Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out! Colossians 4:6

Have you ever seen that Orbit commercial that they call “clean mouth”.  I always laugh at those silly commercials because they want you to think that by chewing their gum you will have a “clean mouth”.

I currently live in South Florida but was raised in New Jersey for most of my life. New York and New Jersey residents have a “tone” in their speech that may sound demanding or even rude to some  Southern folks.

When you have lived the majority of your life like this it comes as second nature to you not to take offense when someone speaks to you with this “tone”. However, we cannot assume that everyone comes from a nation or a part of the country that can relate to our “tone”.

I was convicted by the scripture verse above to “watch” the tone in my speech. We sometimes take our loved-ones or even friends for granted and may forget- some of what we may see as formalities-, such as “please, thank you, excuse me”. Okay, is it just me that nudges their kids or loved ones as you are passing by? And they yell out…”hello, you didn’t say excuse me” My defense is usually, “well you know I was trying to get by and didn’t move”. I know, I know, a very poor excuse and believe me I am being convicted as I type these words so don’t send me a comment on how rude I can be.

However, on a more serious note (if we are honest with ourselves) we could be rude in the way we speak to others without really intending to be or coughing it up to our cultural background, or what part of the country we come from, or sometimes even calling it honesty. Let’s remember that scripture reminds us to “be gracious” in our speech.

I challenge you to be intentional about how and what you say to others during the next 7 days. Tell your family to keep you accountable to this.

We have never arrived at being “overly gracious”, remember we can always improve and today I remind you to Just Breathe!

Reflection Corner:

1.) If you reviewed your last conversation with a loved one, would you change some of the things you said or how you said it?

2.) Are you willing to take the 7 day challenge in “watching your tone”?

3.) What are some words that you can identify that you want to “cut out” of your vocabulary this year?

By Kathia Diaz 

“May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

It’s February 19, 2012 as I sat in the church pew during our worship time with the Lord, I see the family sitting themselves in the pew just in front of me.  I’ve seen them before; the husband sits down with his two sons a 14 year old and a 12 year old.  His wife is in the choir and as always joins them after worship.  I’m always full of joy when I see the family.  Their 12 year old has special needs.  I enjoy watching him praise God through his worship and seeing his excitement escalade and clearly visible through his body reactions.  I don’t mind seeing him stim.  I can relate to the family because my own son, Kyle, has special needs, he’s autistic.  Today was different.

Today I saw the love of God through a 12 year old boy who happens to have a disability. 

As I watched him worship and lift up his hands I can see how the Lord was pouring his love to him.  But something was different today.  As a lady in the choir began to sing I saw how his eyes just watched her.  He would then turn to his dad and smile.  He would then rock or jump with joy.  I wondered at his excitement and I smiled at my husband.  We both were thinking the same: how lovely the boy is.  Then a few minutes after choir finished his mom sat down and I knew why he had so much excitement: his mother was in the altar praising God.  She was praising God and this boy who has a special need was enjoying every moment of it.  But the most things that really touched me was his older brother’s love towards him.  He was always looking for moments to love on his brother.  And today was clearly big brother’s day. After a handshake shared amongst the brothers, the 12 year old boy patted the older brother  on the head and gave him a kiss.  He continued doing this during the Word.  I was overwhelmed with love and just could not keep the tears in.  They weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of love and hope and most of all peace.  I know that in the midst of special needs the Lord is there giving his love and care.  And this is what brings me comfort.  Oh how my questions got answered in such a way that I did not expect.

Through this 12 year old boy the Lord spoke to me.

He told me how I can see pass my son’s disability and see the greatness that HE has for my son.  There’s so much to see in my little boy and if I just sit and observe him the Lord with reveal to me the same like this boy I was observing.  We struggle with our son at times.  He’s high functioning autistic and we have lots of challenges especially in the social aspect.  In the past week my son was moved from his PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) class into a class that is for autistic children with behavior struggles.  I cried to see my son going a step back and again I questioned God this past week.  Why oh why Lord am I here again?  Why is this happening to us again?  But now I see that my son’s autism is a struggle against a giant.

