Looking at Life From Different Lenses

When you change the way you look at things, you transform what you see.

As you all have journeyed with me this year, you have certainly experienced my life's up and downs right alongside me. What I've realized, every moment I've experience had an adverse effect on me when I chose for it to. And each moment got better because I chose to get up from being pushed down. Every life's trials and triumphs I went through, I had to change the way I viewed things. The moment I did, things began to change right before my eyes.

When I decided to leave my other job, I really had no real plan in mind. I just knew it was no longer where I needed to be. I knew I would miss my students and my freedom, but I just couldn't sit idle and let the foolishness happen around me. I finally got the guts to let it go and then I was left with all this time on my hands. Initially I was like, 'omg, I am such a waste right now, I need to be at somebody's job. I am not doing anything with my life!'. I used to sulk and complain about having so much time on my hands instead of looking at my free time as moments to dream. When I started to realize that God wanted to isolate me to dream, I began to cherish my quiet moments. This was during the time where my dad was still alive, so I was able to be with him for hours on end to laugh, talk, and run errands. The time that I thought was just idle, ended up being the last few moments I would be able to share with him. Those alledged idle moments ended up being moments I would never see again. Moments in my life that would last forever.

I was able to collaborate with friends of mine to open a foundation, I traveled more than I ever have. I was able to devote more time to family, to God. I was even able become a little more creative. God allowed me to view my idle moments as moments of clarity and freedom. The very moments I thought were holding me back, were moments that I was able to fly. I just had to change my view of them. Those same moments ended up being the stepping stones for my next level. The one I am entering now.

The moment I changed the way I looked at things, the moment the things began to change.

I think about my current job opportunities and partnerships that I've formed and I simply sit in amazement. God knew that I needed some time to regroup and re-dream because life would be moving at the speed of light. God knew that if I didn't take a moment to get closer to Him and truly define who I was, I would eventually crash. And Lord knows, I needed a break. He knew that if He didn't make it happen, there was no way that it would of happened.

I think about the past few men that have truly held my heart captive. EVERY single one of them have been in a different state. And I'm not talking about 50-100 miles away, I'm talking at least 500 miles away. I'm like, 'God, for real?' Whhhhhhhhhhy does every boo end up being millions of miles away? The answer is always simple 'To focus'. I'm like, whaaaaaaaaat? Am I not focused enough already Lord? Lol. I literally can hear God laughing. He knows that if the opportunity presented itself often enough, this whole abstinence thing would be an even tougher torch to carry so he HAS to keep the boo at a distance for a while.

I've always prayed for a quick work when it came to love and eventually marriage, so the time it will take for us to fall in love and make a solid effort will NOT take very long. ( It better not, I'm about to COMBUST!! lol) God is going to make it fall into place like a perfectly shaped set of puzzle pieces. I'm not even concerned. In the meantime, God is showing me who I am to be and who I don't need to be. I am learning more about my potential mate, his true motives, and what kind of heart he has. The whole 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' belief has a lot of validity to it. Every time we see each other, we value the moments more. Every phone call means a lot. Every mode of communication is utilized. It has forced both of us to decide if this is something we both truly want. Instead of viewing a long distance relationship as a chore, God has allowed me to view it as a blessing on hold. Kind of like a gift under the Christmas tree. I know what I want, I've asked for it, I'm almost sure I got it, and I'm literally looking at it under the tree, but its for an appointed time. In due season, the unveiling shall take place. If its what God has promised, every moment I wait, it is only going to get greater.

I've had to change my perspective on so many things. Especially with losing my dad. I've tried to find the silver lining so many times that my head spins. The one thing that I can truly say, is that I know he was able to claim his kingly rewards in heaven. No longer does he have to put up with the lies and wicked ways of this world. He can truly be at a place where peace resonates and joy is the way of life. Everything he deserved, he finally received. I can still feel his presence here on earth. He finds me in my dreams to tell me stuff and I even sense him when I go through my day. I know he left a lot of his spirit in me to continue his work on earth. Sometimes the mantle gets heavy, but someone has to do it right? I don't look at his death as a tragedy, just the timing, but who am I to question it.

There is never a perfect time to say goodbye forever, so that's why God controls that.

I've really come to grips with that. I've had to look at it differently to keep my sanity.

