Have you ever witnessed the crowd of people who dash to their cars on Sunday morning as soon as the Pastor/Speaker closes with his or her message?  I’m sure for some there are legitimate reasons such as a work schedule that can’t be altered or perhaps even commitments at another place of worship.  In general the view is that the main portions of the service have been completed and that once the message has been given there is nothing of real significance remaining. Today I beg to differ and suggest that one of the most precious times in worship still remains and is often times underestimated and overlooked.

The benediction-the Final Blessing is rendered at the very end of the service. This has been a formal part of worship since the beginning of time.  In history, the benediction was a very formal part of service that often involved preparation and also maintained specific rules about who was rendered ineligible to perform it.

Today, you can probably attest to hearing this or some form of these words if you stay until the benediction is rendered:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

We all come into the church with our own baggage, our own faults, our own set of issues.  Prayerfully, we are all at a place where we recognize the altar of sacrifice has been made on our behalf and we can leave with a renewed mindset and determination to be better and do better than we have done (with the Lord’s help.)  I believe the benediction in worship is sooo important because from my perspective it puts us on equal footing to go out and face the challenges of the day (God asks us to only be concerned with one day at a time) with a renewed hope that the best is yet to come for each of us who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior.

I believe that in Corporate Worship we should adhere to the ordinances of the benediction with very little deviation but I think each of us should also prepare a “benediction” of sorts as we leave people, places and principalities that have come to an end in our lives.  Be willing to make peace with relationships and situations including those you never get all of the reconciliation and resolution you hoped for or wanted and for some endings accept that you may never understand why.  Regardless, God is calling us to extend to others the same grace that He has so graciously extended to us.

Be honest with yourself and when you are ready, call, write or communicate in whatever way the Holy Spirit moves you but create a benediction or final blessing that you earnestly make first in your heart and then with the persons, places or otherwise that you will depart from.  Trust that God will give you the words to say and direct you in just the right way.   Whether you will be the giver or the recipient make a habit of staying for the benediction-the final blessing before departure.

Over the last year, I have truly learned how to do a lot with a little!  Sometimes I look back and I’m simply amazed.  But then I go back to parables I’ve read about how God took a little and made a lot- and I remind myself-if He did it for them He’ll do it for me!

Today God impressed upon me faithfulness.  Often times we are tested to see if we will sell out or lower our standards for the temporary benefits that might be gained.  As this last year has presented me with a lot of loss, I hope that God has still been able to consider me faithful.  In my book, “Cancer-Us”, I talked about how I envisioned God having a conversation with Satan about me much like Job, and asking if He’d considered me.  I believe Satan went back to God and said, she’s never been tested in the area of her finances.  Test her, and with all she’s been through, I believe she will curge you, give up and die.  God allowed a lot this past year but the one thing He did not do was give Satan permission to have my life.  With God’s word stored up and a few faithful saints supporting me in prayer and even financially at times, I had enough to sustain me. I believe I’m beginning to see a break in the clouds.

The word of God says this, “⁹ Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. ¹⁰ “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. ¹¹ And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? ¹² And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? ¹³ “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Luke 16: 9-13

God is an awesome God.  He reigns from heaven above.  His power and ability to keep us is unmatched!  I pray today that as you are tempted to gain vain glories of the world through ways displeasing to God that you will be content with what you have as you trust Him to do much with the little that you have.  This includes your little faith.  Don’t get discouraged.  You know just what to do!  When your heart is overwhelmed, cry out and trust that you will be lead to the Rock that is higher than you!  Step out on a L.I.M.!  Step out in faith that Little (placed in God’s hands) is Much!

Do you ever feel that you are on an island by yourself? Do you ever feel that your way of thinking and your way of doing things is different from most? Does it often seem easier for others to choose the lie being told about you vs. the truth they personally see in you and your journey? Are you confident that while you are not perfect, you at least desire to do the right things according to the word of God?  When you don’t do things this way, do you at least have some conviction about your wrong doing?  If your answer to all of these questions is yes, and even if you do not feel great about the space you’re in right now, I encourage you today that you are in the right place!  Let not popularity, recognition, lots of material things or even happiness be your gauge.

