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Got leftovers? That's all you need.

11/28/2024

As believers, we have everything we need to accomplish any task. Seriously.  Remember the miracle about the five loaves and two fish found in Matthew 13: 17-21?

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.18 “Bring   them here to me,” Jesus said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. “

The twelve basketfuls of leftovers represent the adequacy and immensity of Christ’s provision. Take another look at your table.  You have everything you need and more.  It is a promise, darling!

LIFE IS MESSY. DON'T GIVE UP.

11/10/2024

Life can be messy, chaotic, and ugly. Do not be disheartened during these times.

Instead, look away from the imperfections in your surroundings and in yourself. And dwell on God and God’s infinite possibilities.

The looking will transform you so that you can push beyond your human frailty to do what seems impossible.
It s a promise, darling.

RIGHT RELATIONSHIP

9/21/2024

Humans are social creatures who tend to gravitate towards others for protection, comfort, and instruction. But all relationships are not edifying. If I’m honest, some of my biggest missed opportunities have resulted from a reliance on bad advice from well-meaning friends.

Real wisdom is knowing the right path and having the courage not to stray. Real understanding and discernment requires supernatural God power.

After years of wrestling with big decisions, I no longer seek the counsel of friends and family first. These days, I ask God. How? I sit in my walk-in closet, light a fragrant candle, and present the question to God. Sometimes, it takes a few days before I get an answer. Sometimes, it takes a few months. But as long as I do my best to live obediently, God will answer.

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

It s a promise, darling.

Million dollar illusion

7/21/2024

In the spirit world, wealth is defined simply as the sufficiency to do the will of God. It should never be flaunted or hoarded. To do so is folly and is contrary to God's plan. I know that this is true. Yet, the fantasy of the million-dollar lifestyle, an abundance of money and possessions is very seductive.

In the U.S., money can buy beautiful surroundings, cutting-edge health treatments, the cleanest food, and even immunity from criminal prosecution. But can money buy happiness? Can money buy peace? God says, ”NO.”

The sense of self-sufficiency (prideful independence) that develops from reliance on money is a sin that eventually leads to destruction.

Don’t believe me? Think about it. If you consistently rely on money to solve your problems, you will eventually develop a false sense that you do not need God. If you believe you do not need God, you will not revere God. You will not keep His commandments. And as Adam and Eve can attest, disobedience will eventually cause you to lose access to your power source, the Holy Spirit.

God allows us to stumble and fall into sin to remind us that we cannot live independently without the help and assistance of God.

Remember, wealth does not afford peace. Instead, it is an illusion. The only real safety net is the one that God provides. It is a promise, darling.

Jesus said, “By myself, I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” John 5:30

Visualizing prayer

5/18/2024

When we pray we are told to go to a quiet still space. It is in the absolute silence that God speaks.

I used to think that I needed a special prayer closet, a physical place in my home to pray. In reality, my body is the sanctified place where I can meet God. And, so we are directed to quietly sit and go within. Of course, my attempt to go within unfolds like a story.

I usually start by visualizing what my inner mind looks like. I imagine that if I walked into my mind it would appear as an ancient library with multi-colored books stacked seemingly to the sky. There'd be ladders on wheels and shelves that move upon command.

In my mind's library, a version of me works full-time to catalog memories, research best practices, verify facts, and refine conversations. On a good day, me, as librarian looks very much like an Army Sergeant, except her uniform is by Yves Saint Laurent. In this role, I never weary hair down. Instead, I coil it into a chignon that Audrey Hepburn would approve. And, like the real me, she always wears French Coffee colored stockings by Berkshire.

On a bad day, she appears as Ms. One from the Wiz. Hair in beautiful disarray, held together by several pencils and pens. In this role, I wear high-top sneakers and layered knitwear in varying shades of beige. And, instead of a smart device, I’d clutch a handful of crumpled notes. As Ms. One, I am all together not put together at all; rushed off my feet, anxious, and out of control.

It is only the Holy Spirit that can bring order to chaos. Whenever, I want to order my thoughts, I simply meditate on the goodness of God and His son, Jesus. Immediately, with Mary Poppins-like efficiency, I can see and feel my mental library being righted. All of a sudden the books begin to glide into their rightful place. The computer devices start to whirl and buzz again. And, I turn back into in the role of Ms. One turn into an Army Sargent. All is as it should be.

Our bodies are vessels for the Holy Spirit. Do not allow your inner power to be dimmed by the chaos and false teachings of the world. There is no dignity in the world's standards. Our anecdote is God alone. Your one responsibility is to ask God daily to activate the Holy Ghost power within you.

My prayer for you is the same prayer I have for myself - May God's vitalizing energy flood your whole consciousness so that you are healed today. God answers prayers. It is a promise, darling.

Control issues?

