Something To Meditate On

Good day! I hope that each of you had an enjoyable and rest filled weekend. I’m feeling a bit under the weather today so I thought I would post a little something for you to mediate on. Enjoy!

Psalm 23

A psalm of David

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods Word in their hearts.

Yesterday’s passage read, “May God anoint your ears to always listen to the Lord, for He will never forsake you. Your inheritance is that His good Spirit will instruct you.” As soon as I read this passage I thought about the fact that God is always speaking to us and wanting to show us the way that He wants us to go. Unfortunately, we don’t always listen and we often decide to do things our way. What we must understand is that when we are totally submitted to God, He will never steer us wrong. He will even give us insight on things that our children are doing and forewarn us when they are headed for trouble.

I had a conversation with my mother a few weeks ago about my little sister. My mom told me that there was one night in particular in which she was having trouble sleeping and the Lord spoke to her and told her that my sister had set up a Facebook account. Well, first off my sister is definitely too young to have a FB account and secondly, my mother had instructed her not to create one. Soon after the Lord spoke to my mother she asked my sister about the FB account and low and behold, guess who had been on FB for the last month? Yup, little sis!

I wanted to share this example to show you that as parents we do have an ally that will help us through our parenting walk. God will forewarn us when our children are doing things that they shouldn’t, He will give us strength when we think we just can’t take anymore and He will protect our children for us even when we don’t know they need to be protected. “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; (Psalm 37:28)

My mother always told my sister and I that there were eyes and ears out there working on her behalf. I didn’t quite understand what this meant as a kid, but now I totally get it. I can say that mom almost always knew when I had done something wrong, but I never understood how, now I do. Thank you Lord for being our eyes and ears in our physical absence. As parents we definitely need all the help that we can get!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

The Heat Is On

Happy Monday! Well, it’s the start to another week in what feels like one of the hottest summers ever in the ATL. As I sit at the computer my thermostat is not going below 77 degrees and it is set at 70. I have to figure out if there is a malfunction with the air-conditioning unit or if it’s just way too hot to cool off below a certain level. If there’s anyone out there that can offer up some advice on this matter please leave a comment on the homepage.

I was so disgusted when I opened the electric bill on yesterday. I couldn’t believe that it was almost $300! You all know how I am when it comes to sticking to the budget. Well, guess who didn’t factor in $300 for the electric bill for this month. It seems as though the AC unit has been working overtime to try to keep the house cool, but it doesn’t seem to be working very efficiently.

This morning I was in the processes of transferring some files over from the old computer to the new computer when I realized that I was almost completely drenched in sweat. I turned on the oscillating fan and it seems to be offering up some relief, but not much.

I have called around to find out what may be wrong with the AC unit and I was told to check and try a couple of things. If by this time tomorrow none of that stuff works I will be forced to bite the bullet and have a technician come out to have a look-see. To combat the ridiculous bill, I am thinking about turning the AC up to about 85 every night this week. I will just go old school and put the windows up and turn all of the fans on.

I know that this hardcore tactic may prove to be uncomfortable for a few nights, but the opportunity cost is worth it to me. In life, sometimes we have to endure some discomfort to get to where we want or need to be. However, no matter what our situation or circumstance is, we can always find comfort in our Lord and Savior. The Word says, “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” (Psalm 119:76). So I guess I will be doing a lot seeking comfort in Lord this week!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Parenting Through a Storm

We all have situations in life that we face where we feel that we just need to be left alone and take time for ourselves. However, as parents, we don’t always have the option of doing so. Have you ever faced a difficult situation, but couldn’t fully ride out your emotional rollercoaster because you didn’t want your child to know that something was wrong?

We try so hard to create a loving and healthy environment for our children to grow up in. We do our best to make sure that all of their needs are met. We even make personal sacrifices so that they can have the things that we didn’t.

When we are going through a “rough patch” many of us try to hide the negativity from our kids, but in doing so we don’t always properly allow ourselves to face the reality of our situation. How do we find that happy medium of parenting properly and mending our wounds? I don’t know the answer to this question. I just know that with God all things are possible. “Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."” (Matthew 19:26) We have to learn how to not lean to our own understanding, but to look to God and His Word to bring us through whatever it is that we are faced with.

