YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE IT DRINK

By Vernalee

You can give advice, but you cannot make someone take it. Sometimes, it makes you upset; particularly when your advice can save them from calamity. Remember this one important fact. While you are worrying about them, having sleepless nights and watching your hair turn gray, the person in trouble is carefree, sleeping like a baby, and has no need for Grecian formula or Lady Clairol. This scenario is upside down; right?

Bottom line: People do what they want to do! If you give solid advice and they don’t take it, you have done your job. There are some people who refuse to listen or heed advice. Besides, if they get in the "saddle," they must be prepared to ride! So … Get with the program! Go home, kick up your feet and get some rest. Don’t worry! Their lackadaisical attitude and failure to respond will eventually catch up with them. With an unclear direction, they may land anywhere. No worries ... you did your job. You provided solid advice. They turned a deaf ear. They didn't listen. The joke is on them! Photo credit: www.ptreyrhodes.blogspot.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

By Vernalee

Today is Mother's Day; a day that we thank our Mothers for the so many sacrifices, caring, and unconditional love that they have given us from their womb throughout our lives. Sadly, my Mother went home several years ago to be with the Lord. Though she no longer walks this earth, I am here to tell you that she is with me. I have a photograph of my Mother in every room of my home. She has become like the "footprint in the sand," as her spirit emotionally carries me when I'm weak and her words encourages me daily. It's amazing how much and how often I feel her spiritual presence. It's further amazing how often I speak and write about her. Her teachings guide me still! Her wisdom and her words have become immortalized in the fiber of my very soul. There isn't a day that I don't feel her presence or influence. A couple of weeks ago, I dealt with a challenge that seemed for a moment insurmountable. When my Mother was alive, she was always my first "go to" person to seek advice as I asked, "Momma, guess what happened? What should I do?" As I reflected, suddenly her words, guidance, and admonition appeared in my mind out of nowhere saying, "Baby, pray about it. Turn it over to the Lord. If you gonna pray, don't worry. If you gonna worry, don't pray." From the Heavens, my incredible loving Mother still guides me...and I listen! She was for sure the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. She was/is the Queen of my heart! Thank you Momma for everything! Words can never express how much I love you and how much I miss you - as you gave your all … unconditionally! Rest in Peace.

FRIENDS OR ENEMIES - WHO SHOULD BE CLOSER?

By Vernalee

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I would not in a million years have thought that the person in question could be that ruthless or sinister. Did you? She didn’t look like she would hurt a fly. How many times must we be reminded that looks are deceiving? So when I heard of the betrayal, I was flabbergasted; speechless to be exact! What hypocrisy! I don’t know why I was startled! Jesus was betrayed by one who was within his midst! Why would I expect anything different? Some folks asked, “How was this allowed to happen?” That question is rhetorical at best. We all know how closeness facilitates the removal of one’s inner fence. We let our guards down with folks that we feel that we can trust; people that we feel are 100% loyal and are on our side! We can all be fooled when perception (and not reality) is at work. After all, we don’t expect betrayal from people we trust; the group that purportedly love us – close friends, confidantes, family, spouses/significant others... Yes, these are the ones who become razor thin close; too close for comfort. When you let those guards down, remember “Familiarity does breed contempt.” It is easy to throw caution to the wind when we think that our close alliances are committed to our well being. When we realize that they are not who we think they are, we are crushed! In fact, our mistake is that we sometimes too quickly or indiscriminately placed them in our circle of trust. As the saying goes, “Know who’s in your boat. If they are drilling holes and not rowing, your boat will sink!” Here is what we need to do next: 1. Remove them. 2. Forget them. 3. Activate the alarm if they come too close. 4. Don’t become easy prey; “in range” target practice for the ill-intended. 5. Don’t mourn the loss of so-called friends; celebrate the fact that you identified who they were before it was too late. 6. Re-group – It is imperative that we “reboot; that we keep our guards up.” 7. Be equipped. We must daily wear our weighty protective gear, though heavy it becomes! 8. Follow wise advise. Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist used the expression that was coined by Al Pacino in his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the movie, “The Godfather II.” “Keep our friends close and our enemies closer.” Regretful it is when there is difficulty in discerning who’s who! Photo credit: www.futurelawyer.typepad.com