Rome was not built in a day.

Rome was not built in a day. A phrase stated a man by the name of John Heywood an English playwrite. I’ve heard this phrase from my grandfather often. It’s hard to have such great dreams that seem so far out of reach, but I remind myself Rome was not built in a day nor was anything rarely built over night that truly ever made a huge impact in this world or much of anything that had any significance and did not face difficult obstacles they had to overcome. Even Jesus Christ had difficulties to overcome, a human that claimed to be the Son of God was a strong claim and he was beaten and hung on a cross. Now we worship him as the Living Son of God. Knowing his is the Truth and the way.

I’m a dreamer and am often asked why I have so many goals. My question in return is why not?! Why not dream?! Go big or go home. Coming from very humble beginnings and being a gal with such strong aspirations is often looked at quite strangely. I’ve definitely had many set backs. It’s easy sometimes to get discouraged, especially when I see people my age or younger way more successful. Then I remind myself I to will get to my goals and dreams and I to have already accomplished many of my goals. I believe putting God first is the best way to help guide one in these wise decisions that will help one reach their goals.

You and I have this natural tendency to compare ourselves and to beat ourselves up. We are our worst enemy at times. Every human being that I’ve researched that did anything of great importance or great impact failed first. Each human of great accomplishment failed many times but refused to give up and step by step eventually made it to their dreams. Elon Musk slept on the floor if his office, bathed at the YMCA and had the hero’s of his life doubt that what he was trying to do was possible or even right. But now he is a man many call a successful visionary. And the list goes on. Given some of these individuals may not be religious BUT nevertheless do not doubt the fact that with Christ guiding you, one will so far more good that will last for an eternity to come. Because this life is but a breath in comparison to eternity. While we dream big and reach for goals here and now, never forget that their is a life of eternity we will face after this life on Earth is compete.

Food for thought.

In some cases you can become so passionately full of hate on a subject, issue or offense that you become the very thing you hate. If we don’t allow healing & forgiveness to flow through our spirit we risk bitterness & resentment to take hold. Do you hate the very issue/person you are protesting about so much that in turn you have become filled with the same hate that the person you hate has in their heart?

I’ve seen time & time again scripture manifest in this area of life. Our movies & bed time stories are full of people who were once good but because of an unhealed hurt or wound they became something they would’ve never imagined as a child they would become. Children don’t dream of becoming villians when they grow up, they want to be the hero. But through pain, selfishness, wounds, hurts & disappointment, human views & perspectives can become distorted. People justify their hatred, their abuse, their needs at whatever cost to gain what they think will give them peace. Only forgiveness & the blood that was shed on the cross by Jesus can give that true holy peace we all look for. True love that can only be found in and through Christ Jesus. A self sacrificing love.

Matthew 24:12: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Become loving and not resentful during difficult times.

How does one maintain composer during attacks? When one has fallen victim of unfair treatment? In the middle of wanting to vindicate yourself with such passion, how does one stay focused? Nobody can lecture one on this unless they have also truly been through such a trial and learned the lesson with some amount of success.

I think it is a life long lesson even for the most mature. Right when you think you have mastered self control, another test is given. One that stirs such hurt and injustice that you may feel like your blood may boil. Another trial that can cause you to grow spiritually or become bitter and resentful. It’s a difficult growing pain. I definitely do not have it figured out. But I do turn the the word of God. Lord knows I am not perfect and struggle but I desperately search for God to search my heart. Purge any wicked way within me and help not become bitter or resentful when injustices or difficulties may rise in life.

The lord searches the motives in our hearts. He alone knows everything in our minds, hearts and soul. The “WHY” we do things. How we treat people behind closed doors when the outside world is not looking. When we aren’t in the lime light are we still lovers of what is pure, innocent and good? Do we love the most difficult? Because it is difficult.

Getting out what you put in.

I have recently decided to write about my moments of trials and what has helped me get through tough times. I decided about 3 weeks ago that I would make an effort to pray more than I have ever before. The type of prayer where you dig deep into your soul until tears flow down your cheeks.

When I first started really getting deep into prayer it took a lot of effort and still does at times, but it gets easier and you begin to crave the moments with God in prayer. I’ve always took discipline very serious. It takes discipline to honestly and seriously pray like we should. I asked God some very detailed and tough questions during prayer and my thought life.

One day a friend recommended me to read some books written by the author Dr. Caroline Leaf. As I started reading my heart just melted. The type of questions I asked God were not the type of questions just anyone can answer. And here God was directing me to a book that answered those very questions. There are times in life where a word given to you by a Christian or so called prophet is so vague that really it could have been for anyone. There are times that you think maybe that was God in a situation. Then there are times the answer, moment or word is so right on and so detailed that you know it could have only been God. This was that kind of moment.

Times in life we feel as though maybe God does not hear us. We ask where is God in all the mess of our lives. Why did our lives go this route?! I have realized through seasons of doubt or trouble that it is often times our fault. The decisions we make have consequences and we are the ones that drift from God, as I moved into God and became determined to feel Him more than ever and seek Him the more I see Him speaking back.

The other day I started off my morning praying and asking God to have mercy and grace on a situation I am dealing with where I have failed God and feel stuck between a rock and a hard spot. A difficult place in my life where it is easy for people to look from the outside in and assume or judge, which makes things more difficult for me. I sometimes can be a people pleaser. I beat myself up and beg God to please just have grace until I can figure things out. After prayer I grabbed the book and the first thing it stated was the scripture Lamentations 3:22-23, “The Lord’s mercies… are new every morning”

Moments like these, teaching moments where divine inspiration and revelation awaken my soul even more. I knew God had heard me and although he wants me to make things right, He loves me and does not hate me for my sin. It is easy to forget how much just drawing close to God through prayer or simply reading your bible awakens something in you that you otherwise would never feel. So as I draw closer to God I honestly and genuinely feel Him more and see him speaking to me in ways I know without a shadow of a doubt is an answer to my prayers.

We have to get to a point of desperation for God. A Bulldog kind of faith. Ask yourself how bad do you want a situation to change, how bad do you want God and how bad do you want to make a difference in a lost world full of hurt?! We were born to make a difference, we have a God given Destiny. We need the strength, guidance, wisdom and leading of one who created us to fulfill our God given destiny. You get out of prayer what you out in.