A Funny Thing Happened to Me Today.....

     This morning when I got up, I realized I didn't have any bread to make my sandwich for lunch....Well, ok. I already knew I didn't have bread. I was just too lazy to stop by the store on my way home yesterday. (and the day before)  Anyway, I went to a fast food restaurant.   I decided to get a small burger, fry and a sweet tea. I got down the road and the sandwich was hot but didn't have any taste, the fries were hot, but bland and kinda hard. And, get this all you southern folks...THE ICED TEA WAS NOT SWEET. I could kinda deal with the blandness of the food because to be honest, I really didn't have a taste for it anyway. But, the tea was a deal breaker. UNACCEPTABLE.  I realized that I had gotten unsweet tea by mistake. I hadn't driven far and I literally said out loud to myself..."Now, this whole meal CAN'T be bad. I gotta change something!" I turned around, drove back to the restaurant and poured the unsweet out and got the sweet tea. When I got back in the car, I decided to put a little salt on my fries and on my burger. As I was doing all these things, it was as if my actions were "speaking" to me. I was like...wow. I started eating again and, my meal was MUCH improved. The salt bought out the flavor of the food and the tea was now sweet. It was like that whole meal had "come to life".
     Life can be hard. Sometimes we are dealt some hard blows. We get "unsweet tea" by mistake.  We make a bad decision. As a result, life can seem bland and bitter and we can end up being hard from it all. We're living, warm blooded creatures..but, inside we could just be "blah". And, somehow, we just accept the "blah". But, it doesn't have to stay that way. That's good news! We can make it better! What's that "deal breaker" that will make you turn around and say "Somethings got to change!"  What is that unacceptable thing that you know you need to change?  It starts with a decision and changing our perception of how we see where we are, what we are going through or have been through. We must decide to make some positive decisions that will change our lives for the better and make a conscious decision not to stay in the "pit". The fact that I changed a tasteless burger and fries to a good lunch with a small pack of salt and the fact that I decided to turn around and get the sweet tea instead of deciding to keep the unsweet tea spoke volumes. Just doing those small things bought about a positive change.
    I know, you're thinking..."How she get all that out of a burger?" My answer to you would be.. ."Read the title of my blog again...I did say A funny thing happened to me today".
     Back to my story. :)
     What started out as bland and hard didn't stay that way. It doesn't matter how long you've been in a pit! If you're breathing, a change is a decision away!  I encourage you to get a pack of salt. Meaning, give your life flavor.  If you feel stuck and in a rut, depressed, down, go be a blessing to someone else.  Be thankful.  Begin a hobby. What is it you like to do? Find out the things that make you happy and DO THEM! I give you permission! (As long as they are positive and healthy) Pour out the negative thoughts, bitterness and hardness of life and put in the sweet things. Choose to smile more, love more and above all things, forgive. Let go of every weight. It's not worth it because, you're meant to soar and you can't do that weighted down!  You were meant to FLYYYYYYYY.  ( I see you lighter already!)  Life is too short to accept the bland in life when only a decision to turn, add a little salt, replace the unsweet with sweet can make it better...
     You can't see me right now. But, trust me. I'm smiling.
 

"Smitten"

 Webster defines "smitten" as "affected by something overwhelming". "awestruck". I am smitten for Jesus. I'm awestruck by His Love. I am wonderfully ship wrecked and ruined for all else. I simply must have Him.

I must breathe Him.
I must have His Mind.
I must have His Spirit.
I must please Him.
I must chase Him.
I must dwell in Him.
I must know Him.
I must take refuge in Him.

All of Him.

I may not be perfect but there is nothing. Absolutely nothing like dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. There is no safer place than being covered by His feathers. There is no greater peace than running into that "place" when all around you life is raging. His peace covers you. His love envelopes you. It is REAL. It is Liberating. It is a place that your problems become small and He becomes HUGE. Your issues seem mediocre and insignificant when you stand in the presence of His Glory because it is THERE that you know.....HE CAN HANDLE IT. Not matter how big or how small. Even in light of what becomes small...it matters to Him because it matters to you.  HE has the power over ALL things. Why worry when you have HIM? It is a place that you want to dwell and never come back but, you know you must...if only to share with others that this place is real. It is true and it is accessible for anyone that calls upon and believes on His Name.

I dare you to try Him. I dare you to become "smitten".

Difficult Day....

     Today was a difficult day for me. We all know that all days will not be filled with sunshine and goodness but when a "rough" day comes along, it is still unexpected and it seems as if we have to travail our way through. God is faithful and His Arms are always open to us when we have our difficult days. He just wants us to run into them.

    This morning I left my home a few minutes later for work than I usually do. When I got on the main highway which is 30 seconds from my door, I noticed traffic backup. An accident had just happened across the street. I suddenly felt overwhelmed with sadness and I began to cry and pray and cry out to God in words only He would understand, not sure what was going on within me. I felt His presence all around me and I ended in worship. 

    A few hours later my daughter I received a text telling me that the entire school was in grief because in that very accident a much loved classmate had gotten killed and several other students were taken to the hospital. A few minutes later she sent another text that a boy from another school that she knew had passed away from a freak accident that happened last week. She was overwhelmed and I was. Praying and texting her words of comfort I felt as if I understood why The Lord had me pray as I did earlier this morning. But, Just before lunch, I received a text from my sister that a very good friend of ours who had been dealing with illness was in critical condition and the family had been called in. How much more Lord? We all went to college together. It was the 6 of us. We had some awesome, wonderful times. We rode with each other to our hometowns. We laughed together, cried together, hung out together, had slumber parties. But, in recent years, had drifted apart only speaking every now and then or liking posts. I prayed, I cried, but I knew. My prayers then changed to comfort for the family, friends, loved ones. Even though I knew that THIS day, she would be in the presence of the Lord, it still did not stop my tears. The call of confirmation came on my way home from work. Still tears. Yes. Today was a difficult day. As I reached home and my daughters and I sat around the dinner table to discuss our day, I was mentally and emotionally drained BUT, STILL trusting in the one who knows what is best. I had no clue how much pain she was in. The agony she experienced. The sleepless nights. But, her Savior did and He called His baby home. To Peace. To a painless awesomeness with Him. So, I share that experience to anyone whose had their world rattled by death or grief that God is a comforter. He is our strength and His Words are true. He just wants us to come to Him with our pain. He is ready and waiting.  Even as I type and fill my ears and my heart with Words and songs of worship, I feel my strength or better yet, His strength come to me again and I pray the same for the family.

Lamentations 3:22-23King James Version (KJV)

22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I THESSALONIANS 4: 13-18

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so will God bring with Him those also who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who are asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

17 then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

     

Don't You Care That We Perish?!

