Forever Thankful


Loving my freedom
Living my life
All because of US soldiers and Jesus Christ
Laying down their lives

I honor and thank them this Memorial Day.

May God bless you today as you remember those who gave their lives for us to live ours.

My One Thousand Gifts List

591-600
Perfecting my gluten-free pancake recipe
Family Fun Day at Joshua’s school
The kids in bed before 9 p.m.
Folding laundry
God speaking to me to cuddle with my husband when I didn’t want to
A devotional time where God challenged me and to share with others to think about the joy set before us from the crosses we must bear
Shopping at Forman Mills where I got two handbags, two skirts and shoes for Nate
Designer boots at a resale shop for $11
Buying items to create a new idea
Tabitha available to watch the boys

Memorializing Martyrs

Some complain about our country with its racist roots and more

Calling it the Untied States, systems unraveling to their core

But there’s no place that I’d rather be

Men and women fighting for me to be free

To challenge our leaders

Speak the truth as I see it according to my Holy Book

And not have to sneak to take a look

Or meet for church in hidden nooks

Or praise Jesus’ name in clandestine language

Or preach the Gospel and put in the slammer.

Freedom costs and United States soldiers have paid the price

Thousands martyred for my life of choices.

I honor them today for my physical and spiritual freedom

Making it easier to share the love of Jesus

His coming and living and dying for the sins of mankind

He was the ultimate sacrifice, perfect and martyred for our kind:

Murderers, gossips, ultra-loose whores

Low-down and same-sex lovers whatever our sin was (is)

Jesus died that we might be free

From low living and soul giving—drained.

I’m grateful.

I no longer have to live low or give my soul away.

Yes, thank you, Jesus.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

My One Thousand Gifts List

#71-80
A desire to eat more live foods
A hug from Joshua
Time spent with Charyse
Charyse and I agreeing to study “One Thousand Gifts”
Prayer for my mother
Another year for Flynn
The ability to hear Nate in the middle of the night
A toilet to use
Clean, running water to bathe in
A tub to wash in

Day 12: I Remember Her

On this Memorial Day, we are duly bound to remember our military, past and present, who have given their lives for our freedom. As a Christian, I am constrained to remember those whose faith fanned their fights, fueled my faith and have encouraged my righteous fights. As I continue to look at the history of the strong black woman, I dedicate the following poem to the memory of such a woman: Continue reading