#otherwise. we give ourselves grace. be gentle with yourself ALWAYS

[ef-1]

👍!

just submitted a major law assignment, it's literally all I've worked for the last 12 days. I've been sleeping an average of 3-4 hours a day. I keep forgetting to reply to people. I feel like I'm astral projecting (derogatory) I feel like my body is untethered to my mind. I'm so tired but I can't sleep. I feel like a horse. I've also had enough coffee to kill multiple mormon towns. I wanna clean my room but I also want to lie motionless on floor for a couple of days. I want tomato juice. I want to listen to lana. I want to have more water. I want to fight a bear. I want to sit in the rain.

[tavvattales]

Hewwo~, may I ask for a fluffy and playful summer day with Mr. Kamisato Ayato~? 💙🌹

Mrs. Tina, my love, of course you can~ What a cute request!! I hope I've written this to your liking~ Muwah 😘🥰

-----------------------------

Beach Day~

GENSHIN IMPACT Character x GN!Reader Fluff Stories

Characters: Kamisato Ayato

Pairings: Kamisato Ayato x GN!Reader

Warnings: None, just pure fluff.

Click below if you want to get a cavity 😘

Kamisato Ayato

Unable to control your excitement so early in the morning, you jump onto Ayato, who is sleeping soundly next to you, "Aayaattoooo~," you call in a singsong voice, "It's beach day~ Come on, sleepy head! It's time to wake up!" you continue, nudging him awake as he stirs under you.

It had been quite some time since you could get one-on-one time with Ayato, as he had always been busy with work. Finally, after many attempts to convince him, he left his tasks to his sister; after all how could he say no to you? Groaning from under you he playfully mumbles, "Just five more minutes, Y/N; I'm on vacation; let me sleep a little longer."

Not having any of that, you start shaking him gently, "Ayaatoo~ Ayatooo~ We only have a few days to ourselves; we can sleep in tomorrow; I promise," you say, nodding your head as if to agree with yourself. You were much too excited to sleep in now.

Adjusting to face you, Ayato smiles, brushing your hair out of your face, "Archons; you look stunning as always, my love," he says gently as he admires your beach wardrobe, sun hat and all, "Okay, okay. You got me; I'll get up~" he declares, getting out of bed and stifling a long yawn as he stretches.

Once Ayato began getting ready, the two of you quickly departed for the Archipelagoes, arriving on the docks of Ritou to take you there. Twirling around, you beam at Ayato happily, suitcase in hand, "Waahh! We're almost there; I can taste it~! Fancy drinks, time away from home, and you equals the perfect combination of a good time," you say, laughing with glee.

Adoring your excitement Ayato takes your hand in his, intertwining his fingers with yours, giving your hand a gentle squeeze, "I'm glad you're so excited, darling. Let's make the most of the time we have together, hm?" he says, leaning down to kiss your forehead as the two of you board the ship.

The ship ride may have been long, but soon enough you reach your destination, and you're in awe. Tugging at Ayato's sleeve excitedly as he fumbles with something in his pocket, "Yes, dearest?" he asks lovingly, enjoying the look of pure happiness on your face.

"It's so beautiful here," you muse, dragging him along and towards the beach as he carries the suitcase, "Quickly now, I want to enjoy the little time we have~!"

"Surely not as beautiful as you," Ayato states in response, his glimmering sapphire eyes full of love as he glances at you, waiting for your reaction, "Afterall, nothing can compare to your grace."

Your face grows warm under his endless compliments as you clutch your cheeks cutely, "A-ayato~ You flatter me too much. Be careful, otherwise I may get a big head~!" you coo playfully.

"What if that's what I want?" he asks coyly, "What if I want you to know you're the most beautiful person in all of Teyvat? What then?" he takes your hands in his as he leans down, wanting so desperately to kiss you.

Standing on your tiptoes, you lock your lips with his, the gentle ocean breeze fluttering your sunhat as Ayato snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you closer. Finally, pulling away as your eyes flutter from embarrassment and lust, you glance towards him, noticing that he had gone down on one knee.

Gasping, you place your hands over your mouth before he continues, "Y/N. . .while we may have good days and bad days, I always want you by my side. Forever and always. I love you, dearest. Will you marry me?"

Lunging at him, with your arms wide, your sun hat falling off in a brilliant display of affection, you exclaim, "Yes!"

[firewoodfigs]

(long post, but I’m gonna try and make journalling a thing in 2021 😆)

The first day of the new year was nice. :) I woke up to the sounds of rain crashing against my windowsills - a strangely chilly morning in this tropical country where it’s summer all year round. For a moment it felt like I was back in Canada again, all cloudy grey skies and whimsical rain - the perfect weather for introspection. 

I started my day with a pot of hot green tea, then settled down by my reading lamp to finish a book that I’ve been putting off for far too long - Steinbeck’s East of Eden. I only had about forty pages left, but somehow couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I hate when books end because it feels like that little world I’ve created and compartmentalised in my head has likewise ceased, but the good thing about books is that you can always re-read them and immerse yourself in the same fantasy. (Maybe even a different one, if the same words lend themselves to a different interpretation!) But it truly was an absolute masterpiece: such a stunning, intricate exploration of humanity that tugged at my heartstrings and led me into still waters of reflection. I know that I will definitely carry this tale in my heart for a long, long time to come. 

Afterwards, I had some instant ramen while watching The Queen’s Gambit. I’m not a big fan of watching shows usually because I often feel like they move too slowly or tend to miss details from the book, but this one is pretty exceptional. Like, the acting and the artistic direction are incredible - the constant juxtaposition between Beth’s traumatic past and her glorified present, and the exploration of the fallibility of genius were executed so brilliantly. Another thing that really stood out to me were the scenes where she’d hole herself in the toilet and rebuke herself aloud for weaknesses in her play and/or being weak, in general. I cannot begin to explain how many times I’ve done that to myself in law school for even the most trivial of infractions, the most minor of errors - Lord knows I’m my harshest critic. 

I promised to try, however, to be a little bit kinder to myself in 2021. My perfectionism tends to be a bar to goodness and growth because sometimes I get so afraid that my subconscious keeps demanding that my first draft has to be perfect. But it really doesn’t. That’s what editing is for. And writing, like any other talents and passions, requires nurturing and constant practice. I saw a quote yesterday about how we cannot just sit around and magically expect to be Faulkners overnight, and that is so true. I definitely need to find a sweet spot where I’m not berating myself to the point of giving up, but still demand growth so that I can keep bettering myself. 

In the evening I headed out to a friend’s for tacos, which were an absolute delight in itself. And then my bf and I got to walk his dog, who I am convinced is the most precious thing in the entire universe - maybe even more so than my bf himself (I kid... or maybe not) - and who is just such a gentle-natured darling. It began to drizzle, so she led us home and we spent the rest of the night playing Sherlock and Among Us with the rest. :) It was a very peaceful evening. For a moment I’d forgotten all about the fact that I start work next Monday and was simply content to bask in the Christmas lights, the heavy downpour and the anomalous chill that came along with it. Just... living in the present, enjoying the moment. 

Now that’s definitely something else on my to-do list for 2020 as well. So often the beauty of the present tends to be marred by my worries and anxieties of the future, but I always remind myself of this quote from Scripture: “Which one of you, by worrying, can add another day to his life?” And when I look back at my life and all the times I’ve worried and fretted and cried, feeling like there was no way for us to extricate ourselves from this rut, this perennial cycle of debt and other things that have plagued me from birth, I am also reminded of God’s grace and providence that has brought me through so, so much. It would’ve been impossible to have done all of this by myself; I frankly might not have had the will to continue living if not for those things. 

Talking about my lived experiences also ties in to the last part of my day - where I thought about how exclusive and inaccessible the poetry scene here feels. You would think otherwise, in a country of no more than 5-6 million folks, but no. I was ranting about this a little to my boyfriend: how it feels like a lot of the spaces within are reserved for the elites of society with silver spoons in their mouths and golden plates on their tables offering them anything they wanted while I was struggling to put food on the table at fourteen. Sometimes I also lament the fact that I didn’t have my parents to tell me bedtime stories, to encourage me to read and cultivate my vocabulary. Perhaps it’s jealousy, or inferiority, or a mix of both. 

But my boyfriend, ever wise and supportive, offered me a different perspective. He made a fair point about how I still fell in love with books and writing regardless, and how literature is oftentimes only a harbour that the privileged visit because the marginalised, the poor are too busy working for basic necessities to even think about such things. To the ordinary blue-collar layperson, poetry is just frankly a frivolous sentiment that won’t turn itself into gold. I agree with this wholeheartedly. It’s one of the reasons why I always felt like I didn’t have time to write, and one of the reasons why my first job was at a library (so I could read as much as I wanted! For free!). Then he said, “But see, no one wants to read about the rich waxing poetic about how lovely and grand their sunny little island is. But people will want to read about your perspective - your poems of the brokenhearted clinging on desperately to their inner child, your poems about the poor working to make ends’ meet, your poems about your tangible struggles - all of those will resonate with the masses, for sure.” And I was like, well, that’s fair. But I certainly don’t express myself as eloquently as these people do. Next to them I’m like an uncultured swine who can’t even tell the difference between all the different forks splayed on the table. 

His response was that people need to understand these things before appreciating them, and sometimes simplicity works best - a lesson that’s been drilled into us from the very inception of law school. And I was like, okay, fair, but deep down my heart was exploding with the sheer warmth of having someone so incredibly supportive of everything I do, even if it’s worthless in society’s eyes. I remember one night when I was telling him about how, as a twelve-year-old, I had a dream to one day study Literature at Yale. I would hole myself up in the library after school, feverishly flipping through books to expand my imaginations and horizons, my mental dictionary of words, dreaming about the day where I could escape all of this and dwell in nothing but imaginative worlds one day. Where reality failed me, I knew that I could always count on my imagination to transport me to somewhere safe and special, filled with joy and sorrow and tragedy and hope. 

I ended up studying law. Not a bad thing, because as stressful as it was I really did enjoy the things I’ve learnt - international and constitutional law, especially - and it has certainly given me new, mature perspectives on so many things; taught me to argue with reason and objectivity instead of just emotion and passion and has led me to meet so many wonderful (also trashy, but I’m out of this hellhole) people. I just don’t like the fact that 80-hour work weeks are the norm and that there’s always so much to... read. If you gave me a piece of fiction I could happily indulge in it for hours, but sometimes judgments can be so ridiculously mundane to read, especially if they’re just itemising every single case on illegality from the 19th century. Lord knows I need at least two cups of coffee for that. Black, to be specific. 

Anyway, I digress (as I always do lmao). My bf ended up researching all night until he stumbled across this Literature programme at Harvard - which frankly sounds amazing, but also unattainable. Which was what I said. And he was like, “Do I think it’s impossible? No. I think you have a very compelling life story, and you’re full of amazing stories within you to tell. And if you want to do it, I will support you wholeheartedly.” 

Again, as is usually the case, I had nothing left to offer apart from muted sobs under my blanket. It still sounds absurd to me - unthinkable, even - but I am just so, so grateful to have someone like him support me through everything. Literally everything. This is the man who has spent hours tutoring me in the subjects that I was hopeless in in first year, because I was too busy tutoring random folks in economics and geography and catching up on sleep (in class, no less), who has patiently helped me prepare for every single mooting competition and watched every single one of them, who has seen me cry and admonish myself for being a failure (only to spend hours trying to convince me otherwise), who has celebrated every single one of my victories and losses - you deserve a treat, anyway! Let’s go eat something nice and put it behind us, for now! This is the same man who has so much passion for what he does, who is so darn good at it without even realising that he is (I wept when he won a mooting competition this year because I was so proud of and happy for him), and who inspires confidence and compassion in me every day. 

I am grateful to share all our triumphs and tribulations together, and I look forward to starting a new chapter in life with you. :) 

[biznichwrites]

Kinktober 11: formal wear & glory hole

Giyuu hated the suit. It felt weird, western clothing was so strange. Why was is so stiff and tight? It didn't matter that he had to go to a function with the other pillars, he was ready to be out of the event and go home to rid himself of the restrictive clothing. Yet here the other men of the pillars were, grouping up and poking fun at him.

"We should enjoy ourselves, Giyuu! It's not often we can all see each other." The flame fills was never shy to show his excitement for life, not that Giyuu would agree with his sentiments.

"He wouldn't have such a stick up his ass if he got laid for once." Sanemi barked out, laughing at Giyuu's expense.

"Not that anyone would." Obanai slipping his comment in, not even giving the water pillar the courtesy of a glance before dismissing him.

"What's 'laid' mean?" As always, the older men weren't mindful of Muichiro and his age.

"Nothing important, let's go." Like a father Gyomei ushered the boy elsewhere before it could get worse. Soon the other pillars followed, cracking jokes as Giyuu stayed behind. Who would want to join them after that? He hadn't even spoken a word all night, how could they be so scathing?

"Giyuu," Uzui started, "if you want to blow off steam I know a place. Has a red lantern ahead, about a 10 minute walk. Do what you want with that information, but do it fabulously." And with that the sound pillar was off.

Maybe he should take a suggestion for once. Could it really hurt?

------------------

Turns out that yes, it was a total pain. He was so embarrassed when he realized he was entering the red light district. It had never bothered him before, but he had never been here with such a purpose. Yet the hostesses were so kind, taking pity on him for his first time and putting a lot of effort into making him at home despite his lack of knowledge.

He sat in the small room, where there was little light above, and stared at the hole. Was he really going to do this? It felt wrong, like he was breaking some moral code no one had explicitly said aloud, but if it was so bad then how would there be a whole industry built off of this? It wasn't like he was wrecking a home or destroying a relationship. It was just something quick and anonymous, which was definitely something he preferred.

"Hello?" The voice was so meek, so confused. He felt bad for stalling, there was clearly someone on the otherwise waiting to do their job. Through the dim lighting he could make out a few fingers peeking through the hole in the wall, making their presence known.

"Sorry…" His response was barely audible but it kept you from leaving your stall. Some rustling on the other side followed. Well he clearly didn't know what he was doing if he was taking so long. Peeking through the hole, which wasn't hard when on your knees, you could tell his clothing wasn't normal daily wear. Well, that was different. Usually men wearing something formal didn't come here, but you weren't going to complain.

Giyuu felt some level of shame. Especially after he noticed the stress kept him from being aroused. He kind of wanted to see what it looked like to have his dick sucked, but for the sake of his own embarrassment it was probably better this way.

"Don't be scared, I'll be gentle." You could sense he was new at this, if not by his lack of haste then how the hostess told you he acted. It was kind of endearing in its own messed up way. Reaching through the hole you felt his lengthy through his pants, petting it softly, feeling it stiffen just a bit. When you withdrew he seemed to not waste much time before pulling his pants down.

His cock wasn't fully hard, not that you'd expected it to be given how he's been acting, but it was better than it pushing through to hit you on the cheek. Your hand cupped the underside of his length, letting the flesh fill your palm before you pressed a few kisses to the tip. The sharp inhale told you it was just right and you licked sling the head and the top of his shaft.

There was no shame with coating him in saliva upfront. It would be easier for the both of you. Tenderly you took the head into your mouth, softly sucking as both of your hands stroked his length. Slowly he grew, filling both of your hands and mouth. Pulling back you pressed a kiss to the tip and you could practically feel his shiver.

"So big, just for me." Your hands went to jacking him off, moving quickly as you looked through the hole in the partition. Soft black hair curled around the base of his length and crawled up his hips, leaving a faint line of hair to his navel. Upon your compliment you heard a gasp. Did he like that?

"You have such a handsome cock. You fit so perfectly in my hands, like you were made for me." A smile graced your lips when his body trembled at your words, choked back moans following. It was actually pretty entertaining, such a sweet kink for a man at a glory hole to have.

Giyuu's fingers dug into the wood of the partition, feeling paint split below his fingers, before balling his fists. How had you figured him out so fast? It wasn't fair, especially when he wanted to physically see someone speak highly of him. What did you look like? Were you as beautiful as your voice?

All thought left him as you pushed back the foreskin around the head of his length, exposing the tender, sensitive skin. The most gentle kisses were pressed to it and he couldn't help but roll his hips into the feeling as his head rested against the wall separating you two.

Seeing how responsive he was you swirled your tongue around the head, receiving a choked moan from the man. Just to overwhelm him you took him all in your mouth, the partition stopping your just short of the hair along his pelvis. The tip hit the back of your throat and you didn't waste time to swallow around him.

"Fuck…" He couldn't help it, you felt so good. So warm, so wet, knowing just what to do. Unconsciously he rolled his hips, pressing into the partition before pulling back to repeat the movement. The slide of his length along your tongue felt just right and you moved your head in his rhythm, making sure to move your tongue along the sensitive skin along the underside of his cock, paying special attention to the prominent vein that pulsed along your tongue.

He didn't mean to, he really didn't, but the overwhelming feeling of your lips led him to thrusting into your mouth. The head of his length pushed into your throat and you let him set his own pace as your focused on sucking and licking his shaft. You softly moaned for the man, pushing him to see how he would react.

"Fuck!" He wished so badly he could hold your head, he could watch as he made your face a mess, he could push you further down. Still he could feel your nose pressing to the hair at the base of his dick and knew he couldn't have gotten you much closer if he tried. You were really letting him fuck your throat, even when you didn't have to. Just hearing you moaning made it so much more dirty, and despite himself he imagined you'd be touching yourself or at least gazing up at him in lust.

A long, drawn out groan signaled his release. His hips pushed forward, burying his length down your throat as he filled it with cum. Your tongue worked along the underside of his cock, moving in time with the twitching before he heaved out a sight. You pulled away, his softening length leaving your lips with a pop as you swallowed his cum. He didn't taste too bad, all things considered. To be generous you licked over his dick, cleaning his cum off of it as he sat still to catch his breath. With a kiss to the tip you finished, listening to his noises.

It was a shame he pulled away, he was really cute sounding. You watched as he tucked himself away, watching calloused hands button and zip his pants. What did shock you was his hand coming through the hole, reaching until his fingers grazed your cheek. That was weird. Still you let him, and he gently cupped your cheek for a moment before pulling back.

Okay, maybe he was sweeter than you initially gave him credit for.

[spiderman-anti]

hello, everyone :)

this is my formal goodbye to tumblr

i have a lot to say so bear with me

first of all, i’m 15 now! and i’m going by the name “grace” (my birth name) as i’ve discovered that do not feel like a boy anymore.

i believe i am suffering a type of body dysmorphia or something similar to that which i confused as dysphoria because i’ve always been a tomboy.

although i’m still not sure.

this community has been ridiculously kind to me throughout the years i’ve been involved, and i’ve made many friends along the way :)

but i definitely started with this crap way to fucking young.

i was 12 when i started this blog and i really regret it.

but now, i have the chance to leave some advice to other 12-15 year olds thinking of participating in this stuff!

number 1: do not. please wait until your older.

number 2. call outs are a bad idea and a half, be very careful when considering reblogging/making one. do not witch-hunt. never give out personal information (yours or otherwise). EVER.

number 3. there are two sides to every coin, and six sides to a cube, but there are infinite sides when it comes to people. consider that you don’t know the person you are debating with. they have been raised in a different way and you have no clue what they’ve been taught or how they grew up. people with different ideas then you are most likely not trying to be a bad person. don’t be quick to jump on them, they could just be spouting the rhetoric of older people in their life. just try be empathetic and kind ALWAYS.

number 4. there is never an excuse for sending death threats. no excuse for telling someone to kill themselves. no excuse for bullying someone. the only thing that you can do when someone has a differing approach to life is to try and educate them on your approach. NEVER SEND DEATH THREATS. NEVER CALL SOMEONE SLURS. NEVER TRY AND TRIGGER SOMEONE.

number 5. make friends and enjoy yourself. don’t take this too seriously. it’s tumblr

number 6. if someone is being racist/homophobic/sexist/harmful, then tell them that they are and, most importantly, TELL. THEM. WHY. to say “you are racist” takes no thought process. to explain why and how shows that you care enough to try and make a difference in that persons life.

number 7. don’t converse with pedophiles

number 8. it’s never an argument, it’s always a debate. take into consideration how two human beings with brains would have a healthy conversations about their personal opinions. do not go monky mode and just start yelling or swearing at them. it doesn’t teach anyone anything and definitely doesn’t make your opinion look rational.

number 9. who give fuck if ur gay or anything like that??? you don’t have to decide that yet.. soul searching can be done at any age, you are in no rush!! please please be careful

number 10. if someone sends you a video of a person getting shot in the face, block them. this has happened to me multiple times. just block and report. warn others. maybe even keep your dms between mutuals if you don’t want to see mutilated genitals in your dms

number 11. to sway someone’s opinion online, you need to be a wizard. don’t put all your energy into it. just put the information out there so that neutral people can find it and make their own opinions (hopefully)

number 12. let people be. if they aren’t harming anyone, then are they really that bad? (harming is ambiguous, i know. define it for yourself i suppose)

number 13. FREE SPEECH DONT MEAN SHIT! if your arguing with someone and they just say ‘free speech!’ then they are a moron not worth your time. these fucking idiots dont even know what free speech is. FREE SPEECH MEANS YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT, BUT PEOPLE CAN STILL CRITICIZE!!!!!! THATS WHAT IT IS!!! ITS JUST SO YOU DONT GET SNIPED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING THOSE OPINIONS!!!! CONGRATS!!

number 14. if someone is being witch hunted, and all your friends hate them, but your not sure if you hate them, then just don’t participate! if you lose your friends because of that, then they aren’t your real friends.

number 15. mine craft is really fun guys.

number 16. be kind be SO kind. BE KIND JUST BE A NICE PERSON JUST BE SO FREAKING KIND AND GENTLE WITH PEOPLE. you have NO IDEA how life changing it can be. SMILE AND BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. please!!!

number 17. educate yourself. look into others opinions. gather resources. THINK. do not just go with what everyone else is. people have different opinions and that’s A FANTASTIC THING!!! it’s so good!!!! that we can think for ourselves!!!!!!!!

number 18. do good in school and work hard! i’m happy to say that i got 5 A’s and 2 B’s this year :D (one C- but it was in art class and my teacher did not like me) and nothing has ever made me feel better. i failed school so often and this year has been the biggest confidence booster of my life. i want to become a therapist when i grow up and i’m already starting my international bachelorette program thing and i’m so excited. work hard!!

number 19. mental illness is not a death sentence, you can do it.

number 20. someone loves you, if not now, then in the future. someone WILL love you. NOBODY IS ALONE. you can find community in the littlest, strangest things. for me, i found it here. on tumblr. with a bunch of strange and unique people. and it’s helped shape me into the person i am today. thank you for giving me perspective :)

that’s about it. that’s what i have to say. i guess bye! i had a lot of fun with you guys. i’ll leave this account up because why not, maybe it’ll help someone, that’s all i want to do. -peter/grace

[swiftpng]

❥ — taylor swift’s fall netflix list // gettin’ deep & personal task.

Taylor’s a sucker for binge-watching a television show and ignoring the fact that she should be replying to emails about work, so what’s a better way to procrastinate than answering a bunch of fall related questions while watching a baking show? (click on the picture for hq!)

what’s your favorite part of fall? Everything. I know, I know… I might’ve said summer was my favorite season, but honestly? I love this time of the year so much. The leaves here are beginning to change colors. Soon they’ll fall to the ground in an array of golden-tones, stripping the trees bare in the process. We’ll all soon follow, wiping ourselves clean of the year’s hard times in anticipation of the better that’s sure to come. Pumpkin flavors can now be requested in coffee shops all over, and in just a couple weeks time, children will line the streets in costumes. There’s something in the breeze that heals. I can’t explain it, but I can feel it. Goosebumps litter my skin and at times I have to question whether I’m cold or whether my body is coming alive for the first time in ten months. Fall has arrived and so has my spirit. 

what about your least favorite? Hm, hard call. Maybe the colder weather? I don’t mind it, but I don’t really enjoy the feeling of my limbs feeling numb from the coldness.

what’s a song that always makes you think of Halloween? Thriller by Michael Jackson! If you don’t do the dance when you hear this song, we can’t be friends.

describe your quintessential fall outfit? Fall fashion is some of my favorite and, in my opinion, often the most creative! Usually, I’m always wearing fall colors with jeans, boots, and a sweater. Scarves, hats, and gloves can be found in my wardrobe during this time of year, too.

have you ever played with a ouija board? No, I wouldn’t do that. I’ve seen one too many horror films to know that it never ends well when you mess with those things.

do you feel that fall makes you happy or sad? Happy, most of the time! Although, it does make me feel slightly nostalgic, so that can always bring up unwanted feelings to the surface.

what’s your favorite Halloween-related movie? I always go for more light-hearted movies rather than all out scary movies, so I would have to say Hocus Pocus. But, I like Practical Magic, too.

now that the weather’s getting colder, what’s a go-to comfort meal for fall? Mac and cheese is my comfort food. It’s homey, warm, and so delicious. 

do you believe in ghosts & spirits? A little bit. I’m the kind of person to hear a mysterious noise and think “ghosts!” because that’s just who I am. I believe there are things we can’t see that exist, but I don’t really believe in the traditional ideas of what “ghosts” are. Maybe I’ll Buzzfeed Unsolved it one of these days and see if they’re truly real for myself.

favorite fall-related scent? Freshly made pumpkin pie from the oven is such a good smell, but I also love the smell of nature after it rains.

are you a generally superstitious person? I’m not overall superstitious, but I believe that there are things we can’t see or fathom. I believe there’s things we can’t explain, yet or ever. I believe that the number thirteen is my lucky number, and whenever it pops up randomly, I always believe it’s good luck for me.

do you rake up the leaves in your yard, or leave them fall where they may? I just leave them on the ground until I know it’s supposed to snow, and then I rake them up for them to burn. Fallen leaves make for a good bonfire.

if you were home alone and heard footsteps in your house, what would you do? I would probably check my security camera footage, and if I felt really spooked out, I’d call a friend to come over and stay the night!

