Author: Patrice Lorraine

When you go grocery shopping, you have a general idea of what you plan on purchasing, right? You browse the aisle while checking items off your list and looking at expiration dates.

Just about every item in the grocery store has an expiration date on it and shoppers are sometimes discouraged to buy an item because of the quickly approaching expiration date.

Webster’s dictionary defines an expiration date “as a previously determined date after which something should no longer be used, either by operation of law or by exceeding the anticipated shelf life for perishable goods.” We don’t buy food that has expired because we are afraid of any type of discomfort that might be the result of consumption. We should take the same effort to avoid perishable relationships as much as we pride ourselves in not eating expired food.

Eating expired eggs or yogurt will cause physical discomfort. Toxic relationships will cause you to become ill as well because your body is attempting to rid itself of “harmful toxins.” Like spoiled milk, consuming perishable relationships can cause you to become sour, toxic, unsafe and distasteful.

Have you ever felt drained or weak after continuous interactions with someone but you keep making excuses for the relationship? This may be a sign that your relationship has exceeded its “shelf life.”

We can be so hesitant to let someone go because we “believe” in the potential of that person but true potential surfaces! Once we recognize they will not cultivate into what we need or desire; we must move on. Free yourself of those who don’t serve you well. It’s time to deactivate and make room for those who can assist in the process of your elevation.

Toxic relationships/friendships can sometimes cause depression, emotional distress, increase your blood pressure and even weaken your immune system. It is imperative that we check expiration dates and don’t exceed the shelf life for “perishable relationships.”

The average person won’t eat old food. Think about all the food you throw away regularly because it’s perishable. We live in a society that’s so health conscious.

Folks are choosing to be vegan and having a plant-based diet for their health but why don’t we realize our relationships are just as serious and can be “life or death” too? Consuming relationships that are past their expiration date will make you sick!

Self-Care

Relationships are never worth risking our physical nor mental health. When your life feels like a chaotic mess, it might be time to re-evaluate and adjust accordingly.  Take a deep breath and examine the decisions you’ve made to get you to where you are now.

1. Do your current relationships encourage positive growth in every area of your life?
2. Are your relationships a great source of strength and encouragement in your life?
3. Do your friends hold you accountable and bring to your attention  priorities that are lining up in the wrong direction and may not be God’s will?

My prayer is that you have friends who don’t just encourage you to have fun but will fast and pray for you and encourage you to be humble, open and transparent with yourself and others if it will allow God to get the glory!

We Must

• Have a deep sense and will to fulfill our purpose.
• Resolve old, unfinished business and eliminate toxic people and attitudes from our lives.
• Remember bad company corrupts character.
• Withdraw and sever ties with people who are not aligned with our best interest.
• Remember it’s quality over quantity. As God elevates you, your circle will get smaller.
•  Evaluate whether we’re settling for less than what we want, need or deserve and then make the necessary shift, no matter how difficult it may be.

Sometimes it’s imperative that we focus exclusively on our own ambitions for self-care purposes. It’s essential to our purpose and sanity that we eliminate distractions and move forward. Distractions don’t look like distractions until they finish distracting you.

Some use “loyalty” as an excuse to stay in perishable relationships but God will delay some blessings until the toxicity has been removed. God loves you! He’s not trying to punish you but simply protect you. Don’t allow others to stunt your growth. Loyalty sometimes has an expiration date.

Removing yourself from perishable relationships doesn’t mean you have any hard feelings nor malicious intent but simply striving to remove the “cancer” from your life before it potentially invades or spreads. It’s okay to love people from a far. Don’t allow the “crutch” of loyalty to block God’s blessings in your life.

Of course, making such a drastic change takes times and requires a healing process. Turn the page and have faith that God has a plan for you! God has your destiny waiting to be revealed at the appropriate time. Act on faith! Sometimes the only way to heal from a toxic relationship is to surrender to God – faith it until you make it!

Your body, heart and mind will all heal! I pray that you find peace in knowing that everything heals in God’s time. Allow God to order your footsteps to walk into the unfamiliar.

Galatians 6:9 (AMP), “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.” It may hurt but it’s for your good! Sometimes God removes people from our life so we can move forward with no hindrances. Every lesson is a blessing but you will GROW through what you GO through!

