Upon Reflection...

Living in turbulent times often diminishes one's light, will and motivation because there is so much darkness all around. Darkness has a tendency to discourage and depress. However, to me, darkness is a sign that light is around the corner. :))

In some of the darkest times in my life, I contemplated giving up, BUT there was still a small voice which motivated me to keep pushing forward. My dark times have taught me that darkness cannot and will not last always even when it seems as if it will. It is through my darkest hour that I learned to trust in God. Without darkness, I would not know or love Him the way I do. Yes, darkness can absolutely be seen as a negative...which is perspective. But, darkness makes you depend on God...which is a positive...and that's reality.

Even in my darkest times, God is with me. I was reminded of that yesterday morning when I read Exodus 3:12 excerpted below.

           So He said, "I will surely be with you."

Although an Old Testament verse, it still pertains to us today. God is with us. Later in that same chapter, God identifies Himself as I AM (Verse 14) and He goes on to say, This is my name forever (Verse 15). Total excitement!

What is there to be so excited about? Well, for starters, the word "am" means to be...in other words, God can BE anything which is why it is often said, God is all you need. :) And, secondly, forever is defined as continually, for always...PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. 

SUMMARY:

God is with us even in such turbulent times, BUT we must trust and depend on Him, so that He can BE.

Strength of my Grandmothers

Strength of my Grandmothers

Throughout my life, strength has always been a characteristic I often witnessed first-hand. My grandmothers were the epitome of strength. Their lives...have encouraged me to stay strong and grounded in the face of adversity. Their lives...showed me how to be a woman of character and how compromise is NOT an option when I am met with a challenge. But, most importantly, their purpose has preserved my life through prayer and their legacy.

The Strength of Christine

Christine, my namesake, was a very classy lady; she was different. Her passion was education, and she did it extraordinarily well. She was awesome at connecting and motivating her students. She was not just a good teacher, but she was great. Her former students often share stories and fond memories of her. Even though I never met her, I was able to form who she was from the stories told. 

My passion for education comes from her. I honestly believe that she prayed that I would be an educator. She prayed that I would impact lives in a positive way. She prayed that I would have a solid foundation, AND she prayed that I would be just as passionate if not more passionate than she about educating and impacting students.

The Strength of Onnie

Onnie exuded strength and love; she wore some of the best and biggest church hats I have ever seen. Onnie was known for those hats. Her strength came from her relationship with God NOT just mere religion. She was faithful. She shared a love that was heavenly. Her love made you feel special. I never saw her worry, but I often saw her kneeling in prayer. She didn't have to waste time worrying because she PRAYED.

She prayed that I would know and love God as she did. She prayed that I would pray. She prayed that I would be grounded in Godly wisdom. She prayed that I would love God's people as she did.

The memories of Christine and Onnie will never fade because their lives impacted and are still impacting so many. I am blessed because of these ladies, and I am so proud to call them mine.

 

The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter in LIFE 

Looking back over my life, I never would have thought that I would be where I am at this very moment. New Town. New Job. New Title. New Me. PURE EXCITEMENT. I wonder what is next for me. No worries on this end because I am open to whatever life may bring. I am embracing who I am. Yes EMBRACING. I have been shaped by my experiences and environments. I am well prepared to walk into my "next." The beginning of this "next" chapter has been met with some resistance; however, the resistance is what made me work harder and push harder in prayer. Resistance has encouraged me. If my next chapter was meaningless, there would be no resistance. Resistance is meant to discourage and make one shrink back. Instead of shrinking back, I decided to meet resistance head on...which takes much courage, but I am much more stronger, more wiser, more faithful and more hopeful now. :))

The Preparation

Just as doctors are prepared for helping patients, just as lawyers are prepared for administering legal support for clients and just as educators are prepared to educate students, I have been prepared for "this." I am not talking in the sense of educational preparation; life experiences was my teacher and tutor. I took everything that was thrown at me and sought to see the silver lining. I reflected upon every experience to find the lesson. I had every right to be bitter, but I chose not to be bitter. It was a process, I must admit, but that process gave me joy and peace. 

My Outlook

I did not wake up one day and say, "Hey, I am going to choose joy over bitterness and worry over peace." Matter of fact, there were times where I would choose bitterness and worry because it was familiar to me. It was all I knew. Then, I discovered Joseph. No not Joseph Jesus' earthly father, but Joseph the eleventh son of Jacob whose story is told in Genesis. Joseph kept the faith while being sold by his brothers, enslaved and imprisoned. He was never bitter nor did he worry. He was just the best Joseph he could possibly be despite his environment and situation. Eventually, Joseph was able to "shine" for the world to see. But out of all of that, what is most impressive is that Joseph declared to his brothers, "(20) But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (21) Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." Wow. Now that is Godly character; despite how he was treated Joseph still promised to take care of his family. And, Joseph did not dwell on their wrong doings toward him. This is why he is my favorite. There are great lessons in his story.

This next chapter is welcomed because I am positive whatever may come my way, I am ready, well prepared and I will learn from my experiences in order to become a better ME.