Under the name Francis Lee, I write interracial Christian romantic suspense. My stories are about finding enduring love when hope and redemption seem unattainable as danger lurks around every corner. My characters learn that where there is darkness, "joy will always come in the morning".
Being a leader is great responsibility. There are those who look up to you for guidance and to make decisions.
When there is something that must be done, I don’t shy away from it but jump right in making decisions and giving directions.
I do that often, and for sure, I don’t mind because I see it as a chance to explore my ideas and see how they work.
Yet, there are times when taking the reins could be so trying I would like someone else to step up so I can take a break. At times, I just want to coast by and be a yes, man.
But in all honesty, those are the times I get lazy.
Besides, if someone else takes the lead, I am the first to question every decision they make.
Looking in the mirror, you don’t like what you see convincing yourself that your so-called flaws are ugly.
What is your beauty standard? Who made it up?
Beauty shines from the inside out. It is something that can not hide. It should be appreciated and praised. It can be seen by the eyes of the beholder.
Next time when you want to bring yourself down because others can not see the beauty that shines from your soul, remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139 verses 13 and 14.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?
Writing is a passion of mine. I enjoy the process and try to do it often. They say working on a creative project is a good stimulation for the brain. But they forget to add that life gets in the way.
I try to solve that problem by waking up early and writing something, even a sentence or paragraph or two.
I started this at the beginning of the year, and so far it is working out.
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.
She was going through a hard time with regard to her health. I watched and prayed for her and saw her vulnerability in the midst of it all.
Yet, she didn’t wavier in her trust and belief that God would heal her.
There was one time when she called me at work afraid because her body was reacting in a strange and terrible way she thought she was relapsing. My advice was to call the doctor or go to hospital.
I learned later that day she didn’t do as I instructed, but along with her parents they began to praise and thank the Lord for her healing.
She told me as they song hymns and rejoiced her body regulated, and all was well.
Years later, I went with her to the doctor, and they did a scan and wanted to discuss results with her. The doctor told her he had never seen anything like this before. Everything looked normal. He could not understand it.
Her answer was the Lord healed her. He scoffed. Then, one year later, he died of cancer.
She is still rejoicing and our entire family with her. Yes, she is my sister and my best friend. To make things clear, all my sisters are my best friends. Our parents have now passed on, but in that time, they saw the Lord working in her, and they too rejoiced. She was never a strong believer. Sure, she did all that was right, but she was never someone to turn to as a prayer partner.
Now, my best friend, big sister who loves to look her best and makes no bones about it. The fashionsta of the family is a prayer warrior.
She trusted the Lord when others didn’t believe.
She exercised her faith in the Lord, and he rewarded her.
Freedom is something that is precious. It seems within the psychological makeup of a human being the desire to strive to be free but also to take away another’s freedom.
We are selfish creatures with that innate longing to be in control, to survive, and to be the best. It is a drive deep within the heart. That instinct to survive and to thrive. Frankly, there is nothing wrong with that but not at the expense of others.
This is where slavery becomes a thing of reality. It is the oppression of others both psycholocally as well as physically. It does not always mean people are hoarded into camps or pressed to do labor, then brutalized physically. There is another form of slavery that is so subtle, and it too is abusive.
It is the manipulation of another person. It is the stealing of their time, energy, the changing of their desires, squelching of ideas, and creativity into nothingness.
These are all examples of grabbing someone’s freedom and shaping it into a different entity and therefore locking away someone’s true self.
To think on my own. To express my desires. To take my time in doing what I love to do and not worry about failure or wasting opportunities. To smile when I want to smile. To laugh out loud at my own jokes. To breathe life into my ideas.
And to love my Lord with all my heart is all my freedom.
I have no idea who I disagree with most, but politicians come to mind.
These people make promises that suck a person into a web of lies because they say the right thing at the right time. For the most part, they work hard for votes.
jemfinds - Hello World 2.0 