gurlstalkn

Mommy Are You Good? by Christa

Posted on May 26, 2016May 26, 2016 by gurlstalkn

When my siblings and I were growing up, my mom made being a mother look so easy. It appeared she was able to accomplish a variety of tasks in little time. Why does it take me three wash cycles in three days for the same load? 🤔🤔

Motherhood is selfless. Self…..less, lol.

I remember sitting at the baby shower given for me when I was expecting my oldest son. One of my guests said, “You will never sleep in again…..never….ever!” I chuckled, not realizing those words would hold so much truth almost 8 years later.

Anyone who knows me know I do not like to engage in conversation before 10:00 a.m, because I am busy daydreaming about the sleep I am missing. For the thousandth time this year, I have seriously considered “quitting” my “home job” and getting a “real one”!!!That’s how selfless motherhood really is, lol.

Only other stay-at-home mothers understand this great sacrifice and how challenging the job is! I do not care what those CEOs and CFOs tell you. This is the most difficult job on earth!!

One thing is for sure, I am not my mother. It takes me a “teeny bit” longer to get things organized at my house. For example, I do not ever completely wash, dry, fold and put away ALL of my laundry, which seems to be my greatest challenge with having a large family. Also, my mom would go to bed after us each night and rise before us every morning to pray and get ready for work. I may not be as enthusiastic about getting up or putting away the clothes like my mom, but I do pray that I have the same wisdom, dedication, and love for my children that my mom has for me and my siblings.

My children love me no matter what and they often say the sweetest little things. My oldest son is very attentive and when things get a little crazy around here, as they sometimes do, he asks me, “Mommy, are you good?” Sometimes I answer him and sometimes I am left speechless. Today, I responded, “Yes, son I am better than good, I’m great because you are apart of my life!”

I thank God for blessing me with my fantastic five. They make motherhood an adventure!

DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. These are only our suggestions. We do not advocate any particular service or site.

3 Plus 1 Coming Soon: Motherhood by Candice

Posted on May 20, 2016May 23, 2016 by gurlstalkn

img_7534-1 The day I became a parent for the first time was the moment I realized, everything I do from that day forward would impact the little life I brought home with me from the hospital. Immediately, I began to mentally strategize how to be the best mom for my newborn daughter!

When I was a kid, my mom was the prettiest mother on earth. She had long nails, smelled so sweet and was the coolest person I knew! I would stare at her for hours wishing I was as beautiful as she.

In the early 80’s, (during the Stone Age years, lol), banana clips were popular and my mom had every single color. Her hair was gorgeous! I snuck in her room and tried on each clip, but I could not style my hair the same way my mother did hers.

I didn’t care how much money she made or what she did or didn’t do right. All I cared about was how she inspired, loved, and respected the little girl then and later the woman I had become. I still seek her approval and call on her for advice because she is still the coolest woman I know!

Let me share 5 reasons why I aspire to be a good mom for my daughters:

1. My babies need my approval. If they don’t get it from me, they will surely seek it elsewhere.

2. My little princesses need my time and support. When I am able to be present for school-field trips, concerts, talent shows, track meets and races, or whatever event they participate in, the adoring looks I receive from them are priceless and melt my heart. The times we share mean more to them than any amount of money I give or gifts I buy.

3. God has instructed me to help my children find their purpose in life and then teach them how to live life to the fullest.

4. My children do not need a perfect mom, but they do need me to be honest, trustworthy, a woman of integrity, loyal and a mom that is dedicated to them.

5. My daughters need to see me make mistakes, admit to them and then take responsibility to correct them. I believe this will help my children learn how to be accountable for the decisions they make and learn to grow into mature, strong, loving, and passionate adults who desire what God wants for their lives too.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. These are only our suggestions. We do not advocate any particular service or site.

Giving Back

A Different Kind of Mother’s Day by Karen

Posted on May 13, 2016June 24, 2016 by gurlstalkn

It’s that time of year when mothers and mother figures all over the world receive gifts, cards and flowers, and programs are being held to honor these deserving women.

This year is different for me. It is not about tradition or commercialism. This year the tables have turned for my siblings and I. Instead of our mom taking care of us, we are now our mother’s and oldest sister’s caregivers. Since the beginning of this year, both have experienced major medical challenges.

Our lives have changed from a mother raising her children, to the children now keepers of their mother. From a mother preparing family dinners, to her children planning her meals. From a mother appearing unannounced at her children’s door steps knowing when they needed money, to the children now paying her bills.

Yes, I see a slower, moving woman who was once robust, aggressive and sometimes overbearing, but a few days ago I suddenly realized my mom is only 10 years from being 100 years old, which is a century, y’all!!!

Today I pray for more compassion, patience and love for my mom while she is still with me. Every chance I get I embrace, honor and respect her. I lay aside what I want and how I feel.

I look for moments to sit down and have discussions with her not just to talk about meds and what time to take them, but to fully engage her, woman-to-woman, about politics, religion and whatever else we are led to talk about.

I sincerely celebrate my mother’s life. Instead of running away from missed opportunities or unintentional neglects, I run towards and embrace them.

Thank you God for opening my eyes.

Giving Back, Life Challenges

Uh Oh, When Did I Become My Mother?? by Leah

Posted on May 6, 2016May 7, 2016 by gurlstalkn

If you would have said to me a year or so ago, I have become my mother, you would have been faced with a scowl and ugly grunt, and I would have been highly offended. I did not like nor understand my mother’s strict and disciplined ways as a child.

I no longer feel this way.

For so long, I saw her from my own shortcomings and darkly-colored lenses, not realizing she loved me and my siblings the best way she knew how–through her own misfortunes, life trials and many errors. But who’s counting? I have made too many mistakes of my own to keep track of hers. OUCH!

She taught me what she learned: the good, the bad AND the ugly. Although she led my siblings and I on a good path, it was up to us to stay the course. We were accountable to balance our individual lives with integrity, love, wisdom and God’s truth. For me that meant I was responsible for finding my purpose in life and then sticking to my assignment until completion.

As youngsters, my two brothers, sister and I brought our problems to her sometimes at the same time. She would respond by saying, “It is four against one–not fair!” When we were at our worst, our next door neighbors could hear our mom yell, “KIDS DON’T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONAL MANUALS! Oh well, I’m going to have to ‘wing‘ this one!!”

Even today I am only able to know and see my mom in part. I await the season when both she and I will see one another as we were created to be–full of beauty, gentle, whole, pure and lovely.

So if you say to me I am just like my mother, my immediate response is now thank you for such a high compliment!! I am honored to be Bobbye’s daughter.

My Mommie is resilient, strong, independent, dependable, free-giving, a gracious host, witty, courageous, strong-willed, an excellent care-giver, the best cook ever, loyal, dogmatic, opinionated–she’s not a pushover–no siree bob, bold, confident, an avid student of His word and so much more.

In some circles, she is known as a ‘bootleg preacher‘ of the Gospel. She is compassionate about the Word and a true friend to the underdog, the lost, and the downtrodden. Over the years, she has cooked and served over a million plates from her kitchen table–I’m not exaggerating.

Yes, she is stubborn and stiff-necked like the children of Israel, but if you cross her, beware!! She’ll ‘slice and dice‘ you and have you for dinner. She does not put up with foolishness nor nonsense. A woman after my best interests!

Here’s to you Mommie! I love you and appreciate growing up in your “hard knocks school of life“. Living with you as a child and young adult was like being raised by Hitler, Stalin and Malcolm X all rolled up in one, yikes, lol!!!

You are and shall forever be My Number One Girl!! You gave your best so that I could survive. I love you to life and I plan to fulfill His call by giving my life back to The Life Giver!!!

I dedicate this blog to my Mommie. May love and kindness always find its way to you. I pray this year brings you more joy and sweet peace than ever before!!!!! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!

Live. Laugh. Love

What Lies Within by Christa

Posted on April 1, 2016 by gurlstalkn

Full of lies and deceit.
Returning items with no receipt.
Looking like a shepherd who has lost his sheep.
Aiming to stay abreast, looking for some type of relief.

Something to help you believe.
Believing for something better, something greater.
Looking for myself beneath all this defeat.
Watching everyone else get married, wondering why not me?

Witnessing those around me fulfill their dreams and I’m still unable to see.
Seeing past hurts and pains that lie within.
Full of misery, jealousy, hopelessness, and shame.
Seemingly on the outside, I look content and well-maintained.

No one knows my true intent.
Intent to inflict harm to others, just to win the game.
The game of getting to the top alone, like coffins with no remains.
Focused on all the wrong things, constant battles of throwing blame.
Thinking of ways to stay sane in a world full of losses with no gains.

Until one day, I examined those areas of struggle and pain.
As I addressed what lies within, I can feel the shame lift off of me.
It was as if I had new lens that enabled me to see.
See who I am and who I would like to be.

Now, my heart fills with joy and peace.
As I walk away from those issues that once caused me to weep.
I am no longer a lost sheep and understand what lies beneath is visible for all to see.

Life Challenges

Let it Go by Leah and Chris

Posted on March 25, 2016April 5, 2016 by gurlstalkn

Are you holding someone in bondage for a wrong done to you? You may want to reconsider one important matter: the person in chains may be YOU.

Though the other person has apologized, repented and moved on in his or her life, why are you still holding on to dead weight?

The older we get, the freer we should become. There are things in our pasts we are not fond of. Some are too embarrassing to share, but we cannot allow those things to hold us captive after God has freed us.

Stop tormenting yourselves by focusing on what other people think or say.

May we offer a word of wisdom? Make sure whatever negative word is being said about you is NOT the truth. And if by chance it is true, STOP the madness, make a change and reverse, reverse, lol!

If you have made it right with God, with the individual(s) in question and you have forgiven yourself, healing has already taken place. It’s time to move on…

Real freedom allows you to MARCH ON. Your only concern is to please the Father. We made the choice to march on even when others found it impossible to do so. We suggest you do the same.

CHOOSE what is right, FORGIVE them, RELEASE the grip and FREE yourself.

Life Challenges

March On by Karen

Posted on March 18, 2016April 28, 2016 by gurlstalkn

Because of current circumstances going on with other family members lately, I’ve been in observation mold. During these unusual times, it is important I keep my focus on God. As I do so, I find myself comparing and creating analogies of what I see.

I see your struggles and understand you are dealing with unpleasant trials today, but tomorrow it may be someone else’s turn, perhaps it will be me. Do you know someone too going through?

Today is INSPIRE A Sista Day. This is Your day! EXPECT TO BE HEALED AND MARCH ON!!

Recently, I reread the story about the “woman with the issue of blood”. (Matthew 9:20-22). She put a demand on the healing anointing and received her miracle. In the story, once she pushed her way through the crowd, pushed past the years and years of disappointment from failed treatments, and pushed against the stigma of being unclean, she expected to be healed”.

Here’s an excerpt from the story: a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him. She touched the fringe of His robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed”. Jesus turned around and said to her, “Daughter be encouraged! Your faith has made you well”. The woman was healed at that moment.”

Please know you can place that same demand to receive your healing.

Push forward
Expect something will happen
Stay encouraged
Don’t let the enemy talk you out of your healing
Keep your mind on God
Trust the One who died for YOU and YOUR healing

NEVER give in, NEVER give out and definitely, NEVER give up!!!

If you are in a good place today, then your assignment is to encourage a Sista to NOT give up or give in.

MARCH ON!!!!!

KEEP PRESSING TOWARDS THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT!

His Peace I leave you with…..

Health & Fitness

Message from the Healthy Corner – News that Feed the Body by Leah

Posted on March 11, 2016April 8, 2016 by gurlstalkn

Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish and lethargic. Most days I try to eat well, but in the past two months, not as much. Who else is guilty of this? Yes, I see your hand, and yours, and yours, and yours, lol.

I tend to eat “badly” when I’m stressed, unrested or depressed. Can I be honest? Since the beginning of this year, I have been all three. So, I decided not only would I increase my spiritual feeding, but also I was going to “on purpose” make better eating choices.

To start, I am adding the following ten foods as staples to my every day meal plans to kick start my way to better eating habits and build a stronger, healthier me.

Just so you can see some of the benefits each food item possesses, below is a brief description. They are as follows:

Almonds – Contains Calcium, Fiber, Magnesium, Iron and Vitamin E. Almonds have more Calcium than any other nut.

Apples – It is a great source of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels. It is a good source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant, which keeps capillaries and blood vessels healthy. Vitamin C is also a water-soluble vitamin, which means your body does not store it.

Bananas – A great source of Potassium, which is a mineral that helps your muscles contract, regulate fluids, maintain normal blood pressure, among so many other things.

Blueberries – The Phytonutrients in blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections.

Broccoli – Has an abundance of Beta Carotene and is thus one of the best foods you can eat or drink juiced. It is also a powerful cancer fighter.

