Notes by La'Rue

Time for check-up

Hey NOTE takers! I miss blogging, but I’m still on assignment and can’t quite return until I complete it. There have been days I wanted to give up and run back to what I’m familiar with, but because of who God has created me to be, I’m challenged (and expected) to do better. I’m currently going through a pruning phase, and until now, I didn’t realize how much time consuming it is. No matter how much I try to rush the process, or beg God to hurry up and get me through, He replied, “I will, but you’ve got to be patient and trust me.” To me, that’s where the difficulty lie, being patient. I’ve been patient for a very long time (too long if you ask me). I’ve been seeking fulfillment, purpose, and clarity, but the only thing that God’s made clear, is the fact that I must wait. I’ve prayed repeatedly and fasted incessantly, and although I have yet to get what I am seeking, I can’t stop until I do, and neither should you.

When I find myself wanting to cease with my prayer requests, I am reminded of the story in the Gospel of Luke 18:1-8, about a widow, who relentlessly petitioned an unjust Judge for justice. Although he was extremely incompassionate and repeatedly was unwilling to grant her requests, she persisted and consistently asked, because I presume, at some point, she knew he’d have to say yes. If you’re familiar with the parable, you know he did eventually render her a yes, but not because he wanted to. More than anything, what he wanted was for her to stop badgering him, and if the only way to get her to stop, was for him to give in, then he gave her what she wanted. Do you see the moral of the story? No matter how many times you’re told no, or how long you have to keep asking, the goal is to never stop, until you get what you want.

The widow’s situation is probably no different from yours, except she was dealing with an unjust Judge, whereas you’re dealing with a Judge who rains on the just as well as the unjust. Like her, you too, must be consistently persistent, and continue to petition God with your requests. It can be daunting at times, and you might even feel as though you’re bothering Him, but He’d much rather you give it to Him, than burden yourself and others with it. Besides, if you give your worries to your family and friends, you’ll always have them, but if you cast your worries upon God, you’ll never have to worry again.

Thank you, for everyone that are still hanging on and coming back to read my past “notes,” while anticipating (and waiting on) new ones. I’m still going through it but not just for me, but for you as well. Remember, sometimes, we’ve got to hurt, in order to help others heal.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Give me a minute

I love writing and bringing daily positive, encouraging and inspiring notes. I also love evolving and not only looking for ways to challenge myself, but to perfect my craft. I love and am extremely proud of my work (more importantly myself), but I have so much more in me to offer, than what I’ve already given. There are so many hidden treasures and gems inside of me, and the only way I can access them, is if I explore myself from within. Having said that, I’m using this “away time” to get focused, be more disciplined, and allow God to use me to my fullest potential, instead of trying to limit Him, and myself! While I don’t anticipate being gone for very long, when we’re talking about doing God’s work, there is no timeline. Needless to say, I’m just going to allow myself to be led, and where ever He takes me, I’ll be sure to bring you all “something” wonderful back!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Created for better

Have you ever sat and said to yourself, “I shouldn’t be doing this?” Perhaps it’s just me, but I’ve always had the feeling there’s so much more to me than what I am, and whatever it is, I should be doing. I’m not quite sure what though, but for quite some time now, I’ve felt very uneasy about my future. I often question my purpose and though I’m almost 99% sure it involves writing, for whatever reason, that 1% won’t let me believe the 99. I know most people have dealt with uncertainty and wrestle with whether or not they’ve made the right career decision. However, if you love what you’re doing, but your purpose is somewhere else, do you stay or do you go? I’m sure many people won’t necessarily go for the latter, because they’re either complacent, paid well or fearful of stepping out on faith. Rather than explore their God-given purpose, they’ll ignore it, because they’re comfortable right where they are.

It’s disheartening, to say the least, because we were created for better, yet so many of us choose to settle for good. I know I’m so much more than who I am and what I’m currently doing, so I won’t stop trying to fulfil my purpose, because I know I have so much more left to do. No matter if I’m afraid or lack the resources to do it, I’m still going to go after it, because if it’s what God has created me to do, He’s already equipped me with everything I need.

Why play it safe, when you were created to be more than just great? You know what you’re supposed to be doing, so why aren’t you?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Motivated by doubt

Where do you get your motivation from? Is it your family, an inspiring YouTube video, or perhaps an encouraging “note?” There is something or someone that gives us the exact drive and ambition we need, to not only get us through the day, but get us to our goals. Although my students are some of my biggest motivators, I’m often motivated by doubt. Yes, disbelief act as a catalyst for my success. There’s nothing like negative chatter that gets me moving again. To some people that may sound a bit odd, but nothing excites me more, than saying, “I did it,” when they told me I couldn’t. I’m not easily offended by negativity anymore, because I’m too busy using it for fuel. Rather than allow doubt to distract me, instead I let it drive me! Besides, I much more than mere “words,” so the more they say no, the louder I say, watch me! It’s important to be aware of your capabilities, and not allow anyone to limit them. It doesn’t matter what the naysayers say or do, no one has to believe in you, except YOU!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

I did it for me

I didn’t go to college because I had to, I went because I wanted to.

I didn’t quit my job because I wanted to, I quit because I had to.

I didn’t go to therapy because I had to, I went because I needed to.

Can you imagine, how many people are tormented by regret with the things they’ve done, but didn’t want to do? Whether it be your family or significant other, you’ve lived entirely for them. Many years later, you’re seeking a career change, because you’ve “suddenly” realized that working in your current field was never your choice, but their decision.

