Week 8

Writing a book was a piece of cake compared to the marketing aspect. I am trying to get my book out there so people can read my heart. I’ve never really worn my heart on my sleeve, but I sure did write it in a book! So I’ve reached out to what I deem in my mind as “accessible” celebrities—people who are social media famous in specific circles. So far, I have not received a peep back. I get it, but at the same time, I don’t. Because while I can’t get a “blue checkmark” individual on Instagram to even notice that I exist, the GOD of the UNIVERSE not only knows my name, He has it engraved in the palms of His hand!

This text that I alluded to is found in Isaiah 49: Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” Is. 49:16 ESV. The idea of my name being engraved in the palms of the Savior’s hands is mind-blowing to me. But the verse that comes after that melts my heart “your walls are continually before Me.” This phrase is discussing the torn and damaged walls that surrounded Jerusalem. The very next verse speaks of the destroyers who wrecked her (God likens Jerusalem as a woman or a bride) have finally left. And all that remains is a broken and battered Zion (another name for Jerusalem).

What destroyers have come through and broken down your defenses and left your heart wrecked and battered? Who violated you and treated you as something to be trampled upon? What incident happened to be the straw which broke the camel’s back? Whatever or whoever left you disremembered and bruised, broken and shattered, God says that what happened to you hurts Him and is always before His mind and His heart.

Do you know what He says in response to your hurt? He says that He will repair you Himself. And when He is done, your current ruined and desolate places, your ravaged life will be too small for the blessings that will come your way. And those who had harmed you will be so far gone, they’ll be like a distant memory never to be recalled again (Isaiah 49:17-19).

The beautiful passage in scripture says that you will be left in disbelief and recall for a moment that you were bereaved and barren; you were exiled, rejected, and left all alone (Isaiah 49:21). But then God steps in and says: Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23 ESV.

I know I started this post discussing my lack of accessibility to the “kings and queens” of this world. But the King of kings knows me by name. He knows you by name too. He wants to have a relationship with you that is built on love. To do that, He knows that you’ll need more than some TLC, you’ll need TCV, or time, communication, and vulnerability. Now, He’s eternal, so He has all the time in the world. He’s written you a love letter that’s combined in 66 books. And He hung naked on a cross for your sins; you can’t get more vulnerable than that.

BREAKING NEWS!!! As I am writing this devotional blog, I get a text message from an elder at a church I used to attend. He asked me if I would be willing to do a devotion or two, next month to talk about my book to an audience of over 500 people!!! I can’t even believe it!

Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together[!!].
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:3-5 BSB

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 BSB

Surely my name is graven in His hands, and my walls are ever before Him,
Amen.

p.s. here’s the book “The Power of the Gospel in Your Relationships” and the Workbook too!

Week 1

Happy New Year! 2021 certainly has started off in an interesting direction. What the world saw in the heart of America’s governing law chambers was a disgrace. I wondered, “How did we get here?” In reality, I don’t think what happened was a “unique” situation to America and its people. This story has happened before, in a wider scene with a plethora of more persons involved. This happened in Heaven, believe it or not. In the governing chambers of the Universe. If you give me a moment I would love to share the events with you, and God willing leave you with hope and some good news.

Sometime before this world began, before “In the beginning, Elohim created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. There was: 

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Revelation 12:7-12.

So what’s going on in this passage. I’m glad you asked:

• War arose in Heaven, in God’s home, in the governing law chambers of the universe.
• Sides were drawn up between those who believed that God was just, verses the opposed named the dragon, ancient serpent, the devil.
• Michael, the Hebrew word for ‘Who is like God’ had His supporters who remained within law and order and He defeated the one who began the rumors, lies, and unfounded accusations, and he was tossed out of heaven.
• It said that those in heaven rejoiced when he was finally thrown down and out… BUT…
• They sent a stark warning to earth that this enemy was on a warpath to destroy anything and everything.

The wisest man who ever lived stated: What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9. After the most recent events of 2021, I would most certainly agree. But if that statement is true, that means that in the end, God will win, again.

And when God obtained the ultimate victory on the cross of Calvary, there were no “Recounting” of the votes, and there definitively was no “Run-Off” that occurred. The way God won in heaven was not with force, but with the Truth of His character: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

It was the same way He won on earth. Through the shinning love of the character of God. Now, when Jesus returns in His full glorified self for the universal inauguration as King of kings and Lord of lords the Bible tells us to prepare for this magnificent scene: 

The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:14-16.

If you read what happens before He comes with the armies of heaven, it says that crap hits the fan. Get ready my friends to buckle down. Because if the insane start to 2021 has taught us anything, it’s that the best is yet to come!

Day 354

Your perspective sets the perimeter for your interactions in this life. Today I heard a sermon by a powerful young man. His power came from the richness of the text of scripture and by the enabling of the Holy Spirit. He discussed an event in Matthew 15 about the woman of Tyre also known as the Phoenician woman or the Canaanite woman. She doesn’t get her name recorded in the scriptures, but her faith was written down in the annals of time for all history.

We don’t know her name, but in the Hebrew mindset it might as well have been “Persistence.” You see the names given to the Hebrew people represented their character or lot in life. A famous example would be Jacob. His birth story is recorded as him grabbing the heel of his brother while still in the womb. For that, he was called “Deceiver” or “Trickster” or Jacob. He was branded untrustworthy from birth. So he lived up to his preconceived reputation. But when God got a hold of him in Genesis 32 his name changed from “One who deceives” to “One who overcomes.”

This woman was from a region that was detestable in the eyes of the Jews. Her entire nation was one that they looked down upon, one that they would avoid at all costs. I’m sure she was used to being called all sorts of names. She probably didn’t have a man in her life, because she was the one chasing Jesus down the street. Making a fool of herself before the King.

It says that she begged Him, crying out to Him making a scene. She had to do whatever it took to get the attention of the One she called “O Lord, Son of David.” That name means Master, Messiah. While Master or Lord is a general name for a leader, the phrase “Son of David” is strictly Jewish terminology. And when He answered her, He fed into her knowledge of who she knew He was: I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.

Israel as a nation was created from the backs of slaves. Those who were called terrible names by other masters who suppressed their freedoms and oppressed them. God set them free and then called them to be a light to the rest of the world, but they lost their calling, they forgot their name.

And the fact that Jesus said “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” yet the scripture says He went out of His way to this specific place, should cause us to stop and think for a minute. There is more than meets the eye. Jesus who was in step with the Holy Spirit was directed to go to where she found Him: And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.” Matthew 15:21.

Why go somewhere if you don’t care for the people, place, or priorities of those who live there? He went there so she could find Him. I wonder, how many different places has Jesus gone so that we could find Him? Sometimes we find ourselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or shattered and broken we realized that we have hit rock bottom. I want you to know that Jesus is there. Waiting for you. And maybe others might not know your situation or your name, but He does.

No, the Bible does not record her name, but her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All because she dared cried out to the Master, to the Messiah, to the One named Jesus: you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. Who exactly were the “His people?” According to Luke 3:23-38, the complete genealogy of Jesus includes the first man, Adam.

So “His people” are you and me, the Israelites and the Canaanite woman. He came to die for us all to set us all free. And when we had messed up as a people and sinned, He came down to the Garden and called out to Adam who represents all of us. And made Himself available.

I may not know your name, and we may never meet on this side of the Jordan. But He knows your name, He knows your situation and He will make Himself available to you. There isn’t a territory He wouldn’t cross over to save you. If He did it for a woman who He “happen to just meet”, what do you think He’ll do for you who He says: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5.

There isn’t a place you can go where He can’t find you. David knew that: If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” Psalm 139:8. So don’t be ashamed to cry out to Him to tell Him what your soul so desperately desires. Because Jesus is walking in your neighborhood, wanting to be found by you.

Day 345

Today a bride-to-be came to see me. It was my third consultation this week. For someone who doesn’t do weddings anymore, I sure do find myself being sucked into them. This future bride had tears brimming in her eyes. We sat down in my office and I knew I had to ask the Father to send us His Holy Spirit because she was clearly overwhelmed, and I honestly did not know how to help her. So we prayed.

Thinking that the God of the universe, the Creator of all things and sustainer of life, would care about an overwhelmed bride and her consultant, amid a worldwide pandemic and problems going on in life seems silly.

Honestly, it would make sense to believe that God has more important things to do than to provide His presence, which brings peace and calm to those of us who fret with anxiety. But this same God who said: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45:23; is the same God who also said: And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God…” Luke 12:7.

