Micaela Jones

For someone who's adjusted in a stage of life yet feels a new phase must begin, I dream of starting a new chapter of my life that would allow me to make more of my wishes come true. Sometimes I feel like a library book waiting to find its fitting spot in a bookshelf as long as it's the right size for it. When it finds its place, the book waits for a curious patron who'd be interested in the story that it possesses to come by and check it out in hopes of touching the reader's heart. In the end, the reader could become so enamored with the book that he or she will share its message with others and recommend it to other readers who'd be inspired as well. As I eagerly wait for a new chapter of my life to start, I must use all my strength to discipline myself in exercising patience. But for me, that can be an exhausting thing to do because I yearn for change to take place while the waiting period is very long and dull for me. Nevertheless, I seek ways to lift my spirits ...

  Long ago, a clan of warriors traveled by sea with their families in search of shelter from a dreadful war. But it wasn’t the only force behind their escape. The voyagers were also seeking a tree believed to have the power to heal all wounds and illnesses.      After many days at sea, the warriors found the land to venture through the forests for this healing tree. With the golden compass of an explorer, the men succeeded in their long quest. One warrior pulled out one of its fruits that hung above to see if this was the tree. To his great delight, his broken arm was repaired after one bite of the fruit. Soon, everyone partook of it, and their sufferings were healed.

Revenge is neither golden nor prosperous. It leads to nowhere except to the deepest depths of the darkness. The only places it leads you to are hate, sorrow, bitterness, contention and dread, all of which give nothing but pain. Forgiveness is a city of peace, renewal, joy and mercy, all of which provide true happiness. It is a landmark that stands out in the light to signal where you are so you can discover how far you've come in your journey to true healing. It never forgets or pardons the pain you've been through because of others or yourself. Rather, it takes in all of the broken pieces of your soul with compassion and care, and transforms them all into an improved molding of yourself that others need to see. Yourself included.

Blessed are you, Lord, my God, who is King of the Universe. Grant Your peace unto me as I grant peace unto You through Your works. Draw near to me as I draw near to You. My peace I give unto You as You give Your peace unto me. For You are the God of happiness, love and mercy. Blessed is my Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, our Prince of Peace. My heart I give to Him as He, a divine figure, gave His life for me, a flawed sinner. He, who is without sin, extends His love without expecting perfection from us in return. Neither judgment nor condemnation are upon us unless we put them on ourselves. As our Redeemer, He encourages all of us to heed His promptings and commandments but rejoices as we improve ourselves through grace and mercy. As His follower, I vow to go with Him not to the ends of the earth, but to eternity, and throughout. His love fills my soul, as does His light that clears my path as I walk through the mists of darkness. My heart I give to Him. My soul I give to ...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16 I look forward to the day Christmas comes as it marks the celebration of the most wonderful gift that God gave to the world. Jesus Christ came to Earth like any human being would through normal conception. He lived like a human. He breathed like a human. He loved like a human. He spoke like a human. He walked like a human. He hurt like a human. He was all human, but at the same time, He was all divine because He was spiritually and physically the Son of God. A man both connected to Heaven and to Earth, linked between God and mankind. Without Him, I know there'd be no bridge that can lead to redemption from our worldly sins; or eternal life with God in the heavens.

As an adult facing harder times than a youth or a child could, how do I keep my spirits up when I'm faced with loneliness, depression or isolation stemming from anything? That is an excellent question because it takes so much to answer it or to uplift ourselves during our adult years. While being an adult offers much independence & wisdom, it also comes with much responsibility and darkness, and those can be more challenging than we imagine. While you were a kid, it was easy to dream of growing up because grown-ups have cell phones, drive cars, wear adult-sized clothes or makeup, or experience interesting things our bodies go through. But when you reach adulthood, you learn the hard way that it's not exactly what you imagined. While it grants some liberation, it doesn't come free of duties, obligations or challenges we never thought possible when we were kids. We have to pay bills, buy groceries, make even the toughest decisions we never wanted to. This is why I advise ...