“I didn’t want to work in Corporate America, but it’s what my family wanted.” I’m sure you were happy to make good money, but sadly, your money didn’t make you happy. “I didn’t want to go to Med School, but it’s what my parents wanted.” You may be a well-established Physician, but all you ever wanted, was to establish your own business. “I didn’t want to get married, but it’s what my significant other wanted.” I’m pretty confident that you love your spouse, but you just don’t love the idea of being married.

One has to wonder, “How do you recoup all the time lost and years spent being who they wanted, but not who you needed to be? No matter what I was told to do, or who I was expected to become, everything that’ve I’ve done, was done for me! It might not be the most glamorous, but I’m happily living MY life.

When was the last time you did something for yourself?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Everyday

To all the mothers (whether by birth, adoption, or surrogacy), I want you to know that you are loved, constantly thought of, appreciated, and more than anything, you’re wanted and needed. While most of you are only celebrated once a year, I want you to know, Mother’s Day is not your day…everyday is! If it weren’t for you, not only would we not be here, we probably wouldn’t be who we are. Thank you for all you have been to us, done for us, sacrificed for us, but most of all, the love you’ve given us!

Cheers to you, and enjoy your day (and days) to come! We love you!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Deetra La’Rue

Day off

If you were looking for a post or your daily note of encouragement, here it is. Sometimes, you need to learn to take the day off, and take some time for yourself! It’s easy to get burned out, but even harder to recover. If you are tired, exhausted, and restless, that’s your body speaking, so I advise you to take “note” and listen. I don’t care how enthused or eager you are to do something, be just as eager to stop. You don’t have to walk away from it forever, just long enough for you to recharge!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Broken

Have you ever wondered why some people naturally gravitate towards you, and others don’t? Could your personality, style or “vibe,” be the reason for the love, yet also the hate? It’s evident that everyone you meet won’t be fond of you, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t a likable person. What matters is whether or not you like yourself. If you don’t, you’ll take offense to everything someone says to you, regardless of how large or small it is. I used to be that way, until I stopped consenting to negativity. I don’t long for validation and acceptance anymore, so my days of people pleasing and impressing others are over. More than anything, the only person I try to be better for, is myself. Even then, there are times when I’m not good enough for me. “If only they knew,” is something I constantly say to myself, because for some strange reason, people seem to think I have it all, and when they do, I let them. I don’t try to change anyone’s thoughts or opinions about me, because it doesn’t matter what I say or do, if they don’t like me, they still won’t. I spent a lot of years trying to correct issues people had with me, when there was nothing that needed to be fixed, except for their low self-esteem. I wasn’t the one that was broken, they were!

There’s nothing wrong with change. Just don’t do it because someone tells you to. Do it because it’s what’s best for you!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

It took awhile

Beautiful timing

Majority of my themes are reoccurring, but I’ve noticed so are a lot of my problems (and others). I’m repetitive with my messages, but it’s only because I’m trying to convince and help you, and myself too. While I do believe what I put out, it can be really hard to take it in. Oddly, I’ve always been great at inspiring and building others up, but struggle to keep myself afloat. Although I consider myself to be Superwoman, I also know when I need to be saved. Whether the rescue is financial, mental, physical or emotional, we all can benefit from some help every once in awhile. Yet sometimes, the most difficult thing is waiting for the help to arrive. Granted God won’t show up when we’d like Him to, Ecclesiastes 3:11 gives us comfort in knowing, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time.”

You may get tired of me saying the same things over and over again, and you may be beyond tired of waiting, but it doesn’t matter how many times I say it, or how long you wait, just know that when it does happen, it’ll be the most perfect and beautiful time. This message (and all for that matter) is not just for you, but myself as well. Rest assured, I’m not just giving “notes,” I’m taking them too!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

More like Abraham

One thing a kid (or anyone for that matter) never want to hear is, “Why can’t you be more like your brother/sister?” In my opinion, it’s not right to make an unfair assessment of someone, based off the character or behavior of their sibling(s). Everyone has their own sense of individuality, so “grouping,” shouldn’t be allowed. Although my sisters and I are extremely close and share some commonalities, we’re also very different from each other (especially in terms of personality) and I expect us to be treated as such. Granted they are women of high caliber (they’re my sisters, so I can be biased), I don’t aspire to be “more like them.” On the other hand, there have been people I’ve admired and looked up to, but none that I wanted to be, although Abraham would be ideal.

If you don’t know anything about Abraham, know that he was a believer, and firm one at that. No matter how hopeless his situation looked, he kept believing. Romans 4:18 tells us, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would be the father of many nations.” Whatever promise God made, he believed Him for it. It didn’t matter if 40 years had passed, and he didn’t see the promise, he kept believing until it came to pass. v20-21 says, “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.”

I will be the first to admit, when my light became dim, so did my hope. I couldn’t believe God to do anything for me, because my problems were bigger than my faith. My prayer time was shortened and my ranting sessions were lengthened. I was in dire need of help! Not only did I need a breakthrough, I needed to believe I would get one. While I’ve made some strides, I won’t pretend as though my faith doesn’t still waver. It happens, and when it does, I aim to be more like Abraham. I’ve always stressed the importance of focusing on the promise and not your problems. It can be very challenging and hard, but just think of all the possibilities you can have, if only you just believe.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue