At any given moment if you were to take a snapshot of my life currently, as it is now, it would be a representation of a culmination of things. The person I am now is made up of a lot of life experiences. It's made up of the wisdom I have learned from life. Wisdom defined is what is learned through costly experience. I have had a lot of costly experiences in my life but they all have shaped me and formed me into who I am now. At the women's conference Holly Wagner talked about the movie Karate Kid, the old one not the new remixed one lol But in the old one Mr. Miagi taught daniel son how to do karate by means of some creative tasks. For example wax on, wax off, the motion of rubbing wax onto a car, then painting up and down a fence for hours, basically at the time daniel son was getting so fed up because here he thought he was going to be taught Karate yet to the naked eye it looked like all he was having him do was chores. But then at the right moment Mr. Miagi threw a couple moves towards daniel and surprisingly he was prepared and able to block the moves. Why? Because in doing all the "chores", Mr. Miagi had taught him the basic moves of Karate. The same goes in life, the experiences we face are all pieces that God uses to prepare us for things that will come our way in life, whether they be good or bad.
If you're around me for like two seconds you will realize I love to laugh, and I laugh loud. But that laugh is full of so much joy and was birthed out of a lot of years of silence, a lot of years of being the shy kid that now even though at times I may like to be quiet I actually love love love to laugh. There are so many times at work when my co-workers will pop in and just make me laugh so hard that I swear the entire company can hear me but I love it. This joy that I have is something that God has given me. He has brought so much beauty from the ashes that once were my life.
Then there's this patience that He has blessed me with. I haven't always been patient, believe me but during various season of waiting whether it be for a job, a loved one to get saved, a new car, an answer to prayer or for my husband, He has taught me the power of patience. And it's funny because in my career dealing with all sorts of employee relations I have to have patience and it now comes very natural for me but it's all stemmed from life experiences.
Wisdom, the what not to do's of life, wow, all I can say is I have definitely learned a lot about wisdom from making some very poor choices. I now know how not to live your teenage life, how not to waste your time, how not to have a christian relationship, how not to treat my friends, how not to lessen pain with substances, how not to dress (this goes way back to my funky high school days hahaha) and so on. But even with all those crazy experiences it has only taught me how to do life better and it has given me so much insight to share with others that might be walking down some of the same paths that I once walked down.
And then there is this relationship which connects all the pieces together...my relationship with my saviour. And that happened through a lot of prayer by my prayer warrior mama, by a divine appointment and an incredible revelation of His love for me. It's this love that has turned my whole world around.
He has ordained all the days of my life and He has written my story out beyond the point I am at now. But honestly in the grand scheme of things my life isn't only about the here and now, here on earth, it's about so much more, it's about the eternal. The story of my life on earth is only a small piece of the bigger picture.
And that grand picture, the one that I have yet to see completely, now that picture is worth so much more than a thousand words.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Singleness
So I've been single for about a year now God and while I know you haven't forgot about me there are times when it's hard. Just being honest.
But then at the same times there are times when I truly love being single. This past week I spent 5 days in California, 3 of which were at this amazing women's conference called Godchicks where I was introduced to the incredible teaching of Priscilla Shirer. Tonight I was looking on her blog site and stumbled upon some of her teachings/interviews about single hood and was so encouraged. Being single isn't something that one is called to, so even though at times I remind God, "um so I'm getting older Jesus and there's seriously no prospects around...at all! How is this going to happen?" he only has me single for a season. Jesus likes to work in seasons, there have been seasons in my life where it was hard, for example when I graduated college at the top 25% of my class, double-major and yet couldn't find a real job for 4 years, that was a really tough season but it was exactly that...a season. And after 4 years of waiting on God, He gave me the most amazing job ever, something that I would have never thought I would love but I totally do and I'm seriously blessed to work with some of the most humble, selfless, loving people ever!
I know me being single is just for a season and some days I'm okay with that but somedays its hard, I get lonely, I miss the affection that occurs in a relationship and the feeling of having your best friend who adores you. But most days, I just remind myself that this is a season, and in the current season I'm in I have the amazing opportunity to spend my time how I want, whether that be working out, spending time with my girlfriends, watching chick flicks, flying around the country to visit loved ones, friends or going to encouraging women's conferences like Godchicks.
Everything is about perspective, I can either look at this season as lonely because I'm not in a relationship or I can look at it as me being fortunate to have all my time to spend with those I love and loving on my savior. Priscilla in her blog said, "don't think that being married isn't hard, it's hard just like singleness is hard but it's a different kind of hard, especially once kid's come into the picture." So if you're reading this and you're single know that this is just for a season. Don't lower your standards, keep trusting God, be open to dating (this is more a reminder for me because well dating doesn't mean what the world says, but it's being open to getting to know people better, not being afraid) and enjoy where you are at currently because this season will pass and you don't want to miss out on great opportunities.
When I was looking for a job I had my sights set on what I wanted and honestly looking back, if God would have given me what I wanted I would not be as happy and fulfilled as I am currently. He is faithful. And I know that He wants what's best in all areas of my life. I will not settle, I will not bend, I will not believe what society says or thinks, I will not shrink to accommodate for anyone, I will be me, I will be the daughter that He has called me to be, the amazing woman that He has formed me to be, I will believe what He says about me and I will wait for my confident, Jesus adoring, whole, loving, serving, strong, incredibly anointed, passionate, humble man to come into my life.
Michelle
P.S. Check out this awesome song, I'm loving it!
But then at the same times there are times when I truly love being single. This past week I spent 5 days in California, 3 of which were at this amazing women's conference called Godchicks where I was introduced to the incredible teaching of Priscilla Shirer. Tonight I was looking on her blog site and stumbled upon some of her teachings/interviews about single hood and was so encouraged. Being single isn't something that one is called to, so even though at times I remind God, "um so I'm getting older Jesus and there's seriously no prospects around...at all! How is this going to happen?" he only has me single for a season. Jesus likes to work in seasons, there have been seasons in my life where it was hard, for example when I graduated college at the top 25% of my class, double-major and yet couldn't find a real job for 4 years, that was a really tough season but it was exactly that...a season. And after 4 years of waiting on God, He gave me the most amazing job ever, something that I would have never thought I would love but I totally do and I'm seriously blessed to work with some of the most humble, selfless, loving people ever!
I know me being single is just for a season and some days I'm okay with that but somedays its hard, I get lonely, I miss the affection that occurs in a relationship and the feeling of having your best friend who adores you. But most days, I just remind myself that this is a season, and in the current season I'm in I have the amazing opportunity to spend my time how I want, whether that be working out, spending time with my girlfriends, watching chick flicks, flying around the country to visit loved ones, friends or going to encouraging women's conferences like Godchicks.
Everything is about perspective, I can either look at this season as lonely because I'm not in a relationship or I can look at it as me being fortunate to have all my time to spend with those I love and loving on my savior. Priscilla in her blog said, "don't think that being married isn't hard, it's hard just like singleness is hard but it's a different kind of hard, especially once kid's come into the picture." So if you're reading this and you're single know that this is just for a season. Don't lower your standards, keep trusting God, be open to dating (this is more a reminder for me because well dating doesn't mean what the world says, but it's being open to getting to know people better, not being afraid) and enjoy where you are at currently because this season will pass and you don't want to miss out on great opportunities.
When I was looking for a job I had my sights set on what I wanted and honestly looking back, if God would have given me what I wanted I would not be as happy and fulfilled as I am currently. He is faithful. And I know that He wants what's best in all areas of my life. I will not settle, I will not bend, I will not believe what society says or thinks, I will not shrink to accommodate for anyone, I will be me, I will be the daughter that He has called me to be, the amazing woman that He has formed me to be, I will believe what He says about me and I will wait for my confident, Jesus adoring, whole, loving, serving, strong, incredibly anointed, passionate, humble man to come into my life.
Michelle
P.S. Check out this awesome song, I'm loving it!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Unshaken
His word says He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That He is faithful, that He has good plans for those who love Him. But He also warns us that in this world we will have trouble, but not to worry because He has overcome the world. His word also reminds us that when hard times come we are to stand, stand firm in fact, stand on His promises, stand on His character, stand on what His word says. Just because bad things happen it doesn't mean that He isn't on the throne, that He can't turn things around, that He isn't who He says He is.
God is God regardless of whatever obstacles come in my life. God is still God when I hurt. God is still God when the plans that I thought would happen don't happen. God is still God when the doctor says you have cancer, God is still God when your parents decide to divorce, God is still God when your best friend stabs you in the back, God is still God when you lose your job, God is still God when your baby dies upon birth from complications, God is still God when the man of your dreams moves on to another. God is still God no matter what the storm is, no matter how it looks, God is still God.
Today I found out some news that normally would have rocked me to the core, would have devastated me but in that moment when all sorts of thoughts were swirling in my head I heard this...I am still God no matter the circumstance. And I received so much comfort from that because it's true. He is in control of my life and His plans are always better than mine and no matter how it looks now He is more than able to turn things around.
So while in the past I would have been a mess, I probably would have gotten drunk to numb the pain, I rested in my God, the God who loves me beyond measure, the God who never lets me go, the God who gives me peace that surpasses all understanding, the God who not only comforts me but empowers me to actually be joyful in this moment. I am not shaken, this situation doesn't have control over me, I am still the same girl I was this morning before I found out the news, I am still the daughter of the King of Kings, I am still completely and wholly His.
Things happen. Life happens. But if you trust in Him above all, those things which were meant to hurt you, to destroy you will leave you unshaken.
Michelle
God is God regardless of whatever obstacles come in my life. God is still God when I hurt. God is still God when the plans that I thought would happen don't happen. God is still God when the doctor says you have cancer, God is still God when your parents decide to divorce, God is still God when your best friend stabs you in the back, God is still God when you lose your job, God is still God when your baby dies upon birth from complications, God is still God when the man of your dreams moves on to another. God is still God no matter what the storm is, no matter how it looks, God is still God.
Today I found out some news that normally would have rocked me to the core, would have devastated me but in that moment when all sorts of thoughts were swirling in my head I heard this...I am still God no matter the circumstance. And I received so much comfort from that because it's true. He is in control of my life and His plans are always better than mine and no matter how it looks now He is more than able to turn things around.
So while in the past I would have been a mess, I probably would have gotten drunk to numb the pain, I rested in my God, the God who loves me beyond measure, the God who never lets me go, the God who gives me peace that surpasses all understanding, the God who not only comforts me but empowers me to actually be joyful in this moment. I am not shaken, this situation doesn't have control over me, I am still the same girl I was this morning before I found out the news, I am still the daughter of the King of Kings, I am still completely and wholly His.
Things happen. Life happens. But if you trust in Him above all, those things which were meant to hurt you, to destroy you will leave you unshaken.
Michelle
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Growth
Jesus,
You are my creator, you designed me, you understand me, you see the areas of lack in me, and you know how to mold me and shape me to perfection. You know when to say no in certain seasons to cause me to grow. You know when to say yes and push me to do things that I would have never thought I could do. You know when to prune me, when to remove people from my life and then when to bring others into my life. You know when I need a break and when I'm ready for the next level. You know me. And you know me better than I know myself.
During this season I am open. My desire is to grow. To be prepared for what you have in store ahead. One area where I need your help is communication. Show me when to speak, how to speak, give me courage. Teach me. Lord, I would also like a mentor. A woman that has walked the path that you have me on, a woman that can encourage me, that will push me and that will pray for me. Lord, I know you have put this desire in my heart for a reason because you have more for me, but that requires greater preparation and closer walk with you.
Lord I want to be like the five virgins in the bible who had the oil, who were prepared for the bridegroom. Not like the five foolish virgins who didn't have oil and were therefore shut out of the wedding banquet.
Matthew 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."
I want to be prepared for the plan you have for my life. Fine tune me Lord. I need you.
Water my thirsty soul. Refresh me. Clean my heart.
When I begin to boast because I'm not where I used to be, remind me of the journey, remind me that my path still lies ahead. I have not arrived at the end destination yet, this is only the beginning.
My husband lies ahead, my babies lie ahead, souls to be reached lie ahead, rescued trafficked victims lie ahead, women that I will encourage lie ahead. Help me to not veer off the path but to reach those whom you have in store for me to do life with.
I love you Jesus. And I love the journey, the view is great from here.
Michelle Nicole
You are my creator, you designed me, you understand me, you see the areas of lack in me, and you know how to mold me and shape me to perfection. You know when to say no in certain seasons to cause me to grow. You know when to say yes and push me to do things that I would have never thought I could do. You know when to prune me, when to remove people from my life and then when to bring others into my life. You know when I need a break and when I'm ready for the next level. You know me. And you know me better than I know myself.
During this season I am open. My desire is to grow. To be prepared for what you have in store ahead. One area where I need your help is communication. Show me when to speak, how to speak, give me courage. Teach me. Lord, I would also like a mentor. A woman that has walked the path that you have me on, a woman that can encourage me, that will push me and that will pray for me. Lord, I know you have put this desire in my heart for a reason because you have more for me, but that requires greater preparation and closer walk with you.
Lord I want to be like the five virgins in the bible who had the oil, who were prepared for the bridegroom. Not like the five foolish virgins who didn't have oil and were therefore shut out of the wedding banquet.
Matthew 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."
I want to be prepared for the plan you have for my life. Fine tune me Lord. I need you.
Water my thirsty soul. Refresh me. Clean my heart.
When I begin to boast because I'm not where I used to be, remind me of the journey, remind me that my path still lies ahead. I have not arrived at the end destination yet, this is only the beginning.
My husband lies ahead, my babies lie ahead, souls to be reached lie ahead, rescued trafficked victims lie ahead, women that I will encourage lie ahead. Help me to not veer off the path but to reach those whom you have in store for me to do life with.
I love you Jesus. And I love the journey, the view is great from here.
Michelle Nicole
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