During this season in our lives, a pandemic as forever changed us. The way we see the world, our responses, our reactions, have changed. There is a lot of stress, worry, fear and anxiety clouding the thinking and judgements of many. The enemy just thrives on these times and messes with our minds, telling us all kinds of negative things! Don’t believe what the enemy is saying. He wants confrontation and arguments.
We are living in a “me” time.
What about ME?
I have needs!
See ME!
Hear ME!
Notice ME!
ME! ME! ME!
Crying out to be heard, having wants, needs and desires to be met.
This pandemic is a test of our own strength, and of our faith. We need to rise up and be better than all the negativity, harsh words, cold matter that has surfaced amongst us this day. At times, this is like a thick cloud of smoke that makes it had to breathe and think straight, let alone the inability to see anything other than your own hands in front of you.
Keep things in perspective. Have we forgotten to put God first? Lean not on your own understanding, but that of His promise and His word.
As a mother and a teacher, I know the pressure, the strain, the hardship this has put on us all. A trauma of sorts that we are all living and working through, having a different sense of reality along with and various levels of coping strategies. No two of us are alike. God created us in His image. He sent His Son Jesus Christ so we may come to know Him and His unconditional love for us. He knows how different we are. He knew there would be hard times, disagreements, confrontation, lack of communication, despair and so many more things that the list can go on and on for quite some time.
Less than two short years ago, I accepted God into my life. No longer could I carry my burdens, my fears, worries and anxieties were much too great. I tried all that I could to do everything I possibly could on my own. He knew my heart. He knew it was only a matter of time before I would reach a breaking point, feeling like I had nowhere else to go. He knew this was exactly what I needed to forever change my life to come to know and serve Him as best I can, with His purpose in mind.
Fortunately for me, God and I have had many months now to get to know one another on a deeper, richer, more intimate level. Trust was a big concern of mine. I soon realized the more I gave up to God to handle for me, the more peace I had in my heart. My mind cleared, I felt much more freedom, even more empathetic than I already was. The little things that bothered me started to fade. I started seeing my world through a new lens. A world where there is hope, there is peace, a place where miracles are happening…God, by His mercy, saved me!
As a result, I’ve had a change of heart. I love much more unconditionally! You want to know why? Because I’ve come to know God’s unconditional love for me. There is no love greater love that can be experienced or felt in this world. You will know when you are experiencing His love. This is something one must feel! He is of the heart and of the spirit. Be still and come to know God’s love!
Not everyone has been as fortunate as myself yet to have gone through a transformation like I have. Yes, I still have some bumps to work through these days, but you know what? When I am working through these bumps, the rollercoaster of life, I reach out to God, asking for His loving guidance and support to get me through some of my most challenging times.
I am reminded, this too shall pass. Do not worry about tomorrow and what the days ahead will bring. Enjoy this moment, be prayerful, trust and God will take care of everything. Each of us, we must BELIEVE with ALL of our HEART, with all of our MINDS, with all of our SPIRIT, in FAITH and CONFIDENCE. Be open and receptive, ready to receive the blessings which He has prepared for us all.
I am grateful for the strength and courage He has provided me with, not to mention the wisdom when I am calm, experiencing mindfulness and at peace.
I hear YOU!
God hears YOU!
YOU are His beloved child!
YOU are beautifully created!
He wants each and every one of us to put all faith and trust in Him. Put forth good thoughts and energy into the world, a world we envision living in, not one that we fear.
Transformation takes time. We live in a world where many of us want things, NOW. We have forgotten things happen in God’s timing, not ours. He is our provider. God knows what we need. When the time and moment is right, God will let it be known. I know I have been learning a lot more about patience, how about you?
Let’s just hope we’re not too blind to “see.” By faith we must walk and not depend solely on our physical earthly vision. See that which is in our hearts, the Holy Spirit within us. We are each God’s temple, housing the Holy Spirit. We’ve been given the greatest gift of all, one that seems to have been easily forgotten during this challenging season in our lives.
I do believe in the power to change.
I do believe we can agree to disagree.
Not every choice will satisfy or make everyone happy. Many complaints, harsh words, will continue to be said, everybody wanting what’s best for them. God knows what’s best for each and every one of us. The pain we are experiencing is for a purpose. At times the pain may feel overwhelming, intense, excruciating, like you can’t go on. Keep going, keep trying, keep believing for the best is yet to come.
I’ve experienced some very dark times in my life, a time when I never thought I would see the light of day. Such doom and gloom, and negativity, a Debbie Downer on many days. Light inside me was so very dim. Would I ever feel awake, alive in this world again? I did! We all have our own opinions, visions about the world and what we would like to see, based on our experiences, knowledge and insecurities too. Our own insecurities speak the loudest, especially when we are not in a healthy emotional state, reacting versus responding…oh what a difference that makes.
Try your hardest to see the best in everyone, the good things happening in everyday life. If we focus only on the negative words, actions and darkness in the world, that’s all they will see. When we put our focus and attention on God, start seeing His workings in everyday life, being grateful for the simplest things, that is when the vision in oneself will change. This is the time you will be walking by faith and not by sight, loving, noticing and appreciating people and everything else for who and what they are.
We are not alone.
We are in this together.
I believe in the power of prayer.
I believe in setting my sights on Him to bring peace and joy into my life.
I believe all things can be done through Him (resulting in a more beautiful life than I could have ever imagined for myself).
Now more than ever, we need unification.
We need a sense of belonging.
We need to know we are appreciated and valued for who we are and what we bring into this world.
I notice you!
I love you!
You are making a difference in this world!
Emotions are real!
Acknowledge, accept and love each and every emotion for what they are, rather than ignoring and brushing off to the side. There is a reason for the emotion, an opportunity and new level of healing. Be attentive and aware of what each one is trying to bring your attention to and tell you.
We are a world that is mourning a loss, going through stages of grief, having left a comfortable world we once knew behind, into the unknown of the future. Change is uncomfortable, messy and it’s okay not to feel okay. You are human, flesh and blood, with the Holy Spirit living and working through you.
You’ve got this!
You are strong!
You are courageous!
You are a masterpiece!
You are you!
I am me!
Peace
Magnificent Meraki 