Dear Kate (Preemie Mom)

March 19, 2019 No Comments

Last week’s episode of This Is Us, left me in tears. I was reminded of the 44, long and painful, days we spent in the NICU at our daughters side. In that moment, the Lord gave me the idea to write a letter to “Kate”, Kate being all preemie moms, present and future, encouraging her through my experience. I pray you’re encouraged and expectant. Expectant of the Lord to work a miracle. Just like He did for us.

Dear “This is Us” Kate Pearson-Damon,

I know you’re asking, Why? Why me? Why my baby? Is he going to live?

Your mind is bombarded with unanswered questions.

Looking at your baby, who looks more like an alien (Chillllleeeee!!!), through the small, clear box. Tears streaming down your face. You’d do anything to trade places. He’s too little. Too fragile.

Brace yourself. Buckle your seat belt, hunteeee! You’re in for a rough ride! There will be many ups, but also stomach sinking lows. You know. The type of low where you’ve been dieting, practically starving yourself, for weeks only to step on the scale and be up a pound. Yeah, that stomach sinking low. There will be twists. There will be turns. There will be many, many tears and downright two year old temper tantrums. Yes, adults can have temper tantrums too!

Your faith will be tested. Some days it’ll be steadfast. Other days, you’ll be hanging on by a thread, grasping for faith. Look up. Keep your eyes fixed on heaven.

Your current situation does NOT change who God is.

Caution. Grieving ahead…

You’ll ~~roll your eyes~~ grieve, as you enter the hospital, headed for the NICU, greeted by yet another mom smiling ear to ear. Baby in tow. Why does her baby get to go home?

You’ll grieve the labor you envisioned your whole life. Never getting a chance to push.

Maternity pictures you didn’t take.

A hospital bag you never packed.

The baby, your baby, you didn’t hold.

My love, you’ll grieve so much more in the days and weeks to come.

In that cold, dark room you’ll get lost in the endless beeps of the medical equipment. I could kidnap my baby and run away. What can they do? He’s mine. Your baby will stir, bringing you back to reality. He’s in the best place on earth, for now.

You’ll be downright exhausted. You’ll be consumed with guilt every second you’re away. You’ll be pissed at the nurses. What do you mean I can’t hold MY baby today? Luckily, most days, you’ll recognize them for who they are. Angels on earth.

Find joy in the journey. Like a long road trip, soak up the beauty all around you. Step outside of yourself. Your heartache. Your feelings. Your disappointments. In this very moment. Right there. In the NICU. There’s beauty all around. I challenge you to find it.

Your NICU sister,

Tiffany

Recipes

How To Make Brussels Sprouts Taste Good (+Recipe)

May 16, 2018 No Comments

The thought, “Brussels sprouts are nasty!”, was ingrained in my head. I’d never tasted a Brussels sprout before in my life, but the thought stemmed from an episode of the Cosby Show. Even today, I can still see Rudy sitting at the kitchen table, fork in hand, picking at the Brussels sprouts on her plate. Do you remember the episode? Even at the coaxing of her parents, she refused to take a bite. From that day forward, I concluded, Brussels sprouts were the enemy. OK, not really the enemy but <smacks lips> I vowed never to eat ’em.

Years later, while living in Colorado, I signed up for a produce and vegetable co-op. Each week, I received a basket of fresh, in season, fresh fruits and vegetables. Lo and behold, guess what I received in my very first basket? Yep, Brussels sprouts.

The Secret “Sauce”

Have you ever wonder why vegetables at a restaurant taste so good? Please tell me it’s not just me.

Here’s the tea:

The chef didn’t skimp on the buttah – FAT!

Low fat, reduced fat, no fat and vegetables do not mix. Like, who eats salad, or anything for that matter, without ranch dressing? And let’s not forget bacon. EVERYTHANG tastes better with bacon. Bacon is the ultimate food accessory – when in doubt, add bacon.

You reap so many great benefits from eating fats. And no, fats don’t make you fat.

