Accepting Life's Disappointments

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

This is a scripture is that most of us have heard several times before. For some people, it offers them hope when life seems void and bleak. This scripture and I have had a long history, but it is not a good one. I can’t tell you how many times this scripture has been quoted to me by prophets and preachers alike. And, it was always at a time in my life when I was facing hurt and disappointment. It showed up at times when I was disillusioned and angry. At those times, this was not something I wanted to hear. Like any spoiled child, I wanted what I wanted at the time that I wanted it. So, hearing that God had a plan for my life that obviously wasn’t what I had planned didn’t set too well with me. Although this scripture is still not one of my favors, I have learned to accept that God knows best. Our times are not his times. And, our desires are not always his desires. Now, I don’t get as upset when disappointments come. I have learned to trust God and keep moving forward. All things work for my good.

Romans 8: 28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Destiny and Address

 

God is Not Limited to an Address

When I was growing up, I can remember wanting to leave Mississippi as fast as I could. I knew that I was from a small town and that there was no way that I could make my dreams come true living here. Well, things did not go as I had originally planned. I am still in the great state of Mississippi. However, I have made a shocking discovery. I am able to make my dreams come true even while living right here in Mississippi.

I always wanted to become a writer. I just couldn’t figure out how I could get my work published and live here. For years, I thought my dreams were lost to me. I took my son, who was sixteen years old at the time, to convince me that I could make my dreams come true. He pushed me to pursue my dream. One day he said to me, “Momma, why haven’t you published any of your work.  You need to get out there and do something.  Send your work in and see what happened.  Don’t give up on your dream”.  I remember thinking again, how can I make it when I live here. Then, out of the blue, I discovered an article on The Krazy Coupon Lady that described how to become a freelance writer for online companies. I took a risk and tried it. From that point forward, I became a content writer for two different online companies, Yahoo Voices and Helium Network. I also started publishing in our local paper.

What I learned from all of this ways that it is not the address. It is the determination. It is the drive, and it is destiny. God is not limited to an address. It is does not matter if you live in New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, or a small town in Mississippi. God can make your dreams come true. So, the next time you want to just pack up and move, ask yourself is this where God wants me to be. Is God too small to work where I am? Does an address really matter?

No, an address is not a handicap. God can find you where you are. He can help you find your destiny where you are. Lesson learned!

Lessons about God from My Own Children

 

 

I learn more and more about God each day from my children. I can remember one time being so angry with my oldest son. He said some things he shouldn’t have said. And, I remember thinking that I was done with him. If he wanted to act like an adult, then I was going to treat him like one. He could provide for himself. He could pay his own bills. I was finished. However, as I was driving to work, it came to me that despite what he had said or what he had done, he was still my son. I loved him in spite of his wrong attitude and wrong way of thinking. And, I remember thinking that this is how God is. He loves us even when we mess up and fall. He loves us despite our faults. I am not saying that we should never punish our children or let them do whatever they want. Because even though God does love us, he punishes us for our wrong doing. It is when we recognize our wrong and repent, he welcomes us back. And, just as these thoughts were crossing my mind that day, my cellphone rang. It was my son calling to apologize for his behavior.

The Birds Got It Right

You know life is kinda funny. As women, we work so hard to get noticed by men and other people. But, if you pay attention to nature, you would see that things are different. As I watching a group of birds the other day, I realized that the birds got it right. The male of the species is the most brightly colored. This is to attract the attention of the female bird. How much easier it would be if we women didn’t have to put so much effort into attracting the opposite sex. The reality is that men should have to work hard to earn our affections, our attention, and our goodies.