Let My Heart Be Present

  It is early morning and before we know our minds start rattling questions like a  ping ball machine. There are so many questions and perhaps  directions we are trying to figure out. And yet our day hasn't  even begun and if  we think we have solved every thought in our head , it seems like another one is coming our way just as we lay down our heads.

 Sound Familiar ? I don't know about you but this is something I have to push through on a daily bases ; especially because I have the personality to get where my mind is headed. And when I'm in that mind frame, I am ready to dominate!

However, I have learned lately this summer that if I will give my mind and heart that opportunity to rest, I will experience life a little more freely. It's funny how much we can create stress for ourselves isn't it? I had a high school teacher who said that we created our own stress. And perhaps that much could be true; especially if we are one to always have structure. By no means is there any thing wrong with structure. Trust me ! We need structure but we must also be flexible ! 

And being flexible could save us all from less frustration possibly. I am sure that nothing I have said is foreign to you but I hope in some light this may encourage us both to just do what we can for the one day and then take on the next day in whatever case it looks like.

So, with this little note in mind, I would love to leave you with some verses that have spoken to my heart:

Psalm 31: 14-15

 But I trust in you Lord; I say, " You are God" My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me"

Psalm 33:20

We wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help & shield

Psalm 104:19

He made the moon to mark  thee seasons  and the sun knows when to go down

Psalm 104:27-28

All creatures look to you  to give them their food at proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up. When you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things

 In whatever your case may be I hope today you'll find a moment of just simple encouragement and to know it's good to let your heart be !

Generational Wisdom

 It has been a few days since I've been able to sit down and right but today I would like to introduce my readers to a man that is very dear to my heart. He is my grandpa and he's more than grandpa to me. My grandpa has been with me from the time I entered the world to know.  In fact , it's almost like my grandpa plays two roles because my parents separated when I was a little girl. My grandpa has taught me a lot through out this season and beyond. He's a man that knows how to enjoy life.
    He doesn't rush life at all. In fact one thing he constantly tells me is , " Don't get in a hurry." I think we could all take note on that in this busy world that we live in. However, one thing I'll always remember are the word's he's spoken to me a while back:

" Work was here  when we got here and will be here after leave."

Such a simple statement but such truth.  Also my grandpa has shown me is better to be slow to anger  when choosing your battles. It doesn't do any good to be frustrated over  yesterdays' problems. Such simple notes if only will apply them. I know many of you don't know this man. He's not famous or any thing but  it's the sometimes when we meet the ordinary that we find the extraordinary. May we find that today upon each face. And may we remember to be the audience and not just the story teller. There is a lot of wisdom to soak up around us.

Happy Mother's Day

As I take in my surroundings. I realize I am only but 24 and God's already given me some of my desires.  I may not be married to any one on earth but I am  married to the Great I Am. And I don't have to wait to be a mother.  The children God puts in  my life are not my biological children but I have many scattered from camp to  cities of NYC. This prob sounds strange to some but I love the fact God let's me use my god given desires to love on children without any attachment. To me, these children are a part of me. And it is my joy to love on the children who may not know what love is. I think so often of my weeks at camp. I get  to take these children in for a week and  even during my week  last summer at Iglesia Baptista  I get to call these children my children for a week.

This perhaps sounds strange but when you get to be apart of the Bride of Christ, there are words that can't be explained! There are moments I long  for my desires to be answered but it's when I stop to look I can say God's been meeting them and will continue! It is a daily choice rather or not I choose to embrace these moments just as any. I've also had the joy in this season to love on some youth. And for what little time I get I count myself blessed! This doesn't mean that my life always makes sense but I learn to accept the good that the Father has in store for me and will continue ! I also get to be a sister! The Father allows me to have many roles and I am honored to play! I don't always  claim  them  but  when I stop to look I realize  God has been walking with me all along! It is a daily task to  embrace but  I am glad  my heart doesn't have to wait to live! I get to live now! So, to the children the Father's  put in my path I say I love you and to the children God has let me yet to meet, I expect our journey will be even greater!

To The Transitioners

 I'm not sure where to begin because it seems like life has been transitioning so fast after college.  It seems like once I exited the portals of college into a new chapter that life just flashed before my eyes. (LoL)  This season has brought many mixed emotions but the Father has been teaching me that how I spend my time shows how I value life. I have to say just from being a previous graduate in December that I really struggled. I was ready for the break because I felt burn out but I wasn't ready to say good bye.
 And so I think if I could pass on wisdom about transitions this is what I would say :

•  Be present to every emotion
•   Trust that the " Yes " is greater, even when you can't see the unknown
•  Take the opportunity  to speak into every life God lets you encouraging
•  Don't focus so much on the One Days. Live the One Days

 At the same time God's been teaching run with your eye's wide open.  Be the yes in every opportunity while your waiting for the next turn.  If you focus on the  those moments then you'll be glad you did.  And  remember that the impact doesn't depend on your degree. The impact  comes from being the investor. This is where it starts!

