People

People. People truly can’t comprehend the power they hold over other people. Without mere thought, individuals meet a need or create a void. Have you thought about those people in your life? The ones who meet your desire to belong or feel loved giving you the comfort of knowing your psychological need is being met. What about those individuals who give you the opposite of this feeling? Those individuals who make you feel like an outcast and create a chasm in your psyche. Those individuals who once spoke to you with a genuine smile now look pained to even say good morning.

I think it is safe to say most of us have both types of people in our lives. It may very well be we have more of one than we do of the other which could possibly indicate the level of our mental state. I will admit my mental state takes a major plummet when I am feeling lonely and left out. I question so much about my journey during those times. If I am being 100% transparent, I have been struggling with this very thing for the past several years. I have shed many a tear over changed relationships. I have cried myself to sleep feeling not good enough to be part of this group or that group. Uncertain of why I am not good enough?

Please do not mistake this blog post for pity or even moral support. I don’t need either. I only need a platform to speak openly about my God moments. As I have said in the past, God is calling me to write. When I have the least resistance while writing, it is when I am writing from personal experiences or writing about areas I am passionate. Tonight, these are the words and ideas that made their way onto the screen.

Because no matter how many times I have been let down or hurt or used by people, I have always felt loved by God. There are days that I didn’t want to feel that love because it would make it easier to cope with my loneliness. However, God doesn’t leave. He right there no matter how far we try to run. I haven’t necessarily run from Him. I am in church most Sundays. I read my devotionals every morning. But I haven’t allowed my heart to be completely open to His ways because I wanted to be mad. I wanted to look the other way. I wanted to avoid people. But you know what? That is not the kind of person God wants me to be. He wants SO much more FOR my life and for the lives of the people around me.

So, I am trying. Each morning at work I stand in the rotunda and try my very best to speak to the people, young and old, who pass by me. I get the best hugs from the little ones too. You see when God wants to use your pain to mold you, He does so. Because in the realization that people hurt, I would guess there have been moments I have hurt others. I may have said or done things which caused tears to shed or words to spew, and for that, I am so sorry. I apologize even more for not realizing my hurtfulness because I understand how lonely it is to be hurt without others knowing.

I am using this time to work on overcoming my need for inclusion and the approval of others. I am seeking to find relationships that God provides me because He will. I know it! When I moved home to teach in the local high school, God gave me several of the best teenagers in the whole world. Those young people gave me purpose and made me feel loved. I am certain God provide me with exactly who I need at exactly the right time for His will because he has in the past.

I leave this with you tonight…1. Don’t allow people to steal your joy. 2. Find scripture that speaks life into you and read them daily 2. Look for those people who need you and speak life into them. You will have to look closely because I can promise you, they are hiding behind smiles and laughter. 3. Practice giving notes or pictures or hugs or flowers or candy or whatever speaks of love to those people who God has given you…even if they are from your past. 4. Don’t put off something you can do today because tomorrow is not promised. 5. Pray!

Coach, I'm Praying for You!

COACH /kohch/ - noun. a passionate, dedicated individual who unlocks hidden potential and maximizes a team’s performance by believing, encouraging and developing. [See also: ‘teacher’]

With the starting back of school, many of us find our lives immersed in school sports and extracurriculars. I challenge each of you who have a child involved in such activities to chisel out a time in your day to pray for those individuals who are pouring into your children. So often as parents we are consumed with OUR children…their performance, their playing time, their positions, their success, and their failures on the field or court, and we lose sight of the life lessons taught and learned out there.

In the past, Will and I have questioned coaching calls (Will tends to be a little more animated and verbal with his questioning than I am). However, I have had moments where I totally disagreed or was frustrated with a coach. I too wanted to be a little more animated until I realized the amount of time Billy collectively spent in the hands of these individuals and how those individuals would influence him in ways I never could. Through that realization, I decided I had an obligation to my son and that was to pray for those individuals who had the power to build him up or tear him down (and I’ve seen both of those things occur).

