Lesson Learned

This started as a Facebook update, but after conversations with my wonderful GODmother - an anointed woman of God who was placed in my life during some serious trials and tribulations and who has become a second mother to me over the years - and a very wonderful friend, my brain started ticking and I needed to get some thoughts out.

The wonderful thing is that neither one of these persons knew that I needed to talk to them, but for whatever reasons they decided to call at the time that they did and our conversations turned to the same topic. God is an awesome God and He does everything decently and in order!

This was told to me years ago by someone that has become a confidant, mentor & wonderful friend: The trials and tribulations that we endure are tests. If you find yourself experiencing the same trials / tribulations over and over again, then you're not passing the test. Look within yourself and at your circumstances. Ask for guidance and revelation as to what you need to change within yourself and what lesson(s) God is trying to get across to you. Once you learn from your experience (and stop making the same mistakes over and over and over again) you may find that those hindrances removed from your life.

James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Even though it is hard for some to grasp, God will put us through trials and tests. The purpose of these trials and tests are to bring us closer to God and to fully trust and depend on Him. God, also, uses tests to reveal to us ways that we need to grow and develop our spiritual walk.

If you continuously find yourself in a financial rut, perhaps it's because you are not tithing the way you are supposed to be or perhaps he is trying to show you that you need to become a better steward of your finances. He will open the doors for us, but it is up to us to walk through them. Perhaps he's brought someone into your life recently for the specific purpose of helping you through this test!

If you find yourself in bad relationship after bad relationship, perhaps He is telling you to focus on your relationship with Him and He'll handle the rest. Divas, we should NOT be looking for a man. The scripture says the HE that FINDETH a wife FINDETH a GOOD thing not she that findeth a husband. God is preparing your helpmate for you, in the meantime be patient and get yourself ready so you can be the virtuous woman who is a crown to her husband!

Wondering why God isn't blessing you with the house you want so badly? Ask yourself how well you are taking care of the apartment / house that you are currently renting.

We cannot expect God to give us an increase when we are unable to manage what we currently have! The God that I serve is an awesome God. He will provide all that I need and will not put more on me than I can bear. When I experience something that seems overwhelming, it is His way of showing me just how strong I am and what I can accomplish. Yes, there are times that I fall short, but I find comfort in knowing that: "It's only a test that [we're] going through, it won't last always. Trials come just to make [us] strong, without a little bit of rain, it Just won't grow. Be strong, keep the faith, don't give up, and Realize it's only a test [we're] going through."

Wake Up!

A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

What is it that you want to accomplish? Is it opening your own business? Going back to school? Changing careers? In order to realize your dream, you have to have a plan of action. How are you going to do it? When? Where? Why? Who will help? By starting with a plan of action, you are setting the foundation for your success.

"No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work." Anonymous

Divas With A Purpose

What is it that you stand for? When your name comes to mind, what do others think of? Is it something positive or negative? Is it what you'd want your legacy to be? Is it what you'd want your children to pass on to their children's children? If not, what are you doing to change that?

What is the point of going through life without a purpose? What are you doing to shape your destiny? What are you doing to create your legacy? Each generation to be a step ahead (or more) than the previous, what are you doing to make your strides? Are you preparing your children to take over your legacy or are you allowing them to make the same mistakes your grandparents, parents and yourself made?

In order to live a fulfilled life, you must have a purpose. You must have something that makes you get up each morning excited and ready to make a difference somehow someway. Your purpose should not be something that is selfish and just benefits you and yours. Your purpose should touch others and have a domino effect on those that they touch. It should metamorphisize into an even bigger purpose.