By no means is easy to remain focused  on such matters but if you will take the steps to be teachable and allow God to help you embrace  the learning moments then you will  do well my friends! It's never about our perfection. It is about the One perfecting us! So,  when your trying to process remember that God is the processor and He will process you to next steps!

Step It Up

Reflective Thought For Today? " If you can't let God do the reshaping while your single, what makes you think it will be different when your married?" " If you can't get into habits such as the simple task of cleaning, how can you take care of any one else?" * Side note I'm not just talking about the house but taking care of yourself as well.* Perhaps that sounds a little harsh but these we're the things that started to register in my mind as I was cleaning the kitchen.
God was using something so small as a house hold chore to show me the shaping really does start now. The habits you desire for your family to have one day or a future spouse must start with you. You can't expect any expectations out someone , if your not being the expectation. I don't know about you but that's a wake up call for me. I know that it can get even discouraging as a single person sometimes; however what if we took advantage of the preparation rather it is to be married one day or for our life to take a path of another capacity.
The truth is our stories start now and in order for the story to have some climaxes, we have to be ready for the change and put good habbits into practice now! I'm not saying will ever be perfect but it's willingness to grow that makes the mark. This was just a brief thought today but I hope what this says to us is that our potential starts now and it's up to us to step into the potters hand and be willing to accept we are more ! That is why  what we  invest into our lives matterss!

It Is All About Attitude My Friend

In the past couple of days  I have been challenged in my thinking. I have found that the truth of the matter that no family or environment is perfect. And you can't change the environment but you can change yourself. It is the attitude of the heart that makes all the difference. As I mentioned a little bit in my last blog. I don't know about you but I have  often found it easier to carry in the negative attitude  than it is the positives. Especially when you may have envisioned your perfect world. You have the choice to complain and to pick at the things you don't like or you can let life be.
It has taken me a long time to come this place. I think often at times what my world might have been like if my dad was still in my life  but I can't change that. I have also come to own  that  that it's by choice in rather you walk in shame or not.  This is easier said than done.  I have even realized I could spend time in anger about relationships or I could make the most of it and allow God to show me His presence in them. The fact is there isn't going to be any perfection in this world. I have even noticed that  this is where Satan often traps us. Especially in my family where I have often felt the wall of comparison but the truth is I have to trust God mapped out my life perfectly and from the pain to good moments , God has a purpose. This even bring Romans 8 to a new level because in 28 God tells us that He works all things out for our good. Our good doesn't mean there won't be pain but it means God will use  every story & event in our life for His will! In fact  I read a quote a couple days ago that my friend posted:
" God doesn't always change the circumstances because He's using the circumstances to change our hearts." That's  not always easy to accept but it is in these moments of my life of this season I am learning that  shame robs.  Shame robs from  making the most and being the most. So, as I sit writing this blog I hope that will encourage you & I both to realize  our stories have purpose and even the imperfections. It is all about attitude my friend.

_________(___________)________- The Doctor Will See You Now

 The past couple of weeks after exiting college has felt like I have been sitting in the waiting chair but this week the Father started showing me that waiting is the preparation that build's our character. The events in our lives are like training wheels and it's the choice / attitude that we choose that makes all the difference. Even today as I was speaking to my friend Naomi, she said to me, " I know this week is going to be good." It really touched my heart because she was recently in a car accident  last  Fall. As I heard her say those words, I thought, " Wow!" how humbled am I.   Especially  as I watch her in the wait for healing !  I have to think God knew what He was doing! I don't wish  this harm happen to her but  she has shown me  life is really attitude based.

It made me  rethink my attitude  as I await for God's next steps. I can dwell in the life changes I want or make the most of it. This even includes relationships in my family. I could complain about the things I don't agree with or I could carry a cheerful heart as God works in my character. And the funny part is I thought this blog would be more about waiting but it seems God is using this to show me how attitudes are so life based, if my wording makes any sense  (LOL) So perhaps as you & I examine our hearts, will check our attitudes.
This week has even shown me that if we're not careful that are attitudes can become road blocks.  I have realized even more this so in my own heart because everyday we have a choice and I just think  my friend 's wisdom may be help to us all. Perhaps, this can be a challenge to us to say, "I know it's going to be a good day." And perhaps this small insight will be a wake up call especially in the many seasons we may face or are facing that don't always seem clear but most of all to be constant.  With all this said, " Hows your heart?"