No matter what may be going on in your life, just continue to show love to your child as God continually shows His love towards us. "Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:2) Parenting is not always easy, but the blessing of parenthood is so wonderfully amazing!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods Word in their hearts.

Monday’s passage read, “May God give you insight so that you will know and be continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile, never wasted or to no purpose.” As believers, we all have moments in which we get “weary in well doing” as we labor in the Lord. This can sometimes cause us to want to give in or throw in the towel. Our “natural/carnal” nature comes to surface at times and we want to act on these fleshly thoughts and desires. This is of no surprise to our Heavenly Father. The Bible explains that we were born with a sinful nature in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Although, the fact remains that we have these thoughts, but we don’t have to act on them.

The Word tells us that we can renew our strength in the Lord. “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). This is actually one of my favorite scriptures because it reminds me that the Lord WILL continually renew my strength, no matter what I may be facing. The same goes for you as well. For those moments in which you get tired and frustrated in doing the labor of the Lord, you too can find strength in Isaiah 40:31.

Our children also need to know and understand that their strength is in the Lord. We can teach them certain scriptures to stand on, so that they can speak God’s Word over whatever they may be facing in life. I mean, the Word is our living water!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Buy the Shoes

What a lovely day in the neighborhood! I hope that each of you all had a wonderful weekend filled with happiness and peace. I did something a bit out of the ordinary for me on yesterday; I purchased not one but TWO pair of shoes! Now, for those of you that know me understand that purchasing just one pair of shoes is a true abnormality in my world.

I’m so focused on “Living like no one else, so later I can live like no one else,” that I hardly ever purchase anything for myself. My hubby gets on me all the time about this, but what can I say, I’m focused man! I am a strong believer in the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover (www.daveramsey.com), which is built on the precept of delayed pleasure. Currently my family is focused on becoming debt free which means a lot of delayed pleasure for us right about now.

So I went to the shoes store on yesterday looking for a pair of flats. In wake of my recent “back issue” I have to start wearing less high hills and more flat shoes :-( While at the store I came across the perfect flat shoe for everyday wear. There was just one problem; it came in 3 different colors! Considering that I don’t have many flat shoes for everyday wear, I felt the need to purchase two colors of this shoe. I went back and forth in my mind in an attempt to figure out if it was worth the cost associated. I decided to put the shoes on hold and go to several other stores to see if I could find a cheaper pair. After journeying to four discount shoe stores, I found absolutely nothing! Then I decided to go home and talk to my husband about it. He encouraged me to purchase the shoes and I actually went back and got both pair!

When I thought about this situation today, I began to correlate what I did with Pastor Joyce Meyer’s most recent book, Eat the Cookie, Buy the Shoes. In this book she expounds upon the importance of rewarding yourself from time to time. As mothers, we so often get caught up in caring for everyone else that we don’t take time to “eat the cookie” or we put ourselves on the biggest guilt trips about “buying the shoes.” Unfortunately, in the midst of this lack of self reward we live less fulfilled lives.

I’m happy to say that I have no regrets for “buying the shoes” on yesterday and I will wear them with a big smile on my face. Although let’s not loose sight that in the midst of these material rewards, we are working towards our ultimate spiritual rewards, and our lives should reflect such. “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:31).

Disclaimer: This message is not an excuse for us to over-indulge; it’s simply stressing the importance of self-reward for those that hardly ever partake thereof.

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at Savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature Saved M.O.M.’s. There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. As most of you know yesterday was Earth Day and April is Earth Month, therefore, I would like to do things just a little bit differently. Today we will feature our very own, Mother Earth! Mother Earth has been around for thousands of years and has nourished us in so many ways. Yet many of us take her for granted.

People don’t realize the importance of taking the necessary precautions to take care of our Mother Earth. Going green doesn’t have to be the huge and impossible feat. You can make small changes now that can make a difference for years to come. I started with small things like recycling and driving less. Now not only do I do those things, but I also use all natural cleaning products in my home, compost all veggie and fruit remains, use cloth diapers, take reusable bags when shopping, purchase groceries from a local co-op and practice energy efficient methods at home, just to name a few. That may seem overwhelming at first, but once you start, it will become like second nature after a while. As a matter of fact, the few times that I forgot my reusable bags when going shopping, I almost lost it!

