Working Faith

I keep hearing people say, "When God wants to take me out of this world, I'm ready. When God says it's my time to go I'll go."

This is true. However, God also gave you the opportunity to live for a reason. So don't tempt fate.

Your job on this Earth is to glorify God. Your mission is to tell others about Jesus. If you refuse to look after your health and well-being you cut your life short. How many people did you miss out on telling about Jesus because you died too young?

I am not saying to worry about anything. I am just saying be wise about everything. It takes as little effort to take a vitamin c tablet every day as it does to read the Word.

Faith without works is dead, though. JS. (Yeah, I know, context, but I use it in every sense of the way)

For instance, I can sit here and say, "If God wants me to be successful, He CAN have my dream job call and offer me a job" OR I can pray, then take ACTION and go out and try to GET that job.

I can believe in God for my health, but if I am eating the wrong things and never exercising, I'm going to get fat and have high blood pressure.

I'm just saying, God gave us a brain to use for a reason.

I will gladly strive...

Hello, World!

I guess since I already messed up today by sleeping late, I might as well make the best of the rest of my day.

I may not be able to go to church, but I can still spend my time in prayer and with Jesus and in reflection.

Speaking of reflection:

This year really hasn't been a bad year. It's probably not one of the best years I've had (that was last year), but I really can't complain too much.

I started out the year learning a new job that I never thought I would be working or even that I would like doing. For the first time in my life I was proud of where I was and who I had become.

At times, it wore on me as I fought to stay the person that God had led me to become. It was mentally taxing and I wasn't really sure if it was a fight that was meant for me.

So, God used my imperfect judgement to take it all away, and He opened doors that I thought had been closed in order for me to have hope and survive.

I've seen so many doors opened for me that I thought had been closed this year for good. And if God can open a closed door, then maybe all hope is not lost and I'll find myself back where I was at the beginning of the year next year.

Because as I said in yesterday's post, I have learned that nothing is final.

This year I have come into contact with people that I thought was a permanent part of my past and had no place in my future. But God has shown me that relationships are as much His to build as they are my responsibility to maintain.

Life is a struggle. Living it and embracing the struggle with all your might is what makes the American dream come alive! And, it's what makes me proud to be who I am.

I don't know where I'm going to end up next year but I know God has blessed me this year. I know He blessed me this morning to be able to wake up and look at the beautiful day ahead. He has open the doors of heaven and looked down from his throne and told me, "Shonda, my child, I love you!"

And, looking back, I can almost hear Him whisper, "Just wait. The best is yet to come! Watch what I can do!"

So, no matter what troubles I have today, and no matter how uncertain my future seems right now, I know that God is in control and everything's going to be alright. And I know He has a reason for everything. So, if my struggles are meant to give me a life more abundant then I will gladly strive.

Have a blessed day!

I Know God is Big Enough

Those who have been watching my posts for awhile know that about four months ago, I went from a job that I was making over $3,000 a month to being unemployed. I had a little over 2 months worth of bill money saved up.

Thirty years of going from job to job to survive has worn me down. God has held me up countless times during the last thirty years. Most of the time I had no benefits; and, yet, when I needed them most, God gave me what I needed when I needed it most. His timing in my life has always been perfect. My wants and desires have not.

This time, when I found myself unemployed again, I found myself aggravated and, in a way, angry. Why does God keep giving me my heart's desire and then take it away again? Why does He keep pulling me from place to place in my life, from having everything to having nothing, to barely getting by, to struggling to make ends meet, to robbing from Peter to pay Paul, to realizing that I didn't need much to having everything I could possibly want again just to put me in this position AGAIN and AGAIN...and, again.

I was tired of losing everything, depending on other people and corporations for a paycheck, for my survival.

I learned a long time ago to store back what I can because I will always, inevitably, need it at some point. This time, I started a savings and investment account. I bought a canner. I purchased a freezer. And, I put money down on a home that payments on are cheaper than I would pay in rent anywhere...and give me the option of renting out my extra rooms. I also got approved for two lines of credit, should I need it.

Two months was all I had saved up.

I took a week to grieve the loss of my job before I started putting out applications. Even then, I was so angry and depressed that I couldn't put my heart into finding a job. I wanted something to do that would bring in money and I wouldn't have to worry about losing my job again. I needed MY OWN BUSINESS. And, I needed it to work.

Avon was the answer.

I decided to invest as much as I could invest into it, so when I run out of my two months of saving, I at least had something coming in. So, that's what I did.

No, I'm not making near enough to make what I was making yet, but I see the possibility, and I have a God that is big enough to make it happen. If I put in as much work and as many hours I did at a job with a paycheck, my Avon business will be successful. And, if I depend on a God that is big enough to make that happen, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I may not get rich, or even make what I made, but my needs will be provided for. My boss is always on time with my check.

And, my God owns a lot of banks.

Everyone keeps asking me if I am still looking for a job. I think I've decided, finally, that the answer is no. I have a job.

I counted the time. It's been four months. God has carried me the last two. I have no doubt He will continue to do so.

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to trust You more!

Carry Me

After paying this month's bills, all I have left is a total of $160 to eat on.

This means that next month and from here on out, I am BROKE, unless I can make enough from selling Avon to pay my bills. Which means...

No rest for the weary. I'll have no choice but to go out and sell sell sell. This means working from sun up to sun down and HOPING I don't run out of books.

Pray for me.

I have learned from the past that it is do-able. And, I have faith that God shows up and shows out RIGHT ON TIME ALL THE TIME.

I feel privileged to be back in a situation where I can show you God's existence in my life again.

The Bible teaches that we should live from day to day and not worry about tomorrow. Jesus said, "Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat or what ye shall wear. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."

So, Jesus, if You are listening (which I know You are), it's all YOU now. Carry me. I can't walk.

And, as for the rest of you, I'm not asking for hand-outs. I'm asking for a chance to work for you, as YOUR Avon lady.

Click HERE to Buy AVON!

Give Me Faith

Hello, World!

For the last three weeks or so, as I sat at home, praying and reflecting for the most part, I was doing my best not to question God's wisdom for my life.

In the past, God has always taken care of me. I have never gone hungry. God always gave me a way to get food. It may not have been the way I would have chosen, but I never went hungry.

I have always had shelter when I needed it. Even when I had to sleep in a homeless shelter. And, even if I didn't, God saw that I stayed alive and healthy.

God brought me out of a very abusive situation. He blessed me and everything I did.

I am now buying my own home.

When I needed healthcare, He made sure I had good insurance, so the bills were minimal. He gave me just enough so that I could wonder how, and then watch Him do.

I have always tried to bless others with the extra God gives me. I have two bedrooms I am not using, so I have rented them out to my two homeless friends. I am glad I did, because at least I know my house payment is going to be made, now that I am unemployed.

God has blessed me for blessing.

My heart was broken at having to leave my last job. But, I've tried hard to maintain my faith, to believe that God knows best.

Me knees are about as healed as they are going to get. My health is good. And, I've had time to do some internet marketing I've been putting off, to help me get through the NEXT time.

Today I go in for an interview at a place I sent my resume'. The job would be perfect, I think. The hours not near as long and the pay not near as good, but I've done what I can to cushion that. I will miss the insurance and retirement, but I know God has my back there, too.

Pray for me.

Have a blessed day!

The Rachel Scott Story: I am not Ashamed

If you have never seen it, I would advise you to watch "I am not ashamed: The Rachel Scott story".

This is about the first person who was killed at Colombine High School in 1999. It is truly inspirational. A MUST SEE.

Very Inspirational. I give it a 10!

If That Mountain Don't Move

I recently quit my job at the restaurant where I worked. Last Friday, as a matter of fact. I decided to take a week off before starting to look for a job, since I have 2 months worth of bill money in the bank. I have until the 1st of June before I have to come up with rent again.

I enjoyed my week off. Then, on the following Monday, I decided to start at the top: the highest paying job I could find, with the best benefits.

The job is tentative. I have to wait on my background check and employment history check. That's the only thing I'm really worried about is my employment history. I have worked a lot of places in my life, and I cannot possibly remember all of them off the top of my head. But I did the best that I could do. She seemed less worried about it than I am.

I took my pre employment test and passed. I was surprised about that because the math part was pretty hard, but she said she was surprised that I didn't even use the scratch paper.

Anyway I'm trusting God in this, and just to show that I'm trusting God, I decided to go and eat at Golden Palace. I know I shouldn't have spent the money on this, until I know something, but I trust God that no matter what He's going to take care of me.

I will know something by April 10.

Nothing is written in stone yet.

I prayed before I went and I prayed after.

The rest, I figure, is up to Him.

The job will be demanding. It will require 6 weeks at a training academy, where I will run, do push-ups, sit-ups, and -- I'm sure -- a number of other physical as well as mental exercises.

I am almost 50 years old. I never figured I'd be going to "boot camp" at my age. And, I cannot imagine running a mile in 5 minutes. But, God put this mountain before me. He is either trying to teach me something, or to prove Himself. Either way, I am called to climb it.

This morning I woke up at 7:30 a.m.

For breakfast, I cooked me some fish and fried tators. It was a good breakfast. Then, I watched Matthew Hagee's sermon about God's belief in me. God will not give me a mountain that He does not empower me to climb, he said.

Powerful. I needed that.

After walking yesterday, my ankle felt like it was going to break every time I stood and put pressure on my toes. So, I stretched them all last night, and put as much pressure as I could stand on them until I could not stand the pain any more.

A good FB friend reminded me that that which does not kill me is given to me to make me stronger. So, I tortured myself.

This morning, I stood on my tip toes with no pain. But, it is raining outside. I cannot go for my planned walk today.

Instead, I got down on the floor and attempted push-ups.

Yes, I attempted them. I worked and worked at it until I was able to at least push myself up...on my toes, not my knees. The lowering myself was the challenge. I still haven't got that down yet...but I am determined to keep working at it until I do. Just not right now...I'm tired. My ankle has started to hurt again. More stretching and torture tonight...and possibly some more push-ups later today.

I tried sit-ups. That was even more challenging. I have not been able to do it without raising my legs to bring myself up yet. Still working on that too.

But, God does not put a mountain in front of me that He does not empower me to climb. God is my strength, and I refuse to quit without using all of the strength I have available, and then some if I am able. It's what God expects of me.

He'll let me know if I need to surrender. But, for now, I am called to fight.

Taking a break now. My website and GPTs are calling.

This I believe...

I was scrolling across my memories today and found this from 2012. It triggered a memory from way before that when I was in my late teens, early 20s. I was dating a guy who was called to be a Pentecostal preacher. But, he had turned atheist. Even back then, I carried my Bible everywhere I went. I read it every day.

He saw me reading it one day and he asked me, "You really believe that, don't you?"

I saId, "yes. I do. Do you?"

He said, "I used to." Then he told me his history. He said, "It just started sounding like a fairy tale. I mean, a flood that covers the whole world? Really?"

I didn't have enough knowledge then to defend my faith, except to explain to him that that is what faith is about, believing in things that can't be explained.

I asked him if he had a problem with me believing it.

He said, "Not at all. I mean, it's like this: If you believe and you die, then nothing will happen if it's not true. But, if I don't believe, and it IS true, and I die, then I'm DEAD wrong."

We broke up not too long after that. Not because of that. It wasn't right anyway. But, it did produce a productive memory.