¹³ “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Yes, that’s right-the gateway to life everlasting in God’s Kingdom is small.  It is a struggle to get to it and requires an earnest desire to deny oneself to find it.  It must be sought after- which requires giving up so much of the world’s vain pleasures.  It is a lonely road because so many never even get to it.

I encourage you today to know that you are on the right path.  Try hard not to look back.  I know those you love you want the best for and you want to see them joining you on the path.  I know they may look like they are in more of a “blessed” position because of their “things” but God’s word again is the perfect measure for being blessed.

Your struggle, your painful process, your loneliness or rather aloneness is all a part of where God is taking you.  Trust, my friend as you travel through God’s rugged yet precious Narrow Gate.

A few weeks ago  I mentioned my ticket for “failure to move over.”  I had debated whether to go to court or just pay the fine and prior to the recent tension concerning the various shootings, I had planned to go to court.  On Monday, I changed my mind and decided I would just pay the ticket only to get to the website and find out that this ticket requires me to make a “mandatory court appearance.”

All week in the midst of other life issues, I’ve had to think of all the probabilities this court appearance could bring-there’s been shootings, even in the court house.  Perhaps a hug would comfort my immediate anxieties but the word of God is what seals it for me. A friend dealing with her own life issues shared this word with me and it was right on time. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”- Exodus 14:14

Thanks be to God, the righteous judge is still alive and on the throne.  I know the sentence and penalty I deserve.  I also know He’s already taken care of it for me!  In the end, He will come to judge all things.  Sometimes it looks like the enemy is gaining-but so much of life has become “what it looks like.”

I’m so happy today that my seat in heaven is secure.  I’m not worried about anything. I am ready for my mandatory court appearance.  I pray that you are too!

We’ve all been lied on at some time or another but the worst of lies come from others attempting to discredit your testimony and witness while covering up their continuance of sin. Recognize that the lie may have some truth to it but it’s primary purpose even for being shared is to discredit and discourage you!

Ayn Rand was a Russian-born American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.  Rand had this to say about a liar:

“People think that a liar gains a victory over his victim. What I’ve learned is that a lie is an act of self-abdication, because one surrenders one’s reality to the person to whom one lies, making that person one’s master, condemning oneself from then on to faking the sort of reality that person’s view requires to be faked…The man who lies to the world, is the world’s slave from then on…There are no white lies, there is only the blackest of destruction, and a white lie is the blackest of all.”

Better yet, the word of God puts it this way:

“⁹ This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. ¹⁰ He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. ¹¹ So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. ¹² Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

The Lord is calling like never before for the true believer to “come out from among unbelievers”!  (2 Corinthians 6:17) Be clear that your “coming out” may not be “from the club” but rather “from the church “building”” or “church people” that continue to exchange the truth for a lie as if judgment day is not fastly approaching. I hope this list will help you evaluate as you make haste to separate lest you be among those who like the earth will be excavated from God.

A true believer:

1.  Believes the word of God

2.  Has a hunger for God’s Word

3.  Prays to his Heavenly Father

4.  Loves others

5.  Obeys the Lord and keeps his word

6.  Does not continue in sin but lives a righteous life

7.  Does not enjoy living in sin

8.  Performs good works

9.  Confesses Christ before men

Just as it is written in the Matthew 13:36-43, God will judge the field and  separate the good seed from the weeds at harvest time. Don’t be fooled by formal robes, clad suits, spit shine shoes and smooth talk. Man looks at the outer, God looks at the heart. Thirst for yourself and discern now what is good and what is evil.  Everyone who has ears has the privilege of hearing for themselves what the Spirit of the Lord is speaking to the people (v. 43). Choose this day to stay bound by lies or be free to what’s true!

I wonder if we would ever leave a Christmas gift under the tree, never touched, never opened.  Most would say, absolutely not-so I ask why do we not fully embrace and utilize the gifts God has given us.  Perhaps it’s because we really don’t know. One such gift is the ability to think like Jesus. Somehow we lean on “being human” rather than trusting what’s already in us!

“¹³ When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.¹⁴ But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. ¹⁵ Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. ¹⁶ For, Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. ” (1 Corinthians 2:13-16) 

I parallel this issue to a body that forms beautifully once we make the commitment to regular exercise and a healthy eating regiment.  Consistency and commitment in these areas is a guarantee for the results we desire.  The same is true for God’s word.  If we will commit to consistent meditation upon God’s Word and listening to the Holy Spirit, who is our guide into all truth (John 16:13), we can have complete access to the mind of Christ.  Simply put, the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will begin to understand his way of thinking.

As with any relationship we purpose to have deeper meaning, we should be consistently working  on it. One result should be that we become familiar with the other person’s likes and dislikes. The same is true about our relationship with Christ. We will see what He sees and hear what He hears. We will know what He cares about and we will know what He considers insignificant, petty, or distracting.

So important is that we will witness how He responds to problems, criticism, truth, exhaustion, excitement, expectations, disappointments, hunger, poverty, love, laughter, accusations, manipulation, sorrow, sin, tension, distrust, redemption, rejection, legalism, ritual, religion, hypocrisy, happiness, joy, and we will learn what He thinks about our future.

All of this is will teach us to think from God’s perspective, to engage the mind of Christ available to us through the Holy Sprit, which was given to us as a precious gift to guide us and keep us until Christ’s return. Will you continue to keep your gift wrapped and never tap into the benefits it has for you in every aspect of daily living?  Quit allowing your mind to be tossed with every wave that comes your way.  Make your mind upright!!! Open the gift and see that God loves and trusts you enough to give you the mind of Christ.  Yes-it’s in you waiting to be used.  Yes, your mind is already MADE UP!

⁶So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” ⁷ He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Waiting on God to move in our lives can sometimes require every ounce of faith we have.  We know His promises, we’ve embraced the vision He has shown us but our present situation seems nowhere in line with where we’ve been told we are headed.  We are tempted to get ahead of God, to make some type of move to “help” God or to lessen the “discomfort” we feel while we wait. These are the times when taking our daily prayer life to the next level to include fasting, ensuring His word abides in us and we are in His will are so important to be confident that what we’ve asked will be done unto us.

I’ve been so tempted to return to the familiar as I continue to experience loss and no gain in some key areas of my life-employment, finances and relationships- to name a few.  Man’s timetable would suggest that “I’m at the end of my rope. That my resources have run out.  That I should pack up, go home, and prepare to die.”  Reality is, that’s what the enemy has been speaking to me. Somehow he got it twisted-who I am and whose I am and that God’s word is alive and working in me.  The evil one, the tempter got some bad information because he obviously didn’t know that much like my daily workouts in the gym, I have daily devotions in the word and I’m just beginning the 2nd half of my journey.  As my anointed Line Sister put it, I’m heading into the 3rd quarter and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.

This morning, God placed in my spirit, “Meet Me in Samaria!”  Immediately it felt like the title of a movie.  I googled “Meet Me in ?” and found that what He gave me was symbolic of the musical film, “Meet Me in St. Louis”, a story of the four Smith daughters who learn lessons of life and love, as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. The story ends when the father, Mr. Smith announces that the family will not leave St. Louis after all when he realizes how much the move will affect his family. The story ends with the notion that all the love relationships will develop into marriage and everyone will live happily ever after as a result of not moving.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but God does not let us off that easy.  I’m mighty afraid that more people have shorter life spans, and unhappy endings because they refuse to get out of the boat and refuse to take their witness beyond their “Jerusalems”.  They stay there because of fear, scrutiny, self-reliance, family attachments, etc., etc.  Some are willing to venture out a little to their “Judea” because it keeps them close enough to run back when times get hard, or close enough to stay connected to their past.  I come to tell you today (as I’ve been told as well) that God is calling us to our “Samaria”!  He has so much more in store for us beyond what our eyes can see and what our ears can hear but it requires a total dependence on Him!  Our Samaria represents a further launch into the deep.  It requires getting out of our boats of comfort, getting closer to Him and watching Him work through us in some very powerful “water walking” experiences.

