Sometimes in life, we go through so much that we would rather not deal with anybody. If that is you, you are not alone. I will be the first to tell you that sometimes I just don't want to be bothered. Many times this part of my personality has caused me so much heartache. You see when people don't really know who you are or fully understand your personality, they tend to characterize you with anything negative that comes to their minds. If you don't know by now, I am 100% introvert and 0% bougie. What does that mean? It simply means I get my energy from me. Being around people for too long simply drains my energy. It sucks the life right out of my body and I have step back to rejuvenate. The bad thing is people have taken this and made something out of nothing. But, the good thing for them is that I know when to hold and when to fold. In other words, when I begin to feel depleted I retreat to my place of peace to jump start my energy to be able to move forward Honestly, I make no apologies for who I am. The lessons I have learned didn't come easy. They came with lots of bumps, bruises, cuts, and scars. Memorable moments that will last a lifetime. Some of which I pray have encouraged you. Whatever you do, be true to you. I know longer feel it is necessary to alter who I am just to please you. You see, at the end of the day, you are all you have. Hear me when I tell you. The very people who you think will have you, only have you for a little while. The very moment you don't conform to their idea of who you should be and what you should be doing, they will vanish like a ghost; and reappear like the devil. Don't let another woman degrade you; and don't let a man demean you. So what they call you mean. So what they call you bougie. You be to them whatever they want you to be, but you be to you what God made you to be. Psalm 139:14 tells us, "..... fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." For those of you who faithfully follow, thank you. Yes, I stepped away for a few days not because I wanted to but, because I needed to. The number one goal for this project is to uplift and encourage you. However, there are times when I need to be encouraged myself; and it is during those times I have to step away and seek the Lord for my own sanity and salvation. Sharing my experiences with each of you is my way of releasing the stresses and frustrations of the day. It is also to help you understand that all of us have issues. We all have something we are dealing with. Whether its a new issue or one that has been lingering for a while, we have something. I want to encourage you today. Even though you may have an issue, your issue does not have you. Jeremiah 1:5 lets us know, even before the day you were born, God knew this very moment was going to happen in your life. "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." I know many of you can relate to always investing in people or things and feeling like you are not getting any return on your investment. Well honey let me tell you, you are not alone. I have had this thorn in my side for quite some time. It wasn't until most recently I realized its not going away. Therefore, I have to find a way to get through what the enemy is trying to do to me. You know what's funny though. He's running the same play just using a different player. This tells you how smart he really is. Don't you think if I ran a play that caused me to walk away in shame one time, I wouldn't run that same play again; and definitely not on the same person. What the enemy doesn't know is the victory is not in the players, its in the play. I hear someone asking what does that mean? It simply means, when he played you once, he was exposed. Every card he had in his hand was laid out on the table. So now you know exactly how he's going to come at you again. Little did he know that as you were crying, God was preparing. Every tear you cried, not only did God wipe (Revelation 21:4, " And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.) them away, he stored (Psalm 56:8-9, " Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.) them up for days such as today. It's natural for us to be confused. Especially when the things you are dealing with come out of nowhere. Just remember while it may have startled you, it won't stop you. God has already made provisions for this very moment. Trust in him and don't ever doubt. No matter what it looks or feels like right now, I know that God is a promise keeper; and although I am special to him, one thing I know for sure. If he did it for me, he'll do it for you. So, thank you again for always checking in even though sometimes I don't have much to say. The mere fact that something I have said has you coming back is the very reason, I continue to push forward. Yes, I am human and yes, my life is a trip sometimes too. But one thing I know for sure is the God I serve has never left me. He has always been right by my side. As you continue on your journey and reach the points where you have to encourage yourself. It really is one of the best moments you can experience. Why? Because you finally get to invest in you; and when you invest in you, the return will be far greater than you imagine. How do I know? Because God's word tells me so. Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." |
In Memory of: Charles T. Wilcox
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