Under The Moonlight Shasti

Being Thankful

Waking up is a blessing and a privilege from the heartbeat of God.
Listen to His pulse—for He lives within you and me.

As we gaze upon His face, be certain: He wants you to ask.

Believe that no matter the request—big or small, significant or seemingly insignificant—
Your miracle is on its way.

God, in His infinite mercy and grace, has seen your tears… heard your pleas…
He has dug deep into your heart and begun to birth the seeds you watered in grief, pain, anxiety, anticipation, and humility.

Whatever was thrown at you—you took it.
And you gave it over to Him, who has already begun a good work in you.

So, prayer warrior.
Intercessor, dear sister.
You are stronger than you think.

Fierce as the Lion of Judah—roaring your infirmities into captivity.
And with a mighty ROAR, you blow them away.

Divine and precious, one of the earth, believing that whatever you birth will not be shaken nor stirred. You are leaving footprints for a time such as this, and your echo will be heard.

Allow yourself to walk into the vast realms and jewels of your miracles…
To brighten the corner where you are.

And so, it is…So shall it be.

🖋©UndertheMoonlight. Shasti
All rights reserved
2 November 2018

The Sunset In Me

Sunset Nostalgia
Cinque Terre.

My bucket list, my go-to.
A dreamy, affectionate Italian breakaway where sunset nostalgia lives and breathes.

No matter how many sunsets I’ve seen, there’s yet to be that one—the one that still takes my breath away.

They say, “Red sails at night, sailor’s delight.” It’s the promise of fine weather at dawn, a poetic reminder that sunsets aren’t endings. They’re beginnings. A new chapter. A fresh canvas. A new phase. It feels exciting, overwhelming, a bit nail-biting and so incredibly sacred, yet inviting.

A beautiful sunset is like your and my “honeymoon” …The start of something magical. A new job, a move, a relationship, a marriage, a baby, a new home. Sunrise and sunset dancing together in one glorious cycle - Have we just met?

I’ve watched the sky break open in places across the world. Each sunrise, each sunset—its own masterpiece. Some days the colors whisper; some shout. But everyone breathes a message—hollowing out the darkness, flooding the loss, breaking the fog of mood and memory. They lift us at no cost.

And in that moment? There’s healing. There’s strength. There’s the hushed echo of a promise.

Because when you and I are in a winter, a desert, a dry place of waiting—A “where are You, God?” kind of sunset—He is gently preparing us. For something new. For rest. For renewal.

Our souls can grow weary. But God moves in that quiet. Behind the veil of red sails and twilight skies—He works. He pulls you in to receive.

Sunsets pull me inward.
As the sun bows low, I think:
What did I make of today?
What did I build, tear down, celebrate, love? It's a time to breathe, dream, laugh with friends, lean into joy. To remember a word once given to me by an old soul: “Be patient. Then wait… and wait some more.”

And what a gift that waiting has been.

It gave birth to this little realization:
PATIENCE
P – Perseverance: pushing through when it gets hard
A – Attitude: from bitterness to gratitude
T – Tomorrow: holding hope for brighter ones
I – Inspiration: reignited when I’d almost given up
E – Enlightenment: letting God lead in His time
N – “No”: learning to speak it with grace
C – Courage: staying true to who I am
E – Elevation: thankful for the grace that’s carried me
So yes, life may feel slow sometimes. But oh, the impact it holds.

God is always moving behind the scenes. And through every rising and setting sun, He whispers:
“I’m not finished yet.”
Until then see you soon in Cinque Terre for a nostalgic sunset.

To that wise soul—I thank you.

And to the One orchestrating every shade of gold and crimson…

I trust You!

And so, it is..So shall it be.

🖋©UndertheMoonlight. Shasti
All rights reserved
12 April 2018

Don't Be Afraid

Soul sisters, you were born and created to be different.
Different is standing out... standing up.
You have a new canvas to paint—change direction.
Become alive through grace.
Yes, every day I thank God for formidable grace and mercy.

Encapsulate your God-given gifts. The canvas is given with joy from the Almighty:
“Go ahead, my child, rewrite your new chapter… Again, if you need my help, just look up.”

Step out of the old and into the new with renewed hope, energy, vigour, emancipation, freedom, and faith.
“For with God… all things are possible.”

Why limit your thinking, your gifts… your talents?
Ask Me for anything—big or small, possible or impossible.
For time waits for no man.
Unleash your potential.
Rejuvenate your senses—mind, body, and soul.

Dare to be different. Explore.
Go beyond limits and boundaries.
Experience. Live.
Hand over the reins—let go, and let God have His way.

And so, it is...So shall it be...

🖋©UndertheMoonlight. Shasti
24 March 2018
All rights reserved

Being You

Being you has a lot to offer the world. At times we pinch ourselves thinking is it really happening?

Being you is a treasured celebration from all the stages and phases it took to get you where you are today. From infancy to puberty to teen then adulthood and everything whimsical in between. Gosh, the good ole days have certainly flown by, wishing back then staying by folks and eating humble pie.

But that was then and this is now, we took the road less travelled, been through make ups and break ups, relocations, marriage, divorce and left a piece of you know you - behind.

You girded your loins, learned the lesson. You decided to put on your big girl boots and show up for yourself each session.

So, as I am reflecting today on "Being You" the oh so sophisticated, chic, bold, confident, mesmerizing, vivacious incredible woman before me, who is not afraid to stand up, speak her truth, rock the boat and say baby girl you either got to have it or you float.

If you knew then what you know now, then don't look back, smile, laugh, cry and thank God for bringing you out and embrace...

"Being You."

Contagious, Flawless, Sassy, Vibrant just You...

"Being You."

🖋©UnderTheMoonlight. Shasti
4 April 2025
All Rights Reserved

Happiness is my Spiritual Walk

My hubby knows how much I love flowers. The scent and fragrance it gives off but more importantly how it nourishes my soul and lifts up my spirit.

Kind of like - what is a house without a mother, likewise what is a home without brightly coloured perfumed flowers? Now you are wondering, what does flowers have to do with wholeness and soul wellness. It enhances one's wellbeing sending feel good messages to the brain and besides, it permeates the nuances of your home. Flowers for me is a mood lifter, an energizer lifter- a booster that spurs me on.

It's food for my soul hence I love speaking to flowers blessing them and thanking them for finding their way back to my home. At times I feel and sense that when I don't speak to them, they wither like becoming sad because that familiar voice could be too busy or sad. Flowers pick up on your and my energy you see, so be careful how and what you feel and say out loud because flowers care and are highly sensitive my dear.

So many times, I feel like those wilted flowers, worn and exhausted because I’ve neglected my emotional and physical well-being. As Russel's primary caregiver I get so busy working behind the scenes, doing housework, taking care of everyone else, I forget God cares about my well-being.

But today I felt so strongly that I have got to get out and spend some alone time. Boy, did it do wonders for me. I felt so good, walking, praising and exercised further than I normally do and felt so hyped up that I completed 2 cycles of exercises both inhouse and outdoors.

At times, we want to make things so comfortable for others that we neglect ourselves. We forget to put our needs first no matter our essentials and feel guilty by casting our poignant needs to the side.

Do you find it easy to put your heart to the side? You know there are things you want to do, places you want to see, people you want to visit but have to put them aside, temporarily.

God understands all the hard circumstances surrounding me. Yet my well-being is at the very center of God’s heart, so why can't I make it a priority from the start. Afterall, I am, and you are His beloved daughter and so our Father's heart goes out to you and me because He cares.

How you feel is often very important to God. He sees how you are doing day by day and keeps an eye on you, come what may. He wants you to take care of yourself so you can take care of others whom he places in your hands.

Having grown up the youngest child in my family, I’m an encourager and peace maker by nature. I find it easier taking care of others, yet so often I forget my own well-being needs tending to … you know like watering them seeds, what about me taking care of my needs? until I end up feeling exhausted, burned out with stress, worry and in need of much soul care and a bounce me back relief.

So, when you feel overwhelmed, go to the well and hear Jesus whisper to you in Matthew 6:25-29:

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (NIV).

Do not worry about tomorrow, God says. Look at the wildflowers, oh yes look at the lilies look at the roses— they do not toil. Yet how beautiful I’ve made them … How much more you mean to me, more than any of these! God says that you and I are important to Him.

So, if you need to vent, vent to Him, if you need to release, release to Him, if you need to activate, activate in Him, if you need to be poured into - then ask Him to fill you up because you cannot pour from an empty cup.

At times, you or myself are so worried about details and so many needs around us that we have forgotten about ourselves, but I am here to remind you that we are worth taking care of - so why don't we? And God is no respecter of person that He sees and will do so with ease and with speed.

So, let's get practical you and me. Maybe you’re wondering, what is a simple way to remind myself of God’s care?
Scripture Exercise Tip: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (Proverbs 31:17) Webster's Translation. Go for a 20- or 30- minute walk and boost your vitality, exercise your brain, and in doing so- talk to God.

Soul Care Tip: Buy yourself flowers. Did you know that simply looking at flowers improves one's emotional health; the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, increasing feelings of well-being and reminding us that flowers are much needed to enhance our homes. Flowers are a God-given, natural mood enhancer! A God -given natural energy booster!

