Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

No, Not Right Now

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

You’re not the only one God has said no to you know. I have had my share of NO’s too. My journey to becoming an author was meant with plenty of opposition along the way. Sometimes I was the one standing in the way. I chuckle when I remember the Lord, saying to me that he was going to put me on a book writing journey. I remember saying to him, Lord you sure you are talking about me. During those early development stages, I had no idea how this was going to come to be. All I really knew was he chose me for it. Then my question was, how? I looked at some publishing companies that accepted work from new writers such as myself. Back in 2019 after working on what I thought was a READY and COMPLETE book, I submitted my work. The response letter I received from the publishing company was full of pleasantries, that concluded with No, I wasn’t the right fit, no, because of a lack of experience, and No, I was a risk. It hurt, cause I thought I had it right, the Lord knew I wasn’t ready, and somewhere deep down inside as I thought things through more slowly, as always he was right. I still had plenty of work to do, not just the manuscript either. I had to get me in order as life continued to happen all around me. I had to stop running, I had to stop thinking it’s my way, I had to get beyond opinions as I step out of my familiar box, began this new journey God had given me. This was going to be my preparation time for the next couple of years. I used that no to prepare my manuscript for God’s glory. This was about me, but then again it wasn’t. As a servant in God’s army, it’s not about what I want, but I am I willing to trust God to share what he gives me, the way he wants. Amen!  Life went on happening, a year and plenty of revamping work later, I heard back from that publishing company asking me to consider self-publishing with them. As I look back on these humble beginnings in hindsight God’s NO was the right call. I wasn’t ready. I knew that God had given me this work to do, his way and in his time. There were days I didn’t know if I was coming or going. I had to STOP and LISTEN to what the Holy Spirit was saying. Moving on out of my own way, to just have faith in the only thing I had, God’s Word. I heard him saying to me, I have been with you this far, I am not going to leave you now. Continue to trust me and what I have given you, you don’t know how to get there, I will show you how.” February 2022, I published my first book, Out of the Belly.

There were plenty of no’s in the scripture too.

1. No to entering the Promised Land
Numbers 13, 14 and 20:2-12
Because the Israelites did not believe in God’s power and disobeyed, and Moses failed to follow God’s instructions when bringing water from the rock, God did not permit them to enter the land He had promised.
2. No to cursing the Israelites
Numbers 22-24
When King Balak asked the prophet, Balaam, to curse the Israelites, God refused to curse them. Instead, He blessed them, not once but three times!
3. No to building His temple
1 Chronicles 28
David has plans to build a temple for God, however, God tells him “no”. Instead, God designated David’s son, Solomon, to build His temple.
4. No to Paul’s travel plans
Acts 16:6-10
Paul and Silas are planning to travel to Asia Minor to preach when God stops them and sends a vision to Paul. As a result, they travel to Macedonia instead.
5. Even Jesus petitioned God Matthew 26:39 to rid Him of His suffering the night before He died on the cross and God said no.

For those of you who are experiencing God’s NO right now. Maybe it’s about your career goals, starting a business, homeownership, marriage, children, school, family issues, or maybe it’s just the dating scene. There is so much we cannot see and because of that we must rely on the all-seeing eye of God, who wants nothing but good things for us. We must trust that whatever decision he is making for us, it’s for our good. We are not going to always understand, but that’s where our faith must come into play. Whatever is for you friends, you are not going to miss it. You can’t force yourself in places you’re not meant to fit in. Like a puzzle with a strange piece, it’s just not gonna fit. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.