Redemption

Who doesn't love a good redemption story? As I come down from my high from the Beyonce concert (you all know the depths of my love for her right?), I continue to be in awe at how she just speaks to my soul in her music, through her business savvy, and through the Black Girl Magic that she sprinkles in places that we didn't even know we needed it. As a Black woman, a lover, a mother, and a working mom, you cannot leave one of her concert's and not feel empowered to overcome whatever is trying to hold you back. The other night she said one of her favorite songs from her new album was All Night; a song in which she sings about redemption.

This season of my life has a lot of redemptive qualities. I was reading my girl's blog the other day and it reminded me that I do not need to be overwhelmed by what I have to accomplish ahead of me but instead, I need to take time to remember where I started from and what I have accomplished. There were so many things that could have held me back but by the grace of God, they did not. There were so many things seemingly out of my grasp but I was able to surpass them all.


So as we stand smack in the middle of 2016 here is my recap:

• 2nd master's degree completed.
• New job secured.
• First paid therapy client.
• 9 years of being an educator completed. 
• Survived being the mom of a Pre-K student (I really must write about being a working/teacher mom...very interesting experience with your own child in school and dealing with the micro-aggressions of white teachers).

I don't list these things to boast on myself but to boast on the goodness of God---our true redeemer. I have come a long way and have been able to do some really awesome things along the way but, sometimes I am quick to just move on to the next thing without savoring the moment. In fact, I actually almost listed out what else I would like to accomplish in 2016 but instead I will just revel in this moment.

I am feeling this season of my life.

My journey is truly a testament of God giving someone a vision and him equipping me with all that I need to execute it along the way.

There may other things that I want to do in 2016 but I am mighty proud of what I have been able to do so far.

Patient Endurance

Somebody get me this mug! 

Hey! I know it has been far too long. I have been drafting blog posts for months and never making the time to finish them. But this week, after much inspiration, I am finally compelled to write and post. Two of my devotional readings recently talked about patient endurance. I must admit that I am very, very impatient with some things. I partially blame the microwave/gotta have it right now culture that we live in but mostly on my lack of discipline in some areas--yes me the over achiever and recovering perfectionist lacks the discipline to follow through on some things *gasps*. Most of the time, when the "go getter" in me decides what it is that I want, I just go for it. But that hasn't helped me to reach all the personal goals that I have for myself in the past. My endurance for slow progress needs work because the most important things that I want to achieve will take time.

As we stand at the start on another year, I decided to pull out my goals from last year to see how I did. Just looking at this list quickly lets me know that I really need to work on being more patient and having some endurance. I am often so busy some times that I am literally just trying to get through each day. I really want to be present in the moments that I'm in and always keep my end goals in mind. That means that as 2015 progresses, I will need to look at my goals multiple times throughout the year and make adjustments as needed. I also have some accountability partners in place this year which was a crucial step that I missed in 2014.

Here are some of my goals for 2015:

1. Set up saving to be automatic once per month and not dip into it. 
2. See one Broadway show a season (4 times per year). 
3. Read at least 6 books. 
4. Reduce credit card debt by 50%.
5. Increase my retirement contributions by $25.
6. Write at least 2 blogs per month. 
7. Reduce my weight by 10%. 
8. Take a swimming class.
9. Read the word every day (a scripture, a devotional, anything!!).
10. Take piano lessons. 

My motto for 2015 is: the journey is far more important than the destination. I have a lot of places that I want to get beyond 2015. So, I want to have the patience and endurance to see things through and learn the lessons I need to learn so at the start of 2016, God willing, I will be further along the path that God has called me to. 

When you get a chance, read 2 Peter 1:2-11. The first verse really moved me this week: May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ~2 Peter 1:2 NLT

We are called to do great things. My pastor said on Sunday, it is always too soon to quit! So lets working on having patient endurance in 2015 my friends--there are great things ahead.