God Knows What You Need

So I’m in the process of taking better care of my grass. If you saw my last post on doing the work, you saw the comparison between my dry-thirsty grass vs my neighbor’s well-nourished grass across the street. Well as I was pulling out the sprinkler and testing it out to make sure it was going the right way. I noticed a few birds fly right to where the water was and began drinking and bathing in the water.

I smiled for a moment realizing that God knows what we need and when we need it.

Matthew 5: 26-27 says …

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

These birds didn’t know if I would be watering my grass. But it was just what they needed. And I imagine that the birds weren’t having a back and forth convo with God about not having anywhere to take a bath or get something to drink.

You know how we do. 🙂

What’s interesting is that once they were done, they flew off.  They got what they needed and then were off to fly about.

If you’re like me, you like to have everything in order. You like to know all of the details. But isn’t God funny. He doesn’t give us all of the details but He always gives us what we need. It may not be what we want (sometimes it is), but it’s always what we need.

This week I want you to stop charging God up for things not happening they way you want them to. Trust Him. Trust His plan for your life. Trust that He has everything under control and that He has everything you need and will provide it at the right time.

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This week I want you to stop charging God up for things not happening they way you want them to. @TrueheartSpeaks 

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Your Assignment:

• What have you been worrying yourself about these last few days?
• Release it and turn it over to God.
• Stop putting expectations and restrictions on God telling him how and when and where.
• Trust God this week to provide everything you need.

Until Next Time…

Hug + Love + Prayers

P.S. If any of the messages I share are hitting home, make sure you tweet me, share a post on facebook or comment here on my blog.  Let me know you are reading and hit me up to give a girl some love.

If this message resonated with you and you are ready to take action but need help, schedule a 45-minute Pick My Brain Strategy Session to brainstorm and create strategies to help get you moving. Click here to get more information and to schedule your session.

Ready to get out of your own way and get to the business of living but need to support of your sister-friends?  Join me and a host of other fabulous women in the #iSpeakLife Society Private FB Group for Women of Faith desiring to Live Purposefully and Grow Spiritually. bit.ly/ispeaklifesociety

Join me every Monday – Thursday at 7:15am EST for the Morning #LifeScope. Each morning I am sharing tools, tips & strategies to help you live purposefully and grow spiritually. I also share inspirational messages to help get out of your own way and get you through the day.  For the month of July, we are studying and discussing the Book of Proverbs.

Do The Work

I know you’ve heard the saying “the grass is/isn’t greener on the other side.” You’ve probably also heard it said that the reason we think the grass is greener on the other side is because we pay more attention to ‘their’ grass instead of tending to our own.

Well, I want to take a moment to talk about doing the work.

About a year ago, hubby and I talked about taking better care of our grass. You see we have this neighbor who has impeccable grass. Check out the photo below… You’ll noticed the not-so-cared-for-grass is ours and the really nice grass is that of our neighbors across the street.

Well one of the things that I’ve learned about watching our neighbor is that you’ve got to be in it for the long haul if you want your grass to be green just like the grass on the other side. And just so you know, while writing on my porch, my neighbor had already been out watering his grass and tending to his lawn.  Talk about consistency.

Over the years, I (we) noticed that every chance he got he’s be out two sometimes three times a day watering, cutting, trimming his grass. He was doing the work.

Hubby and I on the other hand… NOT! (lol)

We wanted the green grass like our neighbor but we’d just been offering lip service. You know, talking a good game.

Well since writing this post (it’s been about a week), guess what I’ve been doing?

Yep you guessed it!

DOING THE WORK!

I found our sprinkler, hooked it up to the hose so that I could water my own grass instead of watching my neighbor water his. It’s actually been 2-3 times this week. I’m pretty proud of myself, if I do say so myself.

Now you might be wondering how this applies you, well like hubby and I, I imagine you’ve got really good, no great lip service. You even know what to do (or maybe you don’t). You watch other people get their lives in order. You watch other people go after their dreams. You talk about how great their ‘grass’ looks and how you wish you could get yours to look like ‘theirs.‘ You talk about wanting what they have or something similar.

BUT you just sit by in admiration, sometimes with envy wishing and wanting things to be different however you aren’t doing anything different.

Let me ask you this?

• Are you willing to do the work needed to have the green grass (life, dreams, goals, etc.) you admire and desire?
• Are you willing to learn what’s needed to accomplish what you desire?
• Are you ready to start doing and stop talking or thinking about it?

You see, in addition to being willing to do the work, you may have to learn a new skill or get some training and you will most assuredly have to stop running your mouth and get to work.

I will say that there is still much to be done with my own grass, but I am proud to say that I am doing the work. My next step will be to buy some grass seed to make my lawn fuller, as well as get rid of some of the weeds, but I am committed to doing the work, what about you?

Your assignment:

1. Identify your ‘green grass.’ What have you been talking and thinking about doing but have yet to do? 
2. Stop talking and thinking about it.
3. Identify what’s needed in order for you to get started?  Do you have what you need or will you have to acquire tools, supplies, training, etc. (Don’t spend money if you don’t need to.)
4. Take some time to write in a journal why you haven’t gotten started today? What’s really holding you back. Sometimes it’s easier to admire what others are doing from a far than it is to put the work in.
5. Start today. Do the work. Do one thing today that will inch you towards achieving your ‘green grass.’

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I know that his/her grass seems greener on the other side, but you could have green grass if you would just do the work. @TrueheartSpeaks

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Until Next Time…

Hug + Love + Prayers

P.S. If any of the messages I share are hitting home, make sure you tweet me, share a post on facebook or comment on my blog.  Let me know you are reading and hit me up to give a girl some love.

If this message resonated with you and you are ready to take action but need help, schedule a 45-minute Pick My Brain Strategy Session to brainstorm and create strategies to help get you moving. Click here to get more information and to schedule your session.

Ready to get out of your own way and get to the business of living but need to support of your sister-friends?  Join me and a host of other fabulous women in the #iSpeakLife Society Private FB Group for Women of Faith desiring to Live Purposefully and Grow Spiritually. bit.ly/ispeaklifesociety

Join me every Monday – Thursday at 7:15am EST for the Morning #LifeScope. Each morning I am sharing tools, tips & strategies to help you live purposefully and grow spiritually. I also share inspirational messages to help get out of your own way and get you through the day.  For the month of July, we will be talking about the Book of Proverbs.

Quitting is NOT an Option

Now before you jump on this and refute the topic of this week’s message. Stay with me for a moment.

Last week I was faced with a decision. Some things weren’t panning out the way I had anticipated and I had the thought of just postponing my plans. Before making the final decision, as with most decisions, (yes as a type A personality, I don’t always consult with God on his plan for my life, but that’s another message) I went to the Lord in prayer. I asked what I should do. I sat quietly and the Lord immediately spoke to me saying, “you will keep going. Quitting, pausing, or postponing is not an option and would be too easy. You will stay the course and you will do the work.”

I sat there for a few seconds and internally said “ok.”

This story is still evolving so I can’t tell you how it ends just yet, but just know that since that conversation, things have started falling into place. But more importantly, I am doing the work.

This was never supposed to be about perfection but progression. I wanted things to happen a certain way and because, I felt like I had made a mistake or the timing was off.

So let me ask you something…

• What are you supposed to be doing that just doesn’t seem to be coming together? 
• What has God given you to do and because it’s seems harder than you thought, you’ve decided to push back the timetable?
• Or you’ve decided to just quit thinking it wasn’t meant to be?

I will tell you like I was told last week during my prayer time …
“You will keep going. Quitting, pausing, or postponing is not an option and would be too easy. You will stay the course and you will do the work.”
Get back in position. Get back on track. And as Beyoncé says, get into formation.

You see quitting, postponing, and pushing things back would be too easy. You’d be let off the hook. You start again and then it got hard, you do what you are doing now.

Not happening.

You’re going to do the work.
You’re going to stay the course.
You’re to follow the plan.

