Step Out

“I am participating in the writing contest:  You Deserve to be Inspired.  Hosted by Postive Writer.  I grew up the youngest of my siblings.  I have an older brother, and an older sister.  My mother was always very detached and unavailable.  My father was faith-filled, but more into the religious scope of things, than what I truly felt was the true nature of what heaven and Jesus are truly all about.  I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, and she was the one who would notice something, something that I would not even grasp about myself, until later on in life.  She told me point blank, “You are different.  Be careful about what you share with people, because they may not understand you.  But, realize that you have gifts.” She encouraged me, and truly saw me for who I was. 

I am not sure how it all began, but I have always had a heart for people.  I am usually the person that observes things that most others don’t see, or fail to recognize.  I have a huge heart for people, and usually see when I need to step up and say something, lend a hand, or just provide some encouragement in some way.  This is also what led me to write.  We do all have a voice in some way, and we truly need to use it. 

I am an avid believer that we were all created for a purpose. We all have unique qualities, unique gifts, and talents that make up our design. We will never truly know what they are, until we do what is deep inside of us-our passion. That longing that screams within us. 

Everyone that knows me, knows that I am full of faith. I have always lived by this! So, after years of feeling stagnant, and feeling that there was something more for me to do elsewhere, I decided to step out. I was always feeling a pull, that I had something else to do. That I needed to get up and move. I was working as a health care reviewer, making a very descent salary, but I knew it wasn’t the four so-called walls that I was supposed to be enclosed in.

My husband and I had visited an area in the south in the summer of 2011, and we had met so many amazing people. We visited only for a week, but in that week, it was filled with what I call “divine connections.” People you never dream of meeting. I have always had a heart for ministry and missions, and our whole trip pointed in that direction. In fact, on our way back, a woman on the plane that sat next to us in our three-isle seat, ended up talking to us for the whole 3 hour flight. Upon exited the plane, she followed me in the woman’s bathroom, and told me that she was going to place something in my pocket for my ministry and not to look at it until she left. Later, after she had left, I realized it was a $100 bill!

Fast forward to September of 2015, my husband and I decided to put our house on the market. It was a big choice for both of us. We were leaving all we knew. Our family, our childhood neighborhood, our livelihood-our comfort zone-to venture out into the unknown. The house sold in July of 2016. 

From the trip down to arriving, we have had such an array of experiences! Needless to say, we did not hand-pick a place to live before hand, as we wanted to scout the area. So, for six days, we were stuck in a hotel. I believe this was teaching us 1) just how serious we were about the move, and 2) trusting if we were going to preserve and believe!

By day seven, we found a temporary rental. A beautiful one right by the ocean. What we didn’t know when we moved was that the ocean was close, but it would not be a “regular” place for us to go to. When I say this, I say this because we had work to do. Never did we dream what kind we were up for either!

It took us a month and a half to establish our business with licensing and all of the requirements needed for it. We decided on an llc, and a name that many would undoubtedly know, we are followers of Christ. 

I can say that our business was booming when it started. We were favored among all of the competition. People loved our quality of work, and everyone wanted to use us. Then, at the beginning of the year, things slowed down. I didn’t quite understand it, but I just had to trust there was a reason for it. 

What I can say, is with any business, you will have to make your presence known, and preservere through many obstacles at times. There will always be competitors, but it is the person who stands strong in the end that matters. 

We have also had the time to venture out with new ideas. When you have down time, it gives you time to recharge and rethink through things. Sometimes, there is a completely different direction to take. Failure is never failure unless you quit! 

What I have learned is that the Lord had a plan. We live in an area where most people seem to have everything, but being rich, does not always mean you are not poor. There is such a lack of love in our area. Love for wealth, but not for what matters-people. We have been in homes where the husband and wives lead totally separate lives. But when we left, we didn’t leave them that way. No, we used the opportunity we had to bring “light” into their darkness. We have had strangers come up to us and share with us about trials that they are going through, and been able to talk with them for hours! We met a homeless women whom we helped, who now has 3 jobs! And our neighbor, whom we had been praying for, who has a little girl, who was arguing with her ex-husband, and having all night drinking parties-she is now back together with her husband, and no longer having those parties!   The list goes on! God had a plan, and He is faithful! All we needed to do was step out! It’s all about seeking and saving the lost. Being a light in the darkness.