I think the most important thing I've learned along this journey is to never underestimate the power of God's favor. While you may think you're sitting idle, God is busying himself to create you something worth your while. I can't be consumed by things I don't know or can't control because I waste valuable moments that I could be living. When its all said and done, I want it to be known that I was obedient and I was faith filled. All the moments that seemed to be out of my control, are those where God was most in control.

I'm just going to keep holding on to what he promised and let the rest fall in place. I just have to look at things differently so they will look differently. The rest has no choice but to get it together. Lol.

Look at it differently and see it differently,

~Mel

Motivation Is Found In Frustration

What's my motivation? What makes me go the extra mile? What keeps me going? I ask myself this time and time again.

It is not until something throws me off that I truly become more motivated. Weird huh? Often times I find myself frustrated by one thing or another. Whether I can't figure what direction my relationship is going. Or whether the job I really, really want will call me back. Or what I've been praying for will come to pass. I just get so worked up over the smallest things. I simply reach a point of frustration that is even embarrassing to admit. The funny thing is, in my times of the frustration is when I become the most motivated! I soon realized that my motivation is found in my frustration.

I look back over the moments where my love life was the PITS! I was dating guy after guy, picking them apart. Getting into relationships where I wasn't appreciated. Settling for men that were far beneath what I knew God promised. I just got to a point where I was simply too frustrated for words. For whatever reason, none of those relationships panned out to be anything legitimate, so I went back to focusing on self. I worked out more, I put more effort into being fly, I went over board making sure I always looked my best, I stepped it up all around. My frustrations in the 'love' department made me want to become a better version of myself. I was motivated to push to the next level.

It's funny that the thing that frustrates you, motivates you. I recently went to see Social Networking, the story of Facebook. I was SO inspired after leaving that movie. Not necessarily to go start a new version of Facebook, but to use my frustration to motivate me. Mark's (the founder) whole impetus for starting Facebook was to prove to his ex-girlfriend that he more than a genius a-hole and to get the attention of the prestigious clubs at Harvard. He wanted to prove to so many what couldn't be done. He broke all types of barriers and ideals. He was never really about the money, he was about proving people wrong. His whole premise for starting a $25 Billion company was because he was frustrated. Don't you wish your frustrations would warrant you that type of money? Well it just might.

Many times I find myself upset or in tears over things I can't control or simply perplexed over. Every time I am brought to tears, I use them to write. When I can't find the words to say, I find a melody to sing. When I don't know where to run, I open my bible. Each time the devil tries to throw a road block my way, I do my best to use those road blocks as mere stepping stones. My frustrations become my motivation.

I've been on this "daily bread" kick a lot lately because each day has literally been a new journey. I could start the day off being happy as pie and end it on my knees in tears before God. Or I could start the day in fervent prayer and end it in jubilee. You just never can tell. I think what God has taught me above all with my day to day journey is to make conscious decisions. I have had to make the decision to be happy or sad, regardless of what is thrown my way. When I am faced with bad news, I have the choice to process it however I want. I make the choice to fall down on my knees in prayer, or to wallow in tears. The next day could very well hold the explanation for yesterday's woes, but I can't stay in those moments. Those very frustrations can be the gateway to my breakthrough.

I think the most profound lesson I have learned over this past year is that I hold the key to my happiness. I decide whether I rise or fall. I am the keeper of my own destiny. I have to trust God whether I'm up or down. I can never lose sight of what He has promised. I have to trust and know that He is not a man that should lie. (And boy do men LIE! lol). I have to make the decision to see my frustration as motivation and keep it moving.

At this point, I have no other choice. God gave me another day to figure this thing called life out, and that is what I plan to do.

Allowing my frustrations to motivate me!

~Mel

Fear-> A Figment of Your Imagination

Fear---->Figment of your imagination

Many times we put so much time and effort into worrying about the unknown that we forget to live for the right now. I know I have been guilty of this, especially this year. I can be in the middle of a great trip or vacay and I find myself wondering, "Lord, when will I be able to do this again." Then I immediately pump the breaks. -PAUSE- The nerve of me to trust God only in increments. If I am to trust and believe Him, I must do it always, not just when it's easy or convenient. I am directly slapping God in the face by thinking He wont take care of me in the future like He has done in the past. That's when I realized that fear is often a figment of my imagination.

One of the first scriptures that we master as children is the Lord's prayer. Read it with me:

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Now, I've highlighted one line in particular, "Give us this day our daily bread." I will wait while you re-read that one with me. Our DAILY bread. Did you understand that like I did? God is saying that each day we would get a new allotment. Our DAILY bread. "Daily" means it would be replenished on a regular basis. So day to day He would renew His mercy, grace, favor, understanding, love, etc. You name it. All that He promised us would cover us day to day. Isn't that incredible to know? Your 'daily bread' has been allotted for your daily triumphs and struggles. You have JUST enough to get through today, why try to solve problems for next week when God has only allotted you enough for this 24 hours?

Funny thing is, the thing you fear the most is probably what you need to worry the least. Like if your man will propose or if you will get that job. Or if you're friend is really mad at you or if you will be able to catch that sale. Trust me, if that man knows what best, he will lock you down forever. If that job is for you, no one else will fit it. You're friend is probably so consumed with their own lives that they forgot that you pissed them off earlier that week. And that sale will be there. You just can't worry about the unknown, you will lose strength for what you do know and what you do have.

One of my favorite scriptures talks about not using today's energy for tomorrow's worries. Matthew 6:34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Honey, isn't that a relief? (lol) You can trust and know that God has it under control. Each day God's mercies are renewed. It's like being able to drive a certain amount of miles to and from work in your car. Nothing more. Instead, you decide you want to take a road trip on that same tank of gas. That's not what that tank of gas was equipped for, but you chance it anyway. And you know what will eventually happen? You will run out of gas and you simply won't have enough. God gives you just enough for day to day. So the unknown that exists can't be stressed over because God already has a remedy for it, you have to trust him to get to that moment.

Often times we stress over the most menial things that we forget all that we currently have been given. It almost comes off as ungrateful. Yes you want a promotion. Yes you want your own house. Yes you want a new car. Yes you want to travel. Truth to the matter is that you have what you have and you must master that. God wants to see what you will do with what your given. This is not to say you shouldn't desire more, but that desire shouldn't overshadow all that God has already done

I think the best thing to do is to enjoy the very moment you are in because you will never see it again. The funny thing about life is that just as soon as things can turn for the worst, it can certainly turn for the best. It's all about the journey and trusting God from faith to faith. The rest will just have to take care of itself.

Not letting fear cloud my view....

~Mel

It's Not Always What It Seems

The other night one of my girlfriends and I were discussing relationships and how men communicate. You know that conversation was 2 words long, 'They don't'. (Lol) Well they do, it's just how they deem necessary. Men have their own way of doing things and we just have to be willing to learn them. ( And who has time for allllllllll of that? lol) Many times we think their actions are revealing or saying one message and in actuality, it's a total different one. Sometimes you just have to wait it out. It really isn't always what it seems.

Don't you hate when you don't get an immediate call/text back from your significant other? ( I'm still pissy about a particular situation, but whatever.. lol) If you're like me, you always have your phone glued to your hand and you assume they do too. So when minutes lapse in response time my mind goes to work. I'm like, 'I know this fool sees my text, where is he at'. Meanwhile, when he finally responds he's like, ' babe, I was on the other line organizing a trip to Africa to save lives'. (Ok, maybe that's a little exaggerated, but you get it right? Lol). While I'm sitting by the phone with smoke coming out of my head like a cartoon character he is looking at the phone like, 'oh, I will hit her back later, she will understand'. Men are so funny when it comes to that though. Let me leave my phone in the car and have a few hours lapse between text messages. Honey, there will be a swat team surrounding my car because he reported me as missing. Lol. They cannot take their own treatment at all.

I think the interesting thing about being distinctly a woman and a man is our art of communication. We each have our own unique way of communicating issues. For instance, if I'm having a horrible day I will call and talk your ear off about it. Meanwhile, a man could be on the verge of a nervous breakdown and merely say, 'I'm ok babe, just tired, got a lot going on. I will be fine. I promise'. Many times we are saying the same things but in different languages. So while I am pouring my heart out trying to express my need to be supported, he's essentially saying the same thing by saying absolutely nothing. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but some men operate that way. They just choose to operate in silence until they can determine their next move. No, it doesn't mean he's talking to someone else, it might just mean that he needs to be in a place of silence. He knows you love him and want to help him, but the best help you can offer sometimes can be found in silence. Men sometimes want you to keep the perception that they are superman, that they rarely lose control. The moment they feel that control slipping, an internal panic alert goes off and their minds completely go into overdrive. The last thing they need to do is answer a million questions from you. They don't even know the answer to the questions themselves. It's not you, it's them, don't let your mind start running rampant. (Clearly this entire paragraph is for ME. I am the queen of 21 questions. Had to learn the hard way though o_O ..lol )

As women, our worst enemy can be our imagination. We text him, he doesn't text back, we automatically play the 'assuming game'. We think just because we send a 6part text and he sends back 'ok' that he's just not into us or that he is dismissing our concerns. Many times a man has a million things running through his head and he's just trying to keep it all together. Men don't always want to show that they feel like they are losing control. They want us to be secure in the fact they are simply 'THE MAN'. But of course, we like to know all the details so we pry and pry until we think we are getting the answers we want.

Honestly, the best way to deal with communicating with a man is to listen to him when he talks. Every man has their own unique way of processing stress and dealing with conflict. Just because there is a 10min lapse between texts or a missed phone call or 2 doesn't mean your relationship is in the red. He might actually be doing something that requires more of him at the moment. I know it's hard to believe that something is more important than the texts you've sent him saying, "Babe, are you watching Oprah", or "Did you see CSI, wasn't that crazy?" or "Wait, your favorite color is blue right?". *side eye* Calm down, don't get pissed from a simple unanswered text. It might not be what you think. Just wait before you unleash the dragon. ( I currently have one more latch on the cage of my own personal dragon, pray for me...lol)

All in all...its important to love a man through his growing pains. The grander scheme of things is for you to learn more about yourself. You should walk away from every relationship with a newer understand of who you are. Whether he is your 'forever' or your 'for right now', you must allow life to takes it course and enjoy the ride. Stop stressing over what you can't control and spend time on building something solid. Truth to the matter is, if its meant, its meant. Nothing can change that. God has a way of revealing things to you. Don't disguise insecurity with 'women's intuition. God doesn't operate in confusion and wants the best for each of us.

So relax, and let love have it's way. Stop looking at the clock and the other people around you. Things will happen as they are supposed to. It's obvious that God has it all under control anyway. :O)

Looking at things for what they are and not what they seem...

~Mel

Don't Lose Sight of Who You Are

October 5, already. 2010. Man. Time waits for no one huh? I swear, 10-15 years ago you could not tell me I wouldn't have been married to the man of my dreams, living in my dream home with a white picket fence, working a perfectly suited job and have 2.5 kids. It's funny, that fantasy world was so real for me for so long that I lost valuable moments that I could of just been 'living' in. I soon realized that I couldn't lose sight of self and I couldn't neglect the journey.

Honey, I abruptly woke up from that dream years ago only to realize life owes me nothing. The man I feel in love with in college turned out to be a mythical character. A story I obviously only believed. My white picket fenced home quickly turned into a room in my parents' lovely chateau. That 'ideal' job turned into a career of service, grant writing, and community activism. And those 2.5 kids turned into kids all over GA and FL needing my mentoring and coaching. At 28, all the things I wanted at 18 seemed to be warped in some type of alternate universe. Boy did I ever get a wake up call!

You see, I'm not saying I stopped dreaming or for you to even stop, but I don't think its necessary for you to throw in the towel on what God promised you. I think in life, it's important to understand the journey. Now, I'm no expert, but I KNOW that its necessary not to resent your path. No matter where it takes you. This has taken a lot for me to realize. I look at all of my contemporaries and what they've achieved and I look at my list of accomplishments and I've realized that we all have had our highlights. As much as I think I'm off course, there is someone that wants my reality. So I've learned to value mine all the more. At this point, it helps me to maintain my sanity. (lol)

I've met so many young professionals that ultimately have all that they desire but may be lacking that ONE thing they deem as the icing on the cake or their sense of 'completion'. Like marriage, a mate, a house, kids, different career, more traveling, etc. In pursuit of that 'ONE' thing they begin to lose sight of self. Who they really are and all that has gotten them to this point. Say for instance a relationship is ALL they want. They will do whatever it takes. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm 100% in when I have a man that I'm into but not at the expense of isolating myself from my family and friends to appease my new suitor. I'm not going to forge this super religious lifestyle to make it appear that I'm different than what I am. I'm not going to totally adapt to ALL of his ideals and abandon my own. And I'm certainly not going to stop being myself because he deems it as needing to 'change'. Sad thing is, I've been there before. I wanted a 'him' so bad that I started to lose me. I really thought if I did all I needed to do to get him, I would be set free. But honey, what a fool I was.

I wasn't fulfilled at work. I wasn't happy with my home buying quest. I was tired of having to be the 'someone' for everyone. Booooooy, did God kick me in the butt. The job I was 'over', turned into one of the most rewarding career tracks. Although the place ended up crumbling because it turned out to be ran by criminals, I truly went home in peace knowing I made a difference. A former student of mine had someone to contact me to tell me I changed his life. And the efforts of buying a home kept failing because God knew I would need to be home to help my mom with the loss of dad. These are tracks in my life that I definitely wouldn't have chosen for myself, but they have all been defining moments. They have all made me better, stronger, and wiser. So, apparently, they were all necessary. God knew all of that on (and before) May 11, 1982.

All in all, when I took of my rose colored glasses, it all made sense. Life is what you make of it. And the 'it' part happens to be all the things you experience. No matter what, your journey is unique to your purpose and it's a part of a bigger picture. No longer am I concerned with what 'seems' right or what I 'want'. I have had to totally abandon all of my idiosyncrasies. All my tantrums and rants about life have long stopped. Who cares what it looks like? Who cares where I am? Who cares who has something to say? It's a reason for it all and I am content (mmm, for the most part.. lol). This doesn't mean I stop pressing towards my goals, it merely means I stop thinking I have it all figured out. Honey, it's obvious I don't. Nothing has to make sense to me. God has total control. All that matters.

So when making my dream boards, dream book, dream collage, dream flash cards, and just plain dreaming, I am not going to be mad when God does what He wants. ( I have clearly had a lot of time on my hands to make all of those.. lol) He is well aware of my desires, but most importantly He knows what I require. I am confident in knowing that I am going to be ok. He is gonna work it out like HE'S BEEN DOING! (<-----one of my favorite things to say...lol)

Looking at the reflection in the mirror and knowing I'm still me :O)

~Mel

When You're Off Track, You're Still On...

Whenever you're in Him will, you're never off track. From time to time I fall out of sync with my religious routine. Whether its a missed Sunday service, I forget to watch Joel Osteen one night, I may not write a blog post, or I may not call in to a prayer line. No matter how far off I may think I am off track, I'm still somewhat in line with what God wants for me.

When I finally get myself back in line, I walk into church and there is a message just for me. I turn on Joel Osteen, he is delivering a tailor made message. I write a blog post that provides healing for not only me, but many of the people I hold dear. And when it's prayer time, I am the one that delivers a prophetic word that encourages the people of God. Because I still have God's covering, no matter where I go, I am still on track. Despite what it may feel or look like.

You see, God has every single moment in our lives accounted for. The ups, the downs, the trials, the triumphs, the lonely nights, the mornings u wake up in tears, the nights where you're staring up at the ceiling. All of that. In the midst of my life's misstep or my sleepless nights I know its all somehow going to come together. I have to trust and believe that it's all bigger than this very moment.

I think about moments where I was literally living moment to moment, not knowing where I was going to work, where life would take me next, falling asleep with tear stained pillows, wandering aimlessly. Just existing. These were the moments where I grew closer to God. He was my only true hope. No my momma and daddy. Not my man. Not in a bottle. Not in a club. Not in my friends. The answer I sought could only come from God. In those moments, I had to fall on my face. Remember the old folks used to say, 'Baby, you just need a good fall on your face cry"? Well, I definitely have had my share of those moments. I was weak when I went down, but there was such relief when I rose again. The yearning for "what's next" could only be fulfilled by Him, and it was. When I was strengthened, I had a better appreciation for what I had and valued my journey.

Just recently a close friend of mine from high school messaged me to tell me she goes to my blog every time she gets on line and when she doesn't see any new posts, she is hungry for one. She went on to say that when I get back to writing, it seems that the message is specifically geared towards her situation. She said she could do nothing but cry after reading what I wrote. Even when I thought no one was reading my blog or that my messages were just for me, God always sent me people to confirm that my efforts were not in vain. More importantly, my obedience provided a breakthrough for some of God's other precious ones. I have been humbled to merely been used as a vessel for someone else. In the end, that's all that will matter. Who you have helped get closer to God and how obedient you have been on your quest to pursue your purpose.

Just like with your current situation. When you look back on this type of moment in your past, you can see God's handiwork just as clear as day. It took some time and reflection to see it, but it was there. God wants you to trust His judgement with this moment in your life like you always have. Its imperative that you let Him have it. Worry is not only the opposite of faith, but it can kill you. Don't let the enemy make you think you are not going to get your breakthrough. Many times, its the battle in the mind that's the greatest. God is just waiting for us to trust Him. Would you be willing to do that today? I think you should hold on to see what the end is going to be. This can't be it. You're story is NOT over. ( Believe me, I have to tell myself this OVER and OVER. My faith worked before, so it HAS to work now)

We have to be ever so careful to understand our purpose and know that He has our best interests at hand. We have to grasp the concept of reflection and appreciation. Reflect on what we've needed and how He's provided in the past. Every time it seemed like you were down to the wire, an unexplainable chain of events occurred. The grace necessary for that moment was granted. It was like money was being released from a hidden account just in the nick of time. Don't u think He can do that again? I do... As a matter of fact, He will.

Understand that the race is given to the one that endures until the end. Keep pushing, pressing, and persevering. Its not easy, but necessary. Know that you're not alone. Ever.

Even when I'm of, I'm on....

~Mel

Who's Going To Iron My Cape?

During my brief hiatus, my friends (and fans) were like, when are you going to blog again? What is up with you? Every time I went to the computer I drew blank. It was like I needed a jump start. What happens when the person who inspires needs inspiration? Then it lead me to the question of, "Who irons Super Woman's cape?".

Funny way to put it huh? But think about it, after Super woman and Super man get home, there was never anyone there telling them that everything was going to be ok, no one to inspire them to keep fighting crime, no one really to push them. I think about all the mega pastors, motivational speakers, and inspirational people in the world whose daily job is to motivate. How do they keep going? I mean, the answer may seem obvious, the bible, God, Jesus, His goodness, but sometimes you need something to push you ALL the way over the edge. You know what I mean right? I want to know what makes them wake up every morning to keep pressing towards the mark? What fuels them to excellence daily? The answer is simple, purpose.

( Going in a different direction huh? yup...) In my time of "silence", I really did some soul searching, "what is my purpose Lord? It's got to be bigger than this moment in time." And truth the the matter is, no matter how far you run, you will always operate in purpose. As I go through life, I always find myself talking to strangers, offering life advice, coming up with witty ideas, inspiring people that I have never met, you name it. Sometimes while searching for your purpose, you end up operating in it by default. Again, I go back to my dad. (sigh... I miss my teddy bear). He was a pastor for 27 years. When we moved to Atlanta, he didn't have to preach every Sunday, but honey, that didn't stop him from changing lives daily. I remember one day coming home and he was prophesying to a bill collector. Ended up calling out the lady's husband name out and told her she would be healed in her stomach. The lady dern near fell out on her job. All because my dad decided to operate in his gift regardless of the platform.

Many people say that what you do when no one is watching is deemed as your character. Can God trust you to change the lives around you just because? Are you willing to be in a place in your life where it is no longer about you? Do you feel that your purpose keeps you up at night? Are people drawn to you for no reason at all? You might have found your purpose. No matter what it is. Or maybe it has tracked you down and found you.

Back to my original question, "Who Irons Superwoman's cape"? The truth the matter is, that can be easy to determine in your own life, well, somewhat. I think it has a lot to do with the company you keep and the people you decide to pursue relationships with. You have to surround yourself with people who continuously remind you of your gifts and push you towards greatness. Of course you will probably do the same for them, but that's how it works. You have to find people with kindred spirits and are willing to be a blessing in your life.

Just last night,I posted 4 new entries and here I am thinking no one really reads this. Well, boy was I mistaken. One of my sisters in purpose was up all night in prayer needing an answer and found it in my blog. From me? It is always so incredible to be used as a vessel. No matter how many times it happens. Because of my obedience someone was able to get closer to God and closer to who God ordained them to be. You know they always say you're one person away from your breakthrough. You never know who God will use you as a conduit for. To be a blessing to one of God's chosen is enough for me. When you operate in the gifts God has given you, it doesn't really matter what kind of earth adoration and praise you receive. It makes God proud to see you operating in obedience. When you look back and see the lives transformed, it will all be worth it.

I think all in all, it is not easy to be one of God's chosen. You are held to a higher standard and you can't do what others do. But on the flip side, the favor and grace you are granted is like having a VIP card that not just anyone can obtain. Being on earth is merely temporary so we have to be wise with everything we do. God knew that this very moment you are in would exist. Isn't that amazing? He knew EVERY up and down you would experience. He also knew the victory dance you would doing at the finish line. Truth to the matter is, when you're on God's side, you really can't lose. You may have a tumultuous ride, but it's worth it in the end.

Regardless of who is ironing my cape, I'm all yours God.....

~Mel

Leave It On the Alter and Find Something Else To Do

So this morning, I was preparing for my morning run, but of course I got sidetracked with cleaning my entire bathroom and straightening up the rest of my room. I was a little behind but I felt good about my morning work out. As I stepped out of my door, I found a pair of flip flops that I had been HUNTING for over the last 2 months. As it turns out, my mom dropped them off sometime during the morning. You know God revealed a lesson in something as small as this right? He showed me that as you're busying yourself with things on the inside, I am working them out on the the outside. Every thing you THOUGHT you needed will be right at the door of opportunity waiting on you!

-PAUSE- I will wait for the weight of that to hit you! Do you see what God revealed ? Let me restate it again (lol). God merely wants us to do what we can on our side while He works everything else out on our behalf. That is something else. (You know I'm over here crying already). God knows that we can't do it all. It was never His intent for us to walk this journey alone, that's why He sent Jesus. He knew we would get weak. He know we would want to throw in the towel. He knew we wouldn't want to be bothered. He knew we would get off track. He knew it all. He merely wants our hearts to be towards Him so He can do a great work for us. It's kind of like when you were little and your parents gave you an allowance each week. You wanted something that was WELL out of your budget, but you saved what you could. Your parents took what you had and added to it and you were able to get that special thing you wanted. That's how God is. He takes all your effort and faith bundled up and puts it towards your breakthrough. Even when it looks like you might not have enough, God adds to it so you can have all that your heart desires.

Let me go back to this flip-flop story. (stop laughing..listen...lol). These were my precious Haviana flip flops. I have been HUNTING for these things for like 2 months. I sent out text messages asking folks had they seen (or stolen) them. I turned every table and chair over in the house looking for them. I just kept coming up empty. So instead of fretting over them any longer,I released them into the atmosphere. (I know it seems silly, but follow me). Like these flip-flops, I have also fretted over sources of income, my relationship, what's next in my life, and the list goes on. God merely said, "If you've placed it on the alter, why do you keep coming back to get them?" I could do nothing but shake my head. It's true. I wake up in prayer and go to sleep in prayer about the SAME things. I know God heard me the first 50 million times, but in my mind, I'm thinking I will get a quicker answer if I keep badgering Him about it. BAM! Not true. lol. God answers things in HIS timing. More than ever I understand that now.

The moment I stopped looking for my flops, I found them. And when they were found, they were literally at my doorstep, in plain reach. There was no mistaking who they belonged to and who they were for. God revealed to me that this is how amybreakthrough will show up. It will be in plain sight and no mistaken identity. It will be DIRECTLY from Him to ME. -PAUSE- Do you see what God is saying? He is saying that He wants to send you a special delivery but you have to do some straightening up on your end. You see, all this time you thought it was something else holding up your breakthrough. It was really YOU. (me included..lol)

Now wait, let me clear a few things up now. Just because God doesn't want you to fret over a job doesn't mean you stop applying. Just because God doesn't want you to fret over a relationship, doesn't mean you stop combing your hair and looking good. Just because God doesn't want you to fret over your next level doesn't mean you stop pursuing your dreams. God wants you to do everything on your side to push towards your destiny and He will fill in all the empty spaces. All He wants you to do is give 110% to see if you will be ready when the breakthrough comes. You must have the capacity to receive and maintain the next level.

So the next time you want to work yourself up over something that only God can do, STOP! Just stop dead in your tracks. Have a good laugh about it and look up to God. 9 times out of 10 He is looking back down like, "Look at -insert your name here-, he/she has no idea what tomorrow will hold. I have a blessing that he/she will not have room to receive. I can't wait to bless his/her socks off". Can you imagine that? Can you see God working on a tailor made breakthrough JUST for you? Well, if you can't, erase those thoughts of doubt right now! God can and WILL do that just for you. No matter what it looks like. Give it to Him and leave it there. I know I am. I'm done doing work that doesn't belong to me.

Taking it to the alter and finding something else to do,

~Mel

Days like this....

Well, today was a rather eventful day. I actually spent the day with my dad. With waiting on my new projects to start up and working on others simultaneously, I have truly taken more time to spend precious moments with family. I anticipate being married next year this time, so I am soaking it alllllll up... lol.