Kyle’s giant is AUTISM.  He has speech difficulties, repetitive movements, but most severe is his social skills.  Kyle does not like being around kids and can get pretty violent.  The enemy will use this to destroy my joy, peace, and hope only if I let him.  I have to accept that God has a greater purpose for my son regardless of his disability.  It’s not easy to accept when the world is slapping a diagnosis in your face.

But my son is a child of God and HE will provide everything that is needed for my son.  Kyle is a son of the King of Kings.  Kyle has come a long way since his diagnosis when he was 26 months.  He went from severe autism to high functioning autism in just 20 months.  I thank all the therapist and teacher and my family for their support and help with my son to get him where he is today.  But the single greatest resource responsible for Kyle’s improvement is God.  I thank God for my boy, Kyle.  I thank God for everything I’ve learned and am learning through Kyle.  I thank God for the miracles I see in Kyle every single day.  The greatest blessings are behind the biggest giants.  With God’s help, giants will fall. God can work through anyone, even those with disabilities.  He can take them far beyond what we might expect for them. Empowered by God, they can make a difference in the lives of others, just like this 12 year old boy made a difference in me today.

I believe it because my son is worth it.  It’s all about faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest is LOVE.  And remember to Just Breathe today!!!

Reflection Corner: 

1.) Do you feel that the responsibility of caring for a child with special needs is more than you can endure?

2.) Can you trust God to give you joy, peace, and hope amidst your struggles with your special needs child?

3.) Can you take 3 minutes in your day and see the love of God pour out of your child?

By Valorie Gonzalez  

Valentine’s Day has been named a national day of love and friendship.  On this day florists, jewelers, bakeries, restaurants are all very busy as husbands, wives, and lovers all prepare to share this romantic and intimate day typically with their significant other.  Throughout the years and just the other day I heard an individual say, “I’m in need of a sweetheart to share Valentine’s Day.”  That comment made me think.

As I sat down and reflected back to the twenty one years I’ve single parented, I can’t say I ever felt I needed a sweetheart or find  someone to spend this day with.  That is because, what greater love than the Lover of my Soul, Jesus…and what other sweethearts do I need than my children.  Since, they were just infants, they have always been the three I have set this day aside for…we have a candlelight dinner of their taste, whether it is at home some years or at a restaurant of their choice, we talk about years past…I tell them stories of when they were babies and we try to agree to a not so girly, but; family oriented movie we can all four enjoy.  On this day…the chocolates, balloons, cards, flowers, and candles go to my babies….it fills my heart with such joy.  I knew love, real true, unconditional love when I surrendered my heart and lifestyle to Christ Jesus (not church) …and I learned what it was to “be in love,” when I gave birth to each one of my children and held them in my arms.  So, I hold this day as just one symbolic day of displaying my love to them. I spend quality time in prayer thanking my heavenly father for his undying and unconditional love to me and I spend time with my three precious sweethearts reflecting on the joy they’ve brought to my life.

If you don’t have a spouse, lover, or even friend…remember, you always have the “Lover of your soul and a Sweetheart” for all of a lifetime to share this symbolic day with.

Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” (KJV), explains all Christ is to me.  When I feel I’m missing a husband, a partner in life, I reflect to this scripture and want for nothing.

Psalm 68: 4-6 “Sing to God, sing praise to his name. Extol him who rides on the clouds, his name is the Lord and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless and defender of the widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoner with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (NIV)”

And remember to Just Breathe!

Reflection Corner:

1.) Have you spent enough time with Jesus? Just as any other relationship where you date and communicate with your better half to get to know them better, Christ wants to spend time with you.

2.) Stop and think, prior being blessed with a husband or a wife, Christ needs to see you nurture your current relationships…are you and have you dedicated yourself and committed to your children and co-parented with HIM?

3.) Do you trust him with all of you?

By Valorie Gonzalez

Friendship is just another form of intimate relationship our heavenly father has bestowed upon us.  And, as all relationships one must build on it and treasure it.  Yet, funny thing with friendship is that it can and should be the easiest relationship you ever have.  One must be mindful of toxic, negative, draining, dangerous, and unhealthy friendships.  This isn’t what God has in mind for us.  There are people that will cross our paths for a moment, a season, or a lifetime.  Often times, we need to build them up, guide them, or intervene in prayer.  One should pray for discernment.

