Watch and Wait for God

I search for God and His messages. Don’t take even the smallest thing for granted because it may be an opportunity to encounter God.

As I rest at home, enjoying every minute of peace and relaxation, there is anticipation in the air. In no way am I in a rush for our child to be born. God has numbered his days and He ultimately knows when he will arrive. God’s timing and plan are perfect, so I have removed myself from the equation as I surrender to God.

With that being said, all week the weather forecast said that there would be a thunderstorm today. For once, man’s weather forecast lined up with God’s and I shared some much needed time with my God as He spoke directly to my spirit.

It began to get a bit dark outside. I could see the clouds rolling in from the west as I sat at the computer. Since we generally don’t use our electronic devices during storms, I closed the computer and looked out of the windows of our home. (God knew I would.) You see, on the west side of the house, the rain was already pouring down, but to the east, not so much. Our local news interrupted regularly scheduled programming to tell us it was raining. (lol. Thanks Stan.) As the raining began to fall hard and steady and move across the house, it was becoming noticeably stronger on the east side of the house. As I looked out of the window, I saw a bird perched on our fence. This appeared to be a rather large bird that was not at all phased by the approaching storm. I stared at the bird initially thinking “What is it doing.” (This was all a set up.) Not only did the bird not move a muscle, or wing, it seemingly started to stretch as the rain poured from the sky. This bird leaned from side to side; lifting one wing at a time, marveling in the passing storm. I was fascinated. The bird did not move other than to embrace the heavy rain that all others had disappeared from. The bird sat and waited, almost as if it knew the storm wouldn’t last long and that even at this time, it needed to soak up all the storm had to offer.

Why was I so fascinated by this bird? You see, God was speaking to me. God showed me that as I am now at home, at peace, waiting on my fence (exercise ball) with the sun shining and blue skies; that a bit of a storm is coming my way. One that I’ve never experienced, yet, one that will not last very long. God showed/reinforced in me that I have a choice. I could run for cover like all the other animals seemed to do or I could just wait patiently for what will be poured out upon me. As I go through what I must, just like that bird, I can stretch out, moving in whatever manner I must but embracing the beauty of the storm. That bird showed no fear. The circumstance didn’t change its position. It waited and enjoyed the storm. The bird instinctively knew that besides the fact the it was going through a storm, that it could do nothing about, what the storm would bring (food) was well worth the wait.

I wondered how long the bird would sit there. It did not move until the storm had been over for a while. It seemed to process what had just taken place; almost seeming rejuvenated. Then it shook itself off, looked around, and flew off.

You see, I plan to do things naturally. No interventions before, during or after. Simply trusting God to do what He always does. God created this marvelous body, that has not ceased to amaze me. He made no mistakes in what it could do. So I have a choice, I could run from the inevitable that lies ahead, seeking medicine or other interventions or I can embrace it, leaning and depending on God who gets me through everything anyway. There is a gift waiting on the other side of the storm. One greater than I could ever ask for or imagine.

I have enjoyed every part of this journey and will continue to because my mind is not focused on me, but on God. His plan and purpose are what matter. I want to honor Him with my life, my choices, and my reverence for Him.

So you better believe that while we are going through our little storm, I’ll be reflecting on that bird; steadfast, stretching and enjoying every minute of what was taking place; waiting for the bounty that waits on the other side.

I thank God for how He speaks to me and every wonderful moment that we share. There is no one like my God. He is marvelous, magnificent and Almighty!

Don’t be fooled by the moments in which our world says different. Don’t take your eyes or ears off of Him. Satan desires to sift you as wheat(Luke 22:31). The question is, will you let him?

Thank you Lord!

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. -Isaiah 26:3

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

Fabricated Friday's- LeBron Edition

I tried to refrain from commenting, however; this is simply ridiculous.



#1- Why burn LeBron's jersey that you purchased with your own money? Are you really hurting him or did you just throw away your own $50?



#2- Was LeBron truly the only role model in Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio? I think not. And if this is what you believe, you need to be evaluating your own life. Why are you not the role model that your children and those around you need to have in their lives?



#3- Does LeBron owe you anything? No, not at all. Are you that helpless and hopeless that you have hooked your claws into this young black man, who consulted with God and his family about his decision and then made an educated choice, refusing to let him live his life based on his purpose and not your own?



#4- What would you say about him as a man and player if he simply stayed in Cleveland to appease the crowd, never realizing a championship? Something like, he could have been the best player ever, but he never won a ring. Right?



#5- If you truly wanted him to stay in Cleveland, what were you doing about it? I saw the children and their pleas for him to stay, but did you win over any other players, who you would ultimately hold responsible for saving the livelihood of a less than prospering city, to come and join him on the court? Do you ever question why common citizens leave the city, let alone a man with a prosperous career who was presented with awesome opportunities?



#6- Why is this matter getting more attention than education, healthcare and the economy put together? If you had your priorities straight, you would understand how utterly ridiculous this matter is and recognize the things that really matter in this life.



#7- Are you really mad at LeBron or at yourself for not having anything better to do or look forward to than watching him play basketball? If you had your own goals and aspirations and were actually striving to achieve them, I don't think you'd have the time to care as much.



#8- To the owner: If you couldn't win with him, how in the world do you think you're going to win without him? You took the time to call LeBron a former hero displaying cowardly betrayal because your feelings are hurt. You, however; are the one displaying villainous behavior sprinkled with a lack a class and duplicity. Instead of taking the opportunity to uplift the man or simply saying nothing, you demonstrated exactly why no one wanted to join your team. Silly man.



#9- When was the last time you've been to Miami? Let's think... Cleveland-Miami, Cleveland-Miami... Trust me people. You would choose Miami over Cleveland without anyone paying you a dime. At least he's getting paid in the process.


#10- Have you ever noticed how people from Cleveland truly believe that they live in Paris or the Swiss Alps? I really don't blame them for behaving this way because they are truly ingrained with the belief that their city has it all, is all and is better than all. I knew this as a child and I live with a Clevelander! (Love you Babe) Generally, people at least respect the cities that they were raised in, but please engage in serious dialogue with someone from this city and you will at least partially understand why they are sooo upset with LeBron.

Anyhow... Best wishes LeBron, Cleveland and Miami. You all make millions more than the rest of us Americans who go to work everyday because we have to, not because we enjoy the work that we do. (Bitter snide comment- sorry!) But seriously, you live this life once. Make the best of it and enjoy every step of the way!