 I seem to remember writing a blog about this before or hearing a sermon about this or, it could just be a revelation that is resounding so LOUDLY with me that is just seems so familiar!  Read this scripture: (Mark 4:35-41)
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Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”[d] 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”  

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    Most of the time, we focus on the wind and the sea and Jesus saying "Peace Be Still" but have you noticed what the disciples said to him when they found the Savior sleeping when they were going through a storm? Lord! Don't you care that we perish? Sounds like they even had an attitude!  Doesn't that sound like us when we are in the midst of the storm and the Lord seems to be chilling? "Lord, Where are you?" "Lord, do you hear me?" "Are you there Lord?" "How much longer I have to go through this Lord!".."Don't you see that I'm dying here.....UGH!!!!" (yes, we can get that dramatic..well..I know I can). We even get offended and sometimes angry because it seems that Jesus is in the stern fast asleep while the waves of life are beating us down. But, TAKE HEART! Jesus wants us to just trust Him. There was a reason why He was asleep. Notice in this version of scripture, they called him "Teacher".  Even with Him sleeping during the storm I believe He was teaching them and us that you can still have peace and be at rest in your spirit when everything seems to be going wrong.  Additionally, He wanted them to use their faith. To stand up in the power and authority that He had given them and learn to rebuke the wind and rain themselves! if you look closer, not only did Jesus rebuke the storm, he seemed to rebuke the disciples! The tone of this scripture sounded like a teacher who passionately wanted His pupils to GET IT.  Basically saying "I'm on board. I got you but I want you to learn to use the power and authority that I've put within you. Why is it that you are still afraid?" I believe that during those times in over lives when Jesus "seems" far away, He really is right there waiting for us to stand up in Him and to take command of our situation with the power He has given to us. It is a lesson to help us to grow stronger in our faith and trust in Him.  So, the next time you feel like the wind and the rain of this life is beating you up...remember that Jesus is still on the ship with you...He just wants you to exercise your faith. 

A New Direction

    I was debating on whether to post this "vision" on my blog but...hey...why not. I guess I will because I seem to be getting so many confirmations. I was in church on Sunday and we were in praise and worship. I had my eyes closed. All of a sudden I saw a person walking down a road/ path and then make a right turn. I kept seeing this over and over and hearing "course change", "redirection".  I pondered on this.

I am on facebook and no..I don't believe everything everyone posts but I've seen so much confirmation to this one "vision" that I had that I know that God is up to something. My prayer for this and for you is that we don't miss ANYTHING God has for us in this season! PRAISE THE LORD!

Everything about you is getting ready to change. It's a new season and a new era and God is taking you in a different direction. Prepare to shift out of the old and into the new to possess what He has for you. It's your time and it's coming quickly. Isaiah 43:18-19

HIT THE RESET BUTTON!!

  This is to all my "busy" people out there.....! (imagine music playing in the background as I say this...) Have you ever been so busy that you can't keep up with yourself? Have you ever put your purse in the refrigerator? Put the eggs in the pantry? Put the salt and pepper shaker in the microwave? Put the ham or turkey you just made your sandwich with in the oven? LOL! These questions might sound crazy..but it's real! For a period in my life I was doing crazy stuff like that. We would find stuff in the strangest places. The kids would laugh at me. Matter of fact when they couldn't find something, they knew where to look! In the kitchen cabinets or the microwave! Funny but not funny!  My mind was all over the place, I was wide open and so busy( and at that time, stressed)  I could barely think straight. Are you walking around snapping at the kids, kicking the dog and find yourself absent minded as all outdoors?  Can't remember stuff. Matter of fact...where are the kids? LOL. TIME TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON. You TOO busy! Get somewhere and SIT DOWN.  Matter of fact....HAVE SEVERAL SEATS.
     I remembered that period of my life this week. It was NOTHING like it used to be ( I wasn't doing all that stuff in the 1st paragraph) but just enough to remind me that it's just time to get it together. It was time to reset.  I'm sure we all have this happen at one time or another. It seemed like the whole month of August was just BUSY. On the heels of that, the kids went back to school. There are orientations, paperwork and I was also dealing with some other personal issues that seemed to come one issue after the next. I had a wonderful labor day weekend but it was also BUSY. It was in the AM before I went to bed for several nights. WHEW. Wonderful for all you that hang like this, but I can't. Not anymore. I wasn't so much as stressed as TIRED. The stress I have learned to leave with God but my behind was TIRED. (the stress part is another blog post)
     Well, earlier this week I had senior night at my daughter's school. Work has been extremely busy and stressful and I was pooped.  As I sat in the auditorium listening to information about senior pictures, rings, classes, financial aid, colleges, meetings, MONEY, I just began to get really agitated. I was already tired and irritable and it felt as if my mind could not absorb anything else. I was shutting down and I knew it.  Ever been there? I wanted to get up and leave but that wouldn't have been right. I pressed to come. This meeting was so important so I just silently sat there and prayed.I  was fighting against snapping on my daughter b/c in my head, she was being irritating. It won't her. It was me. The only thing I heard was "You're tired. You need to SLEEP." Just shut it down. I had been running and I knew I had not had the proper rest and it was catching up with me. For days, all I kept hearing was "sleep". Simple, right? Some people find it hard. As I sat there in that auditorium, all I could think of was sleep and I determined when I got home, that would be "what's up". I wasn't doing ANYTHING but going to bed. I even shut my thoughts down.  It was time to hit the reset button. When I got home, I prepared for bed early and blissfully slept all night long. I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and had a wonderful day. Things did not seem as "hard" to get accomplished and my mind was sharp.
     So, I said all that to say this. If you have a computer and that computer starts tripping, getting hung up, start acting "slow" or just stopped working all together, what do you do? We reboot, We reset, we SHUT IT DOWN. 95% of the time when we bring it back up, it's back to normal.  When God spoke the earth into existence, He even rested on the 7th day!  What makes us think we are any different? What are we pushing toward? What are we trying to do? What are we striving for?  What are we sacrificing in our lives for the sake of a goal? Yes. We are to work toward our goals but God gave us balance and  when we neglect our families, our bodies, our spiritual lives just to
" work" (whether it be at our jobs, our businesses, CHURCH, or anything we've made an idol), we are out of balance. I know about this because I did it for a long period in my life so, I knew the warning signs. Do you know the warning signs that it's time to hit your reset button? A fuse is no good BURNT OUT.

Sometimes You Gotta Dance!

     One day about two weeks ago...I had a pretty exhausting day at work. I remember coming home, putting my purse down, taking my shoes off and just started to dance. The girls had something on tv they were looking at and looked at me. (smile) Without hesitation, they turned to a Music Choice channel on cable and joined me. (well, it took some convincing for one of them ) We just let go. It was a fun moment. I was tired! What a workout! But, it was something about that dance and laughing with them that shook the day off. We did it again last week. These episodes are never planned...they just happen..LOL. It's really quite fun. Sometimes, we have to just DANCE. And, if we have kids, what better time or way to do it than with them? Sometimes we can be on the grind so much. So stiff. So tense. Work, home and all that stuff in between. We can be so serious and so busy that we just don't take time out to just BREATHE. Our kids see us. What are they learning? How to be a robot? How to be stressed? How to be overly serious all the time? When I began to dance, it was unexpected for me to do so but not strange to them. They know the serious mom but they also know the playful mom. (but, some of you will see me and judge me...(SMH)) LOL. But, seriously...when was the last time you just let go?  Children or not? I personally believe that our minds and bodies get programmed to act a certain way when certain situations come about..Next time...fake the devil out and just......

DANCE!!!

A Team Player - A Soaring Eagle

      This is another transparent moment...not many will understand what I'm saying but, I'm sure some will. Years ago it was told to me that I was a great cheerleader, but God wants me to "get in the game". Recently, those words came back to me with a mighty force. She commented on how I was always standing on the sidelines cheering everyone else on. How many of us do that? It's good to be the one that is always encouraging, motivating and pushing but....what are you doing? At some point, its your turn to "get in game", right? What else are you called to do? What else is required of you? I was told recently in spirit of love that if I was left to my own devices, I would be content to sit in the back and clear tables-not being seen or heard. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that unless YOU HAVE A VOICE THAT IS MEANT TO BE HEARD. I was told not to keep doing that..I'm not made for the background.  I might not know exactly what to say...BUT, SAY SOMETHING! LOL!! These words hit home and also bought back a memory of a sermon I heard years ago about Eagles & Chickens. Why in the world would an EAGLE with an 6 foot wing span be clucking on the ground with chickens when he was meant to SOAR in the clouds, above storms?  As I drove home from that conversation with a new fire in my soul, I realized that at some point, I had not only stopped "cheering". I had left the field! When did that happen?  I was literally sitting in the bleachers with the jersey on. How ODD is that?? The fact that you are on the team is obvious. Whose side you are on is obvious...everyone around you KNOWS you are on the team..but, why are you sitting up on the bleachers with everyone else watching the game? Trying to blend into the background when in reality, it's impossible. GOD WANTS YOU TO GET IN THE GAME. For some reason, this scripture came to me..14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  
      So, I pose a question...what's holding you back? What's keeping you out of the game?  Why are you trying to dim your light? With me, it was issues of life. Sometimes we can go through really tough things that sidetrack us or knock us down for a season...but, you can't stay there. Really, its impossible.. God will send people, situations and things to get you up and back on track..to stir your fire again. To begin your restoration process.  He wants to restore us and build us up, but we have to be willing to get out of our "self made" comfort zones that we may have built up around ourselves when times got hard.  Those shields and guards that were erected to protect yourself from further hurt and pain can't go back up into the air with you, eagle. You can't soar with weights. So, I challenge you through the power of God to shake them off. Don't let the trials and tribulations of this life hold you down eagle. Instead, let them become the wind beneath your wings and go higher....

Walk With Me

     Imagine yourself walking along a beach or along a soft, grassy path on a beautiful breezy day and all of a sudden, Jesus walks up beside you and takes your hand and says.....

     "Come. Take my hand. Walk with me. Talk with me. Trust me. Let me lead you on this life's journey. Stay in Step with me. That's it. Right foot..Left foot. No. Don't look down. You don't need to for I will order your steps. Just stay in tune with my heartbeat. If you hold my hand and stay in tune to my heartbeat you won't have to worry about being out of timing with me. Don't try to pull me along because you are rushing things and don't make me have to pull you along because you are lagging behind. And don't let go of my hand because I'll never let go of yours.  Just walk with me. Go with me. Still your heart and flow with me. Let's even swing hands! Let's enjoy each others company.  See, I hold time. I created time. As long as you hold hands with me and stay in tune to my heartbeat, you will never have to worry about getting there too late or too early. I will make sure you get where you need to be in this life at exactly the right time you need to be there. Just trust me and not your own understanding. Don't be distracted about what's going on around you or began to become encumbered with the things of this life. This will cause you to get off focus and your steps will falter and get out of sync with mine. You must trust me no matter what you see. Remember, Peter when he wanted to step out of the boat and come to me? As soon as he became distracted with the wind and the waves around him, he began to sink..but, he cried out to me and I was there.  I didn't leave Him and I won't leave you. I love you. Just hold my hand, walk with me. Trust me...."

Determination

     I have shared that stairs are not my thing. I have tripped/fallen down more steps than I can count. But that shall not be my portion ANY MORE in Jesus name! (LOL! I'm laughing....but, it won't! And I've done well lately!!) One time, I took a serious tumble and was out of work for days because I had a broken/bruised tail bone and I literally could NOT sit down. It hurt to walk. The pain was agonizing and during that same time, I was trying to submit the last editing of my book and I had a deadline. I literally laid on my couch on my stomach and worked on the manuscript because I was determined to get it submitted. I remember crying. My lower back ached as well. I remember shifting from side to side just to keep a semi comfortable position. It was almost impossible!  I remember feeling frustrated and helpless but I pressed on...in tears! The book had been in the making for years and I knew that it had to be done.
     When I look back, I know that it was only the Lord that gave me the endurance that I needed to get that work completed and submitted. It was impossible in my own strength. I had so much other stuff going on... but I had to make my mind up, set my face like flint and press forward. God did the rest. In my flesh, I just wanted to take the pain killers and go to sleep but I knew I couldn't. My spirit just would not let me.
     What is it that God has put in your spirit to do? Now?  What distraction has come to hold you up or to get you off focus?  Or are you just afraid? DELAY NO MORE! GET IT DONE. I had to pay half of the money and had to pay the other half before the copies were printed. I had no idea how I was going to get the balance of what I needed but I kept silent. I asked no one for money. I only prayed and asked God to supply it.
     One day, I was visiting my parents and out of the blue, my dad asked me how the book was going. I was actually surprised he asked. It wasn't like I was going around talking about it. I wasn't. I told him good but didn't go any further. He asked me did I need anything and was everything taken care of? I knew God had opened this door but,  I didn't want to tell my dad what I needed ( a little pride? That's another blog) but I did and without hesitation, he gave it to me.
     I'm passionate when I type this because I had to get the book submitted, it had to be printed and they had to mail a sample copy for my approval and then print the copies. That takes time.  I was not self publishing but was going through a publishing company. My sister in law hosted a book signing event for me in February 2011. I remember at one point being discouraged,  thinking of asking her to cancel it because several of the people that I wanted to be there for my special event were not able to make it but I could never voice the words.  I knew this HAD to happen and it did and it was a beautiful event.
      I said all of that to say this......In February 2011, my dad was at my book signing shining with pride for his daughter. His health was not the best but he was well. No one knew that 3 short months later, he would not be with us anymore.  He sat and he read the book. He told me he was proud of me. He was so excited that he took copies of my book and literally went home and out and about selling copies! He was one proud papa!(smile) I know that it did his heart good to see what had been accomplished. Many of you have seen on face book several times how I refer to him as my biggest fan...I still believe he was!  After everything was said and done and I looked back, I knew that it was meant for me to get that book printed and a copy in his hand for him to treasure at that time. I can't explain it. Would he still know about it in Heaven? yes..I'm sure he would but for purpose beyond me...the timing of that event was orchestrated and not only did it do his heart good but it was a MAJOR blessing for me to have him and my mom there and for them to support me the way they did. Plus, as he sat there and read pages and pages of my book that day...I knew that it was ministering to him. He was very focused that day. Who KNOWS what was happening in the spiritual realm? Could something that was written in that book break something off of him that he had carried for years? Again? Who knows?  In addition, so many people contacted me about how a particular poem or testimony spoke directly to them and encouraged them in some way and spoke to things they were going through. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! None of mine...ALL OF HIS!
     So, in a nutshell...If The Lord is impressing on your heart to do something and its not leaving you alone...DO IT NOW. No matter how small or large it might seem. It IS significant for His purpose! Rest assured that there is special timing involved. There is someone out there that needs you... or God would not have put that urgency in your spirit. Don't worry about the how of it...just step. There will be distractions and things to happen that will try to take you off of your destination but be determined to stay focused and press forward knowing that God has all things in control and is ordering your steps!
   

