Month: April 2020

Do it anyway

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Don’t let the idea of starting, scare you into not starting. You have to begin somewhere, and usually, it’s at the bottom. Besides, it’s better to start out low and work your way up, than to be on top and get knocked down. I know you want people to support you, as did I. However, I had to come to the realization that not everyone won’t, and you’ve got to be okay with that. In fact, you’ve got to be okay with a lot of things. You’ve got to be okay with struggling, because you’re not going to be successful right off the bat. You’ve got to be okay with taking a few losses, until you get your win. You’ve got to be okay with jealousy and those who turn their back on you, even though you’ve had theirs forever. However, regardless of what you experience, don’t allow none of it to stop you from what you’re doing. I started this blog 16 months ago and I had five followers for months, and now I’m up to 76. While most people care about their numbers, I don’t. All I care about is doing what I love, regardless if no one ever sees or reads it. It’s not going to stop me from spreading God’s word or bringing light into dark situations. People may not care for me or what I write, but guess what? I’m going to continue to do it anyway!

Always do what you LOVE, even if you’re the only one that does!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Yes, you can

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

You don’t have the resources to start a business, so you don’t move forward. You want to go back to school, but you’re not sure where to start, so you just quit. You want to buy a house, but your credit is low and you don’t have the down payment. There are so many things you want to do, yet for whatever reason, you’re holding back. You’ve come up with a thousand excuses as to why you can’t, yet I can give you one good reason why you can. “You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you”. If He wants you to have a business, He’ll provide the resources. If He wants you to go to school, He’ll give you the start and see you to the end. You want to be a homeowner? He wants you to be one too, so He’s going to make a way for you. Remember, we are heirs to His Kingdom, His rich Kingdom, so of course He’s going to give you the absolute best! God is with you in everything that you do, so the next time you choose to do something, remember, because of Him, YOU CAN!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

A different agenda

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

For two years, I practically begged this well-known Editor, to allow me to not only write a post for her column, but to become a permanent staff writer on the team. I’d given her samples of my work (my best work at that) and still, no response. I know one would think, after a few months’ time or a year even, they’d give up, but I couldn’t. I kept on asking and being persistent, because eventually it’ll pay off, right? And guess what, it did! I started this blog November 2018 in one of my favorite spots on the earth, Starbucks. As I was crying (literally) and asking God why “that lady” wouldn’t let me write for her column, He gave me the idea to create something that He wanted, and others so desperately needed. The agenda was the same, but the only difference, it was on MY platform instead of hers!

I know I am more than skilled, gifted and capable of writing, so it was never a question as to whether or not I couldn’t, but why someone wouldn’t acknowledge it. I understand everyone has their own preference and style, and maybe, mine was not it. I hold no ill-will or resentment towards the young lady, and I even support her column. Creating this blog has been one of the best things that could’ve happened to me, and apparently you all as well. One thing I have learned, is that we’re so quick to add to someone else’s success, when God wants us to have our own! There’s nothing wrong with helping others, but sometimes God will intervene, because He has a different (and better) agenda than the one we have for ourselves!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Covered

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I’m still in a state of shock, and can’t believe this has somehow managed to become our “new normal”. I thought it so bizarre and strange when Michael Jackson used to wear a face mask and gloves out in public, but who knew we’d have to one day do the same. The things we used to complain and grumble about getting rid of, are now the things we complain and grumble about wanting. Let’s face it, we want that old “thang” back! We miss the life we used to have, because it was better than the one we have now. It feels like we are living out the scenes of one of Stephen King’s horror movie, and we’re afraid, because we all know they never ended well. However, the good thing about our situation, is that God is both our Writer and Director. He writes our story and directs our paths, so I know the path to healing and getting rid of COVID-19 is not too far away. He has us covered, and because of that, we should be able to find peace and comfort in the midst of this storm!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

The Return

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

The number one thing that most people dread, particularly women, is going to the store to return an item they bought. Rather than go through the hassle of standing in line for a refund, they instead choose to keep what they have, even though it doesn’t fit. I’m sure all of us can relate to this in some way or another. How many times have we held on to people and things that simply didn’t “fit” us? They don’t benefit us in any kind of way, yet we don’t want to get rid of them. Like those jeans we can’t get into, we’ll keep them as our motivation to lose the excess weight, but the only weight we need to lose, is that of those who aren’t good for us. I’m sure you invest a lot in your clothes (I know I do), but it’s nothing compared to the investment you make into the lives of people who aren’t “worth” it. No matter how much time you “spend” on someone, be careful, because it’s the one thing that can never be “returned”.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Look no further

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

When we want approval, we look to others.

When we want advice, we look to others.

When we want assurance, we look to others.

When we want a way out, we look to others.

When we want to be happy, we look to others.

