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Jill Scott - Im Prettier 2011

Stick The Landing (extended video)

Stick The Landing Part 2

Stick The Landing Part 1

In gymnastics there is a term, stick the landing. It is the act of controlling your footing following a vault, tumble or dismount. When gymnasts have completed their skill or performance, points will be deducted if they do not stick their landing. Its almost like more focus is placed on their landing than on what happened prior to the landing. Your landing... How have you been sticking your landing following your upsets, crisis and trials? Have you mastered the art of sticking your landing?

I do not always stick my landings. I start out excited, focused and strong. But as life would have it, as soon as trials come in, so does worry, fear, and discouragement. Soon I begin to give up, lose hope or just simply hide from life. Have you ever done that before? Hide from life? Shriek back at the possibility of disappointment? Because you've been hurt so many times before, you go into protective mode to protect the fragments of your heart that are left. Only to realize that again... the landing did not stick.

But oh the story doesn't end there. There is hope. Are you ready to stick your landing once and for all? Let me share a bit about where I am in life at this moment. I am a single mom of two really amazing kids. Wow I really hit the lottery with these two. But even with two really great kids, life is not always a ride in the park. I've experienced losing a child, separation, infidelity, financial hardship, defamation of character, abandonment, rejection, abuse, and near fatal illness. Most do not know my testimony. But I've gone through enough storms to know what I'm talking about here. So I've perfected the skill of hiding from life. I know how to detect impending pain when it is yet afar off. My timing is impeccable in that by the time it finally reaches me, I am already safely hidden behind the iron clad walls I've placed all around me. But the fallacy in this is that those same walls keep out the blessings, peace, joy, abundance, and love that God desires for me to dwell in. Plus, those walls hindered my solid landing. They interfered with my remaining in the peace that surpasses all understanding. That was until I began the process towards healing.

I began at the foot of Jesus. Jesus has been the one true constant in my life through it all. There have been times I felt I could not go on. The pain was so amplified that I just could not bare another fake smile and insincere script of "I'm blessed and highly favored", while feeling completely shattered inside. At the foot of Jesus, I call it my tears ministry. There were moments, when I tried to pray, all I could do was sob. I would lie on my floor or at the foot of my bed, close my eyes and picture myself lying in the lap of Jesus. I would pour to God until I felt the heaviness of the moment begin to lift. Most times, the pain would be so intense that I could not speak. The weight was so heavy, I had no words. But God in His infinite wisdom, understood. HE UNDERSTOOD! Without speaking one word, my tears spoke volumes. The Holy Spirit would comfort me and give me what I needed to face the next day and go through the storm. Oh sweet Jesus. Precious Jesus, He is to me. This is when I began my intimate relationship with The Father.

I also began to change my environment. I removed any negative people. I had to. I was in a battle to stick that landing. It’s like having a closed gymnastic practice. Only those in the competition were allowed on the floor. I surrounded myself with people ready to encourage me and root me on. I had people that were in similar trials, but also had that bulldog tenacity faith. The one that says, I won't let you go until you bless or deliver me. I read everything that I could get my hands on that was an encouragement. I pasted scriptures and positive affirmations all around my house. I even had scriptures and affirmations based in scripture pasted in my car. I built my vision board. The vision board displayed all of the trials I was going through in the future tense. I displayed images as I wanted my outcome to look. I listened to inspirational messages and music, such as THE SECRET and others. I was in the fight to stick my landing.

Gradually, I began to notice my faith strengthening. I could go on in spite of my circumstances remaining the same. Although my circumstances did not immediately change, God would send little glimpses of grace. This led to my final stage, journaling. I had two journals. One I call, IN THE LAP OF JESUS. This one I use to pour out, unedited. I lay it all out on the line. It’s electronic, which helps me to feel free in unloading on the pages. I kick, scream and have all out tantrums in this one. Then I sit and wait to hear what God has to say. Most times He will lead me to a scripture that is exactly what I need. My other journal is LITTLE GLIMPSES OF GRACE. This one is the testimony chronicles. I write this one in list or stanza form. Things I am grateful for. On my down days, I list all of the blessings currently active in my life. Or I chronicle a moment when God kisses me on the cheek with one of His moments of Favor. You know those moments when something happens and there is no other way to explain it except it must be God.