I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

So anyway, as musically inclined as I am, I knew it had to come from somewhere. Today I saw it in action with my dad. Who is an ordained Pastor/ Prophet. When he accepted his calling into the ministry, he was a senior at FAMU and a Kappa. Which is saying A LOT for those days. Long story short, when my dad started the church, it was just me (1yr old), my mom, and one of his friends he grew up with. With that being the case, he needed a piano player. So, one night he was in prayer about one, and the next morning, God gave him the ability to play after NEVER playing. The rest was history. So fast forward to today, we were in the studio and God began to bring back songs he had written almost 30 years ago. You could literally feel the presence of God in the room. It was incredible.




After his 2 hour studio session, the Spirit was so ripe and encompassing. It was such a euphoric feeling in the air. My dad began to play a song he wrote in 1980 called, "God has not forgotten", a slow tempo worship song. The producer's eyes began to tear up and my dad began to prophesy to him. I then got on the mic and began to make up lyrics. It was so beautiful. (I will post it one of these days). As we were leaving, my dad spoke into the young man's life as I held my head down in prayer. I placed my hand in my back pocket and found $32 in cash. Now, $5 would of been great, $10 a blessing, but $32, something was TRULY going on. Those jeans had been washed and tucked away for weeks. I was going to take my dad to lunch and guess what, the seed I was going to sow was placed in my hand. God is so awesome.




When you have the desire to bless God's people, God will place seed in your hand. No matter the circumstance, God uses people on earth to bless people .The important thing that I keep learning is the more that I stress over what money I have in the bank, the less I seem to have. The moment I began to make a valiant effort to bless others and sow seeds, God began to immediately open doors for me. As He did today. Before we left, my dad told me to sow $5 into the producers life. I know you are like $5, girl for what? But what the number 5 means is "grace". My dad said it signified that we recognized the anointing that was in that room and that we were sealing a covenant amongst brethren that God will continue to grant us grace on our journey. It was simply incredible.



We left lunch and headed by to our side of town and something told me to run by Big Lots. Not that I need some whimsical figure to command me to do that, that is my 2nd home. lol. But anyway, all the Big Lot stores in the area have recently received books from local book retailers, so they have great books for $3 and $5. So as I was rifling though the bargain rubble, I came across this book with a gorgeous green dress with "weddings" across the front. I thought nothing of it and just grabbed it. When I go to the car, I opened the first page and there I found this scripture written on the 1st page, "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."- Galatians 6:9. *pause*







Now if God wasn't speaking to me specifically, I don't know WHAT! I began to rifle through the pages and Diann Valentine ( the incredibly creative, fabulous, wedding planner to Kelis & Nas, Lela Richon & Anthony Fiquoa and others), she began to tell her story of how she dealt with the broken relationship with her daughter's father, how she left home on faith to be an event planner & the company folded, to how she fell in love with love and found her calling. She said the most valuable lesson she learned in becoming who she is now was to WAIT. Lord have mercy, WAIT! She said, if she had of moved a moment too soon or too late she would have missed her calling, her purpose, where she was supposed to be.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.- Psalm 40: 1

That truly hit me to the core. It seems as though when we hit roadblocks in life, our first instinct is to run, turn around, and never look back. God has shown me that a roadblock is merely delay and not denial. That when He is the one that has closed or opened a door, He will do it again. The same God that delivered me before, we be right back on his job to deliver me again. So that very same roadblock will be a stepping stone to help elevate me to a place where I was supposed to be anyway. God is always showing out... lol


Although I don't know the whole story and I don't see the final picture right now, I saw today another piece of this puzzle I call my life. I mean, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. From 2 weeks ago leaving a place where I didn't want to be, to being denied from a place where I thought I was to be, to being in a place that I don't exactly know of how I arrived, to now being in a place where God is showing me glimpses of where I am to be. The bigger picture is coming closer and closer into view.


I know that WAIT is a message for me. And indeed a message for you. One of the greatest virtues that any of us can possess is that of patience. We each have to learn how to wait to see what the end result is going to be. If we all had a rewind button to relive situations in life, sure we would change some things and wished we could've waited a little longer, but we cant. All we can do is trust and know that the God we serve is a mighty and just God and that he hears our very heart's desires.

With the Lord, a day is like a 1000 years, and a 1000 years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise.- 2 Peter 3:8-9

Even as I write this, I can feel God in my very presence. I can hear Him whispering, "I have not forgotten you my child". And that gives me the power to keep waiting. He already knows what I need.


Patiently waiting and anticipating...


~Mel