Harvest
I recently visited Fausett Farms in Dawsonville, GA. It's a small sunflower farm tucked behind a creek. There were two sections. One field that was dying and one that was thriving. Sunflowers naturally face the direction of the sun.
It was a gloomy day. So, I expected some of the flowers to not to face the sky. Imagine my surprise when these seven to eight foot flowers were facing the sky as if to say, “I might not see you, but I know you're there.”
How many of us are like that first field? We can’t see God. So, we doubt God. We hang our heads as if we can’t still feel his presence or his rays of sunshine. Same seeds. Same soil. Same sun. Different harvest. What's your harvest look like?
Vote
I watched last night's episode of Lovecraft Country and was inspired by the words of one of the characters saying that her great- great grandson was her "faith made flesh." How many of us are exactly that? How many of our ancestors died so we could live? I've seen t-shirts that read, "I am my ancestors wildest dreams." We are. We are just that. We are living breathing faith. We are answered prayers. We are promise. We are purpose. We are their legacy. We are standing on their shoulders. We are walking the trails they blazed. We are the word spoken. We are their word made flesh. Honor them. Honor their life. Honor their memory. Be vigilant. Vote!
Rainmaker
I’ve heard the story of Elijah praying for rain so many times, but this year it hits a little different. Imagine 2020 lasting for three years. I know it’s too terrible to even contemplate. Imagine drought and famine, and prolonged suffering for three and a half years. This was the case during the Prophet Elijah's time.
Rain was like currency. It was necessary for every aspect of their life. Rain represented fertility, refreshing, cleansing and renewal. God has always used rain in a powerful way. Rain despite popular belief, can be seen as a blessing as well.
I did a corporate personality test a few years back and my profile came back as a Rainmaker. It basically means that I am a person who can create business opportunities easily. Spiritually, I acknowledge that God has blessed me with several innate gifts that have the ability to produce rain for me in a dry season. For those of you that are in a dry season, pray for rain. For those of you that have lost hope, pray for rain. For those of you that need to be refreshed for the road ahead, pray for rain. God is still answering the prayers of the righteous. I speak rain in my life and yours. Keep looking! I see a cloud the size of a man's hand!
You can find the story in 1 Kings 18:41-19:8.
Warrior
I try to avoid conflict as much as possible. I’m definitely more of a lover than a fighter. However, I’ve inherited the mantle of my mother. I can pray. I can fast. I can discern. I see things a bit differently. I guess that makes me a warrior. I know that my fight is not physical, but spiritual. I know what’s at stake. I know what armor is required. I’ve been conditioned, trained and battle tested. There aren't many prayers that I’ve prayed that haven't been answered. So, just know that if you come for mine…you better be prayed up.
Respite Care
I slept late today. For those of you who know my current season, that’s big. Makayla took a pre-morning nap and my mom didn’t knock on the door. I’ve learned in this caregiving journey to take moments when you can. If your loved one sleeps late, you sleep late. If they go to bed early, let them sleep. If it’s a chill day, keep it chill. Respite care come in many forms. It’s not always separation. Sometimes, its just a moment. It’s a song. It’s a smile. It’s a dance. It’s a deep breath. It’s a long bath or a shower. When you have to be “on" 95% of the time, enjoy the moments you don’t.
Course Correct
I know we don't want to go into every venture or project with an expectation of failure, but it is always a possibility. Failure is sometimes out of our control. Market conditions, finances, supply and demand are all potential factors towards our success or failure. Truthfully, most of us probably know how to plan for success. The learning curve comes when things don't work out according to plan. We have to learn how to pivot. We have to recognize that sometimes success has many paths. We can always course correct.