Wifey Wednesday: Being Single & Content

Now before you kill me, hear me out! I can already hear you saying “That’s easy for her to say, she’s already married” or even rolling your eyes! Listen Linda, listen!! As I stated on a previous blog, I was single for 7 years. The photo on this blog was on my birthday on 2013 and I was very much SINGLE. Don’t I look happy? It is because I actually was. On that day my coworkers kept complimenting me stating I was glowing and looked happy … not all my birthdays were like that truth be told. The most important thing is at this point in the journey – I was content. It took me a long time to get to this place, but ultimately I believe this is the lesson God was teaching me.

Don’t get me wrong! I love my husband and thank God each day He saw it fit for us to be together. The lesson(s) I needed to learn had to be during my singleness and wilderness period. God had to refine me to be able learn & understand … “in every circumstance give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I had to give thanks when I wanted to be married and wasn’t, had to give thanks when I was frustrated with my job, had to give thanks when it seemed that the world was crashing around me. The thing is … in every season … life is beautiful. The moment you focus on your problems and what you don’t have, the BIGGER it becomes. Why not focus your energy elsewhere and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus? I look back on those moments I was worrying and just feel terrible. It was such a waste of time and emotions. Thankfully I always bounced back quick, but if you are not that type PLEASE surround yourself with people that will help you.

If you are single I want you to do the following – Take out a sheet of paper and follow these instructions:
First side of the paper
- Write down why being single worries you
- Rank each numerically from highest to lowest (#1 being the item that worries you the most)
- Next to each write down how that point adds to your life
- At the bottom of the page write down Matthew 6:27, Matthew 6:34 and Proverbs 3:5-6

Second side of paper
- Write down your top 5 goals
- Rank each numerically from highest to lowest (#1 being the item you want to achieve most)
- Next to each write how achieving the goal will make you feel
- Skip a couple lines – write down what you will do for FUN (at least one)

*Keep this sheet of paper near and refer to it on the days you are down*

In total transparency – I had to do a similar exercise and it helped me to learn to have a heart of gratitude.

I wanted to encourage my single followers as we embark on this journey of having an “Attitude of Gratitude” this month! Celebrate where you have been, where you are and where you are about to go! God has amazing things in store for you, and you DO NOT need a man for God to fulfill it! *finger snaps* Now… there will be other things God will want you to accomplish and He will place the RIGHT person by your side to achieve it. Relax! God got this!! Love yall!

For His Glory Only,
XOXO
Danielle J.

Walk In Your Purpose, On Purpose!

I recall preaching this message to the group of youth within my congregation. We are intentional about many things in our lives. When we want to lose weight, we take the necessary measures to attain that goal. We work out, eat right and ensure we remain consistent. When we want to do well in a course, we study, read the textbook, hand in assignments and actively participate in the class. We are purposeful in the areas we want to see results. We are disciplined in our work ethic, careers and education. What about the things of Christ?

Everyone has a purpose, function and role in the kingdom of God. Purpose (noun), is the reason for which something is done or created. Simply put: why something exists. As a verb (action), it is defined as one’s intention or objective. To walk in your purpose on purpose, means to walk in the reason you are alive and put on this earth with intention. The body of Christ needs to move to a place where we are intentionally walking in our calling and spiritual gifts. The enemy attempts to put us in a place of fear, where we are reluctant to step out and do the things of God. We are frozen in place, while God is waiting on us to take the necessary steps.

There is a difference between spiritual gifts and the five-fold ministry. Spiritual gifts are mentioned in several Scriptures but here are some: wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, help, prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership and mercy (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8). Now, looking at that list you can’t say you do not have at least one spiritual gift. If you feel you don’t – pray, fast and ask God to reveal it to you. There are also online tools such as: http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult that can be of assistance after you diligently seek Him. The five-fold ministry are the following: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher.

Living in your purpose is being a servant of Christ. Mark 10:44-45 states: whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. If we are to follow the example of Christ (and we know He lived and died in His purpose), we are to be servants. We need to serve our church, community and nation and bring the word of God to the forefront.

Finally, work with what you have. You have goals and see yourself doing more, but work with what is given to you. Luke 16:10 states: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Before God gives you more, he must trust you with the smaller items first. You can’t expect to be a CEO if you have not experienced serving customers. You need to understand the different aspects of kingdom work, and the starting point is servanthood.

There are souls to be won, lives to be impacted and people in need. No matter how big or small you view your role, know who you are working for – Christ alone.

Walk in your purpose on purpose.

For HIS glory only…..
May God richly bless you!
XOXO
Danielle