Doing the right thing IS everything it’s cracked up to be!

http://timehop.com/c/fs:10101903351674808:2709390:2053998:518d9

A summary of the link above:

Sometimes you do the right thing and end up getting hurt.

Last night, I went to the bathroom, used the last of the tissue and thought I was doing the right thing by going to replace the roll (instead of being lazy and doing it later).

I grab a roll. Realize it’s the last one in the package and then I tell myself to do the “right thing” again….only to bump my tooth on the counter-top while trying to reach the empty wrapper. It’s slightly chipped, but thankfully I’m not in any pain!

I cried a little. Felt like doing the “right thing” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I was tempted to feel as if my efforts were in vain.

BUT then I remembered. ALL THINGS work TOGETHER for MY GOOD. Clearly God has somewhere I need to be tomorrow morning and it’s not at my desk.

We’re often tempted to see a problem, where God sees a possibility/protection.

Challenge yourself to shift your thinking. The next time something catches you off guard, instead of asking “Why me?” or “Why this?,” Let Romans 8 COME ALIVE in your spirit and say to God, “I’m EXCITED to see what you’re about to do with this!”

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That day, I went to the dentist, only to have a crying mother enter the waiting room. Her daughter cracked her tooth the day before on a ride at the fair and was in horrible pain. We were the only people there and when the mother came out from the service area, she sat down right next to me and sobbed uncontrollably. I turned to her and asked if I could pray with her. While praying, I remember telling that mother that her daughter’s smile would be the exact thing that would cause people to ask, “What makes this young girl so different.” By the time I finished praying, the dentist walked out with her daughter and her smile was so beautiful. Her name was Angel, I still remember.

What are the odds that my cracked tooth would put me in the dentist’s office with another person with the same issue? That was a divine appointment! Keep doing the right thing, no matter what. Your purpose depends on your obedience.

Marriage Monday: My Marriage Meditations

This was on my heart to share:

When I matured enough to know that I wanted to be married (having developed an understanding of the privilege and ministry that marriage is), I spent time seeking fulfilment for myself first.

Part of that involved personal goals (degrees, career, travel, etc.) and the other part was spiritual. I wanted to be full of my purpose and personal relationship with God before ANYONE else came into the picture.

Being single was not always easy, nor pleasant for me, but NOW I see how my time of preparation was KEY. I spent time pouring my heart out to God about A LOT of things. Including the type of love I desired.

Not just a relationship or marriage, but a friendship and bond rooted in something much deeper. When I look at my husband, I remember those prayers and there are SPECIAL moments when God brings something to my attention that reminds me of the specific prayers that I prayed.

When people see me with Brandon and comment on the way I look at him or how genuinely happy we seem, I thank God because I PRAYED for THAT and God shows himself strong by reminding me of those prayers every time someone makes that comment.

Do we have hard days? YES!

Have we had some UGLY blow ups? ABSOLUTELY–we’re NOT perfect!

But we’ve GROWN so much more and TOGETHER are becoming so much STRONGER.

One day I was home from college talking with my mom and I told her, “I’ve been praying and I think maybe I’m not going to be married. Maybe that’s not what God wants for me, but if that’s not it, I’m sure he has something else in store.”

I have a former classmate (who is also a minister) that I laughed with after meeting my now husband. She observed and commented, “As soon as you released that thing (i.e. trying to be in relationships that weren’t God ordained) He gave you EXACTLY what you were praying for.”

Looking back on both of those instances made me realize that SOMETIMES GOD has to see that you’ll pursue his will ABOVE ALL ELSE. (Seek HIM FIRST and HE will give you the desires of your heart–but understand THIS, everything you desire may not be God’s will for your life).

If you’re single now and desiring a mate–KEEP PRAYING and TRUSTING HIM! Keep doing your part. Find fulfillment in your relationship with GOD and your relationship with YOURSELF. When the right person comes along, you won’t miss a beat.

I prayed this prayer (shown below) for years, but it came to pass. If marriage is a true, unselfish desire of your heart, I’m standing in agreement with you. I’ve also included a link to the prayer online. (Originally published in Prayers that Avail Much for Teens)

Future Spouse Prayer

I come before You, Father, desiring a christian mate. I petition that your will be done in my life, and I enter into that blessed rest by adhering to, trusting in, and relying on You.

Father, You desire that I live a life free from care, that I should be content and satisfied in every situation that I am in, and that I should not be anxious or worried about anything. You have said that if I am willing and obedient to Your Word, You will give me the desires of my heart. It is my desire that someday I will be married to the person You have chose for me.

I pray for him/her. Father, especially help him/her grow in love, Your kind of love. A friend loves at all times, and I desire for my spouse to be my very best friend. I desire that my spouse be a person who shares the same love that I have for you, someone who will be one in spirit and purpose with me.

I ask You to send mature men and women into our lives to give us good, godly counsel and to teach us how we should love each other and care for our family. Teach us both what You expect husbands and wives to do and how we ought to behave toward each other. Reveal to our hearts Your Word concerning the marriage relationship and correct any wrong thinking in our lives. Grant us knowledge throught godly people, books, tapes, and preaching that will give us understinding concerning relationships, so that we can avoid damaging the relationship You desire for us.

Father, I trust You to lead me and guide me by Your Holy Spirit so that when Your perfect time is right, I wil have the wisdom, discretion, and discernment to know that my choice and Yours are the same for my life-mate, I am secure with the mind and the spirit that You have given me to make this decision.