So because I know, from reading His word, that this is the type of God who in one hand holds the world, yet in the other hand holds my heart, I implored her to approach the throne of God together. And this is only possible through a relationship that I have with God. Knowing that He is faithful always because, in essence, that is who He is: If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13.

This is the Father that Christ knew when He walked on this earth. Even though He knew His Father ran the universe, Jesus still prayed and asked God the Father to take care of such things as lunch: Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:9-11.

In the event that is mentioned above, the people were stressed because there were not any restaurants like we have today to order from. There were over 5000 people there, and they did not have enough money to buy food for all those people. Jesus could have easily freaked out like His disciples did. But He did not because He knew who His Father was, and He called upon God to provide through Him the bread that would feed everyone and give them life.

I remember once when I went out to eat with my friends. I had volunteered to pay for their meals, as it was their birthdays. When the bill came and I gave my debit card, I was sure I had the means to cover the debt. When the waiter returned with my card, he said that it was declined, did I have another mode of payment. I was embarrassed for a moment, and then I remembered my father.

I quickly went online and logged into my dad’s account. I transferred the $250.00 from his account to my account to cover my debt. When the waiter returned, I asked him to try my card once more. He told me had tried it several times. I asked him to try it one last time. Reluctantly he took my card. My friends looked worried because they did not come prepared to pay for their meals. I told them not to worry, it will all work out.

Within a few minutes, the waiter returned with an apologetic smile on his face. I told him not to worry. I signed the bill and left a nice tip. What the waiter and friends did not know is that I had taken my phone out and called my father. I told him that I needed some money to cover a debt and told him I transferred money from his account to mine.

What is interesting is that my father never even asked me how much was the debt, he just told me to take what I needed. Now, could I have transferred the money legally from his account to mine if he did not trust me with his pin and code? Of course not. Would I have felt comfortable and confidant that my father who has his monies allocated for other things, would still help me cover my debt if we did not have a relationship? No, I would have felt scared and apprehensive to reach out to him.

God wants us to reach out to Him for all our issues and concerns. He cares about them because they have to do with our lives. Yes, He is running the universe, but He also knows the hair on your head (or lack thereof). Don’t ever feel like your concerns are too small to Him. Go to Him with confidence that this God, your Father loves you, because Jesus paved the way for us, so: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Day 337

Our memories can be priceless treasures or haunting nightmares. A sound, a song, a smell can all trigger something memorable, good, or bad. Then there are memories that reside in a limbo place. They are neither bad nor good, negative or positive. But somehow they have found their way into the deep recesses of our minds, and they just live there. I have one such memory. I was in my early 20s perhaps 23 or 24 years old. I was working in one of the largest hospitals in my area. My desk supervisor asked me to go to a specific floor and perform a test on a patient. As I made my way through the corridors of the hospital, I do not remember what was on my mind, but I will never forget the interaction I was about to encounter.

I walked into the patient’s hospital room and introduced myself. The test required me to get really close to the patient. She was a geriatric Caucasian woman. She looked me in the eyes and told me that I was beautiful. I smiled at her and mumbled a “Thank you.” I felt uncomfortable receiving that compliment from her. She then asked me how was I. I told her. She nodded and then looked past me for a moment. She then looked straight into my soul and said “Don’t get old.”

After the test ended, I asked her if there was anything I could do for her before I left. She smiled a faint smile and then asked for another blanket, she was frail and elderly. I gladly obliged and then left her room, never to see her again.

Over a decade later, that interaction between myself and that woman still resonates with me. She probably has since passed. But our time together still lives on in my memory.

What lasting memories are you leaving behind? When you have taken your final breath on this side of eternity, what will people remember about you months, years, decades after you have passed?

When Jesus died, He left lasting impressions on those who thought He had left behind: The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.” Luke 24:19-21.

These followers of Christ were devastated with the events that had taken place. The One who they thought would redeem or save or rescue Israel had been murdered by the very ones who should have herald His coming. Nothing was making sense to them. They were grieving, yet in the very way they spoke about Jesus the love and admiration they had for Him poured out from them.

If you continue to read the story in Luke 24 Jesus reveals Himself to them and they burst with newfound energy and rush to share the AMAZING news that Jesus has risen! Their memory of Jesus, and the memories of the disciples who wrote these memories in books, which later became known as the latter portion of the Bible. Those men who wrote those letters were in love with not just a memory, but the person of Christ, of God becoming flesh.

If I could have that moment with that elderly lady again, I would tell her that I think that she was beautiful. And that her physical beauty will do more than return when Christ comes, IF she was first willing to have a beautiful relationship with the giver of life.

That He promises to make all things new (Rev. 21:5), and what He has in store for her, she could never fully understand (1 Cor. 2:9). I would tell her that pain won’t last forever and that the painful memories of her past will eventually fade so far away, no sound, song, or smell will bring them back again.

Day 336

I was in bed most of the day yesterday. I wasn’t feeling very well. This morning when I awoke I walked the dog, and then went out for my own walk. Due to the chilling weather, there weren’t many people outside. I thought the fresh air would snap me out of whatever I was feeling. There was an 11 o’clock meeting that I thought was at 1 pm, so I missed it. Then during my 230 meetings, I was told that I did not look well. Because we are in a video conference, I can also see my face. It was not very attractive. I looked pale (and that’s difficult to do for a rich melanin skinned woman), and tired. I usually put on eyeliner and maybe some false lashes during my meetings so I look my best. But today the best that I could do was put on contacts. I was recovering from a mild stomach bug and I didn’t have the energy to pretend that I was alright. I thanked the person on the other end of the video call for their concern and perceptiveness. Even with my forced smiles and words, I could not make myself seem happy.

How important is our happiness? In the grand scheme of things, it is very high on everyone’s list. We do things all the time, not because it’s the best choice, but because we think it will bring up happiness. The problem with happiness is that it doesn’t last. I think happiness is a temporary state of mind. The first time we see this Hebrew transliteration of the word, which would be “blessed” in English or “barak” in Hebrew is in Genesis chapter 1.

And it reads like this: God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28.

You see God “blessed” and then within the blessing gave them the tools needed to continue being in that state of mind: be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue, rule. All of those are action verbs. God was telling them even in paradise that happiness was never supposed to be a constant state of mind. Contentment, yes. That you would have to work out your contentment and be happy in your work.

But too many people are out there chasing whatever it is which they think will make them the happiest. And so often they end up going after the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The problem is that there is no end to a rainbow. The sooner we come to realize the truth that no quick fix will be able to cause us those lasting feeling of being “happy”, the sooner we can realize joy.

Now I’ve discussed joy vs happiness before in this blog. We took a look at Jesus using the word “blessed” or “happy” in the most unnaturally placed areas. For example, when He said: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. How can one be happy when they are being attacked?

But here we see Jesus telling us that indeed one could be happy, even when they are suffering. Why? Because happiness is only a state of mind. And in that verse, Jesus is telling the one who suffers, ‘Don’t place your mind on what’s happening here, set your mind on Me.’ Jesus then tells us: I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11.

The whole point is for us to change our mindset. The only way to do that is: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5. So when someone is rude to you because you are kind, or mean to you for no apparent reason, you have the choice and power to work through your situation and choose which mindset you will exemplify.

Will you show them your quick wit and bitter attitude, or will you be kind and gentle as Jesus was? Knowing that His kingdom is also not of this world. I believe that the joy that Jesus gives us empowers us to be happy, even when it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to smile about.

Towards the end of my final video conference meeting, even though I looked terrible, I decided in my heart, that I was not going to burden this person with my disposition. God guided me to say the words that encouraged them, to uplift their burdens, to the point where my pale face wasn’t a problem anymore. By the end of the call, they asked if I could pray for them. It was my honor to lift them up in prayer. In doing so I was able to have my own spirits lifted.

It was in our relationship, one to another that I was able to adopt the mind of Christ and show genuine concern and interest in this other person and their life. And when I saw them smile and the hope that danced in their eyes across the screen, that brought me joy, and that made me happy.

Day 335

Finally, the autumn breeze catches up to where I live. It’s in the low 60s and I’ve waited for this temperature all year long. As the was sun setting, the temperature cools down even more. It’s the perfect time to walk my dog. I ask Lola if she wants to go out for a walk, and immediately she begins her pre-walk routine. She stretches out the front half of her body, and then the back half. Then she wags her tail in delight. This evening it was particularly bright outside. The moon was shining in all its’ glory or was it. Tonight the moon was huge, round, bright, and beautiful. And then I felt God whisper, that’s you.

In my hemisphere of the world, we have a Full Moon tonight. According to NASA, that’s just one of the moon’s eight phases. When the moon is in the full phase this is: When we have a full view of the completely illuminated side of the Moon, that phase is known as a full moon” (NASA Science). The moon shines its brightest during a full moon and that is when it is in a straight alignment with the earth and the sun (Live Science).

Did you know that the moon also has over 5,000 craters or holes on its surface, but to the naked eye, it looks like the smoothest, most perfect marble you’ve ever seen. And that: because its surface reflects light from the sun…[the moon] sometimes seems to shine very brightly…reflects only between 3 and 12 percent of the sunlight that hits it” (Live Science). 

Now maybe you knew all these facts about the moon, maybe you didn’t. But did you know these facts apply to an individual created in the image of God? Let’s start with the fact that the moon cannot give light on its’ own. That it can only reflect what it is exposed to. When the sun gives off its’ light, the rays are reflected on the surface of the moon.

We have no ability to provide light to others or for ourselves. It is God who is the Light: Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12. The very One who said “Let there be light” has declared that same promise to us today.

And it is when we are in alignment, in His will that we are able to shine the brightest. When the moon is not at 180 straight lines with the sun, it only reflects part of the sun’s brightness. But when it is aligned it shines so bright, that the darkness cannot overcome it. So with us being aligned in the will of God, the darkness will not be able to overcome us: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5.

The thousands of craters on the moon are these terribly ragged dips and holes that are littered and scattered all over the surface of the moon. They are harsh and unattractive. But from a distance, when the sun is shining on that very broken looking surface, it looks like a perfectly round and smooth orb of light. That is what Jesus does for us. He shines His light on us, and what everyone sees is the love of God reflecting on our lives, not the terrible craters in our lives.

Jesus tells us in Isaiah: For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19.

God desires to make a new thing happen in your life. Don’t worry about the imperfections, because we could never fully get ourselves to be perfect. But we can be perfected in His love through His sacrifice: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14.

Sanctification just means being made perfect in His love through a daily process. And during this process, maybe we’ll have days like the New Moon phase where it seems completely dark. Or maybe we’ll have a Waning Crescent phase, where only a sliver of light is seen reflected off of us. But no matter where we are in our process, in our walk with God, He is ever constant and more faithful than the sun, which rises and sets every day.

Next time you look up and see the moon, know that your Heavenly Father loves you to the moon and back, and beyond.

Day 333

In 33 days 2020 will come to an end. But the memories that we made during this momentous year may last a lifetime. This year my baby brother got engaged. My mother was declared to be in remission (BLESS THE LORD), and so many other things happened that give us cause for celebration. As we end this final day of the week of Thanksgiving, I think it’s important that amongst the darkness that we have been enveloped in for these past few months to think of the things that bring us light.

Why is light so important? Have you ever heard of the phrase “light of the end of the tunnel.” According to Google the phrase actually means “a long-awaited indication that a period of hardship or adversity is nearing an end” (Google). If there is anything that 2020 needs, it’s a long-awaited indication that a period of hardship or adversity is nearing an end.

There are so many indicators about this year that reminds me of the creation of this world: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.” Genesis 1:1-2. This year felt like it was without form, it clearly has been void of hope and filled with disappointments. And how much darkness did this earth see? It wasn’t just a few parts of the world which was affected, it was the entire globe.

But we weren’t left to fend for ourselves: And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:2-4. Just like God did not leave this world on its own, He was hovering over it. When we have some of our darkest moments and we feel like we’re empty and void, God is there hovering over us. He hasn’t left us to fend for ourselves, He sees our pains and hears our distressed souls, our concerns are not ignored by Him. But believe it or not, God doesn’t want to just hover over you, He wants to come inside and be the Light that you need to get through a long-awaited period of hardship.

One of His disciples Peter, who experienced some of the darkest periods anyone could face, like the death of God, said: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ” 1 Peter 2:9. God is always calling us out of darkness, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

There were days that I did not want to get out of bed. And I’m not just talking about 2020, I mean some of the darkest days were in my past when the covenant of love was broken. When I felt like I couldn’t breathe and that life was not worth living. The darkness became comfortable and I forgot what being in the light was like.

He didn’t give up on me. Instead, He fought for me, when I couldn’t fight for myself. And He recreated my heart not necessarily my situation. He didn’t change the darkness He gave me His light: All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:3-5.

When I thought that the darkness would consume and overcome me, His light shone through and He gave me what I needed the most, hope. Hope to continue moving forward, hope to know that the sun will come out tomorrow, hope that this darkness too shall soon pass.

And if He could do it for me, I know He will do it for you. Because He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light to be the light for others: You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14.

I hope that this blog, has been a light in your life and that you will be a light for someone else who needs to see their way out of a long-awaited period of hardship or adversity, that is nearing an end.

Day 329

As we continue this Thanksgiving countdown, I want to come right out of the gate and discuss what I am thankful for today, friendship. I have had the blessed opportunity of having people in my life that I have had the privilege to call “Friend.” If I am honest there have been times that although I claim God as my friend, I did not treat Him as one. For example, when I watch something that takes His name in vain, although it makes me uncomfortable, I don’t always walk away from it. Also, when something really exciting happens, He’s not always the first One I think about sharing my news with. Even when I’m sad and distraught, I don’t run to Him first. And I know it’s weird because He knows what I’m thinking, but I don’t always share the secrets of my heart with Him. But despite me being a terrible friend to Him, He is the best possible friend to me.

Before I share a few of the ways that He has been so ridiculously amazing to me, I want to tell you what Jesus sees friendship as “Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. He didn’t have to do it, but He did, willingly. He left everything for nothing and gave us something to hold onto for all eternity, love. And not just any “love” but the type of love that gives you a reason for waking up in the morning. The type of love that you know is rooted in faithfulness. That other-centered-faithful-covenantal-I-would-rather-die-than-break-My-promise type of love. This is what is being said in Deuteronomy chapter 7: But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deut. 7:8-9.

In the text above the first thing we see is “but.” Aren’t you curious to know what preceded the beautiful sentences following the conjunction? Verse 7 is explaining that there was nothing that the children of Israel had that motivated God to do something wonderful for them. It was only because He loved them. Even though I’m not the best friend that God deserves, He will fulfill His promises to us, to me, because He loves us.

Another thing that we read in that text, is that He sets us free. He’s a God of freedom. Because love can only exist when someone is free not to love you. The next verse tells us that God wants a personal relationship with us and that He is faithful, and will always keep His covenant of loving devotion to us as long as we want to be with Him.

That type of love means everything to me. And He showed me this faithful type of love through a friend of mine.

This amazing love that shone through the face of friendship happened when I was in Guatemala a few years ago on a mission trip. My mother, who has cancer, was at my apartment alone. My father was out of the country as well, and one of my brothers was several hours away, the other was in a different state. I almost did not go on the mission trip, because a friend of mine had committed suicide a few days before. But my mother urged me to go and spread the love of God with those who could still receive it.

So off I went with a heavy heart. During the second day of my trip, my mother messaged me and told me what her doctor’s report had said from her follow-up. It wasn’t good news. She needed additional tests, and she needed them immediately. I was in a different country, I couldn’t arrange anything from where I was. I couldn’t bring her to get the test done, and I couldn’t be there to walk her through the difficult hospital system. I was weeping and on my knees on foreign soil. But God heard and saw me.

A thought came to me to contact my boss at the time, Melissa. I told her what was going on, and she jumped into action. She contacted my mother’s doctor and scheduled all her tests back to back (one test was several hours) on the same day, so my mother wouldn’t have to go back and forth. She would meet my mother at the front of the hospital and walk her through the entire process.

That was an amazing outpour of His love. But there was more. How would she get to the hospital? Another friend, Jonel came and took her to her appointments and waited for her. Who would stay with her at home after the appointments? Another friend Deidra would spend the night with her to make sure she was okay. Who would pick up her medications? Another friend Alexia would go and take care of that.

God showed His love for me through the friendships He blessed me with. I pray during this Thanksgiving season, that you honor your friends and glorify God for His countless blessings to you. What a friend we have in Jesus!