Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Hello Friends!

How often do we think about what we can learn from any situation, even a bad situation? I was in a gathering this past weekend, and the following question was posed: What did you learn when you were in what you were in? I sat and allowed this question to ponder. It continued to stay on my mind, as I felt it was such a thought-provoking question.

When I heard this question, I immediately thought about my marriage. But then, other situations and things I've been "in" came to mind as well. Did I learn anything in the marriage that's now over? The friendship? The job situation? The 'cave'? The place of wanting to give up and throw in the towel? The rough place with family?

More often than not, we don't think about learning when we're going through. We think about what we can do to get out of it quickly because it hurts or it is just uncomfortable. Hindsight is always 20/20! But I'm transparent enough in this place to know that I must make the most of every opportunity, and so should you! You may ask, "Really?" Yes...REALLY!

Regardless to the situation I've been in, I've learned some key lessons:

1. Patience really is a virtue. Everyone is not going to operate the same way you do. Everyone is not going to think the way that you do. However, it's important for you to remain calm, respect them and their opinion, and just relax.

2. It's not always about me. Please notice I said "always". There are times when it needs to be about you. I had to learn this one, and it took a very long time. Take some time to think about someone else and how they're being affected.

3. Take care of "ME". A dear friend introduced me to a song a few years ago entitled "Me Time" by Heather Headley. I listened and then put it on repeat to listen to the lyrics. Don't become so engulfed in your family, your job, church, whatever, that you forget about yourself. If you are not healthy and well, how can you be healthy and well for someone else? Think about it.

4. Don't want something so bad until you go about getting it the wrong way. Yikes! This is a recent lesson learned. I wanted to get out of Egypt so bad until I was running to Canaan and seemingly back to Egypt every now and then! LOL!

As we transform and shift, there are going to be challenges and obstacles. But we must see them as opportunities. From this day forward, take a moment to embrace every situation and think about what you can learn from it. Take some time this week to look at the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-Genesis 50). No matter how bad it is, remember that what the devil meant for bad, God intended for your GOOD (Genesis 50:20)!!!

Blessings and abundant favor,
Te'Retta