Stay in the womb

I’m not a mother (yet), but I know that once conception is established, a typical pregnancy takes 40 weeks for an embryo to fully develop into a fetus. There are three phases that are absolutely necessary to the growth and development of the baby. First, second, and third trimesters, as they are called, are phases in which certain parts of development takes place. If for any reason a baby “comes early” or is underdeveloped, it can possibly lead to problems and complications for not only the baby, but the mother. The same can be said for a butterfly. Although I’m hesitant to compare a pregnancy or metamorphosis of a butterfly to life situations, and I dare not to cause offense, I can’t help but find a correlation between the three. Ironically, many of us are still encased in the womb. Anxious to be birthed, we struggle to get out, although it’s not yet our time. We’re in the process of being molded and shaped by God, but it’s taking longer than expected.

Not satisfied in the stage of life we’re in, we quickly try to expedite our development, while prematurely stunting our growth. Tick tock. Tick tock. We’ve got to act now, because if we don’t, we’ll never be where we want to be, so we say. But, if we’re too early, it only lessens our chances of survival. We’d like to think we’re ready, but we’re not, because if we were, we would have been delivered already. I know we’re in a rush, but we’ve got to stay in the womb a little bit longer. We don’t want to go through the process, we just want the product, even if it’s not finished. What do you suppose life would look like, if we had been birthed prematurely? One could only wonder. No matter how much it hurts, don’t allow your problems to stop you from going through the process. When you reach the end, like a mother in labor pain, “All your anguish will give way to joy” (John 16:23).

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

No regards for value

Have you found yourself saying, “I’m always there for others, but never are they there for me”? Why do you suppose that is? Do you think it’s because they don’t know how to show up, or they feel they don’t have to? Perhaps, they feel they don’t have to do anything, because you’ve always done everything. Yet, they continue to use you, because they know, you aren’t going to tell them no. These type of people have no regards for your value, because their interests has absolutely nothing to do with you, but what you are able to do (for them). Often times, if not most, they take you for granted, because they just know you’re going to always be there. Because their predictability in your timeliness is almost always right, have you ever considered changing your routine? As opposed to constantly filling up their well, why don’t you allow it to run dry? Maybe then, they’ll appreciate the consistency of the water, and only get what they need, instead of needing to have it all.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Looking for the rain

Whenever I’d see dark clouds form in the sky, it was an indication to me, that rain or a thunderstorm was very likely to come. In the event that it did, I would automatically do one of two things: grab an umbrella or immediately seek shelter. Most often, I chose the latter, because I simply didn’t want to get wet, nor my hair, to say the least. After I waited until the storm blew over, I couldn’t help but realize how the things that were once filled with water, had suddenly become dry. It seemed instant, almost to say, the rain was never there. Suddenly, it reminded me of how Elijah, the Prophet, had prayed to God for 3.5 years for no rain, and it never came.

As a result of the terrible famine and no harvest for food, Elijah went up to the mountain top and commissioned God to “make it rain.” At first, his request went unanswered. Then a second time. Then a third time. Then a fourth time. However, Elijah was persistent and sent his servant to go up to the mountain top a total of seven times, before he saw a dark cloud appear in the sky. Soon after, it rained. Elijah not only had guts, but he had faith as well! I’ve read that story countless of times, but most recently, I was given a new meaning for it. A lot of people equate dark clouds as a sign that something bad is about to happen, and in most cases, that’s true. While some people wish the rain would never come, there are so many others looking for it.

Are you in a drought? Do you have a shortage of money, that’s making it next to impossible to pay your bills and continue to live? Perhaps, you’ve gone to God countless of times praying for reprieve, yet you go “back down the mountain,” carrying the same requests. You’re almost to the point of giving up, but you continue to “make that climb,” because you feel the next time is going to be “it.” I know I do! Although I’d like to be able to tell you when it’s going to come, I can’t. But, what I can tell you is, don’t stop looking for the rain! Keep making your requests known, because sooner or later, God is going to send a downpour of His blessings upon you. With this type of rain, you won’t get wet, so there’s no need for an umbrella.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Time to get off

When my sisters and I were little, our mother would often take us to Kress’, in historic downtown Montgomery, AL. Considering the fact that we were extremely poor, I looked forward to most Saturdays, because I knew where we were going. Extremely popular, Kress’ was a huge store, and one I considered to be an absolute luxury. While most kids were able to go in and get whatever they wanted, we on the other hand, could not. Although funds were limited, our mother made sure to try and give us a decent childhood, with a few outings here and there. We didn’t have a car, so our only means of transportation was the Montgomery City Line Bus. I can remember very clearly, placing the change in the meter, and sitting down looking out the window, as we made our way to Kress’. One of the “fun” things I often got a chance to do, was pull the clever line gadget, which notified the driver that this was “our stop.” After letting us off, I was eager to go downstairs and have one of my biggest indulges, caramel popcorn. I lived for Kress’ caramel popcorn and was so sad once they closed down.

As I had gotten older, we still rode the city line bus, only this time, it was to school. I was so embarrassed and ashamed, because it only gave the kids something else they could use to joke on me. As if being poor was not enough! As this continued, I would sit and watch each person get off at their stop, until sometimes there was hardly anyone left, but me. When I sit and reflect on what was, I can’t help but notice what is, and that’s the fact that God is taking me places that some people can’t go. When people would stop talking to me or walk away from me, I didn’t realize that God was the one removing them. I used to want to take everybody with me, whether it be family, acquaintances or friends. When I made it, I wanted to be the one to “put everybody on”, but the only thing they were on, was jealousy and hate. There have been some things that they’ve said and done to raise my eyebrows, but I would always say, “No, not them.” Isn’t it funny how it’s almost always “them?” It’s a shame, because I thought many of them were riding for me, but God said, they were “just along for the ride.”

It doesn’t matter who you are connected to or what place they hold in your life, when their stop comes, tell them it’s time to get off!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

It never happened

I’ve never been a fan of insects, particularly flies, mosquitoes, and bees. They’re annoying yet impactful little bugs, that never seem to go away, no matter how many times you swat them. They’re constantly swarming around waiting to sting and bite you, and when they do, they quickly fly away leaving you in discomfort and pain. Sounds familiar? In life, you’re going to encounter a few bees and mosquitoes (people). Some of them will repeatedly stick you, while you’re left “stinging” from the attack, and wondering why they are always after you. Maybe it’s within their nature, then again, maybe they perceive you as the “threat.” Likely, it’s the latter. Although they may hurt you, you’ll soon get over it, and go on living your life as though it never happened.

No matter how many bees you encounter, ignore them. Eventually, they’ll go away.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

She’s gone

For the people that don’t know me, I’m glad you didn’t meet me prior to the change. I rarely like to talk about the old me, because it only angers the new me. At one point in my “former” life, I was an angel on the outside, but an enemy was on the inside. Everything that everyone did was so off-putting to me, and I was easily angered, not to mention aggravated. Although I would love to use my mental health issues and misfortunes as a scapegoat, unfortunately, that was all me. After a pivotal turning point in my life, and having had enough of my own attitude and unacceptable behavior, I vowed to do better. Not only did I do better, I became a completely better person. I cured my negativity with positivity, my altitude “checked” my attitude, and my mental health was addressed, as opposed to being neglected.

When God did a new thing in me, I did a new thing for Him. I now live to please Him and serve as a witness to others, to let them know how truly good God is! As expected, not many people were on board with my life changes. They’ve harshly stated that I’m “too preachy”, “too religious”, a “wannabe Christian”, and some even questioned how long would “this” last. My only response, “Now and forever more.” Although they’ve tried to hold me hostage to my past and constantly remind me of it, I counter by saying, “That’s who I once was, but that’s not who I am. If you are looking for that woman, you’ll never find her, because she’s gone!”

Just because you change, don’t expect others to.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Nothing they can do

It doesn’t matter what anyone does to try to stop your progression, set you back, or cause you to stumble. When God gets ready to bless you, there’s nothing they can do about it! Stop being afraid of what others can do to you, when there’s nothing God won’t do for you.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Total waste

There’s a reason for everything, although we often question what that reason is. Day in and day out, we selflessly pour into the lives of others, and do what we feel we are called to do, yet it all seems to be in vain. We walk the fine line between trust and doubt, but lately it seems we’re leaning towards the latter. We’d like to think our breakthrough is on the way, but is it really? Yes, it is! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been praying and working for months or years and haven’t seen any results. I can assure you, your hard work and good deeds were not a total waste, neither have they gone unnoticed!

The reward is coming, and so is your testimony!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Too late

Have you ever sat and thought about all the wild dreams you’ve had? From being a superstar to ruling the world, you didn’t care how grandeur or unattainable they appeared, because you were set on achieving them. Nothing nobody said or did could convince you that you weren’t going to fulfill your dreams, even if they told you, you wouldn’t. If you weren’t motivated before, their disbelief gave you all the motivation you needed, not only to succeed, but to prove them wrong. You’ve always known you were destined for greatness, and would someday be number one, but they didn’t, so you could see the reason for their miscount. Although you’re considered the underdog, you consider yourself having overcome, because you defeated the notion they had of you not winning. Like always, it doesn’t take long for your naysayers to realize your success. In droves, they’ll come out expressing their support, and expecting a front row seat, only to learn they don’t even have a reservation. They didn’t believe you when you told them it was going to happen, and now that they see it has, they want to get on board and be a part of the team, not realizing they’re too late!

Keep dreaming and believing, even if no one else does!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Holding cell

With the current world events and the things you’re battling personally and internally, it can sometimes feel as though you’ve been arrested and imprisoned by your problems, and that of the world’s. You’ve wept and hollered to be let free, yet you’re still locked behind troubled bars. The walls of your holding cell are slowly closing in on you, and you don’t know if you’ll ever get out. You can’t help but wonder if what you thought was a season, is actually a permanent sentence. I have some good news for you! You don’t have too much longer where you are, because God is about to bail you out!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue