Saturday, March 21, 2015

Embracing The Now!!

Last night, a great friend and I were talking about the things that God has shown her regarding the plan He has for her, and oh what a wonderful plan it is!  I listened to her excitement regarding the future, at the same time I heard her discontentment about the present.   She expressed that she was “over” her current situation and just wanted to fast-forward into her new chapter already.  As she was speaking I couldn't help but remember how I once was during certain transitions in my own life. 

I can remember when I decided to purchase my first car.  I would look at different models and the specs of the car.  I would look at different colors and imagine myself stepping out of it!  The more I narrowed down the choices, the more anxious I would become about finally signing the papers for purchase.  At the same time I would cringe every time I looked at the car that my parents had given me.  Each time I got into it I would find something else wrong about it:  The color, how it started up, how long it took to warm up, the seats, etc…  Never did I look at my car and see that it got me from point A to point B without fail; Never did I consider that it was a totally paid off car that served me well for 5 years without any serious issues!  I could name countless times where I discounted where I was in life because I was so ready to get to the next level.  I’m sure many of us can relate to this! 

I began to speak to my friend and remind her that she was doing exactly what I had done so many times before: failed to embrace “the now!”  Many times in life, God speaks to us and shows us exactly where He is taking us in life.  We see our end result and become so elated that instead of looking at what God has shown us as encouragement to hold on to His promise, we immediately get in an anxious mode and feel like it’s to happen now and start looking at where we are in a negative light, instead of embracing this place we’re in all while having the right attitude!  While being in our “now season,” we never take this time to prepare for what’s to come!  Let me explain…..

God is all about timing and making sure that you are ready for what He has in store for you; as we should be as well.  Because God does not operate in mess, I feel another reason He shows us where He is taking us, is to give us the time to work on a few things we may need to within ourselves.  While waiting for the perfect car, and the right time, I could have prepared for this new chapter in my life.  I could have found out what my monthly payments would have been and started saving that amount each month to increase my down payment or prepare for the increase in the insurance plan that I would have with the new car.  I DEFINITELY could have taken this time to change my mindset regarding keeping the old one clean so this mindset would have carried on to the new car (I FAILED BY THE WAY).  As I have matured, I have definitely learned to embrace my “now” until my “next” comes!

God has spoken to me on several occasions: directly and through others.  RESTORATION has been the word that He continues to drop in my spirit.  He has told me to prepare myself for a new relationship?  WHOA! HEAVY STUFF, right?!  Well of course I do not expect this to happen any time soon, nor would I dream of rushing the process.  What I have done is embrace where I am now, while working on this thing called “ME.”  I first started by thanking God for the new chapter that is to be my life while still embracing the chapter I am currently in.  I also talked to my inner circle about the characteristics they felt I could work on.  I listened to each and every person very intently and noticed that they all came to the same consensus regarding my flaws. (NOTE:  Make sure you have loving people in your life willing to tell you the absolute truth.  Also make sure you are in a position to receive what they have to say).  I also prepare myself, by cooking!  I know this may sound weird to some, but this is something that I have done little of in the past year. Cooking has now become a part of my regime.  Lastly, I have been obedient to the instructions that God has given me, so when I pray each morning and night for my loved ones, I too pray for him (whoever he may be) and his well-being. 

Never do I question Gods instructions, or look at every man I pass wondering if he is the one.  I don’t rush the process (though several of my friends definitely try to).  I just continue to live my life as I have: being thankful for where He has taken me thus far; continue to be the best mother I can possibly be; continue to learn more about my Savior since He knows all about me!  Embrace where you are and never despise it just because it looks small compared to where you are going (Zechariah 4:10).  Just remember that no matter where you currently are, God has a plan of a brighter future ahead (Jeremiah 29:11).  Know that God loves you and so do I.  Until next time, Ciao for now!