If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?
To love like this:
God the Father has an unfathomable love for Humanity and Jesus has a sacrificial love for us and if I could master that kind of love that would be my goal.
Regardless of whatever sin someone might have or fault no matter their character or whether they’re faithful to me or not, I still want to be able to find it in my heart to love them unconditionally. I know that is the kind of love Jesus Christ and my heavenly Father have for me.
I want to be able to show Grace and forgiveness just as soon as possible towards people who have offended me or hurt me. I want to be able to have patience with people giving them the benefit of the doubt when they do upset me. I want to be able to love my family and friends for who they are instead of who I want them to be. I even want to love people secretly, by doing acts of kindness that they’re not even aware of. I want people to feel my love for them by being fully present when they are feeling lonely or going through rough times, praying for them & by other acts of being present. The biggest part of love that I want, is to love my enemies, show kindness even when I’ve been mistreated and I’m angry at the situation. I want to master this thing called “love” because Love Never Fails.
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?
First, know that you were born with individual gifts and talents, you were created uniquely and no one has your fingerprints, therefore no one will be able to leave your print on anything, anywhere, but you. Secondly, seek out God the One who created you to know exactly what He has already purposed for you. Next, listen carefully, surrender to your call and be obedient to give your all to whatever it is and you will prosper in all things, just as your soul prospers. Be sure to give God thanks for giving you these gifts and talents. Stay strong and courageous when rough days come, because they will, but they to shall pass and better days will be ahead of them. Learn the Fruits of the spirit and how to walk in them, that will cause you to get through the rougher days. Stay true to God, true to yourself and stay humble. Don’t let anyone convince you that you are not able, capable or enough, because you are. Love people unconditionally, forgive often and seek forgiveness when necessary. We live in a fallen, corrupt world full of imperfect people including ourselves, but we all still matter and we can all do good things.
What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?
If you are expecting others to bring about happiness in your life, plan on being a very unhappy person. Happiness is temporal, contingent on the moment, Joy is different. Joy is not subject to people or things, it’s an inner peace. Choose Joy. Happiness is underrated. It doesn’t last.
What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?
Stop being a people pleaser. And Yes I have stopped being so consumed with what others think, say, do or don’t do. I realize that I matter to. My feelings, my perspective, my health physically and mentally which both were being hindered by people pleasing. Freedom is an amazing feeling. Free to be me, for me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
I’m gonna start this right off with … GUILTY! I am SOoo guilty of trying to play Holy Ghost Jr with God, as if He needs my help …EVER! I know I am suppose to rely on God totally, trusting in his ways and his timing, let him carry my burden when I am overwhelmed, but I just think he might need my help once in awhile. Sadly mistaken, because he doesn’t. He absolutely knows what he is doing and it is perfect, if I will just stay out of the way. When he talks about Him being the vine and me being the branch, that means I am to stay connected to Christ not the other way around. It’s also not trying to carry the load that only the vine can carry. Being connected and being a Jr. are not the same. Matter of fact there is no such thing. All we do is complicate things for ourselves by getting in his way. I like to think of it as when I am working in the house, say cooking, and my husband says he will do the dishes afterwards. Now I am probably gonna hear it over this one, but just being a little honest here. I have my way of cleaning up the kitchen and it is not even close to the way my husband does it. In his defense he doesn’t ever say, “Hey let me clean the kitchen for you,” instead he says, “I’ll do the dishes.” You see in my thinking, if I am going to do dishes I am going to clean the entire kitchen, stove, countertops, maybe wipe down the fridge, a couple appliances, clean the sink afterwards you see where I’m going with this. When he does the dishes that is exactly what he is going to do, dishes. Here is another scripture for you, or me; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8-9. How about this one; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.
The positive part of this is, I don’t have to rely on my own strength, ways or power to do the things. He tells me I can do all things (through Him) who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). See He is not asking for my help, instead He is asking me to rely on Him, it is through Him that I will be able to do all things, not with Him. In Isaiah 40:29: “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” And lastly, 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” I am guilty of getting in God’s way at times, but I also know I cannot do anything on my own without seeking Him first if I want it to turn out good or right. I’m not talking about the dishes, or cooking or doing the laundry, mowing the grass, those things. I am talking about the issues of life, the ones that require a BIG God and a little me. Less of me and MORE of Him. Another bad habit I once had, I say once because this one I am actually getting much better at. I am now releasing things over to God and letting him keep them. I am being more intentional and focused on staying out of his way. I have lived the role of playing Holy Ghost Jr and that’s all that was, playing. My life is no game, I am taking it seriously these days and I am taking God and His Word seriously. So if you are one that thinks God needs your help, I can assure you, He doesn’t. All he needs from you and I is to trust Him.