It’s just as simple as that.

It was never promised that life would be easy. It was never promised that we wouldn’t have to put some sweat equity into this thing called life.

Maybe you’ve gotten discouraged because you’re working to fix your finances and things just don’t seem to turning around as quickly as you’d like. Are you putting the work or are you expecting things to work out on their own. You haven’t changed what you do or how you do it. 

Listen, nothing changes if nothing changes.

DO THE WORK! 

Maybe you want your marriage to turn around for the better but you’re waiting on him/her to do something before you put in any work. Well then you don’t want it bad enough. What are you doing to create the marriage you desire? What changes have YOU made?

I could offer tons of examples but the premise of this message is this….

Stop thinking that because things aren’t going as expected, that you’re supposed to quit, post pone or push things back.

I know I know I know… there are times when quitting, letting go, pushing things back, is just what the doctor ordered.

This is not one of them.

Not when faith is involved and God has positioned you for greater and to do something you know you can’t do on your own. This is one of those times where you have to do what you can, so God can do what you can’t.

Do your part. Get back in the game. Get your mind and your heart back on track. Focus. Hone in. Get moving.

Even in the midst of the valleys and the dark alleys…

Stay the course. Keep your eyes on the prize. Push until you can’t push anymore.

Fight for your life.
Fight for your dreams.
Fight for your marriage.
Fight for your family.
Fight for your sanity.
Fight for your health.

No matter what it is…

QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION. 

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Stop thinking that because things aren’t going as expected, that you’re supposed to quit, post pone, or push things back.
@TrueheartSpeaks

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Your assignment:

This week, I want you to identify whatever you contemplated quitting, postponing or pushing back. Then, I want you to the get quiet, refocus, reframe, listen for instructions, then do what you’ve been putting off.  It’s just that simple. Reposition if you need to. Cut some things off if need be. Be get back in the game. Get your mind and your heart in sync, so your words and actions can follow.

Trust that He who began a good work in you, shall complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.  God didn’t bring you this far to leave you.  Could it be that he’s holding out to see if you want it bad enough.  He hasn’t moved, because you haven’t moved.  He will move on your behalf, when you do.

Until Next Time…

Hug + Love + Prayers

P.S. If any of the messages I share are hitting home, make sure you tweet me, share a post on facebook or comment on my blog.  Let me know you are reading and hit me up to give a girl some love.

If this message resonated with you and you are ready to take action but need help, schedule a Pick My Brain Strategy Session to brainstorm and create strategies to help get you moving. Click here or click the image below to get more information and to schedule your session.

ATLANTA — I am headed your way on Saturday, June 11th at 10m for the first stop on my #iSpeakLife Empowerment Experience for Women.  This event was designed for the successful yet busy and overwhelmed women who seldom takes time to refill her cup. Get more info and register at www.ispeaklifelive.com

Ready to get out of your own way and get to the business of living?  Join me and a host of other fabulous women in the #iSpeakLife Society Private FB Group for Women of Faith desiring to Live Purposefully and Grow Spiritually. bit.ly/ispeaklifesociety

Join me every Monday – Thursday at 7:15am EST for the Morning #LifeScope. Each morning I am sharing tools, tips & strategies to help you live purposefully and grow spiritually. I also share inspirational messages to help get out of your own way and get you through the day.  For the month of May, we will be talking about MINDSET.

What are you waiting for?

So a few weeks ago, I challenged you to get out of your own way and start living with intention. My message stressing the fact that tomorrow is not promised was a clarion call to you to stop waiting on tomorrow.

With that being said, my message today is a continuation of the previous message. This past Friday, my hubby and I celebrated the life of friend that passed away who was 42 leaving behind his wife and ten year old son. Yes, crazy right!  It is very hard for me to think about raising my four-year-old son without his daddy but this will not be the reality for a set of four year old twins and now a 10 year old boy.

Some of you may have seen my facebook posts or you’ve heard me talk about it on facebook live or periscope but another husband and father left this world sooner than we would have like him to.  I won’t get into all of the specifics but I want to ask if you are living at your fullest capacity and if not, why?

