A Fashionista Is Emerging.....

Everything changes. Nothing remains the same! Not even the skin on your body. It stretches or shrinks to accommodate life changes, such as aging, pregnancy, and menopause (male and female; I'm convinced that men go through menopause as well. There's just no blood involved.)

As I grow older, my interest and focuses are changing. The things that used to mean a lot are not so important anymore. The "small stuff" that used to be huge mountains are truly the "small stuff" now. I don't have to win every argument. I don't have to be right. I don't have to have the last word. One of the largest discoveries is that I don't have to always go without the things that I like and want; especially clothing.

I grew up in a household where my Mom worked really hard to make sure that our needs were met along with my Granny and My Aunt. We never lived in the ghetto. We never went without food. And we were never in the dark. I have always been sensitive to others needs and wants, especially my Moms. My Mom struggled to make ends meet and they didn't always and she would never tell us that. But I would see my Mom crying and stressed because she wanted to give us so much and couldn't.  My sister had to have the latest fashions without sensitivity to my Mom's struggle, so I would just take the hand-me-downs. (My sister is not that way now.; She would take care of everybody if she could and tries to; friends and family.)I wouldn't express that I didn't like something to the point where I lost a sense of what makes me happy.

 That's definitely changing now.I see outfits in my sleep! I have visions of what shoes to wear with what outfit and I actually want to go shopping!!!! I have NEVER liked to shop because my Mom didn't like to shop. She said spending money would give her a headache! I took on that same mentality, but in the words of Diana Ross, "I'm Coming Out"! Look out world cause HERE I COMEEEEE! I'm ready for this new chapter in my life!! Hope the world is ready for me!!!!! *Big Smiles*

Endearing Love

Today was my last day of work at a job that I never intended to become attached with the people or the position. I thought it was just to be a transitional position until God directed me further down the path that He intended  for me to walk. While in this position, I went through many changes, financially, positionally, socially, even geographically; some of the changes harder than others but I came through. The especially difficult times would some times lead me to believe that I was not in the will of God or that I had done something knowingly or unknowingly that angered God so he was some how punishing me. While in the midst of the financial changes I learned how to pray and just wait. I learned that the most important things are not purchased by money. I also learn to draw closer to those who were experiencing the same for strength.

 While going through changes positionally, being promoted, I learned that there is more value in me and what God has allowed me to learn and attain than I had ascribed to myself. I learned to see myself through eyes that valued what I could bring to the table.

The changes socially truly tried to throw me for a loop. I attempted to be in a relationship with someone who was very active socially; clubbing, drinking, dancing, partying, having sex with whomever whenever (the person was; not me). There were even some social issues at my job that caused there to be some tension between myself and my co-workers. I felt like the outcast and the unwanted. Inadvertently, I stopped looking for the approval of others. I found out that those things did not and don't currently make me happy. I also found out that I cant really be in a close relationship with someone, friendship or otherwise, that does not share a similar interest and passion for living a life that is pleasing to God.

After being evicted from my apartment and having to live with someone again was a "hard place" and I felt like, again, I was being punished or that God was trying to teach me a lesson. But in the midst, I learned about the timing of God. If I had still been attached to a lease, I would not have been ready to accept my new position in NC. I would not have even been pressed to look because I wasn't uncomfortable enough yet. I was uncomfortable but not uncomfortable enough to begin to really press in, seek God, and "beat the pavement".

As the kids and the staff said Goodbye to me, I felt a sense of peace that comes from knowing that I, through God,  have done a good work, and have left a good impression on the lives that I came in contact with. Although there were some not so good days, the love, endearing love, outweighed them all in those last moments......! There's nothing like endearing love!

Processes

Preparing for change and transition is a process that most would like to avoid if at all possible, but it is a commonality that we all share. As long as there is life, there will be change and transition; some more difficult than others but necessary for growth and progression. Could your struggles connote a fight against the process of change? Could God be leading you down the path of righteousness for His name's sake while you decide on constant detours that lead to  remaining the same? Reexamine. Reassess and stop fighting the process.

Is Jesus socially relevant?

Somebody asked me, "Is Jesus socially relevant?" I pondered the question and began to think about the things that are "socially relevant". Twitter, Facebook, Reality TV, Gay marriages, the presidential election, and the high price of gas are issues that are relevant to  society.

Jesus is historically thought of as the dude in "Jesus sandals", wearing a long dress, walking on the dusty roads of Jerusalem in the dead of heat, speaking an English that very few of us have mastered. He's not generally thought of as a tweeter, posting a status on Facebook, or standing in the lines at the polls to vote for the next best candidate for the Presidency.
Or is He?

"Tweeple" tweet about issues that are close to their hearts, their day to day, moment to moment activities, things that they represent, or just their interests; i.e. music, fashion, relationships, just to name a few. People connect through Facebook with people from their past, or learn whats going on in the lives of people in their present. There's no limit to the "realities" of Reality TV, and the popularity  of the topic of  Gay marriages fluctuates based on which state makes a particular stand for or against it. Media are filled with images and propaganda that points to the magnified incapability of each political candidate, while gas prices continue to rise along with the blood pressure of the consumer. In all of this, is Jesus socially relevant?

Jesus was talking to his followers (Tweeple) sharing (Facebook status) the thoughts of the one He represented ("Who You Wit?") on different behaviors that are appropriate for different settings. Although the settings were not the same, the need for principles that apply in various social settings remains the same. People were and are looking for THE answer to every situations.

Principles transcend time."Give and it shall be given". Although the context for which the words were written are not the same, the underlying message is the same as well as the law that is in motion; reciprocity!

Jesus gave those who believed in him the opportunity to have access to something better and greater; the Kingdom of God. Who wouldn't want better and greater? Within the kingdom of God are all the things that any person could ever want; but its only afforded to those who have access; those who decide that Jesus is relevant no matter the social setting, and receive Him in their hearts. Once that happens, Jesus begins to Tweet through them, post a status through them, wear stilettos and a business suit making major impacts in "Corporate America"  through them, and stand in the lines at the polls and vote for the next president of the United States through them!
So tell me? Is Jesus socially relevant?