Do you even know my name?

My husband and I have family memberships at two gyms.  Gym A is a little more expensive, but my husband likes the fact that it's never really crowded and he can get a little more attention than he can at gym B.  I personally like gym B because while I'm doing zumba, the boys can go to the courts and play basketball.  You would think with two memberships, that I would be "twiggy" right now. (Don't judge me, just pray for your girl!)

I hadn't been going to gym A with my husband as I had been developing my own workout routine, so I didn't know that the lady who cleans the lady's locker room had been ill.  One day Byron came home and mentioned that he hadn't seen the little African American lady who always asked about me and talked to me, whether I was on the elliptical or in the locker room.  When he went back another day, he asked about her and the staff told him that she had been moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center.  That day we decided that we would find her and go visit.  She wasn't a church member, but we had come in contact with her so many times that we felt like we really knew her and thought a surprise visit would cheer her up.  Needless to say, we got busy with life and didn't pursue it anymore.  (Remember I don't frequent gym A regularly, because I'm usually at the gym B or running outside. Out of sight, out of mind.)

Yesterday, I decided to visit gym A and get in a good workout.  As I was leaving, I asked one of the manager's in the office about the cleaning lady.  The bad thing was that I didn't even know her name.  When I began to describe who I was talking about, she immediately said her name allowed... Barbara.  She told me that she'd heard that she had been released from the rehab center and was now at home, however she had no new information about her condition.  Feeling really badly that I had missed an opportunity to visit her in the rehab center, I mentioned that I would like to send her a card.  I asked her if there was I way that I could get a message to her, knowing that they probably couldn't give me her personal information.  I just figured that if I brought something back to the gym that at least the staff could get something to Barbara or her family. Well wasn't I shocked when the lady said, "I don't know her last name".  Huh???!!!

This woman has worked here for at least 5 years, if not longer, and the staff doesn't even know her last name!!!!  She mentioned that she was hired by another department, so technically they had no background information on her. My heart sank!

Not only did I talk to this woman on the regular and didn't know that Barbara was her first name, but the very people who worked with her Monday - Friday for the last 5-10 years didn't know her last name or anything else about her.  It got me thinking about people, in general,  and how it might feel to be invisible.  I'm all about connecting with individuals, but I realized that I had missed a chance to truly connect with Barbara.

How many times do you see the same person day in and day out, yet you don't know their name or anything else about them?  This is especially true for individuals who provide a service: the janitor, the mailman, the nail tech, the receptionist, the bus driver, the IT person who recovered your missing documents or the store clerk where you get coffee everyday.  Honestly, I don't think any of us start the day planning to ignore other individuals who might not look like us, be in the same profession or social status.  But we do it anyway!

If it weren't for the mail carrier, you would not receive the mail.
If it weren't for the janitor, that office bathroom would be atrocious. (You remember what is was like when your nasty coworker left the bathroom this morning.  Yucky!)
If it weren't for the nail tech, everyone would see how jacked up your nail beds truly are.
If it weren't for the bus driver, you'd have to find another means to get to work on time.
If it weren't for the IT person, your job cold have been in jeopardy due to missing files.
If it weren't for the receptionist, you would  have been denied access and would still be sitting in the waiting room.

What am I trying to say???

It might take a little time on your part, but it's so important to make a daily connection with someone.  It doesn't matter if they are of a different race or social class!  It is so important to not allow life to pass you by just because you simply passed others by without saying a word.
I'm reminded of a song that I learned, as a I child,  in Sunday school.

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world

Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in is sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world"

Simply put, everyone is worthy to be recognized and loved.  My challenge for you today, is to make an effort to get to know that one person whom you pass by everyday.  Find out their name.  Ask "how are you doing today?" and actually wait for the reply. Try to make a meaningful connection.  Why? It is imperative for us all to stop, appreciate the moment and recognize the individuals whom God has placed along our journey.  You don't know what a simple smile or acknowledgement can do for that individual.

Now walk it out................and connect with someone today!

DON'T TRUST THE BACK UP PLAN!

     Have you ever decided that you were going to wait on God?  You stepped out on faith.  You made a move that others thought you were crazy for doing.  You told God that you would trust him, no matter what.  You prayed and fasted and told God, "yes this is it....I'm going all the way with you". You shared your decision with others and they said, "Hmmm, I don't know if I could do that...that takes a lot of faith". In some way, you probably felt good and maybe a little self righteous when others were impressed with your decision.  Somewhere in the back of your mind you're probably thinking, "See God, look at my faith.  Look how I'm stepping out on faith.  If they are impressed, then surely you are too and you're going to bless me". (Oh don't be so self-righteous...you know you actually thought that.  It just feels bad to actually admit it. That was just your flesh talking over your spirit.  It's called being human.)

