I Pray for You, You Pray for Me...and Watch God Change Things

This one's gonna be short and sweet tonight because my heart is simply too heavy for anything more. For those of you who pray IN THE NAME OF JESUS, please, if you will...say a prayer for me. No need for me to go into detail...God already knows. Please and Thank You.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What can I pray for on your behalf?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Compare and Contrast...but never Complain

Have you ever looked at the lives of other people and asked yourself, "How did I end up HERE?"

I do. Often.

I don't do it in an envious type of way, but moreso a curious type of way.

I mean, as I sit here at my kitchen table writing, I sit with the sound of the fan, and only the fan, whirring in the background. I could listen to music, that's still an option, however, turning on the tube to see what's on...that's NOT an option. And I wonder, "How many of my other friends are sitting at home this evening with NO television?" I don't mean NO television as in, they choose not to watch it. I mean...NO television as in, they can not afford it. You see folks, I can no longer afford television and for that reason, I turned in the cable box weeks ago. The basic of packages was $29.99 per month, and that didn't even include CNN which is the ONLY channel I even care about. Too much for THIS girl's budget.

And then there's the internet.

Sure, I have it, but only through a wireless router with a very limited amount of data. So for those folks who say, "Ah, you don't even need TV, you can watch shows online." Nope. No can do. That would eat up my data in ONE episode.

I will say that I am VERY thankful for Starbucks and their Wi-Fi offerings. Mind you, I always by SOMETHING...even if it's just a back of shortbread cookies, or a small iced tea. Because contrary to what SOME think about me...I am NOT a leech. I pay for things and don't take advantage of ANYONE. But...I digress.

Then I see friends post about these fancy restaurants where water doesn't even come in individual glasses...it comes in a glass bottle that everyone pours from. Can't say that I've ever been to one of those.

Or those who live in waterfront homes.

Or those who are able to live creatively without breaking their backs to keep the lights on.

Yes...sometimes I wonder where I made a wrong turn. Well, there are a few areas where I can CLEARLY say that I made the wrong turn. But did I make enough to get me HERE?!? Apparently, I did.

I'm not complaining or comparing my life to anyone else. I believe that what God has for me is for me, and what He has for someone else is for someone else.

I'm just curious.

What I do know is that not many folks I know could live my life.

*I live in a small apartment (without amenities, like A/C, washer & dryer or dishwasher).
**I drive an 8 year old Kia that cooperates most times, and other times makes me VERY nervous.
***I have never been on a week-long vacation (2 days has been my max).
****I am single (not by choice, but by God's current will).
*****I am heavier than society says I should be.
******I am still searching for that perfect career opportunity (more than most folks know...more than 99.99% of folks know).
*******And I am going through life alone...with no one to talk to, but God. He's all I have, and He is enough.

Even with all that, I am still BLESSED beyond measure.

*Although I have NO health insurance...I DO have my health.
**Although my bank account has dwindled down to nothing, I am still able to eat everyday and sleep in my own bed in my own home.
***I have THREE amazingly incredible children, who make me proud EVERYDAY.
****Although I don't have anyone CLOSE to talk to and share ALL that I'm going through at this time in my life...I have my faith, and that is invaluable.
*****Although I am crying on the inside most days, I still have a smile on the outside, so as not to bring others down. "Debbie Downer, I refuse to be!"
******Although NONE of my career dreams have come to fruition yet, I still have hope and I keep pressing forward, believing that they will...ONE DAY.
*******Although no one reads my beloved blog, the words still flow from my fingertips like water. Even if I am only writing for "An Audience of One", THAT is all I need.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you where you thought you would be at this point in your life?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

This JOY that I have...

With all of the sadness, anger, and negativity in the world I am learning more and more how to TUNE IT OUT and focus on what matters...JOY, LOVE, PEACE...and ultimately life eternal with Christ. You see, when I think on those things, then the vitriol and nastiness that the world may try to throw my way simply bounces right off. I just don't want any part of it. It's as though I wake up every morning now and spray "negativity repellent" all over myself. To the point where it either doesn't come near me, and/or if it does, it bounces right off...NEVER making contact.

Life is so much sweeter when lived that way. Interestingly enough, it's not the way that "the world" operates. Thankfully...I am not of this world. I am simply a traveler sojourning through. So I don't have to conform to the negative ways of this world because they are not the ways of my Lord Jesus. HIS ways are MY ways, and for that I am forever grateful.

The world wants us to tackle anger with anger...bitterness with bitterness...negativity with negativity.

