Accidental Visit?

Today was my Sunday to visit another church.

Last Sunday I attended my "home" church, and the two Sunday's before that (which were my designated "visitation Sundays") I stayed HOME.

My daughter said that on those two Sundays I was attending "Bedside Baptist."

Now I wouldn't go as far as to say all that. It's not I, like I stayed in bed all day on those days, because I certainly didn't. I just chose to worship God in my own way.

Some Sundays I want to sleep in.
Some Sundays I want to spend with friends and/or family.
Some Sundays I just want to read and meditate on God's Word in the comfort of my own home.
Some Sundays are simply "played by ear", and I think that's okay.

I don't HAVE to be in attendance in a physical building in order to praise and worship God. If that were the case, then all of the praising and worshiping that I do from Monday through Saturday would be in vain.

I do however attend services in an actual building on most Sundays in obedience to Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

It is important for believers to meet together, praising and worshiping God corporately. I actually look forward to it, and I am in attendance far more than not.

Today's church visit was interesting.

I thought I was attending the church of a co-worker (pulled from my bowl -- see previous posts) however I didn't see her there and no one knew of her when I asked. The church is pretty small, so I'm sure that if I was at the "right place" they would have known of her. I have a feeling that there are a few churches with the same name and I may have had the city wrong. I'll ask when I see her at work.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed service today. It was different than what I am used to because most churches that I have visited have been predominantly Black (as is my own church). At this church, I was one of only two Black people. Yes...this is something that ALL Black folks notice. We scan the room, venue, etc., to see how many more of "us" there are. I can't explain it, it's just something that we do.

Anywhoo...the members were quite friendly. The pastor even stopped and greeted EVERY SINGLE PERSON as he walked in. A very warm and kind greeting.

I enjoyed "Praise and Worship" even though I'd never heard any of the songs that were sung. They were all "contemporary Christian" and I lean more toward Gospel. Although I do love Casting Crowns and Mercy Me, which are two contemporary Christian groups. I sang right along though (thanks to the words on the screen), and gave God my best in song as if I'd been singing them forever.

The sermon was right on point. It came from 1 Kings 17:1-24, and was titled "Staying Power." In a nutshell, I need to STAY in situations until God tells me to MOVE. And when He tells me to MOVE, I need to be obedient, and MOVE. That hit home with me because there is a situation that I have been staying in for far too long, even though God has been telling me to MOVE for YEARS. I haven't listened, and as a result, things are quite a mess right now.

Thankfully, our God is loving, merciful, patient and kind (just to name a few of His attributes), so I know that if I let go of "self" and follow His will, instead of forcing my own, He will redirect me and steer me toward the blessing that He has waiting.

So you see...even if I was in the "wrong" place, and that church actually wasn't my co-workers church...God still had me in the "right" place, and for that...I thank Him. Nothing happens by accident.

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever found yourself thinking that you were in the "right" place, only to realize that you were in the "wrong" place...but it worked out anyway?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Bigger and Better Ahead!

After my 600th post yesterday, I spent much of today thinking about what I want for The Dialogue Den's future.

What I want is for it to develop a larger "readership" and more exposure on various social media platforms.

It's gonna take a lot of work, but I'm willing to put in whatever it takes. Why? Because The Dialogue Den DESERVES it!

That's all for tonight.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever done something 600 times that's worthy of being celebrated?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Just Keep Posting. Just Keep Posting. Just Keep Posting, Posting, Posting...

Somebody hand me a tissue...I think I'm about to cry!

I had just finished writing today's post about a completely different topic than this one.

As soon as I posted it, I had an urge to check and see how many more posts I had to go before reaching 600. I knew I had to be close. Well wha'da'ya'know...THAT WAS my 600th POST!!!

WHOA!!!

Once I realized that, I knew I had to start over and write THIS one.

600 POSTS!!!

May not mean much to any one else, but to ME...WOW!

This blog, The Dialogue Den, has been like a fourth child.

