Author: Roshonda B

My name is Roshonda Blackmon and I have been known in life as “the encourager” God gave me that gift before I even realized what it was or what it truly meant, the only thing I knew is that a vast amount of people liked to come to me for advice and once that advice was received, I never heard from them anymore until they wanted more advice. That gifting soon became my ministry. I’ve been through quite a bit of challenges in life from dealing with suicide, low self-image which resulted in low self-esteem, to the difficulties of growing up in a one parent household and the list goes on and on. But God in all his Mercy and Grace blessed me to overcome those obstacles and situations and gave me a “second” chance by allowing me to live through all that darkness in order to help spread an encouraging light to others. In a world of uncertainty and negatism’s I want to encourage you to LIVE. Yes, Life does get hard sometimes, But if we keep looking up at the SON; we gain strength, we become empowered and we grow in the process with God’s help; for it doesn’t matter where you are in your life at this moment in time; God is able and will meet you within that dark place and change your life from Dark to Light, I’m not only a witness to this; but JustsumInspiration to show you, That you too can make it.

Sunday’s Thought: Expiring ME, To Exalt YOU!

Published on August 20, 2017August 14, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

I love the bible app, it has so many features such as creating a verse image in which you can post on your social media pages, if you highlight a scripture; it has a way of keeping everything you highlight in once place, which is helpful because you don’t have to scram through the bible to find it. I also love the bible plans, I usually read one or two at a time as it sort of keeps me in tune with reading my word and staying in contact with God.

A shame that something so minuet has to keep us on schedule to make time with the father of all creation, but it helps. However, there are times in my life where reading a plan, picking up a bible or even praying can seem to get lost in life’s shuffle. Work, Kids, Bosses, 2nd Jobs, Bills, Schedules, To-Do Lists, Doctor Appointments and Life Just Happened moments become our main priority while God easily slips to second base or the back burner while we allow the priorities of life to overwhelm us.

I am so guilty of this, no lie because when “LIFE HAPPENS” it seems like EVERYTHING happens – ALL AT ONCE! and it’s easy to allow it’s circumstances to literally rule our day and life at the moment; but it wasn’t until I starting reading the bible plan ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional from YouVersion that I began to think about a lot of things going on in my present life including my current priorities. In day 16 I came to realize that while I know giving my issues and life to God is the best resort as he’s the one that can “sort it all out” I really don’t totally give everything over to him; because I’m human, I always feel as though “I know best” or “It won’t get done, if I don’t have a hand in it to push it though” so while I pray and ask God to take my matters into his own hand, I find myself getting up only to take it back from him to handle it myself and when it fails? Then, that’s when my prayers get serious.

The one thing that stood out to me in that thought was this:

Check your “to-do” list for the week, is your schedule revolving around things that are eternally important like your relationship with God, your family and people who need Jesus?

So many times our to-do lists have every other thing listed on it besides the ones named above. At the end of the day, it won’t be how accomplished we feel about checking off the things on our list but rather who’s life was changed due to our attitude, what impact have we made on someone other than ourselves, do they really see Christ within us? If not, then maybe you need to expire.

You see, that’s what Martha got hung up over in Luke 10:38-42, Jesus had come to her and her sister’s house for a visit and instead of her sister Mary helping her in the kitchen, she chose to sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to him – upset, Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her prepare in the kitchen but Jesus stated to Martha that she was worried over trivial things and what Mary had chosen to do, was much more better than being worried about preparations.

What are you worried about today? Is the “Life Happens” got you stuck? Maybe you should really take out time and be like Mary and seek God on what his priorities for your life should be, I promise if you would just ask – your earthly worries will be a thing of the past because you know who holds everything in his hand.