hot apple cider or pumpkin spice coffee? Oooh, don’t do this to me. I love both, but a mug of hot apple cider is amazing when you’re at the window and reading a book.

pick a team of three people to go with you to a haunted house if you wanted to survive? Let me see… I think I’d choose Bill Skarsgård because he’s taller than me and I trust that he could protect the rest of the team; James McAvoy because he’s hilarious and I’m sure he could calm my nerves and lighten the mood; and Delta Goodrem since she’s my soul sister and I would need her for moral support. Bill, James, and Delta – those three would be my team if I had to go into a haunted house to survive.

do you use the pumpkin seeds once you’ve scooped ‘em from the jack-o-lantern? I usually save them! I roast them in the oven and eat them as a snack.

favorite Halloween costume that you’ve ever worn? Getting the chance to wear Ryan’s Deadpool costume was pretty cool. Didn’t think it would fit at first, but I’m glad it did!

what’s your favorite fall time activity? Going out at night and walking against the brisk air, warm coffee in my hand, feeling free and abandoned with my loved ones; sitting outside in the afternoons with a cozy sweater and writing/drawing; watching the darkening of the days, giving way to even brighter sunsets and sunrises.

graveyards at night: yay or nay? Uh, no. I don’t even like going to them in the daytime, so going to one during the night would not be for me.

do you enjoy baking during the fall season? Of course! Imagine if I didn’t bake almost everyday during the fall season? If you can name it, I can bake it. Cookies, pies, cakes, bread – those will fill my kitchen at all times.

are you more into Halloween parties or trick-or-treating? Since I’m older, I would say Halloween parties. Though, now that I’m living in Bayview, I’m hoping to get a chance to pass out candy to kids. Seeing little ones dressed up in their costumes is so cute.

what role do you play in a horror movie: the final girl, first to die, comic relief, the brain, or the murderer? Honestly? Depends on my mood. Kidding. Well, maybe. I feel like most people would assume that I would be the first to die in a horror movie and they might be right, but I feel like I could be the brain to come up with a plan to save us all. I’d be the comic relief if I’m nervous or feeling stressed during it all, the final girl if my plan goes like it should, and the murderer if I saw someone I disliked.

have you ever changed your appearance with the season? like dyeing your hair or doing different makeup? A lot of people dye their hair darker as the seasons change, but I don’t think I can pull off brown hair, so I just stick to blonde. I usually change my makeup to more darker tones.

after a scary movie… lights on or off? On, always. And I have to watch something more light-hearted afterwards otherwise I can’t go to sleep.

what’s your favorite candy that you look forward to getting around Halloween? Definitely Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s. You’ll never see me with candy corn, though. Whoever likes those are wrong. Very, very wrong. They have no taste, they’re boring, and they’re just not a good Halloween candy. Or even candy in general. Honestly, just don’t even talk to me if you like candy corn. Please. Also, if you have any in your presence, you should do yourself a favor and throw them away.

you’re a witch or warlock… what’s your familiar animal? Would it be too predictable to say a cat? It would be cool if they could talk like Salem, too.

it’s an apple, and it’s coated with what: chocolate, candy or caramel? A chocolate M&M covered apple would be my pick. I never eat it from the stick, so I usually cut it with an apple slicer and then have my way with it.

do you believe in any urban legends like moth man or chupacabras? Can’t say I do, only because I’m not really familiar with either of those. I will say that I believe in Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.

are you more into the fall aesthetic, or just in it for Halloween? Both? I love fall because of the crispness of the air against the gentle warmth of sunlight, the reemergence of cozy dark clothing and boots, a fresh brew of coffee as the sun rises and the chill starts to nip at your nose and cheeks, the faint scent of cinnamon, shorter days in exchange for softer evenings and brighter sunrises, greenery turning over to bold reds, oranges, and yellows, a tangible feeling that you can do anything… I could go on forever, I just really, really love autumn, my soul feels so at home when it’s this time of year. But, I do love Halloween and I refuse to believe it begins within the plane of manmade time, and is not an atmospheric state that graces us mere mortals every year without fail, bringing with it an odd chilly peace and natural pleasantries and a sort of magic, all of which is willed by the Gods of Spook. Yes, I know, I’m weird.  

supernatural time: do you wanna be a vampire, werewolf, or zombie? I’ve been a zombie once, and let me tell you, sitting for six hours in a makeup chair is not fun. But in all seriousness, if I had to choose based off of what I’ve seen in TV shows and such, I think I’d go with being a werewolf. I mean, having to turn on a full moon and have every bone in my body break doesn’t sound like too much fun, but it does sound better than having to live off of blood and never actually dying (unless you get stabbed in the heart with a wooden stake). With how much the world is changing, I don’t think I would to live long enough to see how it all ends.

[whispersandwhiskerburn]

A Kiss Hello

Author’s Note: This is part of my 2.5k Follower Drabble Celebration. Followers picked prompts, (listed below as the summary) and this was one of the results. See the rest of them HERE. Requested by: @littlegreenplasticsoldier Summary/Prompts: Fluff/smut, “You’re stuck with me. Learn to deal with it.” and Someone in the fic is in trouble with the law. Pairing: Dean x Reader Word Count: 3,520 (not really a drabble, but I got carried away. Sue me.) Warnings: Sam’s hurt, Dean is a tiny bit of a jerk once, but mostly, the warning here is for the fluffy sexy smutty times. Hints of bondage kink? You’re welcome.

“I said freeze!”

It was a young cop, probably not much more than a rookie, but he had his gun and flashlight trained on the two brothers as they stood over the burning grave in the lightly drizzling rain at 10 o'clock at night.

Not exactly the most easily-explained situation the Winchesters had ever been in.

Sam decided he should probably be the one to give it a shot.

“Uh, hi, Officer… we’re not armed, and this isn’t what--”

“I said shut up and freeze!”

The guy’s voice actually cracked and his hands started to quiver. Clearly he was scared shitless--and frankly, the idea of confronting the two tall hunters over a burning grave in the middle of the night was a reasonable thing for a civilian to be nervous about.

Still, you figured you’d better step in before things got even more out of control.

You made your way quickly through the darkened boneyard, stepping carefully to avoid making too much noise or slipping on the slick grass.

Two quick jabs to the shoulder and he’d dropped his weapon and flashlight with a grunt. A smooth and precise hit to the temple that made your knuckles ache sent him crumpling down into the mud that the disinterred grave had become.

You looked over at the Winchesters and made eye contact with Dean for the first time in several years, over the light of a burning skeleton of all things. Sometimes your job was just weird.

“Hello Dean.”

He seemed too surprised to make a response, so you knelt down over the cop’s form, easing his head to the side so he wouldn’t have any trouble breathing, then frisked him, retrieving his wallet, his backup piece, his badge, and his handcuffs. The entire time, you wondered what was up with Dean. His shocked silence wasn’t exactly the “hello” you had expected.

“What are you doing, whoever you are?”

You looked up at Sam who had moved a few feet closer to you, then frowned at Dean. “You never mentioned me to Sam? Tssk, tssk.”

Shaking your head, you stood up and wiped your hands on your jeans before reaching out to shake with a reluctant and confused Sam Winchester.

“I’m Y/N. Dean and I hunted together once before, when you were back at Stanford. I had just finished a hunt down the highway when Bobby called, saying that the cops were fact-checking your IDs and that you weren’t answering your phones. I told him I’d stop by and see if the two of you needed any backup.”

Dean cursed and pulled out his cell, shaking out of his introspection to walk around the grave towards you and his brother. “My battery must have died. Sam’s got damaged when he got thrown across a room as we tangled with that guy’s vengeful spirit.” He pointed down at the remains that were almost completely charred now.

You tossed him your cell, “you’d better call Bobby, tell him the two of you are okay--or mostly okay. Jeez, Sam.”

Sam had turned towards the light more as you threw your cell, and you saw the large gash matting his hair on the side of his head. At his questioning look, you pointed at his wound, and he touched it with a wince.

“Yeah, I’m going to need stitches and a good night’s rest, but otherwise, I’m fine.”

You shook your head while Dean talked to Bobby quietly a few feet away.

“You can’t go to a hospital, or back to your motel--the cops are onto you. And now, when this guy doesn’t report back in for a while, the two of you will be in even more trouble with the law. I’ve booked two hotel rooms just outside of town under an alias--y’all should come stay there for the night, then make yourselves scarce.”

Dean disconnected the phone and walked over to pass it back to you. You were surprised to feel the awareness flood through your system as his fingertips grazed your palm--apparently the heat was still there. You noticed a widening of his eyes and realized he felt it too.

“There’s no need for that, Y/N. We can take care of ourselves.”

Okay, now that was just rude.

You waited for a moment, and Dean had the grace to look away from you towards his brother, who was also looking at him incredulously.

“I’m going to chalk that up to a late night and a rough run in with a ghost. It’s late, we’re all soaked, Sam’s gash needs attention, and I just pulled your asses out of the fire, for the moment at least. I’ve robbed the cop, so hopefully they’ll just consider the two of you muggers and not worry about you once you’re out of the area. My way makes the most sense, Dean, so you’re stuck with me. Learn to deal with it.”

And with that, you turned and headed towards your car, leaving the Winchesters with a smoldering grave, an unconscious cop, and only one common-sense ending to this evening.

“Here, take some of these.” You passed Sam a bottle of acetaminophen and gathered up and disposed of your soiled gauze and stitching material.

“Thanks, Y/N. For this...and everything.” He downed the pills with a drink of water then settled back on the bed, already having taken a brief shower and changed into a tank top and shorts before he’d let you tend to him.

“You’re welcome, Sam. Get some sleep.”

Dean had just finished his shower, emerging in a black tee shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants, his hair wet and glistening in the bright light. He nodded his thanks as you washed your hands, and then followed you to the door as you turned to leave.

You were a little surprised when he actually followed you out of the door, pulling it shut quietly behind him after a quick glance at his brother.

His voice was low, intimate, as he put out a hand to stop you from walking the two feet to your own room.

“I wanted to thank you, Y/N. And to apologize. I was a bit of an ass back at the graveyard, especially after you’d come to help us out of a tight spot. It just…” Dean’s hand brushed over his hair and rested on the back of his neck, his face telegraphing his discomfort and awkwardness. “It surprised me to see you again, like that, out of the blue after so many years. It kinda threw me for a loop, you know?”

He had that half grin on his face, the one that always used to make you melt when he used it on you… and apparently still had the ability to heat your blood. It made something relax inside you, seeing this glimpse of the Dean you had once known.

“Fair enough, Dean. You’re forgiven.”

You smiled back at him, the rain beating down on the covered walkway and the night ahead seeming full of potential. You stepped a bit closer and looked up into those green eyes, opening your body language in an invitation that a man like Dean would be able to clearly read without words.

“Since you seem to have adjusted to my sudden reappearance, do I get a proper ‘Hello’ now?”

His hands landed on your lower back, pulling you in closer as he bent down, his lips, finally, on yours. The kiss was gentle, teasing, sweet and arousing at the same time. It was a reunion kiss. A hello kiss.

He broke away with a smile. “Hello, Y/N.”

You smiled back, fisting the front of his black shirt and dragging him back down to your mouth.

Dean Winchester tasted just the way you remembered, but he’d apparently learned a few things over the years. His hands were greedy, calloused, and confident as he slid them around your waist, beneath your shirt and across your spine. You felt your skin react with goosebumps down your arms and a shiver as he pulled you close, his mouth moving over yours in a way that made you forget about time, or awkwardness, or the fact that his brother was on the other side of the hotel room door.

You felt the hard wood of your own hotel door against your back and forced yourself to tear your hands away from the silky hair at Dean’s neck. You pushed his chest a little, gaining the breathing room to gasp for air and turn to face the lock, your hand groping in your pocket for the card.

Dean closed the distance between you and pressed his front to your back, his crotch to your ass, as you drew out the card. You fumbled it a little and moaned when his lips found the sensitive skin where your neck met your shoulder, bared by your tank top.

“Having some trouble there, Y/N?” His voice held a chuckle as he whispered and kissed at your skin, his hands reaching around to trace the sides of your breasts. He shamelessly pushed his cock against your backside and your knees threatened to collapse beneath you. You growled at the key card lock, inserting it for the second time before the stupid light turned green, then wrenched the door open in success.

You pushed your way past the door, flinging the card on the nearby table, kicking off your flip flops, and stripping your tank off before turning around to face Dean.

He was kicking the door shut, his hands on his own hemline, but frozen as he stopped to look at you, shirtless, his eyes fixed on your bra.

The matching need in his eyes amped you up more, but you worked to hide it, backing away from him towards the bed as you unbuttoned your jeans and slooowly lowered the zipper.

“Having some trouble there, Dean?”

He chuckled again, the sound hungrier somehow, and unfroze, whipping off his shirt before stalking closer to you.

“It’s been way too long, Y/N. You look incredible, by the way.”

“Shut up and get over here, Winchester.”

And then he was. You barely managed to kick your jeans and underwear the rest of the way off before he was there, next to you and the bed, kissing you hungrily, his hands twining into your hair. Yours were busy pushing at his sweatpants, his boxers, freeing him of the rest of his clothes. He had to break the kiss to step out of the sweats, and while your mouth and mind were clear you leaned over and unzipped a pocket on your suitcase, drawing out a strip of condoms.

