#MotivationalMonday Due to the love that Christ has for us, we are never consumed by anything that is thrown at us. He will never fail or forsake us. Today, I encourage you to focus on the faithfulness of God. He will see you through lead you on the right path. Be blessed!
For His Glory Only,
XOXO
Danielle J.
Share Your Story: Monisha
I remember night all too well; I was leaving a John P Kee concert and the weather was horrible. After I hang up the phone from being asked to resign, I purposely hit every water puddle at full speed hoping that that my car would hydroplane. I cannot count on my hands how many times I thought about ending my own life. You would be amazed at how much having your mugshot all over the news will cause one to doubt their abilities and question their purpose here on earth. Too have everything you worked hard for taken away from you because of a mistake you made over 6 years ago.
Back in 2009, at the age of 20, I was working at a hardware store. I allowed my friends to come through for the “hook-up”, “the five-finger discount” (you get the point). I was caught and later changed with petty theft (misdemeanor) and was ordered to pay restitution. Here’s the blessing; I was supposed to be charged with grand theft (a felony) and could have been sentenced to a minimum of 5 years….BUT GOD! (PRAISE BREAK) I had allowed them to walk out of that store with way over $500 worth of merchandise. Crazy, right? I cannot begin to tell you what those items were, but that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, that’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. First time in trouble, outside of that one time when I was sent to the Principal’s office. I was your Student Government member, Freshmen Princess, band auxiliary, Homecoming court girl. What was I thinking?
Since then, I spent 5 years working for a local elected official serving as Legislative Intern. I was later promoted to Administrative Aide. I have also have the pleasure to serve as a Staff Assistant at a local state college. A year ago my past resurfaced, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time *insert sarcasm here*. I had just been appointed as the Aide to Orange County’s first African American Clerk of Court. How awesome is that?!?!
I prayed daily for God to keep my mind and remove all negative thoughts. I’ve learned that you don’t overcome bad thoughts by thinking good thoughts. Your words are more powerful than your thoughts. So when you’re tempted to think wrong remember to speak right. I have now made it a habit to speak positively to myself aloud. I not only speak it; I believe it. I know that no good thing will He withhold from me. Jerimiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, has always been my favorite scripture; but, it meant more to than ever in this season in my life. I had to trust that God had greater for me.
There is no “undo” key in life. We cannot just hit “CTRL+Z” and start over again. Whether big or small, we all make mistakes that we are not proud of. We just have to try our best to move forward. Unfortunately, mine was publicized and that alone is enough to make anyone doubt themselves. Those moments should serve as motivation to become better people. So I encourage you as I encourage myself; whatever you do DO NOT give up. “Your past does not define you” is something that we hear often, and it rings true every day. We may have to work a little harder than most but the reward will be so much greater.
Someone I love dearly always says “Life’s a journey: and it takes a lifetime to figure it out”. Well you are on this journey know that God is bigger than any problem you may face; and the great thing is that He’s on your team.
Thank you Mo for sharing your story and testimony with us! PLEASE go visit her blog at www.perksofMo.com!!!
For HIS glory only....
May God richly bless you!
XOXO
Danielle
Share Your Story: Shanise
On the first edition of “Share Your Story”, we have Shanise describing her testimony of coming out of a terrible car accident.
Here is the story from her prospective:
The morning of my accident I saw a really bad accident unfold before my eyes. The car accident came within inches from hitting my friend and I. We jumped out to give assistance. I remember driving home at 3 a.m. still shaking and talking about it. We were amazed that the passengers survived unscathed. That night when I got home I posted a picture of the accident, and the details of what happened. I was so thankful to not be involved and thankful for everyone in the car being okay. Little did I know that I would be in an accident FAR worse than what I had just seen...
On Sunday May 3, I was headed to Siesta Key Beach, but before I could make it there my tire blew out on I-75 and my SUV flipped 3-7 times. I was cut out of my truck and spent one night in ICU for a partially collapsed lung, bruised liver, and blood clots. They monitored me around the clock and had me on 100% oxygen. Then I was moved to a regular room, although the doctors were puzzled because I was a trauma patient and they had no idea what to do with me. They released me to a rehab hospital 5 days later, and there they found that I had a broken arm. Everyone including medical professionals, insurance adjusters, and those that have seen my truck are amazed that I did not die in the accident, or at least have more serious injuries. I forgot to mention that none of my air bags deployed! My mom cried when she say my truck because she knew that God spared my life and that He has a plan for me.
I must say this was an extremely hard time for physically and emotionally, but amazingly my emotions were the worse. Sometimes I would cry for absolutely no reason at all. Or there were times that I would cry because I felt lonely! Then there were times that I would cry because I was upset that my life was just getting back on track, and the accident would set me back financially. But my mom kept praying for me and laying hands on me with her Holy oil. My best friend's mother would come to the rehab hospital with her bible and pray for me! I got to a point where I had to give in and be thankful, and release my anger. Rehab and the healing process were both a trying time for me and I had to start referring to my favorite childhood scripture, Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.
Through this situation, I learned that I am so much stronger that I thought I was. I always commended people on their strength, while forgetting that I had that same strength. It just took a near death experience to understand that and to believe in myself! My accident also showed me who wholeheartedly loved and supported. This has allowed me to eliminate the seasonal people who I thought were friends out of my life! I was able to exhale and experience the real Shanise who was no longer a young woman who was unsure of her herself, but now a strong woman who could see a future. I realized I am a FIGHTER and a SURVIVOR. I am reminded that God always has a way of getting our attention when we are hardheaded. He made me sit down and think about my actions, attitude, abilities, and relationship with Him and others.
The advice that I would give to others in a similar situation is to find things to be thankful for. I remember being emotional because I had two black eyes which made me look Beetlejuice, but I had to be thankful for my sight. Looking like Beetlejuice or Kung Fu Panda, sure did beat being blind any day. After I thought about what I resembled I laughed to myself so hard! I had to make light of everything and made funny little Facebook post to keep my spirits up ... and boy did it work!
Life is beautiful because so many people who died yesterday had plans for today. You made it to another day, so do not take it for granted! Take today to experience, learn, and help others!
Special Thanks to Shanise for taking part of LBV first edition of the “Share Your Story” campaign!
For His Glory Only,
XOXO
Danielle
A Day at Sea, No Worries!
Matthew 6:27 – And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
A rhetorical question that we all know the answer to – no one! I recall going on a cruise with some friends a couple years ago, and my roommate and I had a balcony. Every morning I made it a point to do my daily devotion on the balcony prior to us leaving the cabin for a day of fun. I was going through such a difficult time during that particular cruise. I barely had the money to go, but knew I needed a break. It seemed like everything was crashing down around me. The most frustrating piece was that I was doing things “God’s way". It seemed everyone else who was doing their “own thing” were advancing in life, while I felt so stagnant. [Side Note: Stop comparing yourself to people, especially non-believers. It does nothing but breed discouragement and envy - Galatians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 10:12] I felt alone, isolated, anxious about my future and honestly scared of the problems I was facing. Although I was going through those things, I remained faithful in devotion and prayer.
One morning while on the cruise, in the middle of the ocean, I opened my devotion book. The verse of the day was from Matthew 6:26 which states: “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than they?” Right at that moment, as I read that verse, in the middle of the ocean, two birds flew up out of nowhere. [I still get goosebumps repeating this story]. It is as if God wanted to show me right then and there, the Scripture was real. I just smiled and in my heart said “God, I get it”. During that “Day at Sea” God wanted me to realize that I couldn’t add an hour to my life and worrying was not going to get me anywhere. I made a decision that day to stop worrying about my current situation and focus on the Scripture and God’s promises over my life. In the coming months I began to see such a drastic change. Since my outlook changed, my attitude towards my problems did as well. Then as my attitude changed, so did my circumstance.
Scripture states “fear not”, “do not be dismayed”, “do not worry” so many times and it serves as a constant reminder that we need to put our trust in God. He is the author of time, and more specifically our story. If He takes care of the animals, do you think He will forget about you? You may be going through a tough time, but if you only knew what the view was like on the other side of the mountain you would keep pressing forward.
In conclusion I leave you with this; don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:34). Each day has enough challenges as is, do not add to it by worrying about EVERYTHING else. Relax! I challenge you to look at things from a different angle this week. Allow God to mold your outlook on your current situation and your life in general. Many times it is in the season of despair God is shaping you. I know it easier to ask God “When will this be over”. Instead ask God “Help me to RELY on YOU” and “What are you trying to teach me”. In every season there is a lesson to learn. Be open to the lesson, so you can pass the test and there will be no need to repeat the course.
For HIS glory only…..
May God richly bless you!
XOXO
Danielle