Say today’s prayer and ask God to help you see things from his perspective and not your own. This prayer was taken away from the ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional

Father, today I thank you for your word that says if I seek you first the all these other things will be taken care of in my life. I pray today that you will begin to show me what you want me to prioritize in my life. Help me to see my schedule from an eternal perspective. If it is time for me to end some things I pray you will strengthen me to do it so that you can begin something new in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings ~

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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Feel free to comment or email us @ justsuminspiration@gmail.com

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Let’s Face It, Everyone’s Not Going to Like You…

Published on August 18, 2017August 18, 2017 by Roshonda B11 Comments

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I used to be a very shy child, who was always deemed as “The Quiet One” – now this had good points and bad points. One of the good points was that, everyone thought I was nice and easy to get along with – they seemed to know this without even talking with me first. The bad point of being labeled as quiet was that people (a.k.a extended family) thought I was sneaky, or that I would be the one that would “Wild Out in Promiscuity” and be super naive’ to the point of where I would run off with any guy and get pregnant at a young age; I might have been quiet, but I wasn’t stupid.

Being a person that suffered badly from low self-esteem and self-image, I didn’t think to much of myself on the outside; but my insides were bursting with colors. I just didn’t know how to bring that party on the outside. When I turned 30 (I know, late bloomer), it was then that I began to see “ME” for whom I really was – Beautiful, Bold, Lovely and Amazing. I realized at that moment, that I did have something to offer the world and that it was okay to be different; in mind and opinion. I not only began to beat to my own drum but noticed that instead of thriving to follow others, I had others wanting to be as confident as I was and followed me.

When the inner party came to the outside, I noticed that I not only had a good personality but had the look to match it. The girl that wanted everyone to focus on her personality and bypass her appearance of frumpy clothes, tied back hair and no make-up had suddenly found her own fashion and rocked it. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m an around the way girl, so when I started to care about what clothes I was putting on my body, it was salvation army and Roses’ all the way honey. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find. I love the S.A! ALL DAY!

With this new found confidence you would think that I would have a host of friends – BUT! the lie detector test determined THAT WAS A LIE! I quickly realized that my new found self-discovery didn’t register with everyone as everybody didn’t like the new inspirational, loving, self-motivated, sees the good in everything, confident of who she is, loves her body, mind and soul ME!. I thought that just because I had a wonderful personality and could get along with a variety of people that everyone would generally flock to me, but that also was determined to not be a true fact. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my infectious good spirit and nature would not resonate with everyone. I had developed a complex of wanting everyone to like me and when one or two people didn’t, I ran myself crazy trying to figure out why? WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME!!

Sadness3 — Sadness from Disney Pixar’s movie “Inside Out” (2015)

People’s negativity towards me, literally almost made me change my outlook on being the so-called wonderful, smiley person that I had become outwardly. I found myself hiding my smile, shielding my personality and adopting the “if you can’t beat’em, join’em motto.” But why join the crowd, when I was obviously born to STAND OUT! It was then that I realized, everyone’s not going to like nor accept you – so what are you going to do…

A MOMENT OF TRUTH?!?: Not everyone liked or loved Jesus Christ, but regardless of what people thought, said or felt about him or his presence; he was on a mission. If he had gotten all caught in people’s emotions towards him, he would have never completed the mission or fulfilled his purpose. He would have left us all in the balances to fend for ourselves. So, if they didn’t love or like Jesus; savior of the world? Who are you to get offended because you’re not being liked or accepted.

We live in a society that feeds off of acceptance and likes – you can see that all over social media. In this life, if you’re never liked or accepted by someone then that shouldn’t dull your shine on the magnificent person you are. Not only that, you have to do like I did and think; that’s only a few people – I bet if you look in your circle or around you, there are lives that you’ve changed and a host of people that think you’re AWESOME! so it doesn’t matter what the crumbs think. When people make a sandwich, they make it with two slices of bread and they eat it – can you imagine someone making a sandwich with just the crumbs? It wouldn’t be a very good sandwich, now would it. You may say, what does bread have to do with.

I want you to focus on the fullness of your life – there will be crumbs scattered along the way, but they hold no substance and are not fulfilling and therefore will not bring greatness to your life or your belly.

While everyone may not like you and WHO CARES! The only person you should be concerned about pleasing and being pleased with you is God; he says in Psalms 139:14 that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and the next person whose opinions should matter is YOURS! I no longer worry if people like me or not, want to hang with me or not, call me or not or say crazy things about me because of my personality or self-confidence and my ability to say NO to foolishness. I think I’m great and as long as I’m in good spirits about whose I am and who I am – I’ll continue to be happy and beat to my own DRUM!

Liking Me — All pictures are courtesy of Bing

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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Feel free to comment or email us @ justsuminspiration@gmail.com

For Daily Inspiration, you can follow us on one or all of the social media sites below:

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Keya Smith is #SO GONE with a “Jerusalem State of Mind”

Published on August 8, 2017August 8, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Although it’s been almost a year ago since I interviewed this amazing, talented woman of God; this lady is still killing the game with her powerful lyrics. But don’t take my word for it. Take a Listen to her yourself and see how you can get a little “Organic Praise” in your life.

Check out her inspiring story here: http://respect-mag.com/2016/08/keya-smith-sogone/

Sunday’s Thought: There’s An Audience Waiting on YOU!

Published on August 6, 2017August 1, 2017 by Roshonda B1 Comment

You know I love watching America’s Got Talent. It’s a show that showcases amazing acts, ranging in ages as young as 5 and as old as 80. It’s truly a show for “EVERYONE” and “EVERY” talent. These incredible acts perform their talents in front of an audience of thousands and a television of millions, they do acts that either no one else in the world have done or can do, some of them at least.

While some get moved on, others get buzzed or voted out – but the amazing thing about it is that no matter what talent these individuals have which ranges from the grossest to the most awe-inspiring; they perform in front of an audience that loves and appreciates what they do and if not in that audience, someone in the world embraces it and just like those contestants on AGT, You also possess a gift – Don’t let anyone tell you that no one would be interested in it or that no one would love to see something like that because guess what! There’s an audience for it somewhere.

In 2015 when the Lord blessed me to start JustsumInspiration; I had some takers and some misses; some people liked it and some people didn’t and over the course of over almost 3 years of writing/blogging and inspiring; I’ve had some people to “unlike the blog and Facebook page altogether.” It makes you sad, somewhat downhearted because you begin to think, was it something I said, was it something or was it something I posted? And then the nerves set in, I literally flipped out and began to look at my stats and my friend list to see whom bailed out – in which literally drove me crazy and kept me up a many nights.

When I stopped trying to create my own success, I had to come to grips and tell myself “This audience (Mine) isn’t for everyone” and everyone will not respond to the material given, not because they hate it but because it’s simply not for them.

So, I say to you – no matter what gift and/or talent you have; don’t get discouraged when people don’t respond the way you think they should, it could be that, they entered the wrong auditorium; but don’t allow that to make you give up on your craft or drive you bonkers because they left your audience. Give God those keys and let him begin to draw people to you. I’ve learned that when I take my focus off of things, God has a way of blossoming my gift in ways that I could have never imagined or done on my own. I had to leave it to God and let Serendipity happen.

My tip to you is: Keep being amazing, keep doing you and keep pressing forward….Because there really is an audience for your talent somewhere and they are waiting in anticipation to see your act! – DON’T GIVE UP! because YOUR GIFT/TALENT, REALLY IS NEEDED!

Blessings ~

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!

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Feel free to comment or email us @ justsuminspiration@gmail.com

For Daily Inspiration, you can follow us on one or all of the social media sites below:

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Need A Good Book Read? C’mon, I gotcha!

Published on August 3, 2017August 3, 2017 by Roshonda BLeave a comment

When I was a little girl, I got teased a lot because my head was constantly in a book. What can I say, I absolutely loved reading. Library time at school was my favorite time, because I loved being able to go and pick out my next book adventure. I was caught up with the different characters, their lives, their stories, drama and the adventures they seemed to take so effortlessly. Adventures that a little girl such as myself at the time could only imagine of taking. Most of the times I would pretend that I was the character in the book and that their lives were my adventure. Reading to me was not only liberating, fanciful and/or magical but it had become my way of escaping the world that I had come to know.

