Where Are We Going???

Growing up my dad loves to tell the story of how he packed me, my mom and my brothers in a minivan one hot summer in Philadelphia to hit the road somewhere down the highway.  In the beginning it was all fun and games, singing and laughing….until night hit and we were still driving.  Now me and my brothers were really young then and were very inquisitive.  We had about a million questions for my dad like:  “Daddy, where are we going?” “How long until we get there?” and the infamous question: “Are we there yet?”  Each time we asked my dad these questions he’d just smile and say, “You’ll see when we get there.”  Then we’d all let out these big sighs and slam our heads back on the car seats in defeat, still with no real clue of what was going on.  Don’t you just HATE that answer!? Lol  As a kid you’re not very patient and going into a situation where you have no details or any type of hints you get pretty frustrated and anxious about just where the heck it is you are going! Lol  But, at the end of the day we trusted my dad enough to stop questioning him after awhile and just sit back and enjoy the [extremely long] ride.

It felt like we driving in the car for years, all I could see was the sky and trees (partially because I wasn’t tall enough to fully see outside of the window lol) and the many stops we were making. I just wanted to hurry up and get to wherever it was that we were going! Truthfully, it was only by the grace of God my brothers didn’t haul off and kill each other before we reached this “unknown” destination.   We had all just about reached the brink of irritation and were all ready to throw each other out the window......until I peeked my little head over the car window and saw a billboard with a picture of Minnie Mouse as big as day.  My eyes IMMEDIATELY widened and the thrill of excitement began to flood my entire little body as I screamed, “WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!”  Suddenly the 16 hour car ride didn’t even matter, all of the fighting, all of the frustration, the HEAT didn't even seem to bother us.   We had finally saw where my dad was taking us….and it was worth the long wait!

Man, how relevant is this story in comparison to our relationship with God?  When we decide to let God lead our lives it’s literally handing Him the keys and hopping in the car and having Him drive you to your destination.  Now when we first get started we have all this enthusiasm, all this hope.  In the beginning the possibilities where we see God taking us are endless….until all we start seeing is nothing but the sky and trees.  Then the exciting thrill of the unknown begins to fade away, and we now go into panic mode out of fear that our driver has lost the way.  We begin to question God and say, “Daddy where are we going?” “How long until we get there?” “Are we there yet?” 

If I could be totally transparent, my questions are even worse than that.  I even begin to question myself on if I really even wanted to be a passenger of this Driver at all.  But it’s in those times when we only see the sky and trees that God wants us to just sit back and really trust Him.  He wants us to have enough faith in Him that when He says, “You’ll see when we get there” that’s all we need to know.  But, at the right time, we’ll start seeing those billboards indicating that you’re on your way to Disney World….or wherever that great place is that God is taking you.

Most importantly, don’t forget to pay attention to the details along the way.  You’ll need these landmarks for each road trip that God decides to take you on.  Once God brings you to one destination He’s only training you to sit for longer rides.   But there will be times when you’ll forget how far He’s already brought you.  In those times, use those landmarks in your life to remind you that He’s still in control of your destination, He still knows the way.  Driving to Disney World taught me a huge lesson about being patient in times of uncertainty and lack of direction, but if I’ve already been to Disney World….I can’t even imagine the great, exciting, new places He has in store for my life.

-Leah

For more reading on trust check out these scriptures:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 4:25

Isaiah 26:3

Jeremiah 17:7

No Fishing!

Have you ever tried to walk forward while looking backwards? Sounds dumb, right?  Well the funny thing is we do this more often than we think. We miss out on the things ahead of us because our eyes are so fixed on the things of the past.

We hold on to past relationships, past opportunities, and one thing i struggle with often: past failures.  I've found myself mentally beating myself up over bad decisions or missed opportunities off  of choices I did or didn't make. I often catch myself going over old history mapping out what I should have done differently, or what if I never went to that particular place at that particular time, etc.  Almost as if all that thinking is going to construct a time machine to take me back and change those things. Instead what it does is cause me to lose sight of all the things I learned from it and where God wants to take me.

A few months ago I was at a place in my life where  I couldn't accept the outcome of  a certain  situation.  I kept going back over it time and time again in my head trying to figure out what went wrong and if it was something I could have done differently, etc. I started praying about it and asking God for direction on how to deal with the situation until finally one day I stumbled across this scripture:

"Forget about what has happened. Don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present.  I am about to do something brand new...." -Isaiah 43:18-19

Umm I'd say God was pretty clear at that point! Lol There's a reason why some things should be left in the past.  A lot of times we can use past experiences as stepping stones for the next level in our lives...and when that happens it's an amazing feeling!   But sometimes, those other past experiences can be used as weights. For those whose past are more like setbacks then stepping stones, I really encourage you to get to know God more. As you began to know Him better, you'll discover that His love not only forgives, but it forgets.

"God takes our past and throws it into the sea of forgetfulness and puts up a sign that says 'No Fishing!'." -Anonymous

I love that, because it shows how much God doesn't care about your past mistakes or your past failures. He literally forgets them.  Because He loves us that much. So if God who is mere perfection can get over the fact that you've messed up then you need to get over yourself too!

