Barbara and Jane have been friends for years, and no matter how many arguments or disagreements they’ve had, they refused to let anything come between them….well, anything but success. You see, Barbara is more successful than Jane. Let’s pretend for a moment, that money equates to success (in some people’s eyes, this is true). Barbara is now higher up in the company, although they both started out at the bottom of the totem pole.
Prior to the promotion, both ladies struggled to make ends meet and worked tirelessly to climb their way up. Application after application, they applied and were denied! They always stated that if one was to come up before the other, they’d extend the hand to pull the other up. One day, God blessed Barbara with the opportunity of a lifetime, Chief Executive Officer. What a come up, but I don’t think anyone was more happy for Barbara, than her good friend Jane.
Regardless of the power shift, they both remained good friends and continued to work well together. One day, Jane decided to pursue her dreams of becoming her own boss, and opened her writing business. Barbara told Jane that she’d do whatever she can to help her advance, because she wanted to see her succeed. At first business was slow and although she wanted to give up, Jane continued to push through, because she knew that “There were NO shortcuts to success”!
Jane asked Barbara to allow her to do a presentation to the company, but it would be a separate charge, and not considered a part of her salary. Barbara obliged and was “thrilled” to do whatever she could to help. Days, weeks and months went by, and Barbara didn’t make good on her word. Unbeknownst to Jane, she’d get her opportunity of a lifetime, her very first PAID speaking engagement (plus two others lined up)…..that included a book signing. She was so thrilled, because her business was taking off, which meant more money for her.
Needless to say, not everyone was happy, especially Barbara. You see, she knew of Jane’s gifts and there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that she would do well and be successful, just as long as she wasn’t more successful than her. Barbara didn’t forget to ask the company to allow Jane to do a presentation, in fact, she deliberately didn’t ask, because she knew it would open up doors for Jane. However, what she failed to realize is, she couldn’t hold Jane back, because God was pushing her FORWARD!
In case you haven’t realized by now, I’m Jane, and at some point, you probably were too! A lot of people claim to be your friend or rally in your corner, but secretly, they want you to remain on their level or lower. They’re envious and openly express their disgust of you climbing higher up the ladder of success, over them. They’ll pull, tug and grab on you in an attempts to bring you down, so you’re unable to climb any higher than them.
However, what they fail to realize is, God is the LADDER and there’s NOTHING they can do to stop Him from catapulting you higher! I’ll never understand why someone would want to hinder my success or cause me to become stagnant, because they are fearful of me being “better” than them. I will never forget Barbara’s ulterior motives, or what she potentially thought she could gain by not helping me, but no matter what, I’m going to keep climbing! One day, I’ll “look down” at her, and say, “It’s been awhile. You should ‘come up’ and visit”!
Until next time my NOTE takers!
Writefully yours,
Deetra La’Rue
