Take It Personal!

Dear you,

I’m leaving!

I have tried to make our relationship work time and time again with no success.

So call me what you want but this time, I’ve decided to go.

You probably won’t even notice because you left me long before I decided to leave you without even realizing it.

You never told me in words but your actions speaks volumes.

If you would just recognize my value you would not be so quick to neglect me.

Yes, I am pointing the finger because I consistently make myself available to you, only to be rejected.

This is my cry for you to spend some time with me.

When did you become afraid of me? When did you become uncomfortable around me?

Please understand, I do not seek to harm you.

I do seek to challenge you to face your own reality…I challenge you to just listen…I challenge you to listen to that small still voice.

Let me assist you with hearing better…with seeing better

I have a way of forcing you to confront some things about you…the you no human sees or even know.

I encourage you to face the beautiful and the ugly truth.

I encourage you to use me as an opportunity to hear and know The Truth.

But you constantly run. You run away from me and tune me out.

Maybe I speak softly but please recognize there is power in what I speak.

I wish you would “make” time for me but how can you when you are always “finding” time for other things?

Do you not value me enough to turn off your “smart”phone, or the “intwine-net”…I mean internet?

Do you not value me enough to turn off someone else’s reality that has become a show?

I am no longer willing to compete with your distractions, your gadgets, your reckless recreation and your mindless chatter.

I can’t even get time alone with you in the bedroom! Before you sleep or after you wake up because you are distracted by the tune of someone else’s voice or tune.

You’ve stopped allowing me in your car…you ignore me in your home and stopped allowing e in your life!

You don’t appreciate me in conversations…always having to have the last word…always having to compete…always having something better to say.

You have forgotten what I look like. You don’t see my beauty anymore because the world attempts to drown me out when I show up. They’ve influenced you to do the same. They don’t care about me…they don’t care about you. They’ve got you hooked and you can’t even see it…or hear it.

It bothers you that others have made a habit to be around me…it bothers you that they enjoy spending time with me…it bothers you that they can love the me who you refuse to see.

I long to hang out with you.

Can you really say that you know me?

In conclusion I realize you cannot really know or appreciate me when you don’t know or appreciate yourself.

Please stop and consider all that I have said and take it personal.

When it resonates I will be happy to come back and hang out with you.

But for now…I am leaving.

Your ex-companion,

SILENCE (aka QUIET TIME)

“The girl formerly known as PEACE”

NY Mindset

New Year’s eve…New Year’s Day…January.
December 31st, January 1, and the entire month of January are pretty exciting times of the year. We generally look forward to this time to “start over” or to start with a “clean slate”. We are generally energized and motivated about transformation. We tend to make plans and goals…resolutions as we like to call them at the beginning of the year. We begin to motivate and encourage others. We are willing to try new things.

We tend to be more optimistic and actually believe we are going to make changes and reach our goals. We celebrate and make up catch phrases. Uniting at parties, church, etc. We scream, yell and chant, “WE MADE IT!” We sing and shout, “No more jive in ‘05..Some things gotta get fixed in ‘06...‘07 gon’ be like heaven!“ In ‘08 we said we were going to be great and straight and in 09 we say we’re going to be just fine (did I get yours?) My point is that we are excited, motivated and inspired and we remind ourselves through these cute phrases. We reflect and meditate. We take inventory of what worked and didn’t work last year, and ask questions like “What do I really want?”, “Who am I?” Many of us begin to wonder what our purpose is and begin to search for the answer.

All of these things are wonderful but strike me a New Year’s Mindset because the flame that once danced begins to die and we go back to our old ways…until the next year.

Why do we wait until New Year’s to clean up, start and stop things in our lives? What if we held ourselves accountable? What if we challenged ourselves and maintained this mindset all year long? One of the definitions of New Year is “newly begun”. Each day is newly begun..each week is newly begun..each month is newly begun!! What if we were optimistic daily, weekly and monthly? What if we celebrated and had catch phrases daily, weekly and monthly (One of my daily “catch phrase” is GREAT THINGS HAPPEN FOR ME BECAUSE I EXPECT IT!!) What if we recognized each day as a new beginning…each week as a new start…each month as “newly begun”. It all begins in your mind!! What if we recognized each day, week and month all as opportunities to start again?!!!

