Category: Inspirations

Does that statement sound familiar to anyone? I thought by now…  Let’s see!  I thought by now that I would be married.  I thought by now I would be running the company or at least in a supervisory role.  I thought by now that I would be retired.  We set our goals and dreams and then we give God a timeline on when to make them come true. So many people around us seem to be getting their blessing and we wonder where we are on God’s calendar.  What’s holding up our blessing, we ask?  I played my cards right.  I followed all the rules.  When is it going to be my turn?  And God sits back and laugh at our stupidity because we don’t see the whole picture.  He knows that everything that is happening to us is actually happening for us.  Most of the time God is saving us from ourselves.  The guy who looked so good in the club may be the same person who killed his wife several years ago. That company you want to run may be on the verge of bankruptcy and laying off all employees next month.  Maybe you are on a mission for God and what you want hasn’t shown up yet because God knows that once you get it, your attention span for Him will dwindle away. We need to learn how to be grateful in all situations no matter what it looks like. Gratitude changes your attitude, which in turn can change your altitude.  When I realized how big my conference had become this year, I decided that I needed to give up something major in order to hear from God in a different way.  I was grateful and wanted to make sure that I give the people what they paid for.  So, December 26, 2016, I gave up television all together so that I could clearly hear God’s voice every day.  I didn’t just stop watching, I had the cable turned off.  There may be times when God has to get you to a place of “listening.”  If you don’t make the time, then He will have to do it for you.  You can never run from His agenda.  Stop saying, “I thought by now…” and simply embrace the path He has you on and see where it takes you.  I’ve found some beautiful places since I did that.

There are days when we all could use a hand financially, emotionally, or spiritually. No one is an island unto his/herself.  However, when you get so stuck holding onto the hand that helped you that you see progress as a setback, then there is something wrong with that picture.  For example, when you receive food stamps because of your low income or lack thereof, why would you get mad because they cut them when God blessed you to be able to purchase your own food?  I recall being on social services when I was in college, and when I got a job my mom didn’t understand how I could give up that little check that I was receiving.  That’s the type of mentality that will keep so many people from seeking a higher ground.  We get so complacent and so comfortable that we actually embrace poverty.  I know you don’t realize that you are doing it, but that’s exactly what you are doing.  You are telling the universe that you are satisfied with the little that trickles down from the top.  Don’t you know that you can reach the top as well and become a person who helps others get to the top?  The worst thing you can do for your family is be broke!  God blesses us to be a blessing to others.  Although your expenses changed based on your income that does not mean that you now have less.  It simply means that you are no longer living in poverty.  It means you will have to make some adjustments in your spending habits.  The shoes, clothes, pocketbooks, wine and the beer you used to pick up without giving any thought, now takes some consideration before purchasing.  You have to change your priorities and once God sees that you are handling the more that He gave you, you can expect more to come.  Don’t look at your situation as a setback.  No it’s a setup for what’s to come.  Stop embracing poverty!

We have all heard the old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” That’s a true statement when it comes to sharing your every thought or criticism.  But what do you do when you really don’t know what to say?  When it comes to being there for friends and loved ones in their times of joy and sorrows, just say something.  I’m not talking about a facebook post that says “congratulations”, or “sorry for your loss.”  I’m talking about picking up the phone and having that personal conversation, even though you may not know what to say.  Maybe you feel that the person needs time to settle in to their new life changes, whatever that may be.  But you will be amazed at what a telephone call could mean to them.  The more time you give them to make their adjustment, the more time passes and before you know it, you have barely talked to them.  This can be very disheartening and disappointing to someone who expects to hear from you.  So don’t be selfish with your silence.  Don’t get lost in your own world while others go through things that may bring sadness or joy.  Even in joy it is nice to call and say I’m happy for your success.  I recently had a situation where I decided to give someone space and as time went by I was reminded by them that I gave too much space.  It is easier to pick up the phone when you think about it than it is to go back and clean things up later.  So let’s try to put ourselves in another person’s place when considering whether or not to reach out.  This modern technology has made us all lazy and self-absorbed.  Everything in this world is not about you.  Learn how to shut down sometimes and be a part of someone else’s life.  It may just mean the world to them.  Now that I have been on both ends of the spectrum, I will definitely look at this scenario differently moving forward.  Have a wonderful life as you think outside yourself.