Our heavenly father has literally ordered us to build friendships and nurture them in the process.  He knew it was healthy and an enrichment to our lives to build friendships, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:12-15).

I have been blessed with those I call friends, Father God knew the precise time to put them in my path and for what purpose.  I’ve been blessed with friends that have served my children and I as teachers, mentors in my personal, professional, and spiritual walk, prayer warriors in my times of tribulation, cooks when I had to juggle three children, school, and work, nurses in my time of ailment, and even, baby sitters.  A friend brings about joy, laughter, shares tears, takes on burdens, and keeps secrets. Most importantly a true friend that loves unconditionally will keep you from going astray without passing judgment.  The greatest and effortless  part of friendship is…that no matter how much time goes by, you are able to continue loving and respecting one another and do not need to speak every moment or catch up every month to know you are still friends. 

Thank you Father, for the enrichment of friendship you have placed in my life.  Thank you, friends for your faithfulness…you know who you are.

“Every act of kindness moves to a larger one.  Till friendships bloom to show what little deeds have done,” (June Masters Bacher).

And always remember to Just Breathe!

Reflection Corner:

1.) When was the last time you thanked God for the friends he’s placed in your life?

2.) As you pray today, lift up your friends and their loved ones in prayer.

3.) As we go along our busy lives let’s stop for a moment and make a call, drop a greeting card in the mail, email, text message, or facebook a friend…let them know you are thinking of them.

4.) If you feel alone, misunderstood, at your wit’s end, reach out to a friend.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24

Why is it that good friendship is something that we all yearn to have but is so difficult to get? When we find a good quality friend, it feels like you have either won the lottery or found a precious gift.

A good friend is priceless and treasured and can not be compared to any of your material possessions.

They are the person(s) that keeps you going when the going gets rough and keep you straight on your course when you are discouraged or even just to give you a compliment when you most need it…like I said, priceless.

They know your thoughts and your feelings like no one else…  They know how you tick, your personality, your likes and dislikes and what upsets you!

However, like I have heard before there are different types of friends and we could easily “mislabel” a person as if they are one of your inner core friends even though that person doesn’t desire or have the time to be that in your life. We need to be okay with acquaintances…not everyone needs to become a close or core friend in our lives.

I strongly believe that each person that God brings into our lives is for a purpose and only He knows the length and the intimacy of that friendship. He knows what is good for us and what we need every moment of our lives.

I think I will always be someone who longs and desires to have intimate quality friendships in my life. Women that are uplifting, safe, caring, positive, goal-getters/seekers, intelligent, compassionate, and non-judgmental. Women that are not easily offended. Women that are confident enough to know the special place they hold in your heart and don’t feel threaten when another person comes in even if it’s for a season or a life time.

I long for this in my life…do you? Today, I remind you to Just Breathe and pray these people into your life…I have!

Reflection Corner:

1.)    How do you feel about the people in your life that you call “friends”?

2.)    How do you show your friends that you appreciate and love them?

3.)    Tell your friends this month how important they are in your life.

by Lizanne Espina

As I looked out the window early in the morning, I found myself observing the trees. I noticed the differences in the tree branches. Most of the trees had lost all their leaves but there branches were stretched out as if they hoped to touch the sky. Despite the fact that it is winter, the form of the tree branches remain the same. I can imagine them in a steadfast position of worship to a mighty and awesome God. I imagine that the trees symbolize one who desires to stand on her Father’s promises in the middle of a harsh winter. Circumstances can’t distract her because she lives to be an audience to God. The trees stand barren for only a season. I know that this is the place of refuge for me – a place of worship in spite of all the distractions.

But, sometimes, the distractions become all that I can see. I am surrounded sometimes with difficulties and disappointments so great that I lose focus of the way. I am deceived to remain captive as if this season of difficulties will last forever. In this place, my arms become too heavy to lift because my sight is on how large my problems are and how small I am. I can easily choose to take a seat as a captive audience to the problems, mistakes and difficulties.