In The Meantime....

Today, I am sharing something I wrote back in 2011. WOW. 3 years ago.. As I was going through some of my work, this came to mind and as I read it, I was encouraged...why? Because even though I'm not where "I" want to be, (I don't think any of us with ambition or desire to always grow are--but, it's not about us anyway, right? It's about the Creator and HIS desire for us. His preparation in us to do HIS will.) I was able to reflect on how FAR the Lord has bought me! This was over 3 years ago but I TRUST Him more. I LEAN on Him more. I LOVE Him more. It was of no coincidence that I ran across this poem today. The Lord knows what I need. He knows what anyone that reads this needs.  It confirms EVERYTHING that was preached in the sermon today and from what I have been hearing for weeks. (Especially about PATIENCE...whew! that's another blog post)  It further encourages me and pushes me onward and upward. Sometimes, God just has to REMIND us that HE is EVER PRESENT WITH US and HE has US on HIS mind even when we can't see Him or when He doesn't move in "our" timing.  We have to rest in Him. He has not forgotten about us. He can work in the smallest of details that we don't even notice because we are looking for this "BIG" thing... 

Be encouraged friends. We are being MADE and praise God, that work will continue until we breathe no more. We need to learn how to just rest in Him. Breathe. Share His heartbeat which is never beating with anxiety or fear because He knows the plans He has for us.  In the meantime, lets TRUST, SEEK, PRAISE AND THANK the MASTER CRAFTSMAN OF OUR SOULS.

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IN THE MEANTIME

There is a place of ‘in between’.

“Not where I used to be” verses “not where I want to be”

This is an uncomfortable place!

Ready to get on with what I need to get on with.

Ready to fulfill my destiny,

Ready to find my place.

But, knowing that I still have much to learn.

The Lord will not take me too fast but

At the pace where it does me the most good.

Not pleasing to me, but

He knows my end.

He knows what’s best for me.

So I pray and praise and trust.

All along knowing that Christ will perfect that which concerns me.

Trying not to lean to my own understanding.

Praying that I learn all that He wants to teach me.

Knowing My Timing is not His.

He has me right where He wants me.

So, instead of being impatient or frustrated,

In the mean time, I’ll learn more of Him.

Praise Him More

Thank Him more

Worship Him More

And

Learn to wait on Him.

COMMUNION

Joy leaps in my soul
My mouth bursts forth into praise
I smile so wide it's painful
I raise my hands and look toward Heaven.

I feel your smile....

Your love envelopes me
I feel as light as a feather
Almost as if I could take off
And soar with you.

My mind and thoughts are transported
To a place beyond the natural realm
I begin to commune with you
On another level. Wow.

I seek you. I long for you.
There's no better feeling in the world
Than to be in communion with you.....

WEIGHT

Why u still playing that tug of war with God?
Just let it GO!
He said His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
What u still carrying that weight FO'?

Could it be you just might not trust Him
As much as you thought you did?
Could it be you are afraid things might not turn out the way you want them to
So instead of trusting Him, you try to keep it hid?

Your bones waxing old
Your soul down cast
He's telling you to give the burden to Him..
Is that too much to ask?

He sees you know. The heaviness.
The worry, the weight, the stress.
He sees all the stuff you're carrying
That you are not ready or willing to address.

We give it up, we pick it back up
Back and forth we go!
Even the angels getting dizzy
From all that to and fro'!

We can't be double minded expecting to receive from the Lord.
We just have to trust Him and doubt... aggressively avoid.

It grieves Him to see us so burdened
When it needn't be.
He's already paid that expensive cost
Just so we could be free.

But, still He loves us
More than we know
And He stands by waiting for us to come to Him as babes,
Release it, talk to Him, let it go,
So an overflow of that love, He can show.

PEACE

I've heard the quote "wherever you go..there you are..."
It was funny to me at first,
Until I actually lived it
and experienced it at it's worse!

Thinking, thinking....questioning all the time..
Oh! If I had wings like a dove, I'd fly away..
Thoughts, DON'T come back another day...
But, they go with me..wherever I go...there they are...

One thing about them...from them you cannot run..
"wherever you go...there you are"
Until you silence them, you'll be under the gun..
Cast them down, shake them off..go to Jesus..RUN.

I pictured myself sitting on the side of a well,
seeking,
waiting for Jesus to appear.
Instead what I saw were doves flying in the air
landing on my shoulders, lovingly playing in my hair.

What I heard was "PEACE".
That was it, nothing more.
He was giving me peace..
Lord, my word for you today is ADORE..

I love you...

"He has delivered my soul in PEACE from the battle which was against me.."

Steady Constant

We can not rely on emotions,
how we feel, what we think..
It changes all the time.
One minute up..one minute down
one minute in..one minute out..
emotions change on a dime.

What we can be sure of though..
Is our God never changes.
He never "trips", He never lies,
He's not always "rearranging".

With Him, you know what you're gonna get,
no here today gone tomorrow.
He is a steady constant...
even when we're filled with sorrow.

I don't know about you....
but I LOVE this about HIM.
I can trip and I can change
but my Father remains the same...

I can let all this "stuff" get to me
Even when He tells me to come to Him
He'll lift my burden and ease my stress
If only I come to Him and confess...

When I do reign in my "tantrum"
silence my heart and mind of thousands of questions..
His peace I will find
His love so divine
He's just my steady constant..

WHO.....? ME???

      I absolutely love my morning drive to work! I actually look forward to it. Whether it's raining, cloudy or sunny, that is my absolute favorite time of the day. I honestly take time to think about what I will do on my way to work. Will I pray? Just listen to music? A sermon? Will I praise and worship or just be quiet and SEE? I look at the clouds, how they move, the sun, the blue of the sky. I look at the trees and how the early morning sun's rays bounce around. I take in the beauty of it all. I'm at peace. I breath. I smile. Sometimes my eyes are beholding it all so much that it's as if I can't take it all in! I can't SEE enough. To me, it is beautiful. HE is BEAUTIFUL.
     Anyway, as I was on my way...I put a CD in. Nope. Not feeling that this morning. I cut it off. I felt the need for the moment to be quiet. It did not take long for me to be ministered to. Immediately I thought of Moses. Not of him leading the people out of Egypt which is what most people relate to, but his excuses and reasoning as if God made a mistake in calling Him.(Exodus 4:10,13) (Uhhh....God? What you talking bout? LOL. )I was reminded of a train of thought I had the day before. Ok..it was a LONG train of thought that I've had quite a bit! I was literally wondering about whether or not I had anything to say or if I could be used in a particular way. I was feeling a little bit intimidated. I mean, what makes me any different? Special?  I'm just ME. I was reminded that  Moses asked GOD "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh..." (Exodus 3:11) Let's think about this for a bit. Could it be that Moses was feeling a little inferior himself? He was fine where he was, right?  Why go back? That mountain was pretty comfortable, right? Did he have some concerns about what his old friends and acquaintances might think when he went back to the palace and they saw his beard, clothes and unruly hair?  Maybe he wasn't up on the latest style. Maybe he felt none of these things..only fear. But, he had some issues with God's call! To me, everything in him was screaming..WHY ME? Hey...I was being told I was in good company. Thank you Lord! I love Him so! He is with us always! He knows the concerns of our hearts whether they are spoken out loud or only pondered upon. He knows!
     What Moses didn't realize was that the whole time he was being prepared for the calling. Everything he had been through bought him to the burning bush. When God calls us to do things beyond what we feel is possible, we will have questions and fears but, just as He reassured Moses that He will be with him, He will reassure us.  Even though Moses had his questions..his answer was yes. We are not to be afraid because "I AM" is with us! That's exciting to me! We are to move forward in faith not looking at our shortcomings but at God's faithfulness.  We tend to compare ourselves to others and see ourselves as falling short.  We get a little intimidated and wonder how in the world it will work.  We fail to realize that when we hear the call, we have been designed to fit where He is calling us to!  It is tailor made! We don't realize that through our personal years "on the backside of the mountain" that there will be a "burning bush experience" waiting for us.  This experience alone will be THE REASON why we're here. THE PURPOSE for our existence. The answer to all those inner questions you've asked or pondered on. The fulfillment of all things concerning you in this life.  Don't miss out of it because of fear and feelings of inferiority.  SAY YES! LET'S GO.  

Real Talk....Love Walk

     Another transparent moment...I don't mind (too terribly) because there is not enough transparency these days. Everyone wants to look like they got it all together. Keep throwing you scripture after scripture. Paint you a picture of "perfect" that is far from it. As I sometimes tell my daughters..." Girl, BYE". (SMILE)  I look at all of us as a huge puzzle and we are each a piece. We need each other to make a whole. Let's get real and reach back and help someone that might have the same issue...Anyway...
     Not too long ago, someone said to me "God said you have a lot of love inside of you...why is it not coming out?" I looked at him and said "Huh? What?" LOL. I didn't get it but it nagged me and opened up a can of worms.  I mean, I began to do a checklist: Am I treating someone wrongly? Am I holding a grudge? Am I walking in unforgiveness? I know we all have issues but that question perplexed me. It challenged me so I did exactly what the Lord wanted me to do. I began to seek Him. A few days later as I sat pondering on it again, it was almost like a "video" that flashed through my mind. I saw myself when I first gave my life to Christ and years after. The JOY I walked in..even when the "zeal" was over, how happy I still was! I was so full of Love that I could hug someone to death and love them right back to life again! LOL! I saw how the Lord would use me to touch lives. I am naturally an introvert so we would go back and forth when I felt led to do something or say something but..in the end.. I did what He was leading me to do cause I wanted to please Him. I remember even being an usher in the church I attended at the time and for the longest, I absolutely LOVED IT. I loved to greet people, smile, hug, laugh, help with babies, show them their seats with a smile. I was SUPER USHER and did it all in the Love of the Lord. In the beginning, it was not just a "job" to me. I sat there in total recall...smiling.
      Then, the "video" began to change. I saw church hurt, rejection on top of rejection, lies and even up until recently, betrayed confidences.  I was like WHOA. It was heavy ya'll. I have not told you all that I saw but I realized that with that one comment from someone that drove me to specifics with God, I literally opened up a can of worms that I had to DEAL with. (What is it that you need to deal with in your life? Someone you hate? unforgiveness? Selfishness? Pride? A bad habit? UNBELIEF? DOUBT? ) As I sat there, I did realize that it was a set up. The Lord has been bringing me to this point for a while now and it was time to come to the carpet.  If we want to be whole and move on and up, we have to deal with that in which He brings to our attention. See, God has delivered me from the pain and I have forgiven for those things that happened back in my past...BUT, I HAD CHANGED. There was left over residue. I saw myself now compared to back then. (Yes. we all change & grow and don't stay the same. Not talking about that..stay with me.)  As a result of all that I had gone through I had lost trust in people. We are to always of course be discerning but I had become "stand off-ish" and reserved. I withdrew. I remember once being called a "recluse" by a team leader at my old job. We laughed about it but in my head and heart..I still went "hmmm...."  That was over 10 years ago. He said I did my work well and all was fine but I just stayed to myself and by myself all the time.  I had sometimes wondered through the years why it seemed like the Lord wasn't "using me" like He was back in the past and the answer was finally unfolding itself right in front of my eyes.  It wasn't that I didn't love people anymore,  I had put walls up.  I still would do anything for anyone within my circle or whatever was needed...but  that was it. I never let anyone get close...only really family and a few others cause I felt like they were "safe". I was good with everyone else from a distance. I am polite, positive, I won't hurt you....but you won't gonna hurt me either!  I wasn't trying to meet new people or grow relationships. I had built a wall of comfort around myself where I was just happy being in my own little world alone.  No one can hurt me there. As these things began to unfold, I was floored.  I realized that I had "limited" God. For so many years I walked around in my self made comfort zone and refused to be "open" or "available" to Him for fear of being hurt. I was functioning "broken".  Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm sure not everyone will relate. It is well. If this ministers to a few and causes them to get before the Lord to get rid of an issue, then my transparency was worth it.
     As I began to repent and call out to the Lord I realized that I didn't want the walls anymore. It's lonely and no fun.  He wants us to have life and have it more ABUNDANTLY. My cocoon was killing me. It was time for the butterfly to emerge! I have always been an introvert but I LOVE to laugh, joke and have fun. I LOVE to encourage. I love to "bubble over".  (my family will tell you) I really began to realize how much I MISSED "bubbling over!"  HE LOVES ME and if I were ever going to be all that He called me to be, I had to let all that stuff go and be willing to "get back out there" again  and do the work of the Lord! I asked Him to knock down every wall. I mean, how many lives could He have used me to touch? How many divine connections had I missed? I was "existing" but not "living" because the main thing that made me happy and filled me with joy, I allowed and even assisted the enemy in stifling it.
     How many of us have had our dreams dashed or gifts stifled because of LIFE? They are still there! It's restoration time! We have to learn to let go and trust God with all our shortcomings and our pain. We have to spend time with Him on a regular so we will have the strength to keep the "little foxes" away. He will sharpen our discernment in regards to people and their TRUE motives. He'll lead us in what to do. HE'S A SAFE PLACE. We literally have to close our eyes, let go and jump into His arms. SEE yourself doing it. The enemy would LOVE to have you build walls around yourself and hold on to certain pain/habits in your life so God's plan through your life won't be realized. Don't let Him win. Your BIGGEST area of pain is where God wants to use you the most and where you WILL obtain your greatest VICTORY.  I pray that you will allow the sweet Holy Spirit to come in and walk you right through your pain and OUT OF IT. Let Him put the mirror on you. It's worth opening yourself up to God to be free. Someone in your same situation is waiting on your testimony! Let's get back out there together and make an impact for the Kingdom! I can honestly tell you that that is a journey...we are all works in progress. I don't care who you see that you think might have it all together...they don't. It's your transparency before God and as He uses you to be transparent before others that will deliver many! LET'S GO! WE HAVE WORK TO DO!