Our influencers (relationships) can sometimes be a deciding factor in our growth.  God will never remove something or someone without replacing the lost with something better! God will always bring the right people (spiritual connections) to assist us with our current season but we have to let the wrong people walk away.

Reason, Season Or Lifetime

Relationships are like puzzle pieces, you can’t force them. Sometimes we try to force seasonal people (platonic & romantic) into a permanent role. God places people in our life for a reason, season or lifetime.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV), “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” If God is doing a new thing in you, you’re going to outgrow some people.

God often removes someone from your life for a reason. Think before you chase after them. Sometimes you have to remove people from your life on purpose, in order to get to your PURPOSE in life! Remember, people and seasons change but God is unchangeable.

Some people won’t understand where God is taking you. Growth scares people who aren’t willing to change. When you’re using your spiritual imagination and dreaming big dreams because you serve a big God, folks will think you sound crazy. You can’t discuss dreams and goals that sound impossible with those who don’t share the same hunger as you. Many will project their insecurities and DOUBT ON YOU; causing your dreams to die while they’re in the premature stage.

The Value of Relationships

God created us to be relational beings. Genesis 2:18, “Then the Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone.” God wants us to be connected to people who have a loving heart geared towards being a load-lifter, motivator and confidant. We should all strive to have relationships that are full of support and love.

HE wants us to have a personal relationship with HIM and each other. Our lives are motivated by the relationships we take on. Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” God encourages us to invest in relationships that will foster growth and ultimately shape our character. Although, some relationships lead to negative experiences, we were not created to be loners.

God created us to show love and compassion, unite with others and build meaningful relationships.

I pray that we all can take practical steps to develop faith-building relationships that are personal, deepening, supportive and highly valued expressions of our passion for the sovereignty of God’s love.

We  must allow ourselves to trust God and love ourselves enough to shift, uproot and remove toxic people from our life. Give yourself permission to shed who you used to be and start over. You’re worthy of finding new ways to bloom into your “best self.” We must love ourselves enough to no longer consume or keep around perishable relationships.

When we do a heart check and trust God to guide our friendships, we will be better friends to others and God will bless us with true friends.

The healing process of recovering from perishable relationships can be difficult and requires hard work but I thank God for the many doors that were closed and people who walked away because it created room for greater blessings! For All I Trust HIM because I’ve learned the necessary lessons, released the pain and have found peace in moving on. My scars remind me of where I have been but thankfully, not where I am headed! I’m thankful for relationships that are building and preserving my faith.

 

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and got interrupted by hiccups? You take a moment to get yourself together, right? Drink some water, apologize for the delay and finish your conversation like nothing happened.

Webster’s dictionary defines hiccups as a “minor difficulty, interruption, or setback.” The trials and tribulations we encounter are the hiccups of life.

We have to handle life’s setbacks and disappointments with the same ease as a hiccup. No matter how much weight this world puts on your shoulders, God will be there to make sure it doesn’t crush you. Don’t use your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe!

When a hiccup (crisis) happens, you realize that your life depends on how you praise God. Your “I don’t care attitude,” states I’m going to praise God or I’m going to die. No one wants to be in a crisis but remind yourself, it’s just a hiccup!

A crisis can be the force you needed to get to the next level. God will never separate you from resources that you need or people who are vital to your future.

Sometimes God just uses you as an instrument so your experience can be a testimony  to save someone else. Think about the three siblings, Lazarus, Mary and Martha whom loved Jesus dearly. Jesus used Lazarus’ death to demonstrate the power of God by raising him from the dead.

Just as God used Lazarus, HE WILL USE YOU! God is trying to draw you closer to HIM. Your current test will be a future testimony and a blessing to others. Embrace the journey, the hiccups and thank God for choosing you as a vessel. You will be better and stronger because of what you’re going through.

God’s presence is with us during the hiccups of life. There will be setbacks to prepare you for God’s destiny over your life. God’s presence will allow you to go through it and come out stronger than when you went through. You may feel like you’re in the fire and feel the heat but you won’t get burned. Hiccups will teach you the true meaning of patience.

Exodus 13:21 (AMP), “The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar (column) of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night.” God goes before us, meets us and leads us through every circumstance we’re in. He is leading us into the destiny and all he has called us to.

It may look like a setback but that might be God protecting you. He’s leading you around dangers seen and unseen. God is working behind the scenes so be thankful for the hiccup! God is protecting you when you don’t even know it. Thank God for what HE BLOCKS!

Do you have a workout regimen? It can be dancing, the gym, walking, swimming, etc. You begin to see results when you consistently work out and eat healthy. Once you see results, you become passionate and hungry for more.

We must have the same hunger for our relationship with God as our physical health. 1 Timothy 4:8 (AMP), “For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

Your quality time with God will allow you to see results, improve your energy and give you strength to overcome your hiccups. The more you go to the gym, the better your stamina gets and the more energy you have. Sometimes it hurts but we love the results. No pain no gain, right? It takes the same balance to be physically fit that it takes to be spiritually fit.

Feeding yourself spiritually by regularly attending church and reading your bible will give you strength to get through your hiccups. I’ve noticed my attitude and perspective has changed since I started participating in small groups at church and listening to sermons on YouTube on my way to work.

Sometimes God has to break us to make us. It’s just a bend, it’s not the end. We’re all like glow sticks, no matter how much we’re bent and broken, our light still shines.

You cannot get to where you are going until you have learned all there is to learn about where you are. Everything and everyone that is available in the place you are in right now has something to teach you or something to give you.

I know you’re tired of waiting and wondering why there are so many hiccups but God has covered you. Delay does not equal denial. Life sometimes will thrust you into darkness unexpectedly but God’s fire will shine on you or HE will use you to shine your light on someone else. I pray you see the glow of God throughout your seasons of darkness.

When life thrust you into darkness keep letting your light shine. It matters not how dark things may be, God’s fire in you will light up the world. Hiccups are there to strengthen you and give you time to prepare for the blessing God has for you.

In spite of darkness, every believer has a light . It matters not how dark the darkness gets, Christ in you gives you the light to shine through darkness.  God shines into your light.  Your light may currently be dim but God will send you a spiritual connection whose light is bright enough to shine for you both.

Everywhere you go, let your light shine! There is a light that God has given you but the darkness of life can’t extinguish it. Shine your light in spite of the hiccups of confusion, failure, disappointment, etc. God will revive you from the hiccups and continue to sustain you while you prepare for what is ahead.

Begin to Thank HIM and declare that God is at work. You may be experiencing a hiccup but declare that HE is perfecting what concerns you and will complete everything HE’s started in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

In the last 12 years, I’ve been laid off 3 times. I love stability and sometimes it seems like, right after I get “comfortable” at a job, I have to start over. Of course, it’s nothing personal! Companies do budget cuts and have to downsize; therefore, leaving employees to look for another job. But let’s be honest, no one truthfully likes starting over.

I just knew when I graduated from college, companies would be begging me to come work for them. In hindsight, it sounds ludicrous and maybe egotistical but I didn’t realize finding a job is a job in itself.  The world can be cold and vicious at times and in some ways, so competitive.

I don’t know about you but I’ve had the “Why Me, Lord?” moments. I consider myself to be a pretty positive person but I’ve had a couple sleepless nights filled with, “Lord, did I choose the wrong major? Have I not made enough connections? Lord, why do I keep getting laid off?

I’m not proud of it but I’ve had moments where I’ve compared myself to others. Wondering why I keep getting laid off while watching friends excel in their professions and continuously climb the ladder of success. I’ve never been jealous or envious but I’ve had moments of frustration where I’ve cried out, Lord, I’m tired of starting over.”

Comparison lifts you up and throws you back down to reality.  The mind is a field. We must monitor what we allow to be “planted”- who and what influences us. It takes a lot of Jesus to not be envious of others. Comparison will harden your heart and cause bitterness to show its evil head.

Webster’s dictionary defines patience as “steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.” While Patrice means patience it hasn’t always been one of my strongest characteristics. Life’s experiences have taught me the importance of patience in waiting. I believe patience is an active acceptance in the process required to accomplish your goal and live out your dream.

