Flowers for My Son, Montario Hampton

In my wildest dreams, I never really thought back in 1990 that I'd have a son who would grow up to be so wonderful. In fact, I was such a different person back in those days that I didn't think I was capable of raising a son who is so grounded and stable. So today's post is dedicated to my baby, Montario Donnell Hampton. Even though he's grown and gone from home, he will never be anything other than my baby in my heart and never will he leave that special place reserved for him.


I just want to thank God for giving Tario a mind to be serious about relationship with God, a mind to want marriage rather than variety like most young men, and a mind to work and earn his way through life rather than steal, lie and manipulate. He's so much better than I was at the age of 20. He has strengths that I cannot completely explain and I know that God alone is to be praised. Sometimes, we don't edify our children enough and they walk around uncertain of their value. But while it is called today, I am going to give my son his flowers and let him know that he is my blessed gift from God. I am so grateful! I love you, son!

The Wonderful Creation Called YOU

Every person, even the least intelligent person you know, is given a remarkable amount of talent in some area or another. We all have special traits that differentiate us from everyone else. How strange that many of us live mediocre lives because we never take the time to find our own genius. We sit on the back burner of life watching others live and be joyful and content, maximizing their moments and wonder how we got to be so unfortunate. Well, I'm here to give you a single tip.

The tip is to stop looking at how fortunate or unfortunate you believe others to be and begin looking at and admiring the beauty of the creation called YOU. You do matter. You do count. You too are great. You are somebody. No, our flesh amounts to less than a burnt bean. But that royal bloodline that we are born into through Christ make us world rulers in ways we have yet to discover. Enjoy being you!

Fully Armed and Confident

For some people, it's hard to embrace the dualities of life. There is good and evil. There is right and wrong. There is day and night. Okay, so you get the point. Well, we are the same. We have both the nature of God, being created in His image and the constant pull toward sin, being housed in the flesh. The battle that is waged in this body continues from birth to death and any battle lasting that long will wear you down. We need ammunition.

Salvation equips us for eternity. Faith gives us a shield. Love rejuvenates us. Understanding pulls us through the valleys of doubt and decision. We have to know that there is no rest for a person who really loves God, not in this life in this flesh. The only rest to be had is in God and that requires your faith and total trust and dependence upon God. If you can trust Him to have your best interests at heart, then you will forever be in the eye of the storm, the calmest place, beholding the bad but being unaffected by it. If you can't or won't trust Him fully, you'll find misery, weariness and bitterness around every other corner in this life. 

Choose to trust God and when you feel yourself slipping, confess that to Him. Confessing your doubt, distrust or fear to God is a sign that you are in the right place. The Bible says that if our hearts condemn us then Christ is stronger even that that and we know He's able. I can hear those strong young men in Daniel tell the "head", the king, the ruler, a most fearsome dictator, these words, paraphrased of course: "We know who you are, King. We've seen your work. But we have a God, the one true God and we know that He is bigger and badder than you. He can deliver us and keep us protected from whatever you want to do to us. Yet, if he doesn't do it, we know He can. Therefore, we won't bow a knee or a head for anyone but Him. That's our answer so do what you gotta do." The duplicity of their situation brought the best out of them and left us an example to follow - stay fully armed and confident in God through both good and bad times. He is ever-present and all powerful. Amen!

It's Already Alright

Sometimes, it's important that we stop and take inventory of our lives. We have to look for the patterns we've set, both good and bad, so that we know what changes need to be made for a better, more productive life. In my life, I've more often been prone to motoring through without a lot of reflection, mainly because I've had so many tragedies enter my life. I taught myself to press right through it and keep moving. But that isn't always the right answer.

Sometimes, God just needs you still, quiet, contented and attentive to what He is doing. I notice a lot of people give the advice to be still and see what God is "trying" to do. He's going to do His thing. It's much easier on us if we submit, go along willfully with the Father, trusting that He knows best. When we do this, we learn how to be still in His hands, under His shadow, hidden in His secret place. I guess what I'm trying to say today is that whatever your issue is today, count it as worked out. Stop saying it's going to be alright and tell yourself it's already alright. You're being quiet and resting in the hands of the Creator of all existence. What safer place could you be?

Updated and Fresh

Recently, I've done more work on my Officially Lacresha Hayes website. I have to say, it's looking great. I'm very pleased with it. My hits have been up to the thousands every day just about it and that brings me joy. Still, I need your help to push it to the next level.

I need your feedback and suggestions, links and visits. They are all needed and will be deeply appreciated. Also, for those with a Facebook profile, please consider liking my fan pages, Books by Lacresha Hayes and Officially Lacresha Hayes since my profile is now full. 

Thanks for all your support over the years. Here's to many more successes together.

Woes of the Heart

Not one person in the world is beyond the reach of pain, especially if they love others. When you're being hurt, you have the choice to either forgive and move on. Or, you can stew in it until the meat has cooked off your bones. My point, pain shouldn't be avoid. When it presents itself, it needs to be embraced. You need to gather all that you can while you're hurting. Otherwise, that pain was void of meaning and guess what else? You'll find yourself going through it again.

The best way to deal with heartaches is to take all your prayers to God, then leave them there, and finally praise and trust Him to work it out for you, to give you what you need out of every experience.

Getting My Life Back

No one can see the future and we often find that our lives are determined as much by chance as by planning. In other words, sometimes the unexpected happens and we have to make room for it, adjusting our schedules, budgets, and/or hearts. 


Today, I'm focusing on getting my life back on track, at least in the traditional sense of the word. Time is uncertain. The future is uncertain. Nevertheless, my calling is sure. My skill set is sure. My dreams and goals, I'm sure of. I am making my plans, but leaving room for God to do whatever it is He wants to do however He wants to do it.

Learning Spanish

In the past four months, I've been studying Spanish, seeking to become conversational. For me, I'm finding it much easier to read it and write it than to speak it or understand it when spoken to me by a traditional Spanish speaker. But, I'm getting better.


For those who have asked about what resources I'm using, please refer to the Learn Spanish and About.com websites, which both boast a lot of free resources for those seeking to learn the Spanish language. I've also used several Spanish books, namely a Spanish/English dictionary and the Intermediate Spanish for Dummies book.