Prepared

 

I meant to blog about this several weeks ago, but now that things have died down, I have decided to blog about this anyway. So what am I talking about? I’m talking about the Royal Wedding!

The whole world watched Prince Harry marry his bi-racial bride in a breathtaking wedding. I thought it was extraordinary! I mean, I heard everyone talking about this wedding. This was a beautiful love story between two unlikely persons and we all got swept away by it. I even heard my 60-year old divorced Pastor say their story made him want to find love again.

But what really got my attention was how prepared Megan Markle (now the Duchess of Sussex) was to walk into her new role. She was prepared, emotionally, physically and even through her life experiences. They say she and Prince Harry bonded over their shared interest in humanitarian work.

This started me to thinking how unprepared I truly am for someone to come into my life. For me the wait for a mate has been so incredibly long that I have really pretty much given up, and kind of let myself go. But I must say Meghan got my attention and made me want to try to prepare once again.

When I thought about writing this blog, I always wanted to share about the Royal Wedding from this point of view. And whether it’s a marriage or a business or whatever God has promised you, you must be prepared. This is my summer of extreme preparation. It’s now or never!! I’ll end with this little letter and song.

Dr. Future Husband,

I don’t know where you are, but I pray that when you come I will be fully prepared and all that you have been waiting for. If God allows us to marry, I promise that I will appreciate the gift of love and marriage and I will appreciate you! God willing, I will see you one day soon my Prince!

Getting Prepared

Recently, as I was contemplating some changes that I know are coming, I started to panic because I felt so unprepared. As I thought about it, it’s like God gave me a vision of accomplishing some goals before the year is out. Well on Sunday, I got an amazing confirmation through my Pastor. He shared prophetically that God wanted to do some major transformations in His people in these last three months of the year.

As I listened to the message, I was leaping on the inside. You know God does not need a long time to carry out His will and we don’t need a long time either. I purposed in my heart that before the year is out, I will be able to say that I have completed certain goals.

Sometimes the cares of life can hinder us from reaching our goals. Today is actually the anniversary of my father’s death. It’s been one year and honestly being His caregiver for so long took its toll on me, emotionally and physically and it seems like it’s taken a year just to recover. But now I am ready to sprint to the end of this year. I need to really prepare myself emotionally and physically for some major changes.

What would you like to do before the year is out? Take some time and meditate on what you want to do. It can be done, by God’s grace. You don’t have to wait until the new year. Now is the time. I will have a testimony by December 31st. How about you?

Genesis 26:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.

A Change of Focus

The other day I was listening to a message called “I’ve got to get myself together” by Noel Jones, a nationally known pastor out of California. His television show was sharing some of his classic messages from years ago.

This particular message was for singles (it was a singles conference) and was one that I heard many times before. As I listened to the message I could hear God speaking and letting me know that I needed to seriously work more on preparation for my mate.

I realize that I’ve focused on other things, which have hindered me from a proper focus, but that was then and this is now. The truth is, there are natural things that we as singles have to work on in preparation for whomever God has for us.

My mind went to the book of Esther. Esther went through an extensive preparation before she saw the king. The truth is a man on that level could have any woman that he wanted and she had to be beautiful. A king does not marry an ugly woman. 🙂

I am happy to say that I have maintained my weight-loss for one year and that was by getting rid of sugar. I think I loss a little more but have not weighed myself lately. The reason I know is because some of my pants are falling off me. But I have more to lose.

Also, today I saw a picture of a friend on Facebook and she was at some sort of affair (not sure what) and honestly, I almost didn’t recognize her. She looked stunningly beautiful. Her make-up was flawless and her eyebrows were perfectly arched and tinted and her hair was perfectly coiffed. She had it going on.

I’m not the jealous type. What her picture did was inspire me to start putting more attention to detail. I know what to do. After all I’m a New Yorker. I used to be a sharp dresser, until I moved south. lol (no offense to the southerners)

Yes, there is a change of focus. Now is the time. I need to be prepare so that Boaz doesn’t catch me unprepared. This will be my main focus for now.

I thoroughly enjoyed both YouTube’s. Couldn’t pick between the two. 🙂

Esther 2:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Preparation for Increase

Some of us wonder why we have not seen the manifestation of all that God has promised, but what we don’t realize is that there is a process that we must pass through.

I recently had a dream and it took me a minute to figure out what it meant, but when I finally got the interpretation of it, God was showing me I was unprepared for a coming harvest. I have to say I was both surprised and delighted. Surprised that as much as I felt I was prepared, I was not. But I was delighted that God was showing me the truth because I know that my season is here. I’ve had signs that I am in the season and the dream just confirmed that God time is here.

When you see the signs that God is about to bring your promise to pass remember, there is a process and a preparation period for that which God has promised. Make the adjustments quickly because God is about to move!!!!

Ezekiel 12:28 (Amplified Bible)

²⁸Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: There shall none of My words be deferred any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be performed, says the Lord God.

Quiet Strength

Yesterday morning I was asking the Lord about some things and he simply said “In quietness and confidence is your strength”. There are times where there is nothing to say. Absolutely nothing to say. You just need to continue to pray and continue to do what God is telling you to do.

I’m in my middle years of life and I have a bucket list and trust me, I will accomplish everything that is on it. As soon as God releases me from this season, I’m off and running (well on the weekend, lol). I know everything is falling into place in God’s time, and the time if now. I heard from a company that I applied for a  job at and I believe that is about to come through. But on the top of my bucket list is me and a full life makeover.

I’ve gone through a very difficult season. Since living here in Florida I’ve changed and I have neglected myself. The New York, cosmopolitan girl has disappeared and I have to find her again. I have a very real vision for myself. I’ve been cutting down on my food, doing more walking, going to get this cross trainer and start doing some serious working out. I’m growing my hair out and I’m happy to say it’s at seven inches long and it’s not even straightened. During this time of quietness, I’m going to continue to make these very real changes. Yes, right now, it’s about quiet strength.

I remember at the beginning of the year, I was in church and we had a guest minister and he preached a message called “When Preparation Meets Opportunity”. In your quiet season, take that time to get ready for the opportunities that God is sending your way and remember it to continued to exude quiet strength.

Isaiah 30:15 New International Version

¹⁵ This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,

When Preparation Meets Opportunity Pt. 2

I did part one of this series back in November and recently felt let to listen to the DVD that the title of this blog is based on. I may contradict myself, but I also realize that we do have, to be prepared for our opportunity for some things.

Once again I have to revisit the book of Esther. Esther was destined to be the queen and she came from a very humble place, but she had to prepare to meet the King. As much as we want to think we don’t have to prepare for some things, sometimes we have to accept that we do.

I once had an opportunity, which came and went. But the problem is I did not know that the opportunity was being presented. There was no warning. I was just observed and then it was over. I didn’t have time to prepare. But God told me that he would give me another opportunity and to prepare for it and that is going to be my focus.

Esther did her own preparation. There were many women that had the opportunity to go before the king. That was not Esthers concern. I’m sure there were many that the king expressed an interest in. There were many that he wanted to get to know, and honestly all of that had to happen and because of the unusual circumstance this was the way it had to play out.

Some how I think Esther knew she was the one (I’m sure the other women thought so to). I’m sure she had Mordecai to encourage her. But mainly the Lord might have told her that you will have to watch him go through many wrong relationships before he gets to you. As painful as it was, she had to endure that. But that was not to be her main focus.

Esther’s main focus was to prepare herself to “wow” the king, and that was her only focus. All she had to do is let everything unfold and be ready.

What is God preparing you for and will you be ready when you opportunity comes?

Esther 2:17 New International Version

¹⁷ Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.