The three positive things that I have learned are 1) To press on despite obstacles. 2) Never let fear get in the way of your dreams. And, 3) Find someone to reach out to and encourage in some way every day-there is always someone who needs love! 

Your Masterpiece

It’s hard to paint a picture in life,  if you lack the depth within
yourself,  to uncover the image you must project .  For, you must use the guidance of
vision, far beyond your eyes, allowing yourself to be uncovered,  opening up wide,  stretching  far to reach inside,  to uncover all that is seeping  inside.

If you are an artist,  so often times you have an edge.  Something that defines the work that you produce, something that reveals what’s inside of you.  For, if you
choose to be closed, escaping parts of your life-You’ll have
trouble producing the image that gives artwork its beauty, that gives artwork its breathtaking sight.  The artist must have the desire to be real, not
fake.  Nor, guarded by what others may think or say, about any of the
images they sketch, and put out in the open, for display.  Just like in
life we must be real and true, to all that we were created for.  For, everything we step out
and  reach out in our imagination, in our dreams,  to do.

For, if we hide  behind walls, or, agree with others to the point that they make
decisions for us that we should choose, or,  if we live a life of
pretend and don’t ever reach inside to produce what’s real-We will escape
this life, and, close the door, to what seals the deal on our true fate
meant for our life, we will close the door on what is real, and true!

Be challenged to speak out in a clear voice if you disagree!  If others compromise values that are richly imbedded in your  beliefs!  Be the one that stands up for others’
that have not yet found their inner strength. If you had a bad day don’t  just
play it safe by saying “Everything’s okay”, even though it may be what others” may like. For, if they are challenged by hearing this, it utters their true
desire, that they just don’t want to take the time away from their life .  They don’t want to take the time, out of their selfishness, to realize the importance that others’ bring, by being a”light” in their troublesome times.

Speak out in a clear voice!  Always be up-front and true!  Never comprise the values that are deeply imbedded, inside of you. Better for someone to reject you for who you really
are, than to please people, living your life for others’, letting your true purpose, be left ajar.

It’s true that there’s far more to discover on the inside, than the appearance, with which, you are viewed from, the outside.   But, each create a beauty, an image that you display-Be the masterpiece-the perfect work of art- that God sought you out to be each day!

Almost There

You’ve climbed the mountain, you’re almost to the top. As you move to 
reach even further, do you begin to question, that you may not be 
exactly where you pictured, that you may not be exactly where you 
want? Or, do you want to climb even further, yet, the obstacles seem 
to have become greater, and your strength is being tested in such a 
way, you feel as if you want to give up, possibly, even climb the 
opposite way?
For, you’ve been in the desert, you accomplished and conquered all 
that was there, that you needed to see. So, you made it thru the 
desert, then you were set free. You then got to a road, yet it had a 
fork, determining which direction that you would choose, determing the 
very course, to where your life would lead. You prayed hard, you 
prayed long, to decifer which road you should travel on. Though it may 
not have been easy, though there was struggles to get thru, you prayed 
and are 100% sure, you were on the right road. You are 100% sure you 
experienced, all that was there, that you were meant to see. For, you know and believe that you 
traveled that road, to the very best of your ability! You accomplished 
all the obstacles and challenges. You learned, from that experience, 
all that was there, that you were meant to see.
You’ve been tested, tried, tempted, hurt with lies. You’ve grown, 
you’ve strengthened, inside. You’ve relied on the One, the very One, 
who brought you thru, each and every time. You acknowledge His 
truths’, as the only real way to go, the only real way, to discover 
your purpose, your direction, in life.
So, here you are, climbing up the mountain, trying to make it to the top? You have overcome much, yet,  you are still, not exactly right where you want. You see a glimpse of 
what may be. You see a glimpse, of light, encompassing, the very place  
you are striving to get to, the very place you are meant to be. 
Yet, so much still needs to happen. Yet, so much still needs to be 
done, before you reach the top of the mountain. Before, you are 
encompassed completely in that light. Before, your victory is won, for 
all to see!
The events seem to be unfolding, one by one, leading you to the very 
answers to the questions, you have wanted to know for so long! Maybe, 
you’re scared, maybe, you are afraid. Maybe, the current events, are 
not exactly the way you expected them to be, maybe they are not your “ideal” way. Maybe,  there’s more struggles, maybe there’s more pain involved, until you 
get to that point of gain. Until you get to the very place, you’ve long 
desired to be! Well, they say that nothing good comes easy. Nothing 
worth fighting for, just appears in your lap, magically. Go for the 
prize, climb that mountain, until you get to the top. Take the risks 
necessary, having the faith, knowing and believing, you will get 
there. Don’t give up, don’t worry, don’t fear! Finish the course, run 
the race, climb that mountain until you reach the top. Don’t you dare 
stop! Your prize is there to be won! Don’t ever believe you were made 
for anything less-give it all you’ve got!!!!

What’s Behind the Door?

What’s behind the door? Are you anxious to see? Are you wanting the 
answers too quickly in life? Are you wanting something to progress, 
or, happen, that cannot yet be? Are you so caught up in the what-ifs, 
what’s next, or, even the maybe’s, that you are missing out, on what 
is now, in the present? The very things that you should see? Are you 
to busy looking ahead, to the future, that you are missing out, on 
where you are now, on vital things that are there, that you are to 
“wrapped up”; therefore, you are blind to see? For, you only have the 
“here and now”, to explore the very things that you can accomplish,  
the very things you wish to seek out to be.
It’s okay to be curious, about where your life may go, about, your 
life’s plan. However, it can become dangerous, if you don’t see the 
“right here”, the “right now”, and what is presently adherent, and, in 
need of your full attention, to comprehend! You see, life teaches us 
to hurry and rush, to be constantly looking ahead, and, never to slow 
down, lest you lose your place! But, what it doesn’t teach us, is that 
most times, when, we move this fast, we don’t see the importance and 
relevance of the very gifts and opportunities that are right in front 
of us, before it’s too late!
Life can be fast-paced, but not so much so, that we don’t take the 
time to seek out God, to see what He is wanting to say, to take the 
time to pray, and, to meditate on the very things that He may speaking 
out to say!
We must take the time to be able to slow down. We must take the time 
to smell the roses, appreciate the beauty, capture every little 
blessing, and be truly thankful for the people who Jesus choose for 
your life to surround! So, if you feel that your life is lacking moving 
up and moving ahead. That you lack the ups, that your abundance lyes 
more so, in being let down. That you feel as you cannot understand why 
you are going thru, what you are going thru, that your life is in a 
whirlwind, turning round and round. Maybe, you are just hoping and 
wishing, for your current set of circumstances, to turn around. Either 
way, whatever it is, know that God is there, He is ever-present in the 
ups, as much as in your times, of being let down. Know and trust that 
He is there in every step you take, each change, and each new course, 
or, direction that your life is mapped out to take. Let Him be your 
guide to the next step you must make in life, let Him be your guide, 
to the next door you should seek, to the next door you are to open, 
and proceed to go thru. For, only Jesus holds the keys, the answers to 
your life. Trust Him, trust His guidance, that He will give you all 
the answers that are needed, each and every day of your life. He will 
direct you in all the decisions you are to explore, in all the 
opportunities you must choose!
What’s behind the door, what’s your next step in life? The answers may 
not yet be there, the timing for you to uncover this, the timing for 
you to know, may not yet be right. Don’t get caught up in the worry, 
or, the anticipation of what is to come. Jesus is the Only One who 
holds all these answers, trust that whatever will be, will be. Have 
the faith, that His will in your life, will be accomplished, that He 
will bless your road ahead, that He will uncover all that you are 
desiring to see! That, with His guidance, the best is yet to come! For 
now, live for today, live with the assurance and the hope, that each 
day prepares the way, for what’s behind the door, each day prepares 
the way for and provides the very answers, to what your life is to 
become!

     

Dream

Did you ever have a dream, something inside your heart?  Something tugging at you so strongly, that, if it could have a voice, it would scream!  You can, in no way, deny it, you can, in no way, hide it, for the stirring of it alone, takes you mind off of everything!  For, you know this is your calling, but, how is it to be achieved?  For, that very question, remains to be seen!

Maybe, it started awhile ago, and, as time went on, it began to grow.  Then, the discernment came, and you somehow just had the ability to know!  Maybe, at that time, little clues began to surface, letting you know things were about to change?  For, maybe you heard that Voice speaking to you, saying, “Be obedient to what I am asking of you”.  “For, there are things that you must let go, in order for the very seed that I planted, inside of you, to grow”!  “For, do not question the things that you are not aware of, the things that do not yet make sense”.  “All you are required to do, is listen to Me, trust in Me, and, then the rest will unfold”!

Well, for me, I did not listen, but, eventually, I surrendered.  Jesus was the very One that took control!  For, I always knew that ministry was the very direction, in which, He was calling me to go.  He gave me the gift of my writing, in order, to let my voice unfold.  All along, He was calling me, but, my stubbornness was the hardest part to let go!

Now, as I feel that stirring continue to get, stronger and stronger, as I faithfully move towards the direction He wishes me to go-I am truly having to hold onto my faith, 100%, as I am walking with a blindfold!  The very words of Christ are what my heart holds!  Here I go!

“Do It Afraid”

“Do It Afraid”

Is there something that you’re fearful of?  Does this fear that you have, seem to block your life’s pathway?

Fear is a stumbling block to the potential that God designed for your life to display!  It’s created by the one who despises God, the very one who desires that you give up on God, on your beliefs that He can overcome any hinderance, any addiction, any vice, or, any battle that comes your way! 

For, fear leads to nothingness.  It only proves to bring its company of friends along-if you do not know who they are-they are worry, anxiety, depression, sadness, and the overcoming misery and dread, that add to accomplish making you feel that your self-worth, will never amount to succeed at the very dreams that your heart displays!  The very dreams that God gave you, to plant His seed of direction!  The dreams that add to the beauty of who He made you to be.  For, Jesus is the One who intricately molded you in His image.  He is the One, who sets you apart from the world!  The One who wants to take and heal you of the very things that are blocking your way!

So, what is it that you fear?  Is it that you will not be accepted for who you are?  Is it that you are afraid that you will never amount to anything, because of mistakes from you past that you continue to carry around?  Do you take ownership of them in the present, wearing them like scars?  Or, are you fearful to “Get out There”, fearful of taking risks, fearful of driving forward towards your dreams?  Are you always thinking and believing  that your dreams are unattainable, thinking they seem so far?  Thinking that, to obtain them, it would be so very hard? 

Wake up, sit up straight, get out there-risk making mistakes!  For, there should be one thing apparent-if you do not try, if you do not take a risk-that is the ultimate mistake!  Sure, you may fail, but, true failure is never giving anything your best try.  So, go for it!  What is really at stake?  If you don’t make it, let’s face it, we grow and obtain wisdom through our mistakes:)  But, should you succeed, you will be able to encourage others to get out there.  You will be an example to them, teaching them to never ever give up, to keep on going, no matter what it takes!!!

Most good things in life come from hard work, perseverance, and challenges that we must accept along the way.  We must be willing to “Step out of the Box”, we must be willing to broaden our thought process, trusting God’s direction, every step of the way.  We must let Him lead the way!  We must accept changes that happen during this process.  For, changes must occur in our lives, to strip us of things that no longer belong, things we must be willing to let go of, to clear God’s pathway!  Remember, He promises to give you more blessings, more than your mind has the capability to display!

