Happy Fathers' Day!!!

Thank you God for making this Fathers' Day a great one. It was so peaceful. This year marked 2 years since my dad passed and being able to have this day of peace and reflection of his life and all he was to me as a father on earth...all I can say is thank you God!! God, You allowed me to have a dad in my life. I cherish all the wisdom, fun memories, and his unforgettable presence and spirit.

I hope everyone enjoyed this day with their fathers. If not, I hope you made this day a great one. It is blessing to be alive. Do not take it for granted...not one second. It is so much better to smile and rejoice in the day God has made. :)

Let's Talk: Forgiveness

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

We all have our shortcomings and struggles. This life can truly be a fight. Apart of this fight to keep pressing forward is forgiveness. It is a definite way to show you are an heir of God. God loved us by offering His son as a living sacrifice for our sins. Surely, you can forgive your brothers and sisters here on earth by removing grudges and releasing your internal bitterness towards whomever. It does not matter how harsh the doing was towards you, you have to release yourself and forgive.

Forgiveness is truly for you. You have a life to live that cannot prosper with the weight of unforgiveness hindering God's blessings for you.

When you forgive, it is not only an opportunity to set yourself free of the past, but it may open the dialogue in some cases to bring others to Christ. Ultimately, this is the end goal.

Whatever God requires, I am willing to obey. Are you?!

This world is already too full with bitterness and strife. I do not want to add to the pot and I hope you want better for yourself and this world too.

So on this beautiful Sunday, I hope that you forgive those that have done wrong by you and keep them lifted in prayer. God will honor this act and bless you.

Read: Colossians 1:13-14; Matthew 6:9-15; ; John 3:16

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. I love you all!

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: Worry

Do not worry about tomorrow, today has worries of its own. (Read Matthew 6:34)

I am definitely guilty of worrying about things I have no control over or that are avoidable. Worrying is not healthy and only leaves you in disgust or worse, depression.

Some worries are avoidable like being prepared for a test final. Living a carefree life is a choice and right at your fingertips if you are willing to put in the work. When you put in the work, you have no time to worry. 

Some worries are uncontrollable like when a love one is in the hospital. When traumatic things happen in our lives, it can feel like a set back and in an instance, everything you thought life was is not. Everything is upside down. Even in those moments, God presents Himself as a present help. Nothing in life has to be faced alone. God is always there.

Try to remember to live in today's moment. You have the right to feelings and emotions in their right time and place. However, the key to any worry, big or small, is to pray and trust in God. 

You can choose to let your worries bring you close to God or away from Him. I have learned to trust God in one of my imperfections, worry. He has shown Himself over and over as a comforter and friend.

Meditate on these scriptures: Proverbs 12:25; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 6: 25-34; Matthew 11: 28:30; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7

I love you all! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday and weekend :)

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: DO NOT Give Up! (Affirmations)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

God's word stands on its own. 

This is definitely my season of learning and growing in the present moment. No more are the days that I will dwell on the past or ponder the future.
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I speak these affirmations over my life, and you can use them in yours as well. :)

My work, the words from my mouth, and my walk will and is showing the true works of God. I am a goddess, an heir of the King, GOD! (Read: Galatians 3:26-28; James 2:17-18)

I am taking responsibility for my actions and working unto the Lord. (Read: Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 6:7)

I do not compete or try to follow man's way of living. God is doing new things. (Read: Galatians 1:10; Romans 12:2)

I am allowing room for God to handle what He does best. Only God knows the plans. (Read: Jeremiah 29:11)

My dry bones are coming to life. (Read: Ezekiel 37)

I am no longer afraid of loneliness because I am never alone. God is with me. (Read: Deuteronomy 31:6)

I am walking boldly and confidently in my destiny and purpose in God. (Read: Exodus 9:16: Proverbs 19:21: Jeremiah 15:11)

I am not getting older...I am renewing. All will and is restored. (Read: Psalm 51:10; Isaiah 40:31; Lamentations 5:21; 2 Corinthians 13:11)
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I have never wanted God so much. I have never thirsted for His presence as I do now. For that, I view my circumstances and environment through a different perspective and I am loving the new ways I am hearing God. Nothing is impossible for Him. He is truly amazing. When I thought I had life figured out, He comes to show me new things. It is a wonderful adventure, and I am looking forward to laughing with no cares. He has given me visions and dreams that I cannot fathom right now. I am not perfect and He takes all my imperfections and makes them great. He uses all of my life not just the parts that are pretty (lol). He is working with and for me. What a joyous time and place to be in my life right now where I literally have no other options But God!

One step at a time. Piece by piece. Thought by thought. Day by day. I do not allow my mind to wonder too long. The word of God is my sword and is a treasure to my life. God is truly an ever present help.

I am in preparation mode. All things are coming together the way God plans. Everything is working for me by faith and for His purpose. (Read: Romans 8:28)

I am grateful for divine connections and the convictions God is using to correct and discipline my mind.

It is not easy not even for one second but this challenge (opportunity) is worth not giving up for. From me to you...Do not give up!

If you have any affirmations that you speak over your life, share them below in the comments (sharing is caring ;))

I love you all!

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: It's Not Easy

Life hits each of us in different ways.

