For every person on this earth, there will likely come a time, if it hasn’t already happened, when you will come face to face with a devastating life event.
When that time comes, you will make a choice. You will either lie down and quit, or you will stand up and overcome. How you choose to respond will determine where your future finds you.
Most of you already know that my husband of 22 years died almost a year ago (April 17, 2018) from brain cancer. This was the second time in my life when I’ve had to choose between quitting and overcoming. The other time was when we came very close to divorce, but chose to fight for our marriage. That which was intended to harm us, God used to increase our faith, love and commitment to each other. The breakdown in our marriage became the foot stool for the BUILD-UP and LEVEL-UP. We overcame together and were stronger because of it.
His death has been the most devastating thing I’ve ever had to face. Nevertheless, I’ve chosen to overcome. However, this time it’s just me and God. My CEMO isn’t here to help me through this one.
Overcoming requires both GRIEVING and GROWING.
THE GRIEF PROCESS
The grief process is a deeply personal journey that must take place if we are to find ourselves healthy and whole on the other side. It’s an unpredictable roller coaster that affects each person differently in both expression and timing.
On the other hand, one thing that is the same for everyone, is the fact that it must be endured. There are no shortcuts in grief. One may try to avoid it, hide from it, or put if off. However, in the end, it will find you, and demand its course.
THE GROWTH PROCESS
In the meantime, while grief is being embraced, the second part of overcoming is being manifested simultaneously, which is growth. God doesn’t allow us to go through anything in life without placing before us an opportunity for growth. Once you embrace the grief, healing begins and growth becomes attainable.
Having said that, as I move through this process of grieving and growing, God has made it clear (through an unbelievable chain of events) that I am to SPEAK. He is calling me to do the one thing that has always evoked heart pounding, knee-knocking, hand trembling fear. Nevertheless, my immutable faith will not allow me to ignore the call. Through obedience, His message of hope will shine through, as I stand before His people and open my mouth for His glory. He’s the potter and I’m the clay, surrendered to be moulded into His instrument of encouragement to women. I’m the vessel and He’s given me a voice. I must SPEAK! Pray for me!
I was invited to visit a local Toastmasters meeting in January. After three visits, I decided to become a member in order to learn, practice and improve my speaking skills.
Each new member is required to deliver an Ice Breaker Speech, which brings me to today’s DIY outfit. I wanted to look the part for my speech, so of course I had to make something to wear. I made this Straight Skirt & Pussy Bow Blouse for the occasion. Looking good helps me to feel better and I felt GREAT that day!!!
STRAIGHT SKIRT & PUSSY BOW BLOUSE
For the skirt I chose Butterick 5466 and this beautiful brocade that I purchased from a vendor at the Sew Much Talent Sewing Retreat last year. Here are options for BROCADE FABRIC from Joann Fabrics.
The Pussy Bow Blouse is Vogue 8772 with a gold, slinky knit that’s been in my fabric collection for a very long time. I don’t remember where I purchased it from but here are options for similar SLINKY KNIT FABRIC from Michael Levine Fabrics.
I love both pieces and look forward to lots of wear mixed in with other DIY separates, like the gold turtleneck sweater I made this winter. Also, the blouse would look so cute with a pair of jeans, which I plan to start working on soon. WooHoo!!! I’m finally adding more separates to my DIY wardrobe.
The Ice Breaker Speech went very well. Although I was nervous in the beginning, I actually did an amazing job. My agenda was to capture the attention of the audience, draw them into my story, and move them to action . I showed up looking smart in my DIY outfit, and spoke from the heart. They LOVED it!
May I encourage you today? Life happens to all of us and we have no control over some of the things that will come upon us. Here’s the truth. You are resilient! You’re a survivor! But you will have to make a choice when faced with life’s trials. You can choose to lie down and quit on life, believing it’s over for you. Or, you can STAND UP, in the midst of your circumstances, choose to OVERCOME, and thrive in life. I urge you to choose the latter.
I’m Anita Morris, and I’m an OVERCOMER!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Love you and strong woman of God
Love you tooo, Yvonne!
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You are an amazingly strong woman; thanks for your strength, grace and uplifting words.
Thank you Verla!
You are truly a remarkable woman. All the best for the growth and your future. Life is about picking yourself up, dusting off and walking forwards.
Thank you so much Mandy!
Anita my friend, You are an inspiration. First, the words you write are beautiful. Your strength and devotion since the passing of your husband is tremendous. For me, my personal crisis these days, I need your strength and wisdom for sure. I thank you.
Love, Deb
Oh Deb, I think about you sometimes. You’re resilient and you’re stronger than you imagine. I love you.
All I can say is amazing. I do agree with you on the choices we have when faced with trials. Sometimes it can paralyze us but we have to keep pushing forward.
Will you be doing a tutorial on sewing the skirt with Butterick 5466. I do have that pattern. :0)
Hi Michelle. Although I have a tutorial for a skirt like this, the other one doesn’t have a waist band, so I’m actually thinking of creating a sew-along for this one.
Ms. Anita. I can relate to your testimony on many levels. So first and far most, thank God for the Jesus in you to live again. It was not by power, nor by might, but by His Spirit. I use to sew and teach others how to sew, but due to life turns all of that has been placed on hold as I had to return to outside employment. I STAND TO SAY..GOD IS TRUNING IT AROUND AND I AM WILLING TO FOLLOW HIM!! Thanks for your inspiration and I pray we meet face to face one day.
Yeeeesss, Sharon! Follow His lead and you’ll be exactly where you need to be. I pray that we meet one day too.
Hello Miss Anita I can comprehend with you when you said you had to speak I had to speak a few weeks ago at my church on a Friday night and a Saturday morning I’ve only been a member for over a year but I’ve been saved since I’ve been 15 years old and I just turned 58 in April God is so good and I know he put challenges in our lives sometime and you are right we lay down or we get up and we fight and your courage being in God it’s what’s keeping you going God bless you I love you my sister
Oh Bernadette, thank you so much. I love you too.
What a beautiful entry for your blog. It inspires me and I need that today. I know that when God calls you to a specific ministry, you have to submit and follow. I am looking forward to watching you follow this new chapter of your life. God bless you for your courage to walk this path and to be an encouragement to all. I can’t begin to tell you how much your words were meant for me to see them today, at this moment in my life.
Oh, Ladonna, I’m so grateful you stopped by to visit the blog. God has purpose for everything. I send blessings your way, sister.
You are so beautiful starting from within and glowing outward to share with everyone you come in contact with. You have inspired me to stand strong to whatever comes my way. I feel an “Anita by Design” book coming soon!!! May God continue to bless you and your family!
Thank you so much, Sandra! Keeping my heart open about the book, as many have shared the same sentiment.
You are an OVERCOMER!!! I am literally speechless and in tears. Since I first started following you on IG I have been wowed at the Spirit of God in you and upon your life. Today is no different! And it is that Spirit that continues to cause me to admire you and your faith more and more each day!! God is truly amazing and it is an honor and blessing to me to see the hand of the Lord upon you. Thank you for being so transparent.
Tasha, Tasha, Tasha!!! Thank you for calling out what you have observed, the Spirit at work. Before I started this blog, I asked God to help me honor Him. If anyone can be encouraged and see Him at work within me, I’m beyond grateful. God amazes me every day.
You are amazing. Bravo!
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I’m so grateful that God is given you such strength! I’m encouraged to get up again! You have no idea how much this has spoken to me! Sister, you are on ? for the Lord! Blessings, to you and your family! I can only image how proud your boys are to see their MOM with such tenacity.
Oh my GOSH! Caroll, thank you so much for sharing. Thank you for getting up, sister. Keep getting up. We all fall once in a while, but what’s important is the GET UP!!! The GET UP is what strengthens us. The GET UP is what prepares us for what He has ahead on the path He’s prepared just for us. You GET UP will be your testimony and help someone else who’s watching you. You GETTING UP will motivate another sister to GET UP too. I applaud you today. Blessings my sister.
Thank you Rena
You are an amazing woman and when I get the opportunity to read your blog I truly enjoy it! I’ve followed you since you first launched your blog and I must say God is allowing you to use this platform for His glory. May you continue to sew beautiful garments, smile brightly and share your voice to women all over.
Shontell, whew GIRL! You just pumped more Holy Spirit energy into me. Thank you for staying with me for this long. When you said, “…God is allowing you to use this platform for His glory,” chills moved from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. You see, that was my desire from the beginning. Yes, it’s a sewing blog, but because God is the center from which every area of my life thrives, it encourages me when others are moved by His radiant light when coming here. I really appreciate you.
I love it and the color looks great on you. Please do a sewalongs for the shirt.
Thank you Sherrelle!
It’s time! It’s time for black women to speak! You are a great role model for your sisters and also wimpy WASPs like me who most days want to crawl under the covers. After you entered my life with your blog and videos, I realized I needed to get my act together and use my talents to reach out. I am involved with our local chapter of Girls Inc, which is very well led by strong, bold women, such as yourself. It’s making a difference in young girls’ and young women’s lives and I want to help. So, in a way, you’re affecting women around the globe! We want to be CEMO and Anita strong!
Julia!!! Oh my HEART!!! Girls Inc. sounds like an amazing organization. May His light and love capture the hearts and souls of the young ladies and women who are being served. You will be blessed beyond your greatest imagination if you get involved with this ministry. Trust me! I’ve experienced the beautiful growth and awe that’s associated with pouring into the lives of young girls. It’s priceless beyond words. GO! Do it! Many blessings to you sister.
BUT GOD!!!! It’s always a blessing to see your posts and to see what God is and has done … To God Be The Glory for He specializes in things that seems impossible and He can do what NO other POWER CAN!!!! Be all that God has you to be Anita!!! GREAT THINGS I SEE IN YOUR FUTURE <3 <3 <3
Oooohhh!!! “He specializes in things that seem impossible…” Okay, you just preached a whole sermon with that one line. Yes, ma’am. “With God, all things are possible.” Goodness, I want to get up and dance now. My God is INCREDIBLE! Thank you so much for sharing.
Bravo! xxx
Yes, yes, yes! A while back I wrote to you about grieving. Just when you think things are good, grief knocks you in the knees. I’ve been there. My family and I, always thought I was the strongest person they’ve known. I could handle anything. I would always tell them, Psalms 23:4. But grief ! My grief opened up a can of depression. I’ve always had a sense of humor. So I covered my pain, with comedy. So along with Fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, I added grief and depression. My pain management physician gave me meds to help try relieve some of the pain, along with pain block epidurals. I started taking extra pain pills because sleeping was a good way not to think about things. My son told me that he and his son has ADHD so I read a few articles and thought I had it too..lol called my Internal MED doctor made a appointment and she said I’d have to go see a psychiatrist.. I decided I didn’t have that.. lol.. I started changing everything that depressed me. I moved in March. I through away all my old furniture, including the bedroom set. And bought all new stuff. I changed friends. They were toxic. Every time they called me on the phone, when they hung up, my whole body was in pain and heavy from trying to carry their problems on my shoulders along with mines. I started walking. As I walked I talked to GOD. At night when it’s quiet, I sit in my backyard and pray. I could hear this song playing in my head, and everything would get quiet. Peace be Still. When I was a young girl I never understood that song. Seems like the choir would sing that song every other Sunday at church. I now know what that song means.
I no longer take extra meds. I made a mistake, the new house has stairs and both bathrooms are upstairs.. eww. But I’m happy inside. I closed the door on grief and depression and locked them outside.
Keep your head to the sky! #mrscemostrong
OoooWeee! You ladies are on fire this week. “Peace, be still.” Straight from the Word of God. I love how you recognized that change was needed and acted on it. Sometimes we don’t even realize that the very things we’re trying to hold on to the most are the major contributing factors to our unhappiness and illness. I applaud you for taking control of your own life. Many blessings to you LaTanya.
Hi Anita
Such a powerful and inspiring message. I believe you have been ministering to all of us through your blogging and sewing of projects. Now you are taking the next steps that are ordained for your.
Nice to see you on social media and lovely outfit.
Thank you so much Michelle.
Anita , I am so proud of you ,I know god has his plan for your love life you are helping so many people learn to sew and now with your husband passing away you will be anne to minister to so many ladies ..god bless you and remember god doesn’t waste a hurt ❤️??
Amen, Ellen! He does not waste a hurt.
Hi, Anita.
For years, I had been coping with debilitating migraine headaches that lasted 2 to 3 weeks out of every month AND excruciating irritable bowel syndrome episodes!
Then, I developed a new symptom, facial numbness on one side of my face — you know, that horrible feeling you have and can’t wait for it to pass after visiting the dentist and getting a shot of Novocaine. To say I was unprepared for the latest bad news is an understatement. Now, I had a brain tumor too.
Once I received treatment, I thought, I can live with the facial numbness and an assortment of other horrible symptoms for JUST six months until I was “cured.” Six months.
Well, I am now eight years into this journey that has taken away my peace, my hearing, my ability to function outside the home, my concentration, my way to be, and so much more!
No, I wasn’t “cured.” And I will never be cured — I’ve embraced that now. In fact, over the years, my symptoms have morphed and worsen with age. For me there is really no relief unless I am sewing or sleeping with the help of my meds!
Suffering with chronic migraine headaches and having a brain tumor are killjoys for sure! But they have gifted me one thing: They are proof that I am so much stronger than I thought.
I am having a particularly difficult and low month! Thanks for the reminder of my strength today!
Janine, you have completely floored me. With everything you’re enduring, to still be able to STAND, in your pain, and say “THEY have gifted you…” and “They are proof that I am so much stronger than I thought,” is evidence that our trials truly do grow us. Wow! I have chills to my core. Thank you so much for sharing your story and blessing my heart. You have encouraged me even further. I pray earnestly for you this evening.
What a powerful message! And right on time for me…time for me to saddle up and ‘git to doin’ what I’ve been called to do!
Yeeesss! Go get it, Stephanie!
AMEN!!! #cemostrong
CEMOSTRONG!
Beautiful outfit and message! Thanks for sharing !!!
Hi Anita. Such an inspiration, but little do you know you’ve been speaking by inspiring and encouraging all along. The time has come (God’s timing of course) for you to move to another level so He has opened your eyes to see and your ears to hear Him so that you will know that it’s Him that’s calling you. You have my prayers but this is Jesus directed and Jesus led so you will not fail. Thanks so much for allowing Jesus to lead you to what He have not only for you but for those He’s directing you to so that He will be glorified. In Jesus name!
Oh Peggy, yes! Thank you so much for this godly encouragement. I’m humbled and in awe. Yes, when He’s in control, it can only prosper.
This awesome and sooooo inspiring. I’m going to print it so I can have it when tragedy and grief comes. Thanks for being wonderful and always sharing with us. I will continue to pray for you amd your family. God has a plan. Be blessed.
Thank you so much Lesa!
Beautiful lady, beautiful outfit and beautiful message. Your precious Cemo is very proud of you!!
Thank you Sue!
Thanks for sharing that Anita. I too am striving to be an overcomer! Your way of sharing your testimony is wonderful and so helpful.
Hi Deborh! Keep moving forward, sister. Speak the word, take the steps and move to action. You’ve got this!
Loved the message you shared and you look beautiful as always. What an inspiration!
Thank you LaTonya!
Nicely done and from the heart. I had to overcome a few things in my life and it has made me a stronger person. You are a true inspiration!
Thank you Eileen! Congratulations on overcoming.
That was a true testimony, Anita, and I wish I would have been there to hear your speech. Thanks so much for sharing with us; especially the trying times which help us all to grow. You are truly an inspiration.
Thank you Darlene!
I just love you. The very first time I read your blog you reminded me so much of Jacqueline Kennedy and you still do. The way you dress just says classy and now that I have just finished reading this article, I stand by my words, yep, you are one classy lady.
Your words couldn’t have come at a better time. A few minutes ago I asked God why, but then I just said to him give me the strength to go through. Thank you for these words classy lady, may God take you places you thought only your heart could go. Have a great and blessed day
OooWeee! Marie, you just made me smile from the heart. I’m so glad you were able to read this post. We never really get the answer to our “why” questions, which is why I never once asked God, “Why my husband?” You were so wise to flip it and pray for strength. Pay attention to what’s going on around you and you go through. Even the smallest details. He’s so present. All we have to do is slow down and pay attention. It really is incredible when you see Him in a whole new way as a result of your trial. Be blessed, my sister.
You look FANTASTIC!!! Congratulations on on your first speaking event. I know you did great.
Thank you, LaToria!
Anita, you ALWAYS have a BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE to accompany your BEAUTIFUL OUTFIT! GOD BLESS you in your new ENDEAVOR!! Your GIFT goes FAR BEYOND SEWING!
Ooohhh, thank you so much Dara!
Ms Anita, Ms. Anita, you are such a living testimony! This blog message was so thoughtful, inspiring, and empowering. Thank you for sharing yourself to include your grief and growth. Your journey is a true inspiration and I know that you are doing it utimately for God, then yourself, but all of it spills over to us that are getting the priviledge to get a peek into your life. I speak this into the atmosphere and pray that one day I get to meet you in person at a sewing conference. Your spirit is so sweet and it comes through in your blog. I’m so proud to be a sister in the faith with you and a sister in sewing with you. Yes, you are an OVERCOMER!
Hey Oneika! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m gonna join you in speaking that we will meet in person one day. Blessings to you my sew sister in Christ.
Fabulous thoughtful words, fabulous outfit, fabulous lady!
Thank you Diane!
Anita, your strength, faith and courage in the face of one of life’s most devastating trials is awe inspiring. The good Lord will do great exploits through you!! Kudos to you for facing one of your fears (public speaking, and it’s mine too 🙂 ) and doing marvelously well at it!!! May God’s mercy and love continue to surround you and your sons while upholding you always. Thank you for always being such a positive influence.