Let’s be honest, not all individuals coach equally. Not all coaches understand the fundamentals of the relationship and how relationships reveal the blueprints to our children’s hearts and some may not care. But as a coach, if you can find the key to a kid’s heart, you can grow a relationship that will maximize athletic performance and effort as well as build the internal character of that child. Not all coaches look for those relationships which leads me to believe it is my duty as a Christian parent to pray specifically for those relationships.

All coaches are sons/daughters, husbands/wives, and fathers/mothers first. They deserve to have someone pray over their lives and all their personal relationships as well as the relationships they will develop with our children. Coaches give many countless hours of their time to our children with very little compensation. I pray that not only will their influence positively impact our children, but the relationships with our children will allow the coaches opportunities to find beauty and inspiration.

These days I need assistance to remember the smallest tasks even when they are of the utmost importance. What I have done to ensure I don’t miss a day praying for the men and women in my children’s life is to set an alarm on my phone. I currently have one set at 11:18 a.m. titled “Pray 4 Billy’s Coach.” Ben is moving up to the middle school and will have his own set of coaches. I will set a separate alarm for him. This summer Bo saw the alarm for Billy’s coaches going off and he was curious as to why I set that alarm. I explained the concept to him, and he promptly told me he didn’t have a coach but did have a drama teacher who I should pray for because she was kinda like a coach to him. He is exactly right. So, I will set one for Mrs. Renae too. We should diligently pray for ALL people who repeatedly give up their time and energy to invest in the lives of our children.

I challenge you to pray for relationships. Pray for the relationships of the coaches and players. Pray for the relationships between teammates as well as the team dynamic. Pray for the coach’s relationship with God. Pray God will reveal Himself to the coach and provide him/her with direction to lead the team with noble character. Pray for the coach’s family. Pray for their time as a family. Pray that time will be protected and will be a renewal for the coach. Pray for the coach’s health (coaching is tiring and takes a toll mentally, physically and emotionally on a person). Just pray. Some days my prayers may be quick and general. Other days my prayers are lengthy and specific. But my prayers are diligent because I am certain that the men who Billy call coach can provide him confidence, teach him work ethic, give him vision and hold him accountable as a player, a student, and a person.

Thank you to all the men and women who have invested in the lives of my children and will continue to do so. Thank you to all the men and women who invested in my life. You taught me and gave me so many moments I cherish to this day. Here’s to all the men and women who find their passion as a COACH or extracurricular leader! You are appreciated!!

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1

Forty will be Fabulous!!

As my summer break ends and August begins, I have reflected on the past couple of months. This reflection uncovered a whirlwind of exhaustion. I honestly believe I was more rested on the last day of the school year than I am after being off for two months, and this exhaustion is not the result of any personal accomplishments, mind you. I am so upset that I completed NOTHING this summer, but I am more upset to recognize that I have not been living my best life. For several years I have been coasting along, struggling with depression, avoiding surrendering my vices and postponing committing to my callings. During the past couple of weeks, I became overly aware of how important it is that I do surrender and commit. However, I am still sauntering with the acknowledgment of my plans to make life changes. I am declaring changes to ensure that my FORTIETH year is indeed fabulous! 

I am far from fabulous at the present moment. I believe I am currently my heaviest (if not I was only a few pounds heavier after I had Billy). It’s gotten ridiculous. A couple of summers ago, I lost over 20 pounds and swore I would never gain it back. Well, I did and then some. I have ZERO energy and my knees and back have aged well beyond 40. My blood pressure isn't great. I've been on medicine since before Bo was born.  I’ve got to take back my health!! I have decided willpower is not my thing, and I  need divine guidance to give me the strength I will need physically and mentally to accomplish the tasks needed to lose weight and get healthy. Now, I will tell you right now I have no desire to be a health nut and I refuse to give up all sweets for forever. Birthday icing was created to be enjoyed and I intend to enjoy it (in moderation, of course).

I have toyed with the idea of fasting before for religious reasons. Then I thought how fasting could help me lose weight, but then I thought that’s not right if I am fasting to lose weight and not grow closer to God then the fasting would be superficial. I never did it, but then I had lucid moments of understanding about fasting. You fast to seek God. You fast to find answers from God. You fast to surrender something to God. You fast to make a commitment to God. What better way to find power over food and depression than to give it to God through fasting. I eat to eat. I eat when I am watching television. I eat when someone else wants to eat. I eat to have something to do. I like food.  If I know that the only way to have power over this addiction in my life is to give it to God through fasting, I don’t think that’s superficial at all. I have found an app that has intermittent fasting schedules. So, here we go…I’m going try it. I will let you all know how it works to help me break the chains of wanting food so often.

Food is only one step in this year-long refinement process. I was born August 17, 1978, and will be 40 years old in 16 short days. I am gonna use those numbers as guides for my #FabulousAtForty journey. My goal, that I may or may not meet but will shoot for, is 78 pounds. I will be okay with losing a more realistic 40 pounds as well by my 41^st birthday. I started yesterday with 40 squats. I will begin and end my day with 40 squats. I will probably add to that with planks or curl-ups or such. I will let you know what I find that works. I have been pondering the best goal for miles to walk in a year and I think I have decided 780 miles. I believe it is a doable goal. I initially wanted to walk 1,978 miles, but I don’t want to set myself up for failure. So, I have decided to use that number for mental exercise.

                I still have a stirring in my soul that tells me I should be writing, but I do not make the time and when I do I sit in front of a screen and write nothing. Well, I will etch out 1,978 seconds a day to write. I will write something if only a sentence or two. However, I am making a goal to post 40 blogs this year and FINISH that story/novel I started several years ago. I read something that said it’s not fair to your characters not to finish their story and you know, I agree. So, Benjamin Mumford and Amanda Shepherd I will tell your story…

                There was no need for me to write this or post this except that I need those of you who do read these blogs to encourage me and more importantly HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE. Ask about my weight. Ask about my exercise regimen. Ask about my blogs. Ask about my story. Life is meant to be shared. My husband totally doesn’t understand the social media world, and I tend to agree with him in that not everything NEEDS to be shared. Too often social media becomes a sounding board or a showplace or a self-seeking abyss. I do not want my blogs or posts to ever be a blast of showboating or mindless rants, but a place of offering praise and contemplative discussions. For what it is worth, I believe God gave me perspective and voice to share with others. You often never know the impact your words and actions have on those around you and those afar. I am trusting that God provides me with the right words to help or heal or inspire or entertain the audience members who find me. So, here’s to Post 1 of 40… #FabulousAtForty #FantasticForties #prayforme

Extraordinary Brilliance

Some days are good. Other days are great. Every once in awhile you happen on a day that is extraordinary. Today has been one of extraordinary brilliance. I have always loved sports. While coaching the football cheerleaders and raising boys of my own, I began to learn and appreciate football. Baseball has a special place in my heart since it was really the first sport any of my children played and some pretty special people in my life played as well, but basketball. Basketball is a different story. Basketball is MY game. I have loved basketball for forever. Now, when you couple your love for a sport with an intense love for the players, you experience the extraordinary, particularly when you watch them make history. Like an undefeated season. Back to back championships!

As a teacher, a coach and a parent, there are days I feel beat down. Times that I question myself and my ability to do my own life more or less impact the lives of the children in my care. Times that I want to quit, give up, and run away. However, there are moments like today. Moments filled with pride and happiness and joy. Moments that when I look at the faces of those children, I think maybe I am doing something okay.

Sports are unique in that they hold special potential to teach children life lessons. Perseverance. Determination. Humility. Grace. Support. Failure. Success. Confidence. Leadership. Hard work. Listening. Seeing. There are more, but you get the point. I played sports and loved it (most days), but I believe I love helping children develop and grow and learn sports even more than I did playing.

For the girls…

This season I watched a young lady who swore she couldn’t shoot, without using two hands to push the ball up, become the high scorer in a game. She would grab me by the arm and say, “Come help me shoot.” She wanted to be better. I watched another young lady find her ability to lead her team. Even when she wasn’t comfortable in a position, she played it with fervor. She wanted to be a team player. Another young lady struggled to find her shot, but that didn’t slow her down once on defense (and eventually she found that shot). She wanted to help her team. I watched as this team ASKED to have practice because they wanted to work. They wanted to WIN. And they did just that. For the first time in school history, the middle school girls went undefeated. For the first time in school history, the middle school girls won back to back region championships.

For the boys…

This season I watched a group of young men work together to become champions. There was one young man I was particularly proud of this year. At the end of my son’s sixth-grade year, he asked me if I thought he could make the basketball team. My immediate response was, “You’ll never know if you don’t try.” Here’s the thing Billy hadn’t played much basketball…maybe once in recreation. I was so excited he wanted to try out. He played summer basketball with the school team that summer and as an upcoming 7^th grader, he played a minimal amount. He was a really green player. He didn’t yet truly know the game. During tryouts of his seventh-grade year, he broke his kneecap. Who breaks their kneecap? The cast came off at the very end of the season, so he played maybe a total of 3 minutes that year. Then summer ball returned and provided him with some minutes and opportunities to learn the game. 

Now to this season…

Billy’s absolute biggest challenge is his confidence. However, Billy’s coach always believes in him. He always gives him words of encouragement and praise. He coaches Billy the way Billy needs to be coached. I only wish I could verbalize to his coach how much that means to me. At home Will and I give Billy reassurance of his skills and discuss ways to improve his game. He listens (well at least when I am talking about sports…not so much when I ask him to clean up or do homework). Billy is a coachable kid. However, confidence is the key for Billy to play his best.

For the sweetest part of this season…

Before the first round of playoffs, I sent Billy a text and told him that I would be praying for him to play with extreme confidence. Now, when I tell you that Billy played the best game he had played all year that day, I tell you no lie. That, my friends, is the straight truth. He looked so comfortable and natural on that court. He looked like he belonged. He really did play with confidence. As he and I were talking about the game and I mentioned how confident he played, he said, “Because we prayed for that, Mama.” My heart, be still. Yes, sir, we did! The best life lesson of all was learned on the court. God is the giver of all things.

And to the championship game…

Billy can shoot. He has a beautiful three-point jumper, but he hasn’t been able to get it to fall in a game. In practice, he can shoot it all day. In a game, NEVER. Today though, that baby hit TWO threes. You can only imagine the pride bursting from my heart!! I am humbled and thankful for a God who answers prayers. I don’t believe God has a favorite team he chooses to win, but I do believe God can use a simple prayer to plant a seed in a young boy’s heart.

Today, I watched a group of boys play TOGETHER more so than they have all year. A life lesson learned!! Today, I watched a group of boys fight until the very end. A life lesson learned!! Today, I watched a group of boys savor the enjoyment of winning. A life lesson learned!! Working together and never giving up brings success.

I love each of these children. I am thankful I have had an opportunity to be a small part of their journey and only hope at some point during that time I have shown them a little bit of Jesus.

Five hours later and my heart is still racing because of the brilliance that was today. 

Go Trojans! Back to Back Champs!!

Believe in the Process

One of the purest and most beautiful things to witness is a person recovering from an addiction. Too often the world does one of two things to an addict: 1. Ignore that the addiction exists which allows the addict to be consumed with no way out or a will to fight 2. Ostracize the addict creating an internal struggle with feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. World, your polarized view of addiction is causing you to miss out on watching a beautiful process unfold.

As addicts begin their recovery journey you will find that: Addicts are broken. Addicts are real. Addicts are grateful. Addicts are understanding. Addicts are accepting. World, can we use these same adjectives to describe ourselves? Because if you aren’t an addict, chances are you either don’t struggle with an addictive personality or you have not admitted to yourself that you are an addict. I personally have never struggled with addiction, but I’ve had close friends who have. I’ve learned to see the beauty in the recovery journey. I have learned to embrace the realness, ugliness, and brokenness of our worldly lives.

While I was in grad school, one of my dearest friends called me at an ungodly hour to tell me he was an alcoholic and was entering a rehab facility. It so happened that his treatment facility was in the town I was living. I watched him as he grew and accepted his addiction as part of his journey to prepare him for so much more. It just so happens that my friend became a preacher. Don’t you just love a good redemption story? Redemption is available for ALL sinners including addicts.

Are you struggling tonight with your own addiction? Are you having trouble admitting that one of your family members have a substance abuse problem? Unfortunately, time is not on your side for taking that first step. Tonight might be the night that driving while intoxicated causes a life-ending crash and the life that ends might not be yours. You may refuse to believe a person close to you has a problem and tomorrow you may find that person lifeless on the floor of their apartment. Obtain the redemption that is readily available for you or help someone realize they need that redemption. Don’t continue to live as a captive in this life. Refuse to allow the world to dictate your view of addiction. Allow God to use your (or your sister’s or son’s or wife’s or friend’s) addiction to reveal your (his/her) journey.

I understand that drugs or alcohol (or porn for that matter) have a lure over you. You believe they can fill a void in your life or provide a stress release. However, that void you are trying to fill will NEVER be filled with things of this world. There is only one who can set you free from the need to saturate yourself with the evils of this world. God! He can give you the courage to admit you have a problem. Once you do that, your love journey will begin. You can begin to truly love yourself and that love will then flow to those people surrounding you.

There are people in this world who will condemn you for your addiction. However, there are people like me who will celebrate you and your journey. There are people who will love you through the ugly and celebrate with you through the triumphs.

I understand the hold an addiction can have over a person. I have watched as people ignored their family. I have watched as people stole from their friends. I, personally, have been cussed out in my front yard by someone who I thought loved me unconditionally. And you know what she does love me unconditionally, but her addiction has stripped her of her identity and ability to recognize how damaging her actions really are.

Addicts, do me a favor…stop blaming others. Admit that you have a problem. Find the help you need to end your dependence.

World, do me a favor …stop ignoring and ostracizing the addict. Believe in the recovery process because that process begins something pure and beautiful, and it will provide breath where once there was nothing.

Here’s a link to a hotline if you find yourself needing to connect with someone about your addiction tonight: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Message me or a friend or a relative if you need someone to talk with. I may not be a professional addiction specialist, but I am a believer that God provides just the right people in our lives for just the right moments.

Addicts…I love you! World…I love you! God…I love you the most!!

Finding my tribe

I have always felt like I needed someone or to be part of some group. I supposed we are designed for fellowship and community, but I believe we have trampled on the intended idea of community. I believe community was intended by the maker to be all inclusive. However, I too often see limits placed on community and fellowship. Groups quickly become exclusive. We exclude people for so many reasons. I know personally I felt excluded from groups of people from grade school to adulthood. I still have many moments were I don’t quite feel like I belong. Those moments suffocate me. Those moments cause me to question myself but more so question how people are oblivious. Then, I remember I am an overanalyzer and maybe I truly see and feel things on a deeper level than other people. BUT, it is so simple to understand people…LISTEN. Be present, truly present when you are together. Notice the little things…voice inflections, eye contact, facial expressions or lack thereof. Listen to the words they say as well as the ones they don’t. We tell each other so much without even speaking, but in our society we are so concerned with “me” or “our little group” or our phones that we miss what those around us are telling us through their silence.

Now, I am not pleading out. I too can be consumed to the point I don’t interpret what people around me are feeling, but that is not who I want to be. I have thought long and hard about MY tribe. You hear talk about loving your tribe or finding your people. Over the past year I realized, the quest for my tribe actually killed my vibe. When you want so much to be included, your heart aches when you realize you weren’t a thought or worse you were an afterthought. The death of my vibe doesn’t make for a very social Lana.

Several people from my high school class got together this past weekend, and I intentionally didn’t go. I kinda feel bad that I didn’t go now. But you see I smiled at high school graduation. I didn’t really shed a tear because I felt totally lost and out of place among people who once made me feel alive. High school is a treacherous place in and of itself. It is the birthplace to the exclusive social group (well maybe middle school). While I was in high school, my daddy died. Losing a parent at any age is difficult, but high school is a pretty pivotal time. Two weeks to the day after my daddy died, my granddaddy died. Before the end of the month, my dog had gotten killed. It was a brutal time. I retreated away from most people. I didn’t want to be a part of anything. I cried myself to sleep most nights. I cried until there were no more tears. I grieved away from the crowd. During this time, my boyfriend was my rock. He was all I needed. (I ended up marrying him) When I was able to cope and was ready to reemerge to the land of the living, I was different. My friends were different. I no longer had a place with them. It was a hard two years for me. So, when I got the chance to reminisce about high school, I really didn’t want to. I suppose though that wasn’t fair to the people who did. I apologize because there were some really great moments in high school too.

Thinking about high school caused me to reexamine me. I was different after losing my daddy and that loss continues to mold me into a gentler, a more giving, open, and compassionate individual. And it is in that molding that I realize my tribe is my journey. I have met some of the most extraordinary people over the course of my life. There are people who I briefly knew who changed me. There are people who I feel I have known forever but never see who are there when I need them. There are people who come and go frequently yet their visits or texts have the ability to grow me into a more loving person and faithful servant. There are four specific people I live with who hold a huge chunk of my heart and have taught me to experience love on a whole new level. Finally, there are people I am continuing to meet, and I am looking forward to the fellowship they will bring and the lessons they will impart.

So, I say all of that to say this. If you are like me and don’t feel like you fit in, look past the immediate circle you aren’t included in and find opportunities to fellowship with those who need your presence. God provides us with people who need OUR fellowship. Don’t let yourself be blinded by the people who can’t see you. Also, be careful not to hurt those around you by not being present. Listen with your heart to their words and to their silence. Tell them you love them or you are proud of them or you are praying for them. Send a text. Hug a neck. Pat a back. Be more of the person God intended your to be. Inclusion and fellowship can mean so much to a person in your path not just those in your immediate social circle. #bepresent #godsloveisinclusive

I pray, Lord, you consume all of my heart and then allow my heart to gracefully guide my words and actions towards those people you place in front of me. 

Tis Only a Season

What comes to mind when you think about seasons? It very well may be the beautiful colors of fall or the glistening of freshly fallen snow or the excitement of new growth or the wonder found in the freedom summer holds. In Georgia we like to pack all four seasons into one week because if we are honest, the majority of the year is spent slinking around the fiery gates of hell. If there is one thing South Georgia knows how to do, it is HEAT. We don’t really  have clear-cut seasons or at least our seasons don’t last longer than a little while -- maybe a few weeks. Okay, okay, a few days. Maybe that’s why I have been struggling with the idea of seasons lately. Maybe I believe I am supposed to remain in the same season ALL the time, but I’m NOT. I don’t think I was ever supposed to. I am learning that. More.Every.Single.Day. And you know, I am okay with seasons ending and new ones beginning. However, it took me a quick second to be okay with it, but my eyes are focused on God’s timing and planning more clearly now. He’s perfect y’all!

I am a firm believer God places us in situations or locations or around certain people for a season. Those seasons may be like summer in Georgia. You may flourish in that one particular season for an extended period of time, but then again it may be like winter in Georgia. You may only be in that season for a brief moment because He needs you elsewhere.

