Hard days ahead

I am facing a hard day tomorrow. I just glanced down at the clock and realized it is 1:15 in the morning.The details of why I call this day hard don't matter in the grand scheme of things for several reasons. Firstly, I serve an awesome God who is not only my provider, and my solace, but He is a way maker in the wilderness. Secondly, sometimes details are distractions. We get lost in the minutiae or the juicy gossip of another person's life, which we often use to feed our curiosity or our pity. 

2017 has actually been a hard year in so many ways. Too many ways for me to recount all at once in this blog post. But, it has also served as a year of incredible growth. I have developed new strength, new courage, and a new resolve. Funny how we don't quite know what we are made of until we are tested and tried. This year has also been one of unexpected blessings. I traveled to several places near and far, met new friends, and experienced incredible things. And for all of those blessings, I am both humbled and grateful.

While in the process of revamping my blog, I came across this photo today.

It was taken in January of this year. May I share with you what it means to me?

1. It is the manifestation of a promise I made with one of my sisters to sit with her in various places that bring us joy. 
2. It is the representation of refinement and beauty.
3. It is tranquility and comfort.
4. It is a location of excellent service.
5. It provided warmth and refuge at the end of a busy day.
6. It is a place that holds the secrets of women spoken softly over coffee.
7. It served as a source of inspiration and collaboration.

As I snapped this photo nearly 1 year ago, little did I know how uncomfortable life would become over the next few months. But through it all, blessings still abound.

No matter what any of us may be facing , always remember we can do hard things with a bit of grit and a whole lot of grace. 

Jodi 

She persists

In recent news, stories of women from Beyonce to Ivanka Trump to Elizabeth Warren have made headlines! These ladies are making their marks in various ways.

"#Shepersisted" is currently trending on Twitter. Originally, this hashtag spoke to Elizabeth Warren's voice on the Senate floor. But soon, it was attached to photos of Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Malala Yousafzai. Those women are renowned for their courage and determination. As I read through the tweets, I looked over at my Nana stirring the masa for her tamale pie. At 88 years old, she is the epitome of strength and persistence.

I could fill volumes with illustrations of my grandmother's fortitude. I watched her get on her knees and pray even while facing extreme pain in her body. I've listened to her share wisdom with those who sought her counsel, and I've witnessed her remain positive and hopeful no matter the adversity. As I typed this blog, she looked out her window and reprimanded a child for knocking down a city Stop Sign saying, "I know where you live". That's old school. She's a boss. She persists. And it is through her example that I know not only will I persevere, but I will prevail.


Jodi

Welcome February

A friend and I made a pact. We agreed to write a blog post by 1/31/17.

Well, you know how it goes, life gets busy, and gets in the way.

I am in the process of rebirth. I am reinventing myself. See, that's the beauty of life. At any given moment, we can decide to begin again. I set an intention on New Year's Day. I declared 2017 to be a year of love. Not just romantic love, but big grins, heart thumping, can't believe this is happening love. And it has been amazing so far.

Tonight we say goodbye to January and prepare to start a new month. I'm excited. I'm hopeful. I'm ready.

Joy for the Journey

My friends busy with their lives, let me know that our plans for a Friday hang out need to be rescheduled. So I found myself wondering how and with whom to spend my day, That's when the thought came to me, ask God to accompany me on an adventure, Just so you know, that's how I talk to God. I ask His Spirit to roll with me, go before, show me things, lead me, guide me. I wanted to relax at a spa. I wanted to find a tranquil reading/writing spot. I wanted to have an inspirational, mind boggling moment with the Creator of the universe. So I prayed for the Divine adventure, and just guess what happened....NOTHING! Nothing felt different, looked different, seemed different. I couldn't sense His presence in a way that I normally do. I kinda felt like a wanderer, a drifter with no destination. I actually felt kind of lost. Wait, this isn't how I imagined my prayer being answered. Honestly, it felt like no answer, like God abandoned me. 

And then I received a text from a dear friend with a link to one of Steven Furtik's sermons on getting in line with God's rhythm. Everything, well mainly my perspective, changed in an instant. Now hear me, I didn't feel God speak from on high nor did the Red Sea part. But, I was reminded that there will be times when it will feel like God is nowhere to be found. This will be especially true in times of trial, tragedy, and tribulation. The thing is, FAITH has never been based on what we feel. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. In the midst of my day, God showed me to keep trusting Him, keep moving forward, keep progressing in spite of what it seems/feels/looks like.

So now that we got all of that out of the way, let me show you everything I experienced that day. I jumped in my car and drove. I made turns and cruised down new-to-me streets. Some places spoke to my heart, others did not. But what I know for sure is that I could see the awesome magnificence of God everywhere I went. I never made it to the spa nor did I read or write. I just stayed in the moment and experienced His goodness. And for that I am grateful. What better adventure thato see new landscapes while trusting in Him to be by your side. He never leaves nor forsakes us.


Jodi

Avensole Winery

Antique Shopping

                                                        

Sunset on the lake

Enough already!

Is it just me, or do you ever wonder what to do when we don't feel like working out, we don't feel like writing our blogs, we don't feel like prepping meals, or doing any of those other things that we should do? We just do it. I don't mean to sound cliche or bite off of Nike, but sometimes we've just gotta look our laziness, fear, and feelings in the face and with authority say "shut up". Look, if it were easy, everybody would do it. If it didn't require us to stretch ourselves, it would have been done a long time ago. Now is the time to get busy creating the lives we've always imagined.

So, welcome to my blog. Yes, the blog I continuously revamp, restart, renew, drop, and pick back up again. My name is Jodi, other wise known as @jodisjoy on Twitter, Facebook, and Periscope. My purpose is to inspire and uplift through words. And I declare today that I will fulfill my calling. I may put down this blog at times, but I will always, always pick it back up.

Happy new year! My prayer for us is that we will do everything in our power to make 2016 our most awesome year yet!

No more excuses, no more putting off until tomorrow what we can do today, and no more believing the lies that we are unworthy, unlovable and unable. We are more than enough!

Cheers to our victories,
Jodi