I haven't tended to it as well as I should have. At times I have been neglectful...going WEEKS...maybe even as long as a MONTH without posting. The reason...was DISCOURAGEMENT. I had periods where I simply felt like NO ONE was reading. And since this blog was created to spark DIALOGUE, it became disheartening when there was no outside interaction. I was simply talking to MYSELF. The DIALOGUE felt more like a MONOLOGUE.

Here lately, more folks have commented. To each and EVERY one, I say THANK YOU!!!

I still have for more posts WITHOUT comments, than those WITH. That's okay.

I finally came to the acceptance and realization that even if I am only writing to "An Audience of One", I must continue. That "Audience of One" is God. He is the one who gave me the desire as a very young girl, to write. So I must HONOR what He gave me.

On the days when I don't write...I don't feel right. I become restless. Writing is my therapy (although thankfully much cheaper). Good day, bad day, otherwise...I pour it all out right here...and feel so much better after.

I still wonder why it's been so difficult to get folks to support me in my writing efforts. I'm not talking strangers. I'm talking about folks who actually know me. I've made numerous pleas on Facebook...simply asking that they "like" the page. Doesn't cost a single solitary penny...just "click the button" PLEASE. That's all. That one simple (yet HUGE) act of support would mean so very much to me. It would mean that folks have faith in what I am doing and want to see me do well with it. After all...that's what friends do, right?

I have other friends with blogs and I admit...my style is quite different from theirs.

One writes a lot about female empowerment...knowing and exploring one's body. Loving "freely", and things of that nature.
The other writes in flowery philosophical prose.
I, write about anything and everything.

The beauty of us ALL is that we do not HAVE to write in the same manner. Our writing styles are as unique as each of us are. So there's a little somethin' for everyone.

Anywhoo...I am proud of myself and my accomplishment. 600 posts have been no easy feat. To YOU, my fellow Dialogue Den'er...I THANK YOU for reading. Maybe you pop in occasionally...maybe you read EVERYDAY. Either way...I want you to know how greatly appreciated YOU are.

I am very excited about the future ahead. One day, SOMEONE is gonna land on this blog and say, "Hey...this chick's got skills. I like the way she thinks. Let's work with her." THAT'S the day that I look forward to. That's the day that I must continue to BELIEVE is coming. Until then...I will keep writing.

Now...enough about me. Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have a blog? And does it have a Facebook page? If so...how 'bout YOU "like" mine, and I'LL "like" yours. Deal?

Talk to me!

Til next time (post # 601)...

Itchin'-and-a-Scratchin'

The doctor told me what I have and prescribed a course of treatment. To my surprise...EVERYTHING I had been doing was WRONG...which is why my condition was getting WORSE. All those ointments and creams were FEEDING my condition instead of STARVING it. Who knew???

So he calls in a "script" to my local pharmacy and about two hours later, it was ready for pickup.

Since this was my first time with this prescription, the pharmacist gave me a consultation. In the consultation, he repeated pretty much everything that the doctor told me with regard to what I had been using, and why it wasn't working. This new stuff I'll have to take (and keep taking as prescribed) even if the rash appears to be completely gone. Got it!

He rings me up, I pay, and go about my merry way.

On the walk home I happened to look at the bag and see that my insurance SAVED me $53.99

WHOA!!!

That's crazy! It's a major BLESSING, but WOW...$53.99

Of course...I uttered a prayer of THANKS. Thankful that I have a job that offers a great healthcare benefits package. I mean seriously...I am six days away from my next paycheck and if it had not been for my insurance, I would not have been able to get today's prescription because I simply do not have the extra $53.99 in the account.

As the saying goes...God may not always give you what you WANT...but He ALWAYS gives you what you NEED.

So there you have it. I look forward to reporting SOON that this dreadful rash has gone for good.

Til then...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever tried to "self-treat" yourself out of an illness, only to make it WORSE?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Tassels to the Left

Tonight's post...short and sweet.

Just got home from attending my son's high school graduation (and dinner).

All I can say is that there wasn't a parent more proud of their child than I was of mine. And that's REAL talk!

Not sure what he'll do next. He's a creative type like me so I pray that he finds his way into the CAREER of his dreams...one that matches his God given PURPOSE. And may he never, ever, EVER find himself TRAPPED in a cubicle. Cubicles KILL dreams...or at the very least...defer them considerably.

