This past week I had the opportunity to travel to San Antonio, Texas to co-facilitate a Mental Health First Aid class at the National Association of LPNs Conference. In my heart, I was always a nurse. My grandmother was a nurse. My parents were nurses’ aides. I love teaching medical subjects such as mental health, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Diabetes. Yes, in my heart, mind, and sometimes actions- I am a black nurse that rocks. In reality, I am a writer, photographer, and a minister with a passion for helping others heal. My purpose is fun and exciting, with great stories to share, but after being around nurses for my whole life, I know they have far better stories to tell. ♥
This conference taught me so much about the field that my heart is drawn towards and caused my mind to race with possibilities. However, the greatest lesson that I learned was taught before my plane ever left the ground back in Baltimore.
I was sitting on the plane, listening to music as I mapped out the facilitation plan, when “Go Get It” by Mary Mary began to play on my phone. I was in the middle of my passion, preparing for my favorite part of flying- the takeoff, and these words came streaming through my earbuds:
You were made to live a good life and that’s what I believe
So, hit the floor, say a prayer, start working- you got to do something
It’s alright to crawl before you walk,
It’s alright to walk before you run,
But if you wanna get what you never got, gotta do something that you never done
Go get it,
Go get it,
Go get your blessing!
Can you imagine that picture? This 295-330-ton airplane is speeding down the runway preparing to take flight and soar through the air and I’m hearing the melodic words of Erica and Tina Campbell telling me to “go get your blessing!”
Oh, did I mention that I was wearing a shirt that said BLESSED?
Yeah, God was definitely speaking to me at that moment and I heard Him loud and clear. The specifics of my future I do not know, but I do know that God has some serious plans for my life and I must “go get my blessing.”
My visit to San Antonio only got better from there. The Mental Health First Aid class went well and now 30 LPNs- from all over the states and the Bahamas- are certified Mental Health First Aiders and I was able to spend a day exploring the city. All in all, my four days went well, and I am truly blessed to have had this opportunity… but the point of this Monday Message is right here: Go Get Your Blessing.
What I neglected to mention is that in the days leading up to my trip, I began to let fear creep in and throw me off my God-game. As a Vegan with many food restrictions due to allergies and GI issues, I began to panic because I did not know what I would do for food while I was away. I knew I wasn’t in a place financially to eat out every day, but I also knew that even if I was, my stomach would not be able to handle all of that grease and sodium that undoubtedly come from takeout food. Once I let anxiety set in about that, then more fear crept in pertaining to transportation throughout the city… and from there, anxiety about teaching the actual class set in. Before I had even packed one bag, I was all ready to come back home and stay in my comfortable bubble. Little did I know at the time, but I had given the enemy just enough oxygen to make a big fire from my lit embers. My fear and anxiety over what was to come was so great that I sat in church last Sunday (not yesterday) rocking and drowning in my own tears. I know people saw me crying, and I’m sure they thought my tears were an outward expression of my praise to God… but the truth is, the tears were a watery overflow of the doubt that was building within me.
How will you pay for all of these things?
Who do you think you are? You aren’t a teacher and you can’t teach nationally.
Something will go wrong…something always goes wrong.
I sat in church that Sunday, while everyone was preparing for a word from our executive pastor, and I cried as I listened to the words of the enemy. Actually, I cried because of his words…but also because I was starting to believe them, too.
When Wednesday came and it was time for me to leave for my trip, I put on my BLESSED shirt and grabbed my shield of faith to extinguish the enemy’s flames. I didn’t know at that moment how everything would work out, but I knew that God had called me for such a time as this (Esther 4:14) and that He would not lie to me.
Beloved, I don’t know what God has called you to do or who He has called you to be, yet I know that if you are reading this blog, He’s at least pricked your heart towards the possibility of letting Him work fully in your life.
Will you let Him?
Will you trust Him enough to move in your life?
Will you give Him the room to be Lord of your life?
TRUST ME, I know it is NOT easy; I let one thought of doubt grow into a whole fear-scenario that caused me to shed tears of anxiety. I heard the words of others in their judgment of me and I allowed it all to consume my thoughts and actions. I MESSED UP!… but then I decided to praise my way through it all. I cloaked myself in the full armor of God and stood up to the enemy (Ephesians 6:11).
I fell and then stood up and walked in the truth of God’s word:
God will supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19).
I am a child of the King and I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Galatians 3:26 and Philippians 4:13).
All things work for the good of those who love God and are called for His purpose (Romans 8:28)…
and I am surely called!
Ephesians 6:12-13 continues to add to God’s truth for you by saying:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Crawl if you must,
Walk if you can,
Run- if you so choose…
But get up,
and…
GO GET YOUR BLESSING!
Be blessed.
God Happened To ME Ministries, LLC 