We’ve given people so much control and responsibility over our lives, that we expect them to live for us, and sometimes heal us. However, no one can fix something that was broken before they got it. We need them to piece us together again, but it’s the inside that needs constructing first. We’ll never be whole, if we’re waiting on someone else to complete us. Don’t expect people to do for you what you aren’t willing to do for yourself. Your happiness, value and self-worth comes from within, so there’s no need to look any further!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Departed

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Out of all the things that could happen in the world, you didn’t see this coming. Because you were for certain they’d always be there, you never gave thought to their departure or planned for it, and now you’re lost without them. Besides, you just knew they’d be around forever. But, what if forever was only for a day? A week, month or year even. Ideally, we’d like for people or things to be permanent fixture in our lives. However, we can’t hold on to something or someone that was only intended to stay for a little while. We can’t make a temporary thing, a lasting thing! There are going to be some people who come and lay roots in your life, and expect to grow and go with you. It’s going to take you growing deeper in your faith to know that, these things and people have got to be uprooted, because they can no longer stay planted in your life. If they do, they can potentially destroy the harvest God has for you.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Glad

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

No matter what’s going on in the world, I’m glad that we’re still a part of it. Despite me working remotely, I’m just glad to be working, because a lot of people are unemployed. Chaos surrounds us and things looks as though they are quickly going from bad to worse, but I’m glad that our best is yet to come. A lot of people were practicing social distancing years before COVID-19, by holding grudges and not speaking or visiting their family. However, I’m glad the pandemic has drawn so many people closer to their families and God. Although the death tolls keep rising as high as Mount Everest, and essential resources are becoming extinct like dinosaurs, I’m just glad God hasn’t forgotten about us. He never has and He never will. If you’ve lost hope, you don’t believe it. But, if you have faith, you can already see it. And, I can see Him bringing an end to this virus…..soon!

Stay safe and be strong. Help is on the way!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Now is not the time

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I want to be married, right now! I want a set of identical twin girls, right now! I want my house built from the ground up, right now! I want to be an Academic Dean, right now! I want to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of my business, CH1 Bookstore and Lounge, right now! There are so many things I want “right now”, but now is not the time! Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under the sun”, and when the time is right, it’ll happen. Not just a little bit, but all of it! When it comes to things I want or would like to do, my pursuit is undeniably fervent. Being eager is a good thing, but it’s also my problem. I can’t stay where I’m at long enough to enjoy what I have or get what I need, because I’m always on the move. “I gotta move, because God ain’t”. “I gotta move, before someone else beats me to it”. “I gotta move, because if I don’t act now, the opportunity won’t come again”. But, if it’s mine, it’ll return. Needless to say, I gotta keep moving. However, I can’t go anywhere until God tells me to! When I feel as though He’s not moving fast enough, I intervene and try to speed up the process, but He always brings me to a complete standstill, and I can’t stand that! Don’t you see, I can’t afford to stop? If I do, it’ll delay my mission, but if I don’t, God will abort it. So, I might as well wait. Besides, I can’t accelerate, until He releases the brake. When it’s time for me to go, I will. But, now is not the time!

Until next “time” my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Get it together

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“Get yo sh** together”, are the words my friend so “delicately” told me. Although I’m being facetious, he was for real. During one of our many private conversations, I expressed to him some desires of my heart. While he didn’t think they were unreasonable, he felt as though the timing was just not right (more on this tomorrow). Paraphrasing, he stated that, “I have some unfinished business that I need to get done, before I start trying to get what I want”. Even though I wasn’t sure what this “unfinished business” entailed, I continued to listen. “La’Rue, you’ve got a lot going for yourself. You’ve got to finish writing your books and put a bid on that building for your business, and everything else can come later, including us. You need to stay focused and don’t let a man or nothing get in the way of what you need to do, not even me. If I have to stop calling you in order for you to get it done, I will. You hear me?”

Sheesh! What did I do? Or should I say, what was I not doing? I’ll admit, I am distracted and have fallen off the boat, and I am struggling to get back on. I’ve neglected everything and postponed it for later, because “I have the time”. However, the only thing I “have” is a bunch of ideas on a piece of paper, with no drive or ambition to make them a fruition. What in the hell happened? Or, more importantly, what happened to me? I’m not sure when the cup shattered, but I desperately needed to piece myself together again. Fortunately for me, he recognized my value, saw my greatness and rather than sit back and allow me to mess up, he spoke up instead. I have a deep appreciation for him, because he always encourages me and pushes me to do better, when I’m too lazy to move. I’m sure you can benefit by having someone in your life that does the same.

Like me, you probably have fallen off track or simply lost your way, but you’ve got to make it back. Remember your why and establish your when. Don’t become stagnant and put your dreams on the backburner, because it’ll only be a matter of time that you forget they’re “back” there!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue