Notes by La'Rue

Breathe

I am a huge movie fan, particularly action-packed and suspense, and whenever I get the chance, I watch Netflix to catch up on the latest releases. A little over a month ago, I watched Ice Road, an action-packed, suspenseful movie, directed by Johnathan Hensling, starring Liam Neesom and Laurence Fishburne, two of the more notable actors. In a nutshell, the movie takes place in Canada, with several truck drivers, braving the freezing cold and ice roads, to deliver an important part, that is crucial to the survival of trapped miners, who are fighting a gas leak. The drivers not only fought through the frigid weather to save the miners, but they fought attackers sent by the corrupt insurance company, who didn’t want to be ousted as being the reason for the mine explosion, and the deaths of many of the miners.

No matter how many oppositions the truckers encountered, they fought through it all. Driving those ice roads proved to be some of their darkest and toughest moments, but they knew it was imperative to get that piece delivered. While on the brink of death, the truckers delivered the part just in time for the remaining miners. Once installed, the gas leak was fixed, and the miners were able to breath again. Had the truckers not been persistent, and the miners didn’t have a will to live, things could’ve ended very differently. Have you been on an ice road or gone down a slippery slope? How many of you would be willing to unashamedly admit, you’ve been in some pretty tight spaces, with little to no breathing room? Whether it be no money to pay your rent, bills, buy food, or going without health insurance and a job, your situation was starting to suffocate you. You didn’t know if you’d survive or ever come up for air. It seems so many things were obstructing your airwave, and regardless of the attacks the enemy sent to stop you from breathing, God always intervened, and He always will.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

An opening

Yesterday, I called the dealership where I purchased my truck, concerning a part I desperately need. I was advised three weeks ago, that the part would be here, yet I’m still without it. I reached out to the service department to ascertain that what I need, had finally arrived. Jennifer answered my call, and advised me my part was there, and had been for two weeks. Talk about being teed off. To make matters worse, she told me the earliest appointment they had to service my truck, was September 17th. Lady, what??? I was so disappointed and upset, because I had been waiting for weeks on that part, which is critical to my truck working properly.

I said, “I can’t wait that long, because if I do and continue to drive my truck, I won’t have one.” Sensing my frustration, she replied, “Give me a minute, and allow me to check on something.” As I awaited for her return, I imagined how difficult it was going to be, to run errands, go to appointments, go to the office to work, and so much more, should my truck go out of commission. “Hey Deetra (my first name),” I heard a voice say. “Yes, I replied.” “We’ve been having a lot of no shows and cancellations, so if you want, you can drop your truck off, and when we receive another cancellation, we’ll slide you in asap, and you won’t have to wait until 9/17.”

I was not happy that I still have to wait on something that was supposed to have been done weeks ago, but I was relieved, and thankful that God had created an opening for me. Your situation may be more severe than my car, and it may not look like anything will come through, but when God creates the space, all you need to do is slide right on in!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

The Aftermath

I don’t like inclement weather or heavy, disastrous bouts of rain, and right now we are in the middle of one of the worst seasons we’ll ever go through, hurricane season. I live in Alabama, and although we got a lot of rain, we were fortunate to have hurricane Ida bypass us, but for those in Mississippi and Louisiana who weren’t so fortunate, my heart completely goes out to you. It is so upsetting and disheartening looking at photos of the aftermath, and I’m always left wondering, “How do those individuals build again?” “Where do they even begin?” “At what point do you start to recover? Or do you ever?”

We can all attest to the fact, that we’ve encounter some pretty life-changing storms. While they might not have been as severe or deadly as hurricane Katrina or Irene, they hit hard, and you most definitely felt the impact. Nonetheless, regardless of the category, what you do during the aftermath is what’s important. Whether it take you days, months, or years to recover, it makes no difference, but starting over does. It’s not the end of the world, and certainly not the end of you. Whatever you’ve lost, God will give it back to you, plus more! Don’t obsess over what’s replaceable, because what He replaces, will be so better than that which is lost.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Hard to believe

Sometimes I struggle with writing posts. The struggle is not that I don’t know what to say, but actually believing what God gives me to say. As strange as it may seem, motivating, encouraging, and inspiring, is so easy and natural to me, but only when I do it for others. God speaks and instructs me what to write to uplift you, but then I’m left wondering, “What about me?” Majority, if not all, of what I write applies to and can help my circumstances, but it is extremely hard to believe that it will. That was hard for me to admit, because I was so fearful of being labeled a counterfeit, but more than anything, I want you to know, I’m just like you. I go through long seasons of difficulty, moments of despair, hopelessness, and unbelief. I often question the validity of God’s word, because I sometimes feel that what He says, doesn’t align with my life. In fact, I’m still waiting to receive a lot of things He promised or said would happen for me, even though I wanted to give up a long time ago. No matter how hard I struggle to believe, I still hold on. Whether it be God, or the promises I’m praying for, I don’t know which to attribute it to, honestly. Either way, I continue to have hope, even if it’s just a little.

I’m not perfect, but what I am, is honest. So, even if you don’t believe another word I say, never stop believing in God!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

I can relate

Homeless and staying in a hotel? I have been there

No food, water, lights, or gas? I have been there

Experiencing never-ending trials and tribulations? I have been there

Felt unappreciated, inadequate, and unloved? I have been there

Felt rejected, ostracized, and constantly put down? I have been there

Felt hopeless and at your wick’s end? I have been there

Hurting to the point of death? I have been there

Want to give up, quit, and walk away? I have been there

Felt like God has turned His back on you? I have been there

Felt like no one cares? I have been there

Angry and upset at your problems? I have been there

Felt like taking your life? Don’t do it, but trust me, I have been there!

I know you are going through a lot, and I have been where you are. Honestly, I’ve been places I’d never thought I’d be, nor wanted too. I’ve walked your shoes, so I can relate, and I can also tell you what I’ve done to help me get through. While most would think it’ll take very little effort, it actually can take all you’ve got. It’s important to know, that this is not a gimmick, but a resolution. What I’m about to share with you is extremely easy to explain, but very difficult and hard to do. This isn’t something you haven’t heard, nor been told, but it’s worth mentioning again.

No matter what you are going through, please pray without ceasing! I know you’re probably thinking, “That’s it,” and yes, it is. You may have even replied, “That doesn’t work,” but it does. It hasn’t worked for you, because you tried it and when you didn’t see immediate results, you gave up. The thing is you can’t quit. You’ve got to keep going, until you get what you’re praying for, and even when you do, you must never stop!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Before their eyes

Why is it, that when people are down, that’s the time they are kicked the most? The situation itself is painful enough, so adding salt to the wounds is certainly not needed. A lot of times, mockery can be the reason you can’t get up. Every time you try to better yourself and make progress, it’s delayed, because your tormentors keep reminding you that things will always be the same for you. However, I assure you they won’t. Rest assured, the same people who are mocking you now as a result of your misfortunes, and wishing you ill intent, are the same ones who will watch God bless you, right before their eyes! So, let them talk, kick, make fun and laugh, because in the end, your laughter will be the loudest of them all.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Painful Profit

Last night, I cried a river longer than the Jordan and Nile combined. Being burdened is a lot to deal with, especially when it seems as though you’re carrying the load by yourself. Although God puts no more on us than we can bare, I can barely stand the little He does place on me. I say a little, because had it not being for His mercy, I would’ve experienced way more than I have and gotten plenty of what I deserved. I’ve been caught in a years’ long seasonal battle, and I’ve seriously questioned God whether or not there is indeed a way out, because being in is all I know.

I’ve done like many of you, cried, become upset, yell at or be angry with God. I’ll admit, there were times I didn’t pray or was reluctant to, because I already knew it wasn’t going to “do any good.” I’ve even stopped myself in the middle of crying, and resided to the idea that it’s not worth it. All of the sleepless nights and crying I’d experienced from hurting, was a complete waste, because when the tears stopped, my problems were still there. Either way, it made no difference to me, because I didn’t see the difference I needed in my life.

