Is God Still On Your Back Burner?

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33) When Jesus said this, He was making it very clear that God should be our number one priority above everything else. At times, people find themselves battling various trials and tribulations in life, wondering where God is and how they even got there. But, they don’t realize that some of those challenges didn’t come as a test from God; rather, they were the result of a misaligned relationship with God. We are all guilty of doing things our own way, and then asking God to get on board afterwards—that’s not how God works fam. To live a life surrendered to Him means letting Him guide you. But in order for God to guide you, you have to hear Him clearly. So tell me, what is drowning out God’s voice in your life?

It’s Not Even That Deep Bae … Is It?

Love is such a beautiful thing, especially when it is handled properly. It becomes even more incredible when it is manifested in the form of two people coming together romantically and, in time, becoming one in marriage. So, it may seem a bit weird to talk about “boundaries” but they are extremely important in a relationship! They help ensure the bond you two share is protected. Some would argue that nothing should be off-limits in a relationship but there are nuances to this as sometimes this can be misused and abused. There are certain boundaries that are needed to keep the love thriving and not dying a slow death. And trust me, you don't want to learn that by experience.

Family Always Knows What’s Right … Right?

The family bond is something that is not easily broken. Our families are our real Day 1s and have been with us since the beginning. I know they may get on your nerves and stress you at times, but the fact that they are your family will never change. However, just because they are your family doesn’t mean their input in different areas of your life is always for your benefit, and it doesn’t mean you are obligated to take it. They may have good intentions but that doesn’t always mean they are right. I mean, to be honest, there are some things in your personal life your family doesn’t need to know (e.g., when you have a disagreement with your partner). “But, how do I know when it’s okay and when it’s not?” Well, that’s where I come in!

Unblurring the Lines of Friendship

“Friends—how many of us have them?” We have all been blessed with having at least one person in life we call a friend. With friendships comes an abundance of great talks, laughs, support and a lifetime of memories. They should be cherished and valued as the blessing that they are in our lives. Now don’t get me wrong, friendships also come with hardships, difficult conversations and disagreements, but overall, they are a source of great happiness in the midst of the turmoil faced in this world. And it’s for that reason we must take extra precautions and steps to ensure the friendship lasts by addressing the “little” things that we think aren’t a big deal but actually carry a great deal of weight. Those “little” things are boundaries.

Do You Have a Job or Does Your Job Have You?

Before I start talking about the much needed boundaries around your job, I encourage you to read the first part of this series about setting boundaries with yourself. It sets the tone for the entire series, and if you can’t set a boundary with yourself and stick to it, you’ll find it quite difficult to place them in other areas of your life. *insert Druski meme* “But hey, that’s just me.”

Now, let’s talk about the place that helps you keep the lights on at home—your job. For a place that we spend so much of our life in, you’d think that it would be a place you enjoy showing up to each day. But alas, jobs have drained the life out of many people. You find it increasingly more challenging with each passing day to show up and give your best because, in many cases, they are taking more out of you than they’re giving (you know, kind of like that toxic ex you haven’t let go of). Understand this—your job may pay you, but they don’t own you. And we are going to discuss how to make sure they know that, too.

Boundaries Start with You

Boundaries. Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, “a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something.” I like this definition because it emphasizes that boundaries aren’t just about dividing continents, school districts and bodies of water; it is also about the boundaries of things we can’t physically see. Boundaries are critical in maintaining peace of mind, avoiding being taken advantage of, ensuring people don’t meddle in private areas of your life and protecting the people and things that matter most to you. Boundaries aren’t just for yourself either—they should be set with your job, your friendly relationships, your family and parents and your romantic relationships. But to start this Boundaries series off right, I need to first focus on setting boundaries with yourself.