Through this process...this journey...I'm getting stronger...better at sticking my landing. Its amazing to look back at where you were in comparison to where you have evolved. I may have stumbled a few times before. But this time...I will keep pushing. Keep believing. Keep doing everything I need to do to stick that landing. Oh...and I'm going to stick it. You just watch...you'll see. {{all smiles}}

Be blessed and encouraged!

Marching Wounded

Tomorrow my son will march in his first parade. His part is to beat the base drum at the direction of his band leader. Well that seems easy enough right? Well did I mention that he injured his leg today? Yes, tomorrow my boy will be the marching wounded. He will have to carry the weight of his base drum on his shoulders, while marching forward with a wounded knee, all at the command of his drum major.

Oh how often we are called to march despite and in spite of our life inflicted wounds. Keep marching. Keep moving forward to the instruction of the band leader. Regardless of what we have to carry or how long the route, we the marching wounded are given the charge to move valiantly ahead.

How? How do you get the air punched out of you and then just get back up? How? How do you hold together all of the fragments of your shattered heart and still keep your place in line?Disappointment has come knocking far too many times. Countless nights lying awake on your tear soaked pillow. How? A family member that knows exactly where to verbally or emotionally blindside you, has yet again given you that one, two punch that makes you ask, "why even bother?" How? The one you loved the most, has hurt you the worst. You put on your smile and best face, because there are no words to explain. Plus why risk judgement or ridicule. Or even worst....advice. Broken to the point of actually being able to feel your heart breaking.

I believe there are seasons in everyone's life when it seems the darkness will never end. During that time it may feel so desolate, so final that you find yourself questioning if there was something you did wrong in the past that you're now being punished for. Don't despair my friend. You are not alone. For we have a friend that has promised to contend with that which contends with us. No, you have not been left alone as you march wounded. In the darkest hour, He knows and sees evey tear that falls. He sees you and will come to comfort you right where you are.

Peace is not the absence of trouble. Its the presence of God. The saviour is not just some mystical being floating in the outer regions, conjured up by a highly animated state. The real and true presence of God is right there where you are. Yes, right there with you, right where you are right now. He is our friend. He listens. He wipes away every tear. His desire is to spend as much time with you as possible. He wants to know your every thought, fear, worry, desire and need. And better than that, he wants to fulfill your desires and calm your fears. He understands when you're lonely, afraid, hurt, jealous, angry, feeling neglected. God knows everything about you. Everything...and yet he still considers you to be the apple of his eye. It doesnt get any better than that!

There is not a pause button for life. Oh how I sometimes wish there were. It would be wonderful to be able to take a breather to regroup and activate your plan B. But there is something better. While marching wounded, God has joined you in convenant relationship. This means He understands every scrape, bruise, and injury that life has inflicted on you. He understands that you sometimes feel like damaged goods. That you may belive you are what has happened to you. God understands. He is there to guide you. To love on you when life has made you believe you're unlovable. He will walk with you through the entire journey, lovingly guiding you through every twist, turn and pothole as you march wounded. Wouldn't it just be quicker and easier if he would just heal the wound? Well, yes it would. But then you wouldn't know the drum major so intimately, if you didn't have to march wounded.

What wound are you tending to? What is the drum major desiring from you during this season in your life? Have you become stagnant, or immobile because its just too painful to forge ahead? The drum major is commanding your attention, preparing you for the start of the parade. For you see my friend, you must march wounded in order to experience the cheering crowds and fanfare awaiting you. Your victory and healing is in your marching until your no longer wounded.

Yours In the Battle

The Spirit Knows The Way

Okay, so this week has been a doozie. I mean if it wasn't one thing it was another. My car needed some work. Earlier in the week I tried to coordinate ways to drop kids at school, get car to the mechanic, get a ride home, get kids picked up from school, get ride back to the mechanic and live happily ever after. Okay that was as much of a headache coordinating as I'm sure it was for you to read it. So frustrated that my plan wasn't coming together, I vented. The person who's ear I was bending said "why don't you just hang out while the car's at the mechanic? " Like the children standing at the red sea, my frustration lifted and I was able to see dry land.

I dropped the kids at school and head to the mechanic. From his garage you can see on the horizon this beautiful picturesque beach. The weather is amazing. Blue skies, cloud free. Just warm enough to not need a jacket. And nothing but hours on my hand. What's a girl to do....

Grab her backpack, iPod, eReader and stylish shades. The plan was to drop the car with Mr.mechanic-get-it-done-by-five and then grab some breakfast. Next to catch the bus to the library waaaaaaay down there. Heading to the beach seemed out of the plan because I had no blanket or chair since I was walking and needed to travel light. Plus the distance from the mechanic to the beach appeared extremely far, hilly and just too risky. I needed to stay in a good reception area and go somewhere that I could charge my battery on my android phone if necessary. So I sit at the bus stop. And I sit. And sit. And...well you get the picture.

Then this man passes me with his bag and carefreeness. I watch him walk and head down the hill. I'm curious. Don't know why. Just am. So I get up and walk towards the hill.
As I begin to ascend this steep hill. I see oasis. Its the beach. See this hill curves around making the distance shorter. AND... as I'm walking towards my bliss, what else do I see? A LIBRARY! Not opening until noon. Perfect. I can cruise the beach for a while and then go to the library to recharge. Figuratively and literally. As I'm walking this hill, I'm noticing my entire countenance is changing. I'm relaxed and feeling like I'm in my lane. Needless to say, I enjoy my day of hours to waste.

Lessons to take from my day. Recognize when your plan is not working and be open to change courses. Just follow the path that feels right, It'll lead you where you need to go. Sometimes God will make your path curve in order to get you to your blessings quicker. Where you thought it would take you longer to reach your destiny, it may actually be right around the corner. Make time to just sit and watch it all unfold right before you. Travel light, leave the weight back there. Don't worry so much about the safest plan. Life's transforming moments often come when you step out of the boat and start walking towards your destiny.

Yours in Purpose

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Reflections

Each day, I believe a new aspect, a new cell of self awareness is revealed to us in our day to day interactions with people and circumstances. In each interaction or reaction to a circumstance, we learn who we are and who we are becoming.

Earlier this week, I received a phone call from a friend. He had not called me in several months. We had crossed paths a few times. I noticed when we did, his interaction with me felt strained and tense. Which was weird for me because he is a leader in the religious community , and I guess I expected more from him, givn his title. But its important to remember, he is still human regardless of the title he carries.

So this phone call came at the worst possible time. It was not one of my better days. I was feeling extremely fatigued from the mental battle that I was engaged in. I was trying to hold it together but I was a dam with weak levies that evening. He said his peace. I said mine. He was not compassionate in his tone or delivery. In the seconds between saying good bye and hanging up, I knew our ties were at that moment severed.

Fastforward to mid week. I am putting out one of the many fires I'm in charge of from day to day. I asked someone for assistance. This person chose to respond to me with an insult, disguised as a joke. I am hurt by their remark. I realize the issue is within me, not either of these two people I've encountered.

People are people. Human. Capable of responding to life through their own hurts and insecurities. I have been guilty of this myself. God has blessed me with discernment. For a reason. In both interactions with these two people, I learned more about them and myself. Why should I get so bent out of shape when these two circumstances were just revelations of who these people really are. And who I am. God was showing me who they are. My reaction to their insensitivity was a revelation of who I am. My focus needs to be on improving any gaps within my character and self image. Why take on their transference of pain, insecurity and frustration. I'm a no dumping site. But I have to set the parameters of what I will accept and react to. That's their issue, not mine. You've shown me who you are. From this point on I should no longer get caught off guard. However to be successful with these future interactions, I have to daily pour out to God and allow Him to fill me up with His truths and promises. The only accurate measuring tape or mirror that gives us a true reflection of who we are is the word of God. Align and look in it daily.

Yours in Battle,

ndonpurpose

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