Peace vs. Chaos. Justice vs. Injustice. Fear vs. Faith. Freedom vs. Captivity. July 4, 1776 and June 19, 1865…dates that represent freedom. One for the birth of a country breaking away from a tyrannical ruler, the other for people the first time being called free and not someone else’s property. Rewind centuries earlier, thousands of years earlier: a dreary Friday, a silent Saturday, and a glorious Sunday where death had been defeated…the day where true freedom began.
In the world as of lately, it was and is in an uproar let’s be realistic. A global pandemic causing death, everything to shut down and people living in fear. A battle against racial tension and injustice, inequality. Politics. Economic crisis. A coin shortage. Churches under attack from the enemy. And so much more, it will make your head spin if it’s all you consume yourself with. You will drive yourself crazy if it’s all you see and hear and let yourself think about. Step away and look at society, and look at it a little more personally: Who is in control of your actions? Who is in control of your thoughts and opinions? Who is in control of how your feelings and emotions cause you to react? Who is in control of the choices you make? The answer to all these questions is the same…YOU. God is in control of all things in the great big world and universe, but He gave us the ability to think, know, grow, live and make our own choices…good ones and bad ones. Freedom of choice. Freedom of opinion. Freedom of assembly. Freedom of speech. (Scripture says to be careful with our words because the power of life and death is in the tongue) We live in a country where we can do just about anything that is legal of course. You even have the freedom (free will) to go and make bad decisions (remember to everything there is a consequence). You sadly can oppress your own self by choices you make, in the form of addictions or vicious cycles if you so choose. You can work, you can dream, you can have a family. You can go into your church and worship freely. We have those rights. In the Declaration of Independence it states these three main points: All men (and women) are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for themselves and others. You have been given LIFE by the one who created YOU. You have been given LIBERTY, freedom by His Son Jesus on the Cross. You have been given the pursuit of happiness by the JOY that He brings you…anything else you chase and pursue you won’t always catch. This world cannot steal away what it did not give you to begin with. What is given by God cannot be taken away.
Let’s go back to that last part, no one can steal your joy or your peace, because no one in this world gave it to you. But freedom now, no one or no thing can hold you captive unless you let them have the keys! What freedom feels like is walking in your calling. What freedom feels like is knowing you are protected and loved. Freedom feels like a safety net and leap of fearless faith all in one because His arms will catch you. Freedom to fly and soar. What freedom feels like is walking into the sunlight. What freedom feels like is breathing in new fresh air in lungs once suffocated by panic. What freedom feels like is a new life. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Jesus sets free every captive. He has the key, let Him in. Every chain can be broken or if it has a lock, you know there’s a key to it somewhere! Stop letting other people’s opinions, choices, words and actions determine you and your choices, opinions, words and actions. We often fall victim to our own thoughts, we create our own prisons of doubt and fear. Y’all, who the SON sets FREE is FREE INDEED! Stop letting others opinions and choices effect and dictate your life! We are called to live in freedom.
Tides change in and out sweeping with the current but you know when the tide will change if you pay attention. Seasons change just like they are supposed to. God placed the sun and moon exactly where they need to be for both tasks. We anticipate the seasons as they change, we look forward to the change in scenery and weather. Winter thaws out and melts into beautiful spring colors and warmth, spring bursts forth into summer, and summer sunshine fades into the beautiful autumn golds, the hues change deeper and the leaves fall making way for new growth when the time comes, and then nature braces itself for cold winter and its frosty beauty. A cycle. But you know in your mind and spirit when there is a shift in the atmosphere. Some changes come abruptly and unexpectedly, that’s usually the change that no one likes. The changes that catch you off guard that you’re not prepared for: unexpected death and tragic accidents, loss of any kind, job loss, terminal illness or diagnosis, a global pandemic. None of these things are like seasons you expect, but yet we have all walked through them at least once. But then there are the changes you know are coming: the kind you dream about, wish for, pray for and plan tediously. The ones you want, the dreams you’ve kept tucked away. You mentally prepare and pray over it all the time. The signal beacon in your spirit turns on, you know the ship is on the horizon sailing closer but you don’t know how far away it is or what it looks like but you know it holds something in store for you. Listen to His voice, and when you feel the nudge you will know…
I have said this before and I tell people all the time, especially those younger than me (teens and college grads especially) you don’t have to pick and choose to be one thing or have it all figured out. It’s okay to change majors, change your minds, who cares if you graduate in 4 years or not, you stick to it…whatever it is God leads you to. You can do more than just one thing, you don’t have to be pegged down to one career one make it or break it decision, you are multifaceted and made in His image. Make friendships, make memories, take adventures. Worrying and stressing will not change anything, finals and exams are not be all end all life or death. You will make it. A saying I remember from one of my professors “Whatever it is Lord, don’t let me miss it today.” In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here: you dont even have to go to college to have a career you can in fact go to trade school or find an apprenticeship that doesn’t require a four year education but extensive hands on training and skill development. Life skills and good ole fashioned common sense are just as essential as a piece of paper with your name on it with student loan debt attached to it. I say this as a college graduate and an adult in the real world, common sense ain’t always common I see it everywhere. Whatever your path is, it’s yours not anyone else’s except those who choose to walk alongside and the good Lord’s guidance.
As a young girl, I wanted to be many things: a rodeo cowgirl, a horse trainer and equestrian, an Olympic figure skater and an Olympic gymnist, an elementary music teacher, a singer songwriter, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a WNBA player, a fashion clothing designer, a vet, many things. We all dream of things we want to be when we grow up. I did alot with art and music growing up, that will always be part of who God made me to be (after all I am an enneagram 4, creative is kinda our thing). Drawing, designing, painting, sketching, playing piano and piano lessons, learning guitar and writing songs, lyrics and poetry, reading and writing, and photography. Competing in art, poetry, and vocal categories in Teen Talent programs through church. I enjoyed volunteering with March of Dimes and various youth group activities, praise team and outreach. At school, I enjoyed extracurriculars such as Art Club, Scholarship Finders Club, FISH Club (a Christian discipleship group), Honors Chorus, Guitar, Miss Falcon Pageant, and the Falcon Press newspaper (go figure right? I mean I love to write!). At a young age people often try to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. In school even as young as middle school they want to try to make you figure out what major you want in college or what career and vocational path you want to take after you’re out of school I mean who really knows at 12-13 years old what you wanted to do let alone at 18 when you’re out of high school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that age! I tell high school and college kids upon their graduation many times: “Don’t worry honey you’ll change your mind multiple times and you will figure it out” or “you don’t have to have a plan right away after graduation, doors will open and shut and it will be okay”. You don’t have to have it all figured out what your next steps are. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be a preschool teacher and assistant director and children’s ministry director.
My first job, was in fact at Chick-fil-a at 17 years old. October 2007 until January 2016 when I entered childcare. I started as a Team Member, moved to a shift supervisor Team Leader and also became highly involved in marketing and promotion of products. I worked at two different store locations a mall unit in a food court and a free standing store. I coordinated and planned several events. I helped train other employees as well as excelling at what we called 2nd Mile Service. You can learn alot about people, business, how or treat others and food when it comes to America’s number quick service family restaurant chain for 8 years. My bosses taught me so much more than chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, they taught me life. Everyone should at least work a restaurant job at least once in their life, it builds character and people skills (and there is food so that’s a plus! We made all kinds of recipes and tried new ideas all the time!)
I went to a technical school called Midlands Technical College and planned on transferring to a university and majoring in Music, then realized what kind of jobs are in the music industry? I said to myself I’ll be a music teacher! So Music Education it was! I then changed my mind (again); I dropped the music part and stayed with education. When I left Midlands, I went to a Fall Preview Day at Columbia International University (CIU) I was torn between two passions and programs: Teacher Education and Youth Ministry. At age 19, I was a camp counselor at the camp I grew up at, Camp Robinson. Little did I know that my life would change again, I received the call of ministry into my life while I was at the altar praying over the kids, one of pastors spoke and prophesied over me. That day I heard the Lord say to my heart in the still small voice in my spirit clear as day “You want to be a teacher, but I want you to be a different kind if teacher. Teach them about Me.” That was 2009. I prayed and started pursuing Youth Ministry which lead me to CIU- Columbia International University where I met my future husband. Going to a Christian Bible college is different from going to a regular public secular university, obviously. In many ways college everywhere is the same, kids trying to find their way and figure out life all while building relationships and obviously learning. I was a commuter and did not live on campus, which made fitting in to the social campus life a little hard but thankfully I had really wonderful friends and professors.
After graduating college, I applied to so many places just like many young people my age do. Sometimes it feels like you just search and fill out applications shooting resumes like a machine gun fire and just hoping something lands or sticks. I landed one of my most favorite “jobs” that really didn’t feel work some days, it was fellowship and ministering to others through retail at Family Christian Stores. My bible degree from CIU was beneficial in helping people find the right translation to use a study bible or for their quiet time. Helping someone find the perfect wedding gift or baby gift for someone special in their life. A pastor or youth pastor looking for new resources or material. Someone looking for some special gift of a Bible or journal to help their newly converted friend grow to be a true disciple. Praying with people in aisles and walking with people in their grief and joy. Having people speak life and prophesy over your life while you ring them up at the cash register. Listening to all the latest music, Christian podcasts and preaching while working was always so encouraging. Family Christian was partnered with a company called World Vision that helped with sponsoring and adopting children in foreign countries as well as missions to help communities. You learn alot in retail about business and sales, Black Friday working was always fun. I was there from October 2014 until January 2016, when I entered childcare.
Fast forward to five years ago, January 2016. I had been applying to many more places for careers now that I was finished with college I was still looking. I knew in my heart it was time to move on from the world of restaurant and retail into something different. I knew I wanted to work with children whether it was in an afterschool setting, community programs, church or non church organizations where I could make a difference teaching and ministering to children in some way, somehow. After all, I was and had always been involved in our church children’s ministries as a student volunteer for about 10 years or so. I needed an open door, a new opportunity. I entered into the whimsical world of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers both as Assistant Director: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational. Vastly different environments, like I mentioned before you know when you are called to move on. I have learned and juggled so many things in this career field than ever before but my previous years experience of retail, restaurant and ministry applied to early childhood education. You have to know how to work with the general public (in this case parents are your “customers”), meet needs and care for others, lots of administrative paperwork, multitask, and generally learn hands on. I have changed diapers, wiped noses and tears, cleaned up boo boos and applied band aids, given time outs and calm down bottles, watched children crawl or walk for the first time, soothe a sick or crying baby, give a high five and hug when they do something great, walk them learn their colors and numbers, writing their name for the first time, reading, and growing. It really is something special to behold when you take a step back and look at these tiny humans. It takes a big heart to shape little minds they say, it is very true. You can’t be a teacher and have a selfish bone in your being. It’s not logical. It takes brains and heart. I have learned so many things for when I become a mother that I know that this path is God’s working way to prepare me for the greatest gift one day: motherhood. Until then I’m “Mrs. Heada”, the teacher, the assistant director, the chapel director, and the “bonus mama”. Childcare isn’t for everyone but don’t ever take it for granted or think that our job is easy.
Years of volunteer experience as a teenager and college kid, (and realistically an actual degree) led me to where I am today: Children’s Ministry Director. My dream and goal when I was in college for Youth Ministry is to be doing what I am doing right now. Does it look different than I dreamed or imagined it would? Of course! I served under many others for many years, until spring of 2017, when it started as an “interim” children’s director position and here still 4 years later I am over all the children’s programs for all kids under 12. This past year with COVID-19 closures and shutdowns had been really hard, we truly miss and love our kids. It came down to Facebook videos on bible studies, book read alouds and sharing little devotions and snippets on Facebook and Instagram-but it doesn’t replace hugs and high fives and hands on face to face interaction of just being together. We have our Youth Ministry (Beyond Student Ministries, middle and high school) program with our wonderful Youth Pastor/Associate Pastor Caleb and his gifted wife Carlie leading worship together and restarting a Girls Ministry my husband Wes as our Boys Ministry Coordinator (formerly Royal Rangers) and I as the Children’s Ministry Director of Reach Children’s Ministry. The focus is discipleship and getting into the Word and truly growing, then getting out there reaching beyond the four walls of the church building and sharing Jesus! That is what it is about, the foundation of it all is built on relationships: with Jesus and with others.
Now, there are a few other things that I can add to the list: as of 2019 I became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant and a few months ago around Thanksgiving I started a little baking and desserts business (“side hustle”) called Spoonful of Sugar Baked Goods.
My husband, Wes is quite exceptional. He is so humble and doesn’t like attention but he is so easy to dote and brag on, I’m obviously a little bit biased. In high school, he was a track star and football player. He has traveled across the United States many times and been to many more places than I have. Him and his dad have driven cross country multiple times. He did a summer internship in Montana at West Glacier National Park in the Parks Ministry program, he talks and dreams of it all the time. He has done lots of odds and ends jobs growing up from yard work and landscaping, interning in children’s ministry and youth Ministry, maintenance and grounds groundskeeping at college, and his job now at McEntire Produces as a Lead Parts Supervisor and also he has been a volunteer firefighter for Columbia Fire Department for five years. He serves as a board member at our church as well as media help and leader of our Boys Ministries program The Outpost formerly known as Royal Rangers.
I say all these things to tell you that your life doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter, fit the box type of life. You don’t have to stick to one thing your entire life and be stuck, you are multifaceted and God changes things according to His purpose for your life. So don’t be afraid of change, the next great adventure awaits you! Growing means we are NOT meant to stay the same!!!
A year of change and chaos. Faith or fear-you choose. 2020 has been quite a year. A pandemic, civil and political unrest, an election. COVID-19. Racial issues and differences. Crazy weather, of tornadoes and hurricanes. Unprecedented changes, working from home, virtual learning, business and government shut downs, no big events or crowds, wearing masks wherever you go, sanitizing everything and being deemed an “essential “. This year has been anything but normal for many people. Lives have been lost from this virus. And yet many have also recovered. Some of you may have had great year, and some of you may have had an awful year. Yet at the end of the day, we all will move forward. I’ve said several times if 2020 had a slogan or catchphrase it would be “I’m over it”. I’m going to “retweet” myself from my blog I wrote on New Year’s 2016: You may have had an amazing year full of cheerful and blessed moments, accomplishments, and milestones. You may have had a really tough and tumultuous year full of heartache, pain, setbacks, and maybe even tragedy. Most people have a year full of both triumph and tragedy, joy and pain…just like life. You sometimes have to taste the bitter with the sweet. Whether we like it or not, time marches on. For some time may have flown by too fast. For others it may seem as if time is crawling by so slowly. Time goes on, it doesn’t stop for anyone or anything; and as much as we would like to pause it, slow it down, rewind, or fast forward all we can do is let it play until it stops.” This is true everyday, every year. We can’t “turn back time” or can we skip ahead to the new chapter or year that awaits. You push through, you keep going just like we have done all year in 2020. Everyone keeps saying “goodbye and good riddance 2020” but I challenge you to find the good things that you had this year, it can’t all be bad. The little moments and memories made, the small victories over challenges. Cling to what is good and cling to what is God’s and that’s the Word- His truth. Look for opportunities to grow, chances to change, circumstances to show grace and extend love in a world that really needs it. Let go of the negative nastiness-that bitter pill. I’m gonna recap and review something I posted months ago in the spring of 2020 during quarantine because it’s a great reminder:
“The Bible warns of such plagues and pestilence, its not a new thing (they had infectious diseases in Biblical times too). Signs and wonders are being shown to us. Prophecy still speaks now as it did thousands of years ago. Here’s how to brave it all. 1) PRAY 2) Do NOT fear or panic, you lose all logical reasoning when you panic. 3) Wash your hands, stay healthy and safe follow “social distancing” and “self isolation” the best you can, but don’t let isolation make you feel alone in the midst. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors. If you struggle with loneliness or depression, find a buddy you can talk with regularly. We are in this together. 4) Use this time to find a new hobby, work on projects, catch up things, read your Bible, start a book that’s been on your must read list, create some crafts, have a family game night with your kids, try a new recipe, work out you’ll feel great, self-care, random acts of kindness towards others, take a nap and rest, it will restore your soul. (Remember 4:8, whatever things are good, think on them) 5) Recite Psalm 91 over you and your family/household. A prayer of protection: “My Refuge and My Fortress” “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:1-16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.91.1-16.ESV)
We all hear “Happy New Year” the next word that comes to mind, is “resolutions”. Quite honestly, I’m sick and tired of New Year’s resolutions. (If you’ve been keeping up with my blogs the past 5-6 years, my first blog of 2016 was about resolutions and goals: “GO!”: A New Look at a New Year posted January 2016). I prefer to set goals and find new adventures, especially trying new things. Trying new things can be intimidating and scary but that’s what makes it fun and makes life beautiful too. So, I’ve heard many people now choosing a “word for the year” each year instead of “resolutions”. My friends and I have been doing this for a quite a few years now. Last year in 2020, the word for me (alot of others as well) was VISION, let’s hash that out for a minute. 20/20 vision is said to be perfect vision, seeing clearer than ever before is what we all said we wanted for the new year well 2020 had a way of removing all the luxuries and things we take for granted, the everyday routines and tasks, places we go, people we gather with, all these things were shaken and stirred in 2020. We ask God for vision, He took off the blinders showed a bigger plan, removed all distractions, created a space and time of “containment” and “social distancing” to cultivate and change how we see the world around us and how we interact and treat others. Never take for granted your job, your school and education, your grocery store clerks and stockers, your waiter or waitress and cashier at restaurants, your delivery drivers, your teachers, your first responders, your healthcare workers, your time with family and friends. Never take these for granted ever again, that’s what 2020 has taught us. You may have lost alot this year, you will regain strength and overcome. My word for the year is overcome, not that I really personally had a tough year but loved ones around me did as an empath it’s tough. But the thing is overcoming any obstacle that the year has. No matter what may come, I will overcome because I know I have in the past. And another word I’ve chosen is simply “better”: meaning I will do better, I want to be better at all areas on my life, and better together when connection is so important.
I leave you with this, find something ONE thing, or five or ten that you want to grow in. Set a goal and give grace, to yourself and others. Seek God in every little thing and every big thing, in ALL things. Move forward, better together. “And even if it not good, God is still good”.
Revenge is sweet they say. When someone does us dirty the first thing we want to do is pay them back, or give ‘em a dose of their own medicine! The “Golden Rule” is one that we all know “Treat others as you want to be treated.” That one rule we are taught as kids in school, along with the “If you can’t say anything nice, be quiet.” Too often as kids we’ll pitch a full blown hissy-fit if we don’t get our way, or even as adults we fly off the handle when we get offended. Well, we are human…meaning we are flawed, imperfect, and sinful. It’s the spirit vs. flesh daily battle. Grudges vs. Grace. One of these can slowly eat away your joy, tarnishing your soul, a bitter poison that only hurts you more than the one who hurt you. One of these sets you free, lifts that unmistakeable weight off your shoulders, your heart is free to feel joy, and to live and love without fear of hurt again. If we look at others the way God sees them and really the way He sees us as well, then we experience grace in a different. It really lays on a foundation of one core element, a life changing element; a gift-FORGIVENESS. There’s an old saying that goes like this “Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Forgiveness can be tough thing to do, just like ripping off a bandaid or getting a shot in the arm. Forgiveness can be an easy thing to do when you love someone. But either way, forgiveness is necessary. Scripture itself says “For if you forgive others their trepasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trepasses, neither will your Father forgive your trepasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV). If we look past the hurt and try to figure out why someone may have acted out or hurt us? We may begin to understand each other. If we look in the mirror and see our own flaws, we can also begin to understand each other also. Dishing out anger and vengence fixes nothing. Forgiving is one thing, but forgetting is alot harder. I always say “Forget the past but not what it has taught you.” The best to do is move on and let it go (not to sound all cheesy like Elsa but hey the icy Disney Princess has got a point!) When you hold onto to unforgiveness, you build a prison cell for yourself while the guilty walks free. The hardest apology to give is to the one who thinks they did nothing wrong. However you do it, whether face to face reconciliation, a phone call, a letter, a peace offering or extending a little bit of extra kindness their way, or maybe even just simply forgiving them in your heart and moving on…forgiveness is vital. It can save your life, and theirs. Grace upon grace is what He has lavished upon us, how can we call ourselves followers of Him if we don’t extend that same grace to others on a daily basis? The bottom line, we all need grace sufficient enough for each day. The past is covered in grace. Your present is sitting in grace. Your future extends grace. So go and give a lil bit today.
Hello 2016, Happy (belated) New Year! It’s that time of year when everyone starts reflecting back on the year they’ve had and looking towards the future. You may have had an amazing year full of cheerful and blessed moments, accomplishments, and milestones. You may have had a really tough and tumultuous year full of heartache, pain, setbacks, and maybe even tragedy. Most people have a year full of both triumph and tragedy, joy and pain…just like life. You sometimes have to taste the bitter with the sweet. Whether we like it or not, time marches on. For some time may have flown by too fast. For others it may seem as if time is crawling by so slowly. Time goes on, it doesn’t stop for anyone or anything; and as much as we would like to pause it, slow it down, rewind, or fast forward all we can do is let it play until it stops. Well, regardless of what your year has looked like in 2015 we all look to the future with hope of something better in 2016.
Let’s talk about one word that we ALL hear right about now, some of us may use this word frequently with good intentions others maybe sick of hearing the lame excuse for motivation that just falls short…you know what I’m talking about, RESOLUTIONS. That’s right “New Year’s Resolutions” those ever-so-famous little standards and marks we set for ourselves every January. The classic ones: To lose weight (for some it may be to gain a little weight; hey don’t judge!), To eat healthier and exercise more, To quit and drop bad habits or addictions, To spend more time with loved ones, Read more often or Read the Bible more often. Those are some common ones we’ve heard before. This type of year gym membership sales, cookbook and self help book sales tend to soar.
Well let’s think about the word “resolution”. According to dear ole Webster, “resolution” means “the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. the act of resolving something. an answer or solution to something.” Now I can see where people use this word in the case of addictions or bad habits they want to break. I don’t know about you but when I hear the word “resolve” I automatically think that there’s a problem that needs solving. Well what if you don’t have a “problem” but just want to do better? The reality is there is a problem…it’s a problem we all face because we live in a fallen and imperfect world: the root problem is SIN. But that problem was “resolved” many years ago by Jesus Christ dying on the cross. If we focus on our problems they can consume us, just like we can easily let sin consume. If you’re looking for a way to tackle your “resolutions”, the first (and really only) “resolution” anyone should make is to follow Jesus. Let Him take over, confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and let Him mend the broken pieces. No one is perfect, but Jesus is.
The next thing I want to tell you may just blown your mind: throw your resolution ideas out the window because we’re gonna talk about another word: GOALS! I personally like goals better than resolutions myself, they seem more attainable and honestly more positive. Back to ole Mr. Webster again; the word “goal” means “something that you are trying to do or achieve”. Another definition puts it this way; “the object of a person’s ambition or effort, an aim or desired result.” In one of my previous blog posts “What Drives You and Who Defines You” I discussed and elaborated on Jeremiah 29:11 says “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord; ‘plans for a hope and a future, not for destruction.” The future is something we look forward to in hope but we have no idea what it will bring. We can make all the resolutions and goals we want, but without God they fail and fall apart. Proverbs, the book of wisdom has quite a few verses that sum up this logic; “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3) and then a few verses later says “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9). We can have goals, dreams, and ambitions but if we don’t seek God first they won’t even make it off the ground. Every man, every woman, every boy and every girl has specific dreams and desires in their heart that God has put there for His specific purpose in your life! Girl, you better believe the King has big plans for His princess daughter! Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Without Him, we are nothing. With Him, anything is possible.
So look at the first two letters of “goal”: that’s right, G-O! Go. Plain and simple. Don’t ask God to guide your footsteps if you aren’t willing to move your feet! You have to make the first step after seeking Him and praying, to step out. Whatever it may be: going to the gym, grabbing a salad or fruit instead of that burger or candy bar, walking more places, start writing that book, start that blog (like I did), go back to school finish that degree, put down your addictions and habits one day at a time, travel to new places and adventures, apply for that dream job, go on a mission trip, pick up your bible and start reading, don’t be a afraid to go on a date, take the time to cherish your family and friends, whatever it is! Be spontaneous, Be courageous, Be adventurous, Be fearless, but always Be Faithful! The letters in “GO” also remind us of one very important thing: God Oriented. We must place all our desires, dreams, wants, needs, all the happiness and all the pain at His feet. Place your heart in His hands and it will be lead in the direction of your dreams. If you had a heartbreaking year, full of pain and disappointments; grieve and let it go. There’s the word GO again, it will take time. So go ahead, make your list of goals, or your “bucket list”: pray over it and take it a month at time, a week at a time, one day at a time: grace upon grace. Don’t worry because something is “new” that it can be intimidating and scary. Isaiah 43:18-19 says “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” He is doing a NEW thing! I have always said “Forget the past, but not what it has taught you.” With all this being said, tell me where is there any room for excuses? Goals. God-Oriented. Grace upon grace. Now, what are you waiting for? GO!
With Love, Courage, and the spirit of Adventure 😉
your sister in Christ, Heather
Hope For Her Heart 