I read in Psalms 56:8 that, “God keeps a track of my sorrows. He has collected all my tears in His bottle, and recorded each one in His book (NLT).” For every tear that I’ve shed, God has taken notice. Not only was my sorrow not a waste, but as a result of what I’ve gone through, He’s going to give me a profit for my pain. All of my trials, tribulations, and problems, God’s got a record of. He sees and knows exactly what I’m facing, and not only is He facing it with me, He’s going to help me make it through. Lately, I’ve felt like Peter and the Disciples in the boat, battling a great storm. Thinking it’s the end, I call out to God, only for Him to command the wind not move.

This season has been extremely hard on me, but having hope in the midst, is even harder. I recently listened to an interview that Britney Spears did, and to paraphrase, she stated, “All I have left is my hope. Normally, it’s the last thing to leave, but as long as I have it, they can’t take it away from me, because once it’s gone, I won’t have anything left.”

I’m not sure of your situation or if you’re at your wick’s end, but if you are, there’s one thing I want you to know, this too will end. You’ll always have trouble, but sooner or later, they’ll expire. No matter how many difficulties occur, keep praying and keep crying if you have too. God hears you, He sees you, and He’s going to reward you for all of your pain.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Going the distance

I took some (more) time off and flew to Jamaica, to enjoy the fruits of my labor, reset my mind, and give rest to my body, not to mention to celebrate my sister’s 40th birthday. That experience, was my most peaceful and serene one yet. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave, and even contemplated purposely losing my passport, so I’d be forced to remain back. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and savored every moment, because I knew it’d probably be forever before I’d have another one. The food was amazing, the drinks were great, and the people, were even better. It felt amazing and refreshing to wake up, and literally be yards away from stepping foot on the beach. To call it paradise, would be an understatement. To call it living, would be appropriate. When you get the chance, venture out, even if it’s far away. Sometimes, the best moments in our lives, often lie in the distance. Are you willing to go?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Until it’s over

It doesn’t matter if you’re a good person, or bad, no one is omitted from difficulty or trials. Some of us will experience tougher situations than others, but nonetheless, we all will go through hardships. The question is, how will you use what you go through, to better you, and help someone else? Will you have a negative attitude when you go through periods of pain, or will you ask God what you should do while you wait for the devastation to be over? Will you use your pain to help others to heal, or will you plead for God to give you another emotion to feel? It’s easy to have joy when you aren’t put through tests, but can you honestly say you trust God when your life is a mess?

Storms are easy to get caught in and hard to get out, but until it’s over, can you wait it out?

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Not talking for nothing

I was always the concerned one, whether it be about my physical attributes, weight, or someone’s opinion of me. It made no difference how minute it was, because I was sure to make a mountain out of a molehill. The constant attacks, belittlement, and unsolicited comments were unwarranted, and definitely something I could’ve done without. I didn’t understand the reason for any of it, until I realized what I had, while still not fully realizing what I have. I’ve been told there is something unique about me, extremely important, valued, and desired, something I’m sure most parents have told their kids (and should).

When I would cry to some of my church mothers, and question, “What have I done?” they’d reply, “Be who God created you to be.” It made no sense to me then, and it halfway doesn’t now, but one thing that I’ve learned over the years and in Therapy, people aren’t talking for nothing. Just think, if you didn’t have anything valuable, what could they possibly say? People are going to talk, and when they do, let them. Do you want to know what I do when I find out someone has conversations about me? I smile, because I know I’m a pretty great subject! My peace of mind is the most expensive thing I own, and I’m not giving it nobody, nor can I afford to undo the improvement Therapy has done on me.

It’s tough having critics, but it’s gotten easier for me not to respond. Silence is a response, and in most cases, it should be our first one.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue