Have you ever jumped out into the middle of an intersection to make a left turn while the light was still green awaiting the oncoming traffic to slow up so you can make that left turn? Most often, once you inch out into the intersection you will get a break in traffic to go...but sometimes you are caught in the middle of the intersection and there isn't a break in the traffic and the light turns red. What are you to do? Well, most of the time you feel forced to turn on red praying there are no cops around.
I have been dealing with a particular situation this week that I compare to being stuck in that intersection, and the light has turned red and I am forced to go through the light knowing it wasn't right for me. I believed I had received confirmation in my spirit to start a new business venture. I heard in my spirit "I don't care what you do, but do something". So, I stepped out in faith........well, nothing about this venture happened the way I had hoped. I knew from the beginning it wasn't my "playing field" nor where I'm gifted and talents lie. But, none the less I took a chance and proceeded through the intersection with the light turning red. Not that I didn't hear God, but I was seeing through the eyes of my flesh. I know the connection is a Divine connects, however, I just wasn't seeing clearly.
While having a little quiet time this morning, something I heard in my spirit earlier in the week came back to me. As I began to pray and go into an atmosphere of worship, it was all very clear within my heart ,which is where all revelation begins, I believe. I thought, "Lord, if this wasn't it, why did you let me go this far and what about the money we invested in it"? His response was, "it's not that it was wrong, you just made the wrong turn and the money....well, I gave the money to you and can give it back......pressed down shaken together and running over". Sometimes, I have to let you turn left in order for you to go right. Wow, I had been sensing all along that this was not the path for me, but my flesh was trying to make it right. Part of it felt right, because I love to drink coffee and I figured it would be an easy sell, but the selling part I know is not me. Why do we always try to make something fit! I know when God releases a blessing in your life, it comes without sorrow and trying to accomplish this thing from the very beginning was nothing but pure confusion...and our God is NOT a God of confusion.
Many of you who read this might say, wow she get's it wrong often and yes, that would be true. But, I will be the first one to admit it and share it in hopes that someone else will see it before it begins to form in your own lives and make the "right turn". My brother-in-law once told me....."Trice, God cares more about you trying to hear him (developing a relationship and desiring an ear to hear) than He does about you missing or misunderstanding what's being said". Well Brian, I believe you are right! I miss him often, but when I do finally get it right..........it's always on time. And always more than what my little mind could ever comprehend!
Had I not made that wrong turn, knowing it didn't feel right, I would not have been in a position to continue to seek God for direction and revelation of what is right for me. So, by knowing what I'm not to do, it makes room for the things I know I am called to do and that is devoting my time to ministry and serving God's people. There is no quick fix in this walk. The bible says, "your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great people". I have to trust God to know that as I continue to pursue my purpose daily, it will lead me smack into my wealthy place.
Well, I choose to follow the path laid before me and I am going to stop trying to get in where I clearly don't fit in. I used the scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", to try and make this venture work and it didn't. Not because the word of God isn't true, (because I do believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me) when I'm traveling in the right lane and doing what I'm called to do.
I pray this word will be a blessing to someone.
Also, Happy Mother's Day to all
Patrice Thompson
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Overlooked and Missed Opportunities
Over the past few days, I have been receiving “fresh” revelation on grace and gratitude. As I continue on the search to “finding My Truth”, I have realized that:
1) I’m not living in the gift of my present state
2) I need to be more appreciative of what God has already blessed and graced me with
3) To live my life as an outward expression of gratefulness
4) The things going on within me is a direct reflection of what is seen on the outside
5) While seeking the “more” I’ve overlooked and have missed out on opportunities already before me to grow and prosper as stated in God’s word.
While watching Oprah Winfrey’s “life class” last night, the topic of discussion was gratitude. What I gleaned from the words of wisdom being shared by her panel, one being Bishop T.D. Jakes, (however all were great) is to accept and receive the gift given by God to live in and appreciate this present moment in time. Today I have been filling my precious moments of time thanking God for allowing me to be a participant in this “now” moment and repenting of all the times my focus was on the “more” and what I didn’t have.
As I was giving God thanks for giving me grace to live in this present time, I began to think about all of the blessings He has already afforded me; whether I saw them as blessings at the time or not. Every experience has molded and shaped me into the “Trice” I am today. I made it through them only because He had already predestined it in my life and given me the grace to get through it. As hard as it may have been to go through some of my life experiences, I realize that I never went through it alone (for he never leaves us nor forsakes us) and by his grace I made it through. Stronger and wiser than when I began. For that, I’m ever so grateful.
I have always been one who internalizes everything. It’s been a real struggle to express what I feel through words. In doing so, I made a prison within myself and the only way of release was through wrong actions and deeds. Since embarking upon this journey with God, this has been one of the hardest to overcome. Yet, here I am today sharing with you in word. He always will take what was intended for our demise and turn for our good and His glory. While I have not reached the level of grace to communicate verbally with others to express myself, He has given me this “window of opportunity” to share through my writings. For that I’m most grateful. So today, I want to begin to allow the joy, love and compassion that I’m feeling on the inside to flow as an expression of gratitude on the outside. I’m taking baby steps, but I’m stepping. I’ve given myself to the enemy on way too many occasions to allow my negative thoughts and feelings to be expressed outwardly. It’s now time to overcome that evil with good.
I just realized today that I have been on a journey searching for the opportunities God has given to me to bless and prosper me in ALL things and I have missed them or not taken full advantage of the one’s He has already placed before me. I’m not sure of what is next for me, but this one thing I do know today; I have been given the opportunity to be a daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend and I don’t know that I have taken full advantage of any. Maybe, just maybe my focus in this season should be on developing , growing and prospering in these opportunities already afforded me and not so much of the “what’s next” for me. All of the above are titles that I am very proud to wear. I must say, that in all, I’m more than qualified for the job. Each of these roles God has entrusted me with and in order to be and live up to their fullest potential, I still have need of much wisdom and grace. I didn’t even have to interview for the positions, my life has qualified me. I had to ask myself this morning. Have I been the best daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend I could be? If I must keep it real, as my sister Amber would say…….my honest answer would have to be No!
Sometimes our search for our truth, purpose and passion leads us right back to our own front door. The greatest job opportunities, w/the greatest benefits and pay are already before us. Bishop Jakes has often shared that your passion will lead you into your purpose. Well, as I meditate on what I have a passion for, I always come back to the roles I’m currently playing. How many people can say that they have been afforded the awesome opportunity to be a daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend all in one lifetime?
So today, I’m grateful for being able to participate in all the above roles of life and my prayer is to become the best that I can be by God’s grace to fulfill them all. So, my question to you is: are you overlooking and missing out on opportunities God has already blessed and equipped you for or are you still searching for something new (that will carry a great “worldly” title and monetary reward) that you may not be meant to experience in this season of your life? According to the word of God, promotion doesn’t come from man, but from God….and according to his order God doesn’t give promotion until we are able to pass the test and assignments He has already given us.
I pray you partake and chew on this “food for your Soul” and allow it to digest into your heart, soul and spirit.
God bless,
Trice
1) I’m not living in the gift of my present state
2) I need to be more appreciative of what God has already blessed and graced me with
3) To live my life as an outward expression of gratefulness
4) The things going on within me is a direct reflection of what is seen on the outside
5) While seeking the “more” I’ve overlooked and have missed out on opportunities already before me to grow and prosper as stated in God’s word.
While watching Oprah Winfrey’s “life class” last night, the topic of discussion was gratitude. What I gleaned from the words of wisdom being shared by her panel, one being Bishop T.D. Jakes, (however all were great) is to accept and receive the gift given by God to live in and appreciate this present moment in time. Today I have been filling my precious moments of time thanking God for allowing me to be a participant in this “now” moment and repenting of all the times my focus was on the “more” and what I didn’t have.
As I was giving God thanks for giving me grace to live in this present time, I began to think about all of the blessings He has already afforded me; whether I saw them as blessings at the time or not. Every experience has molded and shaped me into the “Trice” I am today. I made it through them only because He had already predestined it in my life and given me the grace to get through it. As hard as it may have been to go through some of my life experiences, I realize that I never went through it alone (for he never leaves us nor forsakes us) and by his grace I made it through. Stronger and wiser than when I began. For that, I’m ever so grateful.
I have always been one who internalizes everything. It’s been a real struggle to express what I feel through words. In doing so, I made a prison within myself and the only way of release was through wrong actions and deeds. Since embarking upon this journey with God, this has been one of the hardest to overcome. Yet, here I am today sharing with you in word. He always will take what was intended for our demise and turn for our good and His glory. While I have not reached the level of grace to communicate verbally with others to express myself, He has given me this “window of opportunity” to share through my writings. For that I’m most grateful. So today, I want to begin to allow the joy, love and compassion that I’m feeling on the inside to flow as an expression of gratitude on the outside. I’m taking baby steps, but I’m stepping. I’ve given myself to the enemy on way too many occasions to allow my negative thoughts and feelings to be expressed outwardly. It’s now time to overcome that evil with good.
I just realized today that I have been on a journey searching for the opportunities God has given to me to bless and prosper me in ALL things and I have missed them or not taken full advantage of the one’s He has already placed before me. I’m not sure of what is next for me, but this one thing I do know today; I have been given the opportunity to be a daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend and I don’t know that I have taken full advantage of any. Maybe, just maybe my focus in this season should be on developing , growing and prospering in these opportunities already afforded me and not so much of the “what’s next” for me. All of the above are titles that I am very proud to wear. I must say, that in all, I’m more than qualified for the job. Each of these roles God has entrusted me with and in order to be and live up to their fullest potential, I still have need of much wisdom and grace. I didn’t even have to interview for the positions, my life has qualified me. I had to ask myself this morning. Have I been the best daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend I could be? If I must keep it real, as my sister Amber would say…….my honest answer would have to be No!
Sometimes our search for our truth, purpose and passion leads us right back to our own front door. The greatest job opportunities, w/the greatest benefits and pay are already before us. Bishop Jakes has often shared that your passion will lead you into your purpose. Well, as I meditate on what I have a passion for, I always come back to the roles I’m currently playing. How many people can say that they have been afforded the awesome opportunity to be a daughter, sister, auntie, wife, daughter-in-law, mother and friend all in one lifetime?
So today, I’m grateful for being able to participate in all the above roles of life and my prayer is to become the best that I can be by God’s grace to fulfill them all. So, my question to you is: are you overlooking and missing out on opportunities God has already blessed and equipped you for or are you still searching for something new (that will carry a great “worldly” title and monetary reward) that you may not be meant to experience in this season of your life? According to the word of God, promotion doesn’t come from man, but from God….and according to his order God doesn’t give promotion until we are able to pass the test and assignments He has already given us.
I pray you partake and chew on this “food for your Soul” and allow it to digest into your heart, soul and spirit.
God bless,
Trice
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