I just want to encourage somebody today. Maybe that somebody is you or maybe it’s me. Either way here goes. ( Insert your name here)________You can start and stop but don’t give up. You can press play , mute or pause but don’t log off. You can wait your tun in line or wait on hold but don’t hang up. It’s ok to be mindful, plan it out, take baby steps, regroup, rebrand, let go, prioritize and be courageous as your confidence is being built. Bold movements are not always easy to take but they are worth it. Step out on faith, trust God and believe He will carry you through. You are capable of doing and being just what God uniquely designed you for.
I was working on a small home project involving a camera and noticed my view wasn’t quite right. I couldn’t see everything I needed to from its location. I moved it around and got it to work but I got to thinking about what I was doing. I was trying to fix the camera so I could see everything going on in places I wasn’t present. Well, a lightbulb went off in that moment and I wanted to share this message with someone today. God is the only one who can fix the cameras in our lives and see everything that’s going on. God protects us and keeps us. Tell me how are you staying plugged in and connected?
My mind is full of other people’s activities. I’m seeing and hearing lot of divisions between people over issues of racism, politics and pandemic plights. I have to remind myself not to get distracted or wrapped up in these activities. I can spend lots of time scrolling through my phone, scrolling through YouTube channels and TV channels as well all with people in the room or on Zoom with me. If I’m not careful to pay attention I might miss opportunities to be present, just listen, show love and respect, give honor to a deserving person, be challenged or be inspired. Being present while living this life on pitch is important because once we are gone that’s it. I know that God is in control of everything and does not need to be updated like we do. God hears, sees and knows. He is with us so that relieves me from having to figure out everybody and every issue. Live and forgive I say, and stay connected by being present with people who are right in front of you. I’m learning when I’m being fully present, there really can be joy in the midst of it all, light in darkness and peace in the storms of life. Prayer: Lord thank you for being present. You are always paying attention to what’s going on in my life. Please help me to be present and remove any distractions that will hold me back today.
People often quote the saying of Maya Angelou “when people show you who they are believe them.” That’s true but one thing I know for certain is when God shows you He cares about you and (believe me He does) we should believe Him. There are so many ways I have experienced God’s caring for me both in my own sickness and in my health. God shows me how to read His word and rest in it. Can I testify a second here? God wakes up the birds so I can hear them sing. God drops food off at my door so I can share a meal with a neighbor. God sends encouragement through greeting cards in the mailbox, sent text and phone call messages through friends and family both near and far so I can be reminded of His love, and God allowed many prayer warriors to stand in gaps I thought were too big for me so I wouldn’t fall through the cracks of life. God cares for us and He has a unique way of showing us how to trust Him with everything. There is no room to doubt how much God cares for us because it doesn’t stop there. It’s daily. Our imperfect walk, repenting of our sins and our souls being revived to cry out again, go for it again, live on pitch again is what God cares about.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for caring so much and watching over us each day. Amen
I haven’t been to school in a while but I’m still learning. It’s been about a year since the global shut down began and we became aware of the Covid-19 outbreak in our country. We are now remembering the lives lost and the lessons learned during this pandemic while figuring out different ways to move forward. I’m praying that we will remain teachable in every season. My prayer is this, Lord teach us your ways whether we are sick or well. Whether the doors are open or closed, the gas prices go up or down, the masks are on or off and whether we gather in person or online we can still learn. Lord help us lean in, listen and learn. Amen
I have seen more and more businesses reopening during these pandemic times. Churches have also started bringing back portions of in person gatherings with outdoor services. While the doors of the church have always been open, one thing I noticed was some people’s Bibles were still closed. Mine was too at one point. All of a sudden I got that lazy worship going on. At the onset of the pandemic I was focused on staying connected to God, my church, friends and family. As things around me started to close and then reopen, I noticed I was just sitting back and waiting. Opening my Bible for personal prayer, devotion and study time takes some work. It’s much easier to keep the Bible closed rather than open it , seek first and search for God’s wisdom. Waiting on the right time to reopen a building or a venue is wise and should be done with precautions. I am not against that. Waiting to read, hear and study Gods word strikes me a little differently. I thought about it and realized closing my Bible and keeping it closed for too long can cause viral attacks on my spiritual health and wellness. I won’t be able to disinfect or inspect if I don’t open up God’s word. So are you waiting for approval to reopen your Bible? Friends, you don’t need it. Trust me. Are you waiting for this phase of global pandemic to end to renew your mind, grow spiritually and become more deeply rooted? There’s no need to wait any longer. Reopen your Bible and let’s stay spiritually healthy as well during this time.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Open my heart as I open your Word. Amen.
I have good news to share today. I want you to know it won’t always be like this. I didn’t think I would be out of a job for so long or not be able to find work after being laid off. That’s my “this”. So what is your “this”? It could be homeschooling and working from home, loss of a spouse’s income, the loss of a loved one, lack of connection and human touch, experiencing financial distress, worry and increased anxiety or fear that things won’t get better. Every season is different. Winter doesn’t look like Fall and Spring doesn’t look like Summer. Can you imagine if it was still snowing in April? Or if it was extremely hot in December? We could not sit by the fireplace and enjoy our warm latte or even bear having a reason to call it “sweater weather.” Just as I go through different seasons in my life, I’m often reminded by reading the Bible that God’s promises are true and I will get through my “this”. So don’t allow what you see happening today in this season to hold you back. You can go from a Damascus road to a life changing conversion. Paul wrote many letters from prison and continued doing what he was called to do despite the circumstances. I think he knew it wouldn’t always be like this. He comforted people, wrote instructions, sent greetings and encouraged churches while he was still in chains. Now that’s what I call living on pitch.
Prayer: Lord help us keep going and keep believing, knowing it won’t always be like this.
It’s tough sometimes to seek God. I mean, really look for Him in my daily activities. If you’re like me, you may just be going through the motions at times and doing the same old, same old things. As I reflect on scripture this morning I am asking God on purpose to help me see what He sees in me. I was created by God to do something. In me is a purpose that God has assigned just for me, a unique quality that makes me beautiful. Do I tend to pray by looking and listening? I mean look to God and listen to what He says in scripture? Well, no not really. Most times it’s a listing prayer. I go right to talking about my list of prayer requests. I am learning that my seeking starts with seeing. God has a better angle. His view is always better than mine. He can see farther. God doesn’t need glasses like I do to have better vision. It’s clear to me, when we look at things from God’s perspective things start to look differently in our lives. Now that’s what I call living on pitch.
In April I wrote a blog post for a group I joined called Lady Boss Christians. You can check it out here. I wrote about pausing and getting rest during this season. While written primarily for women business owners it applies to all. My prayer is that you continue drawing closer to the God of peace and rest today. Some people are tired of being at home, some are afraid to get back outside, and some are working harder than they have before. Let’s remember whether we are being still or climbing hills, God is in control.
My last post was about what I’m learning in this season so I thought I would continue with how I’m living as well. Like some of you, I’m at home all day, working, cleaning house, doing laundry and cooking my meals. Honestly I’m enjoying this unexpected change in life. I’m slowing down and not feeling the rush so much. There’s no traffic therefore no rush hours. I have plenty of time. There’s no running to the office to make those back to back meetings and conference calls. I only have one meeting I’m committing myself to daily which is a prayer meeting with God first thing in the morning. I’m able to exercise my faith and my body. I’m enjoying the natural light beaming through my windows as I begin to work on using the equipment sitting in the corner of what I’ll call my “home gym.” I’m developing a quick 10 minute work out routine with my balance ball, dumbbells and resistance bands. I’m trying to build up to 30 minutes a day and incorporate my stepper that’s currently being used as a mini bookshelf. Speaking of books, I’m reading a little more too. I’m finding ways to get a chapter or two read of all those books I purchased. I’m literally breathing in fresh words of encouragement, hope and confidence. I’m making room for God to speak to my heart. I’m checking on family members, church members and friends. There’s still plenty of phone calls, text and e-mail to answer as we stay connected to each other. I am shifting, not shaking in fear due to this corona virus. How we do things has changed. How we worship, shop, eat out, visit stores, communicate among friends, display human touch and even noticing how we wash our hands has all changed. I’m prioritizing and restructuring my life during these changing times. I’m cherishing each moment I have to spend time with God and honor Him in my daily living at home. I’m listening to God’s soundtrack. God has removed some major distractions in my life so I can be still and pray. My earthly, temporary home is comfortable now and I am comfortable sheltering in it. My heavenly home awaits and it is a place I can only imagine how safe it is and what it really means to stay at home. Let me know how you’re living during this pandemic and what you’re up to. I’d love to hear from you!
