He'll never leave you...

Hello Sisters & Brothers! I'd like to take a moment to thank you for giving me your undivided attention at this very moment. I know you could be doing other things at this time but you've chosen to glance this way. While I have your attention, I'd like to speak on the current season of my life. Some of you may or may not know that I was laid off over a month ago along with quite a few other trials. While I won't glorify my trials, I will glorify the treasure discovered. While going through this process, God has revealed quite a few things to me. He has shown me parts of myself, that I wasn't aware existed. He has also shown me what a confidante, constituent, and comrade actually is. Most importantly, he has shown me who HE is. Throughout this process I am learning that he is all I need. He is teaching me not to be completely co-dependent on my fellow sisters & brothers. He has shown me that people whether intentionally or unintentionally always fall short. This may be due to their own interests where they may not necessarily have the time to think of another. This may be due to simply refusing. It can be a variety of reasons but that's not what's important. The point that I'm trying to make is to learn to praise God & encourage yourself. It's taken me many nights of walking the floors alone with tears streaming down my face and anger threatening to enter my spirit/heart to finally realize that the purpose in this process was for me to be able to SEE WHO & WHAT was actually UNshakeable during my shaken foundation. I was told many years ago that I needed to improve on filtering through who I associate myself with. I've always been gullible when it came to the people that I've surrounded myself with. I've also been through several instances where I was repeatedly disappointed because I really didn't receive the same loyalty & support in return. This is not saying that you're supposed to do anything for anyone with an expectation of something in return but what I am saying is that a person who truly values you as a friend, will be there when the rest of the world has walked out. They'll be there even though they can & would rather be in alot of other places. I'd like to paint a picture with my words that was actually painted by my mother while having this discussion. There's a tree in the middle of a winter snow storm, every leaf has fallen off except that one special one that refuses to fall. The tree leans to the left....the leaf leans with it. The tree leans to the right...the leaf leans with it. Keep in mind that this leaf is having it's own battle with the winter winds but it holds on to that tree for dear life. This picture is a symbol of your TRUE confidant. He/She may have their own issues but they make the time to be supportive, adapt, and remain CONSISTENT. Its also like riding on the back of a motorcycle. You have to lean with the individual on the turns in order for the ride to go successful. If you don't, you will either run the risk of making the driver crash or you'll FALL OFF. Take note of the individuals that lean with you during your turns in life. When I say learn to lean with your confidantes, it means that if a person just wants a ear, LISTEN. It means that if they just want your presence, BE THERE. It can also means that if that person is in a season of silence, don't become angry, take it personal, or talk about it to everyone that'll listen. Respect it and try to understand that everyone deals with various issues differently. Take the ego out of the equation and walk in the spirit. There is a particular person that is a jewel to me. She has been consistent in her actions which has made huge impact in my life. While she may not know this, she has greatly impacted my view of what it means to be a true friend. As you read this, know that I appreciate you sending me biblical scriptures daily. I appreciate you leaving inspirational messages & calling even when I didn't/don't respond. You never forced yourself but you were consistent. It taught me to take a look at how I personally react when loving a person in a inconvenient environment. You even came by and knocked on my door, left a beautiful card & plant, even though I didn't answer the door and of course my car was parked outside but I was just too deep in depression to move and face the world. You didn't take it personal, you stood fast & continued to be a friend. I appreciate you and have been taught a tremendous lesson. As I walk on this journey, I am learning to include God into every aspect of my life. This includes parts of my life that I deem off limits from outside eyes. As I include him in every area, he adds the spirit of discernment and wisdom. This also includes the process of recognizing who & what is "counterfiet" & who/what is a "specialist". It is important that we surround ourselves with specialist aka people who specialize in blessing without selfish motives. It is required that we bless each other. I'm being blessed to bless others. Blessings aren't just monetary but it includes every positive aspect and characteristic of Christ. I've lately found myself checking myself by asking the questions of "What is my motive for befriending a person?" "How was my behavior during their darkest moments in life?" "Did I find myself manipulating them?" "Am I loyal to that friendship despite unfavorable or inconvenient circumstances?" I then turn it around and apply the same questions to the people I associate with. While the truth hurts at first, I find it liberating & it beats a lifelong lie any day. It teaches me to walk accordingly and deal with each individual in love yet without denial. Faith faces the circumstance with both eyes open. Many people can proclaim to be the sun in your life during the day hours but I've learned that it's best to pay close attention to the people who are the moon during your darkest nights. Let's learn to unselfishly love on each other and once we grasp that concept, we will immediately recognize the people around us that aren't genuine. I pray to God to continue to work on me and those that are meant to be with me on my journey. I thank God for having the everlasting arms that never grow tired. I thank God for sitting with me even when I'm not the most joyous person to be around. I thank him for always having time to comfort and talk to me even when I don't  do anything but cry and lay there. I also thank him for revealing to me what truly matters. I thank him for showing me that if noone ever called or came by to see me again, that I'd be ok. Learn that God is more than enough. Learn that even though people may let you down, he is always a keeper of his word. Learn to expect the best when depending on God because our best is in his hands and success is definitely in the plans. I am now at a place where, my worth doesn't lay in any relationship EXCEPT my creator. This means that even though people try to sometimes use,abuse, and manipulate you, it doesn't say anything about who you are but instead it says everything about who they are. Keep God first, & you'll never go wrong. This post went in a completely different direction than what I intended but I'm not irritated by it because that's how it usually works. My next post is coming very soon! Hopefully, it'll go in the direction that I have in mind but then again, it's not my will but God's. With all that said, thanks for listening. I hope that you've gathered something positive out of this & may you have a prosperous day/night.

Peace, Love, & Blessings,

Nata Bee

copyright © Renate' Bender