Farewell 2014!

As I lay in my bed and reflect on this past year all I can say is " I made it through". With The Lord on my side and his angels encamped around me I stayed safe. This year could have been one of the worst years ever and I could literally sit and talk about all the things that went wrong; but what good would it do? Who would it help? Nobody! So instead of me bringing up the bad things and allowing myself to drown in bitterness, I decided to find joy and peace in even the not so good things that happened this year. I decided to learn from every mistake and every uncomfortable, compromising, and horrid moment I had to face. Here's what I learned... The only way to receive pure happiness is to be happy within yourself. This year I learned to love myself. For so many years I claimed to have self love -I'd even council people on loving themselves. I was the number 1 promoter of self-love and I barely had any for myself. It wasn't until I got fed up with loving other people who didn't appreciate, understand, and weren't worthy of my love that I realized I couldn't properly give love to anyone or accept love from anyone until I first learned to love myself. "Actions speak louder than words" is something I always tell people when it comes to love. This year I finally took my own advice and applied my perspective and devised a plan of action towards loving myself. I learned the true definition of a "frienemy". I realized that no matter how much love you may have for people, no matter how important they are to you, jealousy and envy is like a drug. Once you're hooked it's hard to let it go. I've encountered many different types of people and dealt with many different types of relationships. However, the frienemy department was one I was not prepared for. I learned that no matter how genuine your love is and how pure your heart may be... if someone wants to create a flaw within you to make themselves seem better than you, that's exactly what they'll do. It's easy to become defensive and it's okay to be offended. What's not okay is dwelling on an offense and walking in un-forgiveness. The only way to win the war against evil is to fight with love. While they mug you when you walk in the room -Speak! When you think about the good times you had with that person -Thank God! When you encounter negative thoughts -Pray that God continues to bless his/her life and that he delivers all of you from under the hand of the enemy -be it in your thought life or ungodly actions. Most importantly I learned that no matter how badly you hurt, no matter how many tears you've cried, always, ALWAYS FORGIVE. You may not always fall in love with the right people. Everyone loves a different way. Some people say they want love, but fail at being lovable. Some people want love, have love staring them right in the face and allow the fear of falling in love with the wrong person cause them to push love away. Some people love like me -passionately. While others love haphazardly. I learned you have to love people on their level. Although, I was taught this concept in church a year or so ago. I didn't realize how real it was until this year. I learned that no matter how much you love a man, if he doesn't love you back you simply need to let it go! He's not the one! I never got my heartbroken and made myself vulnerable to a person who was incapable of loving all of me until this year. Honestly it was a minor setback that made me realize what I always wanted was in what I already had. And what I thought I needed was indeed what I needed; but only for the limited time God designed for us to cross paths. I learned that my timing had nothing to do with Gods timing. His timing should always be respected. Even if that means letting go of someone you adore. People come into our lives for reasons and for seasons. Accept reality and trust that God has allowed for them to fulfill their purpose. Learn from life and pay attention to the lessons being taught every chance you get. If God removes someone from your life it is okay to be okay with that - He is protecting you from something you're too naive to see, just trust Him.

Finally, I learned that giving up is for suckers. It's the easy way out. Running may be the easiest step to take; but once you stop running eventually you'll be reminded to the demons you tried to escape. I learned to take the hand your dealt and make the best out of it. Learn from your mistakes. Forgive those who've treated you badly. And trust in God always! No matter how dark the roads may seem. No matter how lonely you feel. There is always, always, always a reason to live. I'm forever grateful to God for stepping into people's prayer times and telling them to cover me. See even when you're too low to love yourself, God is always there full of love and surrounding you with people who love you enough to cover you in prayer. While you're crying someone somewhere is praying for you. God sends his angels to protect you when you're too afraid or overwhelmed to protect yourself. This year I let go of the hand of The Father to walk alone. He showed me better than any scripture could ever tell me, that I CAN'T MAKE IT ON MY OWN! This year I realized that without God is nowhere I want to be. In His presence I find peace, I find safety; he is my friend. He is my confidant. He is my God! As I continue to learn and make due with the hand I've been dealt. I will continue to create change within myself to be the change in the earth that God designed me to be. This year I got a glimpse of hell and now I'm better than ever. Next year is the start of best years of my life. So instead of me writing a resolution and telling the world what I plan to do. I invite you to watch and pay close attention. I won't be the girl you once knew. My slogan for the new year is "Steady progressing and learning lessons every day that's being taught. You're never too wise to seek wisdom. Every tomorrow you wake up is a new day for a new start. Seize the moment and make the best out of life, you're only allowed to live it once. Create memories, love, and never be too proud or shut-in to be loved! Believe in yourself and never give up - You Got This!" “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14-18‬ MSG) Your resolutions don't have to be made public. Just do you boo and let them watch! You'll be surprised at the people who are paying attention and see the change in you. Remember it's not about what people have to say, it's only about what God thinks of you. Happy New Year Everyone! Love, ChelCy

#newyear #resolution #farewell2014