So today, when you feel pressures pressing in or you gasping for air, feeling drained or lack of motivation is simply nowhere, truth is hold on and breathe in, speak to God and ask Him where do you begin, what can you do to perk up the motivation in you?

Then follow the lead...
Do something that brings you joy.
Do something that brings you peace.
Do something that brings you beauty.
Do something that brings you release and relief.
Our bodies are the temple, and we should look after it, not neglect it, after all, physical ailments come to us all in different shapes or forms, young or senior, but we should thank God for enabling us and giving us strength to perform.

Important thing to remember is that we do what we can to improve our health so that we are able to do, when the Lord calls us to do and do as unto the Lord.

Hear Jesus whispering:
I love you. Lo, I am with you.
I won't ever leave you. I am here for you.
Call on my name. Ask in my name.
Shine your light. Sing your war song and fill your home with delight.
Believe in your heart, that you will overcome and that you are strong.

So go on - "take care of you and let me help you."

The happy ending to my story is that I learned to put myself first. And yes, even though I am the primary care giver to my husband, I am entitled to take care and look after myself and if it means being selfish by executing and saying "No", then so be it, but as long as he understands that I need time out to relax, unwind and let go of some of the pressures because I have the "Yes" from the divine.

So find things that will relax you, calm your mind, boost your brain when looking after a stroke patient or people with disabilities and go to God seek his guidance so your heart will be refreshed, your mind renewed your spirit uplifted just like the flowers that bloom which spring forth bringing peace, joy, and a perk me upper when in need.

So now you know I am a gal who loves flowers truth be told.

Quote: Buy yourself flowers. Spoil yourself. Enhance your mood. Take time out, don't refuse.

And so, it is...So shall it be...

🖋©UnderTheMoonlight. Shasti
2 April 2025
All Rights Reserved

It's Okay - You Will be Fine Again!

Healing is access, submitting everything to God makes the two of you a dynamo success.

Your input determines God's output. Gods know how outweighs your somehow, or not now!

You may be feeling lost or struggling, unsure of where to turn, who to talk to, or how to make the right decisions. Perhaps you’ve even felt invisible or denied a place where you truly belong. Questions swirl in your mind, with time only adding to the uncertainty, will I ever succeed and prompting - "Is God on my side?"

Yet God is gracious and will be on time. He takes you through the mundane, he brings you to your Calvary. He brings you to that place called Gethsemane, where it's you and Him alone and where you have the opportunity to touch the hem of his garment, to make your request known.

To have that heart to heart with your "Beloved."

God does allow certain unpleasant happenings to occur in our lives so we can see his hand, his path but we have free will to change the course. I remember when waiting on God took like forever and though at times, I become impatient, agitated, not seeing any improvement, just things getting out of hand and it made me ask - "Is this really your plan?"

So, as I was preparing for our devotion, the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 146. That you can come to him and maybe you not sure whether He hears- Believe me as your words echo and your cry goes out, the God of Hagar your "El Roi" sees you, hears you and knows you by name. When in that very crucial moment, he creates a shift, he begins to move, he sees your sincerity and with his matchless hand moves into action to change the trajectory of your plan.

Allow Him to propel you from Glory to Glory. Allow Him to change your story. Allow Him to take you from discomfort to comfort. Allow Him to take you from self-reliance to fully and faithfully rely on Him, in Him and in order to achieve this - You must die to self through Him.

I stand in awe just yesterday when God surprised me and all. Hence was led to Psalm 146 then whilst putting this together, my eye fell on Psalms 147. So put your trust not in princes, not man but in God, who carries and knows the ultimate plan.

What you tried to do days, months, if not years, God can do in a split of a second and more. All I could do was raise up a praise report and give credit and glory to God for its, because of Him, not me or you.

Raise up a thank you, a jiggety dance if you have to, but show the God of the Hour, the God of the Now, the God of the How, the God of on time, not my time, the God who tipped the scale and declared to "Heaven- now is the Time."

So yes, when in doubt or despair, open the book, repent to God and allow the Spirit of God to lead you, speak to you, pour into you, encounter you and reveal to you that...

"It's okay you will be fine again."

Be a Ruth - gleaning in the fields and picking up leftover grain
Be a Hagar - God saw her circumstances and had a plan
Be a David - amongst the sheep
Be a nobody that God turns into a somebody.
Be thankful that "El Roi" the God of Hagar, sees.

And so, it is...So shall it be...

🖋©UnderTheMoonlight. Shasti
IMAGE CREDIT: Painting by Barry Blake
21 March 2025

Women No Need to Compete

The Power of Sisterhood - rooted in Grace but yet we find ways to escape.

As a group of intellectuals, have we been blindsided by greed trying to outsmart each other plotting defeat.