When it’s all said and done, this Earth belongs to our spiritual Father and we should do our part to care for it. “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1). So let’s take time to go green, our future depends on it!

For more tips on going green visit: http://gimundo.com/news/article/50-ways-to-go-green-for-earth-day-and-beyond/. Also, if you are interested in purchasing safer products for your family and your home feel free to contact me at info@savedmom.com.Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Back and Better

My, oh my, did I miss you all last week. I had a few health challenges, but we won’t dwell on the negative. Today I feel absolutely wonderful and I know that this week is going to be full of joy and peace!

I wanted to take a few moments today to share some food for thought. I took some time to look over a very famous passage in the Bible this morning, Psalm 23. Going through and coming out of a test/trial really makes you appreciate the words written in this chapter of the Good Book. To refresh your memory, it reads as follows… “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

As children of the Most High God, we have nothing to worry, fret or fear about. We can find comfort in knowing that He will restore our souls and our cups are running over. Be afraid of nothing or no one and know who you really are in Christ Jesus. His word is your medicine and your sustenance. We are winners and we can do ALL things through Christ. So, the next time you find yourself afraid or in a low place, speak Psalm 23 and watch things turn around in your favor!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods Word in their hearts.

Monday’s passage read, “I bring you, our baby before God. I thank our High God for you because you are breathtaking! Body and soul, you are marvelously made! I worship God in adoration over His creation! He made you inside and out.” According to the Word of God we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14). As parents we should uplift our children and let them know that they are beautiful both inside and out. No matter what our imperfections are, God made us marvelously.

It’s unfortunately that so many people are living with low-self esteem. In many instances their low self-esteem stems from a childhood filled with neglect and rejection. What a difference it would have made if their parents told them that they were beautiful, that they were fearfully and wonderfully made and that God makes no mistakes.

If you struggle with low self-esteem, be encouraged in knowing that you are an amazing and beautiful child of God. You were created in His image and likeness. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27).

If you are a parent, take time everyday to encourage and compliment your children. Build them up and teach them to do the same to others. Just think, how would you feel if someone encouraged you everyday? Right now I thank God for making you, you!

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods Word in their hearts.

Yesterday’s passage read, “I ask God to create a hunger for His Word in your heart. His Word will thrill you, and you will be nourished by Scripture day and night. You are a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” It is vitally important that we, as believers, are constantly filling ourselves with the Word of God. The Word of God is our spiritual food, and just like we make it a priority to feed our natural bodies daily, we must do the same for our spirits as well. The Word is one of our spiritual weapons and can be used to get us through any situation that we may face. I know that sometimes it may seem difficult to make reading the Word priority in our lives, but we really can’t afford not to.

In the book of Psalms it is explained that we are to meditate on God’s word both day and night. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:2-3). So as we raise our children we must fill them with the Word of God. We all want our children to produce good fruit and prosper and the Word has given us instruction on how to assist them in doing so.

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at Savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature Saved M.O.M.’s near and far. There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am proud to say that this week’s Feature Friday is dedicated to Tierra Destiny Reid. She currently resides in Stone Mountain, GA. Tierra is a vibrant, beautiful and talented military wife, mother of two and entrepreneur fashionista.

Tierra gave her life to the Lord at a very early age. She recalled, “As a young girl I was raised loving the Lord! My mother was a single parent for a long time and she couldn’t drive for a while and I remember riding the bus to make it to church!” Tierra recommitted her life to the Lord after graduating from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!!!). Her relationship with God has grown stronger throughout the years. She explained, “God and I have a very strong relationship and I am grateful for the ability to hear Him so clearly whenever I need His guidance.”

When I asked Tierra what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her she said, “It means incorporating God in everything that I do! It also means making sacrifices today that my children will not have to make tomorrow.” The scriptures that she stands on time and time again are Philippians 4:13 and Psalms 27:14. She said, “[These scriptures] have proven to be true over and over again in my life.”

Tierra wanted to leave our mothers with these words… “When you make things about God, your life, your decisions and even your thoughts…He rejoices and therefore will give you the strength and love you need to overcome and achieve anything your heart desires! I am constantly learning and growing and I feel his arms squeezing me so tight right now! It feels so good to have his confirmation and love.” Tierra recently stepped out on faith and opened her boutique, Stylish Consignments. She said, “Stepping out on faith feels better than I imagined and leaves me speechless at times. So many doors are already open, just waiting for us to walk through them. Sometimes people focus on the doors that are closed and wait to say, "When one door closes another one opens…" Well I have found it to be true, several doors are there just waiting for you to take the first step inside.”

Tierra has always had a knack and love for fashion and will be celebrating the grand opening of her boutique this weekend just outside of Atlanta, GA. She explained, “Resale industry was inspired by my natural love for fashion and my mother’s gift to always find an impeccable deal!” Learn more about her and the business at www.stylishconsignments.com. The grand opening will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 10 am-4 pm at 5514 Lawrenceville Hwy, Suite E, Lilburn, GA, 30047. Tierra’s favorite quote is, “If not you then who if not now then when. She explained, “I actually wrote this quote on my mirror when I decided not to work for anyone else until I gave myself a shot. It inspires me.”

Be sure to tune in on Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature Saved M.O.M.’s . There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am proud to say that this week’s Feature Friday is dedicated to Taleea D. Mungin. She currently resides in Fort Worth, TX and is the mother of five. She is such an energetic and joy filled mother. Sometimes I wonder just how she does it all!

Taleea was living in Germany at the time that she received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She explained, “I was depressed and feeling like I was missing something. I heard a voice say, “You have tried everything else now try Jesus.” I used to go to a hair stylist in Germany and she led me to the Lord. I started attending her church and that is where I got born-again.” That was on Easter Sunday in 1997. God has been doing a miraculous work in Taleea ever since and her light truly shines for all to see.

When I asked Taleea what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her she said, “Being a Saved M.O.M. to me means enjoying a spirit-filled life. I have never known such peace and security. It is not always easy, but God’s grace is sufficient.” Her children love and respect her. They understand that she is saved and that they are under the blood of Christ as well. Taleea went on to say, “It is wonderful to watch my daughter Moneeka follow in my footsteps as a singer. She is very active in Youth ministry and she loves the Lord. I do have older children, who are not where I want them to be, but I am a praying mother and I know that the prayers of the righteous availeth much.”

Her favorite scripture is Psalms 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” God’s love, protection, provision and instructions can be found in that scripture. Taleea explained, “Every time I feel weak or discouraged I read Psalm 91. He hides me from my enemies. He gives His angels charge over me just like He did for Jesus. God’s word is true to this day. He has always loved me and my family. I could go on and on about God’s goodness and mercy. He even protects us from ourselves, now that is grace and mercy!”

When asked if she had any words to leave as inspiration for other mothers Taleea said, “Always pray over your children and ask God for wisdom. He says His wisdom is far more precious than diamonds and precious stones. Love God first, your spouse second and then your children, because God will always direct your path if you put Him first. He will always lead you in the right direction.”

Taleea is currently working on her Bachelors degree in English and Education and her Masters in Children’s counseling. She believes that children need to know that there are people out here that love them for who they are. She said, “They need to know God loves them and they have hope.”

Be sure to tune in Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (http://www.savedmom.com/), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,


Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.


Sunday’s passage read, “_______ (your child’s name), I praise our Lord tonight. He promised that when we are speaking and praying making our requests to Him, He will come to give us insight and understanding. He is to be highly esteemed.” The part of this passage that really stands out to me is “He will come and give us insight and understanding.” It doesn’t say that He will grant us our requests right away, but that He will give us understanding. So often in life we get frustrated and disappointed because God didn’t grant us our prayer request when and how we wanted it. The Holy Spirit has shown me over the past few years that we are not always ready to receive what we are requesting of Him.

Think about it this way… if your child asks you for something and you know that s/he is not ready to receive it yet or that it may not be good for him or her, will you deliver it anyway? In most cases, the answer to that question is no. As parents we can see things that our children can’t and we have wisdom to understand things that they don’t. Therefore, we are able to give them insight and understanding regarding their request just as God does for us.

I am so thankful that God didn’t deliver every request that I made of Him at the time that I made it. If he had, my spiritual and emotional growth probably would have been stunted. I would have digressed and would basically be a “Hot Mess” right about now! Now, I have to say that as believers we can wait in expectancy of what we ask of the Lord. “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3). Although, we must be in a state of constant self improvement and always growing in our word life so that we are in a place where we are prepared to receive what we have petitioned of Him.


Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

The Milky Way

Hi there! Hope your weekend was filled with blessings and awesomeness :-) Now onto the start of another lovely, wonderful and exciting week in the amazing world of motherhood. In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week I want to use this entry to talk about the womanly art of breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding is such a great experience for both mother and child. Unfortunately, so many of us are plagued with pain and frustration in the first few days of this endeavor. I have to admit that although I prayed and affirmed to have a positive and painless start to breastfeeding, it just didn’t happen that way. I now understand that this happened to raise a breastfeeding testimony for me to one day share. I don’t want to go through play by play of what went wrong because I don’t want to discourage any mothers or mothers to be out there that are planning on breastfeeding. Although, I do want to share that after we got through the rough patch it was such a blessing!

Many women are not aware of the many benefits that can be afforded to both mommie and baby as a result of breastfeeding. I want to take this time to point out those benefits to you. Even if you are beyond breastfeeding years, you can still encourage others to bless themselves and their babies by choosing to do so.

Benefits to baby are as follows…
· Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
· The varying composition of breast milk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs
· Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea
· Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis
· Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets
· Reduced risk of childhood diabetes
· Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning)
· Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
· Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
· Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits
· Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
· Suckling on the breast strengthens baby’s facial structure development, enhances speech, promotes straighter teeth & enhances vision
· Breastfed babies are more intelligent. They develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development reduced risk of heart disease later in life
· Increased bone density
· Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies
· Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers
· Antibody response to vaccines are higher
· Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life
· The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
· Decreased risk for vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia
· Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis
· There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others
· Less risk of childhood obesity
· Breastfed babies are healthier
· Breast milk is easily digested.

Benefits to mommie are as follows…
· Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses
· Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding
· Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
· Reduced risk of anemia
· Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
· Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation
· Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day
· Helps delay return of fertility (menstrual period) and to space subsequent pregnancies
· Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
· Breast milk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)
· Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations
· Releases prolactin, a hormone which relaxes mom and reduces stress
· Reduces the risk of postpartum depression.

Other Benefits...
· Breastfeeding reduces the cost of healthcare by promoting healthier children and mothers
· Reduced insurance premiums for both parents and employers
· Breastfeeding reduces global pollution by decreasing the use of resources and energy required to produce, process, package, distribute, promote and dispose of materials created by the manufacture and use of artificial baby milk
· Reduced tax burden on communities and government to ensure children are properly fed
· Reduced absenteeism in the workplace due to children's illnesses
· You can nurse while sleeping...nursing moms get more rest than formula feeding moms
· Breastfeeding saves moms about 7 hours a week off their feet
· No screaming baby in the middle of the night waiting on the formula to heat up
· Breastfeeding is more convenient, when traveling, all you need is to take diapers, the milk is always available, sterile, and the right temperature
· During times of disaster, you don't have to worry about finding formula
· Breastfed babies smell great....spit ups don't stain, or smell, and poopie diapers are not offensive...(until solids are introduced)
· Breastfeeding requires the use of only one arm....you can do other things while breastfeeding, (except cooking and driving)
· Many, many more benefits, too numerous to list!!!

(Information gathered at http://www.motheringfromtheheart.com/Benefits.htm)

There are so many wonderful benefits to breastfeeding and I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to be blessed with those benefits....You made me hope and trust when I was on my mother's breast. (Psalms 22:9). I must state that this post was not meant to demean mothers that weren’t able to breastfeed. I just want to raise awareness on the blessings of breastfeeding and discourage mothers from not breastfeeding due to selfish reasons and lack of understanding.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Be sure to subscribe on the website.

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the lovely world of motherhood! As most of you know on Fridays we take time to feature Saved M.O.M.’s . There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am proud to say that this week’s Feature Friday is dedicated to Zaneta Nikita Adell, affectionately known as Nikita. She currently resides in Lithia Springs, Georgia. Nikita is truly a blessing to the kingdom of God. I have watched her serve in our church for many years, dedicating her life to the service of the Lord.

During our interview Nikita explained that she gained a personal relationship with the God at the age of 13. She said, “I actually grew up in church all my life, however, I really fell in love with Jesus at the age of 13. That was a time when all that could go wrong did, and he was the only one, who I could count on. She went on to talk about how this made her relationship with God much stronger.