My step-dad was an abuser and for what seemed like every other day, he would get drunk and start an argument with my mom for no apparent rhyme or reason and the next thing you know, the fighting would start, sometimes to the point of blood-shed. As a child you really don’t know how to comprehend such matters and I was too small to do anything. The only thing I knew is that I wanted it to STOP! We had a big shelf that my step-dad had built, at the bottom was an open space in which he would put books for us to read. At the time he worked for the Housing Authority within the projects in which we lived, he would find all types of toys and books left behind by other families and bring them home to us. Him finding a book was my favorite gift, outside of the skates he found in which is how I learned to skate. Soon that bottom shelf was filled with all types of books big and small, hard and easy readers. After while, I had come to read them all and soon moved to the dictionary…Lol.

Books in all their glory can be a healer, motivator, a good partner when you need a laugh, an educator and a helper in your time of despair. I really feel as if we don’t give books enough credit for their due diligence to our world. Because I love books so much, I wanted to share with you the books I’m currently reading and give you a couple of links of books that you or your children could pick up – the next time you’re at the library or you just may decide to order it. So, here are my picks and reads for Summer 2017.

Books I’m currently Reading

How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell

This book has really opened my mind to how our thinking can halt our success and it’s not just a money thing but how our mindset towards certain things can alter us from moving forward into the successful life that we so desire. As John Maxwell states “Change your thinking, Change Your Life”

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

A co-worker let me borrow this book about 2 years ago and I never picked it up to read it (sad to say), but I recently picked it up to read. Can someone say A-MAZING?. Tuesdays with Morrie is a true story about Mitch Albom whom recently reunited with his old college professor whom he adored. The two haven’t seen each other since Albom graduated college. Albom just happened to be watching a show on T.V. one night and there his professor was, discussing his demise and his feelings about death. The two re-unite as Morrie has one final class to teach before he dies and that’s to his former student Mitch Albom.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

A really good friend and confidante bought and sent this this book to me. Being a girl that has not been that good with saving or having money in my pocket for more than an hour (and that’s after I got paid); I didn’t know how I would react to this book. But as I’ve gotten older my mindset towards money began to change and I started to see and think differently about things, especially my finances such as “Will I have money to retire?”, “How much money can I really save without touching it” and etc. Within it’s short time, this book has helped me tremendously, I’ve managed to hold on to $20.00 for over a week and on payday, which is money from my last pay period. That’s been a miracle for me, trust and believe. Dave Ramsey‘s TMM book is also filled with testimonials of people who took the challenge and have gotten out of loads of debt. It’s doesn’t matter if you’re single, married or helpless when it comes to saving money, this book is not only an easy read but packed with information to help even the lowest income achieve your dreams of having more.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterley

I would encourage you, if you haven’t seen this movie then you really should. Although the movie is chronicling the lives of three African-American women mathematicians, their struggles in a male dominant workforce as well as challenges regarding racism, intelligence and being the first women to help astronauts complete their mission. It’s a story about GIRL POWER! and shows that women of all colors, races and backgrounds can achieve ANYTHING! of course the book goes deeper than the movie as all books do but it’s a sure read that will warm your heart as well as your spirit.

Yes, to answer your question – If you’re thinking it. I really am reading ALL 4, lol. I go back and forward with each, depending on the day and how I’m feeling. But I would have to say “Tuesdays with Morrie” has taken a little precedence over the others and once you read it, you’ll see why.

What Books should you be reading?

Well, to end this post and keep your attention span. I decided to just post links to the books in which I feel you should check out; from the diverse, to the beaches, to the kids; each link provides books for everyone to enjoy! Check them out, put’em on your list or shelf and let’s get lost in a book!

For the latest beach reads, summer go-to’s, political, history, fiction reads and more Go Here: 37 Books We’ve Loved So Far in 2017
If you like diverse reads from diverse authors, then you might want to check out Charnaie over at Here Wee Read
And we can’t forget about the kids, You’re sure to find something within their age group or grade over at Barnes & Nobles