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

Angry with God

Quite often, I receive text messages, phone calls, and “notes” of thanks, from people stating how my posts have made a difference in their lives, inspired, or motivated them. While I am appreciative of the love and don’t mind the admiration, I also don’t mind sharing that, I’m not responsible for anything written on this blog. What you read is not a result of my creativity, but God’s ability to work through me, to not only bring hope, but people closer to Him. Some people have become estranged from God, because He didn’t answer a prayer, allowed their parent or child to get sick, didn’t stop them from losing their job, didn’t prevent a catastrophe from happening, or won’t end the pandemic, and the list goes on.

However, I can go on and on about how, “God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think of”(Ephesians 3:20). It doesn’t matter what it is, He can do it. It doesn’t matter what your situation looks like, He can change it. It doesn’t matter what you need, He can provide. It doesn’t matter what you did, He forgives. It doesn’t matter who you were, He only cares about who you are. Whatever your gripe is, don’t be angry with God. Whatever you’ve lost will be given to you again…times a hundred-fold. Just think, if Job can lose everything he had but his mind, and still praise God, why can’t you?

If your situation looks bad to you, ask God what He thinks? I guarantee, He’ll think it’s nothing He can’t handle!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

In Flight

In 8 days, I’ll be vacationing in Jamaica. I can’t begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to my trip, not to mention the flight. Maybe it’s just me, but I love being up in the air. My favorite seat is next to the window, and if I’m not in it, l ask my neighbor if they mind changing, while hoping and praying they say yes. The fluffy clouds and sunny blue skies are so peaceful and serene, and I could get used to being up high, seeing that I’m already on my way up. I’ll admit, even though I love flying, it can be a bit of a drag at times, when I’m sitting for long periods of time, anxiously waiting to land.

While many of you have already landed at your destination in life, most of us are still in flight. We’ve questioned whether or not God has canceled our flight, or had a change of plans, because we’ve experienced quite a few delays and overlays. We’re ready to land, unpack, and settle, but God won’t let us, because it’s less than what He has. I don’t know about you, but I want more, and He is the God of that. It may take me another year to arrive, and even if it does, I’d still be right on time.

It doesn’t matter who “takeoff” ahead of you and land first, don’t become so worried about someone else’s flight, that you miss yours!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

The God of suddenly

Have you ever gone through a period in your life, where you feel like nothing was going right? If it wasn’t one thing, it was another? When it rained it poured? Nothing you did to get ahead worked, and no matter how many steps you took forward, you only appeared to be pushed back? You’re still in the same place you were last year, and regardless of the numerous prayer requests, late night cries, and screams for God to help, you somehow managed to go unnoticed? Perhaps, you’ve given all you have to propel you to the next level of success, but even that’s not enough. Oh, but it is!

The things you’ve long sought after, are going to come suddenly and unexpectedly. God has heard every cry and collected every tear in a bottle, so all that you’ve done, was not for nothing. It was used to build and prepare you for the position God has for you, but before you could take your rightful place up high, you had to first go to a place of complete trust and reliance upon God. Besides, if you didn’t have Him, you’d think you did it on your own, and wouldn’t have a need for Him. Truth of the matter, we all need Him. I don’t care who you are or what you do, nothing that you have is a direct result of anything you did.

Just as God turned water into wine, fed 5,000 with ONLY 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, He can turn your situation around suddenly! Don’t think that just because it hasn’t happen, it won’t. You’ve got to give Him time to do it, and trust that He will!

Sooner than later, you’re going to have everything you’ve been praying for. It’s already making it’s way to you.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Growing Season

Farmers probably have one of the most difficult and laborious jobs there is. As day breaks and before dawn ends, they work tirelessly in the fields, planting, plowing and sowing seeds. No amount of sweat, heat, or pain, can weaken their stride, because they know it’s all a part of the process. After weeks of planting, they sit, watch, and patiently await, to yield results. There may be periods of no growth, due to droughts and harsh elements, but faith and persistence gives them hope. Sometimes, the payoff can be quick, but oftentimes, the return can take longer than expected. Either way, they don’t lose sight of the promise, even if they don’t see anything happening. While our perception can fool us, the truth remains, growth is inevitable, so it’s only a matter of time before the harvest comes.

Just as you’ve planted and sown seeds, you too shall reap. Things take time, and once time is up, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve endured the growing pains, now’s the time for seasons of growth. Get ready, and prepare for the overflow!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Out of alignment

Many, many years ago, I, along with some family members, were in a bad car accident. We were injured and pretty sore, but thank God I survived to tell it. Some days following, if not a week, I had to go to a Chiropractor for therapy. My neck was stiff and sore, and I could barely move it, but my back required the most attention. I can remember very vividly, a constant burning sensation, followed by pain, that started from the top of my shoulders, moved down my spine, and ended at the lower part of my back. In other words, my back was bent out of shape and required realignment.

I was reluctant to go, because I could barely tolerate the pain, let alone being put through more. I’ll admit, I was not a happy camper, because those sensory treatments I received, felt like thousands of tiny ants eating away at my back. I had to frequently use cold compress packets, and although they gave me relief, they didn’t give me what I needed. This continued for weeks, and once complete, I was thankful to resume my normal activities, and the adjustment to my back, was just what I needed. Just think, had I not been realigned, I probably wouldn’t be able to stand up straight or sit down without discomfort.

I love storytelling, and although you might question the need for this one, let me tell you the moral of it. When we are out of alignment with what God has called us to do, we will experience pain and discomfort. It can last for weeks, months, and years even, but until we do what we’re required to do, the longer it’ll take for God to give us relief. If you’re tired of your life being bent out of shape, and you want to get over the hump, God is the perfect adjustor! Get into alignment, and watch Him move!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Peaceful Past

Oftentimes, I sit in awe and smile at how far I’ve come. Not just financially and physically, but my overall development. I used to be grief stricken over anything negative that happened to me. I would sit and harbor resentment over what was, and that kept me ill-prepared for what was coming. If God closed a door, I cried, and tried my best to pry it back open. If I applied for a job and didn’t get an interview or the position, I cried, wishing they’d call to say, “We made a mistake.” If people walked away from me, I cried, and wondered what I’d done wrong, when God had removed them to make my traveling light. When an phenomenal opportunity would pass me by, I cried, because I just knew it was for me.

I was bitter for many years, because I kept grieving over things I’d lost, but had no control of. I was carrying around the weight of my past, not realizing, it was holding me back from my future. I held new relationships to old relationship standards, until the new had now become old, because there was a constant comparison between the two. My attitude was poor towards almost everything, until I realized the one thing that I needed to do, make peace with my past. When my attitude towards what happened changed, the biggest change occurred, which was me! I might not be happy with how a lot of things transpired, but I’m happy I was able to finally find my peace.

You’ve cried enough! Stop grieving over failed friendships, relationships, and closed doors, because God is about to open things up for you.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

Too crowded

I’m am extremely claustrophobic, and have a constant fear of being trapped. If I’m on the elevator and more than 3 people join me, I’ve got to get off, even if it isn’t my stop. I cringe every time I drive to Atlanta, because I’m almost always stuck in rush hour traffic, which makes me nervous, as my eyes become zoned in on the car behind me and ones besides me, as I watch them slowly box me in. “I don’t know why people want to live here, because it’s way too crowded,” is what I’d often say, while praying God opens up another lane. My breathing become heavy and palms slip off the steering wheel from sweat, because I just know at any moment, someone is going to hit me. As I quote scriptures and sing hymns (don’t judge me), I let out a sigh of relief, as traffic starts to move, and I quickly move out of the way.

If we’re not too careful, sometimes our lives can become too crowded, when we allow everyone and everything in. Always wanting to be superwoman/man, we take on a lot, because we feel we can do it all, when all we’re doing is hurting ourselves, and creating issues that can be avoided. Isn’t it amazing how it takes everything in us to say no, yet it also takes everything out of us, when we say yes? I always thought I could do a million things at one time, until it took one time for me to realize, I’m not as strong as I think. I know when I’ve had enough, and more importantly, I know when things have become a little too much for me.

It’s okay to say no, and not feel guilty for doing so. Don’t allow your “cape” to create space you don’t have. When things become crowded, don’t just sit there, move!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

What happens in between

That space in between the dream and the promise, requires patience and constant prayer. You can not grow weary or allow fear, anxiety, and the unknown, to cause you to miss out on the promise. You can’t afford to sit idle either, but instead prepare yourself to be in position to receive God’s promise, because He won’t give you something you aren’t ready for. If that be the case, you’d end up mismanaging your blessings, and become so overwhelmed, that you end up asking God to take back what He gave. The interim can be a lonely place, but it’s also the place that promotes change. If you want God to change your circumstances, change your attitude towards waiting.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue

More to the story

It is with a heavy heart, that I regret to inform you all, I did not get the job. After much prayer and expectation, I was not the person they chose, or even considered. To think, I was so for certain I was the chosen one, and although I still am, I was just not the “one” for the job. Mentally, I was exhausted and overwhelmed from the disappointing news. However, I knew that even though another door had closed on me (again), it further confirmed to me that a new one still remained to be opened. It can be so frustrating waiting for something that you’ve been promised, but it’s also comforting knowing that once the promise is fulfilled, the time it took to get it won’t compare to the joy you have, from receiving it.

I know there are so many positions that I’ve yet to hold and doors I’ve yet to walk through, but I know when the time is right, I’ll get what’s rightfully mine. Rather than sit and wait with disappointment, I choose to wait anticipating that my best is yet to come. While others would consider delays to be more of a setback, I just consider them to add more to my story. God is not finished with me yet, but when He is, I’ll have a lot to tell! I know that where I am, is not my stopping point, but the turning point to something very beautiful!

Don’t grow tired from doing what you’re doing, because whatever it is you are doing, it’s the right thing to do! It may take you years to see your destiny fulfilled, but don’t allow temporary delays, to convince you to stay somewhere you aren’t permanently meant to be.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Deetra La’Rue