Make this one of your best years ever! Make a commitment to live every day like it’s the New Year. Maintain a New Year’s mindset all year long!!

Whatever you have claimed your ‘09 to be: fine, mine or divine…How about renewing your mind in 2009?!

Love Y'all!

So In Love!

“I am so in love with you!” These were the words shared by a mother as she lifted her squirming child into her SUV. Once the child was buckled into his car seat, she removed his hat, kissed him and said it again, “I am so in love with you!” The child is one who has been labeled as “special” by society because of a neurological disorder. It’s likely that this child was running around, getting into things and making a lot of noise earlier, however her words and tone gave no indication of his previous activities. This child will probably whine, attempt to unbuckle the seatbelt and make his mother angry, and frustrated but she continuously expressed her love. It’s unlikely the child comprehended what she said to him because of his age and disorder but I’m sure he could feel the love.

Maybe you are the “special” one. You’ve messed up, frustrated people…frustrated by people. Maybe you tore some stuff up this year…whined and complained. Maybe you made some moves that were not in your best interest. In spite of the mess made, know there is someone who is saying to you right now, “I am so in love with you!” Someone who sees ALL you do…knows your past and your future! The One who SO loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son!! Beyond that…eternal life is given to the ones that believe in His son! (See John 3:16)

As you fly into the new year, know that God loves you! His mercies are new daily (See Lamentations 3:22-23). He’s given us grace though we are undeserving (See Ephesians 2:8-9)! He is in love with you! Can you say the same about Him?

Love Y’all

Stay on Task!

Complete the task. That’s all he was asked to do. Complete the task for at least 3 minutes and he would be rewarded. That was the assignment. In spite of my, “Keep going…you’re almost there”, he stopped. He stopped and asked for the treat that was right in front of him…The treat that was in sight. The one in sight was something he enjoyed but what he didn’t know was that I had a much better treat. I had one of his favorites waiting for him to reward him once the task was complete. He gave up. My student settled for what he could see although the reward for completion was much greater!

The student is no different than you and I. We are all given assignments or tasks and all that’s asked of us is to complete it. Often times we are like the child described above; we get distracted, tired, scared, frustrated or just plain lazy and we decide to settle for the treats we see…the ones that are within our grasp instead of relentlessly pursuing a greater reward. How so? We settle in relationships when we reach for the treat we see (physical appearance only, good conversation, etc.) instead of pressing on and patiently waiting for the one God has for us…the one who will encourage our growth, the supportive one with our best interests at heart. We settle on jobs and in our careers when we reach for the treat we see (benefits, bonuses, higher pay, etc.) instead of listening to that still voice within that nudges us to pursue what we are passionate about…the job, career or business that will align with your purpose. We who are Christians settle for the treats we see (yesterday’s blessings, somebody else’s blessings, etc.) instead of pressing (i.e., pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ, aligning our priorities with His, etc.) knowing that we serve a God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think! (See Ephesians 3:20). **See Colossians 3, and Matthew 6:33 to read more about rewards**

Staying on task does not always mean staying in your current position or situation. Staying on task may mean letting some things or people go in order to stay on track. Staying on task does not always include an assignment we thoroughly enjoy and likewise it’s not always a piece of cake. Galatians 6:9 tells us to, “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (KJV). As 2009 approaches, let’s make a cautious effort and a commitment to ourselves to press on and push through in order to see what’s on the other side of “through”!

Love Y’all!!

Let Them Fall!

"Something is different." This was my thought as I stood in a very familiar place looking in the distance. My view included several buildings and the skyline of midtown and downtown Atlanta. I have looked in the same direction many times and for some reason had never noticed the buildings. "Had I not been focused?"," Did the city decide to cut down the trees?", "Where did the buildings come from?", were the thoughts that ran through my head. One thing was certain...the scenery was beautiful! The perfect fall backdrop (OK, I know I was resistant to the Fall some months back, but I'm over it), the sky was clear and red, golden, and brown leaves seemed to float in the air in front of the buildings...wow! I'm no photographer but I wanted to capture the view on my camera. It wasn't until a week later that I figured it out. The city had not cut down the trees and the buildings didn't appear out of thin air. The same trees were in place, however they were bare. That's why I hadn't noticed the buildings before because the fullness of the leaves hid them. It wasn't until the dead leaves fell off that this beautiful picture became visible.

I'm convinced there are some great and wonderful things...potential we cannot even imagine inside of each and every one of us. It may not even be evident to those around us...yet. It may not be evident to ourselves...yet. The scenery (us) may not be too pretty right now. It may be a bad attitude, stinking thinking, a foul mouth, the spirit of complaining, etc. All dead things. Regardless of where you stand right now, there is a better person inside...one who is optimistic, one who speak words that build people up, the one who is grateful. It's time for that person to appear! It's time for that beautiful picture to become visible. I believe when our dead leaves fall, what is already in us comes to life and becomes evident to those around us. Those who are familiar with you..familiar with your talk and your walk will begin to say and think, ""Something is different."

Speak to those dead things in your life! Speak to that bad attitude and spirit of complaining and declare that anytime you are still breathing, life is good! "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21, KJV). Let us see that beautiful person behind the leaves...don't hang on to what's dead, Let them fall!!

Love Y'all!

Got It?

Recently, I made a major change in my life. I was excited about making the change but many people questioned my decision. The other day, I shared with a friend that I still was excited and told him how folks ask if I regret the choice I made. His response was, "Kimmer!! Who doubted that you were happy? Even it it wasn't a good decision you would still have joy". I smiled and thought, "He's so right!" then I thought about a question a different friend asked me about two years ago. She asked, "What gives you joy?" and my reply was,"Knowing that my present situation/circumstance does not dictate my future".

My point: Circumstances may frustrate us ( I'm frustrated now as I type this because the trackball on my phone keeps getting stuck..making it difficult to navigate!!) , take an unexpected turn, make us unhappy, or angry. That's ok. Those feelings are valid. It's important for us to make a decision not to wallow in that pool of emotions but instead choose to lift our head and let joy sustain us! I've got joy, do you?!

--"....Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10(NKJV).
--" You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 (NKJV).
--"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you" John 16:22 (NKJV)
--"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith" Galatians 5:22 (KJV). --" I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2.

Love Y'all!

The Cell Tower

My prayer is that the following blesses ALL of you! Sometimes I can see the strangest things and get a revelation! This morning (1/24) on my way to work I saw a cell tower that had 3 crosses on it (It was on church property). At that moment it was dropped in my spirit that 1.) God is our STRONG tower (Proverbs 18:10-The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.) How AWESOME is it to know that the name of the LORD IS our STRONG TOWER 2.) God is our provider!! HE provides! (Genesis 22:14-And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided." You see, we have Verizon Wireless, Metro, AT&T as our cell provider and that's how we have access to use the towers. The last thing that was impressed upon me is this: Although we have access to use our phones via the towers, sometimes the towers are down because of weather or a network issue, therefore we may not be able to get our call through. How great is it to know that we can ALWAYS get through to God if we simply call HIM!! (Jeremiah 33:3 -'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know). Notice, that doesn't say, "Call to me and I will answer if you can get through! It doesn't say leave a message and I'll call you back. It says, "Call to me and I will answer…"! So whatever you are going through today just know that God loves you. He is your strong tower, he will provide and you can call Him and He will answer!! God bless you and have a great day!!!!

Love ya!

For the sake of this blog, I checked to see how good ol' Webster defined tower and here's some of what I found:
Tower: a building or structure typically higher than it's diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart..A fortress; one that provides support or protection; to reach or rise to a great height; to exhibit superior qualities; to surpass!!

Can you hear Him now?