What are you waiting for?  

I was at a Vision Book Party last weekend and a question was posed by one of the ladies and she asked about timing regarding the manifestation of dreams/goals. She basically wanted to know if there was a deadline on dreams and if she has missed her time.  As the conversation concluded, I simply asked her, “What are you waiting for?” and I will again ask you the same question.

What are you waiting for?  

After the sudden deaths of two really good people, there is an urgency for me to operate at my fullest capacity and do what really makes my heart smile.  I feel a sense of imperativeness to go full steam ahead to do what I know God has called me to do.  I will be 40 in a few months and although I know that God knows what He’s doing, I would hate to leave this world not having lived this life with a fullness and vibrancy that only I know can live it.

What about you? 

I mean really, time is of the essence and tomorrow is most assuredly not promised, so what will you do about it?

• Will you start writing the book?
• Will you work to clear up your credit?
• Will you start taking better care of yourself?
• Will you start the blog?
• Will you schedule the doctor’s appointment.
• Will you start the business or the ministry or the not for profit?
• Will you clear the clutter?
• Will you apply for the job?
• Will you update your resume?
• Will you fill out the application for school?
• Will you go on that vacation that you keep dreaming about?
• Will start saving for the vacation so you can actually make it a reality?

Will you just get started already or will you continue to let whatever is holding you back, keep you stuck, stalled and stagnant for another day, week, month, year or two years, like the woman who asked the question at the Vision Book Party?

Let me say this, if you are saying “Detra, I just don’t have time. I have too many other things going on in my life,” then you are focused on the wrong things and you need to reassess your priorities. You should only be giving those things that are highest priority to you, your time and energy. The problem is many of us are giving our time and energy to those things that drain and distract us from the essentials. Stop it!  If you struggle with this, get my Time Hacks for Busy Women training and workbook to help you start planning your day and your life around those things that matter most to you. (It’s 20% off until 5/25. Use the code: PMD16)

Listen, I trust God and believe that when our time is up, it’s in God’s timing. But what I won’t do is waste time while on this earth, letting my fear, my past, my present, people, or anything else keep me from living my best life. I read a book (I can’t remember which one) that said accumulate experiences not things and that’s what I plan to do. Hubby and I went on our first filed trip together with our son over the weekend and we had a blast. I don’t just want to work well, I want to live well and love big.

I am not sure what you are waiting on, but I challenge you to get out of your own way and get to the business of living. There is a group of people who are assigned to you who are waiting on you while you wait on … {you fill in the blank}.

Will you keep them (and yourself) waiting?

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Don’t just work well. Live well and love big.
@TrueheartSpeaks

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Your assignment:

If you didn’t do what I asked you to do from a few weeks ago, I want you to stop thinking about those things you’ve wanted to do but kept putting off and DO THEM! Start making time for the things that matter most to you. Stop waiting until ‘tomorrow.’ Take action today. I am not sure what you are waiting on but you have everything you need right now at this very moment to take your next best step. DO IT!
Until Next Time…
Hug + Love + Prayers

P.S. If any of the messages I share are hitting home, make sure you tweet me, share a post on facebook or comment on my blog.  Let me know you are reading and hit me up to give a girl some love.

If this message resonated with you and you need strategies to help you get out of your own way and take action, schedule a Pick My Brain Strategy Session to chat about what’s holding you back, what you are waiting on and why you haven’t gotten started. Click here or click the image below to get more information and to schedule your session.

Ready to get out of your own way and get to the business of living?  Join me and a host of other fabulous women in the #iSpeakLife Society Private FB Group for Women of Faith desiring to Live Purposefully and Grow Spiritually. bit.ly/ispeaklifesociety

Join me every Monday – Thursday at 7:15am EST for the Morning #LifeScope. Each morning I am sharing tools, tips & strategies to help you live purposefully and grow spiritually. I also share inspirational messages to help get out of your own way and get you through the day.  For the month of May, we will be talking about MINDSET.