CHANGE HAPPENS

Change happens. It does not matter if you want it or not. It does not matter if you are ready for it or not. Change happens. Change is not necessarily a bad thing. People, jobs, and seasons change. Many positive things can happen as a result of change. I guess most of us at some time in our lives dread change. Change is not always welcome in our lives. I laugh to myself because I can think on many occasions when I absolutely hated change, but it worked in my favor.

No matter how you might feel about change, it is part of God's plan. I believe God allows change to take place in order to shake things up for us so to speak. We are made to use our faith at times of change because it can bring on feelings of uncertainty. Change also presents the opportunity for us to find out "what we are made of." It gives us the chance to get in touch with the potential we have inside. 

Change is inevitable so you should just embrace it when it happens. Do not fight against it, but instead, you should work with it. You must understand when God brings about change, there is a purpose for it. He wants to do a new thing in your life, so embrace change. Do not look at change with negative eyes, but remain hopeful knowing God has a blessing waiting for you in the midst of your change.

Be blessed.

JUST SAY NO TO SHORTCUTS

I'm the first to admit I'm one of those people who like to go from A straight to Z. I’ll get an idea and instantly picture the end. I'm learning letters B-Y exist and these are steps I can’t skip. I mean, who really wants to get an idea and then wait days, weeks, months, or oh my goodness, years, for it to develop into what you envision? No one wants to wait, right?

I've waited years for marriage, motherhood, to discover my calling, among other things. I could go on and on but I don't want to give you a false impression of my life. I don't want you to think God hasn't answered any of my prayers or that I’m not blessed of Him. I truly have been blessed by my Father. He has blessed me and continues to bless me. I don't doubt His love or the promises He made to me. I only mention these things because I want you to know I've chosen to just say no to shortcuts.

I could be married right now, but he wouldn't be God's best for me. I could be a mother right now. I could skip the wait for a husband or choose another method the world offers, but I'll wait on God's timing. Basically, I could take shortcuts to getting the things I want. Shortcuts cross my mind, but the potential mess I could make by doing so keeps me from taking them. But what really makes me avoid shortcuts is something God spoke to me some time ago. He chose to speak to me in such a way I’ll never forget. How God spoke isn’t the point, but what He said is the point I want to make to you. He said although my journey is long and sometimes feels like I’ll never get to where I want to be, once I reach my destination I’ll be glad that I didn't take shortcuts. Why would I want to take shortcuts after receiving that news? That’s good news from the most trusted Source!

In order to avoid some unnecessary drama, problems, messes, etc., as a result of taking shortcuts, maybe you should opt to just say no to shortcuts. In the end, you will be happy that you didn’t take them.

Be blessed.

WOULD YOU LIKE IT RARE, MEDIUM, OR WELL DONE?

It's funny how we pray to the Lord and say we trust Him to answer our prayers. When the answers to our prayers don't come quickly, we get antsy, frustrated, impatient, and start planning to answer them on our own. These reactions are definitely not signs of trusting God. When it comes to an answered prayer or receiving a blessing, would you like it rare, medium, or well done? No matter how impatient I get at times, when it comes to waiting on an answer to my prayers, I would like to have it how I like my steaks.... well done!

It's easy to think negative thoughts when it comes to waiting on God to do something for us. Some might think He is punishing them or He is cruel, while others think God is denying them. God is not cruel. Let's first address this idea that some may have simply because they are in a waiting season. The Lord is preparing great things for you. God can work as quickly as He wants or He can take as much time as necessary to answer our prayers. Some answers take great preparation. In fact, if we are honest, we’re not always ready for the things we ask of Him.

Let’s just pretend for a moment. What if the Lord answered your prayers before you were ready to receive? Can you imagine what messes would result from a rare or medium blessing? Well, can we even call something like that a blessing? I'm just saying. Waiting isn't easy. I never said it was, nor will I ever say it is easy. Trust me. I know a lot about waiting on the desires of the heart to come to pass. Just as much as I know how uncomfortable waiting can be, I know how great well done blessings can be.

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25 NKJV

Be blessed.