12/1/2023

Book of Proverbs project for High Tea Society

🗝️A Sugar without self-control is as vulnerable as Cardi B living in her mansion with no walls and no security system.

If you are unable to put limits on the things you do, words you say, the places you go, the food you eat, and the friends you hang out with…you will eventually lose them all. 🙀

It’s a promise🤞🏾darling.

Proverbs 25:28 Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall.
Seeking @simone.butterfly Find her SimoneButterfly.com/sunday

One potato, two potato, three potato, four...

10/14/2023

I planted a few bunches of potato vines in front of the DollHouse in April. Today they are luxuriant and bountiful - so much so that they have completely hidden the unsightly wall holding up the front yard.

I have enjoyed watching the vines reach higher, wider, and farther as the Spring warmed to Summer and finally yielded to Fall. When the vines began to venture across the sidewalk though, I felt compelled to intervene by cutting back some of the strong coiling stems.

Snip. Snip. Snip. At first, the pile of clippings was indistinguishable from the mother plant. But after a few minutes the clippings began to droop and wither.

In John, Jesus admonishes us to stay close to HIM lest we too, wither and die. How? Keep learning about the ways of God, the power of His Spirit. Whenever we decide to separate from Him, we perish. It is a promise, darling. 💕

John 15:5-8
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Seek to find

10/1/2023

SUNDAY PAUSE WITH SIMONE
Our five senses are helpful when communicating on the material plane But, these same senses can be a hindrance when we try to connect with Spirit.

How do you connect with Spirit? Live for God. How do you live for God? Start by reading the word of God.

One of the greatest tools God gave us was the gift of the Holy Spirit, a power source that gives us discernment, judgement, capacity, receptiveness, love.

God is all around us. Seek and you shall find. It is a promise, darling.
SimoneButterfly.com/sunday

Throw away your clock. You are already THERE.

6/14/2023

👋🏾 it’s SUNDAY!!! Pause with @simone.butterfly

On Saturday, I found myself in the conservatory of the Ivy, a historic bespoke hotel located in downtown Baltimore.

After breakfast, I wandered into a sun soaked room anchored by enormous potted plants that reached all the way to the ceiling. The grand piano in the corner was silent but the air was alive with the smell of teak wood and earth. I could live here, I thought. After 20 minutes, my eyes became more accustomed to the opulence and my attention turned inward.

No surprise, my anxiety returned as soon as my mind focused back on me and all my projects. How would I get it all done? Should I pick up the pace? Did I miss my window of opportunity?

As the questions began to crescendo, he appeared, a dandy of a man with a full beard- more pepper than salt.. He was not terribly old but very distinguished. I never caught his name. Though I know he led with it. I sat and he stood in a quiet purple striped grey three piece suit, starched white shirt, and black bow tie. I never looked down but I imagine his shoes were freshly shined.

We talked for an hour. He tested the edges of the conversation by interjecting quotes from Paul. When I was able to finish the scriptures he shared, he pushed a bit further. Soon he was openly sharing his story of triumph in the face of illness, of peace even as death loomed all around. He was recovering from a life saving surgery.

I mentioned my fear of running out of time.

He was ready with a response. You must replace your watch with a compass, he said kindly.

If you are a believer, you know that although time is relentless in its march forward, it should never be the motivating factor. Your quest is to be guided by God’s compass. If you are always facing the right direction, you are always in the right place at the right time. Your actions in this moment and in every moment dictate how and where you will progress.

Be present and be yourself- the version of yourself that is striving to be like Christ. Radiate that energy where you are right now. You do not need to agitate and plan and forge a path. God is the path. Just BE in the place where you are.

I was stunned into silence. I have been asking the wrong question all along. Instead of asking, "Where do I go next?" Ask, "How can I help while I am here?" The next destination or phase will come without your help.

Enjoy your present situation. Enjoy your current iteration. Do your best where you are with what you have. God will take care of the rest, it is a promise, darling.

Thanks, Mr. Roarke. (not his real name…but my name for him)

Disappointed?

6/11/2023

👋🏾 it’s SUNDAY!!! Pause with S1m0ne @simone.butterfly

Remember those grants I applied for a few months ago? It took a herculean effort to submit them. I faced computer issues, an expired business license, an unexpected road trip to NYC. Despite it all, I was able to submit both of them on time, with all relevant attachments. And, though I was exhausted, I praised God for the capacity to do the impossible.

But then, guess what? I was not awarded either grant. What a profound disappointment. How did I get it so wrong?

There is a blessing in each disappointment. Each time I write a grant, I refine my “ask”, I meet new funders, I learn more about the grant writing processes. When I am ready and in God’s time, I will meet the perfect funder and I will know exactly what to say.

If God has not answered your request in the way you expected, do not give up. Continue to prepare for the blessing so that when it is presented, you will be ready to receive it.

God is faithful, it is a promise, darling.