Don't Look Back

When the time comes and you are truly ready to move forward in life, that's when you begin to realize that it's not always wisest to look back at those things that hindered you or caused you pain.  Of course, we must confront the negative issues of our past in order to heal and be able to move on but to always look back on them is not conducive for healthy growth. Looking back does not always produce the needed desire to make positive changes.

Recently, I was informed of a time when I had been deliberately overlooked in participation of certain activities. Others were invited and expected to participate, however it seems I was left out on purpose. The person who chose to not include me in the activities is now deceased, therefore, I have no way of finding out if it was indeed an oversight on her part. So what do I now do with this information and this feeling of being rejected by someone I cared about?

When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher taught us the Serenity Prayer. Her husband was an alcoholic and she was attending AA meetings where she'd learned the prayer. She informed her students of what was going on with her because she wanted us to be informed and she wanted to be honest about why some days were harder for her than others. That prayer has become a part of me over the years so when I learned of this past oversight, I simply remembered that this situation is one that I cannot change. Therefore, I walked in the wisdom that when the person was alive, I believed that she cared about me and any oversight that I found out about years later will not change my belief. 

A Different World

Do you remember the series from back in the day with the above title? Well, I do and I'm enjoying watching it on Bounce TV. The part about this show that is capturing my attention now is the fact that Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne graduated and got married. From the beginning of the show, Dwayne was interested in Denise Huxtable but due to some behind the scenes (real life) issues, he ended up pursuing Whitley. Now they are married and their happily ever after turned into him not getting the coveted job with the company he interned with; and her being fired from the job that was in line with the degree she pursued. Now what? 

That's the question I found myself asking after I stepped out in faith for a career change and although I was doing what I'd trained for, the environment was so dysfunctional that complete elimination of my department was inevitable. Now I have people in my ear (as well as behind my back) saying that I "missed" God because surely, He wouldn't have me suffer through a reduction in force when I was doing what He called me to do. How do you counter such questions? A long time ago, God told me that I didn't have to defend Him: that He fights my battles. So I leave those questions alone and just ask them to pray for and with me that I'll recover all.

As with the show, life can and does hold unforeseen obstacles, challenges and trying times. But do you just give up when something happens that causes you to have to use an alternate route to get to your intended destination? Only if you don't have a vision for your life that will help you to persevere when things get hard will you give up. When you've been given a God-given vision and things don't look the way you think they should be looking, that's when you go to God and get further instructions and directions and the proposed plan of action. So, if you are familiar with the show, you know that Dwayne ultimately got hired on with the company and he and Whitley started a new life (she was also expecting a baby) in Japan. 

Just because you reach the destination does not mean that the vision is complete. God gave me a vision about my career change and I acted out on His directions. The company I worked for and the elimination of my department did not end the vision I was given. It only prepared me to be able to do more and be more effective in my next position. Through that ordeal, I learned to not become complacent just because I thought I had arrived. When you arrive at one place, it's the beginning of your journey somewhere else. Enjoy the Journey!

Who told you you were _____?

While reading the bible, in Genesis 3:11 God spoke to Adam and Eve, He asked Adam, "who told you you were naked?" I began to wonder about the things in my own life that people have told me that I've come to believe; and how I've allowed those things to affect my life. Just because someone else said it to me, doesn't make it so. Especially if it doesn't align with God's word and what He has in fact spoken to me about my life.

I also saw something in that question. God spoke to the one that he had given the instructions to even though they both were present. So no matter what someone else says about you or to you, God is holding you responsible for what He's told you. So, who told you you were useless, fat, not worthy, poor, selfish and never gonna make it? And how have you allowed those things to affect your life? 

When I became conscious of the fact that I was believing the negative things others have told me and that I was allowing those things to hinder me from progressing in life, I purposed in my heart to not accept those comments and replaced them with what I knew in my heart described me. So, I began to tell Me that I am loved, accepted, wanted, needed, beautiful, smart and sexy.

Waiting for the snow!

As I sit at home prepared for the forecasted snow that will hit our area today, I wonder what other areas of my life that I'm prepared for but have yet to see the manifestation. Sure, I've got my bread, eggs and canned goods. I've also got a movie cued up and ready for me to hit play at a moments notice. I don't have to work today (thank goodness) so no need to try to "make it in" before the snow falls. All that's seemingly left for me to do is "wait" for the snow to come.

For me, it's a holding pattern of sorts because I remember last year being stranded at my job during a snow storm for three days -by myself! You should see the after pictures I took of myself. Sure, the snow had been forecasted that time as well, however, the storm moved in much quicker than expected and basically brought everything to a standstill. We were not ready for so much snow in such a short time frame. I wonder if it's that way with the things I am believing God for in my life. That even though I am prepared and ready for manifestation, other areas (or people) are not yet equipped (or prepared) to handle what has been forecasted.

