Zion Brew's Blog: Zion's Jewels

Justice's Rebirth

In remembrance...

Justice. Sweet Justice. This is the first story I sat down, wrote, and intended to publish. My real first 'born'. I wrote it yeeeeeaaaaaarrrrrrsss ago, but disaster attacked it.
My baby was complete. A full story was written and was ready to fly. She was ready to be pushed out of the nest and glide with the other published works in the world.
I took a break, came back to my laptop, and found a hostage situation. My laptop was hacked and the hacker stole my files. Every file on it was gone! They held them for ransom. Yes, for ransom.
They sent a message, stating that I had to pay XYZ, to receive my files back. Needless to say, those files were lost forever.
Sadly, I stopped writing. I thought, 'Maybe, this isn't for me. I love it, but maybe I need to do something else.' I put it away and did other things.
I focused on the things I went to school for. I grew tired of it quickly. I had to run back to my creative space. I still avoided writing though.
My mom prompted me to learn how to crochet. It was nice and fun. I did more things, but as the years passed, writing called me again.
Through the urging of my mom, I sat down to my laptop. I did not know where to start or where I was going, but i begin typing one sentence at a time.
Before I knew it, I had a complete story that was ready to unfold. A spark hit me and the words begin to flow. The urge to write I had was back!
I completed and published two stories. While I was writing those, the story of Justice slowly came back to me. I could not remember all of the details, but the 'meat' of the story came back.
I was shocked, amazed, and grateful that the story came back to me. I began to jot down everything that came back then started her story again.
I had fun writing her story, for the second time. The rebirth of Justice means a lot to me. It is a reminder to follow your passion, no matter what. Life happens and trees may fall in your path. Take a new route, but do not get distracted looking at the fallen tree.
Justice's wings were clipped, but it only made her fly higher. She had a rebirth and met her new parent, Zion Brew.

The Good, The Bad,
The Ugly
🤎
Rejoicing, Rejuvenation,
Revelations


It has been one year since my first born was published, #jewelsofmyheart. It has been a wonderful experience. The good, the bad, and the ugly have been wonderful.
Even my battle with Amazon was wonderful. I believe everything happens for a reason and that battle taught me new things. This year has been an eye opening and learning experience for me as well. I loved it!
Things/people were removed and things/people were added. I was able to have deep and thought provoking conversations. Weights were lifted that I had no clue I was carrying and a new burst of joy flowed through me.
Some of you know about my health battles. It hit me fast. I had to withdraw from school, talk to my professors, talk with my scholarship advisor, move out of my dorm, etc, all in one week. At the same time, I was preparing myself for an emergency surgery.
I had no clue what was next. Now, I am celebraring one year of my first published baby. Promoting my second one, #forevermyjewels and a journal, #loveandforgiveness. There is another one in the works as well.
My author journey has been wonderful! I know my Father will keep it that way. He has yet to take my smile and joy from me and I thank Him.
-Zion Brew

Isaiah 51:3 KJV
"For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord ; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."

💐 No Rain, No Flower💐


"Rain comes to water your seed, but the sunshine comes after to help it grow. Never forget that. No rain, no flower." -Zion Brew


Life's journey is filled with many roads. We travel some on purpose and some we are detoured to. Some are smooth as an ice skating rink while others have bumps, pot holes, and sharp curves.
During our journey we meet an array of people too. Some, sprinkle love and encouragement while others devour it from you. They are known as a 'Soul Leech' or 'Energy Vampire'. They will take as much as you allow them to.
If you are celebraring something, they will ease in a negative moment. They are trying to rain on your parade. If it does not remove your joy, they will come harder. Be ready. Strap up in His peace and remain joyful.
As soon as you recognize it, you must cut the cord though. Your peace is important. Their ultimate goal is to drain it from you, hoping that it seeps into them.
It does not, so they will try and try again to no avail. They will rain on your parade for giggles. So make sure your seed is planted in good soil and their rain will help it grow. No rain, no flower.

I'm Human, Not Magic

Please do not refer to me as 'black girl magic', when you see me succeed. Please do not refer to me as, 'black girl magic', when you see me excel at a task. I was a black girl who blossomed into a black woman. I am a black human. When I am cut, I bleed. When I fall, I scrape my knee. There is nothing magic about me. I love myself and have confidence as well.
Nothing magically appears. I have my specific gifts and you have yours, but I had to work to manifest them.
Hard work, isn't magic. It is hard work. Calling me, let me repeat, calling me, 'black girl magic' is an insult. I am a black woman. I am a child of the Mighty King. I am me. An imperfectly perfect human being. No magic here. Only hard work and love from my King.

**Sidenote.....I am not a strong black woman either, but a black woman. Words have meaning and should be used cautiously.

Zion Brew

Proverbs 18:21 KJV
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Father's Day

Over the years, I have realized that society has a tendency to overlook Father's Day when compared to Mother's Day. Fathers are pretty much overlooked overall.
We highlight good mothers while ignoring the bad ones. We highlight bad dads while ignoring the good ones.
Even on a day set aside for them, I see people wishing them a Happy Father's Day, but adding things like, "to the real ones", "to the ones in their children's lives", etc.
On Mother's Day, people only say, Happy Mother's Day. Bad parents exist in both sexes. Fathers are important as well and should be recognized the same.
Today, I want to say Happy Father's Day. Enjoy your day dads! It is well deserved. 💛💛💛
Zion Brew

Love and Forgiveness

Jewels of my Heart is a story about love and forgiveness. It's sequal, Forever My Jewels, shows the strength and endurance those two emotions possess.
Love is not only spoken, it is shown in everything we do. It is a Spiritual fruit that comes easy to most. Their journey is not full of sunshine, but their roots are strong and keeps their love alive.
Life is not perfect. Storms brew. Sometimes, they pass by your home and other times your home takes a direct hit. You do not fight the storm, but prepare for it.
When it is unexpected, you endure it. You protect yourself at all costs. When you love someone you will do the same. You will endure the storm.
Understanding and forgiveness are keys to this. Enduring storms and forgiving one another does not mean you should be foolish.
It means you understand mistakes happen in life. Repeated behavior is not a mistake. Manipulation is not a mistake. Disresprect is not a mistake and so on.
My characters, Tony and Jewels, understand this. Life is not perfect for them, but their love "endureth". Their root is strong and their happiness continues to blossom.
"...Baby, I vow to continue to love you the way Christ loved the church..." -Tony,
Forever My Jewels

Ephesians 5:25(KJV)



Jewels of my HeartForever My JewelsZion Brew

"Like a Butterfly"

When I begin my life's journey, I had my plans inked and sketched in my heart. I knew exactly what I wanted and the time I wanted it completed in. In a moment, one appointment, changed it all.
My 'to-do' list was trashed. My focus shifted as well. I still wanted to do those things, but no longer could. Many years later, I finally decided to follow my passion and execute it. Now, I am promoting my second published work, while working on my third.
I thought I was stuck, but I was wrapped in my cocoon transforming into the butterfly I was created to be. I always enjoyed writing, but I did not believe it was my journey. The caterpillar probably does not believe becoming a butterfly is it's journey as well, but it becomes one.
The One who created me, had other plans for me as well. I thought it was all bad, but He meant it for my good. The road was not or is not easy, but it has added extra joy in my life. I am not sure if I would smile sitting behind someone's desk working to keep their dream alive. Everytime, I sit at my laptop to start, continue, or edit my story, I smile.
I was tucked away for a season until the butterfly was ready to fly. Spread your wings.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
Zion Brew

This is a day that we set aside to celebrate our moms. To show and give them even more appreciation for raising us. As we celebrate it, it is important to remember that, mother, is more than a noun. It is also a verb. A title that involves continous action.
Today, I will spotlight my mom. She is a wonderful woman who has a dellighful and caring soul. She birth me. She nurtured me. She raised and prepared me for the world. She enjoyed every minute of it too.
As I begin to journey in the world, a huge obstacle stood in my way. While living out my 'dorm days', I was diagnosed witb a medical condition.
My whole world was stopped in one moment. Flipped upside down. Everything I planned for my life was now destroyed.
I had two things though, the Lord and my momma. My mom was and still with me in this journey. She does not complain or anything. She is an amazing woman and I thank the Lord for giving me her. I pray that I am being the best daughter to her as possible.
I love you momma and happy mother's day. Happy mother's to all the mothers readIng this as well.

🤎Zion Brew🤎

Another inspirational meaasage was in my inbox. Sent, again, by a person I rarely speak to. As I read the message and smiled, I realized these two people have something in common. Whenever I do talk to them it is always a pleasant conversation. No drama, no complaints about life, no sadness, etc. Just happy souls. Living their lives without interrupting others.
The message read, "Whatever God is calling you to do, own it and do it. Now. #livefree". It was another reminder to me to follow your heart and dreams. Sit fear to the side then throw it in the trash. There will always be someone or people standing by to discourage you, "throw" them away too and collect your encouragers. Most importantly, remember to encourage yourself and others too.
🤎zion brew🤎

Good afternoon lovely jewels.
There was a meme in my inbox today. It was sent to me from someone I rarely communicate with. I have not seen this person since my UNF days, but they know my experience. They check up on me sometimes too❤❤.
All in all, you never know who is rooting for you. Sometimes the negative noise can drown out the positive cheers, but you must ignore the negativity and keep moving forward. The meme simply said "SEND THIS TO EVERYONE YOU WANT TO SEE WIN", and it brought a smile to my face. The small things always makes me smile the biggest🤎. If you are cheering for somone or people, share this message with them. You never knw what a little encouragement can do. Enjoy ur day too.

🤎Zion Brew🤎