Just Do It!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I know it has been some time since I’ve posted… but it feels soooo great being back!!!

The tail end of 2017 was a tough year for me. Losing Mama was one of THE HARDEST things I’ve ever had to deal with. To be 100% honest… it completely knocked me off of my feet. I still tear up from time to time thinking about her, but I know she’s in excellent hands. I had a conversation with one of my close friends today and she said something that really encouraged me. She said, “She finished her race, and now it’s time for you to run yours.” That statement is so simple, yet so powerful. I am sooo grateful for the time that I was able to spend and share with Mama. And now it’s time for me to carry on her legacy and be a woman of kindness, grace, love, prayer, and gratitude like she was. You can read my tribute to this amazing woman here.

As we have all entered a new year, I’ve seen many posts on social media talking about cutting people off. I’ll be honest, in the past I had that mindset. While I didn’t post it on social media, I had a mental list of people who I was “cutting off” or “distancing” myself from. The list wasn’t long, but it stayed pretty consistent for a few years. While I completely understand that many people have very VALID and different reasons for cutting people off, I have decided to do the opposite this year.

I know, I know!! Call me crazy… but hear me out for a minute.

I had a conversation with the same friend I mentioned earlier, and she also said something powerful about this. She basically said that:

sometimes we rob people of a simple joy in life such as a smile or a “hello” because we are too focused on our own feelings.

This got me thinking… What if instead of cutting people off, the Lord is wanting us to actually reach out and extend our hand to them? What if a simple “hello” would be what brings healing to their hearts. Many times people act rude to others because of how they have been treated. Instead of being rude back, to them or simply ignoring them (which is what I would do… being completely honest here) you can show grace to them. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but you never know what your simple act of kindness can do. Especially towards those who have mistreated and hurt you badly.

I’ll be honest with you all… had someone said these things to me 2 or 3 years ago (and they did… hey Mom & Henry!!) I would’ve made EVERY excuse as to why I didn’t or shouldn’t have to extend kindness. But thankfully as time has gone by, the Lord has dealt with my heart regarding these people. He has done a healing work in my life that has caused me to find forgiveness in my heart towards them. Now please know that this has not been and is not always easy for me… there are times where EVERYTHING inside of me is saying “NO!!! I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS“. But that is when I ask the Lord to work on my heart and show me how to love like Him.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT encouraging anyone to stay in a relationship that is abusive, unhealthy and toxic. (Trust me I’ve had cut off those relationships as well… but that’s another post for another day.)

So with all that said… this year I do not have a huge list of resolutions to complete… I actually don’t have any. But what I do have is a desire to be a blessing to others, and heart that is willing to be led by the Lord. I know it’s hard to be kind to those who have been downright rude to you, but you never know what God could do through your obedience. You’ll never know if you don’t try! So…. JUST DO IT!!

What if the very person that you “cannot stand” or who “rubs you the wrong way” is the very person God wants to use to bless you and vice versa? JUST DO IT!!

I want to encourage you all to think about what I’ve written and if you feel the Lord tugging at your heart… follow his prompting. Pick up the phone…send that email or text… you never know how you are blessing someone with your actions, words or smile. And honestly speaking… the one who will be the most blessed is you.

Gr8fully Yours!