I'll say it again, you can't move forward while looking backwards. Stop clinging on to the past and start getting  in tune with the new direction God wants to take you.
Stop fishing in the sea of your past. Stop catching past problems and past setbacks.  Some things just aren't worth bringing back.  Allow God to do a new thing in your life.

I no longer have my eyes on what has already happened, but I now have them fixed on the great things ahead.  So glad I put up my "No Fishing" sign, and I encourage you to put yours up too. :)


-Leah

Bible Study:

Isaiah 43:18-19
Philippians 3:13-16

Sometimes I forget...

Okay, let me start off by saying that I am by NO means a poet lol, nor do I write poetry.  But every now and then some of my writings have a more personal feel then the others.  Honestly, I don't even consider this to be a real "poem", but more like me just writing to God. 

Often we let everyday situations and occurrences steal our focus and sometimes we forget to remember God's love, grace, and faithfulness.   I wrote this awhile back after spending some quiet time with Him and the words just kinda flowed.  I recently stumbled back across this and it came at such a timely point for me and who knows it might be timely for someone else too. :)

"Sometimes I Forget"

Sometimes I forget how much I really love You.  I let all of the crazy cares of this life pull me away from our intimate connection and I forget that at the end of the day, all I need is You. 

Sometimes I forget that You have all the answers I am seeking.  Sometimes I forget that You hold the key to my heart and you haven’t allowed it to be exposed to certain people and experiences because you don’t want it to endure unnecessary bruising. 

Sometimes I forget that You’re my priority.  The only one who has always had my best interest at heart at all times.  Sometimes I forget that there will never be another to love me as perfectly as You do.  That despite all the times I wanted so badly to not be like You, and wanted to blend in, You still wanted me. Not even realizing how long You took to carefully make up each intricate detail to design the unique woman You created me to be.  

Sometimes I forget how strategically placed all of the people are in my life.  There’s nothing even remotely subtle about Your goodness.  Sometimes I forget how much I really love You.  You’ve seen me at my weakest moments and You cradled me in Your arms and kissed me on my forehead as You bottled each tear. 

Sometimes I forget how patient You are with me.  How You would leave 99 sheep just to go after the 1 who strayed away.  Well I was once that stray sheep, and You chased after me.  And for that I will never forget. 

You truly are everything to me,

-Leah

Matthew 18:12-14

Blue God...

So if you haven't figured it out by now, I love music....REAL music.  Now what I consider to be "real" music is my opinion of course, but I'd like to think I have a pretty good ear. lol :)

The following video is a song by Jessica Reedy titled, "Blue God" in which she describes how God looks at our selfish ways and how sad (blue) it makes Him.  I don't know if I'd go as far to saying that I serve a blue God, but I definitely think this is a very interesting and real perspective of how God looks at sin.  Check out the video and let me know your thoughts!

Our Timing < God's Timing

I've come to the astonishing conclusion that time means nothing to God, but timing means absolutely everything to Him.  The problem is....we always like to "help" God out.  We get so caught up in what we want and how we want it that we start making our own things happen.  We don't take into consideration that NOW might not be the right time....or if  it's even for you to have at all. 

We want something so badly that we find ourselves telling God what we want rather then waiting on Him to give us what's best.  The real issue is what we have planned out for our lives NEVER aligns exactly with God's plans for us.  We hear this and we automatically get turned off.  "You mean I can't make my own plans for my life!?" Hmph. lol

I know when I was in high school me and all my girls use to always map out this timeline for how our lives were going to turn out.  Of course we were going to get into our first choice college, meet a guy, fall in love, graduate, get our dream job (fresh out of college mind you) marry our college sweetheart, have four kids, and live in a big behind house on the hill.  Yes, I was specific....and don't act like your list isn't longer. Lol Needless to say, my life hasn't exactly turned out quite like that.  The bible says "A man can plan his ways, but it's God who orders His steps."(Proverbs 16:9) So this basically means that we're allowed to "dream" but we can't get too attached to them.  It's important to realize that EVERYTHING in life is subject to change.  Especially if we're allowing God to be the head of our lives.  His ways our not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts so that means what we think we really want, may not be whats absolutely best.  You want what's absolutely best, right?

"Sometimes God answers our prayers by denying our requests."

It's also important to remember that God ALWAYS answers prayer.  It's just that some times we don't like to hear His answer.  Sometimes God answers our prayers by denying our requests.  He doesn't give us everything we ask for because He knows that He's got something better.  I don't know about you, but I want the better! Sometimes God says no, sometimes God says yes, but a lot of times He says wait.  There's that awful word again.....wait. I mean lets be honest....when we've made up our minds on something....the last thing we're willing to do is wait on it.  But again, God is a God of timing and it has everything to do with the great blessings He has in store for our lives. 

A lot happens in the "waiting" period.  God is moving things around, removing people, replacing people, closing doors, opening better ones all to clear the path for us to walk right into our blessing.  The waiting period is also used to prepare us for what He has for us.  What good is receiving a grand piano if you haven't the first clue on how to play it?  We often ask God for things that we're not really ready to receive.  But instead of God giving it to us in our time, He puts it on a shelf, while He equips us with what we'll need in order to fully enjoy what it is He has stored for us.  Man, that's love. 

Lastly, stop treating God like your personal genie service.  You can't always get what you want and when you want it.  Trust His timing.  He wants to give you His absolute best....and it may not happen when you want it to happen or even when you think it should happen. God doesn't operate in our time....but once you fully understand this you won't want Him to.

-Leah

Bible Study:

*For more on God's timing and waiting check out these scriptures:
Habakkak 2:3
Ephesians 1:10
Psalm 27:14

"....But I Just Need Closure"

So things didn't exactly end the way you expected them to.  One day y'all were talking about meeting each others parents...the next day "He just thought y'all were real good friends." Like what!? lol  Trust me, I know exactly how this feels.  It's frustrating and confusing as heck, but do NOT mistake what you're feeling as a need for "closure."  You think because a certain situation ended abruptly you just have to find answers on as to "why" it didn't work out.  You say things like, "I just need to know what happened so I can move on with my life," or my absolute favorite, "I just need to know what I did wrong so I won't carry it into my next relationship."  Now if you genuinely feel the need to ask them those questions because you won't be able to function in life without those answers, then by all means....ask.  But for the rest of us who might be brave enough to admit that maybe..... closures not really what we're looking for.   Maybe, we just want to hear that person say "I was dumb for letting you go, so let's try 'us' again."

"Sometimes, what's understood doesn't need to be explained."

Here's the #1 mistake that we all make...we take matters into our own hands.  We send out those insignificant text messages, hoping that a "hey, how have you been?" will turn into a 10-page response on how they were foolish to let you go and asking for another chance.  However, 9/10 it won't.  It will leave you just as stuck as it did before. Truthfully, sometimes it just comes down to, "what's understood doesn't need to be explained." If the end result is you two are not going to be together, then that's pretty much your answer.  Now if you're dating someone and they have the courtesy of being honest with you on how they really view the relationship (or lack thereof) please respect them for that.  It's not always easy letting someone go, especially if they knew in their heart they didn't see it working out.


It's perfectly normal to want to know "why" but make sure you ask yourself that question before you ask that person.  If you really were to be honest with yourself it's not so much as to "why" it didn't work, but rather you still wanting them to want you. Oh, and stop letting your friends tell you "girl, you just really need to talk to him, make him give you the answers to all of your questions!"  You're going to get your feelings hurt listening to everyone tell you what you should do.  Because here's the truth......say you finally get the big closure you've been waiting on, and he/she says, "To be honest, I just didn't think we were compatible." Welp. There's the answer you've been waiting so long on.  Now what?   


Here's my answer to all of this: pray about it and give it to God.  I know, deep right?  We have to get to the point where we trust God enough to know when He's not allowing something to work.  Trust me I know it's not easy, but you would rather God deal with it, then you losing your mind over it.  But the beauty in letting God handle it is He ends up revealing the "why" anyway.  Your job is not to play detective on finding the missing pieces.  Your job is to trust God with everything that concerns you.....including your unanswered questions.  There's always a method to God's madness and whether you admit it or not you learned something from every failed relationship.  So try this...instead of asking God why....just tell Him thank You.  He's putting you one step closer to the one you are meant to be with.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me...." -Psalm 138:8

-Leah

It's Okay to Cry...

"It is better to cry than to laugh. For crying blotches the face but scours the heart."       
 -Ecclesiastes 7:3(MSG)


I'm learning more and more that everyday  can't always be sunny with clear blue skies.  Sometimes, there are going to be gray clouds and a lot of rain, but we must learn to be grateful for those days too.  It's because of those dark cloud days we anticipate the sunshine even more and make the most out of our good times. 

One important thing we have to learn is to stop focusing in on our current situations..what it looks like now.  We often zoom in on EVERY NEGATIVE THING POSSIBLE and forget all the many things God has already worked out in our lives.  Instead of getting stuck on the problem itself, we need to start learning everything we need to know as to why God has us where we are. He didn't put you through this storm on accident.....it wasn't because He didn't check the weather.....it's because He knew that He had something for you to learn for whatever it is that is waiting for you in the next course of your life. He's preparing you.

Let me also be clear in saying crying is not an opportunity for you to be a spoiled brat and throw tantrums when you feel like God is moving too slow on your behalf.  Crying can sometimes just be a mere understanding that it's not going to be comfortable for a little bit while God is going to work on your situation.  It's perfectly human to shed some tears in our lowest moments, just as long as we know there's hope in God.

I really didn't understand the verse above until I looked up the word scour, which means to "get rid of imperfections" or to "purify." After doing some research, it makes sense now why it is better to go through than to not go through.  Some translations of the verse even say "for by sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness." It's basically like the old saying "there's no testimony without a test."

I feel like with each test I'm learning a new ability and developing another strength and most importantly building my stamina because my race is not over. So the next time God throws a hurdle at you, jump that thing with pride....knowing that it's okay to cry....because they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.



-Leah

Bible Study
*For relating scriptures dealing with this post check out these verses:
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Psalm 126:5
James 1:2-16