ç'est la vie RN

Author: c’est la vie RN

  • The right vantage point

    The right vantage point

    Earlier today, I was walking back and forth between the house and my vehicle trying to locate my headphones. They aren’t even Bluetooth y’all; They are the standard corded black pair that came with my Samsung…yes, I’m team android! I get upset when I cannot find things because I’m the only one in the house, so there is no one to blame but me. There are only so many spots I utilize within my home, and I have a somewhat rhythmic manner in where I place things within those spaces. Even if I have papers all over resembling chaos and disarray, I almost always know what is in each stack and where I should look if I need something. This was not the case with my headphones. Between my bedroom, my office, my living room, my purses, and my vehicle, I searched almost an hour!

    I went back into my office and had almost resolved to giving up. I knew the moment I would complete checkout for a new pair on Amazon, the old pair would miraculously appear. I plopped on the futon, letting out a huge sigh as I looked in disgust at all the things I pulled out from their designated places to try and find the headphones. I leaned back on a pillow, looking straight ahead, and there were the headphones. Neatly coiled and tucked between an open space in my level that was covered up by a box of highlighters.

    It made me think…We can have a high level of self-awareness. We can commit time and energy to try and secure that little accessory that will enhance our life. We’ll get frustrated and make an even bigger mess in our lives when we cannot find/obtain it. Sometimes all we have to do is sit, be still, and let the Lord guide us to see what only He can see, because He has the vantage point.

    “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13

  • Stage 7

    Stage 7

    Generativity vs Stagnation

    Lots of movement in a number of things this week. Also a reflection on why certain things are the focus at this particular time in my life. I remembered from nursing school that we talked about Erik Erickson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Stage 7 occurs during middle adulthood, ages 40-65. In this stage, an individual’s focus is centered on guiding the next generation life through career, family, and societal contributions. This includes activities such as parenting, mentoring, and community involvement. Successfully achieving generativity leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failing to do so results in stagnation, characterized by feelings of unproductiveness, disconnection, and a lack of personal growth. This stage is crucial for maintaining a sense of purpose and continuity in one’s life.

    Yep, that sounds about right. I have seen so many adults on social media recently share their discontent for their job search experiences for all of the reasons I’ve posted before, and more. It is taking people (most with education and experience) 6 months to a year to secure employment. According to the stage 7 definition above, it is clear how this can affect someone’s psychosocial development. In 4 days, I will have been 6 months unemployed. Praise the Lord for being Jehovah Jireh during this time by giving me provision and ensuring all of my needs are met! I still pray that he covers those in similar circumstance. It is so easy to find ourselves making decisions out of desperation or what we feel is most important in our lives.

    As this journey continues, my prayer remains to secure a position where my skills shine in a way that I can only give glory to the Creator and in an environment where I do not have to compromise my identity to function and maintain my well-being. I hope that whichever stage of life you are in, and wherever you are in your journey, you do not allow the enemy space to show up and perpetuate schemes that dictate over your mindset or relationships.

    “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” – James 4:7 NIV

  • Leaving things behind

    Leaving things behind

    Every year, I initiate the process of calling myself decluttering. My closet has gone surprisingly well. I donated lots of clothes, many with tags still in place. When it comes to my office, things get a little tricky. I have a set of books that have traveled with me from my late teens until now. The paper color has changed slightly, but they’re in perfect condition [hardcovers and binding included]. I have read most of them more than once. I know for certain I will not read them now or in the future. As I’m sitting here typing, I realize they are an attachment to a period of my life…kinda similar to the way certain cd’s can be the soundtrack to an event or experience. Speaking of which, I have over 200 stored in my garage in the age old case logic holders. If you were born 2000 or later, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about [unless your parent was a 70’s baby and passed down all the things].

    This weekend, I need to take all these books [Eric Jerome Dickey and Carl Weber collections included] to Half Price Books. One of the reasons I have hesitated is because I know it is unlikely I will get any money for these books. Subconsciously, I guess that conjures up a sense of devalue and reminds me I am aging. The folks at the store have no idea why I’m attached to these books. They care about whether or not the title or author is still popular. I guess it’s time to prune, to stop holding onto old things and make space for new things that are to come in and bear fruit my life. Unfortunately, this isn’t limited to books and clothes, it includes people, places, attitudes, ways of life…etc.

    In Philippians 3, Paul is sharing with them all he is doing to become more like Christ. He is aware that because of his flesh, he still has more to do. Then, he tells us what in fact he does do…(13-14 KJV)

    “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

    Because they say you should read verses in multiple versions to grasp the meaning, the NIV reads like this…

    “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

    It reads on to say “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things”. So let’s concede and be more like Paul. Have a great week, simply because God is good!

  • Time flies when you’re having fun

    Time flies when you’re having fun

    Do y’all believe it’s June already?!? The kids are out of school, probably already eating everything in sight and driving up light bills. June 1st was the official start of hurricane season. Temps are already blazing on the gulf coast; Only Lord knows how this is about to play out. I can’t believe it’s almost summer. As far as I’m concerned, we’re a wink from the 4th of July.

    This past weekend I was in San Antonio for the Texas Nurses Association conference. May I just share, there is a caliber of nurses whose calling is simply to inspire other nurses (thank you Rebecca Love and Kellie Bryant). Nurses in general, especially those at the bedside, typically focus on the art of nursing. There is so much more to our profession that makes it complex; For starters, being a huge entity of what sometimes feel like a circus in our healthcare landscape. The challenge is to bring more nursing voices to the places that are not the bedside but ultimately affect what happens at the bedside. This means getting more of us involved in policy (at all levels), in civic/non-profit boards, and becoming elected officials.

    There is also inspiration that comes from non-nurses at these conferences (Sarah DiGregorio). These are probably my most favorite speakers, because they remind me of how the depth of nursing is embedded in everyday life. Every single person will ALWAYS encounter a nurse for multiple occasions throughout their lifetime. I believe I previously shared that there is something I have simmering on a back burner. Sometimes it is difficult to know what we should or should not pursue. In this season of my life, I am being very intentional about asking God to order my steps and send me confirmation if I am moving in the right direction. I received that confirmation during the conference [more than once]. I am learning to trust the journey to the destination. Many times the Lord will show us the destination, keeping the intricate details to Himself. The journey, which can sometimes be treacherous, prepares us for the destination, and if we know the details of the journey, we may possibly opt-out [as God gives us free will]. This will only result in delaying or missing out on our blessing. Are you on a journey requiring you to exercise your faith muscle?

    Stop trying to control the process.

    Submit yourself to the Lord.

    Watch Him bring it all together.

    And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

  • My neck…my back

    My neck…my back

    Every now and again my body will remind me that I am indeed getting older. This past Saturday (May 25th) was my self-care Saturday. I had my regularly scheduled massage, a few other things and went about my day. That night, I fell asleep on the sofa. The weather has been quite spastic here in North Texas, but I will sleep through a thunderstorm like a baby. I carried on with my day Sunday, which was calming and uneventful. Monday morning I got up and my upper back and neck felt like bricks! It was actually a little painful. There was definitely a decrease in my range of motion and lots of tenderness. I was quite surprised, being I had a massage not even 48 hours prior. My therapist has told me before I may need to see a chiropractor to check on my body alignment, and I should stretch every morning.

    This made me think of how many of us want to do something only once, yet experience effects for the long haul. The truth is, the key to many things in life is consistency. Whether it be physical health, finances, spiritual well-being, or relationships, we are unlikely to experience the outcomes we desire without consistent behaviors. Not being consistent can contribute to us being frustrated, stuck, in pain, or unable to move. So here’s to stretching every morning, drinking more water, moving your body with intention, saying no to Amazon, saving a little something each payday, praying daily, spending quality time in God’s word, being kind even when the world doesn’t reciprocate, ending each day saying 3 things you’re grateful for that day, being vulnerable while maintaining boundaries, not being paralyzed by fear, and affirming every bit of who you are, in your strength and your weakness. In this moment, I’m so grateful that we have a God who is consistent!

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. – Hebrews 18:8 NLT

  • In the midst of a storm, He’s there

    In the midst of a storm, He’s there

    I was watching footage on the Weather Channel from the tornado in Iowa. There was a video clip of a woman. She was holding her baby in her friend’s basement when the stairs began to collapse on them. She said it was the only time she had ever prayed. She only spoke “Dear Lord”, then it was over.

    I am a strong believer that prophetic words and events often occur so we can receive the message at a time when it is most needed. This past Sunday we reviewed the passages in Mark 6 (45-52) where Jesus walks on water. Dr. Evans opened his teaching with an analogy (he’s good at these). He said a soaked sponge under pressure [when squeezed] will reveal what is on the inside, and sometimes God intentionally allows or causes pressure [trials] in our lives to grow us spiritually and build our faith. Just an observation right quick based on this analogy…if someone doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord but call on Him during their trial, He has to inhabit a space within them for His name to be the first they call when under pressure.

    A couple of things that stood out to me regarding those verses:

    • You can be obedient, operating under the will of God AND still be in a trial – Jesus instructed the disciples to cross the sea. They became stuck in the middle, fighting against the winds.
    • No matter the time, day or night, He sees us in our struggles – Jesus was watching them
    • The Lord can present Himself in unexpected ways. If you limit Him, you may miss Him – The disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water. They thought He was a ghost.

    I think I was in my late 30’s when I heard someone say that if you continue to experience the exact same trials over and over again, it’s because you’re not learning the lesson God is trying to teach you. My ultimate takeaway is we should be able to absorb God, know what He can do, and stand on that knowledge during our trials so that evidence of Him comes pouring out of us. No matter where you are in life and what you are facing, I pray you take a moment to remember when God clearly revealed Himself in the workings of your life. Bring this to the forefront during your next storm and remember the Lord walks on water!

    …But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” – Mark 6:50 NLT

  • Down in the basement

    Down in the basement

    Welcome to the Basement: An Upside-Down Guide to Greatness

    My first experience with basements was when I began visiting my family in Seattle as a young girl. In the New Orleans metro, we were already below sea level, so basements weren’t a thing. My dad’s basement was unfinished, dark and grimy; All the things that come to mind with the word basement. My aunt’s basement was the total opposite, a built out living and entertainment space. My grandma’s basement was a mix between the two. No matter what the basement looked like, it was obviously the safest place to be in the midst of a storm – within the foundation.

    Tim Ross aka Uncle (Tio) Tim has elevated the word basement. I believe it was someone from my spiritual growth group that asked me if I listened to Tim Ross’ podcast. This was maybe a year ago, and at the time, the answer was no. One day I decided to look him up on YouTube and found his podcast, The Basement. When watching that initial episode (I don’t remember which), I could instantly tell it was a psychologically safe space for people to be vulnerable. Tim’s responses to the audience let you know he was truly listening to understand, and even if his words were stern in return, they did not come across as judgmental. I remember seeing clips of Tim saying God gave him The Basement as an assignment. As I have come to learn more about him, the one thing that keeps me drawn to his videos is knowing he is a disciple of Jesus Christ and lives according to God’s word.

    I love that he is open and transparent, so when he released his book, Welcome to the Basement: An Upside-Down Guide to Greatness, I knew I had to get it to truly learn more and understand the basement concept. He details the vision he had at age 30. The description was so vivid, I felt like I was there! He concludes the vision by reminding us that Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and if we want to be closest to him, that means getting down to the basement. Tio Tim then shares a sentiment that I can so relate to in my current situation…Ain’t nobody got time to be living a self-conscious life to get to the top (where the world may or may not acknowledge you) and compromising your faith (and ignoring God’s will) on the way there.

    I think this book is for anyone who feels trapped, lost or out of place. Anyone who feels they are living out life “right” but persist with this nagging feeling that something is missing (that’s Jesus calling, by the way…). For anyone who has been let down by religion or cultural misappropriations of Christ and the Holy Bible and to those who have tried everything and everything has failed (but you have yet to try Jesus), this book is for you!

    For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, “The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” – Acts 4:11 NLT

    Do not be afraid to bring your dark and grimy things to the basement. The chief cornerstone invites us to come to Him and find rest; No act is too shameful, no burden is too heavy, no grief is too deep. He is our firm foundation and our anchor in the storm. He IS LORD of all.

    I have an extra signed copy of the book and accompanying workbook (by the author) to give away. Simply contact me via the let’s chat on the homepage.

  • Passing the baton

    Passing the baton

    Sunday, Anne Graham Lotz brought a powerful word to OCBF about passing down the legacy of faith and the gift of the gospel. Every now and again, my heart pulls me back to a gospel track from my childhood. I’ll get this feeling in spirit and say, “Oh, this is what they (the old folks) was talking about!” I have had the privilege of growing up in a family 5 living generations deep on my maternal side from the day I was born. My great-great grandmother lived through my early mid-teens. Her daughter’s (my grandmother’s mom) house was the family hang out after church. We did a portrait when I was about five of all the first daughters, from my great-great grandmother down to me (I’ll try to find out who has a copy and will insert it below later). Of course, I had to be the one to interrupt the generational first-daughter flow, and without children of my own, I do a lot of contemplating about who will I pass on my life lessons to. I have a plethora of nieces and nephews, but I think anyone who has children in this current generation can agree that they are…different. I can attest that after spending more than two decades being of the world, the foundation of my upbringing came back into focus. So, I think about my nieces, nephews, and cousins and I can’t help but wonder if their current state is a result of my generation being unsuccessful at creating an environment where they can see us living out our faith.

    It can be discouraging to know you came from a generation of believers, speakers and doers of God’s word, and somehow, it has less oomph than it ever had before, to the point of feeling that someday it may just disappear. After hearing that word yesterday, I KNOW for certain I need to do more to impact the future generations, especially for my own family. I was reminded of 2 Timothy chapter 1 where Paul encourages Timothy, affirming he comes from a line of faithful believers, and has the gift himself.

    For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:6-7 NIV)

    With so much chaos and spiritual warfare around us everyday, it can be disheartening. It is clear that we should keep our embers of faith re-ignited throughout our lifetime so that the ones who are watching can visually observe us living out God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are ready to re-dedicate your life to Christ, or need to learn more about what having salvation through Jesus Christ means, click here. Have a wonderful week!

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    Happy Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day is one of those holidays where greetings can go well or wrong with strangers. While we all can acknowledge we came from a womb, the nature of the relationship with our mothers may vary. Some people experience lifelong nurturing and kindness from their mothers, others were abandoned by their mother from day one, some moms are no longer with us, and some mothers voluntarily entrust the care of their biological child to another because they felt it was best for that child. Some women never desire to be mothers. Some women have experienced repeated losses attempting to bear children. Some women are brand new mothers and feel inept, while others long for the opportunity to deliver the fruit of their seed. There are even women who carry to the end of a pregnancy, only to lose their child. Of course, there are women who are moms (including grandmas, aunties, sisters, and friends) just doing the best they can with what they have been given.

    No matter which of these categories you fall in today, I pray for you to be blessed and experience God’s peace in whatever circumstance you may be.

  • Psalm 121

    Psalm 121

    I was experiencing a bit of annoyance earlier this week with the job hunt. It was mainly because I had not anticipated such difficulty with the job search, and it was not my intent to zero out all my resources before returning to work. Hence, the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” On Tuesday evenings, I attend choir rehearsal. This week, we practiced My Help, a song derived directly from Psalm 121 KJV. It helped me to remember that no matter what troubles I face, the LORD is always my protector. It also brought me back to a recent sermon where we learned God is our only source, every thing else is just a resource. He can change resources at any given time. And, it may not always present itself how we expect. I contemplated that evening on a prayer for continued faith.

    The next day, I came into a generous sum of money. When I tell you, God takes such good care of me…no lies! I know some of my family was not on the same level of understanding when I shared I was no longer working. Not having a job 4 months later, it’s almost like they want to say, I told you so. Well, He showed Himself and has given me confirmation through others to wait on what is for me. I am so glad that I can testify to His goodness and His promise for provision! It allows me to concentrate on being faithful, obedient, and a living example of God’s love. It is important to recognize that He never promised this life would be without challenges, but that He will always be with us, and we can bring any situation or concern to Him. For many of us, that requires a great deal of humility. For some reason, we have the tendency to want to journey through life by our own power.

    As we head into the 1st week of May, I  want to encourage you to either start or continue believing the LORD for whatever you have entrusted to Him. Also, be open to hearing from and moving as instructed by the Holy Spirit, knowing that His ways are not our ways, and only He knows about tomorrow.