Tag Archives: i have vision

Motivation & Inspiration, Purpose, Relationships, Vision

Who Are You Stagnating in Your Comfortability?

4 Comments

At the beginning of the year, I made the decision that we were going to move out of the home my children and I currently live in. We were even in the process of buying a house before I was terminated from my job of almost 10 years, which you can read about that experience here. This goal of purchasing a house had to be placed on the back burner with the idea of not receiving a loan because of no job and not enough consistent income. I made up in my mind to take my savings and pay my rent up for six months and solely work on my business. A week later, my landlord of 6 years advises me they are looking to sale the house in June. This gave me less than two months to find somewhere to move, with no job, and no thoughts to how this was going to work out – but I have my business and MY faith. (That’s another blog in itself!). Today while I was filling orders, I was reminded that they asked me to move in the month of June, which for the past few years, has been a transitional month for me and my children. Today I had to realize that this next move is strategic in so many ways like many other big moves in my life. I have lived in this house COMFORTABLY for almost 6 years paying lower than what most would for this size house (FAVOR). I didn’t have to struggle with wondering how to pay this and that many times nor have we had any disconnections (Thank you Lord!). Things were comfortable to the point I never felt as stretched as I do now. 

Talking to one of my sisters yesterday helped me realize – what if me living in this home, making preparations to stay in this place longer, stopped my landlords from moving forward with their plans for their future or where they actually needed to be. After my conversation, I heard, “Who are you stagnating in your comfortability?” Who are you holding back from moving forward because you like being in the position you are in? Many times, I’ve stayed in places, emotions, relationships, and “situationships” because they were comfortable to me. There wasn’t much work I had to do to keep it. It was what I knew. I felt staying where I was or with who I was with would cause me not to have to learn anything or anybody new or have to struggle to regain the comfortability I worked hard to obtain. But again, who was I stagnating by staying in those situations? I can even think back to my job. I stayed there because JP Court was what I knew. I didn’t want to learn anything new. I didn’t want to get to know new people. I didn’t want to be in a new position or department. I became comfortable, not only with my position, but with the emotions as well. I stagnated myself. I became comfortable with going back and forth to work feeling the way I felt because I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of even looking for another job and having fear of being uncomfortable in a new place. Is it possible, me staying at that job held up someone else’s blessing of being in a better position than they were in or even my previous coworkers? What if me staying too long made the environment worse? 

Of course, when I think of this, the story of Jonah comes to mind. Jonah was told by God to go somewhere where he did not want to go. He decided to run in the opposite direction. God sends a storm which not only effects Jonah, but it effects the people he was on the ship with. This causes Jonah to be thrown overboard just so the others could make it through the storm safely. Basically, whether we want to admit it or not, decisions that we make, not only affects ourselves individually, but it can also affect the people around and/or connected to us. Last Thursday, in bible study, my Pastor spoke on Wisdom. I realized through that lesson, I may be praying for the wrong things in this situation I am currently going through. I have been asking God for the details of what to do next and direction on where to go next when I should have been asking for wisdom to make the right decisions for myself and my children. This past month, God has shown me how He truly takes care of His children. Not that I’ve been able to handle everything on my own always, but in my flesh mind, I know that having a job and steady income is what we as humans can depend on to make ends meet. For the last month, I’ve solely leaned and depended on God to take care of me and my children. With knowing God is going to supply every need according to His riches, knowing He is going to never leave me nor forsake me, knowing I can do all things through Him that strengthens me, knowing He has plans to prosper and not to harm me, knowing He is the giver of a peace that surpasses all understanding, I don’t have to know the details. I just follow His voice, ask and believe He will grant me the wisdom and strength to make the right decisions for my life and my children. 

Motivation & Inspiration, Parenting, Purpose, Vision

Finding peace through my broken pieces

1 Comment

To Question or Not To Question?

I know people have said never to question God, but I’m sorry, I do. Not knocking anyone who feels otherwise, but for me, I believe I can ask God ANYTHING and if it be His Will, I’ll receive an answer. I believe we all receive answers to many questions not through words, but mostly through actions. Have you ever gone another direction you never intended going, get a little frustrated because you realize going that way would take you longer to get to your destination? You ask God, “Why would you let me go that way?” God says nothing. Then, you find out if you would’ve gone your previous direction, you would’ve got caught in the middle of a situation that had the possibility to create even more damage than you imagined. God never had to say a word. He showed you the situation He protected you from. So, yes, I ask God why, and He answers.

On April 8, 2021, my entire world was rocked when I was terminated from my position with Harris County after almost 11 years of service (1 1/2 as a temporary, 9 1/2 permanent). I spoke about how much of a blessing it was to be placed in the Supervisor position almost 2 years ago. Little did I know, I was set up to go through the most hectic emotional roller coaster ride I have ever experienced in my life. I became extremely frustrated many days, upset, happy, upset again, which later turned into depression where I literally cried all the way to work and on the way home on numerous occasions.

I had heard many stories about my previous boss before I became hired, but I am the type to always have my own experience and try not to form an opinion based on what others say about a person or experience. Things were rocky from the beginning, but things took a drastic turn for the worse probably 4 months ago when I was reprimanded for receiving several personal phone calls while I was out sick (which could never be proven when asked to see the call log) and after finding a personal notebook on my desk, I was told I should not have a blog being that it could jeopardize my job. Even before then, there were things that transpired that created a hostile work environment. I finally realized things would never get better once my previous boss told me that she could not trust me and could not work with someone that she could not trust. Those words shook me to my core because she formed a distrust for me based on rumors she claimed I said about her involving a close relative of mine, which have yet to be proven. Surprisingly, this is what she placed in my letter, along with a mistake I made three months ago as reasons for my termination.

I am convinced the termination came when I asked to speak to the people she claimed stated I started the rumor. As quick as I asked was as quick as the termination process began to happen right before my very eyes. I went to my car for lunch the day before, drove to the back of the parking lot and cried until I felt I could cry no more. I questioned God. I felt like God had literally left me to rot there. Throughout my emotional roller coaster ride, I asked Him several times if I should stay because I never wanted to be out of the Will of God or move prematurely before I received the lesson or the blessing. I believed God had me there for a purpose. I don’t believe God allows things to just happen to us or place us in certain places or circumstances for fun. I do believe we go through to learn something, receive strength for the next place in our lives, and/or to show someone else God’s glory. What started out as a cry asking God why and telling Him to just remember me and everything He took me through, turned into a praise and a worship I would have never imagined to fall from my lips. At that moment, I said, “Whatever you do, I’m with it. Whatever they plan to do, allow them to do it quickly.” The next day, I walked in the building with a smile on my face and as I was escorted out by deputies, I grabbed my items with that same smile, made it to the parking lot, shook the dust off my feet, and drove away never to look back.

I will never underestimate myself or count myself out and make myself believe outside of what God has promised. He is faithful and if He promised it, I dare not allow the enemy or even myself to make me believe His promise won’t be manifested.

Excerpt from MY TESTIMONY-GOD HAS DONE IT AGAIN

When I talked about this position being a blessing, there were things I learned through that process I feel I am relearning even through this. Ironically, I have not cried one time since this day. At first, I was wondering if I was just holding it all in like I normally do to somehow showcase my strength in a sense. But, in these past few weeks, I have had so much peace, it has been unfathomable. What may seem like a truly messed up situation, this may sound downright crazy, but it showcased God’s love for me. He heard me. He heard my cry. He heard my plea. I remember telling God one day if He had to remove me from what I was so familiar with to give me the Peace I needed, so be it.

Of course, as a single mother and human, you go through those different ideas and thoughts of what’s next. If “I’m just out here trusting God” was a person, it’s me. I am solely leaning and depending on God for what’s next for my life. For now, I am pushing my business, “Vision Tees and Things”, I started last year and writing which will always be my first love. I am spending more time with God and with my children. I encourage anyone and everyone to just trust God. He has a plan and purpose. I know it may look bad. I know it feels bad, but He has already equipped you with exactly what you need to press through. Trust in the process. The promise is coming. I guarantee. This is not just a cliché. I will be the proof. Be Blessed.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philipians 4:7

Motivation & Inspiration, Purpose, Vision

The Vision Blogger is Still Alive

Image 4 Comments

At the beginning of this year, I had my mind set on pushing my blog, having the Vision Connection Party, and starting my business. One out of three is good! Before the surge with COVID-19, I invested in myself by purchasing two of the items needed to start my business, Vision Tees and Things. I learned so much through YouTube, craft groups on social media, and craft friends, it became hard to focus on one specific thing in regards to everything I wanted to accomplish through my business. I was having my syndrome again. My initial goal was to cut out the middleman and produce my own designs and logos on different products geared towards my blog, but as I started to learn more and do more, my business took a turn for the better. I started to do more than just printing t-shirts. I started to print on mugs, make keychains, customize wine glasses, and so much more. I can honestly say I probably would not have been able to accomplish and master all of these things if I was not forced to stay home with my children when the schools closed back in March. I used our downtime to create, fill orders, learn, and grow.