Don’t be fooled to think like the movie film, that love won’t last in Samaria!  A deeper love relationship is birthed when we lay aside everything to take up our cross and follow Jesus!  I’m excited today and without all the facts just yet, I deny the temptation to turn back and I accept the invitation to Samaria.  How about you?  Will you stay where you are and die?  I hope that you will prayerfully consider “Meeting Me in Samaria!”

Over the last few weeks, the Lord has pressed upon me that prayer alone is not enough to get the breakthrough needed in some situations.

“Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”  Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29)

There is a saying that prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door! I picture myself having made it to the door with fervent prayer. I’m there and I see it so clearly, yet it’s just me and the door.  It’s there and it actually looks inviting yet somehow it’s just there and I know it’s what stands between me and all of the things God has in store for me on the other side. I don’t think I’m afraid for the Lord has carried me through so much so I have the faith to believe but I think somehow I’ve been misled to think that if He doesn’t answer me the very first time, His answer is no or I’m at the wrong door.

²¹ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” ²³ But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” ²⁴ Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” ²⁵ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” ²⁶ Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷ She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” ²⁸ “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. (Matthew 15:21-28)

I ask you as I ask myself, “How bad do you want it?” Better yet, “If He has shown you that it will come to pass, why do you now doubt as you wait for it?” You’ve prayed once and that’s it.  Allowing the word of God to do the work, I realize that I’m still touching the tip of the iceberg as I seek to reach new levels in prayer, in my faith, in my walk with the Lord:

⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)  And so, I’m glad to know that I’m heading in the right direction and my faith tells me that I’m almost there-that I’m definitely closer than I’ve ever been.  Prayer, faith, fasting and now I must add PERSISTENCE.  That’s what the Gentile woman did. 

Like the energizer bunny, I must not give up.  For the things He has shown me and things I am confident are mine to possess, I know that I must take a licking and keep on ticking.  I’ll keep praying and praying and praying.  I’ll keep on keeping on!

As I plan to return to Memphis from Atlanta, I can’t help thinking about Martin Luther King. Matter of factly, I’ve thought about many people, the naysayers in the Memphis area who planted and continue to plant lies of deceit concerning my move, the people in Atlanta that have been divinely placed along this leg of my journey either for revelation, rescue, recreation, resuscitation, and even resource (sometimes me and sometimes them in all cases). I think about the people who live in neither city, who are associated in some way or another, who have formed their own opinion and at the first sign of a social media post they jump in to share their unsolicited opinion either directly or indirectly to me (God won’t let you miss anything you NEED to know).  But the important thoughts I continue to weigh in on are of MLK.  I’ve looked at his sermons in Atlanta and his speeches around the world. While living in Atlanta I’ve been mostly intrigued and simultaneously perplexed with his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” address at Mason Temple, the world headquarters of the Church of God in Christ given on April 3, 1968.

I keep thinking about all Martin said and did and how motivated people became to demand their rights and freedoms. Many would argue that we’ve come along way.  I would argue that we’ve lost a little ground but that’s a debate for another day.  What I do know is that there are a whole lot of FIBs going on.  There are so many attempting to demand freedoms at the “utter most places” of their lives while their “Jerusalem” remains in bondage.  I call this Freedom in Bondage.  There is the freedom to choose better right in our immediate spaces but we stay bound and then want to take on the whole world at a higher level and expect justice to prevail.  Often times decision makers in the outer places refuse to be fair with us because they know what we’re in bondage to at home or in our closer places is the reason we really have no fight against them.

