Has something been right in front of you, but you still couldn’t see it? Then someone walks over, picks it up and says, “If it was a snake, it would’ve bitten you.” This happens a lot in our daily life. We overlook what’s right in front of us. Unfortunately, we do the same when it comes to our interpersonal sights about ourselves. Moving along in life, we overlook the creative, unique and special ideas/talents/skills about ourselves. We can easily go along not recognizing the value and necessity we bring to life and others. 

We must stop and begin to See Beyond the surface and look deeper into who we are.  We all have something positive to bring to the table. We are children of God; therefore, we are ALL created with worth, brilliance and talents.  We just have to stop overlooking them. 

In Genesis 19, Hagar overwhelmed with grief, believed she and her son would die; however, not far away was a well of water to sustain them. In 2 Kings, Elisha’s servant feared the enemy’s army that surrounded them and couldn’t see the hills of horses and chariots of fire sent to defend them. In each scenario, God had to open their eyes to SEE BEYOND what their emotions, environment, and fears were causing them to miss. They were so caught up in the dilemma – they couldn’t see their deliverance.

So the next time, you can’t see what’s right there in front of you: Stop and ask God to open your eyes to SEE BEYOND your limits! 

 

At the beginning of each year, I write affirmations to speak daily.  I speak what I want to see manifested in the year.  I remember the power of my tongue and if I silenced my weapon or use improperly, I am defeated emotionally and mentally.  Like the song says, “Say what you see, so you can see what you say.”

I encourage you to fuel your visions and dreams with daily affirmations and speak into the dead areas. Your speaking causes dry bones to move. Your affirmation adds motivation and creates synergy toward your goals.

The weapon of your voice can make the impossible – possible. In the Beginning, our God spoke and created life in the midst of chaos and darkness. 

Remember Your Weapon: Your Voice and SPEAK LIFE! 

Happy New Year!

Every year my birthday makes me anxious. It is eight days before Christmas, with bad weather most likely to occur. It’s a busy time of the year with people shopping and attending holiday festivities; therefore, my birthday can easily be forgotten. So each year I mentally prepare for bad weather, reasonable holiday excuses and the dreaded “Birthday/Christmas” combined gift. I permit anxiety to overwhelm me, wondering if family and friends will celebrate with me.  I’m so focused on things I cannot control that I forget to be grateful for the gift of life. And instead of listening to God’s whispers of love, I consent to my emotions and perceptions, which speak louder and cause me to live in panic until the day of. It’s my truth, but is it really?

One year my little sister confronted me with a powerful question; she asked, “What is your truth? Despite your perceptions and emotions, what is the TRUTH?” Initially, I was puzzled by the question because I felt I was living in truth – but was I? Actually, I was living by FACTS. The truth is – facts represent only FRAGMENTS of a whole situation and are subject to interpretation and preconceived notions. However, TRUTH is complete and WHOLE. It brings freedom and life. The truth is – I am loved and blessed beyond measure. My truth is – God graced me through another year of triumphs and challenges. Truth is I’m still HERE – living and breathing with purpose and treasures yet to be discovered. The truth is – I cannot control any of those circumstances, but I can walk in love and freedom. God’s truth is – He loves me unconditionally and I’m rich in spirit, talents and people who cherish me. That’s my truth!

This year as I celebrate with loved ones and well wishers, I beseech you to walk in TRUTH with me. Despite the facts of life, we must choose the TRUTH of God’s Word. Reject the fickle emotions and “choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.”  The Word tells us to be anxious for nothing – NO THING – but with prayer express our hearts’ desires to God. We find truth when we find God. Finally, whatever is true, honorable, lovely, pure and good – focus and think on those things.  What’s your truth?

 

While out running errands one Saturday, I stopped by a local dollar store to make some purchases. After selecting a few things, I walked towards the checkout counter and noticed a $1 bill on the floor. I looked around trying to identify who it belonged to, but there was no one around to claim it. It was dirty, trampled and discarded, but I picked it up anyway and used it to help pay for my items. I checked out and headed towards my car.

As I drove off, I thought about the $1 bill lying on the floor. Not only had a small blessing fallen, but a divine lesson was left for me to pick up also. Although the $1 bill had been dropped, lost and overlooked, its value hadn’t diminished. It still contained the imprint of its creator’s image, an identifiable serial number and seal of authenticity. It simply had been lost in the shuffles of life and wasn’t being used for its original purpose.  I’m not sure how long the $1 bill was on the floor; however, one decision enabled it to be put back into circulation and restored to its designed purpose. A similar lesson of restoration and purpose can be found in the Biblical book of Joshua.

In Joshua, Rahab the harlot fits the profile of being misused, abused and discarded. I’m sure no one ever thought she, a prostitute, would ever amount to much of anything. Buried beneath her indiscretions, mistakes and setbacks resided God’s imprint, image and seal.  One decision catapulted her into restoration and the discovery of her authentic identity and worth. One choice initiated her purpose to become part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. What an amazing depiction of purpose under fire!

This past year you may have experienced challenges and disappointments, or even felt left behind and overlooked, but remember those conundrums didn’t diminish your worth. As long as you have a pulse – you have purpose. God’s imprint and image is ingrained in you. You bear an undeniable and undiminishable seal of God. You are a decision away from initiating restoration and purpose, just like Rahab and the $1 bill.  Don’t let the flaws of people or life issues diminish your worth. View your life with a fresh perspective: God’s imprint is ingrained within and as long as you have a pulse – you have a purpose!

A church friend loaded all our possessions into the storage unit and hugged us. My nine year old son and I were homeless – homeless while faithfully serving in ministry and working a full-time job. I held and reassured my son that we would be fine, even though I wasn’t. With our car loaded with a few personal things, I called my friend, Angel, and asked if we could spend a few nights on her couch. We lived on her couch rent free for five months…

When I think of that season in my life, tears flow because God used an “Angel” to rescue us during one of the hardest times of my life. Words can’t express my gratitude to Angel for her love, support and patience.  We infringed upon her one-bedroom apartment and privacy, but she reciprocated by providing a warm shelter and access to whatever she had. I am forever appreciative to her for those five months. And although I had a job, I was BROKE – spiritually, emotionally and mostly financially.  Hurt and confused, I questioned God. I cried and prayed, not understanding how anything of this could be part of His plan or my purpose. Unbeknownst to me, this was a divine opportunity for revelation of undiscovered treasures He’d placed within me. This revelation began the art of rediscovering me.

Rediscovering me was mostly revealed during times of success and failure. Each situation posed an opportunity to discover untapped resources. Instead of sinking into hopelessness, I had to move past emotions and fears to dig deep and discover talents He’d masterfully positioned within me. I panicked as I dug beyond inner layers of pain and resentment to discover resilience and strength. I tunneled until I found identity, character and maturity. I had resources I’d never imagined. He used circumstances to reveal a leader, writer, and so many other talents. And like Joseph, with each situation another part of purpose was revealed.

The book of Genesis records how Joseph endured slavery and prison, and later reigned as governor. In each new environment, a talent was revealed and provided an opportunity for preparation of Joseph’s ultimate destiny. I encourage you to learn the art of rediscovering you. Whether a first-time mom, empty-nester, retiree or homeless – be confident that He, who began a good work in you, will complete it. And although some situations appeared as a “loss,” trust the character of God, knowing He will work all things out for the good and make something beautiful of you.

“You’re not even black – WHITE GIRL!’’ taunted my older dark-skinned cousin. Everyone in the room burst out laughing as my cousin proudly branded me the new ‘nickname’ that would haunt me for years. Those two words would send me into a convulsion of tears and feelings of a misfit.

At the age of five is when I first questioned my identity. It was the first time I noticed I didn’t look like the rest of my family.  My hair texture and skin color was different. They argued and complained over who would comb my hair because they didn’t know what to do with it. I was different. I didn’t belong. Was this really my family or did I belong to another family that didn’t want me?

For decades, I wrestled with the inner turmoil of a mistaken identity. I wanted coarse hair and dark skin so I could have a sense of belonging and identity.  And although that ‘nickname’ was the genesis of my insecurities, I don’t fault my family – they didn’t know. The FACTS were my hair texture and skin color was different than theirs; but the TRUTH was I belonged and I mattered! GOD’S TRUTH – I WAS CHOSEN.

From my mother’s womb I was chosen. My skin color, my hair texture – from the sparkle in my eyes to my voluptuous derriere (LOL) – I was chosen.  His Chosen Treasure – with His image ingrained and stamped on the very fibers of my being. I belong.

He placed in me hidden treasures of my purpose, potential and power.  I had to dig through all the layers of false identities and labels bestowed on me by myself and others. Those chosen treasures aren’t just in me, they are in you too.  We were chosen at birth to bear an undeniable and undiminishable seal of God. We are chosen and sealed with His authentic purpose and power. 

While in the conundrums and pits of everyday living, we can easily lose sight of those treasures and focus on the facts of life; but His TRUTH is that His purpose preserves us. When we trust God with the layers of our life, we can discover the buried treasures of our TRUE identity and who we are purposed to be – His Treasured Possession. Deuteronomy 14:2B NIV  

My favorite poem by Marianne Williamson states it best, “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually who are not to be? You are a child of [the Living] God.” YOU ARE CHOSEN!