2012 was a year of risk for me in which I left my comfort zone, and a life or normalcy and security to answer a call in my heart. Though I believed I had made the right choice, I also believed that firm conviction inherently had built in troubleshooters and problem deflectors. Foolishly I thought that the level of faith I had developed thus far would be enough to sustain me on my new journey home and that somehow having a covering and covenant with the Almighty would somehow render me exempt from any overly annoying or inconvenient trials, since I BELIEVED I had paid my spiritual dues already. HA! Well I am here to tell you that when God appoints you to task, he also requires that you arm yourself with NEW, fresher anointing and to reach that next level, you will definitely have to earn , yet again, more stripes.
But God is so awesome all the time. His grace is so sufficient. His ways never cease to amaze me. And he is the love of my life.
While I experienced situations that had to stretch me beyond my level of patience, faith, and tolerance, I am unregretfully grateful for them all. God used every single one of them to mold me into a better. stronger, wiser and more faith-filled ME.
Some of the things I learned and relearned in 2012 were:
Losing loved ones this year reminded me that so much time passes by, and that time should be, must be infused with love and purpose.
Though I am a trusting person by nature and try to believe the best of people, I learned that just because you have evolved to a certain point doesn’t mean that others have as well and vice versa. You cannot always expect people to do what you would do simply because that is your perspective on how things should be. You must set, verbalize, communicate and accept nothing short of your personal or professional standard bcuz “expecting” what seems to be a simple, given standard without communicating it, only gives those with low or no conscience, license to use and abuse your good intentions at will. That was a hard one for me and one that saddened me but taken, though not so gracefully at first. ;0)
I learned that no matter how kind and sincere you are with some folk, they will not like you for whatever reasons. It may be just because you are there, alive. It is wasted energy trying to convince insecure people that you mean them no harm. If people are threatened by what you have, who you are, your gifts and talents, blessings, accomplishments, there is absolutely nothing you can do to make them feel secure or better about themselves short of extinguishing your light. It is a call for them to grow and to better themselves and make the most of what God uniquely gave to them.
I was reminded that while things may look one way to the naked eye, God’s promises do not return void and that he is working it all out for our good if we trust him.
I learned that for me, hope is more important than faith though faith is needed. Hope is that seed in you that helps you grow faith. I was recently ministering to a homeless man and he didn’t know if he could make it but he wished one day he could have a normal life again. My response was, the fact that he still envisioned the prospect of things possibly being another way, that he hadn’t resigned himself to the notion that that was all there was for him meant he had hope. And as long as we have hope, that hope feeds our faith. Never lose hope, for without it, you cannot have faith.
I learned that it does not matter where you are, God will bring your gifts and talents before great men. I have recently been involved in amazing music and ministry projects coming out this year with ppl I tried in other places to meet that I never would have met had I not been where God appointed me to be. It doesn’t matter where you are as long as wherever you are, you are connected to the Source.
I learned that when you are loving self and living in love it is impossible for that which is the opposite to be a part of your inner circle or life. The two simply cannot co-exist. The closer you get to God, the more that which is not of him has to go. If the relationships or your inner circle is discordant, put more of the love of God in it and watch what happens. They will either heal and strengthen or be released and removed.
Today, I am, well, ACTUALLY for the past few months I have been BEAMING with happiness because God has really caused this year to be one of my greatest on so many levels, and I also see how what he has so meticulously worked out in me, has been so as to position me to help and empower others which was the whole point to begin with. All that we experience and overcome is for his glory and to help others. If not, it has been in vain.
I am thankful for so much, new music, new people and experiences, new vision, new church home, new friends, new perspectives, a new mind, but especially thankful that I have a new and wonderful love in my life besides God and music that loves me for all that I am. I am grateful that not only can I be love, live in love, give love but also experience the beauty of being in love with someone that God appointed just for me. I could not have planned it, for you just can’t write these things but if you remain faithful, you’ll never have to look for love. You will attract that which you are. And today I am ebullient in it and grateful and happy. I love you Juan.
I wish you all the very best this year, every happiness, and abundance and that it is your best one yet! I love you all. Peace love and music. And God at the center of all things. Happy New Year!!
