Category: Uncategorized

Joceline's Posts, {Life}

{Life} You Don’t Really Have To.

UYM

Written By: Joceline Sweeney

I have had a shift in my mind some years ago.  I would often look with dread at the various chores I would have to do around the house as a wife, and homeschooling mom of three.  To be honest I would sometimes be very put off by some of the chores I was required to do.  Laundry would be one of them, as it is a perpetual job that literally is never done.  From picking up clothes on the floor; I would grumble that this was ridiculous and why couldn’t anybody just pick it up off the floor or better yet just put it in the hamper in the first place!  To when the dryer bell would go off and I was usually in the middle of yet another household responsibility that needed my attention, so I’d have to stop that to go fold another pile of laundry, because if left it would wrinkle and the clothes would look worse than the crumpled pile I had just washed!!!

I certainly needed an attitude adjustment when it came to this area of my life.

So I prayed…

Funny how God is even interested in laundry.

He spoke to me “You know, you don’t really have to do laundry.”  I was really thrilled that the Lord was agreeing with me and that He saw it my way.  Until He said clearly, “You get too.”  Wait am I hearing that correctly…I get too?!?  The Lord went on to reveal to me that, yes it was a privilege because I had been blessed with a beautiful family whom I had the honour to take care of.  From a hard working husband who comes home exhausted because he’s just put in, yet another twelve hour shift, or has just come back from a fire, where he was at all night and now was too depleted to even put his clothes in the hamper.  The only thing he had strength left to do was fall into bed for a few hours before he’d have to get up and do it again.  God clearly spoke that those many pairs of socks, pants and shirts that our girls go through every single day was a perfect reminder of my blessings.

So I changed my perspective about laundry and I even took it a step further… Pray while doing laundry.

While folding socks I pray that the Lord would guide their steps. Keeping them on the path toward His Glory.  Encompassing them in His protection.

While folding their pants, I pray that the Lord would protect their purity.  That He would keep them unto Himself.  That they would choose a lifestyle that is honouring to Him.

While folding their shirts I pray that the world’s dirt would not enter their hearts.  That they would hide God’s word so deep that nothing would taint it.  That the fiery darts that they would encounter would not penetrate them.

Colossians 3:23-

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people.”

What area of your life do you need a shift in?  Perhaps an attitude adjustment?  My suggestion is to pray, but be ready because our God is a God of clarity and He will tell you like it is!   Are you ready?

 

Until Next Time,
~Joceline

Taylor's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Having Faith

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

As I have spoke on many times before, I believe that this stage in my life is bringing lots of change, and therefore I have been challenged more then ever to put my faith in God!  As I am transitioning to apply for jobs and day dreaming about what it will be like to no longer be in graduate school, I cannot help but wonder where God is leading me on this path.  Applying for jobs gets me so excited as I read about what the job entails and what I could possibly be doing for a living.  The other part of me is terrified to get my hopes up on a job that wont end up being mine.

Where is your faith?!  I have to remind myself of this all the time.  When I speak with my husband or my parents about this, there seems to be a theme that comes from all of them.  God has provided for me this far and He won’t stop now.

“The Testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:3

When I look back on the different circumstances that God has brought me through, I can see where my faith has been challenged and how it has blessed me.  All of the circumstances I was in, God was there with a plan in mind that was right for me.  So I take those moments in my life and use them to remind myself for the next challenges I face.  God is good, and His plan for me is better than whatever I have in mind, so I must stay faithful, as God is always faithful to me.

Whether you are waiting on an answer about jobs like I am, maybe a new house, moving, a new relationship, having children, maybe letting go of something or someone negative in your life, or starting something new to impact your career or education- have faith!  God has a plan for you, and though it may seem at times things are not going your way- stay strong.  Look back to other examples in your life where things weren’t going right; how did you get through them?  How did God provide for you?  Where are you now that is different from where you were then?  When you answer these questions, let that be reassurance that God will get you through whatever is coming your way next.  Have faith; persevere.

 

Until Next time,

~ Taylor

 

Joceline's Posts, {Worth}

{Worth} What Do I Have to Give?

UYM

Written By:  Joceline Sweeney

As this Valentine’s has come and gone, my mind was again transported to my grade two class Valentine’s Day party.  I have loved holiday theme things for a very long time and being this young was no exception.  I was so excited to hand out my beautiful valentine’s cards, one to each of my classmates, written to them personally by name, by me.

The time for the exchange had finally come, as we all jumped to rush around and begin filling each other’s desks with lovely red and pink papers some with dinosaurs on them, others with Holly Hobbie, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of the other girls in class begin to hand hers out.  Only she didn’t just have Valentine’s cards, she had a beautiful red foil wrapped chocolate heart attached to each one of her Valentine’s.  I suddenly felt the excitement of handing mine out completely fizzle, no longer did mine feel special, and they now felt small, inadequate…unworthy.  Mine didn’t have a beautiful red shiny delicious chocolate attached, it was just a simple piece of paper.  Before I had seen hers mine seemed enough, but not after.

Almost every Valentine’s after that I asked my mom if I too could attach a red foiled wrapped chocolate heart to each one of my Valentine’s.  Somehow I thought that this would make mine just as special as hers.

How often do we feel that way in “real “life?  We can get so caught up at looking at what we have to offer, we compare ourselves to others, we can often feel so small, inadequate, unworthy?

When we look at what we have to offer up for the Kingdom of God, and we look around at those making a big impact but we only have a small circle of friends we influence.

How often we can feel “What do I have to give?”

Today look at your hands, your life, your talents and at what God has placed in them for you to give, even if it’s as simple as a smile to a stranger.

If that’s what God has called you to give,  then give it well.

 

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

 

 

 

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} When I didn’t Get the Job…

UYM
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
My very first interview.  What I thought would have been my very first ‘real’ job.  I was beyond thrilled to accomplish this goal within the ending of the teenage years of my life.
I went into the job interview that one summer mid-June day, thinking that I’d be walking out of that place with great-confidence.  A guaranteed job and my new work schedule in hand.
Well let me tell you dear readers, if you were like I once was and you think that getting a job is super easy-peasy, I am sorry to say that you’re wrong.  Let me be completely vulnerable with you for a minute…Getting a job is difficult.  It’s hard.  It’s emotional.  And sometimes it just plain, old, hurts.  Like a lot.
I walked into that interview.  Excited.  Passionate and ready for all that God would have me to accomplish in that place.
Right before they came to get me from the lobby to begin the interview,
I went to ladies restroom where I began to pray the hardest I have ever prayed.  I prayed for peace.  I prayed for confidence in a humble manor.  I prayed that THIS would be my job.
I left that interview.  Yes, feeling confident in myself.  Feeling that maybe I would have this summer ‘dream job.’  I felt great about the interview, it went well and I felt that I had conducted myself professionally, especially for my age.  Obviously, they couldn’t tell me on the spot, if I had the job, but it felt like I ‘had it in the bag’ so to say. “I prayed that I would get this job, God won’t let me down on this one.”  At least, that’s what I thought…
About a weeks time had past, after that nerve wracking interview day.  My phone lit up…I was receiving a phone call from the Pastor who was hiring.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions, when swiping the green ‘answer’ button on my iPhone that day and then hearing the words “I am sorry to say, but we can’t hire you…”
*insert big GULP*
In those ridiculously low moments…Satan came with all his power, in hopes to tear me down and rip me to absolute shreds.  This situation was one, I was not at all prepared for.  My confidence was gone.  My heart ached.  I felt like a complete failure.  Like, as if someone just came and engraved failure on top of my name for LIFE.  I felt unworthy.
After I attempted to keep it all together on the phone, I ran to my bedroom, shut my door and collapsed on to my bed.  Right then and there, I began to have one of those good old-fashioned crying sessions.  I wept like I have never wept before.
My Mom came into my bedroom…and of course, my mom being my mom, had a profound statement for this situation and it changed my life in that moment, she said: “Just because you didn’t get that job, doesn’t mean that you’re not good enough.  Doesn’t mean that you will never get a good job, like this one.  God has plans for you.  Trust Him.  Wait patiently honey.”
I cling to those insightful words daily, as I walk through situations where my patience and grace are truly tested to their full capacities.
This experience in my life was where I wondered and questioned, “What in the great world, is the Lord trying to teach me through this awful and tough situation?”
Sisters, I have experienced one too many of those ‘situations’ in my life time, but I am reminded that these are situations, that I can now look back on and reflect.  I am able to see how God has taught me some very valuable life lessons through these tough seasons.
Let’s pray together, sisters.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for this experience in my life.  Although, it may have been quite painful at the time, I praise you for this opportunity to learn yet another life-lesson.  I thank you for the words that you uncovered within my heart to share with these readers and I ask that YOU would be with them today.  Be with them in the moments where they just feel like they are at the end of their rope.  I pray this all in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus! Amen!!!
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington
Taylor's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} There is Beauty All Around Us

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

In the news recently we have seen the destruction of many communities throughout the world, which have led to refugees from these communities to come into our neighbourhoods to live and start life again.  We see people then, who speak a different language than us, dress differently than us, think differently than us, and believe in different things than us.  That is a GREAT thing.  I am writing this to remind everyone that we are called to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.  This means, no matter where they come from we love them.  I could only imagine the experience of moving to a completely different country where the cultures are quite different, I would only hope that I would be cared for and loved by others so that the transition of moving could be made easier.

What a great example of the Christian lifestyle we are to others, when we show love and respect for all- no matter how different they may SEEM to be from us.  If we attempt to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are refugees, we could think of a life of starting over.  You are separated from family, you miss certain aspects of your historical roots at home, and/or you may have been taken away from an education or career you loved back home.  We need to embrace all cultures and all people with open arms, as that is what God has called us to do.  He has called us to be Christ-like, and that means showing love for all.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2

The world can seem full of hate as we turn on the news, but we can be the beckon of hope for others.  Do not be quick to judge someone, but be open towards them instead with love and compassion.  Everyone has beauty and has a story to be told, whether it be someone in your classroom, your office, or in your neighbourhood.  No matter who, no matter where, we have a job to do, and that is to love others.

I challenge you readers today, to love someone who you would normally find harder to love.  I also challenge you to be open-armed and gentle with everyone who crosses your path.

Until Next Time,
~Taylor

Taylor's Posts, {Love}

{Love} “The Greatest of These Is Love”

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

Love is a very powerful emotion, and can mean different things with different people.  We love our friends, our pets, our family, and our significant other, but this love comes in all different forms.  We love them because they have a mutual love for us, and because they bring qualities that we really respect, or in the case of a pet- they are just so adorable, how can you not love them?

One of the strongest bonds of love I have seen is the love between family members.  Recently, there has been a very close family member of mine who has been struggling with health issues.  We had experienced a recent hospital visit that scared us all.  The love I saw for this person by my family members was enough to bring me to tears.  The connection, the hope, and the trust that my family showed for our loved one in need was pretty incredible.  We were all scared and uncertain of what the future would hold for this person in our lives, but God provided.  In these moments it is incredible to imagine that God’s love for us is just like the love I have explained above.  God’s love for us is selfless and is everlasting.

The hospital visits were scary as we were told to wear gowns just to see our sick family member, but God prevailed.  God was able to bring healing in our family.  Through the physical and emotional pain, results were given and the healing could begin.

Though these health issues are a daily battle- our family sticks together and I am so thankful for the love we all have for each other.  I am also thankful that God shows this same love for us everyday.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

When you are feeling like love is lacking in your life, remember all the ones close to you that God has surrounded you with and blessed you with.  Also, never forget the fact that God loved you so much, that He allowed His Son to die for us.  There is no greater love then this.

Until Next Time,
~Taylor

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Blessings Beyond. 

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
~Romans 12:2  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

…Do you ever feel that God just sometimes passes over you in blessings?!  Do you sometimes get feelings of neglect and envy, when others receive blessings and you don’t?

Not long ago, I was experiencing these painful feelings on a whole new level.  As I watched tons of people on my left and on my right…(literally, we were all sitting in a church pew.)  Each of them were receiving high-substantial financial blessings.  I watched people, literally cut in front of me (in the pew) to begin blessing the people around me.  Not a one came to me.  I felt so unworthy of this “blessing.”  I felt over-looked, past over and yes, even neglected.  I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to be sewn into.  Like I had no purpose or any future prosperity.

This was most definitely NOT how God wanted me, as a Daughter of the Almighty King, to be feeling and yet I still was feeling it anyways.  I’m human.  I feel pain at times.

Now of course, me not receiving a financial blessing that day, wasn’t at all because God was punishing me horribly or He was terribly disappointed in me.  In fact, in that very powerful moment, I truly believe with my whole heart…that God actually was giving me a different type of gift.

It was the gift of learning a very profound important life-lesson.  In those moments, a total revamp of my realization on blessings was birthed directly into my heart.

~Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Walking away from this situation with a forever changed mindset.  It’s not always a pain-free process when a change of our heart happens but, it’s worth it.  It’s normal for us to feel pain and sometimes even have anger about these types of situations involving change…because we feel like we don’t truly need this change to take place in our lives.  These are the same feelings, I experienced that day.

~Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Now, I must mention one more thing before closing…the really only unfortunate part of being blessed with one of these important life lesson-learning experiences…it isn’t really a tangible gift.  It’s not something you can hold in front of you, or eat, or wrap-up all pretty in paper, with a cute red bow.  This is something you can’t even purchase with all the money in the entire universe.

These profound God-ordained, life lesson moments are what will change your life forever and will continue the amazing process of shaping you and cultivating you into the very person, that God has truly called you ultimately to be.

~Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Never feel neglected or passed over.  God may just be blessing you with an important life-lesson.  Sometimes, you can’t really see it’s ‘fruit’ before going through a little bit of a process of pain and then after awhile you come into a brand new realization.

Ultimately, you will always walk away from situations, such as this, either radically changed or with an important deep thought to continue to ponder about changing your life-style of living.  Never forget, God doesn’t just “pass over” His children; He blesses us beyond our own understanding.

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

Joceline's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Every Line Tells a Story

UYM

Written By: Joceline Sweeney

As I have looked at my face over the passing years, I have found the reflection I see in the mirror to be ever so quickly changing.  No longer does my skin have that youthful glow like it did on the day I said I do.  No longer does it have that soft suppleness that I wore even while being a young mom.  Now as I look, I see things have started to age and show.  When it comes to outward beauty this can be very disheartening for us as women as we are so often judged by our appearances.  How long we can stay youthful looking, defying gravity!  I am here to tell you don’t be discouraged…

My face tells a story.

From the crow’s feet that have crept in around my eyes, which some days feel like they appeared overnight, but these are from timeless visits year after year, summer after summer, taking my girls to the park sitting on the bench squinting watching as they had the best time, running jumping, climbing, swinging …All the while calling to me to make sure I was watching their every move.  That’s where they came from.  Would I trade any of those sweet dancing, twirling memories for a few less lines around my eyes?

From the furrow on my forehead that has now permanently parked itself there… that even bangs couldn’t hide, these are from many sleepless, worrisome nights, rocking, cradling my darling babies through whatever sickness they had succumb to.  Would I trade any of those precious times I was able to spend praying for my children, not only for their healing but for their futures…would I give that up for a smooth, wrinkle free brow?

From the smile lines that now encompass my mouth, these are the ones I got because my heart was so filled with love for my girls, I couldn’t help but smile.  From the times they said something just absolutely adorable, to the day each one learned how to read, the day they accepted Jesus into their hearts, to the times we laughed and laughed till our bellies hurt.  These lines are my favourite; with a grateful, joyful heart I earned these ones.

As you look deep into your reflection, take the time to observe the lines that have now taken up residence on your face and instead of being discouraged by what time has done to you, remember the times that have gone into your story.  Before you know it, a beautiful smile that can light up a room will spread across your face, and that my friends is where you’ll see… a life well lived that is full of true beauty.

Until Next Time,
~Joceline

 

 

 

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Another Year Has Gone By…

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Well today, it’s Valentines Day.  *Insert heart-shaped confetti and many red roses bouquet pictures all over social media.* yay…..

