Single... Adjective not a Status

Why does the world make being single seem so wrong? Especially being a single female? I have wondered about this topic for quite sometime. When I tell people that I am 26 and single (especially older folks) they almost have a heart attack. When I talk to people my age and I say that I am single they look at me as if something is wrong with me. Oh and of course, our beloved Saints. The church family well, before you hear a "how are you doing" you hear " I'm praying on that husband for you baby" LOL.Truth be told, I am absolutely grateful for those prayers but I'm content right now.

1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 Paul explains how it is better to be single. The single have time to fully commit to the Lord. Now lets lay this out in layman's terms. As a single person, I have time! Seriously, I can attend all the youth events, prayer nights, concerts, movies, dinners, and friends events. I can travel at a moments notice. I CAN SAVE MONEY! We all know I am a Fashionista. I can shop whenever I want without much consideration. My mind can meditate on God's word without distraction. Yes, I want to be married and have a family! But this single season gives so much preparation. I can learn how to cook, how to properly do laundry ( its scientific I tell you..lol) I can have priceless experiences and testimonies. This is my time to get to fully know God and to fully know myself.

During my Monday morning devotional before work I read the story of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29). The Bible says that Jacob so loved and desired Rachel that he agreed to work 7 years for her ( 7 YEARS!!!!) The Words further explains that the 7 years seems like just days to Jacob. See what I learned from this story is that Jacob believed in God so much that he knew at the end he would receive his hearts desire so he was content in waiting and working towards that blessing. We ought to believe God for our blessings too. The time between realizing our desire and God giving us the blessing should be filled with contentment and peace and work. As a single who desires a Godly marriage and family, I fully believe that God will give that to me. I also realize that God needs my full undivided attention right now. He needs me to reach out to other broken girls who have been through or going through what I have. To be a light unto others for his glory. To show non Christians that its okay to laugh and be silly and still love the Lord with all your being. At the same time God is answering my prayers too. I asked that he prepare me for my one day husband and family ( 3 kids, please Jesus)

PSA: Be careful of what you pray for. Some of us are not fully prepared to take that hard look in the mirror and realize we sometimes are the problem. That there are things in us that must change.

I know many young people who are married or engaged and they all say the same thing. They have an added responsibility. They have another person(s) consideration to take into account. They are not able to easily up and leave for vacations or spend money. Especially wives, they have to take care of home and their families before any church events or outings.

Contentment, Peace, Dedication & Preparation are the main themes of your single season. If you continue the story of Jacob and Rachel you know that he was tricked (due to his previous disobedience) into working 7 more years to receive Rachel as his wife. Those years went by as if days because Jacob was not toiling over the time but rather he was in contentment and at peace about his hearts desire that he would gain in the end. On a personal note, I found myself actually counting the time that I have been single until I read this story. Keeping tabs is not a part of this season, enjoy your time with the Lord and ALL that he has to show you and have you experience. When you are married with your family, you can be prepared for certain obstacles and events. You can have testimonies to help guide your future children through their difficulties. Let the light of God shine through you in your single season and that light may very well guide your future right to you.

Love you to Peace,
Cherrell A.

Follow on IG @churchgirlsministry
Follow on FB: Church Girls Ministry
www.churchgirlsministry.com

Fashionista on a Budget...

Hola!!!!! ( I totally sang that.. LOUDLY) lol

Hello All! It has been a few days since my last post. I figured I haven't had a Fashion post in a while so here it is. Now, as you all know I am a real BUDGET Fashionista. I pinch pennies, okay! So today, I would like to share with you just a few items I've picked up the past few weeks. All items were on sale!

BTW in case you had no idea, the sales on New Years Day are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I think everything everywhere is on sale for 40%,50%, 60% even %70 off. You've got to be sure to shop New Years Day.

Well folks here are my items from January. Hope you enjoy!

1. MultiColored Polka Dot Peplum top- H&M $7

2. Pink Floral Peplum top- H&M $10

3. Blk & Pastel Rose Peplum top- Target $8

4. Gold Sparkle Sweater- Kmart $10

Splatter Purple & Turquoise Pencil Skirt- Target $8 

Asymmetric Skirt with Belt- Forman Mills $10 

Blk & White Pencil Skirt- Forman Mills $10

And of course I had to find a couple make up items! Unfortunately these items were not on sale but they are definitely worth the cost.

Let's start with the MAC Studio Conceal and Correct Duo in Rich Yellow & Burnt Coral. This product comes with the two colors but I only use the Burnt Coral as that is the color that works for my skin tone. This item is a life saver for my dark circles under my eyes. Priced at $25

Also from MAC is the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium/Dark. This is the finishing touch I needed to blend everything together and create that "makeup but non makeup" look. Hefty price at $32  

Everyone is obsessed with Ben Nye's Setting Powders. I like them too but I just could not part with the dollars for it..lol. A nice cheap sub is ELFs High Definition Setting Powder- $6. This product highlights the area and keeps the concealer from creasing during the day. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ONE!

Next up is the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer. Now this is my FAVORITE purchase ever!! This product actually does exactly what it is suppose to. Just a few daps of this cream before you apply your makeup is magic. Your makeup isn't going anywhere. For $7, this is gold! I highly recommend this product. 

Quick note: the matte effect is not drying. You will not look like you forgot to moisturize lol 

Lastly, As a birthday gift from Sephora I received two NARS lipsticks. A Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil. These items both retail for $25 each. Thank goodness it was my birthday gift :) I really like the Satin Lip Pencil but I find that it does not last long. 

Well folks that all I have for you today. As always God is still Alpha and Omega. I pray you all be blessed. Talk to you soon all!

Love ya to Peace,
Cherrell A.

The Gift of Singleness- Celibacy

In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Paul urges those who are single to remain single. He refers to the ability to be single specifically celibacy as a gift from God. Not many people will see this as a gift but in all actuality it is such a blessing. I for one have always been afraid of being single. I focused so much on the fact that I would feel lonely or that I wouldn't have any fun. On the contrary, This single season is so refreshing. This season is freeing. Paul explains in the same chapter how singles have an endless amount of time to seek and serve God. This is the time to find your footing with God, to truly focus on your walk of righteousness with the Lord. I guess this is why the enemy wants to make people feel like being single is such a bad thing. He doesn't want you hit the ground running towards God and according to his word.

Specifically pointing out celibacy (which is actively refraining from sex and marriage) as a gift. I will explain my personal experience regarding how God gave me this gift. It had been years since I declared Jesus Christ as my savior but I was still trapped by sin, especially sex. About a year ago I began to feel the tug of the Holy Spirit. Over time it became so strong that the sinful relationship I was in began to crumble. The very last time I had sex the Holy Spirit convicted me not to but I violated that conviction. It was a physical battle happening within me. As I drove to that randoms house, my head began to hurt. I parked to walk up to the door I felt so off, kind of in a daze really. As we proceed in the act, at one point I began to cry. I could not understand why. I felt dirty and unworthy. I wish there was a term to fully describe how horrible I felt. Once it was over, I could not face the random because my face was full of tears. I went into the other room to dress and as I was dressing, I physically felt my spirit leave me. I felt death.

Now let me explain what I mean by my spirit left me. The living Word many times refers to the spirit, soul and flesh of man. (Hebrews 4, Thessalonians 5) To explain in basic terms: the spirit is the direct connection to God. It is how we speak and hear God. The soul is sort of the middle man. Our conscious mind that relays the message to and from our spirit and flesh. Lastly, flesh is the physical body of man.

My spirit at that time left me. I could no longer feel the presence of God. See for me, God is my glue. He keeps me together. All pain or frustrations, insecurities and disappointments. He holds them so that I can be free. When I could no longer feel God, the weight of the world fell back on me. I left that house and sat in my car and cried for hours. I cried not only for what just happened but for all the disappointments of that situation. I cried because I had failed God. I had directly disobeyed him. I disrespected God! As I was crying I began to pray to God for forgiveness. Begging him to forgive me! I started to pray and as I prayed my prayer changed from asking for forgiveness to thankfulness. This was the weirdest moment. Why would I start to thank God after what just happened? I realized in that moment, I have received the gift of celibacy. From that very moment, I have not had the desire nor the thought of sex. From that day my freedom began.

