Tag: wait

On the right path

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

A year ago, I wanted to quit my job. Although I love what I do, it was no longer fulfilling to me. My energy went from a ten to a 4, and I started to question what was I doing “this” for. However, because of the nature of my job and the fact that so many people depend on me and rely upon my energy to get them going, I kept going. But, my love for something else kept me going after it. Therefore, I applied for job, after job after job. Although I didn’t expect to get all of them, I did think I had at least one in the bag. However, the only thing that was in my bag, was the ever growing letters of denial I had received.

“Are you serious”? Is what I kept asking, because there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt, that I wasn’t going to get one offer. After all, how could I not, when I was more than qualified. I was so upset and hurt, to say the least, because I just knew I was on my way out. But, I couldn’t leave, because God needed me to stay. Not just for my students, but for the person who was on their way to me. Unaware of any of this, I still fought to leave. Besides, I felt I had done my due diligence and it was time to head in a different direction. Sad to say, the only direction I was headed to, was back into my office. I felt defeated! So, I just resigned to the idea that I must be there for a reason.

Many months ago, I met this individual who is in a really bad situation. Regrettably, this person had taken a few wrong turns too many, and ended up in a place I’m sure no one would want to be. After getting to know this individual on a more deeper level, I saw the guilt, hurt and pain, not only as remorse for what was done, but what was done to said individual. Not knowing what else to do, I immediately went into counsel mode. Although what this person had done was senseless, after a couple of months of talking, it all made sense to me. The reason I couldn’t flee, was because this person needed me!

Had I left when I did, we would’ve never crossed paths, and I wouldn’t have positively impacted this individual, let alone changed their life for the better. Ultimately, they didn’t know better existed or how to do anything right, because for the majority of their life, all they knew and did was wrong. And damn wrong at that! As a result of the crossing of our paths, I’ve gained a life-long friend and someone who has helped me to recognized some things in myself, that I thought I had confronted and resolved. Sometimes I question, “What would’ve happened had I left”?

I’m sure I will never know, but one thing that I do know, God knows exactly what He’s doing. Just because you see an open path, doesn’t mean you’re supposed to take it. You may be in a similar situation as I was. You are trying your best to get out, because your next best thing is waiting for you down the road. However, God can see further down the road, while our sight is limited to what’s in front of us. In other words, we can’t see what He can. There maybe something down the line that could potentially hurt you or put you in a place far worse than the one you’re in. I know you want to leave, but be still, because you are on the right path! When the time comes, He’ll move you!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Every step counts

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

There’s nothing more aggravating than trying to assemble something, that’s come with a thousand and one pieces. We all dread reading the ever confusing thick “white booklet”, also known as the instructions. Before we even allow ourselves the chance to fully read it, let alone follow it, we quickly try to do it on our own. “I got this”, we say. Well, a migraine and a few hours later, we’re elated and proud of ourselves for completing the assembly. As we try to put it to use, we realize it’s not working. We’re dumbfounded, because we know for a fact we did everything right, so we’re not sure where we went wrong. Although we’d like to think we dotted every “i” and crossed all t’s, we forgot one very important thing…. to follow all the steps. Because of our impatience and urgency for wanting things now (and I’m talking right now), we’ll skip steps 2-5 to get to 6, when 2-5 are most critical to us. It’s during these steps that we learn what we need to complete the process.

Do you often find yourself hurrying to the next phase, by jumping over steps, because you simply can’t wait? Don’t worry, we’re in this thing together! Take a marriage for example. Typically, before you marry, you go through the dating phase. Here, you learn each other, and share your likes, dislikes, etc. Next, (if all goes well) you meet what could possibly be your best friend or your worst enemy, “the family”. At this point, you’re about to determine if you’re going to run to the altar or for your life. LOL! All jokes aside, this step is important, because if you’re planning a future with someone, you want to know what you’re getting yourself into. Once you pass this step, it’s smooth sailing…until you encounter a riptide: living together. This is important for a lot of people, because they want to know if they are able to co-live with their partner, if they’re clean, leave the seat up, and so forth. In other words, do I really want to get married to you!

Lastly, you’ve made it to the homestretch, the final step, marriage. Do understand that although a lot of people will make it here, they won’t stay. When they skipped steps 2-5, they failed to get what’s required to not only help them reach step 6, but to stay there. In most cases, this doesn’t apply to everybody, because I’m sure there are plenty of couples who went straight from the first date to the courthouse. Although this is particularly not about marriage, and is probably not a good analogy, I can only hope you see what I’m trying to convey: have patience! It’s so easy to become antsy and want to rush to see what’s next. So much so, you end up skipping the line, when you needed to wait your turn. Remember, every step counts, so please take your time and wait!  

