Reflection is something we all see and can relate to on many different levels. Our reflection is how we see ourselves— this is our internal image, and it can be based off trauma, experiences, confidence, or how others have treated you. Here is the thing though… reflection can be distorted or influenced, but it can also be unlearned.

We can be so hard on ourselves while navigating through life. Life is already difficult, yet we constantly feel like we have to be perfect. But the truth is—there is no such thing as perfection. No human on this earth is perfect.

Hey my ForevaBlack family, I haven’t written a post in a while. I was on a 40-day fast with my church family; and it was an amazing but challenging journey. During my 40 days, I learned how to seek and search. I had to seek God’s love and wisdom, and search what was inside of me. God exposed some things that I wasn’t aware of; inside of me and in others. He taught me discipline, obedience, and love. What is it that you need to seek from God? What is it that you need to search inside of you?

So often, we get wrapped up in situations, places, and people—and they will always produce one of two things: confusion and chaos, or connection and clarity.

A quote that inspired this blog post is “old keys won’t open new doors.” In the current stage of my life, I can no longer afford to move the way I once did. I can no longer do the things that I used to do. I’m trying to transition into bigger and better opportunities, and old habits and old things cannot come through those doors with us.

As I was reading my Bible this week, I found myself in the books of James and Hebrews. Those two chapters are what led me to today’s topic: checking your heart.

Today’s message is important and very simple, it’s all about you. You matter. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re a beautiful force in this world. In a world with over 8 billion people, there is only one of YOU. No one else can be you, God made you for a reason. You have a gift that only you can execute in a certain way, no one can carry your gift or calling like you.

As I’m maturing and doing much reflecting, I’m learning we have to weigh our cup. Do we have a lot in there or do we need a refill? Are we halfway or are we overflowing? And I know you are wondering, “Niya, why are we talking about cups?” What if I told you the cup is you? Are you checking in on yourself and making sure you’re good? Or are you just worrying about everything and everybody around you?

Have you ever felt like the things you are carrying or going through is just so heavy? Yeah… me too. The weight of everything we have going on in our lives can be too much, and we don’t know where to turn. But just WAIT, wait on God; wait on a word from him, wait and trust. God never meant for us carry our burdens or to stress when we are going through, He wants better for us.

It’s been a while since my last blog post, but I’m happy to be back. I pray you guys have been good, I love you guys so much. As I took my break, God sent a message to me to deliver to you all. You can still be used, even if you’ve been hurt and abused. God can still use you even if you have a past, if you have trauma, and if you have ugly scars; YOU CAN STILL BE USED.

ForevaBlack family, in life there will be times where people will not clap for you. There will be people who are our oppositions, but you should never let it shake you. A piece of information that has stuck with me since I’ve learned it is, “the enemy doesn’t bother what he isn’t threatened by.” When trying to walk in your purpose, sometimes it may seem harder, and you may feel alone. Know that you are never alone and that opposition shows up when you’re in the right position.  

Hey ForevaBlack family, do you know that God can turn your little into legacy? God can do so much with our little and make it become massive. We’re always looking at what we have and saying we only have a little bit of resources, how will we be able to make it into something? Sometimes we can’t expand our small, but God can.