A few years ago, my relationship with God shifted. My desire to study the Bible and share His word also grew. Instead of reading a devotional and listening to gospel music here and there, and letting Sunday service be the only time I worshiped, I made a conscious decision to set aside (at least) an hour each morning for Bible study, devotion, and prayer. To this day it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

My mornings with God are precious, and it makes all the difference in how I go about each day. I have a plethora of devotionals, but there are four that I find myself referencing or re-reading often. If you’re a woman of faith looking for a new devotional, here are my favorite devotionals for women:

She Speaks

According to the author, Michelle Clark Jenkins, She Speaks provides wisdom from the women of the Bible to the modern Black woman. While not described as a devotional, the book can certainly be used as one. The author highlights 50 women from the Bible and describes each of their roles, their backgrounds, as well as their significance. There are also scripture references and life applications to accompany each story. This read is ideal for women interested in studying the history of the Bible.

The Power of a Praying Wife

This 30 chapter devotional changed the way I prayed for my husband. Each chapter highlights an area to pray for in your husband’s life. Some of the areas include his spiritual walk, his emotions, his future, his role as a father, leader, and decision-maker, and more. The author shares a brief story on how she connects with each chapter, along with a few “power tools”. These tools include related scriptures and sample prayers for wives to pray over their husbands. No matter how long you’ve been married, I highly suggest this book for all Christan wives.

Thirty-One Prayers for My Husband

This book, a compilation of prayers, is designed to challenge you to prioritize prayer. Each day there’s a topical scripture and prayer. Also included is a page to record your thoughts, feelings, and other prayer requests. It’s a great resource to accompany another devotional such as The Power of a Praying Wife.

There’s also a Thirty-One Prayers for My Wife version, co-authored by the author and her husband. My husband and I completed the books together a few years back. I am forever grateful for how both books transformed our marriage.

The 100 Most Important Bible Verses Every Woman Must Know

This easy-to-read devotional includes 100 bible verses and 300 topics ranging from joy, family, God’s promises, contentment, and complaining, to name a few. It’s ideal for morning or evening devotion time. It’s also perfect for women who want to begin or brush up on their Bible verse memorization.

Let me know if you’ve read any of the devotionals I shared. Also, if you have any devotional suggestions, do share! I’m always looking to add more to my collection.

A new month represents a brand new start. The start of a new month is like a breath of fresh air. It’s a time for new blessings to pour in, to make new memories, and set new intentions.

As we anticipate August’s arrival, here are three simple tasks to complete to help you prepare for the new month:

Clear Your Inbox

There’s nothing worse than an overflowing email inbox. It’s overwhelming. So before heading into a new month, take some time to sift through your inbox. Delete the mess and store the rest. Create folders to help manage your inbox, and unsubscribe to any shopping sites or newsletters you consider unwanted or “junk.”

Schedule Time to Rest 

This is something new, but I look forward to implementing this next month. Just like we schedule important appointments, birthdays, and date nights, we need to schedule time for rest. Even if it’s scheduling a 15-minute break between work calls to regroup or a 45-minute nap every Saturday, pick a day, set a time, and write it on your calendar or in your planner. Honor that just like you honor your other appointments. It’s deserved and necessary, especially in today’s climate.

Plan Family Check-in’s

Now, more than ever, staying connected to our families in person or virtually is essential—schedule time to check in with your loved ones daily or at least weekly. Agree on a day and time that works for all parties, and add it to your calendar. You can plan an in-person or virtual game night or a quick 5-minute call just to catch up. Whatever the case, be intentional about scheduling family time.

I encourage you to complete these tasks monthly. They’re simple and intentional ways to enter a new month with ease, great expectation, and gratitude.

My parents and little sis stopped by this weekend, and while it’s always a joy to have them over, lately, it’s been extra special when we’re together. Next month Taylor, my little sis, will be headed to Detriot for college. My family has always been tight-knit, so knowing that Taylor won’t physically be with us as often as she has been will be an adjustment. Being so close to my family is something I never take for granted and remain grateful for.

I always look forward to playing a game when we’re together. We’re a pretty competitive bunch, and things can get a bit tense, but it’s always good clean competition. Here are three games we usually play during a family game night:

TableTopics Original

TableTopics Original is an exciting way to discover more about your family. Each family member takes their turn picking a card. Once the question is read, they have to share their answer. Then the other family members share their answers as well. Once everyone has answered that question, it’s someone else’s turn to pick a card. This continues until everyone has had a turn to pick a card.

The questions spark very compelling conversations. There are no strict rules, and you can continue asking and answering questions as long as you’d like. There are also several editions of this game, including TableTopics Teen, TableTopics What Would You Do, TableTopics Girls Night, and more!

Shoutrageous!

I first heard about this game when I saw it played by the hosts of “The Real.” I knew my family would enjoy this fast-paced trivia game, so I downloaded it on my iPad. I like this game because you can play it anywhere. Once you download the app, the game is yours.

