If you have ever been employed by a company, in the midst of completing all the required forms, you have to give the name and number of your emergency contact.
My emergency contacts have been my mother and sister. Once my son became an adult, I added him to the list. Never did I imagine that either of them would be called.
During my crisis, my son arrived to the hospital first and called others. Shortly after, my mother, sister, cousin, aunt, and several friends showed up.
Having a name and number to record is a blessing, but when you have a tribe to show up, it leaves you speechless.
I have learned over the years that love is an action word. It involves pausing your life to care for another.
Just a little something to think about the next time you are completing your emergency contact list.
I spend time with God first thing in the morning, and before I settle down to sleep at night. I pray, meditate on his word, and listen for his voice. I love early morning time with him, because I am well-rested and can recognize his voice. Many times my inner voice tries to answer my questions, but I am blessed to hear the difference.
My question or questions can range from my life’s purpose to my to-do list for that particular day. Most recently, I have been struggling with my purpose, wanting to know my divine purpose for being here.
I have enjoyed being a nurse for the past twenty years, but I have not been passionate about it. I enjoy caring for my patients, but something seems to be missing.
I love when my heart leaps and/or my spirit smiles. Being with family or friends can bring this joy about. When I am home alone, this joy appears when I sit with my laptop and write stories. So, you may think, why don’t you write? The simple answer is fear. Fear of what others might think and fear of not having a steady job. On the inside, I feel like this fear has blocked so many blessings for me.
God has been so patient with me through this struggle. He reminds me everyday to be strong and courageous, and to remember that he is with me. I meditate on his words everyday, but still I fall victim.
Two days ago, things changed. I was out for dinner with a good friend of mine, who happens to be a nurse also. She knew I was unhappy as a nurse. “I’ve only known you for a few years, and you have had nine different jobs.” We laughed because she has made this statement to me more than once. But this night, I admitted my truth. I changed jobs often because I was searching for a position that I enjoyed; one that made my spirit smile. My friend told me again to follow my heart and to be brave. “You have a story to tell.” I had heard this from other friends and family, but I wanted to hear it from God.
This past year, I have been able to hear God’s voice more clearly during our private moments, but it seemed like he was quiet when I asked about retiring from nursing and journeying down a different path. Or had he given me the answer, and fear prevented me from taking the big leap?
After dinner, I asked my friend to stop by the grocery store. I needed to run in quickly and buy some ice cream for my nephew. As I entered the store, an inner voice told me to get some detergent. I was running low on detergent, so I decided to make a quick detour. While on the laundry products aisle, God appeared. In my hands, I held a bag of detergent gel tabs and dryer sheets. I didn’t have my eyeglasses on, so I was squinting at the detergent label. In my peripheral, I saw this young, blonde woman (an employee). She spoke to me. I thought she said Jesus, so I gave a confused look. She asked if I needed help. I told her no, and that I didn’t have my eyeglasses.
Suddenly, she began to tell me that she was a new believer, and God had healed her from an addiction and brain tumor. I froze up. The Holy Spirit whispered, “it’s your turn.” Without a second thought, I shared that I was a believer, and told her about my breast cancer diagnosis. Then she asked if she could pray with me. I couldn’t believe this was happening in the grocery store, on the laundry products aisle. As she prayed, I listened carefully to the words, because I didn’t know her. As the words flowed from her mouth, I heard God. He gave me confirmation. He used this young stranger in the grocery store to deliver his answer. The things she prayed for me had to do with my purpose. After the prayer and small talk, we hugged and parted ways. I was so overwhelmed, it took me a moment to figure out where the ice cream aisle was. I made my purchase and left the store. My friend wondered what was wrong with me when I sat in car. She stated that my eyes were wide opened. When I told her what happened, we both cried.
Mind-blowing is how I described this night. There was no way that this young woman could have known my dilemma. Before I walked away from her, she told me that she was nervous and didn’t want to approach me, but a voice told her to talk to me. I smiled and told her it was the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Everyone who reads this may have their opinion about what happened, and I can respect that. But as for me, I know that God answered my question about my life’s purpose.
I have decided to follow after what makes my spirit smile.
We all have a divine purpose in life to serve. For some, that gift is recognized at a young age, and they seem to float through life fulfilling all their dreams. While others endure much heartache trying to figure out why they are here on earth.
Personally, I know that fear has kept me sidelined for serveral years. Fear of what others may think was a huge obstacle that I had to overcome. But when I finally blocked out the world’s negativity and listened to the Spirit within, I found myself in a beautiful flow. Doors began to open to places that I thought would never be possible.
It is exciting, but it is important not to lose focus. Once you’re in this flow, you must keep your eyes on God because hills and valleys do not disappear when you’re fulfilling your destiny.
Be patient and grateful as you journey through life serving. The greatest joy comes when you look back over your life and see the positive impact you made.
When God told me it was time to go home, while I was on assignment in Phoenix, I was not quite sure where to go. I had lived in a number of states. So, I assumed He meant Alabama. It was where I was born and raised. I soon found out that Alabama would not be my permanent resident.
After praying and not much listening, I figured I would look for a job where I could work from home and live anywhere. Thank God for grace and mercy, because I know sometimes, He wants to scream at me in a loud, booming voice, “my child listen!”
After so many closed doors, I surrendered. I prayed again and listened. And the following day, a job offer came to me.
Initially, I laughed, because I knew God had to be joking. When He told me it was time to go home, I did not think about the home I left before heading to Phoenix. Not only was He telling me to go back to Tennessee, He sent me back to the same hospital that I resigned from.
Tennessee was not even on my list of places that I considered home. I had only lived there for a few months. Deep down, I felt there had to be a purpose for this, so I accepted the offer.
Now, I wait to see how He uses me. The journey continues.
After you say goodbye to 2021, leave it all in the past; the good, bad, and ugly. Do not bring along a single thing. You have learned the lessons, now, continue to grow.
We all need something to look forward to; something that will motivate us. So, make some time in your busy schedules to sit in a quiet spot and write down your goals for 2022. If nothing comes to mind, create a vision board. I have a vision book. Smile.
This year, I have decided to allow the Spirit within me to guide my steps. This will be a great challenge for me because I think I know what is best for me. I pray and ask God for guidance, but before receiving all the details, I take off running. With total surrender, I have to take me out of the equation until I am fully informed. Sounds simple.
The Spirit wants nothing more than to give me the desires of my heart while fulfilling my purpose. So, this year, my plan is to take the passenger seat.
I am excited about my journey through this new year. My year of total surrender.
Her Timeout 