Skip to main content

Fasting

A little while ago, I had a dream I was standing over my own dead body. I could see myself laid out and in the background, I saw different people I used to be acquainted with, and environments I used to frequent. I looked peaceful and after I saw myself, I walked away. When I woke up from this dream, I wondered, “What does this all mean?” I did a little research and found out this kind of dream symbolizes moving forward. It’s a representation of ending one chapter of life, and starting another -- which makes sense considering I graduated from college about a month ago. Since schools been done, I’ve found myself in a new and uncertain season of transition, a season that at the beginning stages, freaked me out as none of my plans came together like I thought, however, things have actually gotten better. In the early to middle stages of this transition, I went on a fast and I wasn’t prepared for the level of clarity, direction, and breakthroughs that God had for me on the other side. I’m not just talking about the kind of fasting where one turns down their plate, although I did do that, I also fasted on secular music and social media for awhile, too, and gained a new level of insight that I hadn’t had before. I was able to connect with God, and be vulnerable and honest with Him, in ways I hadn’t before because I chose to die to my flesh, sacrifice, and draw near to Him, while facing one of the most challenging seasons of transition in my life. Removing the noise from my life helped me to really hear. Whenever I fast, I can definitely see the areas in my heart and spirit that are in need of some tune ups. This is a process that takes work and intentionality on a regular basis. I think there’s so much to be gained from fasting, taking a step back from all the noise in life, and going to my Father, instead of my family, friends, or social media to vent, trying to get help with things no one can physically help me through, and rely on God to heal and help me in the places that I don’t talk about, with the things no one can understand the way He does.  

Popular posts from this blog

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...