Nope. Not gonna do it...because Jesus wouldn't do it that way.

Light outshines Darkness...ALWAYS.
Love outshines Hate...ALWAYS.
Silence outshines Angry Speech...ALWAYS.
Forgiveness outshines Unforgiveness...ALWAYS.
The Word of God outshines the ways of this world...ALWAYS.
Faith outshines hopelessness...ALWAYS.
Understanding outshines the need to prove a point...ALWAYS.

There...I've given you seven. Anyone who knows me knows that I do things in sevens.

So here's the deal...when I wake up each morning, I CHOOSE JOY. I really do. With a dwindling bank account and a job situation that's up in the air...life issues that need to be handled, and other things that change like the wind...I STILL choose JOY. I mean really, what benefit is there in harboring anger, resentment, bitterness, and whatever else people hold against each other? This life is so short compared to eternity. Why live it angrily? Again, I say...I CHOOSE JOY.

I still pray for people who've hurt me. Yes, EVERYDAY I pray for them...asking God to BLESS them. Why? (You already know what I'm gonna say) Because JESUS said so! That's why. No, it's not easy in my flesh. But by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me, it's totally doable. And That's what I choose to operate from...the power of the Holy Spirit and not my flesh. Too many people (yes, even Christians) are operating out of their flesh. How do I know...because they are so quick to anger, and short on forgiveness. Sorry folks, but according to the Bible that I read, that's completely opposite of how it's supposed to be. Thankfully, in one's very next breath the script can be flipped. But a person has to WANT to flip it. Some people CHOOSE ANGER. Sad, but true. For some strange reason, it makes them feel better...makes them feel like their "winning". Ok. Anywhoo...as I said before and will say once more...I CHOOSE JOY, and so does Yolanda Adams in one of my favorite songs where she says, "This joy that I have, the world didn't give this joy to me..." Amen Yolanda, amen!

Let the DIALOGUE begin: When you wake up tomorrow morning, what will YOU choose? Heck, why wait til then...tomorrow morning isn't promised to any of us. You may only have THIS moment. So...right NOW...what do YOU choose?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

wwYd?

Here's the scenario:

You're in a situation that doesn't make you completely happy.

You want to step away from that situation, not permanently, but just for a little while.

In stepping away for a while you'll risk making someone else unhappy, which in turn, will make YOU unhappy.

Did you follow that?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What Would YOU Do?

Note: No one is being physically abused in this situation. Just wanted to make that clear.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Honesty. Is it REALLY the best policy?

I know, I know...that's a rhetorical question. It just happens to be the way that I'm feeling right about now. So I've been receiving unemployment benefits while I diligently search for my next career opportunity. Every two weeks I fill out the form that I receive and I state that I am looking for employment (which I am). Well...because I've been running into so many brick walls, finding that most positions require a Bachelor's degree (even if the position is just for data entry), I decided to take the next step and go back to school. One of the questions on the form asks if I've enrolled in school or any type of training. Guess who answered HONESTLY...yep, I did. Now...EDD is holding my money. I can't believe this is happening! Why am I penalized for going back to school in an effort to IMPROVE my chances of getting hired. This makes no sense! If they would CALL me and ask ME about it, I would gladly tell them that I only have class ONE night a week and it's AFTER working hours...so it does NOT interfere with my job search or being able to hold a job. Since I haven't heard from them, nor has my money been deposited, I decided to take a proactive approach and CALL THEM. Well, a lot of good that has done. I call and have to press this button and that button and I am NEVER given an option to speak to an actual PERSON. This is an important issue...I need to speak to a living, breathing PERSON! I keep pushing buttons until I FINALLY unlock the magic "How-to-get-to-an-actual-person" door. And guess what happens... I get the following message: "We're sorry, but due to the high volume of calls we are unable to assist you at this time." Click. Yep, that's it. No option to hold. No option to leave a message. The call just disconnects. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET HELP?!? So, I will keep trying because rent is due 7 days and I have NO money. Nevertheless, I will not stress or worry about it. God knows what I need and He has never failed me...EVER. So I've given this issue to Him and I'll keep trying to get through EDD. One thing's for sure...I need to get back to work and I need to get back to work PRONTO!!! Let the DIALOGUE begin: What has been YOUR experience with EDD? Do you know any secrets to reaching a LIVE body on the phone? If so, please share. Talk to me! Til next time...

(p.s.- Please forgive the formatting and the fact that the post is now one GIANT paragraph. I don't write it this way but blogger.com recently made some changes and now the formatting is all messed up. Frustrating to say the least.)