Gratefulness Pt. 1

Not too long ago, I received a request to share my thoughts on being thankful.  Although Thanksgiving is past, thankfulness to me should be something we practice on a daily basis. This blog will be in two parts.  So much has happened in my life over the past few months and I would like to share my testimony and how amazing God is. How faithful He is to fulfill his will for our lives even when all we have revealed to us is one step at time. Please bare with this initial post as it may be longer than my normal blog posts. 

Back in June, a mutual decision was made for me to part ways from my position at my church (which btw I am still a member of and it was a healthy split vocationally). To be honest, it was a whirlwind and I don’t know all the details as to why this decision was brought up; but, I know that in the end, it was the best decision for me and my family, as well as my church.  I was comfortable, complacent really, and the environment was so fun, healthy, and life breathing that parting ways was difficult.  I knew I wanted to do more, be more challenged, and I expressed my desire for other areas, but that was not God’s plan. I am so thankful to my leadership for guiding and leading us, and, really, discipling me so intentionally during those two years. I grew tremendously in character, my spiritual walk, prayer, and just so much more. My identity was always sealed in Christ, but this season really took me deeper and opened up new gifts and levels of understanding in who God is and who he is calling me to be.  My last day there was July 31st, the same day we were to move out of our house.  This is also the same day that I wrote Pour it Out. We will get to that in a bit.  As I transitioned, God began moving people into new roles, including the one I would no longer be in. I watched how people got moved and promoted without their seeking or applying and I just knew “If God can do this for them, He can do it for me”.  I was right.  Shortly after, I acquired a part time job that I didn’t apply for. A job I ended up loving. SN: I now work in a NEW position FULL-TIME!

All while this was happening, I knew that God had still called me to start my blog. I had absolutely no idea how to do this. I knew I wanted to do it in excellence but didn’t have the income to be able to pay for a graphics designer. Pastor Dave DeGarmo said once, “God never asked you to pay for HIS will for your life, he just asked you to trust him.”  This was so profound and I didn’t hear this word until months after all of this was taking place in my life.  Anyway, God reconnected me with someone and I ended up being able to get my website done and God paid for it. I was blessed with a photographer for the site and God just continued to bless.  All while this was happening, my husband and I were trying to figure out what to do with this song God gave me the day we moved into our new home.  Again, we didn’t have the money to invest in this because, well it wasn’t in the budget.  However, we knew that God was doing something. 

For those of you who don’t know me, I recorded an album back in 2008. I was signed to an Independent Label and with that label we did street ministry and traveled to different places to minister to the lost and saved.  My album was my testimony along with songs that I wrote about other people’s stories that I heard over time.  After this album, I knew God was calling me to the church and that’s when my focus was placed on worshipping with our worship team. I don’t remember when, but I was no longer able to write… I take that back, I am a spontaneous worshipper. ALL of my songs come from spontaneous worship. I have never had to sit and try to write a song, they always just came to me. And I was able to do this, but never thought to record it or write it down until the last minute.  When I would attempt to write the songs or record them, they would vanish…NO RECOLLECTION.  After a while I gave up and stopped trying.  I remember dreaming about songs and waking up so excited, knowing the song was a hit and then….NOTHING. I remember worshipping in my prayer closet and songs coming and God saying “That’s just for me”. I got discouraged but I still had worship and I learned to be okay with just giving those songs to the Lord. I began to focus on my prayer life. I cultivated a deeper relationship with the Lord through prayer and praying for others. Long story short, the day we moved into our new home, the Lord opened up heaven and gave me a song; and that song is now out on ALL media platforms for you to listen to or download!! (just click on the link above). God brings things full circle.  I had to lay Musical worship down on so many levels, I had to give it to God and reclaim Christ as my identity. This was so hard to do, but it was so worth it and I will give God whatever He asks me to give him because He is sovereign and he has never failed me. My hands are wide open to give and take whatever He wants me to. 

Did I mention I also have a coaching business?  Haha Yea that happened too.  Nothing with that has taken off yet but it’s there and ready for when he decides to send me people. I don’t advertise it like most people do when they start a new business. I haven’t felt the need to as of yet because I was focusing on my music and my family. But I’m ready for it, Everything is in place with each venture and I am ready for it all, I am waiting for it all. I am grateful y’all. I mean, I cannot begin to tell you how good God has been to me and my family these last 4 months. It’s been a whirlwind and it’s just the beginning, and I am so excited! Although I didn’t understand the situation that kicked all of this off, it was evident then that this was a God thing and it’s evident now that it still is.  Heaven is my limit, not the sky. I am soaring already and I’m pushing all limits that I have and casting out all fear. I will share my perspective on being thankful in my next post and will answer some specific questions: 

1. Why do people choose thankfulness based on their expectations being met as opposed to what they already have?

2. What are some tools one can use to equip themselves to live a life of thankfulness based on healthy perspective as opposed to met expectations only?

3. Does perspective lead to a happy life that results in thankfulness?

4. Is expectation a negative trap?

5. Did God intend for us to use expectation in a positive way and it was manipulated over time?

6. What does the Bible say about perspective and expectation?

These are some really great questions that I can’t wait to dive into. If you have any questions or blog topics you want to hear about, please drop a line!

Be blessed!