As I write, I'm encouraged to know that just like this forecasted snow storm, the things I desire in my life have also been forecasted; in God's written and Rhema words to me. I trust Him to keep me from being stranded and not benefiting from His promises to me. I believe He can and will prepare the way that all involved with me receiving His manifested promises are fully equipped to handle each and every blessing. So in my life as well as with this forecasted snow storm, I am ready to receive. 

Life

I was thinking about my life on my ride in to work today and I had to stop and laugh. I laughed because right now at this moment in my life, I am exactly where I wanted to be 30 years ago. Coincidence? I think not. I want to believe it's the chance that I thought was taken away from me so long ago due to inexperience. 

As a young person, I knew what I wanted to "do" with my life. Sure, it wasn't to be the first to conquer this or build that, but it was what was on the inside of me that I thought would make me happy. But as I stated, I didn't get the chance to pursue what I wanted. Therefore, I pursued the desires of others: I went to the college that others said would benefit me ( I'm not complaining, I learned a lot and met some really nice people). I dated the guys my girlfriends said would be good for me (on this one, I'm usually right and I'm determined to date who I like!). And I kept quiet when others said "don't rock the boat" ( I'm no longer in the boat, I'm walking on water). 

I have a friend who is a minister that taught that we should acknowledge God and let Him direct our paths. That if we consult Him when we are young (if you aren't as young as you used to be, that's ok too) and don't know which direction to take, He can keep us from going down so many paths in life that cause us frustration and heartache. I guess today I really thought about what my life would be like if I'd known how to truly submit my ways to God at a young age and stand in faith believing Him to make my dreams come true. 

On this side looking back, I know I can be much farther along than I am now. But knowing God and His ways the way I do now, I know that He can redeem the time and not just catch me up to where I should have been but He will far exceed my expectations and take me farther than I ever thought I could go. I want to encourage each and every one of you to know that where you are right now is no surprise to God. In some cases it may be a surprise to you (I think that's why I laughed) but don't give up because a life that is both fulfilling and rewarding awaits you as you Enjoy the Journey!

Happy Valentine's Day!

For those of you who have that special someone to spend the day with, please don't take it lightly. It almost reminds me of Christmas. How so many take that one day to shower the people in their lives with gifts when they should be generous all year long. For some, this day may be the only day they will get flowers or candy or even words of love and affirmation. Hopefully in your case, this is not so.

For those of you who do not have that special someone to spend the day with, please don't take it lightly. Just because there's no one there to call your own, doesn't mean there is no one to call. It reminds me of the person who has lost a significant loved one.  How so many take for granted the other people who are still alive and wanting not only to comfort them but be comforted by them. Hopefully in your case, this is not so. 

No matter which group you may fall in, this day is a day of love. The best way to get what you want is to give what you want. So if you want flowers, candy, words of love, affirmation and comfort, give those things to the people in your life. A phone call or card may work wonders for that person that's been on your mind lately. Just like you've been thinking about someone, someone has been thinking about you. It's all in the way you look at it. So here's a little poem from me to you:

Happy Valentine's Day

As you take the time to celebrate

Your wife, your husband or even your Boo

Remember just how much your Heavenly Father 

Gave to prove His love for you

Do you have Hope?

As a Believer, we are never without Hope (refer to sermon teaching Feel like Quitting, subtopic "Hope -Anchor of the Soul" on www.Faithchapel.net). However, there are times and situations that just have you at a place of puzzlement. These are the times when you really have to hold on to your Hope. Over the years, I've experienced such times and dare I say that right now, I'm experiencing such a time.

After listening to the sermon message and then receiving my verse for today (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG), I realized that I was more focused on the situation not turning out the way I'd hoped. Why? Because of past experiences. I know that in Christ I have the victory but my past experiences have taught me that those victories have come with great struggle. So I've prepared for the struggle during this trying time in my life. I'm ready to stand my ground and refuse to be moved because I'm used to opposition. From my past it appears that others have been allowed to move me to fit their best advantage. That I've only gotten to a certain place because they wanted me there. Now as I face this situation and realize that I don't want to be where they want to put me, what recourse do I have?

When I look at the people (or situations) in my life that act opposite to what I am believing God for, I tend to justify that their actions may supersede God's plan for my life. Thing is, I really know God's plan because when I decided to make these changes in my life, I consulted Him. I moved out on His instructions. It doesn't matter how many times others tell me what they think I should be doing, my purpose is to do what God directed. That's when I'm the most happiest. Now that I am assured that I am never without Hope, I've already prayed twice today and I've only been awake for three hours. That just shows me how much the situation has really been weighing on my mind. The difference this time is that I've purposed to work the Word so that I may experience sweat-less victory as I Enjoy the Journey!