I’ve heard many an excuse made by others as they try to give reason for why I’ve had so much rejection in Corporate America.  Nearly 15 years ago, I was told that it was my size-that the Corporate World looked for the 36-24-36 figure over my education, energy and strong worth ethic. A few months ago, I was told it was my education and credentials that intimidated decision makers who may have been given opportunity based on connections. I was told they feared me coming in at the lower level and replacing or surpassing them. This morning, I was told that it was my lack of longevity with one corporation and that companies feared making the investment for someone they couldn’t be for certain would stay long.

¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. ² And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. ³ And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. ⁴ And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. ⁵ And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. ⁶ And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:1-6)

There is one commitment that has me more baffled than any other commitment EVEN our commitment to Christ himself.  What is it that has us so bound that we will not leave when the out to do so according to the word of God has been made time and time again.  We commit to staying bound in the most unhealthiest of marriages where only one person is even trying to maintain the commitment and we won’t even commit to tithing, church attendance, or bringing our children to church so that they can have even a fighting chance when they are older.  I realize that wading through all of the mess to get to the message is a struggle but it’s an even greater struggle to try an wage war against an enemy with carnal weapons only. We have the freedom first to know God’s word so that we can make decisions that line up with him but we stay bound because of appearances or tradition or some other ridiculous reasoning.  We have stress and stroke and our children learn wrong patterns expecting good relationship outcomes themselves.  The cycles of bondage continue and then we blame society, the system and social un-justice.  I’m beyond perplexed on this matter but I’ll keep praying that God helps us all to make decisions that line up with His will for our lives.

As for me, I’ve been “shaking the dust” and keeping it moving.  I’ve been like Muhammad Ali and other boxers shuffling my feet, dodging punches and getting back up when one punch is successful in landing and knocking me down.  Often times, the referee has begun the count and so far I’ve been able to get up before the match is called.  The fight I’m in now feels closer to being over than breast cancer ever did.  Ricky Dillard has a song that says “If I lose everything and still have Jesus, that’s enough to start all over again.” I’ve sang it and recently it’s felt like to some degree I’m living it.  The choices that must be made to offer me a “turnaround” or an “end” are not in my hands.  The “end” would simply be God’s call to say, “you’ve fought long enough, you’ve kept the faith through it all.  You’ve finished the course.  Now rest.”  That’s a win for me although as I said in my book, I’d love the opportunity to continue to raise my daughter and be a positive role model for her.  The “turnaround” could be halted by someone taking issue with my size, my education or my lack of longevity.  If I could re-write Martin’s words to make them be my truth, I’d say this as I head to Memphis:

I don’t know what will happen now. I’ve got more difficult days ahead. It really does matter to me. Because I’ve been in the valley a while and I’d rather it not end this way. I don’t mind because I know that I’ve done what the Lord has asked of me. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will.

I’ve not gone to the mountain top but I know the dreams and visions that God has shown me. I don’t believe He’s brought me this far to leave me. I’ve trusted the process thus far and I’ll continue to do so. I’m at peace as I pack during the day, but the angel of death seems to torment me at night.  Because I’m assured of my salvation, I only worry about my daughter having to grow up without me. As for the decision makers, I’m not fearing any of them. My trust is in Jesus and I firmly believe that His will-will be done. I know that change must come in the hearts of all people-BLACKS, WHITES, JEWS, GENTILES, PROTESTANTS, and CATHOLICS alike or we will continue to see the devastating effects of our refusal to return back to God, not just in the “utter most places” but in our homes and other close spaces.  Ultimately, Jesus will return to judge all things and size, education and even longevity will be irrelevant.  For the one who has made the right commitments, this will be “True Freedom”.

While returning to the Atlanta area after the Memorial Day holiday, not even a mile from the exit I needed to get off on, I was pulled over by the police.  I knew I hadn’t been speeding (not excessively) so I wondered what the charge could possibly be.  I was glad I had already ensured that my current insurance card was in my purse and knew I was prepared when he asked for it (that’s how they do it in Mississippi).  He proceeded to the car, gripping his gun and informed me that he was pulling me over for a “move over” violation.  He seemed pretty upset and even raised his voice as I looked again for my insurance card.  He became irritated and told me my drivers license was all he needed and headed back to his car to check my record.

There was a time when I would have become overly emotional at this point, but this day my response totally different!  I began to smile and even chuckle a little as the bigger perspective of my “violation” came to view.  I decided to put on a little “Yahweh” by Mali Music-the 2nd Coming.  When the officer returned to my car, I guess he either heard the music or felt the atmosphere of praise was too thick for him to remain in his negative disposition.  I began to thank him.  I told him that God always allows me to see the bigger picture (which He will do for all of us if we remain open) in my circumstances. I informed the officer that he would never know how much I appreciated him for doing his job.  I told him that I believed God had a greater message for me in the pull to the side of the road.

You see, last week I discussed “moving on” and “moving back” (see the 5/25/16 Inspiration).   I “failed” to discuss “moving over”.  Perhaps last week, I didn’t realize that it was time for me to “move over”, but this week God made it very clear that I need to prepare to “move over”!  I got the revelation before the officer returned to my car.  I got so excited about him stopping me that I believe he was a little taken aback by the unusual response!  I can’t tell you how much I want to “move over” and let the people and things that God has orchestrated to be in my life “come in”, “come again”, “come back”-ALL THAT!!!

On the way home, I stopped by the drug store to purchase a greeting card and I noticed an unusal sound coming from a tree.  The sound was so different from any I’d ever heard.  A mother and her daughter were intrigued by it also.  I finally traced the sound to a large black bird in a tree just in front of the store. The mother mentioned that her daughter attracts birds and I remembered that “so do I.”

Well, once I got home, I did  a little research on the ticket AND the bird. I found that while this “violation” won’t adversely affect my insurance, the cost of the ticket is much more than I’ve ever had to pay.  According to the website, this type of violation is an “attention-getting” $500.

“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25  Even through my struggles, I have continued to be faithful in the things God has called me to including my giving!  In addition, I have blessed others and I have contributed to the needs of kids by donating toys and gift cards at Christmas, by passing down gently worn items that my daughter has outgrown and donating to feeding drives and other fundraising campaigns.

As for the bird, the research suggests that it was a Raven rather than a crow primarily because of its size and the sound it was making.  The research further confirmed that ravens are found in northern Georgia and a video highlighting their distinct caws removed any doubt I may have had.

Then the Lord said to Elijah, ³ “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. ⁴ Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” ⁵ So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. ⁷ But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. (1 Kings 17:3-6)

 Then the Lord said to Elijah, ⁹ “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” ¹⁰ So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” ¹¹ As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” ¹² But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” ¹³ But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”  ¹⁵ So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. ¹⁶ There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. (1 Kings 17:9-16)

Since coming to Atlanta in somewhat of a “Jonah” fashion, I have listened for the voice of God and watched him work in my life like never before.  I truly know that obedience is better than sacrifice and I’m believing that no matter how “tight” things get as God brings this season to an end, every ounce of it, is worth what He has in store for me.  I wish you could see me in motion-I’m moving, scooting-heck I’m even doing the “Wobble”, the “Birthday, Cha-Cha and Electric” slides  as I “move over” in anticipation of making room for the things of God. The benefits of this “attention-getting” violation far outweigh the costs.  I’m making ready and I don’t anticipate to have to deal with this violation ever again.  In case you missed this, “moving over” is Forward Movement!