But, how do I find direction in a time of depression? How can I lift my arms to worship more than the trees do in this winter season? One place to begin is the point of exchange. I can exchange deception for truth. I have a secure place in the shadow of the wings of the Almighty. David understood this when he wrote Psalm 63 while he was in the desert of Judah. There, he recalled his place in the audience of God’s presence.

I have seen you in the sanctuary

and beheld your power and glory

because your love is better than life

my lips will glorify you.

Psalm 63:2-3

Even though David dwelt in the desert, his mind chose to dwell on the presence of the Lord. He focused and meditated on who God meant to him. He recalled the power of a mighty God. Although the desert was vast, he perceived the power of an Almighty God as greater. This is the point of exchange – the focus of our mind- our concentration. In this place, hope can arise even in the midst of a harsh winter. We can choose to to focus our sights on all the promises He has for us in His Word.

I will praise you as long as I live

and in your name I will lift up my hands

I will be satisfied as with the richest of foods

with singing lips my mouth will praise you

On my bed I remember you

I think of you through the watches of the night

Because you are my help

Psalm 63:4-6

If we fix our eyes on God’s word, He becomes our help – our direction. I can lift my arms as I meditate on who God is in my life and who I am in Him. In this place of exchange, I change my seat in an audience of circumstances for a seat in which I will be satisfied in the presence of my Helper. There is a song that says ‘There are trees in the field that lift their arms to you, There are birds in the fields they sing there song to you – but I want to sing I want to lift my arms to you.’

I have many circumstances that will carry over to the new year. But, I have chosen that I will not be a captive audience to these circumstances . Instead, I will be like David in that I will remember the presence and promises of God during the night because joy always comes in the morning. If I want to be at a stand still, I will allow my problems to make me captive. But, if I want strategy and direction which will lead me out of a harsh winter, I will praise Him as long as I live. I will be in the audience with my hands held higher than the trees. I will be as David who writes in Psalm 63:7-8 –

Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

As always, remember to Just Breathe!

 Reflection Corner:

 1. Have you gone through a situation which felt overwhelming until you began to worship and seek God in that time? Please describe that time so others can be encouraged.

2. When I read Psalm 63:7-8, I can imagine myself singing in the shadow of my Father’s wings. Is there a verse that upon reading it just touches your heart with a hope to face your circumstances?

3. God speaks through nature constantly. Can you give your own personal revelation of God’s character through nature?

By Kathie Fico

II Chronicles 16:9, “”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 fully committed to Him.”

“Tell her God loves her, and I want you to give her some money,” said the Lord. What do you do with that statement or one similar to it? Do you chalk it up to the pizza you ate the night before, question its validity, disregard it all together, or do you obey it?

Walking inside the FL Turnpike Restroom during our second stop on Christmas Eve, I was minding my own business, doing my business, when the Lord spoke to me. “Tell her God loves her, and I want you to give her some money. ”I told Him, “Ok.” After washing and drying my hands, I reached inside my purse and grabbed a five dollar bill. The Lord immediately asked me, “Wouldn’t you want an extravagant gift?” I told Him, “I would.” I put the five dollars back and searched for the largest bill I had. It was a twenty. As I pulled it out, my thoughts began to run wild, thinking of all the things I could do with it. And almost sequentially, I thought that the cleaning attendant probably needed it more. The attendant was busy filling one of the hand towel dispensers, so I waited on her, acting like I was waiting for someone. It felt like five minutes went by before she was finished. Did I begin to question the fact that maybe I was wrong in hearing what I heard? Yes I did. After all, my husband was probably done and waiting on me. I chose to wait.

Walking with a smile on my face toward the young lady, it appeared that she deliberately didn’t make eye contact with me. Did I question my actions at this point? Yes I did. When I reached her, I looked her in the eye and said, “God loves you.” Her eyes welled up with tears and she began telling me, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Placing my hand on her shoulder, I told her, “The Lord also wanted me to give you this, Merry Christmas!” I handed her the twenty dollar bill. A little smile came on her face, and she thanked me again and again. The Lord didn’t instruct me to do anything else, so I turned around and left.