Beans – A good source of Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium. It is an excellent low-fat calorie source of protein and dietary fiber.

Beets – It is a powerful cancer fighting agent, an excellent source of B Vitamin, Potassium, Fiber, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Iron.

Spinach – It contains Vitamin A, C, B6, Calcium, Iron, and Magnesium. It boosts the immune system and helps hair and skin to be healthy.

Sweet Potatoes – High on antioxidant Beta Carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body; a good source of Fiber, Vitamin B6, C, E, and Potassium. It is low in calories. A small sweet potato is about 54 calories.

Wheat Germ – It is the tiny part of a wheat kernel that is extremely high in protein, Vitamin E and Potassium.

Here’s to your health! Cheers!!!

DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to offer any medical or otherwise any other kind of advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. These are only our suggestions. We do not advocate any particular remedy, service or site.

Life Challenges, Live. Laugh. Love

Circle of Life by Leah

Posted on March 11, 2016April 5, 2016 by gurlstalkn

As my husband and I were driving home after having dinner at my mom’s house, we began discussing our life.

We talked about times spent at a former fellowship and how our pastor died. We did not expect him to die nor did we anticipate the members would divide and depart just a couple of years after his death. In fact, the entire church eventually folded.

We talked about friends and acquaintances who were a part of our every day lives, and now we hardly see or share a conversation with them.

We reminisced about our grandparents, his dad and brother, our former neighbors and childhood teachers whom have departed this life and we were left only with memories in our hearts that they truly existed.

How about you? Do you remember your grammar, junior high, high school, and college friends? You know your “ace cum booms“? Those BFF’s you thought you would hang out with forever? The ones you shared your deepest and darkest secrets with? The friend you talked to all night and never tired? The ones you fought and cried with or listened to their woes?

How about the ones you were friends with since the second, third or fourth grade? Then one day you realized each of you had outgrown the other. Many of those friendships eventually ended.

Do you remember your first kiss? Do you even know where that person is now? Are they dead or alive? Live in your same city or moved on to another location oblivious to you?

Can you recall the day you met your spouse? Did you ever dream or see yourself married to them? Even if you did, did life turn out the way you expected it?

Wow, these thoughts and our conversation brought to mind so many people, events and bitter sweet memories I had not thought about for a very long time.

I began to feel some kind of way–a little melancholy about some bad choices I made, while reminding myself I made many good ones too–those that changed me and my life’s perspective for the better.

Today I encourage you to cherish your time spent with others no matter the circumstance. Respect those relationships and don’t regret mistakes, missed opportunities or misunderstandings. Take the time to live in the moment. Stop rushing through encounters you don’t like or understand. Pay attention to the lessons you are being taught about yourself and others. Don’t apologize for loving too hard. Forgive those who have taken advantage of you. Free and release others you’ve held in bondage far too long. Learn what is necessary and then move on.

As you continue to mature, allow others to see you fail. Be transparent. Don’t get stuck on the stupid stuff. Some of the people and things you have in your present life (including spouse, other family members, place of employment, etc.) are here today, but gone tomorrow–becoming a mere thought from your past.

It’s ok to laugh loud, love much and live hopeful–I mean really live in the moment!!! Life is only a dash. Oftentimes too short and vanishes quickly. Whatever you do, do it on purpose (this is one of my favorites sayings)!!!

Life Challenges

Do Not Enter, Wrong Way by Chris

Posted on March 4, 2016 by gurlstalkn

One day as I was driving my children to the doctor’s office, I made a wrong turn and was headed in the opposite direction. By the time I realized my mistake, I was about 12 blocks away from my destination with only 5 minutes to spare.

At that moment my thoughts drifted on areas in my life that are currently distracting me. This reminded me of the time when I was a teenager I struggled with “fitting in” and worried about what others thought of me. I was not popular or in the “in” crowd. I didn’t rock the latest name brand clothing or shoes, but I enjoyed learning and loved writing. Like a geek, I walked around carrying a notebook and pen so I could write down my thoughts and feelings. I was insecure, traveled down some dark roads and entered streets with only an entrance and no exit.

How many times do we allow distractions to take over our lives? Sometimes the distractions are people who weren’t meant to be in our lives, yet we allow them in. Places we should not go, we go anyway. Activities we should not partake in, but we do.

All of these distractions can get us off track and point us to roads we were never designed to travel. I have been distracted and off course many times, but God! He led me back to the right road and never allowed me to live in a detrimental state, while I was on the wrong path. In fact, He led me back to the road that was meant for me.

