Hey guys!

I hope this Monday is finding you in good health and good spirits! This weekend while I was taking some time to relax I decided to scroll through my Instagram feed. Sometimes I like to take a look at old photos and reminisce. I came across one post in particular and that’s what birthed today’s post.

I grew up in a Pentecostal family. At 10 years old, I made a choice to follow Christ. At 13 years old, I received the gift of water baptism. At 15 I was filled with the Holy Spirit and from 16-21…. ( and sometimes still today!) I made poor decisions, I lived a “one foot in one foot out”lifestyle. I  I struggled with anger and temper problems. I was in no way, shape or form a representation of the God I claimed to serve.  I always felt guilty when I went astray and could never really be comfortable outside of the presence of God.

From the outside looking in, I was a lost cause! Deep down inside, I always knew who I was supposed to be, I was just having trouble staying on the straight and narrow!

Now what inspired that Instagram post many years ago was because of an incident that happened to me at my church. Who wouldn’t feel discouraged when you overhear people who are supposed to be lifting you up, plotting and betting on your demise?

That really hurt my feelings but I really thank God for wise parents who simply told me, “Well prove them wrong!”

Now that I have matured physically and spiritually I can look back at where I was and be grateful that I made it through my “rebellious” stage.  But its also forced me to remember who I used to be when dealing with youth around me. It actually really hurts my feelings when somebody sees a young person struggling and automatically counts them out and doesn’t do anything to help them! What word of wisdom did you offer then while they were struggling?

That’s not to say that you condone their poor choices. But there is a way to reprimand with love! I always tell the young people I am around, “Don’t be like me, be better than me!” There’s only so much talking you can do. The best thing you can do is live by example and never stop praying and encouraging!  You never know what someone may be struggling with and your encouraging word ( or lack thereof ) could be the catalyst for change ( or a continued walk down a dangerous path)

Like my Instagram post said, I’m super grateful for those who never gave up on me and it’s my plan to be an example to others! Regardless of how people may behave, remember to “just love them anyway”!  ❤

One song that I actually had been listening all  week prior to even going through my Instagram ( funny how God brings things together isn’t it? 🙂 )  is called ” I Am” by Kirk Franklin. The part of the chorus that really made an impact on me this week was :

I am so far from perfect
I thought life was worthless
Until you showed me who I am
Not here by mistake
No luck, only grace
I’m on my way to
Who I am

To anybody out there who feels like you let yourself, others and more importantly God down, remember that you are on your way to being who God designed you to be! You are not a mistake, you have a purpose. Don’t let your past put chains on your future!  There is a quote by Joyce Meyer I love that states : “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God i’m not where I used to be.”

I’m so far from perfect or being a “perfect Christian” but God has truly shown up in my life and helped me realize who I am because of Him! Thank you Father! 🙂

Take a listen to the song down below! I hope it blesses you as it has me!

xoxo

How do you do?
I am a sinner
Born into sin and shaped in iniquity
Now I believe not who I was but still not what I shall be
You found me and gave me your name and
Things I desired have changed but
Inside you’ll see it’s still broken pieces
Deep in me reaches for you (hello)

How do you do?
I am a beggar (that means I’m)
Desperate for more
I hunger for your truth
See I am shattered
Though I may fall still you make all things new
You speak, the storm, it obeys and gone is the weight of mistakes and
Though I still feel you continue to heal, look close, and see (whoa)

[Chorus:]
I am so far from perfect
I thought life was worthless
Until you showed me who I am
Not here by mistake
No luck, only grace
I’m on my way to
Who I am (not who I was), I am (forgiven and loved)
I am (healed by your blood), I am (yes)
Thank God I am (still being changed)
I am (help me say), I am

How do you do?
I am a winner (it wasn’t easy)
I’ve lost a few and life’s knocked me to my knees
But now I am standing (hallelujah)
Not by my power, but your life inside of me (just like you, I’ve gone through)
Even through seasons and changes (no tear)
No tear has ever been wasted
Misunderstood still it worked for my good
look now and see
I am not the old me but still
(I am not the old me but still)

[Chorus:]
I am (I am) so far from perfect
I thought life was worthless
Until you showed me who I am (don’t forget you’re)
Not here by mistake (yes)
No luck, only grace
I’m on my way to
Who I am (now called your son), I am (forgiven for what I’ve done)
I am (forgiven for what I’ve done), I am (yes)
Thank God I am (sealed by your grace)
I am (still here, help me say), I am

[Bridge:]
Here and I’m closer, praise now is stronger
Stood up to fear, by faith I’m still here
Couldn’t walk away, love said not today
Times haven’t seen what God has for me
The hurt and the lies, through the pain, through the night
Cried and I cried but still I survived

[Chorus:]
I am so far from perfect
I thought life was worthless (yes God)
Until you showed me who I am (I am)
Not here by mistake
No luck, only grace
I’m on my way to
Who I am (and all of you), I am (I’m in love with you)
I am (here to worship you), I am (Jesus)
Thank God I am (ready to be closer)
I am (ready to go higher), I am

[Chorus:]
I am so far from perfect (so far)
I thought life was worthless (yes)
Until you showed me who I am (but you showed me)
Not here by mistake (thank you)
No luck, only grace (thank you)
I’m on my way to
Who I am (I’m not ashamed), I am (look, I’m not the same)
I am (I’m letting go of the pain), I am (yes Lord)
Thank God I am (more than what you see)
I am (not yet what I shall be), I am

Thank you
You didn’t give up on me while I was still in the process
Hallelujah God that you could see what I couldn’t see
Thank you