A Treasure Found...

     First of all...let me say..my blog is getting a make over. It's in the works so hopefully it will be done soon....

    I just wanted to share how sweet the Lord is.  Back in March, I attended an awesome Glory meeting. My sister and I walked in and we noticed that we were the only 2 African American people in the whole church! At first, of course, we felt a little bit uncomfortable but it only took SECONDS for us to be embraced and shown to a seat where we began to worship and praise the Lord along with everyone else. We were one big happy family! That service is one that I will carry the memory of for the rest of my life. Not only because of the Glory that was present in that place but because it gave a new and deeper meaning to God not looking at our outer appearance, but at our hearts. He doesn't care about color...He made us all for His Glory!  One TRUE TEST of whether or not you are walking in prejudice is if you can go into a church and fellowship with others no matter what their race. If we are TRULY walking in the Spirit of the Lord, race should not matter at all. He loves us all. Just because He made us to look different does not mean He treats us differently so, why do we do it? If you can't deal with it now...what Heaven are you going to?  My goodness...I wasn't going to type that at all...I'm supposed to be typing about "A Treasure Found" and my fingers just started typing something else...Oh well.. To God Be the Glory. This was meant for someone to read....
     Getting back on task...there was a sweet older woman there. As soon as I got situated and started to praise, she walked up to me with a message from the Lord. (I blogged about this in March). At the end of the service she gave me her name, number...even her address(smile). she was so sweet. She invited us back to other meetings. It was one that was coming up at the end of March and my sister and I talked about trying to go on the way back to our room. Well, as soon as we got back to our hotel, I began to look for her number and I could NOT find it. We had driven over an hour away from the event to get to our hotel. (we were 6 hours from home).  I looked through my bible, purse, everything I had 2-3 times, even more. I was outdone. What in the world had I done with it?? We couldn't go back. Church had let out. I had no information on this lady. I prayed and asked God to show me. I never found her number.
     This past Saturday, I pulled my bible out as I have done hundreds of times before and there was her number. That same paper that I couldn't find. Huh? Immediately I knew, I HAD to call this lady.  I don't know why but, it was just too much. I KNEW I had looked EVERYWHERE for her number. At first, I was nervous. She doesn't know me! She probably didn't even remember me. Would she think I was crazy? I prayed, worked myself up into a tizzy and finally just made the call......and I had the best conversation that I had in a while. And yes, she remembered me.  I smile as I type. It was meant  for me to talk to her today because she began to confirm a few things I had been questioning. She also gave me some desperately needed guidance in an area that I needed at THIS particular time in my life. Bless her precious heart, she even gave me a homework assignment! (smile)  I also know that my calling was a blessing and encouragement to her. I hung up the phone with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face and I immediately began to execute what she told me to do. See, God hears us when we pray and sometimes, we do get silence from Him but.....it's for a REASON. We just need to trust Him. HE knows what He is doing and He has His perfect timing in everything.

An Old Journal

     I was flipping through some old papers today and came across an old tablet that I had written a few journals in. I am going to copy one of them below that was written on 8/2/11. As I read it, all I could say was "wow". I just want to share this journal entry with you. It reads like a prayer. This was not even 2 months after I lost my daddy. It was a hard time trying to make sense of everything. The hows and the whys but also knowing that God was and is in control. The Lord was indeed an ever present help in the time of trouble and He was there through our entire ordeal up until my father transitioned to be with Him in Heaven. Those weeks leading up to and after was so HARD...BUT....if ANYONE knew the Lord, they could see HIM EVERYWHERE. It made me sit and meditate on spiritual and natural things...the seen and unseen...the known and the unknown...and just how FRAGILE we are as humans and just FAITH.  Do we REALLY have it, especially when times are hard and we can't see in front of us? Anyway...here's the entry...

________________________________________________________________________

8-2-11

     It's not about power. It is not about arrogance. It's about being the best in you I can be. Reaching my full potential in your Glory. Doing all that I've been put on this earth to do and having all you say I can have, lacking nothing. 

     To walk in a state of belief in the supernatural-even more than the natural. To believe more in your spiritual truth than the natural facts. To live and think beyond the earth realm.

     To walk guided by you on an unknown path but knowing as I go forward a step will materialize under my feet. As I walk toward a wall, a door will open just in time for me to step through. As I walk in what feels like darkness a light will come on and I'll walk toward it. As I walk toward an ocean, you will part it before my feet. As I walk toward a cliff a helicopter will show up out of nowhere and take me to that next destination. WALKING BY FAITH. My steps being ordered by you even though I don't know where I'm going...you do. Although obstacles lay before me, I don't see them because my eyes are on you and my mind is on a spiritual plain that makes the natural with all it's obstacles seem easy. I float on. I walk on. My eyes on the prize. Straight ahead and focused on you. My head never down because I'm not defeated and not watching where my feet tread because you are guiding them. I keep my eyes on you. 

A Word of Advice......

Hello followers....this blog is going to be REAL SHORT b/c this is still unfolding...I just want to share a little wisdom with you. When God is telling you that your season is up with a thing in your life....LISTEN. If you don't, that place or area that once was a BLESSING then becomes a BURDEN!!! There is more to this story but I just wanted to wet your appetite. Stay tuned!  There is definitely more to come on this subject!

It's Not Too Late.....

     I am a firm believer that as long as we are breathing and alive on this earth, it's never too late to change. Some of us desire to make changes and even know deep down inside that changes need to be made in certain areas of our lives, but, we don't do it because we think it's too late, we're too old, the time has passed or just plain old FEAR.  I truly believe the truth in the saying "if you continue to do what you're doing, you'll always get the same results"...IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE and it starts with a decision. I am here to encourage you that it's not too late! It's never too late to make a change for the better. God gave us life but He also wants it to be an abundant life. He wants us to have peace and joy and if there is an area of your life that you know needs to change, let's go to God and pray about it. Make some decisions. Ask Him to give you the courage to be better. The last thing we want to do in this life is reach the end of it and focus more on regrets than on the good times!  Decide in your heart and mind today that you are going to make the necessary changes and email me your testimony!!

A Timely Word

     God is so awesome! I was thumbing through my CD case and I came across an old sermon that was preached at my church in October 2011. I didn't remember what It was about but it was entitled "Changing Seasons".  The topic itself held my attention. As I popped it in and started listening....all I could do is praise God and thank HIM for such a TIMELY word! It was if the words were personally directed to me. As I listened I began to remember exactly what I felt and thought at the time that the sermon was being preached. It was like I was watching a DVD of that sermon in my head. Isn't that awesome?  I could literally reflect on that Sunday vs where I am today and I could only sit in awe and give God praise. My goodness! My! How seasons have changed! I want to encourage you..... you might be going through something so difficult and hard for what seems to be a very long time and it SEEMS as if nothing is changing. BUT, rest assured...something is changing and its YOU. Seasons WILL change.  They not only change in the natural, they change in the spiritual as well. You'll be able to look back and see just how much you've grown. How much stronger you are. How much more peace and joy you have. You'll be able to reach back and help a brother and sister in the same way you were helped.  Remember my "Encouraging Words" page. You are being qualified!

A Question of Depth

     My youngest daughter can come up with some questions that blow your mind! She is very inquisitive and will keep you on your toes. We had a wonderful day today. We attended an awesome church service, ate breakfast and decided to walk the trails at the River. It was beautiful. There was an awesome breeze blowing and we just enjoyed walking and talking. At one point, we sat down on steps right at the waters edge and just enjoyed feeling the breeze and taking in all of God's beauty. I thanked Him for such a wonderful, beautiful day and I felt so at peace that it was hard to leave. I literally could' ve balled up on the bank and took a nap while listening to the water and feeling the breeze.
     Anyway, when we got home, we were so THIRSTY!! We got tall glasses of cold ice water and we were both on our 2nd glass when she asked me "Ma!Why does water have no taste but be so GOOD!!??" LOL. It tasted so good that we could not get seem to get enough but after our fill we were so relaxed and immensely satisfied!  I thought about it and I told her because it is REFRESHING. It quenches the thirst that we had. Completely. I began to think on the Spirit of God. I thought about how we do not see the Holy Spirit but, He's there always, He gives us times of refreshing that we could not live without. Water has no taste, no real natural color but is refreshing and we can't live without water and at times, we just feel like we cannot get enough!  I see why Jesus always related the Spirit to Water. As I sat out beside the river today in perfect peace, watching it flow, I felt that refreshing to my soul. I can go on and on....

A Beautiful Dream

     I had the most beautiful dream. My two daughters and I were singing. We were worshiping the Lord and it was BEAUTIFUL with a melody I can't even describe. We had on robes and our hands were raised to Heaven and we were literally singing in harmony. High notes, low notes just praising Almighty God. There was another woman who was sitting there and all of a sudden she stood up saying " I have GOT to record this! I have got to record this!" But, I told her that we couldn't duplicate what we had just sang.  We could not repeat it.  The Melody was so awesome and so beyond us! It was like we opened our mouths, raised our hands to Heaven and it just came. It was beautiful. I honestly don't know what else to say about this dream. I just wanted to share it. I would love to know what you think.  It made me smile in my heart. It also made me chuckle because anyone that knows me knows I can't sing. Even when I try my kids say "Muhhhh!!! Please!" LOL! I think I also need to add here that they are not gifted with the voice of birds either! I guess that's why the Bible tells us to "make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord!" LOL!

Quietness

     I am sitting quietly on my couch with the window open. I find treasure in the times that I find myself alone because the girls are out. Sometimes, they will come home and catch me in my quiet place and  ask me how can I just sit like this; in the quiet. The TV is off and its completely quiet.  It comes easy for me during those times.  I'm listening to the birds chirp, dogs bark and children playing and I feel such a peace. It overcomes me and I feel at rest. I can pray, read, worship or just simply sit back and quiet my mind and enjoy the beauty around me. I think of how blessed and truly thankful that I am even when things are not going my way at that moment.  I feel close to the One who strengthens me. I can sit in quietness and stillness and THINK on Him. He is so worthy! I love to hear birds sing, how carefree they are! I smile. There is even a lesson in that because He tells us that He feeds them. They don't worry about what they will eat or drink.(Matt 6:25,26) They do what they were made to do and sing praises to God in the process! Wonderful! God tells us that we are better than they but there is much we can learn from the fowls of the air!
    During this time of year, I like to sit for long periods of time and listen to all things around me "awaken" from a long winter's sleep and I marvel and I pray and I praise and I be STILL. In my heart, my spirit, my mind.  I think of it as a form of worship to Him as I sit and marvel at His beauty. Sometimes, I tear up and feel so humble that He gives me these times to just BEHOLD HIM and what He has made and to listen for Him and to Him as I am well aware that His Spirit is all around me.          When was the last time you were "still" before the Lord. There is so much going on. Work, School, Kids, Spouses, noise. Our minds are running constantly and then, some of us refuse to even sleep at night without the TV on or something "on" around us at all times. It is hard to hear the Lord  and commune with Him when we have so much going on. I encourage you to "get still" before the Lord. It is worth every moment!

By My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.....

   Hhmmm....this post won't be long because I'm still meditating on this. Zechariah 4:6. We've all heard the saying "If the Lord leads you to it, then He will see you though it!". Well, I feel confident in saying that this is a good scripture to back it up...When God calls us to do things, it WILL seem impossible...why? Because it is when we are trying to do things in our own strength and boxing things into our own limited thinking. We are to rely on Him to move for us and through us to bring His will to pass. To be continued........

Who Asks a King for a Penny?

   I am a lover of quotes. I love this one by Vernon Linwood Howard. Makes you think, doesn't it? I used to have it on a sticky note on my computer and I remember one day someone asking me "What does THAT mean?" Before I got into my answer, she told me "never mind" and walked off. My guess is, she figured it out but, it still makes you think, doesn't it? If you ever have the opportunity to get into the presence of an earthly King(IF you make it through background checks, guards and surveillance equipment that offers no privacy whatsoever of your conversation), you would not ask him for anything as small as a penny. He is the KING for goodness sakes! It's time then to ask for your hearts desires.  We have a Heavenly Father and He is the KING OF KINGS.  There is NO ONE above Him and thank goodness He does not require a background check or security in order for us to get to Him and our conversation is private. He is just a heart call away. We can approach Him. But, sometimes, we approach Him heavy with guilt of sin and shame. When we sin, all of a sudden, we forget about His grace and His mercy. We even forget about how much He loves us and how MUCH of a forgiving God He is! We come to Him just hoping He will even be gracious enough to give us a penny! But, He is our Father, our King, Our God..the Bible tells us we can come BOLDLY to the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16) and get what we need. We should let go of the "penny" mentality and remember who we are in Him and that He loves us regardless. We can come to him for repentance, strength, restoration and the list goes on. When we really get a revelation of this...a penny wouldn't even cross our minds because we will remember that we are approaching a King who holds it ALL!

DNA

    I was sitting here today and started to think about how we all have our own DNA.  How absolutely AWESOME is that? Isn't God just amazing? Our own uniqueness. No one has the same DNA..not even identical twins! There is no other YOU. To me, it seems to me that God is always using natural things to help us better understand spiritual things and just how special we are to HIM. He is letting us know that He took His time to create each and every last one of us and make us uniquely special; different from anyone else on this earth, even our parents-especially our very own mothers who carried us and birthed us! To anyone out there that feels that they are not special...just think on THAT for a minute. To take it even further, not only did He create us as ONE OF A KIND, He also put a stamp of purpose on us that only we individually are called to fulfill. Sorta like our own special God given assignment. I heard my Pastor put it this way..it's like a puzzle. If one piece is missing, the puzzle is not complete. A puzzle is only complete when all the pieces are there and are put in the right place. All the pieces play a part and they are not the same.  If you put the pieces in the wrong place, the picture will be distorted. We are all important. We are all puzzle pieces to one big picture and that is the Kingdom of God. Wow...I feel so SPECIAL and LOVED after meditating on that...how about you?