Perspective is everything.

Life and death is truly in the power of the tongue.

What you say, you become. I know this has been said many times but it's biblical and the truth.

God makes it so simple for us but we choose sometimes to make it complicated.

I believe you and I have the power to speak life over our lives and nothing is impossible for God.

The key is having faith when everything around you says the opposite of the promises God has given you.

I definitely do not have all the answers, but I have been choosing everyday to keep pressing forward.

You have to start small. You have to allow God to handle ALL things. This is key.

God made the seas and placed each star in the sky. Surely, He can make your life brand new and open doors in an instant. But can He trust you with your bank account? Can He trust you with the little things? Are you living by your own might? Examine all areas of your life and make sure God is the center of all.

What are you doing now? What do you want for your life? What is God calling you to do? Do you know who you? These are questions each of us has to come to grips with in order to live life in its fullness.

What is your mind telling you and what are you feeding it daily? Are you praying consistently?

I'm a work in progress. I'm not perfect. I don't know anything fully. I'm simply a willing vessel for God.

It takes time. Be patient enough to try to get it right.

If it comes too easy, it's questionable. You are worth the time.

Most importantly, enjoy time with God and build your relationship with Him. He really wants to blow your mind. Let Him (God).

Read: Hebrews 11:1; Galatians 3:22; James 1:6; Mark 11:24; Matthew 15:28; Proverbs 18:21; Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2

You are not in this journey alone. I know this world is ever changing but your strength should come from God. Don't try to do this life on your own. Reach out to Him for help and watch Him order your steps.

I love you.

xoxo - Dominique

Let's Talk: Overthinking

Happy Sunday! I hope all is well with you. I will start posting every Sunday on different topics. So to start, let's talk about overthinking :)

My problem has always been overthinking. I know I am not the only one. I often wonder how God could use me if I continue to overthink. (Read: Ecclesiastes 11:4)

I can be such an overthinker that it hinders my ability to just live in the moment. One of my missions is to remove the bondage of thinking and fulfill it with life's adventures just as I have pictured so many times in my head.

I have pictured a life of travel, trying new things, blogging consistently, singing and connecting with new, like minded people. To some, these things come easy but for me it requires a change of mind state and the removal of overthinking. I refuse to overthink myself out of living in the moment anymore. My fear of risks and disappointing others has somehow stunted my growth. I call it being stuck.

Being stuck is just a state of mind. It is the ultimate trick of the enemy. God is waiting to make all your visions come to life but it is your choice to believe and have faith. Believing and having faith requires that you put full trust in God from the way you style your hair to saying yes/no to a job offer. I often wonder what life would be if I truly allowed God to have His way in my life. To be real, I need to stop being disobedient to God and move. What a joyous day that will be! I am learning not to search for happiness but God's joy. Question is: Do you want to get well? (Read: James 5:1-14)

I do not know about you but overthinking is exhausting. It is like running 100 miles in your mind and never getting anywhere. Before you know it, another day, week, month, and year has passed, and there is nothing to show for it. God wants us to cast all our cares on Him and He will give us rest because He cares for us. What a joy and relief! (Read: 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22). My overthinking spurs from worry and doubt. It is a constant wonder about what the future holds but I am learning that there is nothing better in life than God's joy and peace. I am learning to laugh and lean on God for all wisdom and understanding. I am free to live with no more bondage. (Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 31:25).

God's joy brings peace inside of a storm. It can make you happy for others when your world is falling apart. It gives you strength to pray for your enemies.

When my dad passed about 2 years ago, many people wondered (and still wonder) why I had not completely broken a part. Sometimes, admittedly I shock myself. My dad was a protector, provider, and one of my greatest advisors/counselors. If anything happened in my life, I knew I had my dad to bounce ideas off of or just simply help me make the right decisions for my life. He passed unexpectedly But what kept me was God. If it was not for my relationship with God, I do not know where I would be right now. God's peace surpasses all understanding. (Read: Philippians 4:7)

This experience of death and grief completely changed my whole world. All at once, my covering was gone. As an already overthinker, I never saw this coming. It opened my eyes to change my mindset on life and sitting around thinking became something I knew I had to change. Yes, I struggle just like every other person with my own insecurities and inside/outside confusions But God.

There are lives waiting for me to overcome this hurdle of overthinking and being stuck. The best advice I could give to anyone dealing with this same issue is: 1. Take it one day at a time, 2. Reach out for help (we all need accountability and the right mentorship), 3. Take up a hobby, i.e. blogging, singing, dancing, exercising, or whatever tickles your fancy lol. It is all about getting active. There is so much work to do. (Read: Romans 6:13)

The time spent on overthinking has probably cost me opportunities and even worse God's blessings but I am vowing going forward to God and to anyone reading this to get discipline and serious about the things God has told me to do. We all have something to give to this world. Don't go to your grave full.

Reminder: God can use anything and anyone for His glory. Never feel like God cannot use you or the time you feel you have wasted.

I love all of you. Please connect with me on Instagram and Twitter @Love1FreeDom. Also if you can relate to this topic do not be afraid to comment below. I would love to hear your perspective. Sharing is caring :).

xoxo - Dominique

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