You threw them at Dean and smiled when he barely caught them.

He smiled back, “you in a hurry, Y/N?”

In response you laid down on the bed, reaching up to grip two of the decorative rods on the fake headboard at the top of the mattress. You arched your back so your breasts swayed inside your bra and spread your legs a little, completely confident in your body and Dean’s eagerness. You’d always been that way with Dean--something about him made you lose your insecurities and your inhibitions oh so easily.

“I can wait as long as you can, Dean-o,” you teased. His eyes were fixed on you again and his breath stuttered as his cock rose even more at your open display.

His voice was hoarse when he managed to respond. “Hold still for me.”

You froze, your legs trembling a bit in excitement as he caressed you with his gaze. He dropped the condoms beside you then moved onto the bed with you, his warmth, his weight, the texture of his skin and hair against yours enough to make you want to move, to wrap around him and hold him close.

When you let go of one of the posts though, Dean’s hand was there, lightly gripping your wrist.

“Let me, Y/N. Just hold still, just like that… and let me…”

His words turned into a murmur as he kissed at your neck, his tongue tracing at your collarbone for a moment. Your breathing sped up as he nosed his way down your sternum to press his face between your breasts, his lips moist on your skin. He let go of your wrist and you gripped the bedpost rod tightly as his hand moved down to your bra, flicking the front clasps and loosening the fabric.

He tugged with his right hand, and nosed the left cup out of the way, his other arm busy holding his weight off of you. Then his lips found your nipple and he tongued it once, twice, before pulling it into his mouth.

The suction quickly tightened the nub into a hard bead as his fingers cupped your other breast, his thumb rasping over the tip lest it feel neglected while you moaned beneath him.

You held still for a moment, a minute...an hour, it seemed, before you couldn’t help it anymore.  Arching beneath him, you wrapped a leg around his thigh and pulled his bare cock closer to your wet opening. There was hot lava running through your veins, centered on that wet suction of his mouth on your flesh.

“Deeean,” your voice was a desperate moan as he switched to the other breast, sucking even harder, his hips moving slightly so his penis pressed and moved against you. Just so close to what you needed without giving you enough.

You gripped the bedpost so tightly you were sure your knuckles were going to crack. Dean was hungrily sucking at your breasts, and he seemed to be determined to keep that maddening rhythm going with his cock, to tease you until you couldn’t take it anymore, until you begged him to take you the rest of the way.

He wouldn’t have to wait long.

You moved your hips in tandem with his, rubbing your clit against his shaft. He shuddered in response above you, releasing your nipple to look up and meet your gaze. Dean’s eyes were dark, pupils wide with lust. Dean held your eyes with his own as he pressed down and in with his pelvis, grinding his dick against that hotspot of pleasure deliberately.

“Fuck, you’re hot,” stroke “and wet,” press, “and damn if I’m not going to be able to hold back much longer…”

Dean’s voice was rough with desire, but you had been reduced to a panting whine, arching your hips to meet each of his torturous thrusts, wanting him inside you nownownow, but knowing he still had to put the rubber on, and oh---

Dean was sliding one--then two fingers deep into you, pumping quickly, driving you to your peak. You were shaking in no time, calling out to him, so close you could almost taste it. You didn’t remember letting go of the bed posts, but your hands were pulling on his shoulders, your nails digging into his skin as you dragged him up your body for a kiss.

While his tongue was doing a delicious mimicry of what his fingers were doing a little ways south, his hips shifted a bit more and suddenly his thumb was riding your clit. That direct, pinpointed pressure was just what you needed--your orgasm rolled over you, sending shuddering wakes through your whole body. You tore your mouth from Dean’s, gasping for breath and moaning his name at the same time.

The best orgasm you’d had in a year, and you hadn’t even gotten his cock yet.

You heard the crackle of cellophane and realized he was suiting up. When you found his green eyes again, you could read the hunger in them, the need, and it was enough to reignite the fire inside you.

It was like you could never get enough of this man.

And somehow, at this moment, you were completely okay with that.

You opened yourself, welcoming him inside, and he pushed home with one solid thrust. Dean held still afterwards, hovering over you, his sweaty chest moving with each breath that forced its way out of his lungs. You knew he was waiting, struggling to give you time to adjust to him, to his body’s invasion of your own. You knew the strength of the man that he was able to do that at all. And part of you was honestly touched.

But most of you just wanted him to move.

“More, Dean,” you lifted up and tugged on his earlobe with your teeth. He trembled, his muscled arms holding himself up, trying not to put too much weight on you.

You felt greedy. You wanted more. So you whispered into his ear, and ran your nails down his back, pulling him into your chest. You lifted up into his hips, clenching your inner muscles, determined to drive this strong hunter beyond the limits of his formidable control.

“I can feel you, Dean. So hot and full inside me. Take me, fuck, Dean, take me now.”

“Y/N” Dean’s voice was a groan of surrender. He dropped onto one elbow, his chest crushing against you as he bent his mouth to yours. He kissed you, hungrily, passionately, his hips thrusting forward, withdrawing, then pushing in again. His other hand gripped your side, your hip, your thigh, pulling you closer to where he moved so desperately inside you.

You felt a thrill at his response, knowing he’d never been this unrestrained before.

Harder, faster. He pounded into you, and you rose up beneath him, loving every moment, the heat, the sweat, the rush as you pushed towards your own completion.

It was a race, a dance--Dean was your partner, your coach, and you were his. Minutes, hours, eternities passed in a blur of sensations, flesh on flesh, breath to breath. The taste of his skin, the sound of the mattress creaking beneath you, the pounding of your heart and his, so hard, so fast--it was intense, primal. There was nothing else in the world in that endless stretch of time. Just Dean and you, moving together to a rhythm that the two of you controlled, and had no control over.

It was as impossibly perfect as the tension coiled inside you aching, straining for release.

“Y/N!” Dean’s voice was a roar, but you barely heard it over the pounding of your own heart in your ears. You felt him shudder, pushing somehow even deeper inside you as he reached his climax. He pushed and rubbed, his instincts to bury himself inside you overtaking his caution as he emptied into the condom, his hand clenching almost painfully tight on your hip, a needy grasp that telegraphed his passion.

The added pressure, his desperate touch, it was enough to drag you over the edge with him and you moaned, clenching around him and holding him close, clutching at his body for an anchor as you soared into your release.

Dean somehow had the presence of mind to roll over, tugging you on top of him, and making both of you a bit more comfortable. As overheated and sweaty as you were, you sprawled across his naked body, too content, too replete to move for the moment. Both of you just lay there, counting breaths and slowing your heart rates together.

It was Dean who recovered first, a small chuckle echoing from his chest. You found the energy to lift your head and raise an eyebrow at him in response and he just smiled, his eyes twinkling.

“Come here,” he tugged at your shoulders, reinforcing the gentle command. You shifted forward and found his lips with your own, pressing a sweet kiss to his mouth.

You leaned back and pushed your hair behind your ear. “Hello to you, too, Dean.”

He chuckled again, his hand stroking gently up and down your arm.

“So, Y/N, do you have any immediate plans?” His voice was slow, teasing, and you weren’t sure if he was talking for real outside-of-the-bed plans or if he was just setting up a double entendre. You guessed the former.

“You know the drill--find a new hunt, do the job.” You pressed a small kiss to his sweaty chest, loving the taste of his skin.

“Why not do the job with us for a while? It could be fun…” His hand and moved from your arm to your breast, gently kneading your tender flesh, still pink from his mouth.

You looked up into his eyes, enjoying the touch, and the idea. Then you leaned off of him over the edge of the bed and into your pile of discarded clothes.

When you rolled back over with your prize, you held up the handcuffs you’d lifted from the rookie cop earlier that evening and smiled your wickedest smile at Dean. “That sounds like a lot of fun, actually. But first, Dean-o, it’s your turn to hold still.”

Dean chuckled deeply in his chest again and pulled you close for another kiss, this one filled with hunger and anticipation.

This seemed like an excellent way to start to you.

Did you like this? Check out my MASTERLIST!  Feedback is life!

My Forever Tag List: If you want to be added to it or taken off of it, send me an ask! Only 18+ please!!

@2wonderinsighlents, @akshi8278, @atc74, @autopistaaningunaparte, @babypieandwhiskey, @born-to-be-his-baby88, @cameronbraswell, @deandoesthingstome, @demondeansdomme, @destiels-new-girl, @ellen-reincarnated1967, @emoryhemsworth, @fandomsissues, @feelmyroarrrr, @i-is-for-inspiring, @jalove-wecallhimdean, @jensen-gal, @jotink78, @just-another-busy-fangirl, @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid, @littlegreenplasticsoldier, @loreleilara, @lunarsaturn88, @mamaredd123, @mogarukes, @moonlessnight14, @mrsbatesmotel53, @mrswhozeewhatsis, @plaidstiel-wormstache, @polina-93, @riversong-sam, @roxy-davenport, @salvachesterhale, @shamelesslydean, @spnwoman, @squirrelchester, @starry-chaos, @waywardjoy, @wildfirewinchester, @xtina2191, @zpandaqueen

[angelsandcelestials]

Messages from your Angels & Guides~May 27-June 3, 2018

Good afternoon beautiful ones!

First, let me start off by saying, Happy Memorial Day!  My father's younger brother was killed in Vietnam 2 years before I was born. I never knew him, I only saw pictures of him and his name on the Vietnam War memorial in Washington D.C.  I do know he sacrificed his life at 19 years old(on Father's Day at that) for this country. And so I want to thank those like my uncle, who have made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.

This weekend is a time for barbecues. And it is also the season for the local beaches to officially open and the  Coney Island Amusements as well. I know that Six Flags Great Adventure is already open.  But the forecast is declaring spots of rain for Sunday and Monday.   And the fleet has arrived on Wednesday for Fleet Week and there are sailors galore.  Rain doesn't stop me, so I will most likely be out and about enjoying this long weekend... lol What are your plans for this weekend?

Enough rambling lol,  here are your choices for this week's guidance.

Choose one of the images below, the one that draws you in immediately. That is the message for you this week. Scroll down for your reveal.

If you chose the card on the left~  Turquoise is the message you have received.

*Speaking One's Truth * Clear Communication *Purification*

Don't be afraid to speak your truth. A situation that is causing you concern can easily be resolved by simply expressing how you truly feel. You will not hurt or upset anyone bt speaking your truth. In fact, speaking your truth has the opposite effect of what you think. By communicating your feelings and preferences clearly and honestly all concerned will be relieved. At present, others are rather confused because they sense that all is not the way you are purporting it to be.

This magical Turquoise crystal will help you ease fear you have regarding clear and true communication with either yourself or others.  Turquoise is a stone for self-forgiveness, self-acceptance and the release of useless regrets. It encourages us to honor ourselves as a creation and a tool of the Divine. Turquoise is a strengthening stone, good for exhaustion, depression, or panic attacks. It enhances physical and psychic immune systems, supporting the assimilation of nutrients, alleviating pollution and viral infections.  

Turquoise is a stone for finding wholeness and truth, and communicating and manifesting those qualities. It stimulates and harmonizes the Throat Chakra, making it easier to articulate and bring forth one's deepest wisdom. Turquoise empowers those who are shy about sharing their understanding and aids in the knowledge that in speaking from the wholeness of our being, we each have something important to contribute to the collective

Totem Tuesdays~ Turtle Dove

I always see these cuties in pairs.  Turtle Doves also known as Mourning Doves, symbolizes devotion, fidelity, faithfulness, and love. Like Swans, they form life-long bonds with their mates.  That's why the Turtledove makes a perfect match for the golden bells and the wedding and all the other happy, stable images pertaining to weddings. They also represent peace and stability.

The perfect Christmas present to share with a close friend. “Turtle doves are a symbol of friendship  Keep one and give the other to a very special person. As long as each of you has your turtle dove, you will be friends forever.

These doves hold a special place in folklore and mythology. Noah released a dove from his ark, and when the bird returned with an olive branch, he knew the land was near.

To the Native Americans, the mourning dove represents spirit and communication with the spirit. They believe that when the mourning dove appears, there will be opportunities and messages for growth. They were also believed to be harbingers of death, but only if seen under extremely unusual circumstances.

Gypsy folklore believes that doves are messengers of love, linking our hearts to the spirit world.

Turtledoves are said to encourage healing after one lets go of emotional baggage. They represent forgiveness, release, peace, and finally moving on, or forward.

Associations for the Turtle Dove:

~ Ascension ~ Brings peace and love ~ Communicates bet. two worlds

~ Devotion ~ Divinity ~ Grace ~ Holiness ~ Hopefulness ~ Love

~ Maternal ~ Messenger ~ Peace ~ Promise ~ Prophecy ~ Purification

~ Sacrifice ~ Spirit messenger ~ Transition period ~ Understanding of gentleness

If you chose the card in the middle~ Entangled is the message you have received.

You would probably call what's about to happen synchronicity. Or maybe even coincidence. Au contraire!  The Big Truth is, you are already connected to everything and everyone. Quantum physics has its own name for it: entanglement. The reason it appears that all ducks are lining up on your behalf right now is that because you're finally paying attention. Let the games begin.

