Month: October 2017

When God Says No

Posted on by Crystal King

Too often when things don’t go our way, or we didn’t get something we think we deserved, we are quick to get upset and blame God.

We harp on the why nots and how come or how could he? The truth is that No that you received was actually a blessing.

We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips. With a touch of a button, you can turn on your car, post to thousands of people, fast gratification is what is in now.

In case you didn’t know, God doesn’t work like that. He never gives you anything before you are ready. When you ask God for something, are you actually ready to receive it?

Seriously, ask yourself:

I want a husband, are you ready to have a husband?

I want a new car, can you afford a new car?

I want a baby, are you ready to put yourself aside for your child?

I want a bigger house, are you taking care of the smaller house you’re in?

How come things can’t change, are you changing anything about your life to make this happen?

You see, when we ask God for things, are we really ready to receive them?

I came across a post on Facebook and it read, ” I wish God would sit down and just tell me what he wants me to do.” My response to that was, if he did, would you actually do it? Or since you know what he wants and will give you, will you continue to do your own thing?

When God would tell me no, I used to get so upset. So upset that it would steal my joy, my laughter, my outlook on the rest of my life. I actually would get mad at God. I look back now and think THANK YOU!! It was all immaturity.

I say that because if I had honestly gotten what I wanted then, I wouldn’t have even known what to do with it. If he had given me that boyfriend, that job, that extra car I thought I wanted, I’d be sad with a low income and an extra payment thinking to myself, how did I get here. Seriously, I asked for it.

Remember God does things in his timing, not ours. HE works on his time table. When HE feels you are ready, you will receive it, and not a moment sooner.

So until he is ready for you to have what you think you want, enjoy your singleness, enjoy your marriage, enjoy what you have going on right now. Enjoy your friendships, your free time. Those things are really a blessing. To be able to look at life on the more positive I haves instead of the negative I don’t have, that’s a real blessing.

Enjoy your moment now, and ask God what can you do for him, life will change and only for the better.

Be blessed.

Recognizing Great People – 1

Posted on by Crystal King

With all the things are going on in the world, it just seems right to recognize the great people who continue to help and give with out asking for anything in return.

The next few weeks I will feature a person who carries these qualities and continues to give without asking for praise or anything in return. They are selfless and have a huge heart.

Today’s post is to recognize April Adams, the owner of Sweet Cheeks Salon and Boutique located in Rosenberg, TX.

April is a wife, and the mother of 3 beautiful children, works a full time job at her hair salon. I have known her for almost 35 plus years. She also happens to be my best friends sister. I talked with April at my last hair appointment, and we discussed a few things that really made me want to write about her.

Here is her story: IMG_2122

I met April through my best friend Misty. I can say that I never really knew too much about her, other than her being my best friend’s sister. We grew up in a small town named Wharton, where everyone knows everyone. Never would I have thought she would be the person who would my beautician.

April has really worked hard for her family, and she continues to do so today. She has really changed into a God fearing, hard working mom. Who puts her children and others before her and continues to give without asking. She is a helper in her community and she continues to strive to please God.

J&C: Why did you decide to do hair?

April: I wanted to spend more time with my children and make my own schedule. I did not want to work 6 days a week, I wanted to watch my children grow up.

J&C: What have you learned?

April:  I have learned to be more humble and that money means nothing when you love what you do. I know with every job, God puts you there for a special purpose; I feel like every time I get a new client, it’s God’s work and love reflecting back towards me.

J&C: What impact has it caused on your life?

April: I am happier with my life as a whole, my kids are happy. I get to spend more quality time with my spouse, my children and I continue to try spread God’s love. It makes my heart happy to serve others and put their needs first when their in my chair.

J&C: How was starting your own business beneficial?

April: Starting was very scary and that’s when I found my true relationship with God. I found out that he is always with me, like he has written my book way before I ever even thought of it.  I also owe a huge thanks to my spouse for secretly signing me up for hair school. One day, after getting laid off of work and pregnant with our third child, he looked at me and said, “I made a appointment for you, I’m just saying just try it out” The rest is history. Thank you God for seeing more than I ever could.