Seriously. I'm sure that if we polled ALL of the graduates and asked what their dreams and goals are for the future...not a one...not a SINGLE one would say, "I want to work in a cubicle." Nope. NOBODY is going to say that!

Mind you...I'm thankful for my cubicle job. It puts food on our table and keeps a roof over our heads.

Nevertheless, I don't EVER want the dreams of ANY of my children to be KILLED or DEFERRED by "cubicle work." I pray that they all do well...and BETTER than their Mom. After all...isn't that what EVERY parent wants for their child(ren)? For the children to go farther in life than the parents? Yes...it is.

Now...to the Class of 2016 EVERYWHERE...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Do well. Show the world what you're made of...and LIVE your PURPOSE.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What were YOUR goals when you graduated from high school? Did you fulfill them?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Bzzz Bzzz

Long before the R&B diva made her song about lemons, sugar and water, I was making lemonade out of the lemons that life throws my way. The situation with my car is no different.

Yes, I miss being able to get around whenever I want, and the independence that comes with having a car. Yet even in this situation I have found positive points.

Since my accident on April 29th, these size seven and a halfs have covered a LOT of ground.

Between the bus, train, and these feet...I've been gettin' places.

I wish that I could say that I have lost weight as a result of all the walking, but I haven't stepped on a scale in WEEKS, and the clothes don't seem to be fitting any looser than before, so...who knows.

But my Fitbit...oh, my beloved little Fitbit. It has been overjoyed by all the 10,000 step days that I've been getting in. I gotta tell ya...I love the feel of this little gizmo buzzing on my arm when I finally hit my daily goal.

Interestingly though, my body has actually gotten used to getting the steps in and if I have a day where I am too sedentary, I find myself restless...agitated.

It happened that way this past Sunday.

I went to church, then to the store and came home. I was really done for the day. Sat down on the couch and was about to binge watch my new favorite TV show (which is actually ELEVEN years old...but NEW to ME). I tried. Really, I did. Finally, I told my daughter to get her shoes on because WE were going for a walk.

We did just that and when we returned home, I felt so much better. All that pent up energy had been released during my stroll through the neighborhood and only then could I rest.

So apparently, I have surpassed the 21 day mark of something becoming a habit and I think the daily walking has become a "lifestyle." Who knew?
Now I just have to be sure to stay as active as I have been once I get my car repaired in eight more days.

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have a Fitbit? If so...let's be "friends".

Talk to me!

Til next time...

How Many?

When I was a young girl, there was a commercial that had a little boy asking how many licks it would take to get to the center of a certain lollipop.

Well...I've been feeling a lot like that little boy lately. Although my question is:
How many "healing" products will it take to get rid of my terribly ugly itchy, red, stress rash on my neck?

I seem to have tried everything. Nothing works...except for being away from stressful situations.

Of course, when I saw my doctor about it last Monday, the rash was pretty much gone. He was however able to see where it had been because the skin was dryer in the affected area than on the surrounding areas. The reason why it was gone when he saw me was because I saw him on a Monday...after two days of being away from work. And even on that day, I was taking a"vacation day", so I still hadn't been to work, which meant that I was "stress free."

Fast forward a few days and the rash was back in full effect. Bumpy. Hot. Itchy. Red. My neck looks like a lobster and a lizard had a baby. It's awful, and embarrassing because when people talk to me I watch their eyes focus right in on my neck. I can't even get upset about it. If someone's neck looked like mine I would probably gawk too.

On any given day I use one (or more) of the products pictured. There's even one that's not in the picture because I couldn't find where I put it. It was Eucerine, and it burned...so I may have thrown it away which would explain why I can't find it.

Anywhoo...I am doing my best to stay calm even in the midst of all that is going on with and around me. Try as I might...I can't trick my body though. It knows what's going on...and unfortunately...it's reacting.

I'll give these products another week and if the rash doesn't clear up, it's back to the doctor I go.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, and perhaps a trip down memory lane for those of you who are my age...I've included the link to the commercial that I referred to earlier.

Before you watch though...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have any tried and true remedies for a rash?

Talk to me!

Til next time...