Confirmation

I recently read Dave Ramsey’s book Total Money Makeover and determined in my heart that this time I would get out and STAY out of debt. He didn’t say anything new that I hadn’t already heard. What he did was confirm the direction that I’d purposed to take. He showed me “Baby Steps” to getting out and staying out of debt. 

You have to GUARD your budget and stay focused on your vision of becoming debt free. Because things will happen to try to throw you off. I had an amount to add to a baby shower gift card that we were giving to one of our teammates and I also had an amount that I budgeted for myself. Got to the venue and the other ladies were putting in the card the amount of money that I had budgeted for the gift PLUS the amount I had for myself. What to do? Do I give the money I had for myself too so that I can put in as much as some of the others? Which means I'll probably end up going into my emergency fund so that I can have money in my pocket. Or do I just go without? 

Taking a moment to walk and think the situation through in my head, I walked down the hall talking to myself saying "I'm no longer giving my last and going without especially when I've already budgeted an amount to give in the first place. And having to get money from my emergency fund for a baby shower gift is NOT an emergency". So I went to the person who was receiving the money and gave her the amount that I originally budgeted to give for the gift AND I still had my money in my pocket. I am determined to be Debt Free for Life!

This situation forced me to look at the way I made decisions and analyze why I would change directions even though a decision (in this case budget) was already made. Whether I was going along with everyone else trying to fit in even if my participation was a hardship on me or whether it was something that I really wanted to do. I ultimately had to decide if I wanted to stay focused on my commitment I’d just made to make and stick with a budget. And in this case, my desire to be debt free won out over giving an amount over my budgeted amount just because everyone else was doing it. 

What 2017 did not know

At the beginning of 2017 my hopes were high that “this year” all would be right in my world. I would finally get my finances on track. Finally lose the extra weight that didn’t seem to want to leave me. And  most importantly, I’d finally meet and marry (ok, I’ll accept getting engaged to) the man of my dreams. But 2017 had a plan all of its own. 

2017 was the most challenging year of my life. When I say I was tested in every area of my life, believe me. As soon as I overcame one challenge, another one was right there with as much or more force than the last. 2017 literally came and tried to bring me to my knees. Even though the challenges were difficult, what bringing me to my knees did was keep me focused on the fact that with God on my side, I am more than a conqueror. 

When my finances failed and it looked like I wouldn’t make it, I knew that my God would provide for me. I asked Him to show me how to live off what I had. When faced with health issues right in the middle of trying to eat healthier for weight loss, I remembered the other times God has brought me through health issues and scares. And when the relationship(s) I wanted didn’t work out the way I thought, God provided other avenues of support and companionship.

What 2017 did not know was that in the midst of all the challenges I was going through, bringing me to my knees positioned me to where I was building my faith for a future that’s brighter, bigger and even more rewarding than what I’d originally planned for 2017. With this New Year - 2018, the possibilities are endless and I’m determined to Enjoy the Journey!

Looking Back

Nearing half a century makes you look back and wonder "will I still carry all those things I thought would happen but never did into the next fifty years of my life?" The answer for me is a resounding "No!"  I'm determined to let the past stay in the past and move forward to a future filled with Love, Peace and Prosperity. Even though I don't have everything I thought I wanted in life, I have the ability to still make my dreams come true.  I haven't given up hope that all things are possible for me and with the coming year and a renewed purpose, I won't stop until I'm satisfied.

What does a future filled with Love look like for me? That ones easy to answer seeing as how I'm now in love with me. I can honestly say that I am a joy and delight to be around. If I met me on the street, I would definitely want to be my friend. I've learned that the things that make me happy and move me with compassion are the very qualities that a true friend would admire most about me.  The call that's on my life mandates that I love others as I love myself and taking the time to get to know me has truly allowed me to fall in Love with Me.

What does a future filled with Peace look like for me? That ones simple too and made even more so due to time spent in counseling sessions. Plus the awesome sermons I receive every week from my Pastor.  Peace in the middle of -whatever is happening at the time, means taking the time to stop and pray. Seeking God's guidance and wisdom on the situation, reacting in love and walking in forgiveness. If there is no peace, it's because you didn't choose it.  When you choose to walk in the Peace of God, it will flow to you exactly when you need it to.

