G.I.G.G.L.E.S . . . She Laughs

G.I.G.G.L.E.S . . . She Laughs, subtitled "Girls in God: Giving, Loving, Encouraging, Serving," focuses on empowering women to take control of their lives by applying spiritual guidance from the Bible to daily living. The reader is invited to indulge in her devotional writings, and she hopes that you not only smile but giggle with God.

My grandmother never had to tell us to get up; our little bodies perked up to the smell of homemade pancakes, the sound of frying bacon, and the slight cracking of eggs on Sunday mornings. We knew it like clockwork: breakfast, get dressed for church, collect our offering quarter, and head down to Union Baptist Church. We would pile up in one pew and share a hymnal book. We giggled and sang off-key until we were dismissed for Sunday School. After Sunday School was what we kids thought was nap time...the Sermon. Although grandma would give us a good, swift pop on the head to sit up and pay attention, I'm not sure we ever really knew why we had to sit and listen to that guy in the black robe whoop and holler about a man named Jesus. Regardless, we were there every Sunday. As we grew older, we began attending our uncle's church. We were the ushers, the choir, the congregation, the help, and any other duty we were needed for. As those teenage years passed, some of us grew a bit too big for our pants. We wandered into the world, leaving our foundation to cry out for our return. I was about 25 years old before I marched my wretched self back to the church house. I made it a point to rekindle my belief and faith, not only for me but for my son. Leaving the world behind and teaching my son the path of righteousness became my ultimate goal. We eventually landed in a church that nurtured both him and me; I became ordained, he was baptized, and we were thriving.

I relied heavily on my spirituality and relationship with God. I also shared and testified about what I had gone through and how God had brought me out. Through it all, I discovered that my gift from God was to encourage and teach. I started a study group, a blog, and an online prayer group. The groups and blogs were successful. For a few years, I would get up every morning and read the Bible. I would then jot down what came to mind. That's how my blog started. People joined my blog, and they were so enlightened by the material that they encouraged me to do more with it. I then started the online prayer group that encouraged reading & studying the bible; healthy eating; good stewardship over finances; and how to bridle the tongue. The word got around, and I found that I had acquaintances who were uncomfortable at church but wanted to learn and receive the Word. I started an at-home Bible study. Every Thursday, I would run through lessons and discussions about the Bible. This Bible study grew as the weeks went on. Eventually, life took me down another path, and the online prayer group became the focus of lessons and encouragement. One year turned into two, then three, and before you knew it. I had a compilation of Bible lessons and writings that encouraged women throughout our city and a few other states. The material that you will read in this book is the very material that nurtured and encouraged my study and prayer groups. The first and second chapters are my reflections on the books of Psalms and Proverbs, and the third chapter is a reflection of different scriptures or writings that I shared with my groups.

The excerpts are thoughts of the heart inspired by God. Some are bold and straight to the point, while others will tickle you to giggle. Overall, the sharing of God's Word was the goal, and the sharing was from my heart, my point of view, and how I felt God led me. Now I'm sharing my posts and writings in book form. You never know who can benefit from your story, testimony, or ideas.