Angel Number 13~ Ascended Masters ask you to stay positive and give them any fears or doubts that they can heal and transmute. This number also means the sacred feminine, the goddess, and the intuitive side as there are 13 moon cycles in a year.

Just for Fun~A Visualization for Success in Your Day

Do you ever wake up feeling exhausted or insecure? Sometimes our bodies go into healing mode during sleep, making it difficult to meet the demands of the day. If this occurs, try scheduling some extra sleepy time in the near future. In the meantime, give this visualization a try.

Take a few minutes to stretch the muscles, perform Hatha ( physical) yoga, and otherwise get the blood flowing. Take a shower, drink some tea or coffee, and start your day. To give yourself an additional boost of energy to succeed despite the lethargy, pull energy from the ground and sky. If you are on your way to work or an appointment, take a quick minute to put your bare feet on the earth and use your hands to draw up Mother Earth’s healing essence. Next, reach upward and pull in the boundless energy of Father Sky. Visualize the two energies swirling in your chest and radiating throughout your body and mind. Breathe deeply. Conclude by giving thanks and saying:

“As above, so below. As within, so without.”

If you chose the card on the right~ Angels is the message you have received.

This a sign from your guardian angels that they have been with you throughout your soul's history. In between each lifetime, your angels work with you to review the lessons you've just learned.

They also help you prepare and plan for your next lifetime. Your guardian angels know all of the details of every lifetime, and they can help you gently recall significant memories that will you allow you to heal in your present life. Call upon your angels as you're falling asleep to reveal relevant memories while you're sleeping. When you wake up, you may not recall all of the details of your dream. However, once you're prepared to consciously remember your past, the material will be given to you. You'll only remember what you're emotionally able to handle.

You can also call upon Archangels Michael (for courage and strength), Raphael (for healing) and Raziel ( to help divine secrets and mysteries) for their help in guiding you with past life issues.

This week's messages come to you courtesy of The Past Life, The Crystal Oracles and The Oracle of "E".

I do hope that this week’s messages resonated with you. If it hasn’t at first glance, then feel free to re-read them. There may be a deeper or hidden message specifically for you from your angels and/or guides. These messages may also apply to several people and/or the collective. That’s how Spirit works..lol Let me know though I would love to hear from you. Also, please share, reblog, and like. This way you will be paying it forward for others to receive this guidance. Follow Angels & Celestials on Instagram And on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AngelsandCelestials111/

[pamphletstoinspire]

Padre Pio and Spiritual Formation - Article 3 - Model Of Patience

Story with image:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/padre-pio-spiritual-formation-article-3-model-patience-baines/?published=t

Elia Stelluto about to tell Padre Pio that he might have to use the flash. They are in the hall of the convent, watching the Christmas play of the children, prepared by Mary Pyle and Cleonice Morcaldi.

Padre Pio's facial expression: "Oh no! Here he comes again."

***

Padre Pio described his spiritual director, Padre Benedetto Nardella, as the man who "formed" him. Here are some of Padre Benedetto's teachings on the Christian life.

Article 3

Model Of Patience

When you receive insults and offences, look at Jesus and you will have the strength to suffer everything patiently. When your anger is about to explode, say: Am I more worthy than the Son of God to deserve a better treatment than his? How can I take offence in adversities and for insults, with the Supreme Good mocked and tortured before my eyes? Can you do other than imitate Him in his gentle resignation? With these judicious warnings you will stop your fit of anger and calm your fury.

Slander

To tolerate slander meekly is simply being reasonable. in fact, if we say and accuse ourselves of being wretched and bad, and knowing we say the truth, we cannot expect our neighbour to say otherwise. To be displeased to be spoken ill of is a desire that says the opposite to what we affirm and is not true.

We should not be irritated with slanderers but thank them because they say the same as we do and help us to keep down our wicked ego.

Some revolt against any kind of lie, but not when they come in useful. Is this not ridiculous?

A bit of coherence and you will remain tranquil in the midst of the arrows of slandering tongues.

Slander Aimed At Ourselves

"But when they accuse me of something I have not done, don't they tell a lie? And should I not be displeased? And then how can slander always be true and regret unjust?"

I will reply at once to this observation that seems sensible but which is in fact a useless excuse.

What they say may be untrue, but how many other real faults are not revealed? The poor neighbor is even too indulgent and superficial in his judgments Oh, how much deeper and vast is the misery you see in your own soul! Oh, how more penetrating and comprehensive is the knowledge God has of it! He not only sees what you are, but all you could be without his grace.

You should therefore bless Him to not allow the others to know as much as you and He, so they can say very little.

Innate Tendency To Rash Judgment Worsened By Diabolical Suggestion

It is one of the unfortunate inclinations of our ruined nature that you feel. It is quite true, we are more inclined to see evil in good than good in evil and therefore if it is easy for us to judge unfavorably, it is also very difficult for us to judge favorably.

To this unfortunate tendency Satan adds his suggestions and you are powerfully drawn to mentally condemn your neighbor.

But do not worry, the sorrow you feel when you judge rashly saves you from sin. When you cannot in any way get rid of it, be indifferent, saying: I am not the judge of my brothers, nor must I pay attention to what they do.

I will pray for them all and that is enough, even if the supposed wrong is real, may God have mercy.

Temptations

When it is not a question of real and definite temptations but more of physical dispositions favorable to temptations it is better to not fight against them or to remove them positively, but distract yourself or occupy yourself with something. Attending to it is harmful because it increases the feeling and consequent anxiety through suggestion.

Since you yourself see it as foolish nonsense, do not pay attention and treat it with contempt. Have recourse to the expedients alluded to. Fix your gaze in the distance, or look back, etc., this saves you from the sensible impression because it distracts your attention.

You may have other tactics that may seem ridiculous and insignificant, but who cares, even pins can be useful in time of war. And any suggestion is valid.

Purity And Respect For God

The enemy chatters and attacks the soul with errors and blasphemies against integrity and the Divinity; and the poor soul thinks it is responsible for having pronounced them. That is the real state of affairs. Cheer up then and do not worry.

To drive away the insolent one, call immediately on Saint Michael, his adversary, and the more horribly he blasphemes, the more you must oppose him in your heart with short prayers: Blessed be God, blessed be his holy Name, etc.

I assure you that he will leave after a bit of resistance and these prayers.

Purity

The best method to defend yourself against temptations of impurity are: 1) guard your senses to protect them from bad impressions; 2) avoid vanity; 3) do not let your heart receive impressions; 4) convince yourself of the baseness of these satisfactions; 5) avoid idleness; 6) pray detachedly when the passions are tempted. As for corporal mortifications, the fasts and abstinences ordered by Holy Mother Church are enough.

You must guard the senses and above all the eyes. These are the two doors where impressions enter and go down to the heart with all the fascination and enchantment of apparent and voluptuous beauty. As for fashion, as in our period of time, which has the deliberate intention of provoking and exposes impertinently what was once forbidden to think of, more than ever must we be prudent and have self-restraint that the fashions do not have.

When necessary look without seeing and see without reflecting.

Vanity makes the heart frivolous and more easily carried away by the aura of temptation.

The impressions of the heart are in contact with those of the senses and one affects the other.

At a certain age when reflection commands the imagination, it is very useful to reject the sensible with the conviction of its foolishness and baseness. Saint Augustine says to think that consenting to concupiscence is to become like flies and fleas who delight in these pleasures.

Consider these attractions as so much rot that is made to look attractive. To be occupied is to not give the enemy the time and ease to display his base wares and attract your attention. Consequently Saint Bernard suggests, amongst other things, to flee idleness to triumph and save oneself from these dangers.

But the best weapon to resort to often is prayer. When the fascination has been transmitted and the fire blazes, reflections and intentions will be of no use if the One who is stronger than nature and Satan does not intervene. Indeed, arm yourself in advance against the feared attacks invoking the customary alliance saying: "Lord, you well know my weakness, either remove or mitigate the attacks."

[spiritualdirections]

St. Francis De Sales on controlling our temper

“Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight,” Sirach 27:30

From The Introduction to the Devout Life, III.8

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart”  (Mt. 11:29). Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men... Give heed, then, that you keep this gentleness and humility in your heart, for it is a favorite device of the Enemy to make people content to seem to possess these graces, without examining their inner hearts, thereby believing themselves to be gentle and humble while they are quite otherwise—as is easily perceived, because, in spite of their ostentatious gentleness and humility, they are stirred up with pride and anger by the smallest wrong or contradiction... If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show…

This miserable life is but the road to a blessed life; do not let us fall out with another; let us go on with the company of our brethren gently, peacefully, and kindly. Most emphatically, if possible, fall out with no one, and on no pretext whatever suffer your heart to admit anger and passion. St. James (1:20) says, plainly and unreservedly, that “the wrath of man does not accomplish the justice of God.” Of course, it is a duty to resist evil and to repress the faults of those for whom we are responsible, steadily and firmly, but gently and quietly… Correction given in anger, however tempered by reason, never has so much effect as that which is given altogether without anger. When a monarch visits a country peaceably the people are gratified and flattered; but if the king has to take his armies through the land, even on behalf of the public welfare, his visit is sure to be unwelcome and harmful. Just so when reason prevails, and administers reproof, correction, and punishment in a calm spirit, although it be strict, every one approves and is content; but if your arguments be colored by anger and vexation you will evoke more fear than love, and reason itself will be despised and resisted. St. Augustine says that it is better to refuse entrance to any even the least hint of anger, however just; because once it has entered in, it is hard to get rid of, and what was but a little mote soon waxes into a great beam. For if anger lasts until night, and the sun goes down upon our wrath (a thing expressly forbidden by St. Paul [Eph. 4:26]), there is no way to get rid of it; it feeds upon endless false fancies; for no angry man ever believed his anger to be unjust.

It is better to attempt to find a way to live without anger than to pretend to make a moderate, discreet use of it. When we find ourselves surprised into anger through our own imperfections and frailty, it is better to drive it away quickly than to start a discussion with it. If we give it ever so little time, it will become mistress of the place, like the serpent that easily draws in his body where it can once get in its head. At the first attack, you must immediately oppose the anger, not violently and tumultuously but mildly yet seriously. Among the crowds in certain parliaments we see ushers crying, “Quiet there!” thus making more noise than those they want to silence. So too it often happens that by trying violently to restrain our anger, we stir up more trouble within our heart than the wrath excited before…

When overcome by anger [many people] become angry at being angry, disturbed at being disturbed, and vexed at being vexed. By such means they keep their hearts drenched and steeped in passions. […]

We must be sorry for our faults, but in a calm, settled, firm way.

When we find that we have been aroused to anger we must call for God’s help like the apostles when they were tossed about by the wind and storm waters… Prayers directed against present and pressing anger must always be said calmly and peaceably and not violently… When you are conscious of an act of anger, correct the fault right away by an act of meekness toward the person you were angry with. It is a sovereign remedy against lying to contradict the untruth on the spot as soon as we see we have told one. So also we must repair our anger instantly by a contrary act of meekness… Further, directly you are conscious of an angry act, atone for the fault by some speedy act of meekness towards the person who excited your anger. It is a sovereign cure for untruthfulness to unsay what you have falsely said at once on detecting yourself in falsehood; and so, too, it is a good remedy for anger to make immediate amends by some opposite act of meekness. There is an old saying, that fresh wounds are soonest closed.

[tipsycad147]

Bewitching Glamour

BY ALISE MARIE

The timeless, eternally beautiful sorceress slowly removes her dramatic ruby choker, placing it with intention upon a table. Turning away, she walks gingerly to her bed and begins to undergo an extraordinary transformation. The vibrant rouge mane turns to snow white, the supple body changes shape, and the luminous eyes cloud as the exquisite face acquires a new texture. As she lies down with great effort, her true self is revealed: She is, in fact, a very old woman.

But we see her quite differently. Is the magic in the necklace? Perhaps. She is, after all, a very powerful witch. With ancient lineage and skills honed for decades, she is quite capable of enchanting an object through many moons. Or is it her? Does her own inner fire burn so brightly as to alter our perception?

Many cultures claim the origin of glamoury, a form of witchcraft that prompts the world to see the sorceress as she desires to be seen, with reality firmly hidden in shadow. From the old Norse, to the French, Greek, and eventually Celtic, the term has meant “illusion,” “spoken words,” and “enchantment.” It is actually a mélange of all these things, coming together to form a familiar ritual—a spell just like any other, with focus as its ignition, visualization and senses creating form, and passion amplified by cosmic waves raising energy.

One thing ancient witches could all agree upon is that the success of glamour magic depends upon the personal allure or magnetism of the witch performing it. Charisma, from the Greek word meaning “the grace of the gods,” is a mysterious quality that some seem to just naturally possess, but it can really be defined quite simply: Life force. Chi. Vitality. The more energy that is invested in your own wellness, health, and balance, the stronger all your magic will be.

Mind you, glamours aren’t actual physical changes but rather controlled or directed projections. It is a way to put forth certain traits or features that you wish to be seen as dominant, noticeable, so that they become part of the first and lasting impression. Remember that what we focus on gathers strength, so if you are always staring in your mirror obsessing about the size or shape of a feature you don’t like, that feature will become more pronounced to the outside world. By contrast, focusing on what you do like also becomes dominant. It’s up to you. What is it you want others to perceive in you? How do you want others to feel in your company? Glamour is transcendent.

More commonly, we have the practical glamour magic that comes in the form of luscious adornment. Like the sweet fairy godmother who bedecks, bejewels, and beautifies Cinderella in finery, our everyday consorts of makeup, wardrobe, and beauty potions carry considerable sorcery in the confidence-boosting department. They allow us to become a heightened version of ourselves, stepping into character, if you will. The finishing touch of adding mystical bling—our amulets and talismans—certainly can help us feel protected, empowered, and at one with our magical selves, and as such, glamours are often traditionally placed into an object of jewellery. The ritual art of dressing and preparing has a profound effect on how we approach the world around us, and neglecting it can have an equally forceful result, one in which we are dragged down into an abyss of low vibrations.

And, of course, enhancement comes in many forms. In this modern world, all kinds of actual modifications are available, from the relatively tame visits to your colourist to the more drastic measures of a dermatologist or surgeon. Whichever road you choose, it all comes down to this: What makes you feel beautiful, desirable, powerful? How the world perceives you is really in your graceful hands.

Because what, my loves, really gives the witch her magic? Her own strength. How she lives is how she casts her spells. Which brings us inward once again. A healthy, balanced witch wields a million times the firepower of one who is fatigued, filled with stress, and has barely the will to get dressed, let alone raise energy. Of course, we all go there sometimes—but the real magic lies in pulling yourself back up.

I want you to try something. Each morning, reserve five minutes for yourself. (Yes, you have five minutes—steal it from the time you might otherwise be glued to your phone.) After you’ve washed your face, sit down in front of your mirror. If you usually get ready in the bathroom, change it up: Grab a fluffy pillow and settle down in front of a floor mirror, or employ a chair in front of a mirror hanging on the wall. Get into this petite ritual from the new moon to the full moon and see what happens.

GLAMOURY RITUAL

You will need: 3-ounce bottle of organic flower water (rose, jasmine, or lavender) 3-ounce coloured glass bottle, with cap or cork 2½ ounces pumpkin seed oil ½ ounce pure vitamin E Rose quartz facial roller

A simple concoction of two oils is delivered deeply into your skin to provide a gorgeous, supple luminosity. Pumpkin seed oil, with its powers of renewing the ravages of summer, is a delightful way to greet autumn: It brilliantly lightens sunspots, increases collagen production, encourages cellular turnover, and deeply nourishes your delicate skin. Vitamin E heals damaged skin, including fine lines and wrinkles, making it one of the most effective oils to add to any potion—and it won’t stress your wallet.

Beauty Witch Secret:If you have never used a crystal facial roller before, prepare for a truly pleasurable ritual! Most rollers are made with jade, which of course has its own invaluable magic, but I particularly like the rose quartz. It has a certain energetic lightness that increases the magic here, as well as the bright, heart-opening love it brings.

Prepare the Potion Pour the pumpkin seed oil into the empty glass bottle, then carefully add the vitamin E. Swirl it gently eight times clockwise, bringing in the energy of the new moon, the stirring air of autumn, the magic of the witches’ season, and pure love.

Anoint Yourself Lightly mist your face and neck with the flower water. Pour a small amount of potion—about the size of a quarter—onto your fingertips, rubbing them together to create a warming effect. Lightly apply to your face and neck using a combination of circular and upward strokes to conjure gentle massaging motions. (Don’t forget your earlobes!) Really get into it and enjoy how it feels: Close your eyes and see everyone you meet taking notice of your radiance. This not only feels amazing and begins your day on a beautiful note, but it actually raises the energy needed to get your glamour going.

Conjure Glamour Look at your face in the mirror. Take three deep breaths and begin to chant:

Everyone see, the light in me

Keep chanting as you take the larger end of the rose quartz roller and, beginning at the base of your neck, roll it in upward strokes to your jawline. Then move upward along your face, rolling each section all the way to the top of your forehead. Use the smaller end of the quartz roller for around your eyes (be gentle!), your nose, above your top lip, and other sensitive areas.

Be Gracious When you have finished, ground the energy with three more breaths. Take a good look in the mirror and give thanks for your unique beauty, inside and out. Smile. Now there’s a gorgeous witch!

Beauty Witch Secret: Storing the rose quartz facial roller in the freezer amplifies its ability to help de-puff and firm your skin, and it feels fabulous.

You will find that a similar ritual does wonders for the entire body. You can do it as you apply your body oil or as you are getting dressed. And before the mere idea of this exhausts you, remember that there is no need for pom-poms or loud cheers. A soft, even voice states fact. Should you feel inclined to whisper sweet nothings to yourself, all the better! But if not, just approach your mirror, and your body, with certainty. To amp your wattage even higher, I’ve conjured a few more delights as magical helpers to your glamour workings. One promotes beauty and glow from the inside; the other expertly polishes your outer layer. Both are endowed with the riches of treasured autumnal offerings. Though they fare quite well by themselves, I do recommend enjoying this pair together, beneath the glow of the full moon, as a celebratory and sensual way to top off the glamoury ritual you have just aced!

Chrysanthemum An age-old witches’ flower of protection, this fall favourite is also a beauty powerhouse. It expertly smooths wrinkles and reduces puffiness while lightening discoloration and redness. Its vitamin A and antioxidant content works both internally and topically, and is found to soothe and calm fears.

Clove Fiery clove protects, brings love, increases abundance, and has been known to banish negativity. It firms, reduces redness, and keeps skin clear with a deliciously spicy scent while internally fighting off illness and increasing circulation.

Sage Velvety sage brings health and longevity, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It strengthens both the immune system and the skeletal structure, and fights the visible signs of ageing when used on the skin.

Star Anise The potent compounds of star anise help reduce fine lines by repairing the skin, firming, and keeping breakouts at bay. Magically, star anise protects, purifies, and restores youth—no necklace needed.

Apple Another autumnal star, the apple is sacred to Freya and Venus, and revered for its ability to give perpetual youth to the ancient gods. Filled with love and beauty magic, apples cleanse and nourish with abundant fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and have natural alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate both mature and acne-prone skin with aplomb.

CHARMED SORCERY

Facial Exfoliant and Masque Per treatment

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal 3 tablespoons The Fire Within elixir 3 drops clove essential oil

Adding to the beautifying sorcery of our elixir, flaxseed is a skin-loving delight. Rich in nutrients and good fats, it makes a wonderful gentle exfoliate and feeds vitamins to the skin, leaving it soft, dewy, revitalised, and entirely glowing.

In a small bowl, combine the elixir slowly with the flaxseed meal, stirring clockwise until it becomes a smooth, thin paste. Add in the clove oil, all the while keeping the vision and feel of your inner beauty radiating outward for all to see. Holding that energy, apply a layer of masque to a clean face. Massage gently in circular motions. Now apply a second layer carefully—it will be a little messy—and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. (You can even repeat your chant if you like while the potion absorbs into your skin.) To remove, first soak a washcloth in warm water. Wring it out and apply to your face, allowing the heat to soften the potion. Remove most of the masque with the cloth, then rinse well with cool water. Pat your face dry, and follow with a toning mist and serum or crème.

Now, my loves, pour the elixir into a fetching vessel and toast your unstoppable charisma! Beauty rituals and potions have a cumulative effect, just as any focused, repetitive magic will. Time spent building your confidence, tending your beauty, and harnessing your own strength is invaluable and necessary for a wise witch. And much like Melisandre’s necklace, it holds a power that the world can see. Claim it. It is yours.

THE FIRE WITHIN

Elixir 4 servings

32 ounces pure spring water 1 cup organic or wild chrysanthemum flowers 1 tablespoon whole cloves 5 whole star anise 8 leaves sage 1 red apple, finely chopped

Begin by preparing a tea infusion. In a mortar, slightly crush the star anise pods to release the oils in the seeds. Next, fill a large glass bottle or decanter with spring water, then drop in each of the herbs and flowers, one at a time. As you do so, connect to them, feeling their magic create the essence of your potion. Cap or cork the bottle, and let it rest for several hours. Then strain the liquid into a high-speed blender, reserving three tablespoons of tea for use with the companion potion. Add the chopped apples and pulse until smooth. Add stevia or coconut nectar if you like, and set aside while you create its sexy companion.

https://enchantedlivingmagazine.com/bewitching-glamour/

[alexmiranda22]

How Christian Business Owners Should Handle Angry People

I received a nasty phone call from a client that wasn’t too happy about the progress my team was making on a project we were doing. There was yelling, screaming, name-calling, and blaming, followed by a barrage of insults and unsolicited advice on how my company should operate.

Years ago, I would have fired right back and laid it on this client even harder than what was done to me. I’ve been chewed up and spit out before, so I know where this could have led. I’ve fired this client on the spot in similar spats and not thought twice about it – poof, be gone from my life.

But I’m different now.

I’ve learned the art of diffusing a situation and winning the client’s heart right back to me so we can course-correct and finish the project out with grace.

Handling Terrible People

We’ve all experienced terrible tirades from callous clients. Whether it was our fault or theirs, when expectations aren’t met, or some outside factors come into play, people stop being kind, and the relationship is threatened.

At this point, we have a choice of mirroring the client’s feelings and engaging in the negativity or taking the higher road and diffusing the situation to come to a peaceable resolution.

We know God would want us to take the higher road, but easier said than done.

How can we change our ways when we’ve always been used to arguing back, flaring our temper, and defending ourselves to the point of destroying client relationships?

The answer is in the most famous preaching ever given on the planet. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount lays out the eight beatitudes, which are qualities of the people that enjoy special favor from God.

The third beatitude is

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

(Matthew 5:5 NIV)

Many people think meek means weak. Yes, they rhyme, but that are opposites. Meekness means power under control. Jesus even described himself as “meek and lowly,” but Jesus was the most influential and powerful man to walk the earth.

Upping Your Level of Meekness

If you’re looking to achieve greatness in your business, learning meekness will be critical for your success.

When you are a meek entrepreneur, you have come to serve, not to be served. Therefore, you hold back asserting yourself for your benefit, but instead, display self-control that benefits everyone involved.

The next time a client or situation makes your blood boil, and you feel the anger or frustration rising in you, remember the meekness captured by Psalm 37:1-11, which starts our with, “Do not fret because of the wicked,” and concludes with “the meek shall inherit the land.”

In business, you have relationships with partners, employees, vendors, contractors, shareholders, clients, prospects, and competitors. At every point in our day, someone can threaten our ‘good mood,’ and from one second to the next, we could turn the world on fire.

However, Jesus is guiding you to do as He did and curb your urge to use power to avenge the wrongs done against you or to build your image and instead use whatever power you have to serve and build others up.

What Gentleness Looks Like in Business

For me, it has saved many business relationships, and even made them stronger! What could have ended up with a burned bridge built our relationship and landed me an even bigger contract and more referrals from the client I described at the beginning.

See, because I kept my composure through all the insults, the client ended up telling me that he had a very long day, frustrated with so many other things in other areas of his business, that I was the one he took out his anger on. He apologized for his words and thanked me for keeping my cool. He commended me for keeping my composure and told me ‘that Christianity stuff is working for you.’

That’s what it’s all about! We Godpreneurs are God’s witness here on earth of what a relationship Christ can do for our personal development. Meekness is evangelism in business.

The Challenge of Looking “Weak”

Sure, it can be extremely challenging to give up our power to God’s agenda, especially in business. In a cut-throat environment where financial profit is god, it seems to be the self-promoting aggressive entrepreneurs who get ahead more often than not.

However, anyone who looks out only for their interest loses out in the end. People who are thirsty for power are often lonely people, lacking in meaningful relationships. These people may have accumulated materialistic things and achieved monetary success; they will eventually find out that the world controls them.

On the other hand, Jesus promises that the meek Godpreneur “will inherit the earth.” Jesus came to bring Heaven to earth, and when we display meekness, we’re doing our part to create this new heaven and a new earth in our respective marketplaces.

Imagine if we all submitted our business power to God. Imagine heaven all around you – in every meeting, every relationship, every transaction. When we become meek, Godpreneurs, we receive God’s grace and all the good things we desire that otherwise might elude us.

How are you going to use meekness today?

I pray you’ll submit your power to God and let Him lead you to exercise control as Jesus did – for the sake of others.

How Christian Business Owners Should Handle Angry People was originally published on Daily Godpreneur with Alex Miranda

[lawrenceop]

HOMILY for 26th Sunday per annum (A) Ezekiel 18:25-28, Ps 24; Phil 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

At the end of last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus said “So the last will be first, and the first last”. So, the order of things, and our human ways of accounting for things, and of relating to one another, are all upended by the generosity – indeed, the superabundant grace – of God. Although today’s parable is separated from last Sunday’s by a whole chapter, it does pick up that saying of Christ’s. Once again, the last are first, and the first last. This Sunday, Jesus is speaking to the religious authorities in the Temple, they who are secure in the Law and who think themselves safely righteous. But the Lord says, “tax collectors and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you”. So, the last, that is, the outcasts and despised of society will be first, and the first will be last. How does this overturning of the ordering of things come about? By God’s grace.

For just as the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters at the dawn of creation and brought order to chaos, arranging all things according to God’s wisdom and providence, so in the working of God’s grace, the Holy Spirit hovers over the chaos of our lives, and the disorder of human society and human hearts, and he brings order to them, arranging all things sweetly according to divine wisdom and providence.

In God’s kingdom those who are first are not those who think themselves righteous, or better than others, or who have power and influence over others. For the excessive desire for excellence resulting in dominance over others is the vice of pride, and the proud resist the gentle ordering of the Holy Spirit. So, the prideful tend to remain in a state of interior disorder, turned inwards on the self, while all appears to be well exteriorly. In God’s kingdom, those who are first are those who are last, that is, the least, the lowly, the humbled. For it is the “humble and contrite heart”, as the psalmist says, that the Lord will not spurn. Or rather, with humility of heart, one is actually ready to learn; ready to be shown to be wrong; ready, therefore, to change. And in the working of grace, the greatest gift that Man has is that he can change.

The angels, after all, have their wills fixed because their knowledge is so perfect and complete that they know exactly and fixedly what they want. Man, however, is a different kind of creature – we gain knowledge discursively and gradually, and we frequently get things wrong or lack understanding. The more we acknowledge this, in all humility, then the more we can change and improve and grow in wisdom and knowledge. Hence Blessed John Henry Newman said: “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often”. If I may paraphrase this, Newman rightly observes that to become perfect is to have been changed and perfected by God’s grace. For this is the aim of God’s grace acting upon the human soul, to convert us, change us, mould us, transform us, and ultimately to make Man into partakers of God’s own nature. Hence our hearts must be malleable. Pride hardens the heart but humility keeps it supple.

The suppleness of the first son’s heart is shown in the Greek word metameletheis. It has been translated as ‘repent’ although this is not quite right. The Jerusalem Bible is more colloquial but is quite accurate in saying that the son “afterwards thought better of it”. Because the Greek word literally means ‘after-care’ which implies that what makes a person change his mind is that one’s conscience is anxious or cares about what has been done, and so one repents of a decision and does otherwise. One gets a sense that the son does care for his father, and his conscience pricks his soft heart, and so he goes off to help his father in the vineyard. The hope of every sinner lies in this possibility: that, with grace acting upon the conscience, one’s initial refusal can turn into assent; disobedience into obedience; selfishness into love.

The interior life of the other son is somewhat harder to penetrate, but his response might offer us a hint. He says, literally in the Greek, “That’s me, lord” or “I am, lord”. It’s an odd response but it suggests that he’s already there, already in the vineyard – something like saying “I’m there, lord”. The problem of the religious authorities whom Jesus was addressing is that they thought they were there, too; they thought, pridefully, that they had made it. And so, they have no need of change or growth or challenge; they had everything sussed. And the very respectful term ‘kyrie’, meaning “lord” or “sir” comes across as mere lip service. Hence Jesus says earlier on in St Matthew’s Gospel: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (7:21). Each of us, then, must beware of presuming that we are already in the kingdom, or that we do not need to change. If so, then, inverting Newman’s statement, we might say that we are already dead if we don’t change.

The work of grace is to bring order to our chaos, to change us into Christ. Thus St Paul’s words should live in our hearts so that this work of grace is possible: “in humility count others better than yourself”. Humility. This is the way of Christ who overturned the cosmos by becoming Man even though he is God. This is the way of God whose humility led him to Death even though he is Life itself. And this is the way of Love who overturned the finality of Death because, as the Song of Songs says, “love is strong as death” (8:6). Indeed, Love overturns Death, hence “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name”.

Christ’s way becomes ours too when, in co-operation with God’s grace, we humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to re-order our lives and our priorities. Then, the first shall be last and the last first: such is the way of love. And if we’re to become like Christ then we too shall need to humbly love and forgive as he does. “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus”, says St Paul. So, the Holy Spirit comes to make this change in us if we allow him to. Are we humble enough, brave enough, faithfully trusting enough to allow God to change our minds and our ways; to stir up our consciences just as the first son had his conscience disturbed; to sweetly and gently arrange our lives according to his divine wisdom and providence? Last Saturday I attended the Simple Profession of four of our brothers, and when they were asked if they were ready to consecrate their lives to God, they said, “Yes, with God’s help and yours”.

As St Therese of Lisieux once wrote: “Jesus, I am too little to perform great actions”. So, conscious of our littleness, let us always humbly depend on God’s help, and also the help and prayers of our fellow Christians, especially the saints. In humility, let us surrender ourselves to God’s will as Christ did, confident that his grace is at hand to heal our wounds, to widen our hearts and souls, and to transform our lives. God desires that we be united to him in love, and so he wills to give us the means to accomplish his desire. All that remains is for us, daily, to offer him a humble and contrite heart; a heart supple enough to change, a conscience capable of ‘after-care’. Because, for as long as we breathe, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is being breathed over us by our loving God. He hovers over the chaos of our life with all its initial refusals and mistakes, and waits for our consent so that he can restore order and beauty to us. Can you hear the voice of Wisdom? He says: “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come away”! (Sgs 2:10).

[easterwings]

11 Questions

RULES

1. Always post the rules 2. Answer the questions given by the person who tagged you 3. Write 11 questions of your own 4. Tag 11 people (or however many you want)

I got tagged by @1000-directions @dearmrsawyer and @alligatornyc    

Thanks all of you for thinking of me! And @writsgrimmyblog said I could consider myself tagged and I’m gonna. :)))   I hope my answers are at least a quarter as interesting as all of yours were.  :)))  I’m going to put them under a cut as it got a bit long:

what is a food that you associate with your heritage or culture, whatever that means to you?  Cornbread.  When I was little my grandmother use to make it in a certain baking tin so it’d come out shaped like ears of corn.  I wish I knew what happened to that baking tin.  Also, iced sweet tea.  Ya’ll.

what is the best smell?  Clean baby, rose petal black tea, both old and new books

what’s a bad habit you wish you could change?  I overthink things a lot. I wish I could turn it down a notch or eight.  I also care a bit too much about things and people and I wish I could turn that off sometimes.

what’s something you like about yourself?  I like to think I’ve got good taste.

what’s a book from your childhood that had a huge impact on your life? A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.  I barely remember it because I’ve read so, so many things in my life, but I do remember it, and that’s really saying something.

what’s your ringtone? The Verizon default.  On my old phone it was one of the Tenth Doctor’s opening titles but I don’t remember what I did with the audio file.

what do you wish more people realized about you? That I’m really not someone to be intimidated by.  I’m awkward and horribly socially anxious, and I don’t initiate conversation a lot because I’m terrified I’m going to screw it up. 

what song always pumps you up?  “21 And Invincible” by Something Corporate.  I have it on my walking playlist and it always makes me want to move a little bit faster.  

do you grocery shop with a list or do you wander aimlessly?  I have a list I make using the Google Keep app on my phone.  I have a really bad memory and I’d be lost without a list.

what is the best dessert?  Cake.  Give me all the cake.  Yes, even that weird American fruit cake.  Give me that too.

will monsters get you if your feet are not completely under the covers at night?  Whether they will or not, I’m still sleeping with my feet sticking out.  I hate having hot feet.

Do you have a favourite plant?  I realize this is probably a general question, but I’m going to say that my favorite plant is the Calibrachoa I have hanging on my porch.  It’s very fluffy and it’s got loads of little yellow flowers.

Have you travelled anywhere internationally? If so, where? If not, where’s your number one place you’d like to go?  I haven’t but I really really really want to go to Japan.

What do you feel when you look at the stars?  Like the universe is looking back at me.  It doesn’t scare me, though.

When you study/write/do whatever you do, do you feel more productive working on paper or on screen?  Depends.  Usually I’m more productive when I’m working on screen, but sometimes the only way to get the story moving is to write it out by hand.

What is the pillow situation when you sleep?  One pillow, can’t be too soft. 

Do you still buy DVDs or do you prefer to just have everything digitally?  If it’s something I really love, then I’ll buy the DVD.  Same with books.

What’s your favourite kind of jewellery to wear? Do you like earrings, necklaces, rings, etc?  I suppose it’d be rings.  Right now I’m just wearing my wedding set, but eventually I’d like to get a set of stackable birthstone rings, one for my son (garnet), one for my daughter (diamond), and one in memory of August Baby (peridot).  I also want something huge and ridiculous to put on my index finger.

Favourite concert experience?  This is going to make me sound five million years old, but R.E.M. was playing The Omni, and I went to see them when I was about fifteen.  They had an open stage and during “Nightswimming” (my favorite R.E.M. song at the time) they turned toward our section and performed it facing us.  

What’s a book on your shelf that you haven’t yet read, but are really looking forward to?  Tokyo on Foot by Florent Chavouet.  Chavouet is a graphic artist and he went with his girlfriend to Tokyo for her internship.  And he’d wander around while she was out and draw what he saw, so it’s full of his little sketches.  

Do you still have any favourite toys from your childhood? I still have my Bunny Beans from when I was a baby.  It’s a baby doll in a very faded pink bunny suit.  I gave it to my daughter.

Do you hold onto old things or do you enjoy throwing away things you no longer need?  I tend to hold onto things until they’re absolutely falling apart and can’t be salvaged.  And even then sometimes I’ll keep it anyway.

When do you feel sexiest and/or most confident?  When I have on very high heels.  Not stiletto heels, because I’m not graceful enough for that, but definitely something four inches or more.

Mortifying teen-aged memory?  I’m sure there’s tons, but I’ve managed to block them all out.

Go-to outfit?  Sweater and a skirt.

Dream job?  Book shop owner in a little village on a coast somewhere.

Favorite villain?  Laurie from The Rifter Series.  I get her.

Tumblr pet peeve(s)?  The inability to use XKit on the mobile app.

Kindest gesture you’ve ever received?  I don’t know if it’s the kindest thing ever, but a few nights ago someone sent me a very lovely message right when I needed it.  They don’t follow me but they’d noticed the tags that I’d put on a post that I reblogged from them, and it was so kind of them to send that lovely note and one of the best possible ways to end what was a really bad day.  And my readers, they’re always kind too.  They say the loveliest things.  And while I was filling this out, Steph wrote me a story and it has so many of my favorite things in it.  <3 <3 <3

Kindest gesture you’ve ever done for someone else?  I like to make grids and things for fics that I like, but I don’t know if that’s something that’s considered kind or not.  And sometimes I like to go on anon and send people nice messages, especially if I see someone getting really shitty anons.  And one day I spent hours trying to hunt down the owner of $500 in cash that I found in a parking lot, but I think that’s more along the lines of doing the right thing.  

One Direction and/or solo 1D member dream photo shoot?  Louis, hands down.  I don’t care what else is going on as long it’s Louis.  They can take pictures of him wearing a bin bag eating bran flakes, and I will stare at them endlessly and love them.

Relationship/views on money/personal finances?  My husband and I have separate checking accounts and one joint savings account, and we’ve split up the household bills to where he pays some things and I pay others and we buy fun things for ourselves and each other and the kids out of our own accounts.  I have no idea what that’s called (or even if that makes sense) but that’s how we’ve been doing it for who knows how long now.

Favorite dynamic/type of chemistry you like to read about in novels/fic or see on TV/movies?  I usually like a snarky smart-ass and the person who’s done with their shit but who also cares about them deeply.  And I like it if they’re kind to each other underneath all the gentle teasing.  I just really like it when they’re kind.

BONUS: Song, including lyrics, that best describe you?  Well, if we’re going for honesty, probably all of Garbage’s “Only Happy When It Rains.”   

What’s your favourite quote from a book or poem? From The Fellowship of the Ring, “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”

What song makes you want to dance like nobody’s watching? “Pon de Replay” by Rihanna

What’s your favourite ship to read? Tomlinshaw, forever and always.

If you could own one item of clothing belonging to any celebrity what would you pick and why?  I want one of Nick’s coats.  Or one of his jumpers.  I like his taste in clothing and I adore him.  Or Louis’s Skate Tough top.  I love that one and him.

Gif with a hard or soft ‘g’?  Hard ‘G.’  Otherwise I’m going to think we’re talking about a brand of peanut butter.

What’s your favourite fanfic ‘getting together’ trope?  I do like a good drunken snogging.  And it’s cheesy as hell, but I also love the whole “realizing feelings while being sang to during karaoke” thing.  I love that a lot.  And also if they were together before but split up because reasons but then get back together somehow later.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? This is going to sound so boring but probably Tim Tams.  I don’t let myself buy them too often, because I could probably eat all of them in one sitting.

Most relatable 1D (or solo 1D) lyric? Louis’s solo from “Moments.”  Sorry.  June’s just been a really shitty month.

If you could give one piece of advice to a celebrity, what would it be?  Illegitimi non carborundum

Tell me your favourite joke.  I really love puns and this one from the Gryles interview of legend is one of my favorites:  “I was just looking at my ceiling. Not sure if it's the best ceiling in the world, but it's definitely up there."

