Change Your Method...Change Your Results

A couple weeks ago, one of my son's friends came to me with a delimma. She needed to pass a PT test for school, but was struggling with the sit-ups. She asked if I'd spend some time with her getting her core stronger. Sure!

We're at the gym, and I ask her to demonstrate the form they're to use for the sit-ups. She also explained the rules - feet can't come up and arms have to touch thighs when you come up. She struggled doing 3 and needs to complete 38 in 1 minute. After a few tries and some additional core exercises, I thought I'd give it a try.

I asked her to sit on my feet and set the timer. I confirmed the rules with her as well. Instead of grabbing my shoulders with my arms crossed like she did, I crossed my arms and rested my hands on my upper arm. I was able to complete 43. We switched spots. She tried the same method. This time, she was able to complete 5 without pulling herself up by grabbing her legs!

Someone may be thinking...well you're probably in better shape than she is. That may be true. But sometimes the issue is our form or the method we're using! You may know how to say a prayer, but what's the positioning of your heart when you seek God in prayer? You may have had the same experience that your friend is venting to you about, but is now the right time to tell her about what you did? Or should you just listen, quietly praying for Godly wisdom in responding?

I'm sure so many things can apply here. My encouragement to you, my sisters, is if you have the tools but can't seem to fix it, try using the tools a different way. It may simply be how you're "holding the screwdriver that's causing the screw to go in sideways". Take a breath. Assess the situation and what you're working with. And don't be afraid to switch it up!

Be blessed, 

Tee ❤

Favor in Your Fight

Early into my 5-mile run this morning, I heard very clearly:

There is favor in your fight.

I was like...hunh? Then I found myself having a conversation with myself in my head. My response to that was - but isn't the battle the Lord's? I thought he was fighting my battles, and I was just to be still?

I shook it off and kept running. While sitting at my desk, I read someone's post in a group about (I'm paraphrasing) not wanting to get up. Not wanting to do their workout. Not wanting to deal with humidity. But...in the end they were glad that they did.

We will never know what the finish will be if we don't "fight". A fight isn't always violent. A fight can simply be a struggle - with someone, with something, or even with YOURSELF! We have to not be so quick to "get out of the ring" before the bell sounds. Pray for endurance. Pray for Him to sustain us and give us wisdom, knowing that at some point and some way, He's going to give us the tools necessary for the victory. The favor is already IN it. We just have to have faith and see the favor in our FIGHT!

Be blessed, 

Tee <3

Daily Push 5.4.17

Things may not always be as we want them to be. But trust...God has them working according to His plan and His timing. Trust, commit to, and embrace the process.

Lay Aside Every Weight…Not So Fast!

As a runner, I have long runs and short runs as part of my training. I had a long run planned for this past Saturday, and I awakened to a temperature in the low 30s. I got dressed and put on my warm pants, and I also had a 16.9 oz bottle of water, my “protection”, cell phone, and fuel goodies in the pockets. The course was unfamiliar to us. We noticed there were several inclines…and even rolling hills. While running the route, I felt weighted down with all the “stuff” I was carrying. I felt like it was slowing me down at one point. I said to myself that I wished I would have left things in the car because they were heavy and causing me to slow down.

 I continued to move. I had a 10-mile run on deck. During the run, I heard the scripture so clearly, “Lay aside every weight and run the race…” (Hebrews 12:1-2). But just as I heard that, the Lord spoke to me and made my “weight” clear to me:

Your “protection” is for your safety.
Your water is to keep you hydrated.
Your phone is in case of emergency.
Your goodies are your sustenance.

When I shifted my focus from my “stuff” to my “purpose”, I began to pick up the pace. I knew that everything I had ON me was good FOR me! Some weight is necessary – to build you up, to protect you, to sustain you, to make you stronger, to KEEP you!

I encourage you to pray for discernment about the weight you’re carrying during this “race” called life. Lay aside frustration, negativity, worry, depression, idle chatter – those things will keep you from moving forward and crossing the finish line. Carry that right weight knowing that He’s with you every step of the way. It may be a struggle at first, but in the end, you will be bigger, better, faster, and stronger…on, with, and for purpose!

Be blessed!
Tee

A Little Push...

I started running earlier this year and taking it seriously. I started with a 5K in March and have run about 10 races since then, including my first half marathon on yesterday. Along the way, I've learned that runners are a different breed of people. While you will run across a rude, ignit one at some point, runners (for the most part) have big hearts and a strong desire to help their fellow runner.

While running the half marathon on yesterday, my legs started shaking badly around 12.76 miles (half marathon is 13.1 miles). I stopped to walk. Before I could walk a third step, a lady grabbed my arm and said, "Come on. We've come too far to stop now. We are almost there." Armband falling off and all, I started back running. She put my armband back on (tight like a blood pressure cuff), and we were moving...side by side. The moment I got a glimpse of the finish line, it was my turn to push her. I grabbed her hand and said, "Now you've got to go with me!" We sprinted to the finish line. Between her "oh Gods" and cheers of "that's it...teamwork" from others, we finished strong! We embraced at the finish, and thanked each other.

In your "race", you may go so far and feel like you can't go anymore. You may get feeble and feel like you just have to slow down or even stop. But it is at this moment that He will send someone to lift you up and help you make it to the finish line! And that someone may very well be someone you don't know or will never see again!

Be encouraged,
Tee

Believe...

A couple weeks ago, I was on my way to a store for a friend who was home ill. I was going to pick them up some meds and food. As I got in my car, it wouldn't start. I was able to give myself a jump twice, but then decided to take my niece's car to run the errands. Later in the day, I thought I'd try to jump my car again. This time, it wouldn't turn over. I ended up purchasing a new battery to no avail, and ended up having my car towed to the dealership the next day.

Due to the weather, the dealership was unable to take a look at my car until later in the week. They were unable to diagnose the problem and sent my car to another dealership. After their assessment, they determined that a loose battery cable blew my computer out. Due to the cause of this issue (loose battery cable), I was told by the extended warranty company AND the dealership that I was responsible for the repairs totaling $1,375.00.

I got on the phone and spoke with the service manager at Nissan. After explaining my issue to him, he decided to give me a 15% discount, BUT...I was still paying for the repairs. This is almost 2 weeks later. As I was sitting in bed looking over the notes from my phone calls, the Lord spoke to me and said (very clearly):

"Do not be afraid of this great multitude. Rest assured I'm working on your behalf. I'm paving your way to victory. Trust me. Do not be weary in well doing. You will receive as long as you don't faint! Hold on...your help is not on the way...it's already in position."

I sent this via text to my cousin, my spiritual brother, and 3 of my close girlfriends. I also posted on my Facebook wall because I felt someone else needed the same encouragement. It was like after the Lord spoke to me, I no longer thought about the money. I didn't care about the money that I had spent on a battery ($132) or the tow ($55), or the first rental car ($250), or the amount they were telling me I had to pay. I took my focus completely off that stuff because it wasn't important. Okay...that's another post!

Two days later, I was at it again...on the phone. I called my extended warranty company back and requested to speak with a Supervisor. He explained that my claim had been escalated to management for claim review. I repeated to him - "I was able to jump my car twice successfully. I should not have to pay for this claim because it's not something that I did." I hung up from him and put in a call to Nissan Consumer Affairs. I gave her the same information.

Well today....the Word of the Lord came to pass. The Supervisor from my extended warranty company called and said, "We're going to take care of all of your repairs." Before I knew it, I said, "Praise the Lord!" I then called the techs at both dealerships to let them know it's being taken care of. Hallelujah!!!!

I'm sharing this post today to encourage someone else. When you hear the voice of the Lord, listen!  Stand on His Word! It is true and will not return to Him void. I noticed that the Lord was only speaking His Word to me!!! And I...received it, believed it, and stood firm on it. And so can you. No matter what was going on, I knew that this was all part of the process. I just needed to stand.

Love and blessings,
Minister Te'Retta

Embracing the Past to Press Forward in the Future

Hello my friends! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! I know it has been quite some time since I posted. It is my prayer that you are embracing 2013 already. I know that all of the 'new' hooplah can be rather cliche', so I won't harp on that :)

I want to take a moment today in this post to encourage you to look at where you've come from, and encourage yourself to press forward; not just in 2013, but in all the days ahead! For me, the past few years have been laced with depression, hard times, let downs, mishaps, and seemingly something happening at every turn. However, I'm a firm believer that ALL of this stuff has worked together for my good! And yours, too!!!

I'm determined in the days ahead to focus on the good and positive. I refuse to let the enemy win! I'm a survivor! I'm a winner! And this, too, shall pass! With God on my side, I know that everything will work out. It may not happen when or how I want it to, but I know that He knows what's best. Hang in there. Don't give. The race is given to the one who endures. I decree and declare that our latter is going to be greater. Watch and see!

Be blessed and prosper!
Te'Retta