When I asked Nikita what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her, she shared, “Being a mom period means the world to me, however, being a Saved M.O.M. gives my son a great example that God has placed in his life. Nikita went on to say, “When I was a child, I always knew that one day, I would be a mom and a great one. I feel like because I'm saved, I can show my son what it means to be a Godly woman who walks in character and integrity; a mom who can be a great example to him on how to treat a woman and always have respect for her.” She is a firm believer that having a relationship with God allows her to have great compassion, patience and understanding. She proclaimed, “God has blessed me with a precious gift of being a mother, and for that what more could I ask!” Her favorite scripture is Psalm 34:9. She explained, “When I fear God and totally trust him, he said that he would supply all my needs and wants. That means I can rest and depend on him to give me what I need through my obedience.”

Nikita wanted to take a moment to share these words with all mothers… “If I could give any advice to a mom, I would tell her to always put God first in all you do and set a trend for your children by living a Godly life. What they do and how they act in life starts in the home. Let's create a Godly generation, by setting a great example.”

Be sure to tune in Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Multi-Tasking

Is it just me or are mothers the best multi-taskers in the world? It’s so incredible when you consider just how much a mother does on a daily basis. I truly believe that the Lord uniquely designed us to get many tasks accomplished with time and energy to spare.

I was just sitting here a moment ago thinking about all that I have accomplished this week. I must say that I immediately got tired just thinking about it. Then, I consider the task of a single mother. As many of you all know, for many years, my mother was a single mom. Now, being a mother myself, I think back on that time period in pure amazement and awe. How did she do it with energy to spare and with her sanity in tact? It had to be by the strength and peace of the Lord. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11). I have to take this time to give a standing ovation to the single mothers out there. I really did just stand and clap for you precious queens! Seriously ladies, you deserve so much respect and reverence for all that you do on a daily basis.

The Lord gives us strength and energy to achieve all of the things that he wants us to achieve. We all get tired, but let’s not get weary in the midst of it all. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9). I am totally preaching to myself today! In addition to seeking the Lord for strength we must also use wisdom. We need to get adequate rest (7+ hrs/night), exercise, eat healthy and take the right multivitamins. In addition to feeling better on a daily basis, you will also reduce your risks for suffering with many diseases and be less likely to become obese. To all my Saved M.O.M.’s, go ahead and flap your superwoman cape, you deserve it!

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Coming Into My Own

There were so many topics that I wanted to write about today, but I had to narrow it down to one. I thank God that I am finally “coming into my own.” For so many years I searched and prayed for direction and clarity. The Lord has been slowly revealing His will for my life. If you asked me 10 years ago where I would be today I probably would have said undoubtedly, “I will be a successful actress, living in New York, living the sexy and single life and loving it!” Wow, I am so far from that, but it’s so wonderful that God knows best and that he orders our steps.

We often wonder what our purpose is and what the future holds. What I have come to learn is that if we TOTALLY surrender ourselves to Him, things will work out in His most excellent harmony. I have no doubt that I will have all things that my heart desires – just in His timing. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4). I have learned to be patient and not put time restraints on God. How awful it would be for Him to grant me the desires of my heart before I am truly ready to receive them. Father really does know best.

As I have written before, I never knew that I would have embarked upon the wonderful calling of motherhood when I did, but praise God that I did. For if I had not been obedient and allowed His will to be done in this area this ministry would not yet have been birthed. You would not be reading the words on this page and I might not have started to “come into my own.” Thank you Lord for speaking to me and leading me. So the next time that you think that things are not going the way that you would have planned, consider the words written on this page.

Be sure to tune in Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. Every night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.

The passages for this month have been focused on character building. I was taken aback by last night’s passage because it was so mature in nature. At first read I thought, “This is going be a difficult one to write on because it so adult.” Then I considered that it could actually minister to some of the Saved M.O.M.’s that may be dealing with this issue. The passage that I am referring to read, “I pray that you will be blessed with the rewards of fidelity, and that you will rejoice in the spouse of your youth.” It is so unfortunate that in today’s society so many children grow up in broken homes and see their parents’ marriages and relationships fail. My parents were divorced when I was a young child and so were my husbands’ parents. However, my husband and I have vowed that our children will not see their parents divorced. It is vitally important that we make every effort possible to show our children examples of healthy Godly relationships.