What does a future filled with Prosperity look like for me? Debt-free! To be able to give when and where I see a need, when and where God says to give and when and where I just want to. Not hindered by debt telling me that I can't afford to give because I already owe "them". Prosperity for me won't happen after all my debts are paid, prosperity is already mine by the fact that I'm able to give even though I still owe.  That I'm willing to give, even when I don't see what I can give. And that I can take God at His word that He will supply seed to me - a sower.

So as the new year approaches, or if you're like me, another birthday is coming, don't look back with regrets. Look back and find the solutions you need to go forward in life. The reason I'm confident that I will walk in Love, Peace and Prosperity is because I had to dig through the compartments of the pain from my past in order to better define the future I desire.  Now I'm armed and ready to take back and receive all that God has promised me.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and don't forget to Enjoy the Journey!

POE - PT

Losing Yourself/Making room for God

Life is full of various types of didactic relationships.  I am referring to all types of relationships whether it’s significant others, family, friends and associates.  We never forget the good relationships and the bad ones tend to teach lifelong lessons. The lessons of life help us to become closer to God.  

 I realize that in life you can lose yourself by seeking assurance and love from others. When people feel they have power over you they tend to use it to their advantage to distract your purpose in life.  Relationships can either increase or decrease your self-esteem.  When your self-esteem has been decreased you lose the confidence you once had in yourself. I am not saying you shouldn’t help others but, sometimes people can require so much of you to fulfill their insecurities that you lose yourself in the process. By focusing more on them and less on God.    

I have lost myself in many relationships in life.  You can find yourself wondering who am I and how did I get to this point in life.  When a relationship doesn’t turn out the way you portray it to be you can lose yourself. Giving too much power to the wrong focus in life can bring you to a place of uncertainty and acceptance to someone else’s purpose in life. When I started to pray and ask God “What is my problem?” He replied “Because you are not putting me FIRST”. Prioritizing different relationships in your life by putting God before anyone and everything makes a BIG difference in who we are and seeking to become. Once you put God first and believe in yourself you can make a difference in the relationships that you decide to be in. Make room for God no matter the circumstances relationships and life brings. God will help you find yourself and your purpose in life!

 Guest Writer- PT

Encouragement for Singles (continued)

Remember these words from my last blog post "Being around other people does not cure what singles call loneliness. What was needed was an adjustment in my thinking, my vision and my heart"? Wel, I thought I'd take the time to explain what each adjustment looked like in my life.

Adjustment in my thinking began with the renewal of my mind with God's word about being created in His image. Being bold enough to walk in my authority as a believer in Christ. To take the principles that I was learning and apply them to my everyday life. Don't get me wrong, this is not an overnight process.  This will take time and as much energy as you allow yourself to put into it.  Over the years, I've put more time into renewing my mind when I was trying to get something from God.  However, at a particular point in my life, the reason for mind renewal was far more personal.  I was plain tired of doing the same bare minimum expecting plentiful results.  When I got real with Me about how some of my thinking processes were limiting God's movement in my life, I buckled down and got into the Word believing for radical change.  

Adjustment in my vision began when I focused on what God had called me to do back in 1996. My focus on my vision developed because I took one step at a time over the years and at other times, I was pushed into action. Regardless of why I started, I kept moving. But ultimately I asked God to show me His purpose for my life so that I could align my plan with His and do what I felt He had called me to do.  As my thinking lined up with His Word, the vision He had given me for my life and ministry started to become clearer.  

Adjustment in my heart began when I was REAL with God about how I felt about people -His people. My Pastor has a sermon title that totally summed up how I felt and I told it to God everyday- "I love you God, it's people I can't stand!" I asked God to love me and show me how to love others. As I started to see people the way God saw them, the true test of my new found love came when a series of events took place in my life that totally had me disgusted with people.  To the point where I had to seek counseling because I knew if I didn't get help right away, I would loose my mind and possibly cause harm to others - and maybe even myself. 

Everyone's Journey may not look the same but the one factor that should be the same for everyone is a relationship You have built with the one who created you.  He knows each journey, path and direction of our lives and it only makes sense to follow His leadership while navigating through this life.

