But God!
Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
But is a conjunction used to connect contrasting ideas. I tell my children that but negates everything said before it. That's a word right there....I was lost, but now I'm found. I was hurt, but now I'm healed. Now add God into the mix. You planned to hurt me....but God! I'm down and out, but God! I don't understand, but God! I don't see a way out, but God! It's okay to acknowledge your feelings and your situation, but don't count God out of the equation.
Disconnect
Go on. Say it. It’s not a bad word. Disconnect. Unplug. Let go. We all need some alone time. We all need some time away from it all. Vacations are a bit hard right now. Our usual way of doing things are a bit hard right now. I get it. You can always turn the tv off. You can take an extra five minutes in the shower. You can go for a drive. You can take the long way home. You can just sit outside. Do whatever you need to do to get you back together. Sign off from social media. Mute you're notifications. Don't check that email. Don’t reply to that text message. Send that call to voicemail. Disconnect, just for a little while.
Eradicate
e·rad·i·cate /əˈradəˌkāt/ verb
destroy completely; put an end to.
I’ve heard a lot of conversation about police defunding and reform. I agree that those things are necessary, but it’s bigger than that. We must eradicate systemic racism. In order to truly do that, we must also eradicate the systems that have benefited from racism. This is when you really can see results. This is when true change can occur. America was built on racism. Our economy was built on racism. Our laws are derived from racism. Our educational systems are rooted in racism. Our housing market is rooted in racism? What do we need to eradicate? Everything.
Happy Place
You’ve got to find your happy place. I know it’s hard to find a happy place under quarantine. I’m so used to finding my happy place in public venues that I had to rethink “me” time. I have learned to appreciate silence and showers. I enjoy cupcakes and extra icing. I have a new appreciation for bluetooth speakers and IG live. These are the things that make me happy. Find your peace. Rediscover your joy. Find your happy place.
Be Vocal
You have not because you ask not. Ask and it shall be given. Speak it until you see it. You've all heard these sayings. There is some truth to all of them. Creative power lies in speech. Negative speech creates negative environments. Even how you engage your plants affects how they grow. How you speak to your children determines alot about how they interact with the world around them. You have the power to be vocal. You can change your life by how you speak to yourself and your environment. You can affirm yourself. You can speak life or death. The choice is yours. Be vocal.
Chemistry
Chemistry is often overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying attraction isn’t important, but its not what makes a relationship last. I used to think that I needed that spark to connect with someone. Over time, I’ve learned to value common beliefs and mutual respect. I value partnership. I value someone who can encourage me when I’m down. I value someone who can grow together with me. Chemistry is definitely a factor, but its not a deciding one.
Love Covers
1 Peter 4:8-And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
This was yesterday's daily scripture. I started to think about divorce rates and came to the conclusion that we have been conditioned to quit. We don’t forgive. We don't give second chances. We quit. We get mad. We feel wronged, and we quit. Our love is circumstantial instead of unconditional. Our love is conditional. Our marriages are not based on devotion, but mutual convenience. We don't let love cover. We don’t love. We “like” strongly. Maybe we need to revisit the book of Peter to get a better understanding of the power of love. Real love covers.