I remember growing up all of my life, envisioning what my future Valentine’s Days would look like.  My fairy-tale went a little something like this… My darling Prince Charming, would take my arm and whisk me away, out to my front lawn where a horse-drawn carriage would be awaiting our arrival.  This is then where he would pick me up, literally right off my feet, and place me gently into the carriage.  Covering me with a toasty warm hand-stitched quilt and then handing me a hot cuppa tea in a to-go mug.  We then would drive away, right into the evening, keeping each other warm on that bitterly cold February night.  Enjoying each other’s company under the moon light.

Later on, our driver would drive us right into the nearby forest…where deep into the woods, we would come upon a ruggedly-old cabin.  Where flickering candles and a roaring fire in the old-fashioned stone fireplace would light the inside of this abandoned, one room abode.  We would enter into this special place, and see that the floors were adorned with red rose petals and a hot dinner prepared for two, would be awaiting for us.

This would be where my life would end, begin, and continue on forever…

This precious lad I called ‘my valentine‘, would get down on one knee and ask me to be his forever love.  His Wife.  His soul mate.  We then would begin to dance in the outdoors, as the stars shone from the heavens above.  The Happily Ever After I dreamt of for years was to begin that one special night.

I had a very vivid imagination growing up, as you can tell…Valentine fairy-tale dream-story ending now.

Today is nothing like I had ever dreamt of, or imagined it would be.  Yes, I am still single.  Still waiting for that ‘Prince Charming’ to magically waltz into my life.  To be vulnerable with you…Even though I am young, at times I question if I even still have a chance left at finding my one, true love.  No special romantic proposal will take place this evening and no, my happily ever after I have always dreamt of, will not begin today. But that’s okay…

I have come to a point in my life where I am just pleased with where I am at.  I am at, what it feels like is a season stand-still, where I am just “Okay” with how my life looks.  And that’s alright.  In the past, envy has at times taken over my joy, in celebrating beautiful milestones with my friends.  Especially in the areas of celebrating…dating, engagements and marriage. Valentine’s Day has always just been another painful reminder of something I don’t have.

I read a scripture verse recently, that I have read at least a thousand and one times.  I could possibly even recite this specific verse to you, backwards if you asked me to.  It is a verse, that I am very familiar with.  But this time, when I read it, something different happened in me.  Like never before.  It truly clicked.  The words came to life.  My eyes were opened.  It changed my perspective and broke a strong mindset in my life.

John 10:10 says, “I came so that you may have Life and live it more abundantly.” 

It was in that very moment, that I realized I had been wallowing in a vault of self-pity and drowning in a sea of hurt, rejection and anger towards others.  I just knew that I knew, something had to change.  “Why was I at a point, where I was just okay with my life?!”  God sent Jesus to us, His Children, as a gift.  He sent Him, to give us life.  He sent Him, to give us life and life more abundantly.  Readers, do you know what abundantly means to God?  We can’t even begin to fathom it.

Personally, what I believe it means to live ‘Abundantly’ is…to live a life that is so captivated with The Heavenly Father, that in all seasons, situations and circumstances around us seem but so small, because of the big God we serve. Although, my heart desperately, daily yearns for an earthly relationship, my first and forever love was nailed to a cross 2,000 years ago in the place of me. He was willing to be the sacrifice for all of my mistakes and sins. Everything I ever did, have done, or will do was laid upon His shoulders. 

We are to live in total surrender to our Saviour. Because Jesus came, to give us life and life more abundantly. So although, I won’t be proposed to and my happily ever after won’t begin today, my hearts true desire is to, love unconditionally. Trust my Saviour, my precious forever love and live life and live it well. Will you join me?

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

About Kerrington Sweeney: 

  

Kerrington Sweeney is President & Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries. She is so honoured that God has entrusted her with this adventure, of Ministry Leadership at such young age. She presently serves on various leadership teams at different churches and actively volunteers in her home town. She carries a strong mantle of community, a heart to love the unloveable, and walks with divine purpose to empower and compel women of the faith. 

Kerrington, adores journaling, public speaking, shopping, leading, and star-bucks with a friend! She feel’s God’s ‘call’ to one day embark on the journey, of a lifestyle fully committed to ministry and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.