Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010

37…

Hello World!!!

As of yesterday, I am 37 years old…Maybe that’s not a big deal if you’re 73….but if you’re me, 37 is three years away from 40…Wow! I mean it’s all good…I’m here…I’m still alive…I’m healthy as far as I know…I’m cute…but I think every year that you are alive, you should grow in wisdom and grow more into the person that God created you to be…I think I’m growing in wisdom and I have been striving to be all that God created me to be so I feel like I am making progress…But it’s just amazing that I can remember turning 13 and now I am 37…Oh yeah, maybe I am going somewhere with this post and maybe I’m not…Here’s a thought…If I could go back and tell my 13-year-old self some wisdom and some revelations about myself, below is what I would say…

1. You are enough…If the kids around you think you’re ugly or lame or lacking in any way, ignore them because you are enough…

2. Hang around some of the kids that rap and sing and maybe don’t go to class in high school because Ludacris, Bone Crusher, Tiny from Xscape better known as T.I.’s girlfriend, Mike Crooms aka DJ Smurf aka Mr. Collipark and the original DJ from OutKast went to Banneker…and maybe you could have been in their crew or a video or gotten a free album or something…

3. You will meet some of the nicest guys you will ever meet in high school…You may meet guys who have more money or who are more sophisticated after high school but pay attention to the nice guys because you will always want be in the presence of one…

4. Having parents who have a ton of rules is actually really cool…You won’t get pregnant in high school, be tired of clubbing at age 20 or have reached your peak at age 16…

5. Treasure your friends. No one lives forever, but the young die too…Rest in peace Shakita and Shonda…

6. That girl who threatened to “kick your heart in” in homeroom ended up on Divorce Court (yes the television show) years later looking unkempt, hefty and just plain ghetto…karma, ha!

7. Never tell a female associate about your good man because she may just take him…Shout out to N…I guess I really can’t be mad at you since you married him and everything after high school…Guess it was meant to be…But I still learned the lesson…

8. You are a writer…(Still affirming that truth…)

9. Slow down girl…Don’t believe the hype…

10. Keep journaling…It’s therapeutic and a good way to hear from God and yourself…

11. Continue to be unflinchingly polite…You will be surprised how many people don’t bother to say please, excuse me, thank you, etc. anymore…but being polite makes you feel good about yourself even if others think you’re corny…

12. Every goodbye ain’t gone, every shut eye ain’t closed and every adult ain’t grown…

13. Exercise actually feels good…

What would you tell you’re 13-year-old self if you could go back and do so?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Sunday, September 5, 2010

Nearly 9 months are down…Are you meeting your goals for 2010?!

Hello World!!!

Can you feel September in the air? I can…It’s crisper outside…my eczema is starting to act up again…college football is on television (Go Dawgs!)…

Guess what y’all? That means we have just over three months to accomplish our goals and dreams for 2010! As I scan over my list, I’m feeling pretty good I must say…not every one has been checked off, but I’m getting there…

I will share a few of them with you…I paid off my credit card, and I am faithfully building up my emergency fund with God’s help! And I have other financial goals that God is helping me to accomplish as well…Yay God! Yay me!

Let me share a few verses with you that I was reminded of last week that inspire me to continue to chase after my goals and dreams for this year…

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

This verse tells me that just because I don’t see the evidence of what I hope for in my life does not mean that my blessing is not on the way…God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him, and He is working miracles all of the time…

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12

People (especially me) don’t like to hear this, but Christians are guaranteed trouble, hardship and setbacks…Why? Because trouble, hardship and setbacks build up our faith! And without faith, it is impossible to please God…And I find that I trust in God most when I am forced to do so..and you know what they say…”You cannot have a testimony without a test!”

But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:32-33

But guess what y’all? Although we are guaranteed trouble, hardship and setbacks, we are also guaranteed that we are never alone because the Father is with us…AND we are guaranteed that we have the victory because God has the victory!

I hope these verses inspire you to keep striving for your goals for 2010! It ain’t ova till it’s ova!!! I was also reminded of a time-tested saying last week…”If the Lord brought you to it, He will bring you through it!”

Any thoughts?

Pastor Shirley Caesear’s song “You’re Next in Line for a Miracle” comes to mind this morning…Enjoy!