Spiritual Temper Tantrum

    LOL! Wow...what a topic. I'm going to be very transparent here and confess my fault....I had one today! LOL! It was a serious "pout party" but at the same time when I got a mental picture of what I was doing...I couldn't help but smile. I've had a very specific thing up before the Lord for a long time! God has moved so much in my life these past months that I KNOW this thing is right around the corner...but, I have to confess, I don't wait well. God is dealing with me here. He's growing me up. When I feel like I have confirmation on a thing or if I'm believing God for something and REFUSE to believe anything else....I'm ready for it to happen NOW. LET'S GO! Wait? Process? What's that??  (don't judge me...LOL) Well, today was a frustrating day for me. I guess you can put that mildly. I was crying out to the Lord and as I was sitting there,  I began to imagine how the Lord must see me...like a child who throws a temper tantrum. Although I was sitting at my desk doing my work appearing to everyone around me that I was focused and getting the job done, on the inside I was kicking, screaming, crying and rolling around on the floor. I was acting just like a child who wants a toy that a parent has put on top of the refrigerator and told them they couldn't have it...YET. As I envisioned myself having this "Spiritual Temper Tantrum", I also imagined seeing the Lord standing beside me while I'm rolling all over the floor. He's looking down at me. He's tapping His foot. He has His hands on His hips, He's rolling His eyes and He is looking down at me shaking His head. LOL. As much as I was into my pout party, when I imagined this...I had to LAUGH and yes, get myself together. I thought about a natural parent telling their child "not yet", "you just have to wait" and the child is not satisfied with that answer. That parent probably said "wait until after dinner" or "wait until Christmas" which is next month or "wait until your birthday" which is a week later, or just a plain "wait" with no time frame-- but, they totally tune out the part "not yet" and just want it NOW. How many of us are guilty of that? (Be honest) You know God is going to answer your prayer. You are praying and believing Him for something. You have His confirmation but it's a "not yet" so instead of Thanking Him and Praising Him for what's to come, at times of difficulty or when it seems like its not going to happen, you have a fit.  As I sat there and turned these thoughts over and over in my head...along with what happens when a child CONTINUES to throw this tantrum and the parent gets fed up with it, I QUICKLY checked myself then. (Plus, I was imagining myself just as I was.. a 41yr old woman having a fit...not pretty..even spiritually speaking, not pretty at all...LOL)  I had to repent and ask the Lord to forgive me. I began to just sit there and humble myself and pray. I began to praise Him again just for being who He is and for being such a GOOD, UNDERSTANDING, PATIENT PARENT. He loves us so much.

Discovering The "Real" You.....

    I know we have all heard the quotes "To thine own self be true..." and "know thyself". Lord knows I've heard those quotes hundreds of times...but, I never thought of them as something to really meditate on..but, to many of us, that might be a good thing to do. We all get so caught up in being wives, husbands, parents, whatever our occupation is, caregivers, children, our hobbies, our service, Pastor's wives, Pastor's husbands, etc.. It just seems like we have so many "things" that we are required to be that sometimes, we lose track of who we really are. It's all about the cause and looking the part. Our identity becomes what we do instead of "who we are". We become like legalistic little robots.  I've been so many things for so many others for so many years that I've lost track of who I am and who God has really called me to be. Who is Hope? What does she like? who is she? I'd failed to "know myself". How many of us suffer from this same malady? I've found myself seeking God on an even deeper level on who He's called me to be and what He's called me to do and...guess what? It's exciting! But, get ready! As you go deeper and grow closer, He will let you know what "things" you're doing that are time wasters and are not productive. There will also be people that you've been around for so long and all of a sudden, your conversations get shorter and shorter because you realize that you don't have as much in common anymore. You're going to have to be true to yourself and realize what's working and what's not and be led by God on what to step away from and then, be brave enough to do it with His help. It's not easy(especially if you are a "high profile" person)  But, it's all part of the process and we have to be willing to go through it in order to have the fulfilling life that God has called us to. As those "empty" things and relationships are shed from us, God is now able to put those things in us that will glorify Him and make us whole. We move from being Robots to being profitable stewards and servants of the Most High!
      As an ending thought, I remember the story of Mary and Martha. (Luke 10:38-42) As I read this, I thought about how we get so busy running to and from like chickens with our heads cut off. Going here and there to get this done, to get that done, to fix this, to fix that...just all over the place doing THINGS in our own strength, making ourselves dizzy..but Mary sat at the foot of Jesus. I really and truly believe that if Martha had chosen as Mary did and sat at the foot of Jesus as well and spent time with Him, in the end, everything still would've been accomplished...just without the stress. There is just something about putting Jesus first that makes everything else afterward fall into place........

A Deeper Understanding....

Wow...My last post was Dec.6th but God has not stopped amazing me! He has graciously given me clarity to a part of my vision that I had back in Dec. which I posted in my blog and of course, the way He did it was BIG because He is such a BIG GOD! This past weekend, my sister in law asked me to attend a Glory Meeting with her in Georgia. I wanted to go but my flesh QUICKLY kicked in because I had been out of town the previous weekend as well. BUT, Spiritual HUNGER overrode my fatigue so...OFF I WENT! It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. When we got to the location where the Glory meeting was held, we walked right in and began to worship. There was such a sweet spirit in that place! It is amazing to me how you can walk into a room where no one knows you and you know no one but the Spirit of God makes you one happy family! We were not even there 15 min when a sweet,older lady came and sat down beside me and began to minister to me. (this is where you might want to stop and read my blog from Dec.6!) She began to share with me how she saw me seated at a table with a gold plate, fork, spoon, knife in front of me(in my vision, it looked silver..but hey..)she said in a glass/goblet was the finest, sweetest wine. NOT the wine that the world gives but the wine the Lord gives. she said all around me was the finest of steaks, grapes, food and the Lord was saying for me to EAT OF HIM, DRINK OF HIM...He sees how hungry I am for Him. She also went on to say that He has heard EVERY ONE of my prayers and He is going to answer them! (refer to blog when I said I lifted the lid of the platter and all my prayers were under it. He let me know that He heard and kept every one) Oh my Goodness! If this was not MY LORD speaking to me....! It was the most amazing thing and all I could feel was His Love wash over me all over again! She said other significant, confirming, encouraging things to me but how AMAZING it was that I told NO ONE about this encounter with my Lord. I only published it in this blog....then, MONTHS later..travel 5 1/2 hours from my home to have someone share with me exactly what I saw and even bring more clarity to what I was seeing! What confirmation! Such a humbling encounter!  What praise belongs to our God! We are SO important to Him! During the entire fellowship, the Lord continued to show Himself in so many, many ways. It was a life changing, humbling experience and we both went away hungry for more of JESUS! I encourage you...Seek Him on a DEEPER level! Get to KNOW Him. Desire more of the Lord...don't just be satisfied with weekly church services, go DEEPER, seek HARDER for there is more to the Lord than we think and He is just WAITING AND LONGING for us to come and fellowship with HIM!  He loves us so much! I assure you...as you and I seek Him, He will change us from the inside out to be more like Him. We will find VICTORY in every area of our lives and we will see the promises of the Lord come to pass! Be Blessed!!