For all the things that suck about life; I for one, am grateful to have good neighbors.
You can choose your friends. You can choose your house and neighborhood; however, you cannot choose your neighbors. Good neighbors make good neighborhoods and can help improve your quality of life. Good neighbors are thoughtful and look out for each other. Bad neighbors are unpleasant to be around and can make life very difficult for others.
Good neighbors add to your set of skills allowing a neighborhood to maintain itself more efficiently since they are all working together. Look around your neighborhood and you will notice the ones that seem to work together and the ones that stand alone, doing their own thing.
Basket of freshly picked Peaches (a gift from my neighbor).
HOW CAN WE BE GOOD NEIGHBORS?
Be considerate to everyone and practice the Golden Rule which states that “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you …” – Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” ― Mother Teresa
What are some of those small things, you ask:
» Children (Psalm 127:3).
Good things definitely come in small packages and aren’t those little ones full of surprises? They teach us new things every day.
From the moment my Son started asking about his deceased aunt, (my sister); I realized he was ready to learn about the circle of life. My children never go to sleep without praying. Sometimes, however, my son will, “Mommy, pray for us tonight because we are too tired. We will listen and say Amen after you.” His sister will quietly nod, “um-hmm.” Here’s the part of his prayer that always melts my heart, “… we pray for people we know and for those we do not know.” As I listen to him pray, I think of 1 Samuel 1:26-26.
Image Source: SearchQuotes.com.
» Relationships.
Togetherness is a powerful word. It represents love, unity, acceptance and much more. If you are fortunate to belong to a group of amazing people, sometimes, that alone suffices.
For all the things that go wrong in life, we have to remember that we are surrounded by good people who are willing to stand by us. I am particularly thankful to the friends I do not see as often in person, but wish I did.
» Walk – Meditate.
Take walks, admire and become one with Nature.
We obsess over the bigger picture that we completely forget about the wonders around us. We can only see such beauties by living the moment.
» Gardening.
Every gardener knows the joys that come from this activity. It sure requires time and patience to achieve ones goal. Not only does it allow us to get some time for ourselves; we also get creative (and eventually see results such as thriving plants). Gardening is a powerful stress reliever and we exercise in the process (yes, it can be quite a workout with all the digging, pulling, spreading).
» Remembrance (Philippians 1:3).
The power of positive remembrance is healing. Remembering positive experiences has the power to resuscitate feelings of gratitude and contentment as well as restoring inner peace and spiritual connection (Revelation 2:4-5).
» Love (1 Corinthians 13:4–8).
As Maya Angelou beautifully said, “People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Be loving and kind to every living thing as we are all part of the Universe. Love can only grow love, not the other way around. When we unabashedly show love to others, it inevitably opens doors to bigger and better things.
» Gratitude.
Start your day with gratitude. Be thankful for a new morning and for what you have.
» Be True to Yourself.
Embrace who you are and the body you are in. Don’t let society define you. Believe in yourself. Be Happy.
I regret to inform you that my beloved sister, Merville, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, the 7th of August 2012 after giving birth to a beautiful boy.
Merville was very kin about her privacy. At this time we would ask that Merville’s final wishes are observed, and there are to be no pictures of her posted either privately or publicly. Please, there are to be no speculations (posted) as to the cause of her death- as Christians, we all turn to our father GOD in heaven.
Since some of you live overseas, we understand you will not be able to come. However, donations are very much appreciated; click on the link below.
If you have any well-wishes for my family or just pay your respects, please leave your messages on the following blog under the coordination of Joan Ambu (which the family will review after the funeral).
We also very much appreciate any spiritual support and prayers.
Regards,
Eve Kenfack
“Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.”
– Luke 2:29
Donations are now closed. Thank you all for your support.
It’s a beautiful day
Breeze gently blowing through my hair
The sun shines so bright
The birds singing in harmony
All gathered at my window
I feel light
I have gained new strengths
The night took my pain away.
I am standing at a crossroad
Happy to have made it here
Happy to know that the choice has been made for me.
This day of awareness
Has led me down the road of certainty
A path of clarity.
My children came from all corners of the Earth
They came with their children
And their children brought their own children
For a last good-bye
For an opportunity to share
For a chance to create our last memories
I am in awe of my family
My Lord has been faithful to His words.
Spirit lifted up
Hands raised up in praise
Heart overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment
Tears of joy rolling down my face
Vibrant energy filling the air
I watched as they celebrated my life.
Memories flashed through my mind
Everything froze around me
Time suddenly stopped
With my Creator’s consent
The Universe conspired in my favor
To heal my ache and set me free
To be reborn, at last
To be reborn into a new life.
“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.” — William Penn
I am lucky to have many great men around me I call fathers, and these individuals are some of the sweetest men I know.
As a child, my biological father was one of my biggest fan before I could understand and appreciate the meaning of friendship. We’ve had our tough moments followed by a period of deep sadness and profound sorrow. While the Earth stopped moving around us and the Lord revealed His plans for us; we experienced the love of God that strengthens and renews. That was our moment of awakening.
For the first eighteen (18) years of my life, I learned tremendously from my biological father, who was not the easiest person to live with. Some people judged him by what they saw him to be and others by what they knew him to be. Yes, my biological father was a disciplinarian; however, those he taught knew they would be going to bigger, better things in their life. Those who knew him or got to know him well regarded him with respect.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NKJV)
Good fathers are a blessing. They are necessary and invaluable to their daughters’ development. They teach us:
» To obey the Scripture
» To love ourselves just the way we are (self-worth)
» To respect our Mothers/Elders
» Family values
» Self-defense
» The difference between right and wrong
» Honesty, Integrity, Gratitude, Loyalty, Hard work
» Forgiveness, Accountability, Patience, Persistence
» The male side of things (to seek out healthy relationships)
» They encourage us to be the best we can be … etc.
Image Source: QuoteSaying.net.
I suppose one could safely say that I am my father’s daughter, even though him and I are similar opposites. I have learned so much about the gift of giving, loving and forgiving just by watching him. We give of ourselves totally and of our time freely to those in need. We continue giving, even to the ungrateful.
To those who have lost their earthly fathers and those who are estranged to their fathers for one reason or another, the scripture points out that God is “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” — Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV). The Heavenly Father loves and watches over you.
Happy Father’s day Dads! Thank you for always providing for us.
May our Almighty Lord bless and keep you safe always.
By JM Perez
