Take Charge Tuesdays

As a mom I've been both on the move and worn out. While school in our district was set to close on Tuesday, my son's school has been out since last Thursday. The preparation for him to be home with everything he needed for school, groceries for our home and the increasing breaking news is a lot to manage. As a single mom you are both the protector and the provider. You're competing with updates that constantly hit wireless phones. 

"Mom! The numbers are increasing." "Mom? We may be out til next school year." "Mom!!! Kevin Durant tested positive." 

Then there's the trips to Kroger, mainly in search of chicken and ground beef to freeze for large meals, and the concern for my parents having what they need. I'm so grateful for my oldest son for stepping up and going out in search of the things I couldn't find.

Mind you, I really have to care for myself and make sure that my blood pressure doesn't drop extremely low or escalate rapidly. What I've learned is that either I'm going to have a really bad headache or want a really long nap and what truly didn't help was my loop recorder monitor going off with sounds and lights at 2:35 a.m. I woke up and immediately talked to Jesus. My life is a constant conversation with Jesus. 

Today, I did something different. I took some moments for myself. I worked out with Denise Bryers on FB Live and afterwards, I, Arlinda Christine, desired to go for a walk as the sunset.  I grabbed a cute Chic Life jersey and pressed play and listened to Snoh Aalegra as I walked my cul de sac a couple and a half times. That walk was a cute little concert. lol 

As I walked and pretended I was at karoke, I notice the trees and how the homes in the neighborhood are reminsent of an older era. I felt the wind blowing on my face and watched as the sun faded for the evening. I needed that moment for me and I'm going to make it a point to create those moments daily for several reasons, wellness and my sanity.

We're living in moments of not knowing what's going to happen next. Make sure that you're taking some moments for you so that you can continually feel good about yourself as you manage in a constantly changing world. 

Originally posted at Arlinda Christine Ministries.

Fresh Rain New Beginnings

Early this morning as I walked to my car, the rain was gently falling before sunrise and as I inhaled, I smelled the scents of the newness of Spring. I smelled the idea of new flowers being planted and the reemerging of my lavender and hastas plants from the previous year. I smelled the idea of fresh cut lawns and the dusting off of porch furniture. I smelled newness as the rain fell on me. 

The only thing, though, it's February. It's wintertime and yet I smelled Spring. I smelled my favorite season. If I can be transparent, my feelings have been hurt several times here lately but I sense new opportunities and open doors are upon the horizon. I'm learning to take pauses and to assess the roles that I've played in these heartaches. Only to essentially understand that in many instances, I've broken my own heart by staying in places and relationships past the time I was supposed to. When I should have made clean breaks, I've stayed because of comfort and because of loyalty. That comes from an honest place and God has a way of bringing those things to light where you have absolutely no choice but to see it, experience it.

Today the rain reminded me that new beginnings are coming my way. That unbelievable doors will open for me. I've been fed for years now it's time to flourish in the new beginnings that emerge from  fresh rain. Spring is upon us. God makes all things new.