Alter your worship and alter your life.  When you alter your worship you will see your life change.  It’s been awhile since I explained to my readers how I come up with my messages. I have a yellow envelope with little pieces of paper that have statements written on them.  These may be statements I’ve read somewhere or heard or just came up with on my own because of something that happened.  The yellow envelope is kept in a small container next to my desk, and I reach in there each time I want to write a story.  Most of the time I ponder over the choices, but this time I picked the first thing that hit my hand.  Today’s title has been in that envelope for quite some time but I could never bring myself to start writing about it.  I don’t recall where most of my titles come from, but I know that each time I picked this one up I could not identify with it, so I put it back.  Well a lot has happened in this last year.  I moved into a new place, I lost four job assignments, I wrecked two cars and had to have them replaced, and most importantly, I created a “War Room.”  I guess you could say I built an altar of worship.  I’ve always had my quiet time with God and my daily bible reading and meditation.  But this is different.  When I looked at my new place before I moved in, I had just seen the movie, War Room, and I knew that the walk-in closet in this new place was going to be that room.  I have truly watched my life be altered as a result of my obedience and continued worship and praise to God, and about Him to others.  I won’t go into all the details because they are too numerous.  What I will say is this, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am living the life that I am supposed to be living.  Every week, every month I get a new confirmation that I am on the right track.  Success is not so much about the money or things that you have; it is more about doing what you love and living in a constant state of peace and joy beyond what man can see or phantom.  You may not want a War Room, but we all need to spend time in the presence of the Lord.

With the introduction of the internet there seems to be more and more safety mechanisms enacted in order to make sure you are who you say you are. Many times I have called my bank and used the automated system to get a balance or transact business only to have that voice say, “The code that you entered is incorrect.”  I’m thinking to myself, “I know my own access code!”  But for some reason I must have hit a wrong key or I’m still using an old code.  They are always asking you to change the code periodically, and then once you make three attempts with the wrong code, they lock your access completely.  As much as I appreciate the safety nets in place to keep others out of my numerous on-line accounts, not just banking, it can be a serious inconvenience when you are trying to get something done in a hurry. Recently I was in the store preparing to make a purchase and wanted to check my account balance.  After punching in all the codes that familiar voice said, “Your account has been shut down.  Please call the bank.”  I forgot that I had received that same message a few days ago when I was at home, and I simply switched to my computer instead.  Luckily I was only locked out of my phone banking.  You can be hungry with a million dollars in the bank if you don’t have an access code!  It seems everything in life now requires some type of code system.  So let me ask you something.  Do you realize that the same thing holds true in our spiritual lives?  Do you know the access code to the Father?  Unless you use the code you will be spiritually bankrupt.  The good news is you will never hit the wrong key or use an old code.  And you will never be shut down completely.  What worked for your ancestors is still working today.  It didn’t just come on the scene a few decades ago like the internet.  It’s been around for centuries even though there is no big hoopla about it.  I’m talking about “prayer.” That’s the access code that you need!

 

When you look at your life and think about the many stories that you have heard, you must realize that they contributed to your success.  If so, then you owe it to the world to make this happen for someone else.  As an author, speaker, writer, entrepreneur, mother and grandmother, I find myself constantly looking for avenues where I can give back to society by sharing my stories.  We all have a story to tell.  No story is better than another, however, each story will touch people in a different way.  What may seem like a tragedy in your life, may very well turn out to be God’s way of having you experience something that will bless another.  I have found this to be true on many occasions.  Sometimes God is also working on you.

When it comes to making mistakes, we have all been there, done that and got the T-shirt!  I challenge you to look at your mistakes with new eyes.  It’s only a mistake if you make it twice.  The first time is a lesson.  Once you get this message you will stop beating yourself up for things that show up in your life to grow you.  Everything you go through is to help get you to where you’re going to.  The sooner you learn the lesson the sooner you can move on to the good stuff.  I’m reaping the benefits of all my mistakes, and the good stuff is here!  Some of the lessons took a while to learn, but I got it now.  I am ready to sit down at the table.  Yes!  What I mean by this is, a lot of times we feel that we have nothing to bring to the table.  We feel that our experiences are not legitimate enough to join in the conversation.  Often times we think we need more education, more intellect, more something!  Not so much.  You never know who is looking for what you have to offer.  So speak up and join the roundtable!

 

 

Each year I take vacation in Virginia (my hometown), and for the past two years I’ve driven alone. Every year is always interesting with family and not exactly what I anticipate.  So I make adjustments to try to avoid any unnecessary drama.  Never works!  But it does help to be in control of how I navigate my goings and comings, thus the reason for driving.  One year I rode the train and I ended up coming back early.  On each occasion I tell myself that I am not doing this again.  Somehow I keep going back in spite of the stress/mileage that it puts on my body/car.  This year when I told my longtime girlfriends during dinner one night, that maybe I’d come every two years, their response was, “You have to come every year because we love you and look forward to this time with you.”  They really blessed my heart because up until that moment, I was truly convinced there is no need to go through this every year for such little satisfaction.

With the miles ahead of me from Virginia to South Carolina I had plenty time to think. I am the type of person who sees God in all things.  What may seem like a chance encounter for others can be a divine appointment for me.  When I stopped at the Subway to get a sandwich before checking into my hotel for the evening in Fayetteville, I saw a gentleman sitting under a tree in the parking lot with food and a drink.  Because it was extremely hot I asked him if he was waiting for someone.  He said no.  While I was getting my food I kept thinking about him and wondered if he was homeless.  When I returned to my car I asked him if he was homeless.  I explained that I wanted to know but wasn’t sure how to ask.  He said he is homeless, and I replied, “My reason for asking is to give you something,” and I did. Maybe it’s not about me! The following morning after checking out of the hotel, I visited my usual Dollar Tree.  After browsing for a spell I get in line to pay for my items.  There is an older lady behind me and God presses upon my heart to pay for her stuff.  As I finished paying for my items I look around and the lady has disappeared, so I start to look for her.  Two registers down I walk up to her as she begin to pay and I tell her that God told me to pay for hers.  She was happy and thankful.  She said she is a Christian, and that happens to her all the time and she returns the favor to others.  We parted ways and she said, “Be blessed and have a safe trip.”  A lot of what we do and the encounters that we have are not about us.  Maybe my trip was about the homeless man.  I don’t know when the last time someone has spoken to him or treated him like a human being.  Maybe my trip was about the older lady at the Dollar Tree.  Although she had the money to pay for herself, I won’t ever know what that meant to her to have someone else pay.  That may have been the day that she needed to trust God a little more for her finances.  Who knows? Maybe it’s not about me! So I guess if the Lord willing and the creek don’t rise I will be in Richmond, Virginia again next year.

 

Most of us know about the pounding that a precious stone must endure in order to become a diamond. Although that holds true for the diamond, it can be hard to keep that thought in mind when we are going through our crisis.  No one enjoys being a diamond in the rough.

Recently I read an intriguing story in my Daily Bread, about a place in California called Glass Beach. It got its’ name because of trash and rubbish that people throw into the water.  It is said that the undercurrents and the waves break the glass and rubbish and wash it out to sea.  Then the surf pounds the glass fragments and creates gemlike “sea glass,” which eventually comes back onto the beach and creates a kaleidoscope of beauty.  Glass Beach is the result of a natural occurrence in nature caused by the pounding of the waves and undercurrents of the sea.  When looking at the pictures, I found it fascinating that rubbish and trash can be turned into something so beautiful without the touch of man’s hand.

If we look around, we will see that there are numerous ways in which something beautiful can come out of our rubbish. Sometimes all we need to do is move aside and let nature take its course.  We spend so much time trying to navigate our lives, when God has already set up the universe to come to our defense.  The more you learn to let go the easier it becomes.  The desire to control will still hover above, but you will not allow it take over.  You will find yourself gently letting go of the reins as you rest in the peace of knowing, that “Gods got this.”  No matter how troubling the outcome may seem in your imagination, you can always replace that visual with one known to be true in your time of need.  It’s called falling back on your faith.  I do it all the time.  This is when you remember where God has brought you from.  Release your desire to be in control of the outcome and never underestimate His power.  There can be excitement in the unknown if you allow yourself to go with the flow and watch God at work.  The greatest part of all is His outcome will always trump what you had in mind.  He never ceases to amaze me when I allow Him to pound me into perfection.  (Image courtesty of Yongkiet at freedigitalphotos.net)