trust...REGARDLESS!

Okay, so....I know that we're going to struggle in our lives sometimes and have difficult times. I even know that everything won't be smooth sailing. But, for some reason, i like to think that it just shouldn't be ;) No, but seriously, how many of you would sign on the dotted line for stress, frustration, pain, and hurt. Shoot, "Not I" says the cat:)

So, let me tell u a lil of my business without telling you my business, heehee. A couple of months ago, i was laid off from my job (another one of those things I thought would never happen to me) But, it showed me that no matter how talented, seemingly invaluable, and successful you are, you can still be shown the door. Long story, short - Upon being laid off, the Lord made it clear to me that it was time to make a move. He opened door after door after door. I knew it was Him and, not even three weeks later, I was on the road - excited and ready for a new adventure. Conversely, once I moved, it almost seemed like a dead end. The road that He had made so clear before looked hazy and blurred.

But, in the midst of all that, this is what's been rolling around inside of me the past couple of days...

It is vital that we understand that when God opens doors for us, we must walk through IN FAITH and keep believing! So many times, we allow ourselves to believe that just because God told us to go, do, or become, that the coast will be completely clear and we can expect everything to be peachy. NOT!!! We must, however, change our positions (change positions - nu position, nu position, oops...maybe shoulda kept that song to myself, HA!)

Anyhoo, truthfully speaking, I'm still not in my new place yet. I'm actually in my FOURTH stopping place since moving here. Thank God for caring people who have opened their doors along the way. Imagine how weird, and sometimes saddening it must feel to be semi-homeless and quasi-squatter (lol-that probably doesn't even make sense). And since I'm sure you're not reading this blog to become depressed, let me move on... I'm still not where I thought I'd be, but my position has changed. Now understand, chaning positions is NOT Just a paradigm-shift, its a complete life alteration!

I TRUST GOD! You can't allow circumstances to dictate your faith level. And you certainly can't allow the enemy to make your mind an incubator for fear and doubt. And for GOD'S SAKE, don't let people determine your rise and fall. Uh-oh, I think tonite's blog is turning into my faith wall. I'm believing Him for-

*my relationships - RESTORED, RIGHT, and PROMISING
*my family - WELL, WEALTHY, and REFRESHED
*my life - PURPOSEFUL, JOYOUS, and FULL

I hope you all jumped right in on that confession--make it your own. C'mon brothers and sisters - BE ENCOURAGED! No matter your age, situation, or circumstance, if God said it, He'll do it! If He told you to go, Go! If He's called you to be, Be! Let's do it together; LET'S TRUST GOD!

deep, but not profound (*private joke*)

*BIG SIGH* this has been a crazy week! Things are STILL not where they need to be; but, I won't complain! I'm allowing the dust to settle slowly but truly though, and God is MOS DEF keeping me! (I love my DADDY!) After the life changing occurrences of this past week, I began asking God questions that I hadn't asked in a long time - Why? What is this about? Why now? What in the world is this? Has your life ever been so topsy-turvy that your discussions with God go beyond questions and extend into a series of incomplete phrases like - "You mean to tell me_______" or "So, after all of that, ________"

Well, that was me almost 144 hours ago- (but, who's counting;)) -Out of house, home, friendship and feeling like I was close to being outta my mind. So many events stemmed from just those - tears, headaches, loss of appetite (which i'm sure helped me lose some pounds worth shedding, heehee). BUT, I refuse to harp any further on the negative.

Now, about 2 months ago, the Lord started dealing with me about the Biblical story of Jonah. We all know the story, but here's a quik run down:

*God called Jonah to preach to the people in Ninevah
*Jonah didn't wanna go
*Jonah hopped on a boat to another place, away from Ninevah
*A storm came and began damaging the boat all because Jonah wasn't supposed to be there. He should've been on his way to Ninevah
*Jonah knew it was his fault that the storm was destroying the boat and told the sailors they had to throw him overboard.
*They did.
*"God prepared a big fish" to swallow Jonah up.
*After learning his lesson, the big fish (some refer to it as a whale) threw him up on the shore of Ninevah, the place he should've been going the whole time.

This week, He reminded me of this story and said this to help me get through:

"Ypu're Jonah!" (if you've been kicked out, tossed aside, pushed away, denied, or shelved, all so quickly or for apparently no reason, You might be a Jonah too!) WELCOME. :)

Jonah could not do the things God assigned him to do, reach the people he was destined to reach, or become the person he was born to become, unless he got off that boat! However, it was his choosing that got him on the boat in the first place. Sometimes, God allows certain foundation-shakers to transpire in our lives because He knows we wouldn't make the necessary changes on our own. So, what happens? We have no other choice, then, but to be "thrown overboard"!

Now, be sure you understand me clearly - I'm not saying that in EVERY circumstance, God is tryna tell you something, because it really could just be your fault (lol - u kno how we get ourselves all wrapped up in stupid stuff...pi-tuh-fuhl, lol) But, trust and believe, the Lord will make it very clear to you which category you're in - Jonah or Non-Jonah (lol @ "Non-Jonah" - i'm just crackin myself up 2nyt). Just ask Him. And if He says "You're Jonah", do this:

*Embrace where you are.

*Understand that you've been given another chance to fulfill your assignment - reach the people you were destined to reach and become the person you were born to become! Your season is not over, it is only the beginning.

~And if He ever allows you back on that boat, be wise, stay tuned to His leading, and help keep the boat afloat!~

Expect Crisis

Everyone is so quick to discuss the blessings of God that are promised to us. But, they fail to realize that crisis (trials and tribulations) are promised also. Scripture clearly states "...you shall have tribulation." Good thing though, God has the final say!

~He makes your struggle work for you and

gives you grace to stand firm as you go through.~

You ask for patience? Well, patience only grows in an atmosphere of adversity. We often pray for things to happen immediately; but, we have no intentions on going through a process. When you want strength, expect to be stretched. When you want wisdom, expect problems that must be solved. When you want prosperity, expect to work hard. When you want favor, expect responsiblity.

So, in the middle of whatever crisis you may find yourself in today, go THROUGH it! Stay where God has you! Learn what He wants to teach you where you are. You'll be glad you did!

~Expect crisis. But Cheer Up because With Crisis, you can Expect Grace!~

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Catch 22...Between a Rock and a Hard Place???

I have found from my experience that the decision is just as important as your mentality during the decision-making process. Lately, I've been deciding between some things that a pros-cons list won't help. In fact, after making the list, there were exactly the same number of issues on both side. But...

Amazingly enough, I've been able to stay calm. It is ESSENTIAL that in times of crisis and confusion that you HOLD ON TO YOUR PEACE! It doesn't hurt to have friends that can give sound advice, input, and most importantly pray about it with/for you. Now, no worries! If you don't have anyone that you can honestly call friend, I completely understand---been there!

And I know you don't always want to hear that "there's a friend that sticks closer than a brother". But, TRUTHFULLY speaking, YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give Jesus a try! Seriously, I would even say don't trust Him w/ your whole life at first if you don't want. BUT, I PROMISE YOU just one try - one prayer, one "help me God", one chance - and YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! He's the ONLY ONE that get us through our ruts.

So, if you happen to be going through a tough time tonite, know that somebody understands and remember:

1- Until you reach your decision, Keep your Peace!
2- Trust Jesus! (whether you have good friends or not)

...Should have a tag

Have you ever walked up to a retail salesperson and asked the price of an item in your hand? And as they reach for the item, they say "Well, let's see...it should have a tag..." Now, instead of me saying, "Look woman, would I have asked you the price if it was on here?!" (lol), I follow her to the shelf to find a similar item with a tag.

Check yourself. Is your value obvious?

Allowing yourself to be abused, harassed, disrespected, lied to, and avoided hide who you really are. Take care of yourself - inside and out.

We're not perfect and we have those 'don't-feel-like-it-days'. No one's asking you to be thin, but be conscious. No one requires that you wear the latest and most fashionable, but be presentable.

Find something precious in you that motivates you to be all that you can be. YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT! There's something in you that we all need. There are dreams in you that must be fulfilled. And there are ways that you can impact the world that NO ONE ELSE can!

IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO BE ALL THAT GOD HAS CREATED YOU TO BE!!!!!!

Don't be ashamed. You have value! Show your tag!