So, what are you truly afraid of?  If you trust in your Father, if you believe that He created you for a purpose, take that fear/fears, hand them over to Him today!  Then, replace that open area in your mind, with an overflowing abundance of faith!  The faith that God will drive through anything that is holding you back.  The faith that God will make a way!  The faith that you are stronger than any wall, barrier, stronghold, or, any fear, if God is directing your course each day!

What are you waiting for?  Stand up straight-get out there-take risks-let Jesus be your guide!  He will never fail you!  He will bring you to the very dream in your heart.  For, it was He who planted that seed inside of you.  Don’t choose to let fear lock that seed inside!  It’s time to believe, it’s time to get out and live for the purpose for which you were made.  Trust and know that Jesus is right there waiting.  Trust and know that He is right by your side!

The time is now-to unlock the treasures inside of you-to unlock the gifts that you’ve been hiding-the time is now to set them out for display!  As you let your fears go and show the truth of who you are, watch as your life begins unfolding your many talents, the very ones that fear blocked, making them appear so far away!  Watch, as you finally begin to see things more clearly.  Watch as you obtain the direction of your course in life-once fear is stripped and, forever, thrown away!  Choose the life that God intended for you-“Do It Afraid”!

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Hanging On

It used to be that I could say, your love was more beautiful and life-giving, than the sun shining its magnificent rays, taking every cloud in the sky away. It used to be that I could say, that I’d choose to be wrapped in your arms, above anything else I could do in my day! But, then, all of a sudden, a storm came in, dropping an abundance of rain. I never believed that the hovering clouds had the power, nor, the ability, to steal you away. No, I believe it was your reaction to deal with those hardships, that you choose to let fear and stress, overtake the beauty that lies within you, to become your giant, above your faith!

For, there was a day, that I could say, that I’d never believe, nor, accept anything to have the capability to steal our love away! So precious, so innocent, so true. How is it that the storms of life can take every part of how I know you? I can only answer that by saying, that you allow them to! Maybe, you just don’t see, maybe you just don’t understand? I thought you would have realized, better yet, fought for our love, when you started feeling the slipping of my hands! Maybe, you will continue looking at everything that is going wrong, thinking your road is far worse, than everyone else just doing their best, to keep going, to keep continuing on!

Well, I must tell you that there are far worse roads to travel in life! There are far more hardships, struggles, dilemmas, even sicknesses that have no cure in sight! If you take what’s going on, choosing fear and stress to direct you, making them your god, then even the simplest, to most profound blessings in your life, will be unnoticed! So much so, that, by the time you look back in an effort to retrieve them-they will only prove to be like a faded memory-forever gone!

So, its really up to you-the way you handle your life is entirely up to you! You have one of two choices, will you embrace the many blessings around you, will you keep the faith, trusting Jesus to handle every storm, and retain all the special qualities that He chose for YOU? All, the many reason I fell in love with you? Or, will you continue to be sunk in to the dread and misery that has it’s power, only by you?

You see, Jesus is the way, He provides our light! He made you who you are! He guides every step that you take in your life! But, if you try to solve your own problems, if you rely solely on you to get through the many things that are not going right-You will be giving your power to our Fathers enemy-the one who destroys everything-the one who wants nothing better than for you to give up on your faith, to give up on the Only One who can make things better, far beyond, just alright! It’s up to you, that is, which one you choose to be the god of you! I am praying with all my heart, for you to choose the Way that your soul already knows to be true! I am praying that His light will take ahold of you! That you will run back, into His arms, and, never again, let anything take so much control over you. That you will, never again let your fears strip you of what you already know to be true! Take off the blindfold, walk into the arms of the One who choose you! Please, show me the man I fell in love with, the man who I know and belive with all my heart as real and true!

Come back to me, I’m waiting for you! My tears will map the direction of where it is you left me, not knowing what to do. You see, I cannot see you, I cannot watch you make gods of what you should know to be untrue! So, until you choose the One who is real, until you choose the One who holds all truth, I will be laying here, hoping for YOU!