Friday, April 18, 2014

Do it for the Vine!

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he(she) who abides in Me and I in him(her), he(she) bears much fruit,  for apart from Me you can do nothing."~John 15:5

3 Life Changing Questions
1) What are you doing? 2) Why are you doing it? 3) Who are you doing it for?

I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the cute vine video of the little girl dancing or maybe Rickey Smiley's vine video as Lil Darrell is the one that stands out to you. Well, like many of you, I found them both amusing, but the more I heard the phrase, "Do it for the vine!", it reminded of when I began DOING IT FOR THE VINE....THE TRUE VINE.

Often times we find ourselves doing so much,  but at the end of the day these things are not fulfilling or in line with our purpose. It's a challenge to do what you are purposed to do when life demands so much of your time and energy. We have family, kids, husbands, mortgages, bills, etc. All of these things affect our decisions causing us to lead fruitless lives, but there is a solution. The enemy wants you to believe what it looks like and we oftentimes believe those lies, even though we are suppose to walk by faith and not by sight.

I understand, I was there! I wasn't living, just existing. My life wasn't about fulfilling my purpose,  although I had a burning desire, it was about what my family required of me and solving everybody's problems......all while mine were a mountain high! Have you been there? Well it wasn't until I lost myself in my depression, almost giving up on life when I mustered up enough strength to say, HELP ME LORD!!! I had to hear from Him, it was DO or die....That's when I was asked the very same 3 questions I asked you earlier.

What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who are you doing it for? God required an answer....a truthful answer. My reply took some thought, but once I opened up, God was able to pour into me. I was already serving in my purpose, but I wasn't fulfilled because I had not defined my WHY, and I was a big ole people pleaser.....I wanted everyone to approve of me, like me, recognize me.....you name it, I was in deep!!! When I answered all of these questions wholeheartedly, God begin to use me and all of my gifts. I began to genuinely pour into the lives of others, looking only to God for my rewards, it didn't matter if I got credit or whether my gifts were appreciated. I knew that I was walking into my purpose on purpose.....and I LOVE IT! Defining my WHY was simple....My children! I desire to give my kids a much better life than I experienced. Last, but by far the most important question,  who are you doing it for?  There isn't anyone I aim to please at this stage in my life besides THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! When I begin to line my life up with the Word, my whole life changed! Things began to move forward simply because I chose to DO IT FOR THE VINE!!!

You too can began to DO everything your heart desires as long as it is aligned with God's purpose for your life. I encourage you that whatever you do, DO IT FOR THE VINE! GO AHEAD AND DO IT!!! DO IT FOR THE VINE!!! Your life will be much more fulfilling, I just know it! It is my prayer that you LIVE BETTER, DO BETTER, PERIOD!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Begin Again!!!

 Have you ever given up on the most important person in your life? Have you ever given up on YOU? It may be difficult to answer this question honestly at first, but if you dig deep, you'll find a goal that wasn't accomplished,  a desire dismissed, a plan never implemented,  a dream deferred. Why am I asking you this? Well, I came to realize that I had once given up on ME, the most important person in my life, but I realized that it wasn't too late to BEGIN AGAIN! I'm here to ignite that passion that's deep within you so that you too will BEGIN AGAIN!!!

Yes, I'm about to air my dirty laundry....now y'all know that I don't sugar coat this thing called LIFE! It gets ugly sometimes and that's just real! How can I help you walk in your truth if I'm living a lie? Now let's go back a little.....In October 2012 all hell broke loose in my world.....lost my unborn child in my second trimester,  left my abusive husband, became a single mom overnight, after 12 years.....no job/income, no transportation,  and no where to live....homelessness and seemingly hopelessness.  I allowed my situation and circumstances to influence my decision to give up. Yes, I had lost my desire to push through.....I was dying! BUT GOD!!! In spite of what I didn't have, I still had God! Although I had quit,  God was still working on the inside of me,  through me, through my MESS! He said, BEGIN AGAIN!

Today, January 25, 2014, my kids and I are in our own home, our own transportation and my talent in cooking has ignited my entrepreneurial passion and given me the ability to generate income......and my passion for encouraging others is the air I breath,  I can't live without it!!!! BEGIN AGAIN is what I keep hearing God say.

This new season has just begun and it doesn't matter what is going on around you, what's going on inside of you is all that matters.....God is working! Let's continue to walk in obedience to God's call on our lives....it's not for or about us! Remember, with God we can always BEGIN AGAIN! It is my prayer that you LIVE BETTER,  BE BETTER....PERIOD!