Fat makes food more satisfying. The reason you’re unsatisfied when dieting.

Fat is essential for the absorption of vitamins found in vegetables.

Fat protects our organs by providing a cushion of protection.

Fat helps with brain function.

Super Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

This is one of my favorite, quick and easy side dishes to pair with a meat, and carb, e.g. chicken and roasted red potatoes.

1 pound Brussels sprouts
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil, coconut oil, or bacon grease (make sure all the sprouts are coated)
Salt, I used this one.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut off the ends of the Brussels sprouts and slice in half. Discard any yellow outer leaves. Mix ’em in a bowl with the oil and salt. Pour ’em out on a baking sheet, use parchment paper for easy clean up, in a single layer. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until crisp outside and tender inside. Shake the pan half way through to brown the Brussels sprouts evenly. If desired, sprinkle with more salt and serve.

Brussels Sprouts Recipe | www.teawithtiffanyp.com — Brussels Sprouts from Tea with Tiffany P.’s Kitchen 🙂

//Is there a vegetable you once hated but have grown to love? Have you ever been convinced something was nasty before ever trying it for yourself? If so, spill the tea in the comments below. I would love to hear it!

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Ecouragement, Faith

When Things Don’t Go The Way You Planned

May 2, 2018 No Comments

When Things Don't Go The Way You Planned | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

You have a choice. You can choose to be frustrated, or you can choose to see the big picture.

It’s hard. This whole “big picture” thing. By nature, you’re inclined to throw in the towel. To doubt yourself. To convince yourself of all the reasons why you’re not qualified.

Stop right there. Don’t allow your thoughts to go any further. Doubt is an old trick of the enemy. It started way back in the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? Genesis 3:1

Just as with Eve, the enemy wants you to question God’s goodness. Did God really say you are called to ministry? Did God really say that was your job? Did God really say he was your husband?

More than anything, the enemy wants you to question God’s call on your life. He knows he’s powerless. The enemy fights from defeat, while you fight from victory. He can never win; however, he’s always recruiting players for his team.

Your God Size Dream

Do you have a dream bigger than yourself? A dream you know only God can make come true? I do.

During a workout at Revelation Wellness Instructor Training, I experienced the Holy Spirit like never before. There were about 200 men and women moving their bodies for the glory of God. From that moment, I dreamed about creating that same experience for women around the world. I envisioned I’d start the tour leading workouts with Women Thou Art Loosed (WTAL) – call me, Bishop Jakes! Hey, if you’re gonna dream, you may as well dream big!

Needless to say, I haven’t been invited to WTAL, yet, but a few months ago, I was asked to lead a workout for a women’s conference. It soon morphed into a workout plus a presentation on the importance of physical fitness.

God answered my prayer. While it wasn’t quite what I expected, it was close enough. Baby steps, right?

Off I went. Creating choreography, developing a playlist, practicing, creating PowerPoint slides…. I was ecstatic God chose to partner with me. I wanted to make my daddy proud. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

What am I thinking? There are so many women more qualified than me. How can I get out of this?

So do not fear, for I am with you; Isaiah 41:10

Once again, I made it about me, not Him. Instead of focusing on me, I turned my gaze heavenward. I relied heavily on God’s power and pressed on.

The Big Picture

Most often, we see the highs of someone’s accomplishments. Very rarely do we see the lows, or disappointments, along the way.

Well, I’m totally going against the grain today. I’m giving you a peak inside one of my recent disappointments. Here goes…

The conference was cancelled. Yep, you read that correctly. The conference I’d been preparing for and praying about since February was cancelled.

The enemy didn’t waste no time slinging accusations at me. You don’t have what it takes anyway. I told you to say no. So much for that answered prayer now. Just give up on the dream, it’ll never work anyway. If it was meant to be, it would be by now.

And that’s when I was presented with a choice. I could join the enemy’s team, believing his lies, or I could partner with the winning team, and receive His promises.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Nothing is wasted with God. At the moment, I have no idea how God is going to use what we’ve created. The message He’s put on my heart to share with other women BUT I’m confident He’s going to use it.

Perhaps it was a test. Do you really mean it when you say, “Lord, send me.” Do you?

Final Thoughts

Things won’t always go according to plan but always, always, always remember GOD IS FOR YOU! You can find comfort in the midst of any disappointment by reminding yourself, “God is for me!”

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Waiting expectantly…

~Ta-Ta For Now, Teacups

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Christian Dating, Faith

Sex Before Marriage: What’s The Big Deal?

April 25, 2018 2 Comments

Sex Before Marriage: What's The Big Deal? | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

You grew up in church. You gave your life to Christ at a very early age. I was seven.

At the basic level, you knew being a Christian meant being “good.” You were taught to respect your elders. To obey your parents. To do what your teachers told you to do.

Just as you’d learned being disrespectful was wrong, you also learned sex before marriage was wrong. Not necessarily because someone explained it to you, but because “momma said so.” You knew that being disrespectful resulted in a whooping, but what about the consequence of sex? Pregnancy?

Sex was always the big elephant in the room – nobody talked about it. It was a subject your parents avoided like Walmart on Black Friday. Moreover, you never even heard a sermon about sex.

Diets and Sex

When you start a diet, you’re given rules to follow. Eat more vegetables. Eat more protein. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Eliminate junk food. Avoid eating past 8pm.

You’re absolutely miserable when dieting. You crave the crunchy chips, the chocolatey candy bars, creamy ice cream, and good ole fried chicken. Although giving up your indulgences ain’t fun, you buckle down and press in. You know you’ll reap a reward if you hang in there.

The idea of wearing your favorite pair of jeans again, or the thought of the number on the scale decreasing, fuels you. You’re determined. You’ll do whatever it takes for the sweet reward of being snatched dot com!

Just as you reap the rewards of dieting, you also reap rewards of being obedient to God by waiting until marriage to have sex. Keep reading, I’ll explain more.

Everybody Else Is Doing It

All of your friends are having sex. They seem to be enjoying it. None of them fell dead or went up in flames. So, what’s the big deal?

Sin is fun. Dr.Tony Evans said, “If sin ain’t fun, you committing the wrong sin!” #oookkkkaaayyy

You’ve read the scriptures: sexual immortality is an act of the flesh, sexual immortality has no place among God’s people, and sexual immortality is against your own body …

I’ve read it all before, bobbing your head, and singing to the tune of Sunshine Anderson’s, Heard It All Before. Don’t worry, I won’t preach to you. Instead , I’ll spill the tea on my own, very personal experiences. #beentheredonethat

My Story

I had sex before marriage. Like you, at the time I didn’t see the harm in it. But, sin has consequences. While you might not reap the consequences immediately, you will eventually reap ‘em.

My husband and I made a commitment to God, and each other, to wait until we were married to have sex. I know God was pleased with our obedience but I still carried around the guilt from my past, B.C. (Before Chris).

We were showered with gifts from all of our loved ones. I reached the pinnacle of what most girls dream, become a wife. To most, Chris and I had it all BUT in the back of mind, there was one gift I couldn’t give him – the gift of an unopened box. Because I made a decision to have sex before him, before marriage, I would never be able to give that to him. Oh how I longed to give that to him. Tears were streaming down my face. What should’ve been one of the happiest moments in my life, guilt and shame washed over me.

God Forgives

Scripture says you’re made in the image of God. But so often, you create God in your own image. You’re still holding a grudge against a friend who betrayed you in high school so how in the world could God, in all is majesty, forget your sins? **Newsflash** God ain’t like you! Can we just praise Him for not being like you? … I’ll wait!

I don’t understand it either, but you don’t have to understand it to receive it. Your job is to just receive it by faith.

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25 NIV

God chooses not to remember your sin. I made a choice not to wallow in the shame. I chose to accept God’s forgiveness. It’s available to you too.

Call To Action

Don’t allow guilt and shame from the enemy to keep you from experiencing God’s best!

Just because you’ve committed the sin of sex before marriage doesn’t mean you must continue. You can stop right now. Today. God desires your heart. He desires for you to choose Him. Over your flesh. Over your man. Over everything. Will you honor God with your body?

~Ta-Ta For Now, Teacups

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Fitness, Health

Your #1 Weight Loss Mistake

April 19, 2018 No Comments

#1 Weight Loss Mistake | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

You’ve been trying to lose the same twenty pounds FA-EVA! While you’ve been successful a time or two, or many, the pounds always seem to find you again, with interest.

Diet. After diet. After diet… You continue to believe, “this time will be different!” The plot is always the same.

After performing a burial of alllllllllll the junk food from your pantry to your stomach, “because, why not?”, you sentence yourself to life without parole plus:

NO sugar

NO carbs

NO sweets

NO bread

NO chips

NO fried food

<insert your cell bars here> until the weight is off.

The first week, or so, is great. You feel so accomplished. So successful.

Then the bottom falls out. Suddenly, the cravings are too intense. You prowl through the kitchen, seeking that which you can destroy.

The Mistake

Locking yourself down, attempting everything at once, will never lead to sustainable weight loss. Sure, you will lose weight; however, it will not be sustained. Can I get an amen?

You did not gain 20 pounds overnight. You will not lose it overnight?

The Solution

Start with just one thing. What one thing can you change today and reap huge weight loss results?

Do not despise these small beginnings... Zechariah 4:10

Could you increase your water intake? Start eating breakfast? Go for a walk? Incorporate resistance training? Eat more vegetables? Eat more protein?

Losing weight doesn’t have to be as complicated as brain surgery! In fact, I’d be honored to show you. I’ll spill all the weight loss tea, personalized to fit your likes/dislikes. Most importantly, I’ll be the friend who educates, encourages, and empowers you on your journey. Don’t struggle another day alone.

You can do all things do Christ who strengthens you. Don’t you think it’s about time you tap into that power?

~Until next time Teacups

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Christian Dating, Faith

Living Together Before Marriage: What’s The Big Deal?

April 5, 2018 No Comments

Living Together Before Marriage: What's The Big Deal? | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

You know it’s wrong. You’re confused. You don’t know what to do. But really girlfriend, you know what to do; you just don’t have the courage to do it. Is that tea too hot?

Living together before marriage is wrong. On paper, the pros are just too good to pass up.

Save more money… Down payment on a house. Money for the wedding.

Shared household expenses… There’s no need in both of us paying rent, lights, and cable. Am I right?

Front row seat into the real him… You know that they say, you don’t know a person ‘til you live with ‘em.

Sex… Endless accessibility? Sign me up!

We’re planning to get married anyway. It’s not that big of a deal.

SISTAH, ARE THESE YOUR THOUGHTS???

Yes, you love the Lord. Yes, you trust Him. Yes, you believe He’s good. Yes, you believe He wants what’s best for you. Driving to work, listening to K-LOVE, you belt out the lyrics to Lauren Daigle’s song:

“….
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
….

I will trust in You

I will trust in You”

But, There’s A Disconnect

A disconnect between what you say and what you do. You trust the Lord but you still take matters into your own hands.

What if God has something better in store for you? What if the solution for paying off your credit card debt or the solution to saving more money has absolutely nothing to do with a man? What if God wants to be the man in your life?

You’ve missed out on a lot of blessings because you insist on doing things your way. Using your logic. Using your reasoning. Using your wisdom.

God would never condone sin in order for you to reap a blessing. There’s a better way. The question is, “Will you trust Him for the better way?”

Love is greater than fear. Don’t let the fear of the future cause you run ahead of God. If the two of you are meant to be, God will bring you together – in His timing.

Put Him,Ya Man, On The Alter

You’ve heard the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac before; howeva, you don’t quite understand how it applies to you. What in the world does sacrificing a son have to do with you? You don’t even have kids.

Here’s what the scripture says:

After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!”

“Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.”

He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.”

They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.

Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.” Genesis 22:1-2, 9-12 MSG

Just as God tested Abraham, could it be He’s testing you too? You don’t have a son of whom you love dearly but you have a man. A man whom you love so much, you’re willing to dishonor God for. You’re willing to choose him over God.

Do you really want to know if this man is God’s plan for your life? Put him on the altar. After all, what’s the big rush? Do what honors God. If it goes up in flames, it wasn’t meant to be.

Who will you choose? Your man, or God? Declare it in the comments below.

~Ta-Ta For Now, Teacups

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Fitness, Health

5 Tips To Eliminate Late Night Snacking

March 7, 2018 No Comments

5 Tips To Eliminate Late Night Snacking | www.teawithtiffanyp.com
It never fails. Whenever I’m out with family and friends, the topic of weight loss always comes up. The conversation usually starts with, “Don’t judge me for what I’m about to eat“, as if I’m the food police. Truth be told, it’s none of my business what you eat.

As expected, while eating lunch with a friend a few weeks ago, she said, “I need to lose 15 pounds, what do you recommend?”

Among a host of other questions, I asked, “What’s your biggest challenge to losing weight?”

She said, “My biggest challenge is mindless snacking after dinner. I consume an additional 400-500 calories before bed. The funny thing is, I’m not even hungry!” Sounds familiar? I know I can relate!

Here’s the deal. Your body does not need copious amounts of energy at night. After dinner, most of us are done for the day. Once the dishes are put away and the table cleared, we make a beeline for the couch. If this is you, paired with mindless, excessive snacking, you will gain weight, not lose it.

Do you find yourself on the prowl after dinner? Searching through the pantry? Opening and closing the refrigerator?

If so, you’re in good company! If you want to end mindless, late night snacking, try one of my tried and true tips below.

Tip #1: Drink a cup of hot tea

Not only is drinking hot tea soothing, it also occupies your mind. When you’re preoccupied with not burning your tongue, you don’t have time to think about food.

Peppermint Tea Recipe: (contains an Amazon affiliate link)

6-8 ounces of hot water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 pieces of soft peppermint candy (or a soft peppermint stick) (Tip: Both are sold at the Dollar Tree)

Honey to taste

Tip #2: Chew gum (contains an Amazon affiliate link)

One of my favorites! It tastes just like cake! (Tip: Sold at Target, possibly Walmart)

Tip #3: Flip through a magazine

Instead of prowling through the kitchen, skim Better Homes and Gardens, Ebony, Essence, Family Circle… I know you have a basket full of magazines nobody reads. ?

Tip #4: Floss and brush your teeth

Not only can flossing and brushing your teeth be good for your waistline, it also prevents plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Tell you dentist hygienist I said, “you’re welcome!”

Tip #5: Set a time boundary

I do not eat past 8 PM unless I’m physically hungry – stomach growling, unable to concentrate, cranky. Setting a time boundary, whatever time works best for you, will give your food enough time to digest before going to bed. You’ll sleep better, and feel better, when undigested food isn’t sitting in your stomach. Moreover, setting a time boundary gives you a goal to accomplish each night. Who doesn’t like to feel accomplished?

//What are your tips for eliminating late night snacking? Which of these tips would best benefit you? Make your presence known in the comments below.

As always, thanks so much for reading. You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Ecouragement, Faith

Why You Should Be A Quitter

February 7, 2018 No Comments

Why You Should Be A Quitter | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

“Don’t quit.”

“Winners don’t quit and quitters never win.”

“Cowards never start. The weak never finish. Winners never quit.”

“Only cowards quit. Stay tough.”

“Get fit. Don’t quit.”

“Life has two rules: #1 Never quit, #2 Always remember rule #1.”

In our culture, quitting is demonized. A person who quits is deemed weak. A failure. We are bombarded with messages, often as early as childhood, to never quit. But, what if… What if quitting leads to an abundance of joy and peace? What if quitting sets you free from bondage? What if the belief that you can’t quit is the source of your bondage? What if quitting leads to life?

My pride wouldn’t let me quit. I was a walking zombie – sleep deprived from fat burners. I was beyond exhausted, from many hours at the gym, and fueled by an amount of food that wouldn’t sustain an infant. I became more and more obsessed with my body. In fact, no mirror was safe. Each mirror prompting the coveted “ab check” – lifting your shirt to ensure your abs are still there.

This girl had something to prove! God kept nudging me to quit but I wouldn’t listen. I valued the opinion of man far above the opinion of God – BIG mistake!

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Proverbs 29:25

Is it OK To Quit?

It’s absolutely OK to quit. In fact, God condones it.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 NIV

You are allowed to quit, throw off, any and everything that hinders, or entangles you. Is it causing you to lose your peace? Quit it. Your joy? Quit it. Is your relationship with Christ suffering? Quit it. Are you consumed with thoughts of you, never thinking of others? Quit it. Have you become mean, short-tempered, impatient – no longer recognizing the woman in the mirror? Quit it.

What Does It Take To Quit?

It takes strength to quit. God’s strength.

I wish I could say it was easy to quit bodybuilding. As miserable as I was, it wasn’t. My flesh thrived on the notoriety. For a moment, it satisfied my desire to be seen. To be known. To be valued. Perhaps for you it isn’t bodybuilding. Maybe God is calling you to quit a relationship. A job. A bad habit – smoking, drinking, partying. Your flesh thrives on the way it makes you feel. It provides comfort.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Will you be a quitter with me? If the Lord is nudging you to quit, quit. Quit the things that don’t make a difference, for things that do. Things so much bigger than you. I’ve found so much freedom on the other side. I’m confident you will too.

//If this blog post resonated with you in anyway, leave me a comment below, or email me at teawithtiffanyp@gmail.com. I enjoy reading and responding to your comments.

Thanks for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Christian Dating, Ecouragement

5 Things You Must Do After A Break-up

January 31, 2018 No Comments

5 Things You Must Do After A Break-up | www.teawithiffanyp

Why me?

We’ve all been there. One. Two. Or, maybe what seems to be like a hundred times before! Another break-up.

What did I do? How did I handle it? A few days ago, I was blessed with an opportunity to speak life into a friend who’s in the midst of a break-up. After hanging up the phone, I reflected over my past break-ups.

Break-ups are hard! They’re emotionally draining. You know he’s not the one but that doesn’t make it easier. You can’t sleep. You dwell and share the story over and over again with all your girlfriends. In the midst of telling my break-up story for the hundredth time, I thought, “I should just record myself. Send it to my girlfriends and tell ’em, ‘Listen to this and then call me!’” Chile, even telling the story was draining my energy! Ha!

When does the pain stop? When will the broken pieces of your heart become whole again? While I don’t know the exact time, or place, I know for certain the pain will end and your heart will be restored. You WILL love again! Until then, here are a few things you must do after a break-up:

#1 Surrender to God

The enemy has convinced you, in spite of all his lying and cheating, you made a mistake. You’ve seen pictures of he and his new boo and now all of a sudden, you think you’re missing out. According to you, “they look so happy.” Now you’re tempting to go begging and pleading. DON’T!!

No good thing will the Lord withhold from you. You must take God at His word. You’ve prayed and asked God to show you if he’s the one. How will He ever show you if you keep interfering? Have several seats boo-boo!

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
Psalm 84:11

#2 End ALL Communication

Stop accepting his phone calls! Listen, you’ve been with this man forever. He should’ve said everything he needed to say before “forever” ended. Like, what is there to talk about? The more you allow him access to your heart, the longer it’ll take for your heart to heal. #accessdenied

#3 Clean House

That picture on your nightstand. The junk, yes junk, he left at your house. The bracelet he brought you. Throw it out! On second thought, maybe you should keep the bracelet. Ha! But for realz, you need to put that stuff away. If you’re not ready to completely throw it away, I understand; HOWEVER, it should not be visible. The first thing you see when you wake up, and the last thing you see before going to bed should not be a picture of him. MmmmmKKKKK!

#4 Perform Social Media Housekeeping

Stop stalking his social media accounts. Stop stalking his new boo’s account. If you don’t want to unfriend his family, at least unfollow them. When y’all broke up. You broke up with the family too. #buhbye

#5 Change Your Environment

Attend the same church? Find a new one. Live in the same apartment complex? Move. Work at the same job? Quit. Run girlfriend! You ain’t runnin’ from him, you’re sprintin into your future.

I wanna hear whatchu gotta say, girl. Drop your tips below, a sista out there needs help!

Thanks for reading! You can find me online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Ecouragement, Faith

When God Says Wait

November 1, 2017 2 Comments

When God Whispers Wait | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

I don’t know about you but I hate waiting – HATE it! If I want something, I do whatever it takes to get it. Not excluding accumulating $10K in credit card debt. Needless to say, I spared no expense.

In this new season of life (recently married and unemployed), God continues to whisper, wait. For a girl who despises waiting, you can probably imagine, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it’s been more like cold, snowy days. You know, when all the roads are closed, and you’re stuck inside the house for days on end. #notfun

I bet you’re a lot like me. You’ve been taught, “Nobody is going to give you anything. You gotta work for what you want.” While I believe this teaching has it’s place, we must be careful. Careful we don’t lump God into the “nobody” category. You see, the gospel is all about receiving. Receiving God’s unconditional love, without conditions – the need to perform.

For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 GNT

My Grand Plan

When I moved in with my husband, I wanted to change everything. I had this grand plan of throwing away all his stuff, and buying all new stuff. In fact, when I visited him during our courtship, I mentally began to make plans for every room in the house. Shhhhh, that’s our little secret. If it were solely up to me, within a month, our home would closely resemble one of the renovated homes on HGTV. Aren’t those homes gorgeous? Being that we chose to become a single income household, I thought it best to file away my HGTV dream home fantasy until further notice.

Can I just be honest for a minute? Promise me you won’t judge. I’ll wait… OK, good. I’m nosey. Like for realzzzzz. My neighbor’s house recently went on the market. I just had to find out the selling price. I told ya, nosey! Anyway, while I was online being nosey, I decided to flip through the photos. As I was flipping through the pictures, I thought to myself, “Ooooooo, that’s nice. That dining room table and china cabinet would look amazing up in here!” Without any additional thoughts, I exited the page.

God’s Grand Plan

God’s answers are never packaged the way you expect. About a week after perusing the photos online, my husband called. He said, “The neighbors would like to know if you’d be interesting in their dining room table and china cabinet.” I was utterly shocked! Like what are the chances of that?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Perhaps you’re like me. You’re in a waiting season. You wonder,

When is my time coming?

Will God ever answer my prayers?

Does God even exist?

My dear sisters, we must trust. For trusting the Lord never leads to disappointment. I know it sounds cliché – trust God. Like me, you’ve probably rolled your eyes a time, or two, when someone uttered those two words. Be encouraged. Trust is not a one and done type deal. In fact, we must choose to trust minute by minute, second by second.

You are in a fight with the enemy of your soul, who so desperately wants you to believe that God ain’t good. That He’s not listening. That He doesn’t exist. In those moments of despair may you run towards God. Don’t get mad and storm out of the room. Get mad. Just don’t leave the room. Allow Him to remind you of His many promises.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

//Are you currently in a waiting season? What are you doing to stay encouraged in the wait? Leave me a comment below. Myself, along with many other women, can use the advice.

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When God Whispers Wait | www.teawithtiffanyp.com

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