I REALLY struggle with my life calling or purpose. I bet you know people who knew they were called to be a preacher, teacher, doctor, housewife or whatever since they were like 10. Well, I am not those kinda people. I never felt called to a specific profession per se. I didn’t become a teacher for education’s sake. Instead, I used my placement in the education field as an opportunity to minister, and if I am honest, to be ministered to. When I left teaching college to enter into a public high school, I was doing it more to be on a schedule with my own children than to follow a call, but I immediately fell into the exact season God needed me. I was exactly in the place God wanted me ministering to the exact people God divinely placed in my path. I was absolutely undeniably where I was supposed to be. It was perfect!! Well, it was perfect until it wasn’t. During my last year at the high school, unhappiness crept all over me almost becoming palpable. I no longer wanted to be at the high school. My joy was slowly being depleted. I was hurting. I was hesitant. I wasn't sure I wanted to remain.

Was I just being selfish? Was I allowing Satan to trump the Savior? Wasn’t I following God’s call on my life? If I left, would I be being disobedient to God? I grappled with my wanting to leave. Why would my joy leave if I was supposed to be there? Why would God take away that joy? Maybe God didn’t take it away? Maybe it was hijacked?? I just didn’t know, but I did leave the high school and headed to the elementary school. I wasn’t certain I was doing the right thing. I still grapple with that decision.

 

However, looking back I believe it is very simple…the season ended. I had done the work that was needed for that particular harvest. What is even better now that I can look back is that I realize that just because a season ends doesn’t mean the season is forever over. Seasons offer rebirth and renewal each and every year. Isn’t that an amazing concept -- the seasonal ebb and flow? I very well may end back up at the high school one day, and I will be perfectly fine if that is where God leads and needs me. He continues to move me into new places with new missions focusing on new people. Just as God is in control of the seasons each year, he is in control of the seasons of time in each of our lives.

I have found that you have people you believe will be in your life forever, who leave. You have people who you never expected to even be in your life become your forevers. You have people leave and those same people return when the time is right. God’s timing is perfect y’all! You may feel at home somewhere and all of a sudden feel like a stranger. So, trust in the journey and seek the place God has prepared just for you. Don’t for one second believe that God would ever lead you somewhere that doesn’t set your soul on fire or surround you with people who don't accept and love you for who you are.

“And this is the plan: At the RIGHT time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to His plan.”   Ephesians 1:10-11

God’s got plans for you my dear friend. The people you fall in love with are there for a purpose. The people who crush your heart are there for a purpose. The job you adore is there for a purpose. The job you detest…yep…it has a purpose too. The people who tear you down. The people who build you up. The strains and burdens. The joys and triumphs. The trials and victories. They were all put in your path to prepare you for what lies ahead of you.

This morning the preacher spoke of remember when moments. He said, “When you get a victory from God, remember it because it is in the remembering of that victory our confidence in God is built.” How absolutely breathtakingly true is that statement!!! I sure needed to hear that this morning. You have NO idea, but that’s another day and another blog post.

Remember when (see what I did there) I talked about my time at the high school? You see the ONLY reason I was at that particular church this morning to hear that particular message I needed to hear is because one of my favorite people (who happened to be a high school student during my tenure there) started dating a particular girl who happened to live in another town. She became and still is one of my favorite people (even though they broke up after four years L) Anyway…

That particular girl grew up and was helping plant this particular church in a neighboring town. When she was talking with me about this particular church, I knew if the other people at this church were anything like her, I needed to experience it. I am sooooo glad I did because I am certain God has placed me exactly where I need to be in order to minister to exactly who I need to minister to. See how He worked all of that out soooo many years ago. Don’t you just love to FEEL the presence? I am still waiting to see exactly what form this new victory will be for me, but I am excited to experience it.

So, if you are hesitant about the seasons of your life, remember God is preparing you! Celebrate this season because like our preacher said this morning, “God can do much more than you think you can.” Paul tells us this same thing in Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish INFINITELY MORE than we might ask or think.” So, go…Be MORE!!