup o' joe this morning, I'm pondering over the fact that we wake up every morning, get dressed, and start our daily routines, without considering how very blessed we really are. What miracles were performed with out our knowledge... things we take for granted? How did we wake up - what carried us throughout the night? Why were we allowed to breathe, sustain, and even given the honor of embracing another morning, another day, another chance to be grateful? But are we?

Do you realize there is an 'all seeing' eye watching over you?

 Here's my take on 'An Eye'

As I reach pivotal times in my life

I realize-

He's watching over me

As I venture wins, losses,

gains and even strife

I realize-

He's watching over me

He comes across my mind,

when I least expect it

guides me, protects me,

as the things I do and say,

reflects it

And He should be first and furthermost

As natural as air from coast to coast

Without realizing His impact

As now I ponder and reflect on it

I realize-

He still watches over me

PJ Payne

That DNA

Too many times we forget to correlate who we are with where we came from, biologically… what is our make-up? It is our whole being.

In this day and age, there is a lot of focus on ‘baby daddies and baby mamas’. Unfortunately the connotation that goes along with it is usually negative. But, disregarding the hype, we’re talking about what constitutes the making of a child … boy or girl. It's that simple!

Scientifically speaking, Chromosomes;

In humans each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes (23 from each gamete) totaling 46. Twenty-two of these pairs, called autosomes, look the same in both males and females. The 23^rd pair, the sex chromosome, differs between males and females.

DNA- (Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a self) replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. It is also the fundamental and distinctive UNCHANGEABLE characteristics of something or someone. So, no matter what people think…

You’re not about, what other folks say. 
What you are about is your DNA! 
Just who you are and what you do is 'relatively' diagnosed; it’s what’s IN you.

Other folks can’t dictate your being! 
Other folks see your ‘matter’ without seeing it.  
Because the DNA is deeply embedded, creating our surfaces that are predestined already. 
Yes the blood runs deep-flowing genes inside, so that man can’t deny it, run from it and hide.

And when some say “You look ‘jus like yo Daddy,” or 
“You got yo Mamma’s ways,” no need to get mad at it! 
Because it’s all in you, the DNA, that is.

That microscopic seed. “And ‘tis what ‘tis!”

Blessings, 
PJ Payne

BE STILL

Mornings are diamonds in the rough. Mornings are new beginnings. Mornings are the nothingness that can become something big. Mornings are like untouched clay you can mold and make into what you want it to be.

My best time of the day is mornings… the quiet, the nothingness, the peace, innocence, tranquility, my prayer time, but more than anything, the stillness.

If you’re anything like me, you rise up early, just to have that cup of coffee or tea and time alone. The rest of the family and the world are still asleep and don’t seem to exist. Your thoughts are not bogged down with the worries of what’s going to happen next, because your morning is just you, the sunrise and stillness. Then daybreak!

So, what are your days like? Do you take any YOU time? If I were to tell you that taking that short period of time is medicinally invigorating, would you believe me? It is medicine for the soul. It’s an exhalation of heavy weights. It makes you ready for new tasks. It replenishes the spirit. It gives a better perspective on what your next move will be. It’s basically parallel to a power nap. Please don’t go on a guilt trip, or think it’s selfish to have some ‘you time.’ This is not an age appropriate suggestion. We all need that time as mothers, grannies, fathers, grandpas, aunts, and the list goes on.

Imagine this:

Dark space - just before God created heaven and earth, there was nothingness. Genesis 1: 1 states “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep…”

This biblical depiction goes way beyond the actuality of what our mornings look like. But the similarity is there for those who can take themselves to that place of the imagination. It’s clean. It's pure. It's uninhabited.

And then in verse 3, “and God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. 4. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from darkness…” Thus, the beginning of our day and night!

Ever thought about the fact that when you open your eyes to daybreak, it doesn’t belong to you any longer? You become discombobulated as your space gets occupied with other things be it family, jobs, or the hustle and bustle of daily goings-on.

So, before daybreak, if you were to take just a moment... or maybe you're not a morning person, whatever your preference of day or night, to just meditate on some things, I truly think it would make for a purer, clearer picture and outlook on life. Just try to find your ‘before creation’ time, Be Still, and listen…

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Make the Call

Decisions, decisions! Has there ever been a time in your life when you were left to make an impacting decision on something MAJOR? All eyes were on you and you couldn't bail out because your responsibility dictated that YOU had the final say. The ball was in your court!

Problem: Even if you're passionate about a cause, the execution of a decision you make may not bear the assertive boost needed to execute it, in its entirety. That’s because your demeanor is passive, with a tad of aggression. You generally hesitate to make 'big' decisions for fear of failing, hurting someone's feelings, much less making an 'unpopular' call.

With that being said, how did you get yourself into this situation? Well, as you think about the Chrono-logicality of events, you realize the initial concept was yours; you put it out there, so your counterparts just ‘ran’ with it. Talk was cheap, but now those ideas have begun to come into fruition. The next step is to execute and finalize what YOU had started. Now you've got to step up your game, make a call or foul-out!

Realization: Somebody believed in you, "Now what?” You started this and you've got to progress to the next level. HOW do you muster-up the courage to pick up the ball and run with it... or just pass?

Answer: Don’t EVER make a decision hastily, no matter if you’re under the pressure of a time frame or talking with the ‘head of heads,’ make a carefully thought out, and logical call.

You won’t regret it!

Blessings,

PJ Payne