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.