With this game, you need to know a little about everything from celebrities to pop culture, sports, animals, and the hottest headlines. This game can be played with one person or with a large group. All you have to do is shout out the ten answers for each topic before the clock runs out. Most of the categories are free, but there is an option to purchase other fun categories.

Taboo

Coined “The Game of Unspeakable Fun,” Taboo has become our family game night go-to. The updated Amazon version of this classic game includes 450 game cards. Taboo can be for large or small groups, for four or more players ages 13 and up. It’s best played with two teams of at least two people per team. The more people on each team, the better! Each correct answer is worth a point. My family and I can play this game for hours, but we usually play to 50.

While living through this pandemic, it’s important to find ways to spend time with our families, all while being as safe as possible. Technology, especially during these times, is a blessing. The great thing about these games is they can be played in person or virtually. So even if you can’t see your family in person, hosting a virtual game night is always a great option.

I hope you add these games to your list for your next family game night. Let me know if they do and what games your family enjoys for game night.

Along with my routine(s) and wardrobe, I’ve also changed what TV shows I watch. My main focus has been finding binge-worthy and light-hearted shows with a splash of drama. Nothing too heavy, too complicated, or too dark. I’m trying to laugh and enjoy as much as possible this season.

Since “being home,” I’ve been able to catch up on some of my favorite shows and become acquainted with some new ones. Back in May, I took advantage of the Netflix + Hulu + Disney+ package deal. For two TV-loving fanatics, this was a real treat for my husband and me. Plus, it’s gotten us closer to getting rid of cable.

Here are three of the shows I’ve been currently watching on Hulu and Netflix:

1. Insecure (Hulu + HBO)

I’m late to the party. I know. But thanks to Hulu, I could watch all four seasons of Insecure with a 7-day free HBO pass. I started watching on a Thursday and was done by the following Tuesday afternoon. I would’ve finished sooner, but I had to wait for my husband to watch. He became a fan of the show after episode three.

The show does a great job of exploring a friendship between two Black women, navigating through the murk and mere of everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the two main characters, Issa and Molly, grow from season to season. My husband and I appreciated Issa’s obvious homage to the Black Los Angeles experience. And, thanks in large part to both musical geniuses Raphael Saadiq and Solange, the show features some delightful and refreshing musical content.

2. Greenleaf (Netflix + OWN)

I’ve been a fan of this show since its inception. The Greenleaf’s, a well-to-do Black family steeped in faith and plenty of mess, are trying desperately to hold onto their family home this season. With relationships ending and old flames back and up to no good, I’m glued to my seat week after week.

Lynn Whitfield’s character, Lady Mae, is definitely my favorite. Whitfield brings her A-game while portraying the role of Lady Mae, and her sly and cutting one-liners never disappoint. This show is a reminder that faith-filled churchgoers are still very human and imperfect, just like everyone else.

3. 90 Day Fiancé (Hulu + TLC)

My husband stumbled upon this show during one of his many Hulu scrolls. This reality television show follows couples who’ve applied for or received a K-1 visa. From there, they have 90 days to marry one another. The entire process and what these couples are willing to do and give up truly fascinates me. However, I believe some of these couples make less than smart decisions regarding “finding love.” All in all, the show is certainly entertaining.

I could’ve added so many other shows, but I wanted to keep this list short and sweet. I’ll be sure to share more of my favorites in upcoming posts. Let me know what you’ve been watching!

Often, I share my thoughts on my morning devotional on my Instagram Stories. I’ve also started sharing some tips for better Bible and scripture study. The one thing I try my best to convey when sharing anything faith-based is that although building a relationship with God takes time and commitment, it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re trying to build a relationship with God or revive the one you already have, I suggest not taking on too much too soon. If you haven’t opened your Bible in a while, don’t try reading it from start to finish right away. You likely won’t succeed or fully comprehend what you’ve read. Don’t overcommit. Take your time. God’s not going anywhere. Before I share a few ways you can start building or rebuilding your relationship with God, I want to share what it means to have a relationship with God: 

What does it mean to have a relationship with God?

Having a relationship with God means having a direct and personal connection with Him. A relationship with God includes trust, love, worship, and fellowship. As I shared before, like any relationship, one with God takes time and commitment. It will take time to grow, but as long as you put in the effort and make spending time with God intentional, your relationship will blossom into something truly wonderful. Here are three simple ways you can get started on building or rebuilding your relationship with God:

1. Start a Prayer Journal

Sometimes, I struggle with what to “say” to God or how to “speak” to him. Having a prayer journal has been very helpful. Writing my prayers in journal, letter, or bullet point form makes communicating with God much easier.

2. Use Flashcards to Memorize Scripture

I learn best by doing or by seeing. If you’re a visual learner like me, try this method of memorizing scripture. Even if you’re not a visual learner, using flashcards to study and memorize scripture can be beneficial.

3. Don’t Compare Your Relationship to Anyone Else’s

Your relationship with God is just that; yours. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for how you communicate with God or your relationship with Him. Everyone’s relationship with Him will look different, and that’s OK. God didn’t make us the same, so he doesn’t expect our relationship with him to mirror someone else.