I have found the time, energy and the spiritual mindset to focus on God's purpose in my life. I have been so busy working for God ever since. I am working on the board for two young women's ministries. ( Church Girls Ministry and Pinky Promise - Northern New Jersey) I am beginning this years youth program at my church ( Youth Hangout Night- Friday/Saturdays) I have yet to miss a prayer service. I have ample time to pray and read the word, instead of worrying out whomever. And as you all know, I was baptized November 30th 2014.

I often sit back and wonder at my peace and contentment, about how I stayed away from this single season of freedom for so long. Now, don't get me wrong. Lol, my prayer to receive my husband in 2015 has not fallen away AT ALL! However, I'm taking the Ruth route on this one. The man God has for me will find me deep in the heart of God, busy as a worker bee!

It is my prayer that my sisters and brothers in Christ, allow God to bless them with gifts. Even gifts that they don't quite understand. God is a great God of mercy, love and faithfulness. All that he parts with his children as good things, whether you understand it now or later in life. Be blessed you guys!

Love ya to peace,
Cherrell A.

Who is this?

I recently went to a birthday party for a friend from my church. I had a blast. Music, food and PHOTO BOOTH! Lol Well this morning the photographer tagged me in one of my pictures from the party. It was gorgeous! I could not stop looking at the photo. All day, I kept going back to the picture. I mean this is certainly not the first picture I've taken in a while. Truth be told I'm a #SelfieQueen. So as I'm getting ready for bed, I'm thinking why am I so obsessed with this particular picture? 

It dawned on me that I am seeing me for the first time in a LONG time. I mean, seeing Cherrell. Unapologetically me! Not an image of who someone wants me to be. Not scared to be girly and out going. Loving who God made me to be without a thought in the world of what others may think of me. The smile in the picture is genuine. I can see the light in myself. 

God is something else, I tell ya! For the first time in years. I see freedom and joy and peace. I'm not a size two and it's okay. I have an Over bite and it's okay. I am Ditsy as ever-it's okay. How did I go so long neglecting this fearfully and wonderfully made image of God? How dare I? SMH!! 

Out of Zion, a perfection of beauty, God has shined. (Psalm 50:2) 

I walked passed a mirror and asked God, who is that? God replied, That is a masterpiece I am working on. Just wait until you see her completed! 

Faith_loves 💙❤️

2015!!! Get ready to receive!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 🎉🎉🎊🎊🎉🎉

I am overly excited about this new year! I pray God pours out blessings upon blessing for us all. 2014 was ROUGH! But thank God for his faithfulness and grace- We made it. Now for the millionth time ( we can say this together because I have said it a lot in my blogs) I am praying God reveals my love and that he prepares me for him! I believe whole heartedly that I will meet him this year. Normally I hate surprises but I'm very excited to see how God prepares me and how we will meet each other.

In the interim, SHOCKER- so far I am feeling this single season. It's very freeing. I can blast my worship music as much as I want, talk about God as much as I want, be ME. I can wear as much pink as I want and be super girly. No stress of sex or keeping up an image of who someone else wants me to be. I can just be who God made me to be!! 🙌🙌  I have time and energy to figure out Gods purpose for me. I've had this tug for a long time to care for babies (orphan infants) I just haven't been able to find how to do that. ( know any volunteer organizations?) I also have time and energy to pray and talk to other single girls or girls fresh in faith/ struggling with their faith. It's amazing. I have so much time to focus on God. Honestly, it's going to be tough to leave all this freedom. But I know God will give me someone who is equally or more on fire for God. So it will be okay.

Gosh, although our days are troublesome I believe God will carry us through. He is so faithful. I had a chance to go through notes from 2014. I was carrying so much hurt and negativity, so much sadness and anger. I was heavy. But in each of those notes, was a piece of God, carrying this heavy load with me. He carried me until it was time to completely let go. Praise God for being by my side!!

2015- My Spirit is ready to recieve God. My life is ready to recieve his blessings. Are you all ready?! I pray peace, joy, health, love, and prosperity for all of my sisters and brothers in Christ! ❤️

Cheers to an AMAZING year in Christ!! 🌟