The dilemma is that you say that you are trusting God for direction, yet in the back of your mind, you've already created a back up scheme.  It's a kind of "God, let me help YOU out plan.  Just in case you don't answer in a timely manner, I've got a back up, so no worries God".

What in the world??!

• Just in case you don't bless me with a job before rent is due....I've got a way to circumvent that and make some extra money.
• Just in case you don't bless me with a spouse by this time next month...I've got a "side piece" that I can always rely on.
• Just in case this pain persists and you don't heal me, I've got a hook up (my own pharmacist) so I can relieve the pain temporarily until they find a cure.

The point is, if you told God that you were going to trust Him and wait on Him, then the blessing comes when you do just that.  If you can figure it out all by yourself, do you really need Him? Sometimes God wants you to come to the end of YOU, so that He can kick in. ("My strength is made perfect in my weakness, II Corinthians 12:9.)  I'm not saying to just sit there on your rusty dusty and do nothing...

•  You can pray, job search and maybe get more training/ education... asking the Lord to send you where you need to be and where He will get the glory.  
• You can fast and pray, fix your credit and adjust your attitude so that when God does send that "special one", YOU will be a healthy partner in the relationship.
• You can pray for God's healing power, as you are searching out the right doctor or clinic to address your particular health needs.

Trusting God is not about inaction and playing the waiting game for God.  Trusting God with your life and your decisions is about praying, getting closer to God, building that relationship and spiritual prayer muscle and increasing your faith so when the opportunity, job, relationship or healing comes, you'll be ready to move to that next dimension.  And everyone will know that it was NOBODY BUT GOD!

So if you say that you trust God, stop worrying about the situation.  Seek God's face for direction and be open to Him working on you as He prepares YOU to walk into your blessing.  You might have great ideas, but if your back up plan is dependent on you and not on God, then you'll continue making the same mistakes. So my simple word for you today is...DON'T TRUST THE BACK UP PLAN.....trust God's plan.

Now walk it out...

Time to stop playing the victim role! Be careful what you say!

So many times we hear statements like this:

1. The enemy is on my track. 
2. The man is trying to keep me down.
3. The devil keeps messing with me.
4. Bad things always happen to me.
5. I can't seem to get anything right.
6. The devil made me do it.
7. I'm never going to get out of this.

We wallow in these statements and then wonder "why bad things keep happening?". Why is my life going in this direction? What did I do wrong to deserve this?  The funny thing is, as long as you keep thinking and speaking negatively, you will attract exactly what you're thinking and speaking.  The New Thought law of attraction says that "like attracts like".  But I'm also reminded of the scriptures that advises us to think on positive things.

Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 
When we begin to focus on these things, we leave less room for negative thoughts.


Romans 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...
We've got to be sure to not conform our thinking to just what we see in front of us.  Your life begins to change when you start looking at it differently.

Let's try it....
My current situation: I am currently out of work.
My position: God I thank you for this time to reorganize and refocus my life. Time to spend with my family and loved ones. Time to plan out my next move.

My current situation: I have an illness.
My position: God I thank you for your healing power.  Even if you choose not to heal me right now, I know that you're able.  Thank you for giving me this time to get closer to you and find my purpose. Thank you that through my story, I might be leading others to know you.

My current situation: My friend turned his/her back on me.
My position: This stinks and hurts! But I know that you know what's best for me and if I really sat down and thought about, I'm probably a better ME without him/her.

My current situation: There seems to be an attack on my character and someone keeps trying to sabotage what I'm doing.

My position: God I thank you that my life gives you glory, so much so, that it infuriates the enemy.  So I recognize that he will send every obstacle, every nasty word, every form of harassment to get me off of my course. I call out Luke 10:19 which says “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” So I can be confident as I live my purpose, because I know that I have authority over the enemy.  The attacks might come, but they can't take me under.

You must practice your position.  Romans 4:17b says, "call those things which are not, as though they were".  What does that mean?  It means "say it, before you see it".  Start trusting God for the answer, even when you don't see an answer anywhere in sight. It's about believing that God wants the best for you and as you align yourself to His will, He will begin to unfold His plan for you.  It's a daily walk and a takes a daily determination. But the more you practice FAITH, the easier it becomes to live by FAITH.

Seriously...it's time to stop with the self-sabotage!  You are so powerful.  You are chosen.  Your life is designed to give God glory.  You are His handy workmanship. You are His delicate and intricate creation. You are beloved. And yes, you CAN be used by God!  

Now believe it, speak it, drink it, wallow in it, trust it and walk it out.......... 

 

YOUR gift will make room for you!

Almost every other month, I get caught in the trap of comparing myself to others.  Incredible!  I should be doing this or that!  I should have a "thing"!  I should be much farther along than where I am right now.  I told my husband that I felt like I was living in limbo.... just waiting on God's direction before I make the next move.
He very simply said, "Sharri, like you always say...live in the moment...let's just get through Friday".  I chuckled because I quickly realized that he actually listens to what I say. Woohoo!

I know at some point you've probably done the same thing!  Have you ever wished that you could be more advanced in your career or business?  Have you ever wanted more money or more recognition?  Have you ever looked at someone else's life and thought you needed to be where they were? If so, first recognize that those thoughts only make you human. Secondly, you need to get over yourself, because it is a waste of time!  (Sorry, there was no easy way to say that.)

As he and I continued to talk, I realized that I was trying to come up with things that could help me make more money, rather than focus on the things that really make me happy.  My head was in a fog because I had been going about things the wrong way.  I honestly just want to serve and bless others through my words, smiles, hugs, laughter and encouragement. This blog is my way of helping others while at the same time, staying in touch with my soul.  Encouraging you, encourages me.  Helping you envision your life in a different way, helps me to tap into my own truth.  I'm happy when I am totally present and observant of God working all around me.   It's not about me at all!


I prompt you to listen to your inner voice and do that thing that makes you happy, while drawing you closer to God.  Last year, my book was accidentally birthed out of this blog.  I didn't ask for it.  I wasn't looking for money.  I wasn't looking for recognition.  I simply obeyed God by writing about my family and he connected me with someone who recognized something in me that I hadn't yet recognized in myself.  My passion for my family was my big "pay day" and it continues to be so.  I am rich because I love to look at them, laugh with them, cry with them, pray with them, play golf with them and just be totally present with them.  And I, in turn, love to share that with you.

So find your thing!  That thing that fuels you and frees you to be your authentic self.  And when you give yourself, unrestricted to God, he will bless you and your gifts will make room for you.  So I am going to follow my own advice and totally live in the present, as I patiently await God to orchestrate my future.  It may not make you money immediately, but I promise that it will bring so much joy. Try it!

Now walk it out...

Can God trust you with tragedy?

My heart was saddened this week to hear that two of my friends, from back home, lost their teenage son.  After struggling with a serious health condition, he made his final transition to glory.  There are no words, no scriptures, no songs, no STUFF that can fill that void or heal that hurt right now.  It's an open wound that only God can heal with time.  As people of God though, we can pray for their strength and ask God to send His arms of comfort to console them and the entire family.

I'm reminded, as a teenager, speaking at the funeral on behalf of the youth department at the Mt. Airy COGIC.  Our friend, Micah, was killed in a car accident and I believe this was the first time in our young lives that we had faced a tragedy such as this.  I don't remember what I said specifically, but I can vividly remember Bishop Morris giving the eulogy.  He sat on the steps of the pulpit, looking at Sis. Perkins, who had already suffered a great loss and said, "God trusts you".  I didn't know what that truly meant at the time, but as I grew and matured, I definitely understood the sentiment and have shared it with others. 

There are times in our lives where tragedy strikes and we are looking at God saying "forreal God?"  Don't you know that I love you and I talk about how awesome you are?  I go to church and pray.  I help others and am selfless with my time.  Many times I sacrifice my family to be a blessing to someone else who needs me.  I sing in the choir.  I tithe.  I usher.  I don't cheat on my taxes.  If the cashier gives me too much change, I go back in the store and give the money back. (Okay, sorry was that a stretch for you?)

