A Simple Phone Call

Today, I'm inspired to write. On Monday while on Instagram engaging with my followers, I saw a post by @mrslucytyler about a conference call and the purpose was to encourage women to be fearless. Once I saw it, I passed it but came back to it because I know deep down the Spirit was leading me to listen to this call. Reluctantly, I obeyed.

In the beginning of the call I thought "why am I even listening," but it is true that God will put you in the right places at the right time. When He has a message for you, if you're willing to receive He will definitely guarantee that you get it. Most times people look for a loud voice or seek advice from close friends, family, coworkers, etc., but our God is a God of variety. Sometimes He'll use a child, sometimes He'll use a book, sometimes He'll use a stranger. In this particular case, God used a stranger who doesn't follow me and who I'll probably never meet, to get His message across.

On this call this lovely lady of God encouraged me more than she'll probably ever know. I had all kinds of emotions after I stopped doubting that it was God who lead me to listen in the first place. Once I actually tuned my ear to the message that was being said I learned several things:

1. For every vision God has given, He will also provide the provision.- What this means is that for every idea the Lord has already laid on our hearts, He has already prepared the right resources, people, and settings for us. He has everything we'll ever need to complete in us what He's started. Phillippians 1:6- "Be confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." But, just because God has it for us doesn't mean we'll receive it. Our obedience to His instructions is what does determine it.

2. We are blessed to be a blessing. She mentioned that the businesses or nothing we have started is for us, but for the Glory of the King (GOD).- Let me be transparent with you for a minute! What I got from this was a revelation. When I started my first business (Exquisite Expressions; website: http://exquisiteexpressions.biz) after several months of not getting the sales I expected, I started doubting. Well Lord, maybe I'm not supposed to be doing this. Maybe I am not walking in God's purpose and that could be why. But, I kid you not, EVERY time I said maybe I'll close the boutique God sends me someone to encourage me. He either sends someone to tell me how much they like my items, that they will be purchasing soon, He sends someone to order something, OR someone emails me asking how they can open their own boutique.

The revelation I got from a simple phone call on Monday night was this: God birthed the idea in me so that I may help others, so that I may provide jobs for others. None of my businesses are about me. Nothing that happens is about me. It is ALL about God's grace and mercy. It is ALL for God's glory. Not bragging on myself, but just to prove how good God is I have at least 10 others signed up as boutique owners. This would not have been possible if God didn't birth the vision in me. So, I'm not just in business making money! I wasn't blessed with a business for money to be my idol. 1 Timothy 6:10 says "For the love of money is the root of all evil; and while some have coveted after it, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Looking at some other people who SEEM to be successful will sometimes cause you to question, but that's just a trick of the enemy. While those people are getting money, God has blessed me to be able to GIVE. While they are building businesses, I'm helping God build up His Kingdom. If it was not for me being on this phone call with a group of strangers from all parts of the world, all walks of life I would not have gotten this revelation. I would have never realized that I was blessed with my businesses so that I may be a blessing to others. I was blessed with businesses to handle Kingdom business. And, for that reason my businesses WILL be successful.

If this call did nothing else, it put things into perspective for me. It was apart of the building of my faith. I pray that someone else who wasn't on this call, but is reading this blog post, will also be blessed. May the peace of God surround you and the love of God sustain you!

Feel free to visit my boutiques!

Exquisite Expressions at http://exquisiteexpressions.biz -OR-
Be You Jewels at http://beyoujewels.bigcartel.com

"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13- God bless you!

Lord, Have Mercy

Yesterday, I along with some students and coworkers, visited the Butner Federal Correctional Institute in Butner, NC. After learning that there are 5,000 men ALONE in this facility I was inspired to write.

So many emotions went through my mind. At first it started with fear, yet that fear immediately turned into empathy. Touring the facility there were so many men with talent.So many men ranging in ages. So many men away from their families. Men with disabilities. So many children without fathers and grandfathers. So many people without role models. So many families that are incomplete. Race had no face.

I didn't see race, I saw potential in the men who were factory workers making shirts for the soldiers in the Army. I saw people who had made mistakes. I saw passion in some of their faces. I saw longing. I saw scared little children without daddy. I saw wives without husbands, sons, fathers. I saw a need.

Then I thought, "what could I do to help these people?" They're all complete strangers, yet I felt a need to help. None of them could do anything for me, yet I felt the need to help. We weren't even allowed to stop and talk to them, yet I felt a need to help. Last night, I prayed.

In this one city alone there are 5,000 men who are incarcerated. 5,000 men who have lost their freedom. 5,000 men unable to provide for their families. Lord, Have Mercy!

My husband, one of my brothers, or even uncles could have been one of the 5,000 but I thank God they're not. This experience was so humbling.

Maybe my smile will help them, maybe not. Maybe the conversation in passing will help them, maybe not. What I do know will help is prayer! James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." So, if you're reading this please send a prayer up for these men and all others like them. Send a prayer up for their families. Even if it's just "Lord, Have Mercy!"

God Bless!