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Deut 28:1-2. He said, “Fully follow all His commands I give you today”. Each day the Lord is speaking to us. He speaks to us through scripture, sermons, books, prayer, conversations, even through movies and music. Are we listening? Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land”. Are we willing? Are we obedient?

Later that day, I was meditating on the events that had transpired. The Lord reminded me of His question. “Wouldn’t you want an extravagant gift?” I realized then that He was asking me too if I wanted an extravagant gift. I told Him that I would. I am so excited, and I’m in expectation of receiving an extravagant gift. For the Lord is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). What He’ll do for one, He’ll do for all. I encourage you too to expect an extravagant gift from the Lord.

I encourage you to trust Him to speak to you. Become better acquainted with the leading of the Holy Spirit, by being familiar with His ways and His thoughts. We deepen our faith in God as we deepen our trust in Him and His Word.

The more we trust Him, the more we will walk in obedience to His direction or instruction and always remember to Just Breathe!

 Reflection Corner:

1. Is spending time with God our #1 priority?                     
2. What adjustments do we need to make in our life in order to hear Him better?
3. When we do hear Him, will we trust and obey Him?  

Psalm 44:21 says that God "knows the secrets of the heart"

I recently prayed for God to allow me to see into a person's heart. I prayed that I would see beyond the rehearsed responses that women and people in general have to certain questions and situations. As I came to bed that night, I prayed for my marriage, as I usually do. I asked God to open up Miguel's romantic eyes (typical woman, don't judge!) but instead mine were opened.

Earlier that evening we had a group of kids over the house.  I worked like a dog over the previous 2 days to prepare for this evening. Well at some point during the night, he grabs my hand and kisses it. I didn't think much of it because he has done this sort of thing before however as I was praying, God revealed to me the true meaning of that kiss. The unspoken words were....I appreciate you, I realize you have worked hard, I wish I could have helped more, I love you and I am so happy being your husband- YES, I got all that out of one kiss on the hand! Now, I realize that my husband doesn't necessarily articulate his thoughts clearly enough to show me how he truly feels however, MY God could (HE knows our inner thoughts and the secrets of our hearts)and he allowed me to hear what "my" heart needed to hear!

As you go about your day, ask God to show you the unspoken words that your loved 
ones speak to you and always remember to Just Breathe! 

Reflection Corner:
1.) Are there things that you are too embarrassed to bring to God?
2.) Did you know that men do not demonstrate affection in the same way women do?  
 Identify some ways that your mate may be showing you love today?
3.) Good Reading Resource: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Pizza is one of my favorite things to eat…BUT it has to be good pizza.  Living in South Florida for the past 12 years and finding good pizza has been a challenge.  I guess you can say that I have been spoiled coming from New Jersey. 

When I was growing up my family didn’t have a lot of money and I had to make a daily choice…a slice of the best pizza in the world (at least it was to me) or taking the bus home from school. The pizza often won and I got to burn the calories from walking home.

This morning as I was reflecting on what makes a pizza so good- I believe that it’s not only a good sauce but also the crust has to be excellent!

When you walk into a pizzeria you find the pizza-maker working the dough. He does this for a while to make sure that it’s in perfect condition for his pizza- you can say he takes his time. This got me thinking in what my prayers were to God lately….I want to grow more in you….I want to grow closer to you….I want to be used in your  kingdom…I want to serve your precious people…stretch me Lord. 

Wow, we actually ask to be stretched and then wonder why we are being pushed out of our comfort zone…

We wonder why things are getting uncomfortable. We often pray that desire to God BUT want Him to do it on our terms.  Not too much stretching Lord…just a little and only on “my time and terms”. What hypocrites we can be…yes I said hypocrites, because if we truly desire to Serve Him then it’s where we are needed and at His time- not ours!

I don’t know about you but I want to be “good pizza” for Him. I want to be the best that I can before His honor and glory. I want to work with my “pizza-maker” not against Him.

As you reflect today remember to Just Breathe!

Reflection Corner:

1) Is there something that you have been holding back on that you know would take you to the next level?

2) What are some steps you can take over the next 30 days to step out of your comfort zone?

3) Make a list of a few things that you would like to accomplish this year. Pray to God for guidance and clarity. You are not going to accomplish your goals if you don’t have any.