A Word of Encouragement from Maoise Palmer

In our world today, there are so many things that will try to keep us from being encouraged: COVID19 numbers increasing in record numbers daily, police killing Blacks on almost a daily basis in almost every state; Black women and children coming up missing; Black on Black crime increasing daily in our city, etc. However, my brothers and sister, be encouraged! 

Remember who you are and whose you are! We have every reason in the world to be encouraged as long as we continue to trust God at His word!  In Deuteronomy 31:8, the word of God says “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Even though these words were spoken to the Israelites, it still applies to us today. Also, Isaiah 43:2 states:“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you passthrough the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Meaning, no matter the storms of life our Lord will be with us! Nothing can defeat us, but ourselves when we stop trusting in our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ!  Stand on His promises – He is faithful to keep them because He cannot tell a lie! Lean on Him, cast your cares on Him and He will do just what He said! Be encouraged! In the end – WE WIN! God bless you!

Maoise Palmer

A Word to Rock Secret Sisters!

I am a screaming extrovert!   I am talkative, sociable, action-oriented, enthusiastic, friendly, and out-going. I have to admit I love connecting with people!  Contrary to popular belief, I do have a FaceBook page, an Instagram and LinkedIn account and I do send text messages. Call me old fashioned, but I’d rather talk to friends by phone and prefer to meet with them in person over a delicious meal.  Social media is so limiting to me. I can’t see the pain in their eyes when they’re sharing a heartbreaking story or shedding tears of joy when as share of their engagement or some other momentous news.  I love catching up with friends after work or church to encourage them when they’re feeling down and or share a few chuckles. During fellowship period, we were all used to kissing each other on the cheek, shaking hands or exchanging hugs. Now, should we see a friend at Walmart while frantically shopping for toilet paper, we’ve been reduced to greet each other with an elbow bump or a chic three-finger wave keeping at least 6 feet distance.

In an online article I was reminded how the COVID-19 pandemic highlights all of the ways we are all once connected.  Now the experts want us to social distance to "flatten the curve" which should  give our health care system a fighting chance. Inevitability, short-term loneliness and isolation will come from limiting interactions with one another. For many this, will be hard.   Our plans to visit friends in person have been squelched (at least for the time being).  Just the thought of this makes me feel sad and lonely.

Then I was reminded of how the Apostle Paul must have felt when he was sentenced to die (2 Timothy 4:6-9 KJV). He asked his son in the ministry, Timothy, to come see him. Paul craved fellowship and staring death in the face, he asked Timothy to come “diligently”.  Paul used this word because he wanted to express how serious he was about wanting to see Timothy.

God’s Girl, here is the good news. We are not in the same position as the Apostle with regards to being sentenced to die, yet we may feel a deep sense of loneliness.  We may crave a hug, handshake or a kiss on the cheek.  We may want or even need someone to check-in with us in person to remind us to stay both physically and spiritually healthy.  Until we receive an ‘all clear’ to resume with these normalcies, I suggest we spend time thinking of ways we can connect with each other.

Many of you were assigned a Secret Sister during our Christmas prayer breakfast.  If you haven’t recently connected with your Secret Sister, won’t you take a few moments today to brighten her smile by reaching out to her?  Like you, she may crave fellowship which will undoubtedly squelch some of her feelings of the newly coined ‘loneliness epidemic’ stemming from COVID-19.  Please take a few minutes today to reach out to lift her spirits…I am sure she will be glad you did.

Finally, God's Girls, remember we are Renewed, Righteous and Relational!