Why "Candy In Your Closet?"

....is what I'm usually asked. I think I can never get enough of telling the story-(although it's only been a few months- ask me again 3yrs from now-lol)

Well, one day my husband and I had NO money. I mean- NONE- and as common practice for people that get to this state, I started to go through all my pockets for change. EVERY coat pocket, pants pocket, change bank and lastly all my hand bags. I have quite a few bags so I was SURE I'd fine enough quarters. Unfortunately, we must've cleaned all of my bags out the last time we were in this state and never replenished the source because this time, I found NOTHING. Nothing except a pack of "Button Candy". You know the cheap kind, usually found in "penny candy stores" back in the day- that come stuck on paper?
While sitting in my closet, underneath all of my bags I felt so disgusted with life. I was vastly sinking into depression. "This is NO way to live", is what I thought.
From my heart to God's ears; at that moment I came up with a radical idea. "Why not open a handbag store?"

On the floor, I milled it over a few times trying to think of a way to approach my husband with yet ANOTHER "crazy" business idea. And the more I thought about it, the happier I became. The lighter my heart got. It just FELT RIGHT!!
So I had to not only tell my husband that I had found NO money, but also "I want to start a business within the next week".... lol.. ONLY ME.

But you know, God was with me, and him, and opened his heart to accept my idea and support me 100%.

Within a month Candy In Your Closet was born.

From then on, I certainly believe that inspiration is everywhere. Our calling is at our finger tips if we can only take a moment to look, listen and have faith in God, the one who gave us our talents.

I say all that to say, that I hope this blog becomes a blessing and motivator for not only me, but for those with buried talents. Those afraid to venture out on their ideas and MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We must not be afraid of failure- especially if we're not happy in our current state. What is there to lose?

Peace & much love,
~Nia

Reposition yourself for greatness

I have been really busy. Busy doing JUST that- repositioning myself for greatness and great things God has had come my way.
I have learned that sometimes we have to step back, a side, up or down to be where ever we need to be to get what God has for us, and no matter the move...if it's spirit led, greatness will follow.

www.niaknowlesrealty.com

Continue to reach your dreams... I can help

I have a GA RE Sales license and would love to help you or someone you know reach their dream of home ownership....
Please feel free to contact me if you are in search or have questions regarding buying or selling a home in the Atlanta area...

Keep a Journal

You'd be amazed at what we endure and overcome through God's grace in a year. I recommend keeping a journal. Write down any and all events. Your highs and lows... your prayers, dreams, thoughts and desires...then look back over your journal a year from now- see the mighty things God has done in your life.

I stumbled on an old journal from several years ago, when I lived in NY..I listed
"get a car, start a business, live in a house"...
I've been very blessed, and please to say that not only have I done these things, but I've done them repeatedly-lol...

Keep a journal see God's work in your life daily.

Affirmations..

I will have an abundant life.
I HAVE an abundant life.
These are Biblical truths.
God's promises.
I will stand on them...in faith.

Life is short...

So, what are you waiting for?

I AM Created With Purpose

One of the things I've begun to do has been to chant during meditation....
No, not just ANY chant... or some man made chant developed to please the ear, and trick the mind... but to chant the Word of God- the living word, the true word.

"I AM Created With Purpose"...

I started doing this during one of my "panic" attacks. It didn’t help when I first started..but now, I am grateful for the peace it brings.

I couldn't figure out why I would get these sudden attacks. Yes, I know I have not completed many of my started projects, yes- I have not met my financial goal, and yes- I do not feel that I'm where I should be- now turning a new age.
However, I didn't think these things were enough to cause my anxiety.
I was wrong.
Upon praying about the situation and asking God’s guidance, God had revealed some powerful truths to me....about myself.

Firstly, my chant had not been effective because I had NOT believed it in my soul.
There is one thing to chant some self-help words just to get by and trick the mind…but it’s a whole other ball park when you are speaking of spiritual- Godly- Christ entwined- things.
It was almost like God said, “Who are you trying to fool?”

