Month: March 2015

Have you ever paid close attention to young children when they first learn how to read a book?  As you try to read the story to them, with hopes that some day they will turn those pages and read to themselves, you notice that they are rushing to turn the pages to their favorite part of the story.  Now if it’s a pop-up book, then their little fingers are all over the place as they turn those pages.  The expression on their face says it all.  The joy they feel getting to the page that they were anxiously anticipating.  Why can’t we do the same thing in our lives?  Why do we feel that we have to read every page of life?  Sometimes it’s okay to just skim the surface for the main details of the story.  There are pages in our book that will pop-up as well.  So let’s learn how to move our fingers ever so anxiously, as we turn pages to our favorite part of life.  You decide how fast to read, which pages to linger on, and when to close the book.  Just turn the page!

 

As I flung myself across my bed last week and cried my eyes out, I had no idea that in less than 48 hours I would be giving thanks for the very same thing I was crying about.  God really does have jokes!  The problem is, we don’t always find them to be funny when they are coming at us left and right.  I spend a lot of time encouraging people to keep the faith, don’t panic, look for the message in the mess, etc.  You name it, I have said it in so many ways, but we all have a breaking point.  I literally cried until I could not breathe.  Why am I telling you this?  Because somebody out there needs to know that they are human.  They need to know that it’s okay to have emotions and not pretend to be tough all the time.  Even the motivator needs motivating.  The best dressed person in the room is going through something although they may not look like it.  We all cover up when we have to.  Only our closest confidants know what we really go through.  And that’s okay.  Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.  If you only knew!

There is nothing that can replace the high of having all your balls in the air at the same time, and none of them dropping.  It’s a juggler’s dream!  Well, life is not always like that.  No matter how much you think you have control of a situation, there are always unseen elements.  Your task is to hold onto the faith that brought you to that place, even though the earlier joy may not be as prevalent.  It is not possible, nor is it healthy, to remain on cloud nine for an extensive period of time.  The body was not built for that, because the ebbs and flow of life is what keeps us balanced internally.  Can you imagine what your heart would do if you continually bounced off the wall on a daily basis.  Not to mention the fact that you wouldn’t get much done, and the people around you would be taken aback.  I know, because the few times when I do find myself bouncing, I have been called crazy, and most recently, “turnt up.”  The slang definition of TURN UP is “Hyped, Excited, Wild.”  An expression used for people who are so full of life that they walk, talk, and ooze excitement for no apparent reason to others.  Since nobody knows why you are joyful, they automatically prejudge you before you get a chance to speak.  I know there is proper emotional protocol in most situations, but sometimes excitement just sneaks up on you.  And then there is the low!  Every high has a low. 

Life is good when you really know who you are.  It never ceases to amaze me when I watch my enemies plan and scheme to take me out, and then watch God turn it all around for my good.  I am not bragging, but I am giving credit where credit is due.  My God has always taken care of me in every situation, so I expect nothing less when I encounter obstacles.  I am not saying that I don’t have any trials or tribulations, it’s just that I have learned to keep the peace when I am caught in less than peaceful circumstances.

If you trust God to fight your battles, then you must take off the armor.  For most of us that is a hard thing to do, because we are looking at the situation through our eyes and how we want it to turn out.  Patience is the key.  Timing is everything when it comes to God.  He will not give you what you are not ready for, and He will not take you out the class until you have learned the lesson.  The more I trust God, the more I am able to trust Him.  Now I’ve gotten to the point where I ask for everything that I want and expect it.  If it does not arrive in my timeframe, I know that God is working behind the scenes. So, I just stay in my lane and watch people pass by thinking they are getting to next stop faster than I am.  When we both arrive at the corner the same time, I watch them wonder how I made it.  Just like the Hare and the Tortes.

Life is easy.  Don’t make it complicated.  You don’t always have to be in the lead.  All of us are seeking the same thing, but going about it in different ways.  God is working in everyone’s life.  I don’t need to step over you to get to where I am going.  I can stop a second and pick you up on the way.  There is enough of everything in this universe for everyone to get their share.  With God there is no lack.  When you live your life as though the world belongs to God and nobody can stop your blessing, then you have awakened to a newfound peace.

I am a leader by nature and no matter where you place me I am going to exhibit some kind of leadership skills.  Women tend to see it as controlling, whereas, men appreciate it.  I am unapologetic about this characteristic, because most leaders have no problem leading.  So, go ahead, throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack!