Do Something ‘Bout It

So, this post may be a little straight forward; a little right to the punch, no sugar coating. Because that’s how it came to me, so . . I’m just the messenger, k? Lol.

But yesterday, as I was finally disassembling this storage organizer I purchased a month ago, this crazy revelation came over me, which probably isn’t really a revelation, more so common sense, but you know, sometimes we forget. Sometimes, we think that our circumstances are just going to change on their own. Sometimes, we think we just get to wait on the miracle and don’t have to work for it. Sometimes, we think we will just get by on faith and not have to put in any effort. But you know what else, that’s not what that Word say.

The Word says, faith without works is dead. The Word says, whenever you ask according to His will, He hears you. The Word says, with faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain ‘move,’ and it will move. So why do we think we can get by, by not doing? Why do we think we can get by without speaking? Or praying? Or believing? Or whatever it is. And let me say, I’m talking to myself too, because the past week I’ve literally been in a slump where I didn’t feel like doing anything. There was so much I could have been doing but because I was so overwhelmed and anxious, I decided not to do anything. But a week later, I realized I still had the same problems. Why? Because I decided not to do anything about it.

(whew, I feel like I’m preaching this thang already).

When the words dropped in my spirit, “do something ‘bout it,” it seemed so obvious. So clear. So logical. Nevertheless, we often find ourselves in a position where we either make up some excuse in our minds to why we can’t do anything or we lose faith in the One who can do it all. OR, sometimes it’s both. Sometimes, you feel so despaired and defeated. Sometimes, you just truly grow tired of trying to figure it out. Sometimes, you try, it doesn’t work, and decide it’s easier to give up than to find another way. Or if you’re like me, you make the situation seem bigger or more difficult than what it is, and waste time doing nothing when you could have been doing something. But I can bet ya, nothing changes until you consistently decide . . to do something ‘bout it. Like I said last week, it’s not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God that we’re able to do the things we don’t (naturally) want to do—so if you're relying on yourself, you’re already in a bad position.

So, I say this all to say:

Tired of your room looking a mess? Do something bout it. Tired of wearing your hair in the same style? Do something ‘bout it. Not happy with something or someone? Do something ‘bout it. Because it’s not just going to happen on it’s own! God is not a genie, He’s not a shooting star, He’s not a winning lottery ticket. You got to do more than just hope and wish (or wait) for your situation to change; YOU got to change it. That idea on your heart, that goal you’re trying to reach, that anxious thought you can’t seem to get over, God is waiting for you specifically to get serious enough to do something bout it. And I hope this post was kicker enough for you to do just that.

Until next time . .

“So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].”” ‭‭- James‬ ‭2:17-18‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.” ‭‭- 1 John‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. ”” ‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭17:19-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Through The Pain

Well, hello September. Quite a year it’s been right? If I could sum up my experience in to one word though, it’d be: grateful. Because despite the challenges, the heartbreak, the trouble—I’m still here. And if you’re reading this, you are too. As simple as it is, we’re still here—don’t forget that. 

In other news though, it’s been a few weeks since I posted. And I’m going to be honest—I may look like I’ve been doing good, but I’ve been struggling in silence to say the least, which I didn’t even know honestly until this morning. I’ve been fighting to not deal with the pain in my circumstances and it’s been doing me more harm than good. And what the Lord gave me this morning in prayer was that we cannot run from nor hide or ignore the pain in our lives. No matter how insignificant we may think it seems to God, He cares about it. And He can only help us through it when we are open with Him about it. 

Not many people know, I recently lost my car—and some may think, it’s just a car. And that’s true, I’ve been trying to convince myself of the same, but it hasn’t been working. I even tried to reason with myself this morning, considering that not having a car hasn’t kept me from working (I mean I’m working from home, so no hindrance there); it hasn’t kept me from going to church, it has no (physical) effect on my ability to worship and praise the Lord, so why am I so hurt by it? It’s just a material thing. It can be replaced, so why is it effecting me so deeply? And although, again, all these statements are true—it doesn’t change the fact that I’m hurt. I’m mad. I’m frustrated. I’m tired. I’m upset that this has happened to me. I’m annoyed that I didn’t just keep my car. And it wasn’t until I opened up to God about those truths that I actually felt His love comforting me. It wasn’t until I poured out my heart, IN TEARS, that I truly felt like He really heard me. 

For the past two months, I’ve been trying to encourage myself and others, with my story. I’ve been trying to pretend like I’m over it; trying to pretend like I’m not suffering. Like I’ve truly accepted the truth that the car fulfilled it’s purpose with me and God must’ve wanted it for someone else. Trying to pretend like it isn’t bothering me that I’m having to look for a car, when my car was one payment away from being paid off. Trying to pretend like I’m this super-Christian that’s not effected by material losses. Oh yeah, I’m over it, FOR. SURE. But it’s not by my might nor by my power that I’m going to get through this, but by the Spirit of God. It’s not by my strength because I’m about worn out already, but it’s through the strength I draw from my relationship with Him that I will keep fighting. 

The moral of this post is that we can’t get around our pain but we have to sit in it sometimes. Most times, we have no other way but to go through it. As much as I’ve tried to fill my time and thoughts with other things more pleasurable or satisfying; as much as I’ve kept “busy,” or overcompensated in other areas of my life to keep from crying (because this isn’t the only pain I’ve been dealing with), it just doesn’t work. It doesn’t change the pain that I’m attempting to cover up. So, if there’s something you’ve been hiding or running from—I encourage you to just deal with it. Go through it. Tell the Lord how you really feel. He can take it. He’s not upset or turned away by your humanness. Your emotions are valid. And He cares about them. Go to Him in prayer and let Him strengthen you. And remember, whatever you’re dealing with, it may seem bad—but I know He’ll make it work for your good. The sooner you open up to Him, the sooner you free yourself from the pain and are able to heal, grow, and overcome. 

In the mean time, y’all stay tuned(as well as pray for me), there’s a testimony coming soon.. cus my emotions are very much alive still. 😭 I don’t know what the lesson is yet—it may be humility as a friend mentioned to me just yesterday. But as I declared when this all first started, there’s a blessing coming from somewhere(and I don’t mean just a new car). I may not know or understand it now, but in due time, it’ll all make sense. And I’ll be sure to let you all know. 

Until next time . . 

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” ‭‭- Zechariah‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” ‭‭- Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” - ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Love Stories

I love a good love story. And I don’t know if anyone else noticed, but um . . love was in the air like crazy this past weekend, LOL. I even found myself in the chapter of Michelle Obama’s book the other night where she shares how she first met Barack and it totally took me out. I was over it, honestly (kidding). Therefore, I’m writing this post more so to be transparent about my feelings but also to share some words of encouragement for anyone who may be in the same boat as me.

First let me say, I’m surrounded by so many success stories. Some were short and sweet and others that took a little more work and time to come to pass. Nevertheless, I see them and more than anything, they all give me hope. You guys know my story(or rather the latest chapter). And it’s almost been a year since it all ended and I’ve been reflecting on that time a lot over the past few weeks. Not necessarily the moments with the guy, but more so who I was then compared to who I am now—two totally differently people, if you ask me. A year ago, though in a relationship with who I thought was the love of my life, I was broken. Tired. Fearful. Insecure. Weak. Distracted. The list goes on. But now. Y’all, the woman I am now—tuh, I couldn’t be more proud of her. It’s been a long road, don’t get me wrong. I also didn’t get here on my own and that’s the most important part. If it wasn’t for the grace of God, I surely would not be here. But I am.

This has been a year of healing and transformation and so much good has come from what the enemy meant for evil. I am here, more confident in myself than I’ve ever been. More secure in my relationship with God. More trusting and submitted to my leadership. More joyful, more free, more accomplished *wink*. Life has been good to ya girl. Not everyday has been a good day, but overall, this year to myself was needed. This time has been blissful to say the least. Learning to love yourself is such a huge work, but it’s so rewarding and gratifying. And I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for me. 

And so my words of encouragement for today are: to not give up on working on you. Yes, I get it. The feeling of not knowing when your time will come. The feeling of wanting someone to try new foods with or to go on double dates with other couples. Someone to call your lover and best-friend—I get it because I am there too. But I quickly remind myself that this time right now is more important and cannot be wasted. Your story is still being written, so don’t grow tired of working on you. Don’t grow tired in your ministry, your business, your prayer-life, whatever it is—keep going. This is the time to find yourself and to cultivate who it is that God is calling you to be. This is the time for you to get to know God on a deeper level; to create intimacy with the One and only true love of your life. Don’t take this time for granted, because you just may look up one day and wish you had spent more time with God. Or that you took that trip. Or that you wrote that book. Not that a relationship would or should prevent you from doing those things (it shouldn’t), but don’t think you don’t have what it takes to do it now while you’re waiting. Don’t be so caught up in waiting that time just begins to pass you by. This is y(our) season to be intentional.

I am grateful for this past year. And I’ve purposely dedicated this time and season (no matter how long) to working on me, loving me, and celebrating those around me. I have full trust in God that my story is still being written. So, in the meantime, I’ma keep writing. I’ma keep speaking. I’ma keep reading, saving, reorganizing, traveling, sowing, reaping, I’ma do it all. Because I know the Lord has someone great out there for me. And I laugh sometimes, wondering how far my experience from last year has set me back. But I take it in stride and still continue to trust in the Lord. There is work He just wants me to do. So when the time is right, He’ll bring my life partner into it. But for now, look forward to more from monet’s truth—I’m really just getting started.

Until next time . . 

He Already Knew

Hey friends, I just wanted to check in. I missed last week because a lot was going and has been going on in my life. I won’t get into too much detail now, but God has definitely been stirring up some things in me and I am doing my best to be sensitive to the changes that are occurring. I wrote to myself a couple of weeks ago that I feel like I’m in a weird season, which I’m sure many of us may feel the same. This year alone has brought about many unwanted changes and circumstances that may seem tough to bare, but I just want to encourage you all along with myself, that God already knew. He already knew you’d be where you are and He has a plan as well. So rest in that.

I know, it’s easier said than done, but I am a living testament that waiting on the Lord is the best option. It’s hard sometimes though, when you’re going through a tough time, and you may even question why or how am I suppose to get through this. But I tell you, things truly get better with time. One lesson I’ve learned recently, is being able to take responsibility for your role in where you are. What have you done or not done that you don’t feel accomplished? Who have you reached out to or have you brought a season of isolation on yourself by being silent? Or better yet, what prayer have you prayed that maybe you forgot you asked God to use you for His glory? Could this season just be a manifested prayer? (a question only you know the answer to).. 

To some degree, we’re responsible for the things that are happening to us and we just have to remember that there’s a purpose for everything. And if you don’t see it now, I pray that the Lord will show it to you. Again, He already knew you’d be here. And if somehow you got here on your own, He’ll lead you back to where you need to be. 

Just wait on and trust in the Lord. 

Until next time . .

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ‭‭- Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭(AMP)‬‬

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭(KJV‬‬)