When we include God in our lives, we can ask Him for direction. He will give it to us. He sees what is down every street, road or avenue before we even jump into the car. I’m happy to know He knows where I am going, even if I do not.

Life Challenges

What Makes My Heart Beat by Chris

Posted on February 26, 2016March 20, 2016 by gurlstalkn

Have you ever been so mad at someone you could have knocked them out? Do you remember the scene in Mortal Combat’s video game when one of the male character’s says, “finish him?” Lol…..yeah, that kind of angry.

When I get that angry, as soon as I yield to love, the following three things “magically” comes to mind AND……….the pain lessens.

1. You cannot control people.

2. Many disagreements are trivial.

3. As soon as that person “butters” you up with gifts and kind words……You are OVER it and it’s as if it never even happened.

Let’s be frank, you may not instantly “get over” the hurt or anger, but somehow you eventually forget and move on.

That’s the power of love. Love always wins!!

Love and hate cannot dwell in the same place. It is like apples and blueberries–well, maybe not, lol. But it’s very similar to light and dark. It cannot be dark outside when light is still present. Love is the driving force behind our abilities to obtain happiness here on earth.

Love is what keeps my heart beating. Love is so powerful sometimes I find myself getting out of my comfort zone and doing things I claimed I would never do. Why? Love is boundless and has no limits.

Love freely gives. So why do I at times take into account when it is not reciprocated? Do I do for others based on what I feel they can offer me in return? It has taken me many years to focus on doing for someone what I want and not based on what they can do for me.

Truthfully speaking, it is a challenge to give someone a gift when you have a need. I decided to make a conscious effort to love others like I wish to receive. Love keeps the blood flowing smoothly in my heart. I believe it is the very reason my heart has not stopped beating.

What would the world be like if we yielded more to love and light and less to hate and darkness? It is easier to love because the message it sends is powerful.

Love keeps my heart beating.

Life Challenges

The Heart of the Matter – I want to be Hooked by Karen

Posted on February 19, 2016February 19, 2016 by gurlstalkn

On March 3, 1988, I was invited to a friend’s church service in Maywood, IL to hear their guest speaker, Kim Clement. I had never heard of him before receiving this invite, but over the years I have learned more and more about him and his ministry.

During the services, he prophesied to me and many others. What he spoke to me concerned matters I was dealing with in my heart at that time–all of what he spoke came to pass in my life. I don’t recall everything he said, but I remember him saying this: “God says I am going to place a hook in your mouth……”.

Let’s fast forward to the present day.

The other day as I was on my way to work I began to think about fish. As my thoughts continued, I envisioned this fish. I then asked the Lord to clean, scrape, scale and gut out of me anything not pleasing to Him, as a fisherman would clean the unwanted insides of a fish.

I remember as a child growing up that my mom loved fish. She drove to the grocery store and returned with her favorite food, fish. I watched closely as she rinsed, scaled and scraped, scraped and scraped and finally gutted those poor little fish.

That’s how I want God to handle me. I want Him to remove all of my insides that do not represent a follower of Christ. I want Him to completely remove the uncomely parts: gut out all the ways and thoughts that do not please Him.

Even as I write this, I am reminded fish are scraped, gutted, cleaned and prepared to ultimately serve as someone’s meal. This is EXACTLY the position I want to be in: ready to be served for others.

Now back to the “hook in the mouth” aspect of the story. In order to capture fish, the fisherman starts out by placing bait on a fishing hook. After the bait lures the fish to the hook and the fish bites the bait, then the hooked fish is immediately pulled from the water.

Oh yes, I want God to place His hook in my mouth, pull me from the depths of the murky waters of life, reel me into my destiny, which is His purpose for my life, and prepare me to be His servant.

Jesus called his disciples to become “fishers of men” (Mt.4:19).

My oldest son and his son loves to fish. I can picture them putting bait on the hook at the end of their fishing poles knowing their hooks will soon be embedded deep inside of the fish’s mouths to prevent the fish from shaking loose and getting away.

I desire God to place His hook deep inside my mouth, so everyday I will bring my needs, joys, and hurts to my Loving Father. I want to draw near to Him as He draws nearer to me, so I will not get away or shake loose from the Greatest Fisherman there ever was or ever will be.

NOW THAT’S THE HEART OF THE MATTER!!!