Month: <span>January 2025</span>
Month: January 2025

My Devotion 2D: Clothed in God’s Armor

🙏🏾 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.—Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Reflection

Each day is a battlefield, but you are not alone. When you step out into the world, God equips you with His armor—truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation, and the Word of God. These are not just words but tools to shield you from doubt, fear, and negativity. With God’s armor, you can face challenges with courage, knowing that He walks with you. His serenity becomes your strength.

Today, as you move forward, let His peace calm your soul, His truth guide your steps, and His righteousness guard your heart. No matter what comes your way, remember that you are clothed in divine protection and empowered to stand firm.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for equipping me with Your full armor. Fill me with Your peace and courage today as I walk in Your strength. Help me stand firm in faith, knowing You are always with me. Amen.

T.A.D.S. (Take Action Daily Steps):

1. Start with Prayer: Before beginning your day, ask God to strengthen you with His armor.

2. Speak Truth: Remind yourself of God’s promises when challenges arise.

3. Be Mindful: Walk in peace, avoiding unnecessary conflicts or distractions.

4. Take a Stand: Face every situation with faith, knowing God is your defender.

Feel free to join me daily, “in repeating this devotion to stay grounded in serenity.

#BirdsOfPeace#SpiritualRenewal#NatureAndFaith#GodsArmor
#PeacefulMind#FaithAndStrength#SerenityInGod#DailyDevotion
#StrengthThroughFaith

God Has a Sense of Humor: 

I Said , “Three, God Said Five, I said I Can’t, God Said, You Can: ”Even teaching my child how to die.

Life has a way of showing us that our plans are just that—our plans. When you surrender to God’s will, you often find that He has a sense of humor that, you may not fully appreciate in the moment. But, Let me take you on my journey, The now and then; One that began with a perfect family plan and , ended with lessons in faith, love, and resilience.

The Perfect Plan: Like many young couples, my husband and I had a vision for our family. We dreamed of a perfectly balanced household—two boys and a girl. We had already been blessed with two boys now ages, five and seven, who were, by all accounts, spoiled rotten. It was time for the final piece of our puzzle: our baby girl

Waiting Peacefully

We got pregnant, couldn’t have been more excited. Everything was going according to plan, peaceful. During the pregnancy, my doctor kept reassuring me that I was carrying “one big baby.” I had gained 22 pounds—more than I did with either of my boys, I gained just 10 pounds with each of them. We were certain that this “big baby” was our little girl. God, however, had other plans.  

1st BD, Adrienne, Coell, Bernice, Me, Flip

A Divine Twist: As the pregnancy progressed, the baby became too heavy for me to carry to term. My doctor recommended inducing labor, and we agreed. But as the hospital staff prepped me for the procedure, they made a shocking discovery: I wasn’t carrying one baby—I was carrying three.

Triplet. Three: My doctor was ecstatic. My husband was overjoyed, looking at a man in the mirror with two cigarettes in his mouth, that man was him.  Me, “I wanted to run out of the hospital, and keep running until I was no longer pregnant. I was in such a state of shock that I later self-diagnosed myself with a nervous breakdown. But no one noticed me, “They were too busy celebrating the arrival of the triplets.

The Unusual Delivery: Natural delivery was stopped. One baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck of another, so they had to push it back and prepare me for surgery. After what felt like an eternity, the triplets arrived safely: two girls and one boy.

Marvin, Adrienne, Coell, Bernice Darrin

We stayed in the hospital over 21 days. The babies were in the neonatal intensive care unit (As preemies). I was on a different floor, recovering the from surgical ordeal  and processing what had just happened to me.

The Fear of Not Enough Love: In those first few days, while everyone else was celebrating, I was spiraling. I was only in my late twenties, not even 30 yet. I had gone from being the mother of two boys to the mother of five, “in the blink of an eye.”How could I manage five spoiled children? How could I love three babies at once?

The fear consumed me. I made a decision that I would take one baby home and put the other two up for adoption. It wasn’t because I didn’t want them—it was because I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to love them enough. I wanted them all to have the love and care they deserved, and in my fragile state, I didn’t believe I could provide that. I was not going to see my babies until two were taken away.

Adrienne-Coell-Bernice: 1st of many helpers, Aunt Minnie.

But, God Intervene: A particularly stern nurse ignored my option, she brought me upstairs to see the babies. When I saw them lying there, so small and fragile, something inside me shifted. These were my babies. I didn’t know how, but I knew I could love them all. They were mine, and I would find a way. with lots of help from and Friends.

God Wasn’t finish with Us: Just as we were beginning to adjust to life as a family of seven, God had another plan. Our two oldest sons, the same boys who had been our entire world before the triplets arrived, passed away.

There is no pain like burying your child. It is a heartache that defies explanation. It breaks you in ways you didn’t think were possible. I didn’t think I could survive it, but somehow, I did. In His mercy, God left us with three children: two girls and one boy. Our family of five was now complete, just not in the way we had imagined. We would have gladly kept a family of seven, had we been given the choice.

Full Circle: Me-Coell-Bernice-Adrienne

The triplets were a blessing we didn’t ask for, but they grab their special place in our hearts and created their own light in our lives, after the unimaginable loss of our older sons. Raising them hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth every challenge. They taught me that love isn’t something you measure or divide—it’s something that grows, even when you think you have nothing left to give.

The Collins clan: The fruits of our Labor:

Lessons in Faith and Resilience: Looking back, I realize that this journey was God’s way of teaching us about faith, resilience, and the depth of His love. He gave us what we needed, not what we thought we wanted. He taught us that even in our darkest moments, His mercy is never far away.

God’s Sense of Humor: God does have a sense of humor, doesn’t He? Here we were, trying to plan our perfect little family, and He gave us something entirely different. He reminded us that we are not in control and, that His plans are always better than ours. The fruits of our Labor.

Grand and great-grand each has their on special place in our hearts.

It’s funny now, thinking about how I thought I couldn’t love three babies at once. I thought I couldn’t handle five children. But God knew better. He knew what our family would need, even before we did. God Plan. Each

A Final Word: Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, but that’s okay. Sometimes, God’s sense of humor comes with blessings that are disguised as challenges. It’s up to us to embrace them, even when we don’t understand them.

I hope you enjoyed reading my story. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by life’s twists and turns, just remember: God’s plans are always greater than ours. Trust Him, even when it’s hard.

Stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll share, “teaching my child how to die.”  The pain of losing a child, and how God’s mercy carried me  through.

#Faithand#Family#God’s Plan#MotherhoodJourney#Triplets Parenting#DealingwithLoss#OvercomingChallenges#ResilienceandFaith#LifeLessons#

GUIDANCE: Trusting God’s Presence in Decision-Making.

Prayer connects me to the divine wisdom within, offering peace and clarity. Even when the way seems unclear, I trust God’s timing and guidance. With faith, I know I’m never walking alone.

“The Lord will guide you always… You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” – Isaiah 58:11

Let go, pray, and trust—God will lead the way.

#DivineGuidance #FaithOverFear #TrustInGod #PrayerWorks #ScriptureForLife #GodsTiming #MakingDecisionsWithFaith

Kindness: Reflecting God’s Love

Kindness is more than just a random act; it’s a reflection of God’s love and presence in our lives. When we practice kindness, we are living out a part of God’s character and spreading His light to the world around us.

What the Bible Says About Kindness

The Bible is full of wisdom about kindness. One of the most powerful reminders comes from Ephesians 4:32:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

This verse speaks to the transformative power of kindness rooted in forgiveness and compassion. It’s not just about being nice; it’s about choosing love in action.

Similarly, Proverbs 11:25 reminds us:

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

This scripture reveals the reciprocal nature of kindness. When we pour kindness into others, our own hearts are filled with joy, peace, and spiritual renewal.

A Simple Challenge

Today, take a moment to be intentionally kind. Whether it’s offering a helping hand, sending a kind text, or simply listening to someone with love, know that these small acts can make a big difference.

Ask yourself:

How can I embody God’s kindness today?

Let kindness be the thread that weaves our relationships, communities, and hearts together. Through kindness, we become living reflections of God’s love in action. Let kindness begin with us.

#Kindness#FaithinAction#SpiritualGrowth#BibleInspiration#Love andCompassion#

To: Professor Fischer, University of Nebraska

Swearing In of The 119th Congress

Subject: Reflection on Conduct Towards Vice President Harris

Dear Professor Fischer,

I trust this message finds you well. I am writing to address your recent interaction with Vice President Kamala Harris, which I believe warrants reflection.

It is apparent that your conduct during this encounter revealed a lack of regard for the Vice President’s stature and character. Vice President Harris possesses undeniable poise and dignity that speaks volumes about her capabilities and leadership. Rather than meeting her with the respect and professionalism befitting her position, your actions fell short of the standard expected in such esteemed company.

It is worth noting that Vice President Harris does not seek to diminish others, nor does she elevate herself at the expense of others. Instead, her confidence and competence stand as a testament to her merit and integrity. Your inability to rise to her level, whether intentional or not, was starkly evident.

For individuals who feel the need to belittle others—whether due to race, gender, or any other superficial bias—it is important to understand that such behavior only serves to highlight one’s insecurities and small-mindedness. Attempting to diminish others does not elevate one’s own standing; it merely reflects poorly on the individual engaging in such behavior.

I encourage you to reflect on this matter, as it provides an opportunity to grow and exhibit the character and respect that leadership demands.

Sincerely,

Grandmothers-Mothers and Women (GMWSOC).

#Professionalism#Leadership#Respect#Constructive Reflection#Personal Growth#