April does amazing work. I can’t tell you the many times that I have gone to her and she has worked her magic with my locks.

IMG_2049

To recognize the talent that God has given you, and to use that talent for God is simply amazing.

If you’re in the area, stop by and see April at her Salon, she always has coffee.

Sweet Cheeks Salon*1100 6th St.*Rosenberg, TX*77471

 

 

10 day Fast from Negative Thinking

Posted on by Crystal King

So beginning tomorrow, I am starting a 10 day fast from negative thinking. For me this is such a big deal because it is so easy to think of negative over positive. I haven’t quite understood why though?

I try to do this before Thanksgiving because it puts me in such a better mood. I’m not one of those people who dread the holidays. I love the holidays! Family and friends gathering together. I love to give so I do a lot more giving this time a year.

I was the absolute worst thinker. I trained my brain to see my problems not my blessings, and man was that a difficult habit to break. Constantly reminding yourself of how to focus on the bad luck or the bad turn out, that takes a toll on your emotions, your thoughts, and your decision making. Although at the time I didn’t see that. Feeling sorry for myself seemed much easier to do at the time.

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe everything happens the way God intends it to, but I also believe that I have a choice on how I respond to it. I would always respond negatively whether it was in my favor or not. Yeah, what a horrible way to be.

Now I have a grasp on my thoughts and words, and I have a stronger relationship with God and this has what has continued to help me change my thinking to seeing the good in everything.

Here are some quick tip on how I prepare for my 10 days.

  • Prayer. I pray more than I usually do. I stay in contact with God through out the day and when something negative comes to mind, I quickly pray it away. This is my way of staying ready.
  • Journaling. This is one of the best journaling books I have come across. It promotes positive thinking and shows you what you should focus on. I enjoy journaling because it gives me a chance to reflect on what I’ve done.
  • Documentation. You have to document the bad and the good. The most effective way to be sure this works is to document it all. Note what negative or not so pleasant thought that crossed your mind, and what you did to get rid of it.
  • Exercise. I put in a little more exercise to push myself to a better me. I find that when I am healthy and feel great, it is much easier to think positive. I am currently training for a half marathon so the exercise this time is definitely there.
  • List my blessings. Make a list of all your blessings, and when you feel your self getting to a point where your thoughts aren’t going in a positive way, pull that list our and remind yourself of how blessed you truly are.

I hope a few of you will try this 10 day challenge and let me know how it helped you. I also encourage you all to go past the 10 days as well. Positive over negative is always the best way to go.

Blessings.

 

5 Must to do’s to Start My Day

Posted on by Crystal King

Good morning,

This morning I thought I’d share the 5 things I do to start my day. The day starts when you open your eyes and you start to think, so here is what I do to get my day going and get the positive juices flowing.

  1. Start with a thank you. I thank God every morning for waking me up. I know that seems like a given, but God allows you to wake up so why not thank him for it. I used to not do this, but when I began to realize how much I need God in my life, saying Thank You is the least I could do each morning.
  2. Ask God what he wants you to do today. I ask God what will you have me do? Or God, what or who can I help today? I do that so that I keep my eyes open to the things going on around me. I believe God gives you opportunities to help someone everyday. He assigns people to come through our life each day to help and I don’t want to miss that moment.
  3. Read my morning devotion. I am a big reader, so I read a morning devotion to get my day started. Plus I also have a few apps that I use as well to get the daily devotions sent to me.
  4. Make your bed. I make my bed because I don’t like coming home from  work and it’s a mess. If I don’t make the bed, it feels like I don’t have enough time in my day. Crazy right, but I hate coming home and its not done. My son always ask why, because its not like you’re not going to mess it up again. I like order and this helps with that.
  5. Pray before walking out the door. I pray for my son before he leaves for school and I pray for myself and my day. I ask God to watch my steps and my mouth. I pray for clarity, judgement, my thinking and my work.

You notice I didn’t add coffee, well that always a must and I really enjoy a cup or two every morning.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Blessings.