Rebirth

In my head the title of this blog should be “Acceptance” but “Rebirth” keeps replaying so that is what I am sticking to.

Wow! It’s April already. Happy Easter.
Most persons are probably reflecting on the significance of this holiday which is awesome but what is the point of reflecting if we can’t apply the lessons to our lives?

As I reflect on the life of Jesus, I realize that he accepted that he had to be crucified. I’m sure he knew that it wouldn’t be an enjoyable or comfortable scenario but he endured it because he loves us and wanted to save us from sin. How else would we know that we are loved with an everlasting love? If he didn’t die for us, would we believe it?
I also realized that if Jesus, the Son of God, who was without sin had to overcome such an agonizing death to fulfill his purpose in this life, why should I, a mere human, not do the same.

I know at some point in our life we prayed for God to deliver us from a situation that we were going through. Something that really shook our faith or even made us feel defeated. I pray especially during this time we remember God’s promise to make everything work for our good. All we need to do is wait and trust him.

Now I enjoy being able to count my blessings. I honestly can’t wait for my next blessing so that I can share how good God is. Nine months ago this was not the case but God flipped my life on an axis. My thoughts and goals have been transformed.
I was made to realize that we don’t have a lot of control over what happens in our lives and accepting this is now a comfort to me.

Catastrophic and life altering events happen everyday and we don’t always get to know why. Our job here is to love others, especially those who are in pain and be a symbol of hope for ourselves and others.

Life also becomes easier when we accept that we don’t have all the answers and trust God to be our guide.

John 16:33
 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Fueled by Faith

 Ecclesiastes 9:11
The race is not for the swift but those who can endure to the end.

“Why is it that we have to go through so much turmoil when God can snap his fingers and have our pain disappear?”, I asked God as I was watching the sunrise one morning.

Suddenly an image of a group of athletes running a marathon seem to answer me. First the athletes have to train their bodies so that it can be eligible to participate in the race. During the race the athletes practice maintaining a steady pace rather than sprinting so that they can conserve their energy and endure to the end of the race.

Just as we train our physical bodies for it to be strong, we also have to exercise our faith.
In theory it sounds awesome to say God is performing miracles for me. But we sometimes forget that in order for God perform miracles, we need to be at our weakest. We will have to endure the tests of life and be able to accept that we will be placed in a position where we are completely relying on God to make a way for us.

I would love to have God work miracles in my life so that I can have a full reservoir of faith to keep me going for the future opportunities for growth. More than anything I would love to reflect on my life and see the instances where I was completely unsure of my next step. I want to reminisce on how God showed up and showed out for me.
But I have to remember that faith is strengthened when we wait and maintained by our blessings from God.

What’s the point of going fast if you burn out and don’t even make it to the finish line?
If God just snapped his finger and made our pain go away, would we learn the lesson that the test was trying to teach us? Would we grow and figure out how to be better versions of ourselves?

I pray we try adapt this principle as we journey through life as it’s not about how fast we go but ensuring that we endure to the end.

Also remember:

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:2-3 “² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Hebrews 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

Dear God,
Thank you for reminding me to brag about my weakness as in my weakness your strength is made perfect. As I wait on your divine timing continue to give me your strength to pursue my purpose. Help me to grow from all the lessons that I learn during this season and inscribe these lesson in my being so that I can use it fuel my faith.
-Fueled by faith

Still…

Have you something ever happened to you that felt scared to share with someone because even replaying it in your head sounds crazy. And so you can’t fathom how another person would interpret it. Which leaves you suffering in silence and asking yourself questions about insecurities that you believed you already conquered.

Some days I feel like I’m on top of my emotions and I’m being positive despite everything not working the way I would prefer. But then there are nights where I lay in bed feeling defeated or like I’m straddling an emotional pendulum with my feet glued on either sides.

So I find myself laying in the dark and thinking
I can’t believe I’m still dealing with this…
I can’t believe I’m still in this situation
I can’t believe this still hasn’t worked out
I’ve been praying and I feel like God still hasn’t worked this out for me yet.

And then just the word “STILL” replays
STILL
STILL
STILL

God is saying, “be STILL and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Have you forgotten that I’m the one who knows tomorrow? (Hebrews 13:8)
When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen. (Isaiah 60:22)
It will all work together for your good. (Romans 8:28)

This really comforted me as the curtains close on the month of February and I have to acknowledge that I have not checked all the boxes on my to do list. There is also a melodious bellow of my grandma’s voice saying “Don’t worry, nothing happens before it’s time”.

Pray about it and forget about it. All your worries are in God’s hands and that is the best place for them to be.

Also remember:

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Deuteronomy 30:3-6 “³God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered. ⁴ No matter how far away you end up, God, your God, will get you out of there ⁵ and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. He will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors. ⁶ God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live.” 

 

Dear God,

You have reminded me time and time again that my current situation is not my final destination and I am truly grateful. Until your promises are manifested to my human eyes I pray that you continue to hold my hands while I walk by faith. Thank you for always making your plans for my life better than mine and most of all help me to be still and know that you are God.

-Still Trusting

What is stopping you?

 

I have never been spontaneous. Actually, if I were to describe myself I would definitely use the term “avid overthinker” lol. I would replay the possible scenario in my head a million times before deciding not to participate in whatever it was that I wanted to experience in the first place.

Why do we do that? Overthink? Worry? Doubt ourselves? Has it solved any of the issues that you were having? In my experience it only made whatever situation I was going through worse because I have caused myself to panic several times over scenarios that only took place in my head.

I applaud my brain for the creative thoughts but now I have decided to take control and steer my thoughts in a positive direction. I have made a check list to help me keep on track.

Check List

1. Pray

I’m taking a moment to dedicate all my plans to God. I pray he goes before me and make my crooked paths straight.

2. Chin Up

Classic case of fake it ’til I make it. I understand that my current situation is not my final destination and so I will keep my head and my hopes up.

3. Back Straight

What is the point of walking around looking defeated? Didn’t you hear that God already got the victory? Pray about whatever it is that is bothering you and allow God to take care of it for you.

4. Take a deep breath

Did you know deep breaths aid in the reduction of stress and promotes better blood flow? Now, go ahead. Take a deep breath!

5. Exhale 

Release those fears you have been holding on to. Release that negative energy. Release everything that weighs down your soul.

6. Smile

Be happy. This is the start of something new and in my opinion, everything is easier when you are happy.

7. Take the first step in faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” No one knows what tomorrow may bring. You have already dedicated your plans to God, now trust that he will make everything work together for your good.

8. Walk with confidence

Hebrews 13:5 “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” God is always with you there is no need to be afraid.

9. Be Bold, Be confident and Stop doubting yourself

There will be moments that you may be unsure of yourself…

There will be trials, detours and even road blocks…

Keep going anyway! God will always make a way for you.

10. Live your truth with purpose, unapologetically.

Your soul is rooting for you and so am I 🙂

 

I pray this helps us both to break up with our comfort zone and experience more of the joys of life that exist outside our zone of familiarity.

Fitting my wings

I am giving you your confidence back!

What is it that you have been battling lately? What is that one thought that dominates your mind as soon as you awake from your slumber? The thought that plagues me is “When will I regain financial freedom?” It is on my mind if I wake up at 2 am or 11 am. I have prayed about it, cried about it and when it was possible I complete ignored the thought.

Although I would love to have this form of security, I know it is not needed to make me happy. I have found happiness in the promises of God. I have decided to be happy regardless so now when the thought creeps into my mind I whisper “Thank you God for already taking care of my finances”. I know that when the time is right God will replenish all that I have lost and that is where I find comfort.

Whatever it is that you have been struggling with I just wanted you to know that God created this need for a reason and this season will pass.  It will become easier as soon as we stop stressing over it and accept the peace that God is trying to give us. He has promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, it may hurt now but God has already prepared a way out for you.

I remember praying about issues that I was having and then I would sit in silence and try to figure out a solution for the same issue that I claimed to have given to God in faith. My new routine now after I have prayed in faith is to wait in faith for the answers to my prayers to manifest.

I know stepping outside your comfort zone has depleted you of your courage, your strength and self confidence. I know you have never trod these paths before. I know you may be unsure of  where to start or how. I know waiting on God and fully trusting him to take control of your life is not easy especially when you feel like he is not hearing or answering your prayers.

Whenever doubts or fear starts to creep in I hope you find comfort in Deutoronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Also remember:

Isaiah 43:18-19 “¹⁸Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. ¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Phil 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”

Dear God,

Thank you for your promises and for always being faithful. I am grateful that I can trust in you especially when fear tries to cripple my hope. Thank you for always providing a solution for whatever trials I may face. Help me to continue to trust your timing and to find comfort outside of my comfort zone. I pray that as I continue to develop my confidence that I never forget that you are in charge.

-Fitting my wings

Take Flight

I found myself being jealous of the birds and the bees… Sometimes even the butterflies

Mostly because they looked so free and happy doing what God intended with incomprehensible delight

Mostly because I knew deep in my heart that I too am destined for greatness but achieving it really felt like a fight

Mostly because I too wanted to soar above the clouds like the eagles with God as the wind beneath my wings but felt too weighed down to take flight

But now I know that there is no need to be jealous because it’s my time to be free and happy to do God’s bidding. He just had to prepare me to take flight and everything had to be just right!

-Shanae Reid

 

Your wings are ready and remember that they were made to withstand any storm.

I pray that through this transition that we never lose hope. I pray that we continue to trust God to perform miracles in our lives. I am so happy that I have surrendered to God because now I get to witness my cup overflow 🙂

Do you have any special poems or quotes that inspire you? If so, please share it in the comments.

 

Table for 1 please…

At the end of your journey through life, when you are sitting in the living room with your kids and grandkids (maybe even some great grandkids – God can do it!) what are some of the stories that you which to share with them? What are some of the secrets to life that you would like to pass on to them?

I have decided that one of the legacies I would like to leave with my world (my family, friends, loved ones and everyone that comes in contact with me) is one of love in all its dimensions. I want the love I show myself and others to reflect the love that God has for me.

When was the last time you did something just for you? When was the last time you stopped and showed yourself the love, kindness and gentleness you generously pour out to everyone else? When was the last time you did something different or even something new? When was the last time you did something to confront your fears and exercise your faith?

For 2018 and hopefully the rest of my life I am on a mission to set aside one day a week to just show myself some love whether it is just to breathe in silence or jet off to another country to experience their culture; my wish is to break up with my comfort zone and make peace with the path of the unknown. I hope to inspire others to trust themselves enough to do a new thing.

Since I’m at my happiest when food is around, I treated myself to a breakfast date at Cafe Dolce in Kingston. A breakfast date has been on my bucket list for the longest and I just had a hard time finding someone to go with so I decided despite the fact that I was a little nervous to go alone… hmm, why not take my self? *inserts light bulb emoji lol* The ambiance was exactly where I wanted to be and it paired perfectly with my order of EggNog French Toast and Spinach Omelette with a green drink. Everything was absolutely scrumptious and it was really affordable too. Cafe Dolce, thank you for helping me to treat myself 🙂

Give yourself permission to be happy regardless of all the chaos that exists in the world. You deserve some peace, you deserve the love you give everyone else, you deserve a soul that is on fire and you have to be the one to give it to yourself.

Similar to spending time with God and others to have a better relationship, we also need to set appointments to treat ourselves. It is imperative that you spend time with yourself and uncover the layers of yourself that you have no idea exists.

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”