Had I gotten SO comfortable with my ideas and MY self that I had lost touch with God. .. Yes. I did. God’s perfect vision had become a skewed, MY vision and I had not continued to seek his counsel and direction.
His purpose moved to what I THOUGHT were MY purposes… and since I had not created myself, how could the chant “I AM Created With Purpose” be effective?
I wasn’t even aligned with the creator anymore.. all my doings were in vain, and I was following my own made up purpose.

Again, I was now on my own mission. I was following my OWN purpose. God had showed me that it would be impossible to prosper –at least, eternally, following MY own path… this is going against the grain of my creation!!! It was HIS purpose I was created for and his alone! I was reminded of God being a jealous God… I had turned away from him and was now on my own path, with my own gods-my false visions.

It was funny to me that we’ve been discussion the resurrection in Sunday school. The irony was that I felt a constant re-birth when I reconciled with God and was back on his track.
Getting back on track wasn’t easy.
It meant I had to put all my plans aside. Seek the face of God, and be willing to hear and accept HIS purpose for my existence. Even if it meant giving up the vision I had- and thought was from him. Even if it means giving up the work I’ve done on my project. The purposeful project I THOUGHT he had placed in my life, even though I had strayed.
I had to be willing to accept his will for me.

Now listening to God and the message he put in me, I don’t feel he has called me to STOP working on those projects- although I do feel that he has called me to 1)recommit myself to him- all of me… and 2) not to move until he tells me the next steps.

It’s time for me to LIVE and KNOW that “I AM Created With Purpose” but first, I must get in my heart and mind, that the purpose is not my own. I belong to a loving God- so not matter what he advises, it will be with meaning and make an impact on the world.

~Nia

God will make provisions for his mission...

One thing I've learned, if it's God sent, or God directed he WILL make a way for it to be done or obtained.
There is nothing the Lord will tell us to do, or no place he will tell us to go without providing a way for us to get there and do it.

This came to me when I was stressing the other night over the many plans I have in motion. The many things I'm trying to accomplish- within MY time, and with MY energy and MY thoughts.
The load was growing way too heavy and everything started to make me a bit over whelmed. ...I was reminded .."my yoke is easy and my burden is light..."
So I prayed, "God, if these are your will- please help me accomplish them because I cant do it alone. "
This time, I did something new after I prayed. I prayed...and I left it- my concerns, there.
I went on my normal day to day feeling much more happier and lighter knowing that someone- GOD... was going to provide an answer very soon.
And he did.

..It takes a little...

In meditation today, I was reminded that it takes just a little for God to do great things.
A little faith..
A little obedience..
A little sacrifice..
A little work..
A little-more patience…
Equals big blessings...

Happy New Year!!

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Author Unknown

To leave the old with a burst of song

To recall the rights and forgive the wrong;

To forgive the thing that binds you fast

To the vain regrets of the year that's past;

To have the strength to let go your hold

Of the non-worthwhile of the days grown old;

To dare to go forth with a purpose true;

To the unknown task of the year that's new,

To help your brother along the road

To do his work and lift his load;

To add your gift to the world's good cheer,

Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

It is never too late to be what you might have been...

“ It is never too late to be what you might have been. ”
George Elliot

People are reaching goals each and everyday. You don’t have to be young to accomplish all of your dreams. Think that you are “past your prime”? Think again. Always wanted to run a marathon? Start training today. Always dreamed of owning your own company? Start small with the resources you have, and work hard for it. Goal setting is a series of progressive sets. It might take days, it might take weeks, and it might even take years. But with the right attitude and a little bit of ambition, you can achieve all you dream. (unknown)

All the talents of God

All the talents of God are within you

How could this be otherwise?

When your soul

Derived from His Genes!

-Hafiz

Start Something Good

For there shall the seed produce peace and prosperity; the vine shall yield her fruit and the ground shall give its increase and the heavens shall give their dew and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit and possess all these things. Zechariah 8:12

Start something good in someone's life today. Sow faith for a healing. Sow hope for a restoration. A sincere compliment can sow confidence in someone who is starving for encouragement. Your forgiveness of an ongoing offense can sow a seed for a miracle breakthrough in that situation.

Pray for someone else's need, or make a special offering to start something positive in the name of the Lord. Remember, God won't ask you to sow anything that He doesn't give you grace to give. Enjoy the abundant harvest that is returned to your own life when you sow into someone else's life.

From Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

Welcome December...

We'll it's here. Seems very long in coming- but December is here.....which in many states means, WINTER is here. You wouldn't know it here in Atlanta though.

November had been so sweet. I had not felt so "held" and wrapped in the arms of God before.. I'm excited about December and my continued discoveries in Christ and his awesome plans for my life....

Welcome December..welcome Creator...

~Nia

In step with the Master...

Today I felt a bit of anxiety. I've been waiting on the "go" from God to do something I've been praying on for a while.
For some reason today, it seemed like all was perfect in the universe aligning things 'just so' that I should seize the moment....however, I still did not have confirmation form the Lord and the "go" I've been waiting on.....
The moment to seize felt rushed... I felt unsure... and not confident in God being IN this moment.
Me- being ME (human)... wanted to take matters into my own hands and run for the opportunity... hoping that God will either catch up or appear at the finished line granting me my reward...
For a brief moment I forgot who was carrying me through this race.

It isn't possible to do anything without God and have it to work out perfectly. When we pray for God's guidance and direction, we must totally embrace all that it may offer... even the waiting period- even when it seems you are stagnant, standing still and the world is going on around you..passing you by.
WE CAN NEVER MISS OUR BLESSINGS WHILE WAITING ON GOD.

After all...isn't HE the Bless-er?

Trust in God ?

Can we only say we trust in God when all is well?
When we know we are insured?
When we know we have thousands in the bank?

These questions came to mind when my life insurance agent was advising me to "up" my coverage. I'm sure her heart and intentions were in the right place- and the $15 extra I refused to pay to up the coverage IS really a small amount... but one thing kept coming to mind.... "Where is my faith in God?"

Now, don’t get me wrong- I do have insurance incase God calls me or my husband home... however I don’t feel I NEED to have an enormous amount- there will be no bills left behind already- and what we did get would provide him or I enough to take care of the girls but hey- I'm not expecting to get rich off his death!

When I say “God will supply our needs"- I mean this with all my heart. He has and he will continue WITHOUT my help. God did not say he will, until I get enough insurance or money saved in the bank. ... we need to LIVE like we know .

Does God need to slow us down?

One of my greatest fears is to be “slowed” down by God so that I can hear his words and walk on his path. I think my daily effort and prayer is to remain conscience of God. …and not only conscience of God but to remain aware of my (HIS) purpose and why HE created me.
This is hard, because in the midst of trying to do HIS will- my own ‘self will’ tries to take control and steer me in a different direction.

We all have goals- personal goals…some of which are goals WE put on ourselves and others are goal God has placed in our heart to fulfill his purpose.

How do we remember that we are created for HIS purposes alone?
How do we abandon some desires, and goals that may not be of God but self directed?
How do we release our lives, totally living and doing the will of our Lord?

Love Christ.
I have found in really loving him – I, we, will want to do as he instructs. We will WANT to do what pleases him.
Stay connected. Pray.
Read- love and yearn his word.
Love HIS love- no matter the form it comes in…

Peace & Blessings,
~Nia

Opportunities

"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them. "

Ann Landers

Continue To Do Good...

"..Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

It is very easy to grow weary with all that is going on around us, the many attacks on our lives- personal as well as in the world of politics. These surly can have an affect on our moods...our deeds...
But there is word on this and there is HOPE. We must stand strong, be of good cheer, be courageous and continue to do good - Gods Good.

....This, is what the Lord spoke to me…...

Be blessed,
~Nia

Fortune Cookies

..I love them. So much so, that I go to a Chinese resturant and purchase EXTRA....then try to eat them in hiding from my kids. lol..
Not that I live by them, but isn't it always good to read something positive, motivating and unexpected?

Here are two I keep on my fridge, enjoy.

1) Let your reach exceed your grasp.
2)Focus on your long-term goal. Good things will soon happen.

~Nia