Often times we aren’t told the journey, trials and challenges that are endured before we enter our “promised land” so I thought I’d share a bit of mine in hope to encourage you and bring you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. He said if He be lifted up He would draw all men unto Him.
Never in a million years did I think the day I signed my name on the contract to join the Navy that I would 13 years later be a Chief in the United States Navy.
The Lord has literally blown my mind.
I joined the Navy undesignated.
I did not want to be a Religious Program Specialist but I asked the Lord to give me whatever job he wanted me to have and here we are Lol. Lots of tears, pain, & betrayals but nothing I went through was random. Everything I’ve been through from day 1 has prepared me for this moment.
Everything you are experiencing now is preparing you for what’s next. Don’t miss the lesson, don’t skip the process. It’s needed.
For 8 years I’ve been a single parent. There has been several challenges but none done alone. The Lord is my strength & has carried me like a baby. I’m so grateful for the Lord, who I call my dad, my shepherd , my love, my King, my Everything.
The Lord still blessed even while I was intentionally in sin. Thank God for his grace & mercy. I was definitely living a reckless life but the Lord snatched me out of darkness & placed me into his marvelous light. Where would I be if it wasn’t for him?
Can I just brag on my God for a minute?
All the odds were against me
black, a female, single parent and a RP…. BUT those things don’t define who I am & aren’t my identity
I am a daughter to the most high God! That is who I am, exactly who the Lord says I am.
The odds were against me but that’s the point, so that Gods glory could be revealed through my life, story & testimony. This is not about me. This is about the Lords purpose being fulfilled through me.
I was told throughout my career that I would never make chief because I wasn’t a bulldog & Judged for being a single parent.
But Look what the Lord has done. He allowed me to earn 3 college degrees in 6 years. Associates.Bachelors & Masters degree all while on active duty. He promoted me, awards, accolades , leading a support group, working in ministry, publishing a devotional for single parents (available on Amazon by the way lol) , along with 2 journals , running a household & raising my sweet baby girl. In no way shape or form am I saying I’ve arrived. I haven’t. I fall short of his glory. I am grateful that I have a Heavenly Father who cares not only for me but for you. He loves you.
Don’t believe the lies of the enemy. Remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood! Ephesians 6 … You have the Lord on your side, He is all you need. Stand on the word of God & openly declare the word of God from your mouth. The word of God is powerful!
The Lord shut the mouth of the enemy !!! Literally!! Many said that my promotion would come from those who sit the board. Absolutely not. My promotion came from the Lord and him only. In Psalm 75:6-7 it says “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
So my encouragement to you is trust the Lord. If He brought you to it He will certainly bring you through it. The provision for the promise is already established. Just have confidence in the Lord that He has your best interest at heart and wants to bless you. He is a good good father.
To all of my single parents out there: I love you. The things you do, the way you love your children, the way you carry yourself with such dignity and respect, the strength that exudes from your smile I will never forget. I’m so blessed to have community with you, watch you grow as a parent , individual and child of God. The Lord is your strength now and always.
If He did it for me surely He will do it for you because He is a faithful God! Watch & See. He will exceed your expectations.
Love you all & God bless ❤️
“‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’”
Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/num.6.24-26.nlt