I pray that the eyes of my future spouse’s understanding will be opened so that he/she will have complete knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understinding. I pray that he/she will live a life that is worthy of You, Lord, and pleasing to You in every way. I Pray that he/she will always be involved in doing good deeds, and have a strong, growing relationship with You. I pray that our commitment to each other will continually grow as we draw closer to You.

I pray In Jesus’ name. Amen

Future Spouse Scripture References:
Genesis 2:18-24 Ephesians 5:22-25
Psalm 37:4,5 KJV Philippians 2:2-7 AMP
Psalm 1:30:5 Colossians 1:9,10
Proverbs 17:17KJV Colossians 2:9,10 AMP
Isaiah 1:19 Hebrews 4:3,10 AMP
Matthew 6:33 RSV

God is IN CONTROL!

There is NOTHING in your life that’s too hard for God. I’m reminding myself that this morning and want to share that word with you. There is NOTHING– not your job, your health, or your other roles/responsibilities that can present a challenge that God is unable to handle. If/when you feel overwhelmed, take a step a back and speak a word of faith over your situation.

My power verses this morning:

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Thankful Thursday: Why I am PROUD to Call Laurinburg, NC My Hometown

I originally shared this as a Facebook post, but I thought about it this morning and figured it was also worth posting here. I’m sooooooooooooo thankful for my life and I’m proud to say I am from Laurinburg.

When I was younger, I didn’t understand the hurt, pain, and challenges I went through. I used to cry because I was ashamed/embarrassed– now tears fall because I see, EVERYDAY, how God is using my story to help today’s youth.

Yesterday, after bible study, one of my youth came up to me and said, “Miss Fran, I didn’t know we had all that in common” and I replied (with a smile on my face), “Yes, we do. And all those negative things don’t matter when God has His hand on your life. He WILL use it ALL for your GOOD!”

Like Joseph, God has taken me from what felt like the “pit” of my life, to the “palace” and HE can do the same for you. If you’ll let Him.

Isaiah 61:3
To all who mourn in Israel,
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

My original Facebook post:

I was pretty silent on the whole mediatakeout thing and Laurinburg being named, “The most ratchet city in the country” but, believe it or not, I’ll be talking to my youth about it tonight during bible study.

Many already know my testimony of my hometown, family, and many of the obstacles I’ve overcome to be where I am today, but I think this is another opportunity to be completely transparent with them. To show them (as age appropriate) that I’m not making this up. I came from a situation that most of them are living in RIGHT NOW– and I am where I am now because I decided that I wanted something different for my life. I now live a life that is beyond anything I could have imagined. When I tell them that Matthews 6:33, Ephesians 3:20, and Proverbs 16:3 are REAL it’s because I am living proof!

To tell the truth, I wasn’t even mad about the article. I was taken aback because I realize THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME; BUT GOD.

I will never be ashamed to say, “I am from Laurinburg, NC,” because it was there that God put people in my life to show me that there was a better way. There WAS opportunity and things to be experienced, but it would take hard work, determination, and having a VISION for my life, beyond what I could currently see.

There are MANY of us who “made it out” and if we were all REALLY honest about it, we’d admit that with one wrong decision it could ALL be different.

Laurinburg is a small town, with less than 20,000 people, and while it may not be perfect and I may not live there anymore, there were so many people who made it a better place and who continue to invest in making it better. For that, I am thankful.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.

My Graduation in 2011

I completed a dual degree program and received an MPA and MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After receiving my degrees, I was one of 5 graduates from across the US chosen for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ State Fiscal Policy Fellowship.

I now serve as a Program Coordinator/Mentor for the Girls of Destine’ Mentorship Program in New Orleans, LA/Houston Texas. Here’s a photo of myself and one of my mentees feeding the Homeless with Girls of Destine’ in 2014.

Feeding the Homeless in 2013 with Girls of Destine’

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for GOOD to accomplish what is NOW being done, the saving of many lives.

Testimony Tuesday: I’m Walking

I just finished my morning mile and tears started streaming down my face.

Tears, because I realized that I was walking without pain and I remembered the many days that I dealt with chronic pain in my hip. Walking was painful, sitting was even more painful. Other than my husband, no one really knew just how much pain I was in. On top of that, I had several doctors tell me that I would always be in pain and their insistence made me believe that the pain was just a normal part of my life.

BUT GOD. I understand that there are many conditions in life that we must deal with, but I decided to cling to my faith. I prayed that God would do what ONLY he could do in the supernatural and that I would do my part in the natural. I spent the last year going to physical therapy, sometimes two and three times a week. This month, my husband and I joined a new gym and have been consistently working out 4 to 5 times a week.

I may have slight pain some days, but it’s NOTHING compared to what it used to be. My therapists don’t understand it. My doctor initially thought I would need surgery, BUT GOD.

Last year, I posted a photo of my handicap placard. I got it in 2008 upon my until diagnosis. That was my registered placard, not my mom/dad/auntie/grandma’s. MINE. And I declared that this time next year I wouldn’t need it. I’m happy to report, not only do I NOT need the placard, I now park at the furthest parking space in most parking lots. God IS faithful!

I’m sharing this testimony this morning, praying that it encourages you to KEEP GOING! Believe God for his best for your life and refuse to settle for anything less.

Matthew 19:26 New Living Translation Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”