Enjoy the Journey!

Paths of Encouragement (POE)

Hi, it's me Tracy. Today I want to talk about "Paths of Encouragement" a new segment of my blog designed especially for you, the reader. Some of the  posts that you will read will be submitted by Guest Writers who want to Encourage you on your Journey in life.

#PathsofEncouragement  #POE

 Whether the Writer is family, friend or coworker, my desire is that you will be so Encouraged that you will one day submit your own Path of Encouragement post designed to Encourage someone else. When you're ready and have a submission you want posted, please DM me on Twitter @M924LIFE for further instructions. Update: You can now send submissions to POEsubmissions@gmail.com

Paths of Encouragement formed when my coworker asked me what was my plan to increase awareness of my blog.  It just so happened that my Pastor was teaching on Leadership and he stated that great leaders empowered others to reach their full potential and also asked for help because "your vision should be so big that you would need the help of others". So I immediately sent out an all-call to my contacts and "Paths of Encouragement" was born.  I am so excited about the lives that will be touched, changed and challenged as a result of you having received from  someone that's been where you've been; that's right where you are or just wants to Encourage you before you even get to where you're going.

So, let me start by Encouraging you in an area that is near and dear to my heart and part of the reason this blog exists: failed relationships. This letter is a closure letter that I never gave to the last man that ended a relationship with me but I needed to express my feelings whether he would listen or not.  
  
_______________, I truly get it.  You don't want me to be a part of your life in any way, shape or form.  You told me yourself that you didn't want more than a friendship with me.  I learned to be ok with that.  I started contacting you again after our argument because I still wanted to be your friend. However, your actions are saying loud and clear that that's not an option either.  I don't fully understand why you asked to "talk" to me and you would never contact me. I am writing so that I can release myself from this __________(you fill in the blank, I know what I wanted it to be) and be able to go forward with my life without you being a part of it.  I wish you much success in life. And I truly pray that you find the happiness you so desperately want. Try looking on the inside and you just may be surprised by what you see.  I can no longer give all of me while getting nothing in return from you. The longer I do that, the more I push away the man that truly wants in my life. Just know this decision wasn't easy for me to make. I had to pray and ask God for His help.  I pray you ask Him to help you too. Enjoy the Journey _____________: I'm glad we had the chance to cross paths. 

Encouragement for Singles

When asked to describe my single life in one word, the word I used was Prepared. Prepared for what, I hear you asking. Really and truly being Prepared for Life. Being single is just one part of my life - not the death sentence some singles may think it is.  It's an interesting part nonetheless, and I've come to the place where I can embrace all that it has to offer me.  I'll talk more about that later.  But right now, I want to talk to all the singles who would define their single life as Lonely.

I can tell you that loneliness is a spiritual matter that can only be dealt with when you go to God and accept His wisdom and guidance in leading your life as a single person. But I won't...not any more than I've already said.  I can tell you that loneliness is you trying to place the blame (because he/she has not come into your life yet so the "living" can begin) for your life not being what you want or how you thought it should be. But I won't...not any more than I've already said. I can tell you loneliness is a term used by singles to make married people empathize with us so that they would introduce us to someone wonderful who will transform us into the God-ordained sanctity of marriage. Ok, I think I got your attention now. Why? Because when many singles say they are lonely, what is truly being said is "I want to be married!"  I'm here to tell you that it's ok to say "I want to be married" when asked about your single life. But that shouldn't be the ONLY thing people take away when asking you about your single life. This leads me to the part that I want to talk about more: being Prepared. 

Being prepared as a single person to me means being Prepared for Life. I've "told God off" because He hadn't brought me a husband by the time I reached age 30 nor by the time I reached age 40.  I've blamed others because if "he" had only given our relationship a real chance, we could be married by now.  I've been angry with friends because it seems that they got the "last good man" when they married and there was no one left to introduce to me. Just because I didn't have a significant someone in my life didn't mean that I didn't have a life. I had a home to run, a job to work  and a ministry laying by the wayside waiting on me to GROW UP! Notice I didn't say anything about family or friends: I had those. Being around other people does not cure what singles call loneliness. What was needed was an adjustment in my thinking, my vision and my heart. 

Enjoy the Journey!