“Another woman doing what you’re doing is not your competition. She is your sister. Encourage her. Help her. Be proud of her. Don’t develop animosity towards her. Believe in her for her victory is your victory. Her reward is your reward so be proud of her and show her your support.” Reference Philippians 4-1:9.

Let’s face it: as women, we’ve all wrestled with impulses of jealousy, envy, or comparison, especially when another excels where we may not. There’s no need to sugarcoat or dramatize it—this is a reality many of us know too well. These tendencies can lead to deceit, conceit, and undermining behaviors. Yet, even in our flaws, God has blessed each of us with unique gifts, talents, and grace. Why, then, do we fall into the trap of comparison, competition, division, and even gaslighting one another?

For much is said about this dysfunction among women. —wouldn’t you agree? How can we truly help one another overcome envy, jealousy, and covetousness? Will that battle ever be won? Will we ever genuinely support, respect, and uplift one another? Can we learn to remove the splinter from our own eye before casting judgment on our fellow sister? After all, our creativity, our talents, and our inspiration flow not from ourselves but from the wisdom of God.

It’s a wonder how God brings women together from all walks of life:
Women of every age and stage.
Women with regrets and without.
Women yearning for a better life and women content in their journey.
Women from diverse denominations and spheres of influence.
Women who have faced their own “issues of blood” and those who have triumphed.
We see women who lift others up and those who pull others down. Women who rebuke and women who betray. Women who once endured scars, bruises, confusion, and abuse, yet rose from those ashes to inspire or contribute to make a small difference.

But here’s the truth: there’s no need to compete. God has placed something uniquely beautiful in each of us—something meant only for you, not for me, and vice versa. Let us not steal, compare, or compete. Instead, let us honor the individual callings and purposes God has given both you and me.

To the woman who let go of her dream or vision: God can restore it. To the woman who stood strong against discredit and doubt: your strength is a testimony. To the woman who learned from others and now inspires others: your influence is valuable. To all women—scarred, yearning, achieving, or still seeking—know that God’s love covers all and together we'll keep on cheering.

As Isaiah 1:18 reminds us, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Nothing can separate us from His love.

We all carry imperfections—be it jealousy, pride, or resentment—but sin is sin, and wrong is wrong. Repent, pray, and let God guide you. Remember, when one woman achieves, it is a collective victory for all women. Let us not bicker over who is the best but celebrate the unique gifts within each of us and put the stigma of comparison to rest.

When we choose collaboration over competition, we find joy in working along other creatives, thus contributing towards a collective goal that doesn't hinder one's progress.

So, let go of ego and self-gratification. Thank God for what He has instilled in you and in others. Do not bury your talents out of fear of judgment or envy but allow them to shine for His glory. Women look up to you—your choices, your courage, and your faith can inspire many others around you.

Choose to challenge the status quo. Stand tall and declare, “Enough is enough.” For God so loved the world that He gave His Son, so you and I may live and not perish. Let us hold on to the promise in Isaiah 1:19: “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.”

Wake up. Get up. Dress up. Pray up. Discern up. Believe up. Challenge up. Support up. Appreciate up. Together, let us work for the Kingdom of God and not against one another.

And so, it is… So shall it be...

🖋©UnderTheMoonlight. Shasti
24 January 2021

Don’t Stop

As you fix your eyes upon Jesus and gaze into His glorious, radiant face, ask your Father for a touch that will stir your soul - to an extent of renewal, solitude, inspiration and to discern the difference between giving up, going the distance and understanding.

For the Lord strong and mighty is fighting for you this day. All he needs is your patience, your trust for a wave of change with mighty torrents which engulfs both you and me to be coming our way.

Hold onto his remnant of scarlet for as you go out into the cities, into the fields and onto the airwaves, your steps are ordered. Doors once closed, shall open and you'll feel blessed to receive. Blessed you shall be this day. Weeping may endure for a moment, but in tears, God stirs the atmosphere, touches the hearts of men, and fights the dangers that tire and press your soul, for lack is not in God's plan.

You are our only ever-present help in times when life alters when life changes and storms rage.

Hold steadfast for God won’t allow you to sink.
He won’t allow you to fall.
He won’t allow you to go against the current downstream; instead, he holds your hand and guides you and me to a place called serenity,
a place tranquility,
a place called peace,
a place called solitude,
a place which knows you and me, a place which is found in the inner parts of you and me.

Be an Esther don't ever give up but say in the midst of your storm “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish"....

And I Esther will be no more.

However, God covered Esther with his favoured shield, and likewise you and me - so that when we stand before men, we will hear “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled."

And we will sing and leap in joy, for God has done what has been foretold.

And so, it is...So shall it be...
14 January 2018
🖋© UndertheMoonlight Shasti
Image by Iriz Chan Art