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

Wait on the promise

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I don’t know which is worse, waiting on something to happen or waiting on someone to make it happen. Either way, I can be pretty antsy at times and hate to be kept waiting, especially considering the length of my wait time. The uncertainty of whether or not I’ll get what I want hoovers over my head like an aircraft, but when I look up and see who’s flying, my doubts starts to wither away. In past situations, I’ve moved too quickly, when I all I needed to do was slow down and “be still”. Besides, my hastiness never got me anywhere. I learned all to well, that if what you are seeking to do is not of God’s will, then it won’t get done! It doesn’t matter how bad you want it or how much you petition God for it, if He didn’t promise it, you won’t receive it, regardless of whatever it is. And sometimes, it’s best that we don’t get “it“. Getting what we want versus having what we need, makes all the difference in the world. I don’t care how impatient you are or how discouraged you get, thinking “it’s” never going to happen. It will, but all in God’s timing. His promises are still good! All we have to do is wait on Him!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

While you wait

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

You had a vision, then you wrote it and now you’re waiting to watch it unfold. Because you’re afraid it’s going to pass you by, you sit and do absolutely nothing. First, what’s yours is not going to miss you or pass you by. Second, the time you’re spending doing nothing, should be used to make your vision a reality. I hate to burst your bubble, but success is not going to fall in your lap. Sure, you’ve planted the seed, but you can’t expect to reap the harvest, if you didn’t do any work to get it. Besides, the only way your plan will come to fruition, is if you plan out what you’re going to do, instead of just waiting on “it” to happen.

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

The Arrival

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Get ready to sprout, because it’s your time to come out! I am finally out in the open, because for the longest no one could see me. But, it was all a part of His plan. He kept me hidden, because He knew I was not ready to be revealed. One, I had a little bit more “growing” to do, and two, it just simply wasn’t my time to be “picked”. There’s a reason and season for everything, and mine has just arrived!

You may feel picked over or as if you’re not getting any exposure, but soon you will emerge! Trust the process, but most importantly, trust the Planter!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

The Layover

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

I’m stuck, and I have been for quite some time now

As each day passes, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever board

Or will I continue to experience yet another delay?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind waiting, because I’m for certain it’s for a very good reason

It has to be, after all, I’ve been waiting on it for years

However, I’d like to know what’s so “special” that it’s taking me years to get

I’m exhausted, and at this point, I’m tired of sitting still

I’m ready to fly, no better yet, soar…..

But I can’t, because for some reason God is keeping me grounded

Who knows, maybe He’s protecting me from casualty, but it’s not like I haven’t flown before

So I don’t understand what the big deal is……or maybe I am the big deal

Because of my fragileness, He knows I’ve got to be handled with extreme care

Therefore, He won’t just trust anything to carry His most precious cargo

But, that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m stuck!

What’s crazy is that, no matter how hard I’ve tried to take flight

My plans somehow manage to get derailed and I’m left wondering what I did wrong

Because in my eyes, I did all that I knew how right

Truth be told, I’m over this sh…….and, I AM READY TO GO!

Hello Pilot (God)? Are you there? What’s the hold up?

You’ve had more than enough time to get this thing going, so why am I still here?

What is it? You don’t trust me? Are you afraid that I’ll try to takeover

Just as I’ve done all the other times and crash and burn?

So, rather than keep me from calling for an unnecessary SOS

You jump right in and save me

In fact, You’ve always saved me……especially from what I thought was best for me

I’m so glad You thought more for me, than I did myself, and had I done things my way

I would’ve never witnessed this journey, let alone enjoyed it

As I reflect and look at things from Your perspective, I’m exactly where You want me to be

You’ve placed me in a position of preparation, making sure that everything is just right

And from the looks of it, my wait won’t be much longer

I’ll be connecting soon, and until then, I’m going to sit still, be patient and enjoy the layover

For almost twelve years, I’ve been working for the same company. Although it has its ups and downs, I enjoy what I do and being of service to others. Within the past year and a half, I’ve realized the position I’m in is no longer one I wish to hold. I’ve tried relentlessly to “take flight”, but for reasons unknown, I’m still there. There’s an immense feeling of suffocation, fright and frantic thoughts of being “stuck”. I don’t know why I can’t move, but I do know who I’m there for and what I’m there for.

Although I’d like to be flying to my next destination, God is simply saying, “Not yet”. I’ve realized I’m in a period of layover, and no matter what I do, I’m never going to move, until He says so. You may be in a similar position and are overwhelmed with feelings of being stuck, but I can assure you, you aren’t. Be patient, and understand that like me, God is preparing you for the flight you’ve always dreamed of!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Wait! You’re not finished yet! (You’ve been planted) Pt. III

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

“I see leaves”! Beautiful, shiny, waxy, bright green leaves! However, there are no petals attached. You’re almost out, but things aren’t quite “rosy” yet. You’ve made progress for sure, but something’s still missing….nurturing. You were given something very powerful, but because of your negligence, you can’t come to full term!

“But, I’ve watered it”? So you keep saying, but it’s going to take more than water for you to come to life. Have you ever considered your “growth” may be stagnant, as a result of your inattentiveness and lack of care? Like many others, I’m pretty sure you thought you were just going to drop a few specks of “water” on your seed, come back in a few days and expect to see flowers. Sorry, but growth doesn’t work like that!

You’ve got to go through a nurturing process, and if you don’t know anything about agriculture, understand this, water alone won’t cause anything to grow! Talk to your seed (yourself)…show it love and speak its existence, “into existence”. Come on now, you can’t expect Him to do all the work! Besides, He planted you, but if you don’t want to experience growth, a seed you shall remain!

It’s dark, you’re lonely and scared, probably frustrated too, but you’ve got to remain put! Just think, you started out as a tiny seed, now look how far you’ve come “from the ground” up! Your roots are strong, leaves have been established, but you’ve still got quite a ways to go. No doubt about it, you’re gonna bloom, but you’re still not ready yet! Stay grounded for just a little while longer…I promise you, you’re going to emerge soon!

Until next time my NOTE takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Can’t hardly wait

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Sometimes I can’t stand the fact that I’m so “impulsive”, as one of my students so kindly (insert sarcasm) put it. “Mrs. B., sometimes I feel like you don’t have any patience with us, because you seem to be in a hurry a lot”, was the words my student boldly said to me. For once, I didn’t argue, because I know how I can be in a bit of a “rush” at times.

I’m not sure why though, because it’s not like I’m racing with someone, in hopes of beating them across the finish line. I’m the type of person who knows exactly what I want and will stop at nothing to get it, but it’s the waiting to get it that makes me antsy. If I don’t get what I want when I want it, then I start to take matters into my own hands, and try to speed up the process.

However, it’s sometimes what we go through in the “process” that prepares us for what we’re waiting for. I have a lot of goals, dreams and aspirations that I have yet to fulfill, and I find myself sitting wondering why they haven’t been attained. It’s not that I’m lazy or don’t put in the work to get what I want, but maybe God doesn’t think I’m ready to be where I want to be……just yet!

Hence, enduring the process to get to the outcome, which sometimes means waiting. It sucks, but at the same time, I know it’ll be worth it in the end. I’ve learned a big lesson out of this all, and it’s when I can’t hardly wait for something and try to rush my way through, I often end up not getting the outcome I desperately wanted. It pays to just keep still and be patient!

Until next time my Note takers!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue

Cinderella ain’t dead!

Posted on by Deetra La'Rue

Keep dreaming….happy endings still come true! ~Deetra La’Rue

I’m a hopeless romantic, sometimes a little too hopeful, strung out on the idea of being in love.  There was a point in time in which I thought I was, but the idea quickly faded, soon after he did. I can remember experiencing what I thought to be my Prince Charming, however, he lacked the charm and was anything but royal. As a child, I’ve always been fond of fairytales, and found myself caught up in planning my own happy ending.  Cinderella and Ariel were two of my favorites to watch, but I didn’t like the fact that those Princesses didn’t look like me, in fact, none of them did. It wasn’t until I saw the Princess and the Frog, and finally realized that brown girls can be of royalty too!

I’ve been entangled in a couple of failed “situations”, in which I thought I had my knight and shining armor.  Even though they didn’t turn out as planned, I still raced to sleep at night. After my prayers and talk with God, I closed my eyes and watched the movie reel of my love life, but when I awakened, my fairy god-mother is nowhere to be found. But, I still continue to dream, because I know there is a man out there for me, and one day soon, I’m going to get my happy ending. I know that the cartoons and movies like to sell viewers what they call the “fantasy life”, because they think it’s the closest to what we’ll get to real.

Besides, they think a woman being “swept off her feet” is nothing but a figment of one’s imagination or just a really sweet “dream”. However, I know Kings and Queens do exist, and our significant other is waiting for the day we cross paths. Unfortunately for us, sometimes we allow our impatience to get the best of us, that we go seek the very thing or person, God says is supposed to find us. We’re exhausted, lonely, single and most of all, tired of watching others live happily ever after. Immediately, our thoughts begin to get the best of us, because we can’t understand why their dreams are coming true, and we’re still sound asleep.

Rather than sit still, we become huntsmen and lie in the cut, waiting to attack our prey. Days, months and years go by, and still no “kill”. The moment we give up is the moment we realize why we haven’t caught anyone…..it’s because WE ARE the prey! Men are supposed to hunt for us! In all honesty, that’s why a lot of times we experience some heartache and pain, is because we go and “find” the man we think is right for us, when he’s anything but. Dam*it, we want our happy ending, and we’ll do whatever it takes until we get it, except WAIT!

I know you may be lonely, in need of companionship, watching all your friends get married and have babies, but you can (and will) have it too! You’ve got to be faithful and know that God’s timing is going to be the right time for you! What you see others being blessed with, is because God said it’s their time. Don’t miss out on great opportunities or allow life to pass you by, because you’re too busy obsessing over finding the perfect man. I spent many if not all, of my twenties trying to “find” my husband, when I should’ve been trying to find myself!

I didn’t know who I was until I entered into my thirties, and I’m so finally happy to have met my acquaintance. Silly, right? In all reality, I’m so happy for this “alone time”, because I have so many business endeavors, PLENTY of time to write and work on my goals, as well as being able to travel and go as I please. Let’s be honest, if I were married or in a relationship with children, I wouldn’t be able to go so freely, because my time would have to be spread out equally. That’s why I don’t really stress about love anymore, because I know when the time is right, it’ll (he) find me! Ladies enjoy your me time and keep dreaming, because happy endings still come true!

Writefully yours,

Deetra La’Rue