There is no doubt about it; marriage takes lots of work, true love and patience. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4). One thing that we should always consider is that when we are married, we enter into a covenant not only with our spouse, but with God. This is not to be taken lightly. We should strive to be faithful to our spouses and God on a daily basis. We should also ENJOY our spouses and be happy in our decision to spend the rest of our lives with this person, for better or for worse. To all of the married women out there that may be struggling in your marriage, please don’t give up and remember that with God all things are possible. To the single mothers out there, be patient and wait for God to send you your Boaz. Stay in His word and His will, and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4).

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Here by popular demand, today is officially testimony Tuesday! The readers call and Saved M.O.M. answers. Get ready to hear testimonies of a lifetime here on every Tuesday. Please feel free to share your testimony with us at anytime. To submit your testimony, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “submit” button. So I thought it would be apropos to share my testimony for the first official Testimony Tuesday. Hold on to your seats, you are in for the ride of your life!

People often say that you can’t judge a book by its cover; well at least that’s what they tell me when I share my testimony. I have to give God ALL of the glory for turning my test into a testimony and bringing me out of a very dark place. Here goes…

As a child and teenager I was bound by spirits of sexual perversion, depression and addiction. I lost my virginity in my early teens and things just went downhill from there. I often went on drug runs with so called friends, smoked marijuana, and constantly lied to my mother. I attempted suicide by way of a prescription drug overdose at the tender age of 14 and had to be rushed to the hospital to have my stomach pumped. This resulted in a stay in the psychiatric ward for what seemed like forever. I drank and smoke to fit in and feel “good”. I was in a continuous state of depression which led to anorexia and an unfulfilling lesbian relationship. This further drove a wedge into an already strained relationship between my mother and I. Shonte’ was basically doing everything that she was big enough and bad enough to do. This continued into my college years. When I think back, I see that the love of God was always right there. “Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:2). In the midst of all of this hell, I was able to maintain an A/B average in school, earn scholarships for college, gain acceptance into the University of GA (Go Dawgs!), maintain employment in a co-op program with the Federal Government and sustain membership in several honor societies. The Lord also protected me from teenage pregnancy, STD’s, and excessive drug abuse. It’s absolute insanity when I consider that when my mother told me that she wanted me to receive salvation, I said, “If I die in my sin it’s just meant for me to go to hell.” The devil is a liar! Thank God for his saving grace and mercy. “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3).

During my junior year of college I was in such a bad place and didn’t know where to turn, so I turned to God. I received salvation on Easter Sunday of that year and haven’t looked back since. I can’t lie and say that I changed over night, but I can say that I am not the person that I used to be. I understand that my test is a testimony for so many other young women. Will you be brave enough to share your test with us; you never know what life you might save in the process.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

April Showers

Considering that the month of April just ended, I thought it may be a good time to reflect upon the “April Showers” of life. It seems that in this natural realm we live in, we sometimes allow April showers to depress and dispirit us. Why do we let a little bit of God’s fertilizing rain affect us this way? For if it were not for the natural rain, flowers wouldn’t bloom, trees wouldn’t grow and crops would not produce a harvest. “I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:4). When you compare and contrast the natural rain to the spiritual rain something similar occurs. We must experience spiritual rain showers to grow and mature in the Lord. The experiences that life has given us are the sum of who we are. For instance, if it were not for my husbands’ persistence in us starting our family at the time that we did, I probably would not be writing the words that are written on this page. To God be the Glory!

As children of God we often pray for God to bless us and give us the desires of our hearts. So why is it that when we experience a storm that will eventually lead to awesome fruit and harvest, we ask God to make it stop. How silly is that? We want our blessing, but we don’t want to endure the April showers that we need to grow our blessings.

As parents we are so quick to want to fight our children’s battles for them. Have you ever taken the time to consider that maybe this is a fight that they must conquer in order to receive their May flowers? Now, let’s not take this to the extreme. There are some instances where we must step in as parents and protect our children, but we must know when to step in and when to sit back and watch God work.

I want each of you to take notice and remember this the next time you are in a season of April showers. Instead of taking cover and running from the rain, take off your shoes, raise your hands and dance in the rain like never before. Open your mouth and taste God’s blessing as it flows into your life. “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

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