If you were famous for a day, what question would you most dread being asked during an interview?  Probably the what do you do in your free time one.  That’s the one I can see myself freezing up on the most.

If you’ve managed to get this far, thank you so much for reading!!!  I will write something in your honor if you tell me what you want.  <3 <3  

[ahopkins1965]

Toggle navigation

Search

Browse

The Bible Toggle Dropdown

Search The Bible

Find it!

Understanding God When He Doesn't Make Sense

Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / Understanding God When He Doesn't Make Sense

Share Tweet Save

Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

We have all heard it said before that God has a plan for your life. And it’s not just any plan but a good plan. These aren’t just ideas we conjure up to make ourselves feel good, this is what God has promised. In Jeremiah 29:11 God tell us “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

If this is true (and it is) I want to pose a question to you: why doesn’t it always feel good? Why is it that sometimes in the middle of God’s good plan, something happens that just doesn’t make any sense? If this has happened to you can you give me an amen! What do you do when God’s good plan for your life seems to go sideways? When instead of everything going right, it feels all wrong? Today I want to help you understand what to do when God doesn’t make sense. 

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Ridofranz

Why Does This Happen?

There are two reasons why sometimes we feel that God’s plan is going south in our lives. They are expectation and elevation.

1. Expectation

Quite frankly when you hear that God is good and he has good plans in store for your life, you generally come to a simple conclusion…everything that happens in my life is going to be good. Consider for a moment Joseph in the Old Testament. God gave him a dream in Genesis 37 where his brothers and his parents would eventually bow down to him. I don’t know if Joseph fully understood the dream but it probably created in him an expectation of good things happening in his life. After all his father loved him and he had no reason to think otherwise.

You and I often react the same way. Knowing that God our father loves us and he has the best planned for us, we expect it all to go well. We don’t give any room to anything else. The promise of Romans 8:28 is that God will work everything for our good, not that everything will always feel good.

2. Elevation

The second reason God doesn’t make sense sometimes is because his thinking is far above ours. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God reminds us that his thoughts and ways are not our ways. In fact, they are far above or elevated over our thoughts and ways. This means that the methods and strategies that God has designed to fulfill this good plan in your life go far beyond your thought process. In other words, he’s going to get you there, he just may take a different route to do it.

Keeping these two things in mind, I want to give you five things to do to help you understand God better when he doesn’t make sense.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/eternalcreative

1. You Have to be Honest with God

I have often heard people say you can’t question God. My response to that has always been why not? God is your heavenly Father. You have every right to come before him with everything you don’t understand, in fact he encourages it. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” That word in the Greek means your cares, your concerns, your worries in other words…everything. Prayer only works if you are completely honest and transparent with God. Don’t worry, he can handle every emotion you have. Whether it’s fear, anger, worry, concern, joy, sadness, doubt, uncertainty – he can handle it. 

In Matthew 11 John the Baptist was in prison. He was there after having preached about the coming of the Messiah; after having baptized Jesus and declared him the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; after seeing the Holy Spirit descend on him and hearing the voice from heaven declare this is my Son with whom I am well pleased; after seeing and hearing of the miracles. Jesus said of those born among women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist.

This John from his prison cell sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). John was uncertain. He was unsure. He didn’t know, so what did he do? He asked. And when Jesus heard the question, he wasn’t offended. He responded. Be certain today you can be open and honest before God. Trust me, you won’t offend him. In fact he invites you into his presence.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

 Photo credit: Pixabay/Creative Commons

2. Learn from Those Who Have Come before You

Romans 15:4 gives us a wonderful reminder,

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

Everything that was written before was to teach us. Remember when Paul wrote this to the church in Rome, there wasn’t a New Testament, all they had was the Old Testament. Paul encourages them to learn from what God has done, study his track record.

What I love about the people we read about in the Bible is that God doesn’t leave anything out. We see their struggles, their questions, their doubts. Yes, we see their victories and successes as well, but God doesn’t leave out the challenges they faced to get to the destination God had for them. God did this to encourage you. How amazing is God’s love for you that he would include all of this in his word so you can understand that you can trust his track record.

It’s like he’s saying “Yes my child there will be times where what I am doing won’t make sense to you. However, as you have seen in the lives of those who have come before you, I will always come through. I have fulfilled my promises before and I will do the same for you.”

Photo credit: Unsplash/nathand

3. You Have to Stop Blaming Yourself

One of the lies of Satan is to get you to believe that if God isn’t doing something fast enough in your life, it’s your fault. If the train rolls off the tracks, it’s your fault. Have you ever asked the question why me or what did I do to deserve this? Many times, the answer is nothing. However, I am not talking about people who choose to willfully live in sin, that’s a whole different conversation.

I want to give you hard truth. We live in a sinful, fallen world. There will be things that will happen simply because of this fact. This reality will sometimes leave questions that may never get answered on this side of eternity. If and when these things happen, don’t blame yourself. If you are walking with God and obeying his word, even then life will happen. We have to understand that as believers our hope is not just for this life. All of God’s goodness will not be experienced in this life. He has even more planned for you. Stop blaming yourself when something unexpected happens. Remember that it’s not your fault and recognize the best is yet to come.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

4. You Have to Believe and Trust 

Let’s face it, the Christian walk is a walk of faith and trust. There is no way around it. 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us of this truth:

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

The hard part about faith is that many times the circumstances don’t always align. Where you are going doesn’t always match where you are. If you remember Joseph’s story, he was headed to the palace yet he had to go through prison before he got there. This is where faith and trust come into play. Faith says “I don’t know what you are doing but I know you are working it out for my good. Because I believe that, then I can trust you.”

Just like we often group grace and mercy together, faith and trust are necessary if you are going to understand what God is doing in your life.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Aaron Amat

5. Remember Jesus

One of the best ways to understand God when life doesn’t make sense is to remember Jesus. While we understand what Jesus did looking back on it now, his disciples and the people who were alive while it was happening didn’t get it. Jesus is our great champion, the Son of God, the miracle worker, the one who speaks and the winds and waves obey him. He is the one who has all power and authority, but he is going to die and this death is going to bring us life? No one truly understood it while it was happening. The pieces of the puzzle didn’t come together until after the resurrection. That’s when it started to make sense. Notice Peter’s words in the book of Acts:

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear … Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:32-33, 36).

By remembering Jesus’ life, you will understand that sometimes the way God gets you to the desired result doesn’t always follow the script you think it should. No one at the time thought that Jesus’ death on the cross was a good idea, but now we know it was the best thing that has ever happened for all of us.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Kristi Linton

It Will All Come Together

As you can see the promises and plans of God for your life are good. Nonetheless, along the way to getting there you may encounter some things that will make you want to question that. When this happens (and chances are it will) remember how great God’s love is for you and trust that his love for you will never fail. His good plan will be accomplished in your life and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. As the Apostle Paul reminds us:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Walk with God today and know that God has nothing but the best planned for you. Even when it doesn’t make sense.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a rising speaker, teacher, author and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He has spent more than 30 years serving the body of Christ in various capacities and has just released his first book called The Pursuit of Purpose.  If you have ever struggled trying to find God’s will, this book will help you discover the different ways God leads you into his perfect will.  To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. 

Share This

Recently Featured

4 Practical Ways You Can Pray for Appalachian Believers

Ashley Hooker

What Is Shavuot and Is it Still Important Today?

Blair Parke

Haggai: A Big Lesson from a Small Book

Hope Bolinger

Understanding God When He Doesn't Make Sense

Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

You may also like

How Many Americans Believe Trump Is Anointed by God?

Top Evangelical Theologian Withdraws Support of Donald Trump

Why Do So Many Women Show Off Cleavage in Church?

Ads by Revcontent

Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy

Healthier Living Club

Featured Verse Topics

Healing Bible Verses

Worry and Anxiety Bible Verses

Prayer Bible Verses

Bible Verses for Overcoming Grief

Comforting Bible Verses

Bible Verses About Protection

God's Promises - Verses in the Bible

Bible Verses For Faith in Hard Times

Encouraging Bible Verses

Hope Bible Verses

Friendship Bible Verses

Forgiveness Bible Verses

Strength Bible Verses

Love Bible Verses

Inspirational Bible Verses

About Online Bible Sitemap Link to Us Advertise with Us Feedback

Proud member of Salem Media Group.

Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. All rights reserved. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated.

Do Not Sell My Info (CA only)

[skerbango-blog]

The People You Meet at a Repast

By SROD

"Hello, it's me..." 

(This post is meant as gentle satire. I apologize in advance to anyone who might be offended by this.)

For those who know me somewhat well, you know writing broad humor is a “holy grail” of sorts for me. This is another attempt to refine that effort.

As we age, our perception changes. Perhaps we take note of different things.

Also as we age, we may find ourselves at repasts from time to time. One basic definition of the word is “meal”. Yeah, it’s that simple.

All over our society, one key part of the grieving process is the communal meal provided immediately after the formal part of the funeral/”homegoing service”.

The intent of the repast is to save the grieving family from the onerous responsibility of feeding family and friends (many of whom may have come in from out of town).

In my lifetime, repasts have grown from hastily-purchased fast food fried chicken and sides to feasts worthy of heads of state.

Normally, as part of the funeral planning, the time and location of the upcoming repast is announced. I promise you, people start salivating in anticipation when they see “repast” in print.

Not being a chef myself, I’m usually relegated to staying out of the way. That does give me a vantage point to watch the process unfold. There are well-defined roles required to make a successful repast. Here are a few:

The Kitchen Boss – can be any gender, but usually a well-seasoned person. Usually this person has extensive experience cooking for large groups. This person may have been a chef in the military, or the “lunch lady” at a school.

Very few people can do this well. You have to cook for 100+ or so folk, each part of the meal must be tasty, and all components have to be ready to serve at the same time. You almost have to be a superhero to keep all those moving parts on track. (Note: professional restaurant chefs normally don’t do this on their days off, because it’s a lot of work.)

The Trusted Assistant – this person has probably helped the Kitchen Boss at previous repasts. This role is a jack-of-all-trades job. You might do some light prep (move this item to that table/dice this vegetable/make coffee). You might be a sounding board or logic check for the Boss. You might even be expected to bring an upbeat attitude or good sense of humor to break the tension from time to time.

If you’re patient, years from now you may get promoted to Kitchen Boss. One of the biggest roles for the Assistant is traffic management, because standing around in the kitchen, “in the way”, is…

The Hangout Guy – (I’ve been this guy). Normally a male, he’s fascinated by the process of cooking to scale. He may try to talk up his cooking skill, by talking about a lasagna he cooked for his wife’s family back in 1996. It’s like you hitting a 14-foot jumper on your driveway hoop, and later walking up to Stephen Curry as if you two are equals at basketball. You may use the same words & tools, but you’re not on the same level.

The Paper Plate Guy – (I’ve been this guy also). He may be a church deacon. He may be just another Hangout Guy. He’s probably divorced, or maybe never married. He’s not trusted to do anything in a kitchen, even peeling an onion. To get or keep him out of the way, the Boss may send him to a nearby store to get paper plates/plasticware/table napkins, etc. Know your role, accept your role.

The Servers – You have to have the patience and grace of a saint to do this job. Diners will walk over you, insult you, or otherwise denigrate you for the chance to get one more serving of collard greens. You have to be able to absorb those hits and keep a calm demeanor. It’s not for everybody.

The Servers sometimes see the worst in humanity. When people are hungry, anything can happen.

The Eaters – (Note: these folks are NOT the grieving family) There are many church members/acquaintances of the deceased/church employees/folk off the street who plan their weekly dining options around upcoming repasts. For some folk, it may be the highest-quality meal they eat all week. And, did I mention that normally the repast is FREE? As my ex-wife used to say, “if it’s free, that’s the price for me”.

The Take-Out Manager – This is a complicated topic, actually. Often times the Kitchen Boss, this person gets to decide who gets to take food home, and how much can go. If you start giving out to-go plates too soon, you run out of food before all attendees get served. And, even if you previously announce “no take-outs”, the nanosecond you set a plate aside for yourself, ten Eaters will demand you do the same for them.

Some attendees feel only those who are present in the building have a right to eat from the repast. Others will say “my uncle Malachi couldn’t make it – can I get two plates to go?” That uncle may actually have a debilitating physical condition. He may be hungover. He may have a grudge against the church pastor. That uncle may even be an imaginary creature. That uncle may be chilling at home, but he still wants to eat.

The Clean-Up Crew (I’ve been this guy as well) – We are the “invisible ones”. Everybody wants to eat, almost no one wants to clean up afterwards. Most attendees pretend they don’t see the refuse, even as they helped create it. It’s a fascinating phenomenon.

The Crew may include Servers, the Paper Plate guy, the Hangout Guy, maybe other volunteers or even an Eater (this one is usually a young person whose parent is trying to teach that young person responsibility). Unscientifically, there seems to be a reverse correlation between how much an Eater consumes and how much that same person helps clean up at the end.

As one who has been blessed by repasts, I marvel at the level of generosity and fellowship shown during this difficult time. Maybe you too have received such a blessing.

Next time you go to one, check it out. See how many of these folk you notice.

v/r

As always, I remain

Some guy who likes to eat