Whatever it is, oftimes we look at God and think how could you allow this to happen to me?  Although Mommy has been gone for 2 years, if you talk to Daddy long enough about her, he still  might say, "I just knew that God was going to heal her.  After all the things she had done in the church and how she lived her life.  She was a good woman who loved God and I just knew He would heal her, since he had done it so many times before".  Sometimes my heart still breaks a little when I hear him say this.  In situations like this, I'm reminded of Job's story.  Satan went to God and asked permission to shake things up in Job's life.  Guess what y'all?  God actually give his permission, but said that his soul was 'hands-off'.  After taking his money, his children, his wife, his friends, his livelihood and even attacking his body Job was restored.  That's not the shout of the story though.  The shout is in the 1st chapter of Job when God and Satan are having the initial conversation and God asked, "have you considered my servant Job?"  This is a clear indication that God trusted Job with tragedy.  God knew that as long as the enemy didn't kill him, there was still time and opportunity for Job to suffer loss and still be restored back to God.

When I look back at my mother's funeral, it was packed and people spoke so highly of her.  But what I remember most is the praise party that ensued right there during the Homegoing service.  The playing of the tambourine (that was me), singing, worshiping, dancing and a hallelujah good time.  Somebody needed to see how God can meet you in your grief and God can still be praised in the midst of a painful situation.  God got all the glory on that day!

Can God get the glory out of your life?
Can God trust you with tragedy?

Recognize that your idea of tragedy may be totally different from someone else, so please believe that I am not trying to compare tragic situations.
Maybe your tragedy is health. Can God trust that you will proclaim that He's a healer even if he chooses not to heal you at this time?
Maybe your tragedy is financial.  Can God trust that you will still worship Him in your giving, even when your month outlasts your money?
Maybe your tragedy is the enemy's attack of your children.  Can God trust that you will pray circles around them and speak life into them, even if they are on 'lockdown'?
Maybe your tragedy is a cheating spouse. Can God trust that you will pray for restoration and healing in your marriage and that you will uplift that spouse in prayer, without tearing him/her down?

Regardless of your situation and the tragedy, God still LOVES YOU and intends to do you no harm.  Maybe He is allowing those things to come to you so that He can get the glory out of your life.  It might be ugly, might be painful, might make you mad from time to time, might make you cry....but God can still get the glory!!! I invite you to trust Him and praise your way through every situation.  Though it may look horrible right now, God can turn things around for you!

My goal is not to sugar-coat what we go through on a day-to-day basis, but I am determined to make you aware that life may make a sincere blow and almost knock you over.  However, if you can recognize that you are still here because of His grace and not fall into the mind games and traps that the enemy uses to keep you down......you become an Ambassador for Christ.

Recognize that your life might look the way that it does because God knows that He can trust you with tragedy.  Just as God restored Job..... he can restore your faith, your finance, your family, your health, your emotions.  What you have gone through has not been in vain!.....It's just that God can clearly trust you.

Now walk it out..............

God's got you harnessed!

I just have to share this story of Fear and Faith.

History...  In March, I received confirmation that it was alright to leave my present job.  My job had been a blessing for several years.  I was able to work, teach and be available whenever my children needed me at school or to go on field trips.  There were times that I didn't have to work on Monday's, which meant that Byron and I had Monday's to decompress from Sunday's work. (Monday is a preacher's day off.)  Most Friday's I wasn't in the office either, so some people would look from the outside and say "that's the job I want".  For almost 2 years though, I've been feeling like there was something more for me to do.  I knew that this particular job was not the end, because I have so many other gifts and talents that were being underutilized.  So in March, I submitted my letter of resignation and this is my last week in the office. Easy right?  Not so much.

Once I submitted my letter, my spirits lifted immediately!  I was happy for my decision, as I decided to trust God.  I honestly believe that God was just waiting for me to close one chapter, so that I'd be available to walk through the next door that He has for me.  Periodically though, doubt crept into my mind and I questioned my decision.  It's funny because I'm still employed but the biggest question has been about money.  How long can I go without a job?  How much can we actually live on?  And every time God would reassure me and let me know that He had me.

Fast forward....
Yesterday was Courtland's birthday and we decided to get him a phone.  We had been talking about this forever, so Byron and I decided to get it and allow him to use it within certain parameters.  We walked into the AT&T store, picked out the phone and the case and was just waiting for the young lady to open another line on my account.  Tiny glitch!  Please tell my why on earth we had 2 different accounts in my name?  There was some past due bill from 2011, which prevented them from extending another line on the current account.  "Where are the cameras because I'm obviously being punked ?", is what was running through my mind.  This is 2015 and we've upgraded phones and opened a line for Chandler in the past, so I had no clue where this was coming from.  After talking to customer service on the phone, I learned that I had to pay almost $500 before my baby could get his new phone. (She said that somehow I had slipped through the cracks all of these years.)  I assured Courtland that he would still get it, it was just going to take a few days to clear this up.  He was cool with it, but I felt sooooo bad!  I felt inadequate and just wanted to go home and lie down.  Well don't you know that the devil started messing with my mind.
"If you are presently working and can't afford to pay this bill outright, what are you going to do after this week?"
"See, you shouldn't have given the notice on the job."
"What kind of parent breaks their child's heart like this, on his birthday no less?"

I almost cried, but I didn't!  We went back home and waited until the evening to go celebrate Courtland's birthday.  We decided to visit a family fun place, called Main Event, which has laser tag, rock climbing, billiards, video games and bowling....all under one roof.  I had never done laser tag before, but the boys and I suited up and off we went.  We were the only people who participated in our round since it was after 9 pm on a Tuesday night.  The boys gave me a quick lesson and we were off.  From one corner to the next, we sought each other out ready to shoot our opponent. They tagged me a few times, while I was still learning.  At first, I was afraid to get tagged so I would cower in the corner and wait until one of them walked up on me.  After a while though, I realized that I was doing more sitting than shooting and I decided to take action.  Rather than just sit and wait, I decided to move into action.  I began seeking them out and when I saw them I'd run towards them shooting until I had them tagged.  Chandler said that I was playing incorrectly because you're not supposed to run towards each other. of course, I put a different spin on it.

This was my first lesson of the night...
So many times we sit and just wait for the enemy to come, find us and shoot us down.  Cowering in fear, we wait for the next attack, hoping that it doesn't immobilize us.  I believe that we're most effective though when we gain enough strength in our prayer life and counter the attack.  Rather than hope that our families won't be attacked, why not pray a blessing over them.  Instead of hoping that we will have enough money, why don't we pay our tithes and believe that God will bless our faithfulness and meet our needs.  Don't just sit there in fear, act out of Faith!

The second and most profound lesson for me was in the gravity ropes event.  This is an activity where you walk on swaying bridge, balance on narrow planks or walk a tight rope; all while being suspended high above the busy game room.  Each of us had to put on a climbing harness and then we were anchored into the supportive rope which was locked into the top of the suspended obstacle course.  It looked harmless until I was suspended in air and had to take the first step off of the platform.  I was scared out of my mind!!!!!! At one point, I was immobilized by fear, while all of the other participants moved around me from one platform to the next.    I honestly thought about turning around and  going back to the bottom and just wait for our 12 minutes to be up, but I knew my kids were watching me and I didn't want to give up.
After a short while, I began quoting scripture, " I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me".  I also heard myself chanting, "overcome your fear, overcome your fear, overcome your fear". With every step on the rope or plank, "overcome your fear".  Next step, "You can do this!"  My journey was blanketed by prayer and positive affirmations.  I was actually encourageing my self through this.  And then it hit me....
The entire time my harness was fastened into the anchoring rope.  Even if my foot had slipped, I couldn't fall because I was harnessed and anchored.    All I had to do was keep moving and trust in the apparatus that was holding me.  As soon as our time was up and we went back down to the bottom, God released this into my spirit...."Girl, I've got you harnessed in".

So as I prepare to leave this job and walk into the unknown, I must believe that God has me harnesses in and anchored.  I can't allow my fear to immobilize me or make me doubt myself and turn around.  I've got to keep moving forward.  Yes it may be frightening, but keep on moving.  The beams might sway under my feet, but I must be confident that my climbing apparatus (prayer) is going to work.  Even as I look at my starting point and can't quite figure out how I can make it to the next platform, God wants me to TRUST THE PROCESS.   If I rest in God enough, I will soon realize that I am not in any imminent danger on the course, the real danger is in my mind.  If I allow my fear to overtake my faith, then it's over.  But if I can stop long enough, regain my composure, keep moving,  trust God's harness and anchoring rope, I will make it to the end and EVERYTHING will be alright.

When I got back to the beginning platform, I realized that...
I had been sweating profusely, but I made it!
My knees were shaking, but I stayed the course and finished the course.
My heart was still pounding, but it was over.
My faith had been strengthened and I'd actually like to go back and do it again with a little more confidence.  (There were some parts that I never reached because I took so long on the beginning ropes.)

So let me encourage you.....
As you go through your daily walk, be sure not to allow your circumstances and fear to immobilize you.  You must pray up, trust the process and step out on faith.  Once you make the first move, you can rest assured that you are harnessed in and fastened onto the anchoring rope.

Now suit up and walk it out....