Month: July 2014

I think I’ve heard so many quotes about thoughts and speech in my lifetime that I can feel them coming. Once I hear them coming, it’s sad to say, I think I tune them out. Well, I used to. Today was one of the days when all of those seeds took root and began to harvest. 

I began my morning with three text messages (and prayer of course). I hate for the little notification bubbles to sit on my phone, so of course I began to read them. While the first one brought a smile, the next immediately arrested me. Someone I knew, and revered, had gone home to be with the Lord. Wow. I am starting to think that I’ve taken lifespans for granted. I just expect some people to live forever. I just need them to be here. Ptah(<sassy mouth noise>), I am not Abba, El Elyon, or anything comparable to Christ…so I call NO shots. 

I then proceeded to flow in instinctive written communication of my feelings. I didn’t break down in a terrible fit, which is common of my youth, but I was disturbed. I had so many questions. I had actually just asked a former business partner, and current make up client, about her. I began thinking of things I wish I said, questions I wish I would have asked, and thinking about hugging her one more time. I can still see her on stage giving her testimony and encouraging the ladies to “suit up”. I posted a message, on two sites, and then when the responses began to come in, I felt “some-kind-of-way”. I could probably create an entirely new blog about that feeling, but alas I will move on. I remember distinctly, asking friends to pray for her family (and to turn prayers away from me). 

Why? Simple, in this matter I didn’t hurt the worst. I wanted to direct the prayers to those who needed them most. I then did something that is only common in this particular season of my life. I changed my message to that of prayer and joy. Don’t get me wrong, I did think of her several times today, but not in a sob-stop-living-kind-of-way. I lived today with her in mind. I put my faith into practice. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says we have a home not made by human hands…I know in my heart that God can take care of His children without any help from me. I chose to trust God to tend to His children, and their prayers, and I sought after joy.

I really did enjoy today. I paid bills (grown up ritual on paydays…isn’t that horrid? j/k It’s a blessing to have funds to pay them.), did some girl stuff (attended to the pair of hands and feet that God gave me), and saw people who always lifted my spirits. The simple things in life always resonate the most. 

I culminated the public portion of my day but reminding (or encouraging) others to encourage someone. Most of the time, we have no clue what people are going through. WE cannot take any day, hour, minute, or second for granted. Smiles are NOT always good indicators of mood. So, I too challenge you, make it a practice of giving out genuine encouragement. Smiles are free, sharing videos or pictures of substance is free, scripture is free to us (but it cost Christ His very life, that we might be saved!) and available to share (don’t have a Bible: http://www.bible.com), so many resources that we can share. 

With LOVE in my heart just for YOU!

IVY OUT

This time last year, I was seeking God for a job. I had peace about leaving my last position (which I absolutely loathed), but I didn’t have a job lined up for 2013-2014. I had to exercise my faith. 

Let’s look at what exercise does in the natural. I am working on it, but I am not as disciplined as a few others… I have friends who are fitness competitors. Exercise is a regular part of their life. I watch them transform their bodies by using resistance, repetition, and  assistance to activate muscles so that others could see the definition of their bodies. Then they hit the stage and showcase their results with others who have worked equally as hard.

Don’t bring the physical to a faith fight. You have to operate in the spirit, much like they have to in the gym. We have spiritual weapons, the one I highlight today is PRAYER. Prayer is essential in any spiritual exercise. Resist the urge to live only in what your two eyes can see, pray repeatedly (Matthew 7:7), rely on assistance from the Holy Spirit and be a light reflecting the power of God. Matthew 5:16 reminds us that our light is a beacon for others to see the work of God in us. 

This summer, I have a job to go back to (that I actually like), a ministry assignment (that I am growing in), a business (another way I can tap into women everywhere), and lots of writing to do. I am a blessed woman because I exercised my faith…with prayer. 

When will you start working out your faith?

PHOTO taken by Charlene of Ickthys Photography

IVY OUT