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Merry Christmas

December is here and in my life, it’s been the month God has shown Himself strong on my behalf. Let me boast on the Lord for a minute: December 2006 - brand new luxury debt free vehicle December 2010 - new house December 2012 - surprise day of beauty sponsored by a group of ladies December 2015 - won a corporate global award at my job December 2017 - the man who’d become my husband let it be known he was pursuing me to marry me While God is not bound by time, the manifestations of His goodness are evidence to never count Him in ANY calendar year. Especially in 2020. I’ve seen comments about people being ready to hurry up and get to 2021.  We still have twenty-four more days for God’s glory to shine! Think about it: you’ve made it this far into a year that has had our heads turning and spinning very which way. That’s praiseworthy alone! Hallelujah! Proverbs 17:22 says “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” When we’ve had a tough year, it might be
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Death of Expectations

"I doooooo!”   September 8, 2018, was indeed a day of new beginnings.   Christopher and I excitedly stood at the altar, looking each other deeply in the eyes as we said our vows.   We smiled, laughed and whispered things no one else could hear but us. “Christopher, you may now salute your bride!”   My husband beamed with joy as he pulled me into a loving embrace and kissed me.   It was our first intimate kiss, one reserved for the day we became husband and wife.   Until that day, we only hugged and kissed each other on the cheek.   “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my honor to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Christopher DeBose, Sr.” We held hands securely, continued our infectious smiling and proceeded out of our church.   We were now two people headed into our lives as one .    Prior to marrying Christopher, I was single for two decades.   I invested valuable time preparing my heart to become a wife. I did my absolute best to rid myself of all unrealistic expectations I built up in m
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To Be Loved

It’s been a little while since I’ve put pen to paper. Over the years, I’ve written mostly about my journey to healing and my victory over relationship failures. Today is no different. Six years ago, unbeknownst to me, God started me on a journey that has absolutely changed my life. “Tam, this is Chris. Chris, this is Tam.”   As we’re standing there being introduced by his sister-in-law, who was also the newly married bride, my mind had already shut down the possibility of anything ever happening with this gentleman. I had been through decades of hurt and my guard was on high alert. We exchanged pleasantries and I returned to my seat with the expectation that I would not see this man again. After all, I was only asked to meet him. As the wedding reception progressed, I was elated at the fact that I would soon make my exit without so much as exchanging phone numbers. I gathered my children and prepared to leave. I looked up and saw Chris coming across the room headed straight for o
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You Are More

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending my son's high school football game.  No, he wasn't a player on the field but he's a player in the bleachers.  He's a member of his school's marching band, living his dream!    I was overjoyed to watch him do what he enjoys doing.  As I sat in the bleachers, my eyes began to scan the crowd.  As my natural eyes uploaded information, my spiritual eyes began to process what I was seeing.  What I "saw" caused me to weep on the inside.  I was instantly reminded of my former struggle with identity and self-esteem as a high school, teenage girl.  I wanted so desperately to grab every girl I saw and hug her. But since they don't know me like that and I didn't want to up being a social media post for being a crazy woman, I decided to put my pen to paper and tell them what I wish someone had told me as a teenager: I AM MORE.  This is my letter to them: My sweet, lovely young lady you are beautiful!  I know y
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Early is on Time

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You know the rest of the saying so I don’t have to finish it.  No, this is not a “deep and wonderful" article, but still an important one.  I’ve been contemplating writing about this for quite some time and I am finally doing it. While I do not claim to be an expert on punctuality, I do have some experience in my own life and I wanted to share what I’ve learned.  You may be asking “why is she writing about being on time?”   Well, because tardiness and punctuality may be what's stopping you from being promoted on your job, in ministry or other activities you’re involved in. Daniel 6:3 speaks of Daniel having “an excellent spirit” in him.  That excellent spirit distinguished him and caused him to be promoted.   I am sure there are many facets to having an excellent spirit and I believe being on time is one of them.  I understand things happen occasionally but being habitually late is different.  Being late shows a lack of excellence and a disrespect of time - your time,
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I Have a Heart Condition

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I recently attended our family reunion in Atlanta, Georgia. I was honored to do an inspirational reading at our family banquet.  As I read God's word, I am continually drawn to passages about the heart. Our heart is our ground and we have to make sure it's in tip top shape.  Be encouraged! Out of the good treasure of his heart a man brings forth good things Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks A heart at peace gives life to the body A merry heart makes the face cheerful For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. I have a heart condition. No, it’s not sickness, it’s not disease.  It’s the counsel of the Lord that resides in my heart. My heart is guarded because it’s the gateway to life! Today, I ask you, what is your heart condition? What have you allowed into your heart? Bitterness, strife, envy, anger, unforgiveness, discord, fear? 
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No Fear

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Second Timothy 1:7 NKJV says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  The Contemporary English Version (CEV) says "God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love and self-control." The world tells us "oh, a little fear is healthy." No, that's not true, especially in the Kingdom of God. Fear in any area is an entry point of the devil. He will use that fear to creep in and cause us to make decisions out of fear. He'll take that little opening and grow it so big until we are living our lives completely out of fear. Fear produces anxiety, which leads to depression. (Proverbs 12:25) .  It also produces pride and we know pride is a destroyer. I had some deeply rooted fears in the area of relationships. I was severely afraid of being rejected and abandoned because that's all I knew. That fear caused me to make some very bad choices and accept things that
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