Jesus! Jesus is the meaning to my life. I can’t understand why else I would have been created to live on this earth if it were not for relationship with God the creator of life itself. The only way I can be in relationship with him is through his son Jesus Christ, which requires repentance because I am a sinner. I need a savior so that I may live life with my creator, life unending and while I’m on this earth; life in abundance. Without Jesus, my life serves no purpose. I’m just a lost soul.
What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?
Sitting near waterfalls or a stream of running water. Listening to the bubbles beneath the rocks, watching the steady flow across the shallow ground. Joy unspeakable, that’s my simple pleasure.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-17)
Believers we have got to be careful how we live, making the most out of every opportunity, which sometimes is going to require us saying, “NO” so that we may be able to focus on what matters most. In the Bible “No” is considered as a vital part of stewardship, self-discipline, and healthy relationships. It is far from being a selfish act, it is often presented as a necessary boundary to protect our character, avoid burn-out, and make room to pursue God’s specific calling in our life. We need to use simple, direct, straightforward and honest communication with people. No need to over explain or try to make empty promises. Jesus said in (Matt. 5:37) “let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” We should have such integrity that our words are enough.
So here goes the transparency, I have failed once again in an area, this time in not saying NO when I should have. I saw a situation that was not good and along with my husband being in agreement with me, we made a decision to do something about it. Well naturally it must have been the right thing to do since we both agreed, right? BIG “NO” it was NOT. Now because of our “word,” that integrity thing, it has turned into a very unwise decision on our part. We were careless in our decision making and we were interfering in something we had no business in, well at least that’s what the Word of God says in Proverbs 26:17, we didn’t go looking for that scripture either. God is good at pointing things out to you when you are somewhere you shouldn’t be. Through heartfelt repentance for not seeking God first on the matter, I know He is going to provide a way for this to end well. He takes bad and turns it to good, for those who love Him. I love Him alright, I just make mistakes sometimes, good-hearted one in this case, but still the wrong one. A little more transparency into my life of not saying NO when I should. I was sick Saturday night and Sunday, I couldn’t go to church so I stayed home and watched online, double portion just because I could and God knew I needed a double that day. I was sick because I had been overdoing it. I wasn’t allowing my body to rest like it needed, I wasn’t eating properly, being on the go non stop. I wasn’t saying NO to things I was being asked to do or assumed by some that I would just be there to do it. I never want to disappoint anyone if they are counting on me and there were people counting on me. Well when you get to many people at one time counting on you, there is no rest for the weary. I became really weary and sick. Now I am having to recoup and the older you get it seems it takes longer to get back up once you get down. There is a solution to all of this; it’s saying, NO. Again no lengthy excuses why, just simply, No, sorry not this time. Sometimes I need a break, I need to focus on me or something that really matters in my life that I am continually putting off because I am to busy being a YES girl.
If you are anything like me, first let me pray for you, it’s hard being me. Seriously though, you can approach people in honesty and decline without making any elaborate excuses. Like me, I worry to much what others think, and not enough about my own well being and what the cost will be if I say yes every time. Saying NO is healthy. It takes the pressure off us, allows us to retreat to pray and refocus. I have gone as far as stepping away from my calling before simply due to the fact I couldn’t or wouldn’t say no. Say “NO’ to protect your values to. Stay away from negative influences, ungodliness, temptations, those things erode our character. Proverbs 4:23 teaches to “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Being a “YES” girl has turned in to a poor habit that I am working to break. Yes is good when it is right, but No is good when it is the wrong thing to be doing. Phil. 4:6-7 is such good advice. Before we say or do anything we should PRAY and thank God and in turn we can have God’s peace. Y’all feel free to pray for me in this area of being able to say NO when necessary. Thanks in advance.
What’s a thing you were completely obsessed with as a kid?
I lived on a farm from 9 years old through high school, 80 acres to be exact. I loved riding my horses, playing with the baby calves and baby pigs. I took long walks through the fields and down dusty dirt roads talking to who I now know as God my heavenly Father. There was such a peaceful calming in my soul during those times, nothing could interrupt those moments and nothing can compare to them. Yes I was obsessed with those moments.
Bread and Water 