So, here are a few things I have learned in year 2020:

Don’t Forget Your Ultimate Goal: Your Reason Why

Recently, I sat down and wrote out personal, home, and business goals for my children and myself. In addition to these goals, I wrote how they will be accomplished. Doing this helped me to understand what my ultimate goal was for absolutely everything concerning my life. What am I working towards? What am I looking to accomplish by doing this? What do I want to see come out of this? I believe, wholeheartedly, knowing this will keep me consistent and focused.  I wrote out these goals so I can see daily what I am working towards. Whenever I need a little motivation, I can revert to what I wrote. It’s just like a vision board without the pictures. I remember when I first started blogging. It was ultimately to give people a glimpse of my life through my testimony while motivating through vision. Motivating through vision is my ultimate goal. It wasn’t going to only follow through with the blog or speaking engagements. Now I’ve created a platform where tangible items can be created to showcase that same vision whether it’s through wearing your brand on your chest, drinking out of a mug with your logo plastered all over it, or carrying a bag with a motivational message to keep you moving forward. Knowing and understanding this ultimate goal, for me, keeps me diligent and pushes me to stay the course no matter what.

Time Management

Lord have Mercy! I believe this one was the hardest lesson for me to learn, especially after I went back to work. It’s safe to say I am still a work in progress on this one. Now, if you know me personally, you would agree I can sometimes be a little bit of a procrastinator. Sometimes I can feel I have all the time in the world and wait until the very last minute to get something done. Being a business owner, working a full-time job, maintaining a household with children, all while attempting to have a social life Post-COVID, I was forced to manage my time. I write out a weekly schedule, plan my daily duties, make a to-do list and prioritize by level of importance. Doing this can help me physically see what needs to be done and what needs to be moved around. Through time management, I learned it’s okay to take a break. It is needed. At times, it can become overwhelming having so many responsibilities so it’s quite all right to take a step back and breathe. You never want to get to a place where you are forced to sit down and do absolutely nothing. So, manage the time you have, take care of what’s needed in that moment, and take a pause if you need to, but don’t ever stop going.

Trust God with EVERYTHING

Have you ever gotten to a point in life where your only option is to trust HIM? I have; more times than I could ever imagine. Trusting God goes so much more beyond words though. You can say with your mouth, “I trust Him”, but if you don’t believe God can do whatever you’re asking Him to do for you specifically, it means nothing. There were many times I looked at a situation I was going through and felt I sometimes deserved to stay stuck in what I was in, but I messed around and started believing what I had seen God do for others, He can do for me too and what He has done in my life before, He can do it again and again and again. When I started to live knowing that God can do the unimaginable, the possibilities became endless. I made up in my mind, with everything in me; I would never walk around this earth feeling defeated because I have God. I will trust Him when things are looking good and, most definitely, when life appears bad. One of my favorite sayings is, “Things could always be worse.” Many times, we look at our situation that looks unfixable or unchangeable and forget what we’ve seen before, what we’ve come out of previously. I don’t believe God just takes us through for fun. Everything serves a purpose. So since He’s all-knowing, why not trust Him? What do you have to lose?

Now, we all know this year has been CRAZY and I’ve heard a lot of people say, “I’m ready for this year to be over.” “This year sucks.” I’m not going to lie, I found myself agreeing with them for a moment until I started to look at EVERYTHING I gained and lost. To tell you the truth, this year has been life changing. I don’t regret one thing I’ve done nor do I wish anything would’ve happened differently. I believe everything that has happened was designed to happen to me and for me. I titled this post “The Vision Blogger is Still Alive” because somewhere along this journey of 2020 I neglected my reason why. Writing out my goals the other day awakened something in me I thought I lost and one thing is for sure, I don’t ever want to feel like I lost my passion, my zeal, or my tenacity to walk in my purpose and do what I was created to do. Ever. So, my reason why is springing forth. My Vision is still alive.