Remaining Faithful While Frustrated

Her story was eerily familiar. “I’m not looking down on anyone or anything, but I’m not sleeping around, I pay my tithes, and I know God’s called me to see things through. And I’m dealing with all these demonic attacks and spiritual warfare on my job.” “I understand more than you know,” I replied. I met an incredible woman who was discouraged and frustrated. I knew her pain. I’ve lived it. And some days, I still do. It’s painful remaining faithful while frustrated. I could tell from speaking and praying with this woman that she was tired. She was aiming to live right and thought she wasn’t in place because of the circumstances and opposition she was dealing with. I don’t sleep around but have often been overlooked and passed over for other women who do, who haven’t sacrificed, don’t honor God, do right, or live right who are engaged, married, and starting families. I pay my tithes and give. And see people who don’t, that continue to prosper, even while their money is cursed. And I’ve certainly seen and dealt with wicked spirits taking residence in people in the workplace. Truthfully, what my 28 years on this earth as a young believer continually teaches me is that you can be a Christian that chooses to do things the “right” way and feel like you’re not successful, making much progress, and also feel like you’re getting screwed over in the process. But it doesn’t mean you’re not in place or that you won’t be blessed. God always has strategies in place for your life. I told the woman I spoke with about opposition being an opportunity. When all hell is breaking loose, it’s an indication you’re in place and you’re in a position for God to swoop in and tighten things up. Much of the chaos in your life is controlled in different ways because God’s the one calling the shots. I first learned about this from one of my favorite preachers, T.D. Jakes. I’ll never forget a memorable sermon he preached about opposition being an opportunity. God allows things to happen in our lives and is still in control and faithful, no matter how messed up things look, feel, and happen to be at the moment. Romans 8:28 reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.” In the midst of the frustration and remaining faithful while frustrated, something inside me compels me to hold on. Even when I have to go through things I don’t like or understand. I only hope that all will be revealed in the process.

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...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves