As I think about the different people who I have been honored to lead to Christ, I had to pause and reflect.  It was interesting to think about how it came about.  It wasn’t necessarily because I was wearing my Jesus Tee, or because I was passing out tracks (which I have done, and think is a worthwhile practice).  It is interesting to note that when it happened with me it was via one of two ways:

In the course of daily life and conversations, an opportunity to console, encourage or extend grace emerged.  Or, in the course of my life, sharing:

1. how I may weep for a night, but joy will come in the morning,
2. confessing and believing that the joy of the Lord is my strength,
3. or sharing how the Lord gave me hope and brought me out of a bad situation.

…And actually sharing the praise report and giving God all of the glory!

These two ways for me have spurred the opportunity to witness.  In pure honesty, and transparency, reaching someone who is ashamed or afraid to talk to someone about their struggles for fear of judgment.  It was in those moments, a deep conversation led to an opportunity to lead someone to the Kingdom.

I don’t recall leading anyone to Christ by beating them over the head with scriptures, scaring them straight (although I believe Hell is real for the non-believer) or by bragging about how holy and righteous I am.  Sometimes, I feel holy and sometimes I feel like I need a re-do.  I do know that by using God’s Word to encourage and extend grace and love, I have seen uninterested souls develop a hunger for knowledge and answers only found in His saving power.  It is pretty awesome!  I can’t speak for what works for anyone else, but I know how God has used me.  I respect that He uses us all in unique and different ways.  I hope you don’t mind, but this is my testimony for just a quick moment.

So as I reflect upon that as I finish lunch today, I have one hope.  I hope that as He enlarges my territory and my sphere of influence, that I may continue to be a light – in the unique way that He made me.  After all, He knew me before I was formed in my mothers’ womb.  No mistakes here!  And He formed me for the exact purpose that He is fulfilling every day, to share with a lost world, an honest, pure & loving exhortation to know Him, and be strong in Him.

So to my friends, I thank you for each day that you share in my journey.  My journey of hope, contentment, overcoming trials, and an ongoing desire to have more Brothers and Sisters in the “family”.  I also welcome any seekers to join my family!  It is actually pretty “green on the other side of the fence”.

Lord, I thank You for the grace that You have and continue to extend to me, your child who seeks to be just like you.  Knowing that I cannot attain your perfection, but that You allowed Yourself to be beaten and nailed to a cross to save me for all of my sins.  I thank You for the grace You’ve given me to share honestly about my challenges and successes, knowing that You have forgiven me with your shed blood.  No more rituals, but by calling upon your name, I am saved.

Help me to extend love and grace to all who come in contact with me.  I know that many face trials and tribulations in this life, and many make mistakes.  Who will they turn to for help if they don’t turn to you?  Help me to show your lovingkindness so that more may turn to you and want to follow you.  As I fear you, help me to be wise and strong and unashamed.  I thank You for everything you have done, and in advance for what you are going to do in my life and the lives of those around me.

In Jesus name, Amen.

John 3:16

Acts 2:21

Romans 10:13

So today has been an amazing day! I started off my day making myself some eggs n cheddar with bacon (cause I don’t believe I will catch the swine flu).

Next, off to a women’s retreat hosted by Prophetess Tyear McCrary of Ecclesia Fellowship Church. They did it up: Gold chargers and glass goblets, salad, chicken marsala, etc. But most importantly, the Lord’s presence was there and he used several powerful and anointed Women of God to deliver messages on Forgiveness, Your destiny and The Storm. Then we had intercessory prayer – Whew!! I am full.

So I leave the retreat, and start driving through East Cleveland (a wonderful neighborhood full of my brothers and sisters). As I drive down Euclid Avenue, I see a beautiful dog in the middle of a busy four lane street. He looked like a toy Pomeranian. I started honking my horn so that all of the cars around me would stop. And they did – Whew Again!!

So, I see a woman who was fairly heavy, and oddly enough – not black. She was walking across the street trying to catch the dog. But she clearly could not catch him by walking. I screamed “Do you need help?” out of my window? She said “Yes”. I screeched my car to a stop in the McDonald”s driveway apron, blocking traffic. But I didn’t care. I jumped out of my car, and started running after the dog – in my dress and 5 inch stiletto heels.

Finally, I said to the woman, “can you watch my car, and I will go get your dog?” She said, Okay. The dog ran back into the middle of Euclid Avenue. I ran into the middle of the street trying to ensure that no car would run the dog down without running me down first… Yes, True Story. My car door is wide open and my purse is on the front seat.
The dog finally crossed to the other side and ran up the hill. I chased him up the hill in my dress, and up another side street. Neighbors are watching while hanging clothes and smoking blunts. Children are watching me. I say, “did you see a dog??” They all pointed me further up the hill. Two brothers with blunts said, “How you doin? You lookin good today.” This was AFTER I asked them to piick up the dog!!! No gentleman in the vicinity???

I kept running.

Finally, a blue van stopped to grab the dog unsuccesfully. But both the dog and the blue van turned into the same driveway. The dog ran into the backyard. Another non-black man got out of the van. I said, “are you the owner of the dog, and the wife of the woman down the street?’ He said, “That is my daughter and yes. He got loose. We are trying to move out of this home. He someone got away as I was loading up the van.”

So I ran all the way down the hill to check on my car. She had closed the door, and was waiting there. As I got closer I looked carefuly and she appeared to be someone who may have Down’s Syndrome. And she was the sweetest person! I offered her a ride up the hill but she decided to walk.

I can’t believe I chased a dog like it was my own child in the street!! And I can’t believe that my “peeps” would watch the whole thing and not help. I mean, has the world gotten to the point of, “it is all about me and my blunt????” No gentleman??? No superman??? Got it.

I am thankful that the dog is safe and sound.

Now onto the single diary: Dinner with a good friend. I gotta tell you, today was a day of tremendous blessings. I had been praying about this “friend” for a while. Today the Lord revealed all of my answers. It was like he turned into different person… I was in shock listening to what he was saying tonight. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matt 12:34). He even spoke things about the Lord that shocked me. But it was so good to hear. Because now I know how to pray for him, and also I know – that I know – that I know… we won’t ever date again. Thank you Jesus!

I was able to tell him that I wish him God’s best, a deeper walk with Him, and blessings to his family, his career, his love life, but that I ain’t the one. And I can stand here and say, “Thank you God!!” Tonight, I feel like I was knocked over, but I feel like I bounced back with power!

So, as I write and share in my public diary, I pray that someone needs to hear this today. Someone needs to know that if you ask God to share with you, HE WILL!. (Jeremiah 33:3) He will reveal things to you. Ladies, He will tell you if the man in your life is right for you. And God has been faithful in my situation to move many of the knuckleheads out of the way, so I didn’t have to figure it out myself.

Wait, I say, WAIT on the Lord! He is never late… There is nothing like being in the perfect will of God. What joy! What peace! Wait, I say!

I am.

Next!

I want to share a song that has blessed me over the years. What a coincidence that an old friend put it in my inbox this evening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfX8EgQqnnI&feature=related

Yes! …In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.