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We’re in a season of restoration. Meaning, EVERYTHING that we thought we lost, will be given back, renewed-better than ever. Though it may not be in the same package we once received it in. Any mistakes we’ve made, will be corrected and forgiven. Anyone who sought to make us feel less than, as if we are continual failures-Bringing up, shedding light to our past transgressions while hiding their hands…Will be exposed. We will not have to lift a finger. The key-we must keep our eyes on God and ACTIVATE our faith. We must obey his every command. It will be uncomfortable, but we will be comforted by our Holy comforter. Keep your eyes fixed on God. Remember that if we cheat, we will never win. We must live a life that is pleasing. Showing and giving love to all we come in contact with. Even IF it is tough love. As always, continue to keep Godfirst on this New Adventure Same Journey
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How many times have you used this phrase? How many times has someone said it to you? Depending on the situation, how did it make you feel? Of course, when we’re saying it, it doesn’t have an effect on the one delivering, but what about the one receiving it?
People tend to use “It’s about time” for things like: I’ve been waiting for over an hour OR I’m getting married(depending on how long you’ve been dating a specific person or your age) or if you’ve been without money/job and you are hired by a company or if you’re settlement cashes in. We typically say “Well it’s about time. Personally, I’ve used this phrase a ton. But today, God said to me to be wise when I speak. Now, if you know me, you know I had to say “Why you say that” and instantly started recalling times when I’ve used this phrase. On my journey to becoming a better me, I’m often confronted with past behaviors to point out growth and areas that I still need to be delivered in/from. This is one of them. Saying things like “it’s about time” could cause the person who has been waiting for God to show up, to stop waiting. This phrase, could potentially cause you to lose your witness. Think of it this way. Cindy, has been straddling the fence with becoming a believer. She’s been enduring a lot of hardships and you’ve been speaking to her about the “Goodness of God” and how HE’s always on time. Well, Cindy is now out of work and is in need of help-financially. You allow Cindy to borrow money to cover her expenses, not knowing when or if you would ever receive it back. It’s been months and Cindy is still out of work and still is in very much need of help-financially and spiritually. Finally, Cindy goes back to work and receives her first check where she’s able to pay you back…..one year later. She’s smiling, grateful that God has blessed her with you, the new job and is ready to accept her walk/calling-but still just a little apprehensive. The two of you meet, she’s happy-still smiling and extends the money she borrowed from you. You take it and say “It’s about time”(Whether you meant it or not) imagine how Cindy must feel after you've said this to her? Her smile turns into a puzzled look with a hint of nervousness. You tell her you’re just joking, but to her, she now feels a little thrown off. She begins replaying previous conversations about the “Goodness of God” and how she needed to trust that better days were ahead. She becomes slightly withdrawn. Deep in thought wanting to know “why”-why you of all people, would say that to her, knowing her situation ……And where you are in your journey/walk with Christ. Why-well, your comment of “it’s about time” has caused you to lose your witness. Psalm 119:105 says Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. You’ve told Cindy that you must trust God, that HE will bring you out. Providing a lamp to her feet to do so, but you turn out her light, with one simple yet powerful phrase…”It’s about time”. Blessed are we when we trust in his word against all contradictions. Knowing that, you contradicted what HE has said and done for the believer whose still struggling-by again, using one simple yet powerful phrase. Now, you can say “you’re looking too deep into this” but am I really? I challenge you to think back to a time where you were on the receiving end of that phrase. How did it really make you feel? We tend to say that phrase when we’re annoyed with an action that should have happened sooner than what it did. God has an amazing way of reminding us and revealing amazing revelations on our journey. HE reveals it when HE believes we are ready to receive it. And will remind you of just how much you have to lose by not heeding to it. #Godfirst #NewAdventureSAMEJourney #MyTimeWithGod  Hey listen. IF we’re honest, we’ve all gotten caught up in checking the harvest looking for the blessings of others, instead of focusing on our own.
We tend to become “sour” by asking God “when will it be my turn” well, each time that happens, we delay what HE has in store. Perhaps “waiting” with a heart of expectation is what’s needed for you in this season. We cannot level up by trying to count the blessings of everyone else. We can however show excitement and happiness toward them while we graciously wait our turn. Imagine this. You’re in someone else's garden checking to see if their harvest is budding. While you're concerning yourself with their blessings, yours is left unattended. You run back to yours hoping to receive a harvest like your fellow neighbor, and you FAIL to put down your seeds correctly. You scatter the seeds about, but where and in what? Have you planted them in good fertile soil, are your seeds good? Because what you plant is as important as where you plant them. OR Are you planting them in shallow ground amongst the thorns? Don't worry about the harvest of others. We don't know when, where or how they planted their seeds...You're only focusing on the end result and not the process. The Parable of Matthew 13 talks about the farmer scattering seeds. Verses 19-23 says The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Stop worrying about what others have. Focus on your garden, ensuring that the seeds you've planted fell on good soil, representing those who truly heed and understand God's word and produces a harvest of thirty, sixty or even a hundred times as much had been planted! #Godfirst #NewAdventureSameJourney #GoodSeeds #GoodSoil #Matthew13  I wrote this piece specifically for moms/dads who are currently dealing with a child who suffers from depression! It took a whole lot for me to share this part of my life with everyone. However; God quickly reminded me that we don’t go through hardships, trials and tribulations for ourselves, but for other people . For those who are suffering in silence with your child(ren) who are battling depression, trust me… I understand wholeheartedly and I know all too well the emotional burden and effects it has on you, the parent. Stay strong, keep the faith and know that you’re not alone. Don’t be too hard on yourself and understand that you’re human, no matter what your superhero cape tells you. #Godfirst #NewBlog #NewAdventureSameJourney #RollerCoaster Being a mother to a child that suffers from major depression and social disorder isn’t easy. Especially one who has attempted suicide. When I’m at work, she sends me messages throughout the day that honestly, it distracts me, places me on edge, because I never know what will come from her.
To be honest, I enjoy going to a job, that I hate only because I get to breathe little sigh of relief, for a little while. I keep my phone near me always, and when it rings or vibrates, I hold my breath. I never know what type of call or message I’ll receive. When I recognize that it’s her, I close my eyes and my heart skips a beat. It’s hard. I feel like I’m on the roller coaster with her and the only way I can leave, is if I leave her behind. I want to get off, but then I feel that I’m abandoning her. I feel like for her to breathe, I must deprive myself of oxygen. I want to get off the roller coaster. Am I selfish? To most, perhaps I am. But what you don’t know is …. I have other children who need me too. If I’m spending most of my time with her, the others feel the effects of it. I sometimes barely have enough energy for me…her, let alone the rest of them. I want to get off the roller coaster. I coast most days. I put on an act just, so I can get through the day. Truth is, by the time I hit my home. I sit in my driveway, for about 5-10 minutes, just to regroup. I enter my home and immediately, I am faced with having to do my final show of the day….Engaging a child who barely wants to engage, other children who want to do fun stuff and a husband who can immediately sense that his wife wants an escape- so he goes above and beyond to get me anything I need/want just to see me smile, while I’m trying HARD to make our child smile. I want to get off the roller coaster. See, for me…. I suffer from anxiety and I work hard to keep that demon at bay. I read only positive affirmations, I pray, daily, multiple times throughout. I’m successful most of the time… But there are days where I……. I want to escape. I want to pull the covers over my head and simply, escape. I want to get off the roller coaster. But each time, I try…I think about what I’m leaving behind… I want to get off the roller coaster……But each time I try, I can feel a strong tug and I immediately feel myself weakening… I want to get off the roller coaster……But each time I try, I feel like a monster for wanting a break from this harsh reality… I want to get off the roller coaster, but each time I try… I feel cold as if life is literally leaving my body… I want to get off the roller coaster, I ask God why I am faced with this situation. Why am I struggling in this way, what could I possibly be teaching other people if I’m feeling this way about my own child. I want to get off the roller coaster, but each time I try… I feel cold as if life is literally leaving my body. I want to get off the roller coaster…...But if I do... I’ll leave my whole heart behind. |