Tuesday, May 26, 2015

SELFISH by DeVonne Reed

SELFISH

Definition of self·ish [sélfish] adv.

1. looking after own desires: concerned with your own interests, needs, and wishes while ignoring those of others.

2. demonstrating selfishness: showing that personal needs and wishes are thought to be more important than those of other people

SELFISHNESS: concerned ONLY with oneself.

-self·ish·ly [sélfishlee], , adv

-self·ish·ness [sélfishnəss], , n

Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Someone asked me, “why do people have to be selfish?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer. Except, people make being selfish their choice. My only alternative to giving my opinion, was to look up the word, selfish.
I took out the dictionary, I read every word that had the word "self" in it.

My, my, my...

We are who we are! Yes, It is great for me to be "myself" and you to be "yourself" as long as we are being "ourselves" without imposing our own personal desires, interests, needs and wishes on that of others.

There are times we allow our own self-importance to give us the thought that our own self-proclaimed, self-image is so much better than that of others, we ignore them to the extent, that we make them feel badly, about themselves!

There is never a time when it is okay for us to be so, self-absorbed, self-addressed, self-appointed, self-asserted, self-assured, self-centered, and self-contained, that we make other feel forced or feel like they must make the decision to live their life, as a life of "self-sacrificing" to please us!

When I am self-seeking, self-willed, self-righteous and so self-satisfied with myself, that I become overly, self confident and self-sufficient, I will most likely will become a very lonely person! It will be my own fault, that I haven’t any friends. I will not be able to blame anyone else for choosing to live my life in such a manner…as a SELFISH person!

I believe, if I truly want to see myself as others see me, I will take the time to do some serious self-searching! If I will take a long look in the mirror, (most likely I won’t like what I see) but, if I continually, look deeply inside of me, I will find what I’m looking for! I will see myself, for who and what I truly am. But, more importantly, I need to see myself as God sees me!

Yes, I choose to do daily “self-examinations” of myself! I’m positive; I will see clearly, and this will help me, to become a self-disciplined person.

Much Love.
D's Heart <3
Written by DeVonne Reed (6/13/2013.)


Sunday, May 24, 2015

As A Mother Hen Gathers Her Brood.

My Cherished Memory...

I was at the beach with my children on Mother's Day which was May 10, 2015. Momma was in the hospital, it was pretty early when I called momma to wish her a Happy Mother's Day. As we were ending our conversation which was rather lengthy, I am smiling because it was the last long conversation, I had with her. She expressed to me, that she did not want me to leave my kids but she wanted me to stay and enjoy my vacation and family time. But, I felt an urgency on Monday, May 11, 2015 to get home as soon as possible. I left PCB, and arrived at the hospital that Monday evening at 6:15. I stayed with momma until mdnight. I went home.

When I returned early the next morning, Tuesday May 12, 2015. Momma and Hannah were the only ones there. I walked over to her bed she was awake. I kissed her, and I told her, "Momma, you are still the most beautiful girl in the world and I love you with all of my heart, the most, the longest, always and forever!" Then I looked her in her eyes and I said, "momma, I have one request of you."
"Momma said, "what is it baby?"
I said, "momma I want you to pray for me like you did when I was a little girl, I want to feel your hands on my head, I want to hear your prayer of love and protection over my life, again." What a priceless, and precious moment we shared that morning!
She did it, even though it was somewhat of a struggle for her, she did it! All I could do is cry. She prayed protection, blessings and told me to continue on walking with Jesus. I promised her that I would.
I will momma, I will.

I am sharing these scriptures to remind myself,  that my momma believed in the power of prayer.
She loved each one of her children the same, yet as individual as we are. She kept us under her wings of protection.

As far back, as I can remember, momma would lay her strong, and loving hands on each one of our heads, every day and pray that GOD would be a fence all around us, our shelter, and our protection. Especially, when we started going to school. As we lined up at the front door, ready and waiting for the bus to come, momma would pray, starting with Deano, like taking stairsteps she came to Carol, Marcia, me, Bobby and then Mike. Momma watched us as we were leaving and she was watching and waiting for our return. She would walk out to meet us, as we were getting off of the bus... hugging and kissing us like we had been gone on a long vacation or something. This makes me smile. :) I would like to say, I didn't place Angela in this line up, because Angie was not born at this time, but, momma did these same things to her.

You know, I cant help but think that, we will never know the snares, traps and the evil we have all been spared because of mommas prayers. I am forever grateful to her! Thankful for all she sacrificed, all that she gave, all that she instilled into our hearts and lives. Truly, GOD honored our momma's prayers. She trusted GOD to be our keeper and HE has!

Psalm 91:1-4 KJV

1. He that DWELLETH in the SECRET PLACE of the most High shall ABIDE UNDER the SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY.

2. I will say of the Lord , HE is my REFUGE and my FORTRESS: my GOD; IN HIM WILL I TRUST.

3. Surely HE shall DELIVER THEE from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4. HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, and UNDER HIS WINGS SHALT THOUGH TRUST: HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD and BUCKLER.

Thank you momma, for gathering all of your babies and keeping us under your wings.

Love and blessings,
D's Heart <3

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Conditional or Unconditional

Conditional or Unconditional ~ DeVonne Reed
5/2/2015.

Why are people so quick to raise their finger, pointing out, ALL of our faults and failures.
 Is it because we believe that one sin is greater than another?

Tell me this does not happen. You let someone find out, one little thing about you, that they may not have known before, and watch how fast their attitude changes, towards you.
Tell me this is not true! You and I both, have seen it happen time and time again. Right?

Why does this happen?
Because, people base their love on a CONDITION, meaning that you and I have to qualify or meet specific qualifications, to live up to or perform and meet the demands from another person. Believe me, you and I will never be good enough, for some people, no matter how we try!

Condition:
Stipulate, qualify, condition or specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement.

Stipulation:
1. Condition, precondition, an assumption on which rests the validity or effect of something else.
2. A restriction that is insisted upon as a condition for an agreement.

Qualified:
1. Meeting the proper standards and requirements.
2. Limited or restricted;  not absolute.
3. Dependant or contingent on something else.

How many times have we heard this statement?
"If you love me, you will __________?"
You fill in the blank here!

Don't look at me like that!
You know, I am telling the truth!

I am forever grateful and indebted to GOD!
He knew me, yet HE LOVED me. For GOD SO LOVED ME...That HE gave HIS only begotten SON. JESUS...

Jesus laid down HIS life, no one took it from HIM. HE DECIDED TO be obedient even unto death, to pardon and sanctify you and I. HE poured out HIS LIFE. HIS precious blood flowed down from the cross, it fell to the ground...remember we are created from the dust of the earth.

Yes, the blood fell, and covered, us the minute, that we acknowledged our sin, humbling ourselves beneath the foot of the cross. We were granted HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. No it was not what any of us deserve. He became sin who knew no sin. Because HE LOVED.

NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE WOULD LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIEND. JESUS IS THIS FRIEND. HE STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.

I do not know of one person that would be willing to do this for me. No not even if my life depended upon it. But Jesus.

I love knowing that HIS LOVE was and still is, unconditional. How about you? WOW! Just knowing that HE granted to the whole world, His unspeakable gift the gift of LOVE! Yes, this is real love, true LOVE. UNCONDITIONAL
LOVE that covers a multitude of sin.

The minute we speak these words, "I repent! I am sorry, for EVERYTHING wrong, that I have done in my life."

To Be continued...
Much Love, DeVonne
D's Heart <3