The limitations we embrace regulates the blessings we experience. I’ve learned to not pray for God to take my problems (lessons) away, but to give me strength to get through them.  A “blesson” is when you’re able to see the painful lessons as blessings. Life is like photography, we develop from negatives.

Your mindset matters! It’s hard to focus on what you don’t have when you’re grateful for what you do have; therefore, confident that God will continue to provide while you’re simultaneously building for the future.

For the past four years, I’ve felt financially “okay.” As soon as I feel like I’m in cruise control, it’s announced the company I work for will be sold in the next year or two so naturally conversations of layoffs are on the rise.

While many are feeling like their currently walking a tight rope and will lose their balance at any moment, I am “Godfident.” I am confident that even when it doesn’t look good, it will all work out for my good. God has restored my peace and given me comfort through this uncertain season. James 1:3 (NLT), “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

I can honestly say I’ve released the worry and stress of me possibly being laid off and having to start over again. Changing your mindset changes your approach. I know that my greatest victories are in my future.

God specializes in not merely opening locked doors but placing doors where they never existed so you can walk in your purpose.

God’s no to one thing is HIS yes to something better. What is meant to be will always find you.  God’s timeline extends past our comprehension.

God won’t always meet your expectations. Our road map doesn’t meet his timeline. You don’t have to chase or force opportunities that are for you. You see difficulty but God sees destiny.

God will answer your prayer when you stop worshiping it. Don’t be limited by where you are but inspired by where you’re going.

Proverbs 3:5-12, (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; HE’S the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!”

There is a reason why I’ve been laid off multiple times, felt hidden and at times forgotten. It is in those hidden moments, God creates leaders. What is hidden by man is revealed by God.  Faith tells me that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there.

There is a process to God’s purpose over our life. Obstacles elevate you. God made you! Your DNA and footprint will unlock resources that are solely for you in a specific area, if you stay true to being you instead of conforming to match someone else.

Romans 8:18 (NLT), “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” I had to be hidden to make sure my character matches my calling. God had to do a heart check. We can never allow our position to change our posture. We must stay humble!

Have you ever baked a cake? The cake has been in the oven for an hour. The cake has the house smelling good and you’re ready to take it out of the oven. The cake looks brown but you stick a toothpick in and the batter comes out so you know it’s not done yet.

Sometimes God has to leave us in the oven a little longer too. It is in this season of hiding (baking) that God is developing us and making sure we’re mature enough for the blessing we’re about to receive. Hiding under God’s hand allows us to successfully overcome painful experiences and learn valuable life lessons; preparing us for God’s elevation.

Hiding is not literal like a game of hide and seek. You want to be seen but God is hiding you for a specific reason. You’re trying to press play on your dreams and goals but you feel like God still has you in pause mode. Things are not happening as fast as you would like but God know’s you’re not ready.

What comparisons are killing your joy? You can’t understand why you keep getting overlooked for that promotion or why your friends are planning weddings and baby showers and you’re just trying to survive.

While the hiding process may seem tedious and unnecessary, God knows what we need better than we do.  My prayer is, “Lord, prepare me for what you have prepared for me.” While that’s a sincere prayer, I have to sometimes remind myself to be careful of what I pray for because preparation will “cost” something.  The hiding process can sometimes be challenging because you’re learning the essentials of God’s timing. We must choose to wait for God’s timing, not man’s nor our own.

You will be tempted to “help” God out but running ahead of God’s timing will only delay your blessing. I’ve failed every time I had the bright idea of helping God out. We must take great care to avoid tampering with God’s perfect timing.

The time and manner of how God will release you varies on the individual; therefore, comparing yourself to others will only kill your joy and stunt your growth. Delays will arise if we fail to fully allow God to prepare us; therefore, requiring God to hide us even longer. My prayer is that you will adjust your attitude. Instead of comparing yourself to others, remain faithful and positive during your hiding process.

I believe God is about to pull the curtain back on gifts that have been hidden. Gifts that are built during the process of pain, tears and prayer. Learn everything you can about where you are currently, today’s test is preparation for tomorrow’s victory.

I will continue to stay patient and trust my journey. I know that God is writing a story that no man can write. If man opens a door for you, you have to depend on man to keep the door open. When God opens a door, no one can shut it.

My prayer is that God will give you peace when every frustration creeps in and strength of perseverance for every no and closed door. No is a stepping stone to bigger and better. God has already arranged a comeback for every setback and a new beginning for every disappointment.

God will take you through uncomfortable situations for your growth. Hard places are meant to build your faith. You will grow stronger.

God is over your elevation. You are called but will you let God do it? Trust the process and allow God to do what no one else can. Are you willing to allow God to surprise you?

God has already marked the calendar. Your timing is coming! God is going to blow your mind. Psalm 84:11 (NLT), “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”

I believe this is the season of surprises. I will win! It may not be immediately but I will definitely win. I may not know what is to come but For All I Trust Him because God’s favor will open the next door.

Every couple of weeks, my grandmother needed a blood transfusion but it took several months of testing before the doctors figured out why. May 2016, my heart stopped for a moment; she was diagnosed with Leukemia. The doctor estimated she had roughly 8 months to live.

“She’s a fighter, she will kick cancer’s butt,” that’s what I kept telling myself.  She told the doctor she wanted to live and I was determined to support her every step of the way.

June 15, 2016, she began chemo and initially; she did very well. I just knew chemo would fix everything and we were on the road to recovery. Fast forward, two weeks later and she had to be admitted to the hospital. The chemo made her immune system weak; therefore, causing pneumonia.

I will never forget, the night she called me from her hospital bed and said “I’m tired. I can’t do this anymore.” I knew instantly her days were probably numbered and I began to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable. I reassured her to not be worried and that no matter what, everything would be fine because God was in control. Two days later, I got a call at work that would forever shake my world upside down. Her kidneys were failing and she didn’t have much time left.

I prayed and asked the Lord to just let me make it to Sacramento to say my final goodbyes. I drove from LA to Sacramento not realizing that I only had a few hours before my Nana would be gone! By the time I arrived to the hospital, she could no longer talk but I was certain she could still hear my family and I talking to her. As my family and I sat in her hospital room, talking and sharing various stories, I had a gut feeling she would pass that night. I told my family to go home and I would spend the night with her.

I told the Lord I didn’t want my grandmother to suffer and whatever was HIS WILL was fine with me. July 17, 2016, my world as I knew it was permanently changed. As I sat next to my grandmother’s hospital bed, she grabbed my hand and I told her she could go.  She began to take her last breath and I watched my grandmother peacefully transition to be with the Lord.

My grandmother was my rock, “My Nana” and she was gone! As soon as she passed, I immediately went into protective mode. I felt like it was now my job to take care of my mother and grandfather.

It may sound crazy to some but I waited until I got home from the hospital to cry. I went in the bathroom and allowed the sound of the water from the shower to silence my tears. I took my shower and put my “mask” back on.

Masking is defined as concealing one’s emotion by portraying another emotion. Wearing a mask allows you to “hide” your true feelings behind a false expression. Masking prevents the world from being aware of your true feelings and in some ways hides your true authenticity.

I wore my “strong mask” for about a year until it got to hot and heavy.

Masking your true emotions is exhausting and causes you to forget who you are. I had gotten so wrapped up in being strong for everyone else, I completely lost myself.

I had to make sure everyone else was okay, at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Giving yourself in everything you do can be rewarding but sometimes deadly to your health. Putting your “self-care” on the back burner is stressful and worthless. When you’re not well, you can’t help others.

Here I was, mad and bitter at the world but I could only blame myself for putting on the “strong” mask.

One day I went to my car after work and literally cried out to the Lord. Sometimes, a good cry is just what you need! I allowed myself to be vulnerable with God. I felt helpless but I was determined to not sit in such a dark and broken state.  I surrendered to God; allowing HIM to pour life back into me that only HE could.

I knew, as long as I have a pulse, God has a plan for me and I was determined to find out what it was! Deciding to remove my mask was one of the most freeing moments in my life. I was hopeful that I would find Patrice again! Removing the mask allowed me to understand my own personal needs, values, goals and motives. It takes fortitude to acknowledge your limitations and embrace your own vulnerability.

We ALL wear a mask to hide the fear, that the world will see the “real you.” The mask that grins and lies to hide the existence of excruciating misery and suffering. One of our greatest fears is that we will appear weak or less than, when transparency shows your willingness to stay “true” to who you are and what you’re feeling at the moment. Vulnerability allows others to see you’re relatable and genuine.

What masks are you wearing? Name dropping to hide insecurities, bullying others because you don’t feel loved, hiding debt and living beyond your means to portray a lifestyle you can’t afford or maybe, exaggerating on social media about your relationship or marriage to make everyone think you have everything together but really you’re struggling like the rest of us.

We can’t truly be healed until we offer every piece of our brokenness to God. Transparency requires others to reevaluate their own lives and forces them to see they have the power to remove their own mask.

We’re all wearing a  brave face when we don’t feel like it, and at some point, have armored ourselves with a firm “I’m OK” even when we aren’t. Why? Because we’ve shunned raw emotion and destroyed humanness with our distorted views on wellness and feeling the need to keep appearances for everyone else’s comfort.

It’s time to face ourselves. Don’t let a false sense of perfection, impose on and destroy your spirit. We all have bad days! You don’t have to permanently wear that strong mask for anyone. We ALL suffer in silence with something.

It’s okay to say, “No, I’m not okay but I WILL BE!”

Acknowledge your emotions but don’t stay there. Even though you may feel alone, God is there! He hears your cries and HE is waiting for you to surrender to HIM.

God will send you spiritual connections to help you remove the stone! (John 11:39) You are loved, full of purpose and I challenge you to cry out to God and P.U.S.H. – pray until something happens! God will give you the necessary tools to help you remove your mask and go from helpless to hopeful!

 

Life is a journey full of unexpected twists and turns that can sometimes feel exciting but other times miserable and lonely. I have been on both sides of the spectrum. My faith has given me strength to not only keep going but find beauty in brokenness.

In Japan, broken objects are often repaired with a lacquer that is mixed with gold, silver or platinum. The “flaw” is seen as a unique piece of the object’s history, which adds to “it’s beauty.”

In 2017, I was so broken and miserable. I felt like my job didn’t appreciate me and I was ready to quit. I was juggling my father suffering with Alzheimer’s & COPD, worrying about my mom possibly having a Lupus flare due to the stress of my father’s health and grieving over the loss of her mother. Also, the health of my 90 year-old grandfather declining  was a concern after my grandmother passed. I was trying to balance a crazy work load, my parents and grandfather while grieving the loss of my grandmother.

In my mind, I believed I had to be “strong” for my family and carry their burden but no one asked me to. I took it upon myself to carry the load and my health began to suffer. I couldn’t sleep, I was constantly grinding my teeth and dealing with anxiety because I didn’t allow God to carry the burden. The Lord knows what my family and I need better than I do.

I felt like a car running on fumes that eventually would need to be pushed. I was running on empty because I never allowed God to fill me up. I was trying to get “gas” from my peers which simply left me disappointed and helpless. The moment I stopped trying to be in control and prayed for direction and guidance; things began to turn around.

While our friends and family, care about our well-being; they are fighting their own personal battles. Putting all our trust and expectations in them, will leave you disappointed and bitter. Each relationship and friendship has some type of limitations on it.

No one is perfect but God! HE is a LIMITLESS God who will never leave you nor forsake you.

Happiness is a choice! I woke up one morning and said Lord, I’m not going to worry about anything! You’re my resource and I’m laying all my burdens down! I began to speak life over myself. I continuously reminded myself that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

Even in moments of weakness, I was determined to think myself happy because as it states in Deuteronomy 31:6-8, “For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  When I allowed God to be in control, HE blessed me with a new job and my health issues disappeared.

God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding to keep going in spite of the hell that you’re going through but you MUST completely trust God! The peace you need can only be found in Jesus! You may be in a low place but know that God hears you and HE’s working on your behalf!

Life’s events sometimes create scratched elbows and even bruised egos but our flaws make us the original carbon copy. It is my prayer that you will allow God to take your broken pieces and restore you with his protective coating of love, peace, grace, mercy and goodness. The beauty of our once broken items (brokenness) are a testament to our story!

Always remember, there is potential in your broken pieces that can be restored and re-purposed. God will use your pain as a powerful ministry to share with the world…. “For All I Trust HIM.”