THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Reading Ecclesiastes 1 today, it amazed me that there really is nothing new under the sun.  The earth recycles water every day.  Streams flow into rivers, rivers into oceans, ocean water evaporates, becomes rain, fills streams, rinse and repeat.  Winds flow continuously around the earth.  Seasons change.  Generations come and go.  The sun rises and sets so beautifully each day.  (Oh, what a sistah wouldn't give to watch the sun set over the ocean right now).

But, even our trends in politics and various religions have all been seen before.  It's just the same old stuff rearing its head again.  That's why I love that saying, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."  Because it's all happened before.  Maybe the president has a different face, but we've seen his politics before.  Maybe it's a "New Age", but it's just a bunch of old recycled ideas from various religions before.  Maybe it's a new song, but you know how often they sample old songs?  Music has been around FOREVA!

So, anyway, sometimes when I'm going through things or wondering what my future holds, I think about the fact that there is nothing new under the sun.  Even if I screw up, God isn't surprised by it.  He's not up there biting his nails trying to figure out how He's going to get me out of this one 'cause He sure didn't see this one coming.  He knows.  And He's in control of all of this going on down here.  Sometimes I forget that.  But, since we have free will, we have to let Him have control.  That's the hard part, because we actually believe that somehow we have complete control of our lives until we hand it over to Him.  Yeah, right.  Last time I checked, no one here decided when they were going to be born, how they were going to look, what color their skin was going to be, or what day they were going to die.

BUT, God is in control.  Nothing surprises Him.  He knows exactly what's going on.  You know, we've tried to pretend that we're in control and inventing new amazing things.  Like airplanes.  Um, sorry, birds have been flying LONG before airplanes were ever invented.  Or, satellites?  Nope.  Not sure if you noticed, but the moon has been circling around the Earth for quite a while now.  Nuclear fusion and fission?  Nice try.  But, the moon and stars have been doing that since waaaay before you existed on this earth.  People try to mimic God and take the credit, but we can never outdo Him.

There truly is nothing new under the sun.  And God is still in control, no matter what's going on and how bad it looks.  He's still in control.  I find comfort in that.  I hope you do, too. 

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE

francescomarino.org

I had an awesome conversation this morning with the Lord about how hard it is for each of us to find our purpose.  Then, once we've found it, we have such a hard time believing in it.  So many times we ask other people to tell us what our purpose is.  But, after going that route, I've found that everyone has their own opinion.  It usually just leads me into more confusion.  And I end up overwhelmed with being even more lost than I was BEFORE I started asking people.

This morning, I asked the Lord about support from others.  Like, are we to walk this road alone, or are we supposed to lean on others for support to live this life?  Where is the balance?

Well, He countered with an awesome anatomy analogy (gotta love that alliteration).  Anyway, we spoke about the liver.  When the liver wakes up in the morning, it doesn't go around to all of the other body parts and ask them what his function is going to be that day.  He knows that he's going to help break down some fats, maybe filter some harmful stuff out and make some urine, make a little cholesterol, convert some glucose, ya know.....the usual stuff.  Again, he's not asking the esophagus what his purpose is.  He's taking his place and doing what he was created to do.

Now, the liver isn't acting alone either.  I mean, he does depend on the veins and capillaries to give him stuff to filter.  He depends on the digestive system to give him the fat to break down, and so on.  So, he can't just act alone.  AND, he also can't decide one day that he wants to be a heart because hearts get all the fame and attention.  See where I'm going with this?  Cause if he tries to be something he's not, the body does not function properly. 

A healthy body works together so well, it's fascinating.  But, it's because every part does what it was created to do.  So, when all parts are working together for one common purpose, in the role they were created for, magic happens.

I listened to a sermon on OasisLA.org this weekend and the leader stated, "TAKE YOUR PLACE".  So many of us have no idea what we are created for.  So we ask other "parts", fumble around based on other people's opinions and end up confused and overwhelmed.  Some of us know what our place is, yet we're still going around asking others to confirm it for us.  And some of us want to be like someone else and we refuse to take our place.  But, you cannot take someone else's place. 

YOU WERE MADE TO TAKE YOUR PLACE.

So, if you ask anyone what your purpose is, ask God.  He will make sure you take your place.  If you know what your purpose is, believe God and take your place.  You are a child of God.  You have a specific  and unique contribution to make in this world.  And NO ONE, NO ONE, could EVER take your place!

Col 3:23-24
     And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Much love!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Recently, I asked the Lord to breathe some new life into my life.  This picture is a great illustration of Him doing just that.  I felt like I was growing stagnant.  I felt like I was just sitting in fear with no way out.  I felt like I needed a push and I was at my wit's end.  Fo real!

So, I asked the Lord to give me a breath of fresh air, to give me something along this journey to wake up the things that were inside of me, to give me the push that I needed in the right direction.  And, as always, He was right there, ready to breathe life into me.  But, I had to exhale the old air out.  You ever try to take a breath in when you're all full of hot air (pun intended)?  Yeah, it doesn't work.  Again, I'm learning that you have to let go of the old to bring in the new.

God's word says that "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.  Old things are passed away.  Behold all things are become new." So, how am I going to bring in the new if my lungs are filled with old, stagnant air?  I couldn't.  It just won't work.

So I had to let go.  I had to let go of what people might think.  I had to let go of thinking I'm too old or too new or too smart or maybe not smart enough.  I had to let go of fear of the unknown and simply trust that when I exhaled, the Lord would be there giving me more air to breathe. 

AND HE DEFINITELY SHOWED UP!

Just a few weeks ago, I took a big leap into something I'm so passionate about, it gives me butterflies.  I've now officially entered the fashion industry and I'm so stoked, it's ridiculous.  There is only one other thing (occupationally) that I love and it's music.  But, I'm excited to see how they both come together.

Today, I'm thankful for a job that allows me to be creative, to wake up parts of myself that I never even knew existed.  I'm thankful for a step in the direction that leads me toward God's calling on my life.  And I'm thankful that God is who He is all the time, without fail.  I'm so grateful that I get to maybe give women a glimpse into how beautiful they are.  Maybe I can help them see just a tiny bit of what God sees when He sits and watches us so lovingly.  I'm thankful that God has put this calling on my life.  And I'm blessed with the opportunity to answer that call serving Him.

Ephesians 4:1-6
     ...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling , One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Witness A Blessing

A funny thing happened at the restaurant last night...

Amidst all of the chaos of a crazy Saturday night at the old Bonefish Grill, I was blessed with the opportunity to see someone be blessed.  While I was serving last night, I walked up to yet another table full of guests eagerly awaiting their portion of Bang Bang Shrimp.  I thought it would be just another normal table, but my 'hello, how are you all doin' tonight' was greeted with an equally enthusiastic 'hello' and the brightest blue eyes you've ever seen.  This little girl who was probably about 10 or 12 years old had a light in her eyes that is hard to find in this world.  Her smile was beaming with excitement.  Grinning from ear to ear, she couldn't wait to ask for the Bang Bang shrimp.  And what made her even more special was that she had this joy even though the sparse amount of blonde hair on her head told me that her light was shining thru a struggle with cancer.

As dinner went on, this little girl proved she was genuine, authentic, funny, and truly joyful, and I got the chance to be her server.  HOW COOL IS THAT?  For one brief hour, I got to be a part of an experience that I found out later was a celebration because her numbers were up and she was able to actually go out in public.  She chose Bonefish for her celebratory dinner and she had macaroni and cheese.  I LOVE IT!

So, just to top it all off, another server came over and told me that his table was taking care of the check for my favorite guests EVER (yep, they definitely get that title, hands down).  The coolest part?  The people paying for the check didn't want them to know who did it.  Wow.  So, I went over to my favorite little family, took a deep breath, and told them that their check was paid for.  They were so happy and I turned away from the little girl so that she wouldn't see me cry (I'm a girl, okay...geez). 

Anyway, the little girl and her family left, so I went to tell the guests who paid 'thank you.'  They humbly replied that they knew that family probably couldn't afford dinner, so it was the least they could do.  Well, that made a sistah have to cry a little bit more (exit, blubbering mess).  But, it's something that I won't ever forget.

So, today, I'm just thankful that I got to witness something amazing come out of something that is so very tragic.  Light shines in the darkness.  And this little girl's light truly shines so bright. 

Romans 8:28--And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

What Does Your Handprint Look Like?

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

Question of the Day:  If today were your last day on earth, what unique contribution or legacy would you leave behind?  What does your imprint look like?

You know, just like our unique fingerprints and our unique signatures, each of us has something that only we can contribute to this world.  I may not be the best singer, pianist, guitar player or designer in the world, but I am definitely the best at being Ebony Louise Price.  And I am the only one that was specifically put on this earth to play that role.

I've found myself comparing my gifts to others more times than I can count.  I mean, Jennifer Hudson can sang!  So can Aretha and so can Yolanda Adams.  I can't sing like them.  Why?  'Cause I'm not supposed to.  I'm supposed to sing like me.  So, why waste my time trying to be like them?  I'm just going to get frustrated and disappointed.  I could even go as far as impersonating one of them.  But, really, I don't want to be known as "that girl that impersonates Aretha," even if I could sing like her.

Other examples:  Diane Von Furstenburg, Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld, Galliano.  I love their designs.  But, what they do has already been done by them.  I'm not trying to be like them.  I'm trying to be the best me that I can be.  I'm trying to live in the Lord's will and that's it.

So, just like our fingerprints, we have something unique to contribute to this world.  We weren't made by mistake (even if our parents didn't plan us).  God has always had a plan in mind for us.  

In Jeremiah 1:5, the Lord tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

WHAT?!  THE LORD HAS HAD A PLAN FOR US ALL ALONG!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!

So, we work on our skills.  Millions of women can sew, and make jewelry and play music.  But, what happens when I take those skills and filter them thru His Spirit and the earthen vessel God gave me?  God only knows.  But a sistah is fo real gonna find out.

So, let's work on our unique voices, our individual hanprints that God has blessed us with.  What's yours?

This picture reminds me of the fear we talked about last time. Sometimes the things that we would love to accomplish seem so overwhelming, like a hurdle that you can't get over. Kind of like when you stare up at a skyscraper and you start to feel dizzy when your body realizes just how tall that dang building really is. It's like we all have these BIG DREAMS that we would love to see come true. But, the more we think about them and what it would take to get there, we get dizzy and decide it's just too overwhelming. That is the point where I find myself stuck, stagnant, disappointed, and, frankly, depressed.

Sometimes it feels like a tug-of-war, to have your heart and your mind able to see where you want to go, but to be overwhelmed by what it will take to get there. Should I stay here, wondering what could have been, wishing I would have at least tried, looking for something to replace that nagging feeling that something is wrong? Or should I start taking steps in the direction my heart wants to go, where God wants me to be, where I may not be accepted of everyone, but favored by Him? Dizzying, isn't it?

So, what's worse, facing the unknown and climbing to the top of that beautiful building OR that horrible sinking feeling down here on the ground that tells me this is not where I'm supposed to be? Maybe I'll ask the other people down here on the sidewalk with me. They'll convince me to take the low road with them. Or, maybe, just maybe, it's time to see what that giant skyscraper has for me.

SCARY. I KNOW! But, no building was built without a way to get to the top. Yes, you may have to take a ton of stairs, but there's a way to get there. Sure, it won't be easy, but won't it be worth it to get there? And, honestly, we only have two options: You either face your fears or you don't.

THERE IS NO TRY!

You are either standing on the sidewalk or walking into the building. You are either pursuing your dreams or you're not. You're either facing your fears or you're not.

Here's what's up. I can't stand to be down here on the sidewalk any more. My curiosity won't let me wonder what could have been for the rest of my life. I refuse to turn my back on God who is calling me from the top floor of Ebony, Inc. I choose to walk by faith and not by sight, 'cause honestly, I've seen all the stuff down here on the sidewalk and I'm kinda bored with it. I'm tired of making excuses. Now I know that fear has gotten in the way. So enough with over-analyzing it. One person called this THE PARALYSIS OF ANALYSIS. I know that it's fear that's the problem. Okay. Cool. Now get on with it. Don't get stuck in analyzing the situation. MOVE ON!

Okay, so I've entered the building. I've found the stairs. And I've ripped off the black and yellow Caution Tape. Lord, I'm going to need your strength here. I know I'll mess up sometimes. I know I might trip and fall. But, I know you made this beautiful building just for me. So, it's time to really take my first STEP OUT ON FAITH.

TV Announcer's voice: "On our next episode of STEP OUT ON FAITH, Ebony begins the climb up the stairs, probably freaks out, but is going to keep going anyway. What surprises will show up around every corner? Stay tuned to find out!"

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PEOPLE-PLEASERS ANONYMOUS (PPA)

Hello, my name is Ebony Price and I am a people-pleaser. (Hi, Ebony).

Okay, so after my last post on fear, I wanted to really get down to the bottom of what I've been so afraid of. Some people have a fear of success. I never felt that I was one of those people. I've always been so afraid of failing that I never really got the chance to worry about what might happen if I was successful.

So, I always figured I was afraid of failing. I mean, failing sucks, right? The big disappointment, figuring out where to go next, dwelling on why the failure happened in the first place. But, honestly, it was never the thought of failing that gave me that CRAZY FEAR. You know that fear that makes you feel like you have a giant weight sitting on your chest? Or that fear that makes your heart beat so fast that you feel like you can't breathe? I'm talking FEAR. The kind that keeps you up at night and greets you as soon as your eyes open in the morning. Gripping fear.

You know what I'm REALLY afraid of? It's not failing. Shoot, I can mess up the bridge to a song a million times when I'm alone on my keyboard in my living room. I'm not afraid of making a skirt and accidentally sewing the pockets shut. I'm not even afraid to play a new song on my guitar just a few minutes after finding the chords online. So, I'm not afraid of failing. Failing isn't the problem. It's people seeing me fail that makes my heart beat out of my chest.

It's like a giant light-bulb turned on this morning. I'm afraid of people not liking what I'm wearing. I'm afraid of people laughing at me and whispering under their breath about the bad note I hit on the bridge that ruined that song. I'm afraid of forgetting the next chord in the song and the dead silence that would follow. That's what makes my heart race. I'm afraid of other people.

When I think about it, it just seems silly. I mean, aren't we supposed to be individuals? And allowing people's opinions to run my life gives them waaaaay too much power over my life. Truly, what do they know about my life, where I've come from, and what God's purpose is in my life? Seriously. THEY DON'T KNOW ME! (yes, I say that in the sassiest black woman way I know how, with one finger in the air, a hand on my hip, and my neck was definitely rollin'). I realized today that I have allowed people's opinions to drive my decisions with my dreams and my career. Worst of all, these "people" have no idea how my life works into God's purpose. They have no idea why God put me on this earth. So, why am I letting their opinions guide my decisions? Oh uh uh, FEAR! Ya got to go! Now that I figured out what the problem is? Ya got to go! 'Cause last time I checked...

"THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; WHOM SHALL I FEAR? THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID?"

Here's to all the people-pleasers out there. It's time for some rehab. And I know the best Healer and Therapist in the business. To be continued...

BE OF GOOD COURAGE

Here's a picture of me and my friend Josie standing on a plexiglass ledge about 1700 feet in the air. We took a trip to Chicago and this is one of the views from the Sears tower. Everything in my body was telling me that there was something very wrong with walking out there, but I did it anyway. A sistah was definitely skerred at first, but once I was out there, it was such an awesome feeling.


Mark Twain once wrote:
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

And how true is that?! You don't have to be courageous if there is nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes I think that when fear shows up, it's a good indicator that whatever we're thinking about doing could be really important. Now, I'm not talking about things that we consider EXTREME like jumping off buildings or skydiving. I'm talking about living your life. Working toward changing your job instead of looking for excuses. Rising above what everyone else tells you is the "right thing to do" and doing God's will instead. Standing on the top of a mountain and proclaiming who you are instead of constantly going with the crowd. That's courage. And that's what we have to do every day.

There are so many times in my life, more than I can count. when I woke up afraid that this is all there is, afraid that I'm wasting time, afraid that everything inside me that says I need to keep going is wrong. And on those days, so many times, I've let fear get the best of me. I've let that fear stop me, the "what ifs", and the "what will people think" questions stop me right in my tracks. So, I pray for God to get rid of the fear. I pray that it just goes away. But, then, who needs courage? If there's no fear, it's all easy breezy.

Last time I checked, no one was inspired by those that always had it easy. The people that I look up to had to overcome obstacles: Jesus, Paul, Moses, Abraham, Joshua, to name a few. More recently, Mandela, Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King, Jr. You know how many times the Bible says to "be of good courage"? I have never seen a verse that says, give your life to the Lord, it will be all rainbows and kitty whiskers after that. (sorry to burst your bubble). But, the Lord gives us strength. It's like a life vest. Sure we still have to go through the rapids, but He gives us what we need to make it where we need to go.

Let's get this straight. It's hard to have faith. It is difficult to walk by faith and not by sight. It sho ain't easy to believe that God can somehow use you in His amazing plan. I struggle with that every single day. But, I know how far He brought me. I know that He loves all of His children. I know that He gives me a peace that surpasses all understanding. I know that His ways are waaay better than my ways. (I've tried doing things my way. Didn't quite work out). So, it's time to take that step out on the glass ledge. It's time to keep going even with fear standing in the way. So, uh, looka here fear, I want you to meet my friend Courage. He wants to have a Word witcha.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

You know, I'm not the type that gets all excited over the 4th of July. I'm never the girl planning the barbecue or showing up at the cookout decked out in red, white and blue. In fact, this weekend, I didn't really have any plans at all. But, sometimes things turn out best when you just don't make any plans. This weekend was definitely one of those times.

I'm so thankful I got to spend time with family this weekend. And I even got to meet some really cool new people, too. But, the real blessing was the Lord allowing me to see all of these people thru his eyes. As I sat and listened to the conversations around me, I noticed that everyone had one thing in common. We all just want to be heard.

Whether we're reminiscing about old high school days, talking about how passionate we are about painting, beaming and bragging about our kids, or just talking about the rooftop view, we all want to be heard. We want to be heard and we want to relate and connect with other people. And, how nice it is to hear your thoughts come out of someone else's mouth. You ever notice how excited people get when someone puts into words what they've been thinking all along?

So, I got to see such beautiful people this weekend. An amazing artist with a condo seemingly decorated with bits of her very soul. It was beautiful. People dancing to salsa with their eyes closed just tuning out their worries and turning up the music. A woman finally realizing that she can cry, that it's okay, and long overdue. A grandfather speaking of his wife who passed and in the same breath glorifying the Lord. A little girl standing on her daddy's feet blowing bubbles in the back yard. Masses of people flocking to the riverfront to be dazzled by the fireworks and looking up at the sky in awe.

God sees us for who we really are. He knows our hearts. He knows what we struggle with every day. He looks past our sin to the very core of our being. He knows us because He created each and every one of us. He formed us in the womb. He knows who we are and what He created us to be. Sometimes we get so hung up on the things that we've done wrong that we try to hide from Him, or even worse, blame Him. I got to see some of God's children this weekend, for who they really are. I got to see the parts of them that sometimes get covered with anger and resentment. But, the gifts that God has given to you never go away. We might bury them under bitterness, and regret, and shame. But, all that God created us to be is still there.

How do we find out what's deep down inside of every one of us? We go straight to the One who made us. Bypass other people, stereotypes, outside circumstances, and even the church.

GO STRAIGHT TO GOD.

You want to be heard? He wants to hear you. He never gets tired of listening. He loves you with a love that's bigger than you could ever imagine. If you have children, I think you might have a little glimpse of what He feels toward every single one of us. Nothing can ever get in the way of that. Nothing!

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here's to pursuing what's deep down inside, not the temporary stuff that you can buy. Sometimes it's easier to see the value of others, and not yourself. But, who are we to say what God can do and with whom? I mean, HELLO, HE'S GOD! He is the ALL-mighty, not the 'strong enough for some people and not others'. He is the ALL-powerful, not the 'only able to heal some and not others'. YOU ARE NOT THE EXCEPTION. Believe that! The Lord is who He is and always has been. We need to run to Him. He's been waiting for us all along.

Does anyone believe in dreams anymore?

What a weird few days. It seems that as my dreams get bigger and clearer and stronger, there are more people discouraging me from them. Some ask the question, "Oh my gosh, what are you doing?" Don't worry. I know what you're thinking. You think I'm crazy. Or when I present a big idea and people say something like, "Ooookay. That's cool." Then you change the subject. Um, yeah, I can tell that you think I'm crazy. And for some, it's just downright confusing to believe that someone is truly pursuing their dreams. I mean, will that person ever see their dream realized?

WHAT HAPPENED? DON'T WE BELIEVE IN DREAMS ANYMORE?

When we were kids, we all had big dreams. The sky was the limit. So, at what point did that become silly? At what point did we decide that dreams weren't a guarantee? Maybe it's when we didn't see our own dreams realized? Maybe we stopped dreaming when "reality set in" and it was time to pursue a "stable" career. Maybe we realized at some point that our dreams would take work to achieve. So many times people give up on their gifts and their creativity to do what people expected them to do. I know I did. I went into environmental science because I wanted the "stable" life. And I had plenty of money. But, I didn't take into consideration the fact that I would want to be happy. Funny how money truly doesn't buy happiness. I know that first hand. And these days, there is no "stable job", "stable career" or "stable income." People are losing their jobs like crazy.

SO WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE IN?

I had reached the end of my rope. I had a job I hated, but was too scared to do the work to pursue my dreams. I also didn't have the discipline to do it. I also didn't know where to start. So, I started guessing. That led me through teaching yoga, and massage, and pilates. I still wasn't satisfied. Finally, I asked God. Yep, that's right. Who would know better than Him why I was put here. I got down on my knees and begged Him to reveal Himself to me. And, WHOA!!! HE SURE HAS SHOWN UP AND SHOWN OUT!!!

In the last 2 years since I've given Him my life, He has shown me who I am. I am creative, a musician, a designer, a laid-back glamour girl, a chick who loves to laugh, organized, imperfect, tender-hearted, and loyal. I love old school dances like the Roger Rabbit, jazz, makeup, photography, learning, exercising, and encouraging people. Most importantly, I love God! He has transformed my heart and my mind from a girl who was too scared to speak up, love someone, or stand out to a woman who with His strength can take on the world.

So, maybe you think I'm crazy, but you don't know like I know what the Lord has done for me. Maybe you think my life should look differently, but I'm just preparing for my big dreams. Maybe you feel like I should have a more "stable" life and "settle down." But, I don't believe people and their opinions. I BELIEVE GOD. He is my comfort, my stronghold, my conqueror, my healer, my deliverer, and my peace. All things are possible through Him. With Him, I'm more than a conqueror. I BELIEVE GOD! And I owe Him my life for showing me who He created me to be.

So, if you've been dealing with people telling you that you'll never make it, or doubting you, KEEP GOING! When you hear yourself agreeing with those people, KEEP GOING! When everything that you see in front of you says that you can't do it, or it will never work, KEEP GOING! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; Cast down but not destroyed."

WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT. NO MATTER WHAT. KEEP GOING! (I know I am).

WHY AM I HERE?

You ever sit and wonder in those quiet moments, "Why am I here?" or "What is this all for?" I know I do. Sometimes in those moments of doubt, because I can't take a peek into my future, I begin to wonder what my life is going to add up to? Who will I affect? Can my dreams really happen?

So, I asked the Lord about creativity and where it all comes from. Of course, nothing exists without Him. But, the Lord is so cool that He gives each of us (including you) certain gifts. He GIVES them to us. He won't take them back. And we have the free will to choose if we use them or not.

Quick background check on me: I'm a former chemist who has recently decided to pursue the gifts that God gave me. I had chosen money over happiness. And that's what I got: money that couldn't buy happiness. And the worst part of it all, were the nagging questions: IS THIS IT? IS THIS ALL THERE IS? IS THIS WHY I WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH? I tried everything to find happiness in the 9 to 5 way of surviving. And that's not to say that some aren't called to work a 9 to 5 job. But, I was just surviving, day in and day out. No real joy. No real peace. Just surviving from day to day. I wasn't being creative. I wasn't using my gifts. I was miserable.


Then there are those of us who know what we've been put on this earth to do, yet we are too scared to do it. Once I started really hanging out with the Lord, He began to reveal to me who He created me to be. And, honestly, it scared me. Who am I to think that I could live out my dreams, that I am so gifted, that I could positively affect others? It's interesting that we want to be all of these things, yet we can't imagine that we ever could be.


BUT THAT'S WHAT GOD MADE US FOR! ALL OF US!


He made each of us to be our own unique and amazing self. Yes, there is room for us, all of us to be amazing people. And you, my friend, have amazingness all over you (yes, I made up a word). That voice that you hear telling you that you can do better, that you deserve more, that life has so much more to offer...that's God whispering to you and asking you to run into his outstretched arms. He wants nothing more than to show you your amazingness. He loves us. Your gifts are already inside of you, waiting to come out, waiting to change your life from the mundane to the extraordinary. All you need is the Lord to show you what you're made of.

So, if you're ever wondering what it's all for, why you're here, or if you're too scared to pursue it, you're not alone. Don't seek the advice and opinions of others. Go straight to the source. Ask the Lord to reveal it to you. I promise the answer to those questions is way bigger than you ever imagined. And since all things are possible thru God, you better hold on tight! There is no doubt the Lord is in the restoring business!!!

The Road Less Traveled

Well, it's time to take the road less traveled. You know, so often these days, I've found myself wondering what it would be like to give everything to God. What would it truly be like to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?" What if we put absolutely everything else on our own little wish lists AFTER having a relationship with God? Well, the Bible tells us that "all these things shall be added unto you." So, then we'll have all the desires of our hearts. (Matthew 6:33). What if we followed the first and great commandment to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)


MAYBE THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN MISSING...

Hmm, what if we actually gave up all that we wanted, all of our dreams and aspirations for a relationship with the Almighty? Sure, it sounds just awful. But, you ever wait forever for something that you've always wanted only to realize that once you got it, it really wasn't all that great? You ever find yourself just wanting to be in a relationship because you want someone else to be around? Somehow that must be evidence that you're cool, right? I mean, if someone thinks it, it must be true. Maybe you've settled for a job that pays the bills but fear has kept you from pursuing the things you've wanted most. Maybe nothing seems to be working out in your life, no matter how hard you try, because God isn't in it.

I'VE BEEN THERE...

My big dreams were of sheer rockstardom. I mean, we're talking sparkly outfits, long perfect hair, that fan that Beyonce always seems to have on when she's onstage that blows back her hair (go ahead and laugh), tons of screaming fans, traveling, and a husband that loved me even when my hair was all over my head and I sang out of key.
But, for some reason, the more I would strive after these things, the further away they got. I didn't have the discipline to practice. I was afraid to really put myself out there (not good for musicians, especially). And if a good man came along, I treated him like crap.


TIME TO GO TO THE SOURCE...

So, now it's time to find out what God created me to do. It's time to not only find out what those things are, but find out who He is. It's time to not only believe Him (faith), but take action on His word as He guides me (works). So, I'm going to chill with the Savior, give it all up to Him and enjoy the outcome. Because if there is anything I know, I know I CANNOT do this on my own. And I know He knows what is best for me.

Don't get me wrong. I still want the sparkly dress and the cool Beyonce fan and the amazing husband. But, if God ain't in it, I don't want it.Maybe it's just time for me to learn what love is, design that sparkly dress, write those amazing songs, practice my guitar, and grow some more hair for that Beyonce fan to blow around....hahaha. Seriously, though, God has bigger plans for us than we could ever imagine. I'M THINKING IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.

Leaning on the Tree

I was jogging past this field the other day and it really just struck me how much it seemed like a total oxymoron. The entire field is brown and littered with trash. And there's a highway running right behind it (if you look closely, you can see some nice, shiny cars speeding past). The field looks totally barren at this point, except for some beautiful patches of green grass just to the right of a wonderful, majestic tree.


Sometimes, I think we're so busy in our day-to-day lives rushing here and there that we don't take the time to really enjoy the things around us. And sometimes, even when things look barren, there is good soil deep down in all of us that can bring forth green grass and beautiful trees. Yep, there may be trash in your field. Someone else might have put it there, or maybe you put it there yourself (ugh). But, even underneath all of that, there's STILL good soil.


So, I'm going to take some time today and focus on the good soil that God has put deep down inside of me. Oh how it would warm His heart to grow something in my field that would glorify Him. And the more stuff we grow in His name, the less room we have for any trash that tries to litter our field.

A Rainy Day

For some reason, I've been really into this whole weather thing lately....


How cool is it that the rain that falls from the heavens in the Spring gets to help make so many beautiful things: Purple tulips, green grass, bright yellow daffodils, red roses. None of that would happen without the rain.


Reminds me of God raining his Spirit down into us, if we let Him. We're all these cracked and broken vessels. But, if we allow the Lord to pour His Spirit into us, it's amazing how He can restore and clean up absolutely anything and everything. And the awesome part is, He turns us into something absolutely beautiful.


Every one of us is a unique vessel. And when we allow the Spirit to flow through us, amazing and completely unique things are brought out of us. We become that unique red rose or that bright yellow daffodil. And there's no one else like us in the world. So, instead of comparing ourselves to each other, maybe we should just ask the Lord to rain down on us. Then, we can find out just how beautiful we all truly are (yes, that includes YOU).

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim 2:21


Happy Rainy Day!

A New Season

Aaaah, Spring has sprung! I absolutely LOVE warm weather. The tree outside my window has started to bud and even some bees are starting to hover around it. Anyone who knows me knows a sistah will take off in a full sprint when there are bees around. But, when I can watch them from my window, it's a beautiful sight.


The changes in seasons are so reflective of different stages in our lives. You know, in the winter, we're all bundled up, and scrambling to get inside where it's safe and warm. Reminds me of that season when we're saving up energy, maybe learning something new or training so that when it's time, we can be ready to put our new stuff to use. We're working on those pretty little buds for spring.

Then Spring comes and we've got our buds ready to bloom. It's time to shine! But, it still takes time and patience. Buds don't become leaves overnight. Grass doesn't grow overnight. And in the Midwest, there's a lot of thunderstorms that accompany those new Spring colors. But, if we keep going, we get all the water and sunshine we need to really test our new-found winter skills.


And by Summer, we're in full bloom! We're growing. The sun is shining. We've made it thru the stormy weather (great song, by the way) and we're fulfilling that God-given purpose in our lives. What a beautiful thing!


Then Fall comes and it's time to reap the harvest of all of the hard work. Things begin to slow down. Leaves begin to fall, but not without showing their most beautiful colors. We start to wind down for Winter and the renewal process begins again. I love it! It seems so perfect in every way.


BUT, sometimes I've been out of season. You ever try to grow something without planting a seed? Or try to reap the harvest of something that you never watered? Or maybe you plucked something before it was in full bloom because you ran out of patience. How frustrating! We're always so excited to get to the Spring and Summers in our lives. But, when we do, we get frustrated because we wasted our Winter just wanting it to be over.


Well, I've been there and done that more times than I can count. And for once, it's time to start budding. How awful Spring would be with all the rain and nothing to show for it. How terrible it would be if the trees just decided not to grow any leaves because they were still upset about how cold the winter was. It's time we let our lights shine! You know that cool idea that you've always had, but never done anything about? Yep, we all have 'em. Well, it's time to let that little idea grow. It's time to water that seed. Yes, it will take patience. And it will take work. But, I promise it will be worth it.


SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

TV Fast Day One

Hey there! Well today was actually a really awesome day. It actually didn't start out so great. You know those mornings when you wake up and you feel like everything around you just isn't at all what you wanted? Or all you can hear yourself say in your head over and over again is, "This sucks!" Well, unfortunately, that's how I started this morning. At first I just wanted to sit in my misery and continue crying. But, you know what? Sitting in misery doesn't change things. So I got down on my knees and prayed and asked the Lord to reveal to me what was really wrong. Why was I so doubtful?


AND LO AND BEHOLD!!!


I was filled with doubt because I had started to sink into that awful pit of believing the people around me and not believing God. You know when you dream something big, something so big that God has to be in it for it to ever work out? A lot of times we think it, then we get excited about it, and then we tell other people, and then they talk us out of it. Or, they try to pretend they're excited about it, but you can tell they're really not. And what do we do? We agree with them? WHY?! How can a single person on this earth tell us who we are and what we were created to be?


IMAGINE IF WE ALL LIVED THE LIVES WE SPEND TIME DAYDREAMING ABOUT?


What if we spent time with God, and spent time studying and working on the dreams that God has instilled in us? What if instead of complaining about our lives and our jobs, we asked God why we're here and what we should be doing? What if we cast down all that negativity that we get from other people and from TV and pursued those big dreams? What if we believers didn't just sit around and wait on the Lord to do everything for us? What would happen?



2 Timothy 2:15 says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."


I always notice that this scripture says we are to show ourselves approved unto God, not men. A workman, not someone who is sitting around doing nothing but waiting on blessings to show up at the door or complaining about what their life could have been like. And last but not least, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth. To me, this means that you're able to discern the truth from lies. And why do you get discernment? Because you're studying to show yourself approved unto God, NOT MEN/WOMEN.


I have always been so deeply involved in what other people think that I have had no idea what I think or what God thinks. Instead, I've just been pushed and pulled by other people's opinions, what is the popular opinion at the time, and whoever it is that makes me feel like I'm important. But, we are fearfully and wonderfully made my God, not by man. Even evolutionists will admit that man didn't make himself. So, why does man's opinion matter so much? It just doesn't make sense. So here's the idea I had:


WHY NOT GO TO THE CREATOR AND ASK HIM WHY WE'RE HERE? THEN, WHEN HE ANSWERS, TAKE IT AS THE FINAL SAY AND GO AFTER IT?!


He is the only one that knows. And that is the only way you're going to find out. And when you find out, DON'T LET ANYONE TALK YOU OUT OF IT, INCLUDING YOURSELF!


You're not too old. It's not too late. You're not too fat. You're not too short. You're not too tall. You're not ugly. You're not too broke. You're not!


NOTHING CAN GET IN YOUR WAY WHEN YOU HAVE GOD LEADING YOU. NOTHING! Only YOU allow things to stop you. Seriously. You only get stopped by things if you LET yourself be stopped by them. YOU PLUS GOD is a majority, my friend. You don't need anyone else to agree with you.


So, today, take a moment to awaken that big dream inside of you. Ask the Lord why you're here. And when your heart begins to beat fast with the excitement of what you could be doing, you know you've hit the nail on the head.


Today, I decided to remove one negative thing from my day and add something positive. So, I didn't watch TV at all today (that's a big negative and a time-waster) and I practiced until I had worn myself out. It felt great to just trust God and believe that He's brought me too far to leave me.


SO WHAT'S YOUR BIG DREAM? TAKE ONE STEP TODAY TO GET CLOSER TO IT. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU BETTA ASK SOMEBODY! THE ONE THAT CREATED YOU IS THE ONLY ONE WHO TRULY KNOWS. AND HE WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT.

And if you do know, what step will you take today to get just a little bit closer?


TODAY, TAKE JUST ONE STEP OUT ON FAITH! I PROMISE YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Much love!!!

Introduction

Hello there! Thank you so much for checking this out.

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD SOMEONE CREATE A BLOG?

Well, I'm sure there are tons of reasons why people write these things, but I can definitely shed some light on why I'm starting one. The Lord has laid it on my heart that it's time to put some of who He is back into the world. All over the internet you can easily find people complaining, worrying, living in fear, bragging about their possessions, degrading women, and striving after the almighty dollar. But, you'd be hard-pressed to find much light in all that darkness. So, that's why I'm writing this blog.

A SISTAH NEEDS TO SHED SOME LIGHT!

People are looking for encouragement when it seems as if things in the world are getting worse. Some people are looking to money to save them at a time when money is becoming more and more scarce. Some people are looking to substances for comfort from their increasing worry. Women, especially, are looking to relationships to solve their problems. And, if none of that works, people are just settling into awful 9 to 5 jobs that they never wanted. And they convince themselves that this is as good as it's going to get.

THAT'S NOT TRUE! DON'T BELIEVE THAT LIE!

You were made for so much more. And, yes, you were made by God. I'm even going to use the 'J' word. You ready? JESUS did not die on the cross for you to wake up everyday wishing you were on vacation, regretting past decisions and finding distractions to 'check-out' from the pit you seem to have found yourself in. At some point, we become convinced that if we have the right job, the right house, the right car, the right partner, the right amount of money, we will be happy. That's simply not true. When was the last time you received something and you were truly, completely peaceful and satisfied? Here's the problem:

NOTHING BUT GOD CAN FILL THAT SPACE IN YOUR HEART THAT IS RESERVED FOR HIM. NOTHING!

How do I know? I graduated from college with a science degree that I thought would guarantee happiness. I had the high paying corporate job. But, I hated Sunday nights because I knew the work week began again the next day. I lived for the weekends. I was that chick that was always thanking God it was Friday. I've been there. I know what it's like to HAVE to be in a relationship in order to feel worth something. I know what it's like to need validation from others in order to TRY to convince yourself that you're smart, or pretty, or a good worker, or that you just have some sort of value in this world. And I know what it's like to dream big, but settle for small because you're too dang scared to step out on faith.

AHA! WHAT AN AWESOME SEGUE!!!

So, now it's time to step out on faith. I've played small. Now, it's time to put the jersey on and get in the game. Now it's time to trust God and see where He leads me. 'Cause I've been down the other road and I was miserable. I can HONESTLY say that the last 2 years since I gave my life to Christ have been the best I've ever experienced. Definitely not easy, but sooooo worth it. I know more about who He is, and who He made me to be. I have so much more peace and joy. Believe me, a sistah is far from perfect. But, you don't know like I know what He's done for me! And maybe, just maybe, this blog will awaken something in you that you thought was long gone. Maybe you'll step out on your own faith in God and experience all the things He wants for you.

THAT IS WHY I'M WRITING THIS BLOG.

It would be selfish not to share the amazing experiences and wisdom and knowledge that I have been so blessed to receive from the Lord. I hope that you will listen to Him and find out why you're here and who He is. So, I invite you to come and take this journey with me as I, with the Lord at my side, look fear in the face and finally...


STEP OUT ON FAITH!!!!