I Got You!

I'm training for a marathon to be run later this year. I have a good friend, my #RunBoo, that I get a few runs in with a few times per week. We have a great time on and off the pavement. One day last week torwards the end of a run, she frantically says, "Sis, give me your hand! Give me your hand! I want to quit!" Yes... we were rolling at a pretty fast pace. I have her my hand and began to encourage her.

When we got to the stopping point, she was weak. Doubled over, spitting up, and all that comes with having the wind knocked out of you when you push it during a run, she ended up on the ground. I let her sit for a few until she said she was dizzy. I was able to get her to her feet and instructed one of the other ladies to squeeze some of my electrolytes in her mouth. She said, "Sis I'm going down." As she began to go down, I held her tighter and said, "Nope. I gotchu." She was dead weight up against me. But I was girded against her, with my feet firmly planted and my arms around her waist.

How many times have we given so much of ourselves until we are just ready to quit? We need someone's hand because we know we can't go another step without that "grip", that "assurance", "them". The Bible encourages us to cast our cares upon God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), and to come to Him for rest... those of us who are weary and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28-30). We can't be afraid to ask for help no matter what!

In your getting weary, reach out for Him. He will hold your hand, carry you through and over, and allow you to finish. He will hold you in the midst of it all, ensuring that you keep standing, despite the fact that you feel weak. His strength IS made perfect in our weakness. When we're weak, He's strong (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)!

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

From Me...To You!

So I'm sitting here with a friend watching the news. It was the story about a tornado hitting Joplin, MO and destroying several buildings last year, including the local high school. One lady being interviewed made such a powerful statement: "The more you help others, the faster you heal."

Think about that for just a moment. Have you ever found yourself going through something, and you were seemingly put in a position or positions to help someone else? I've actually been there several times! I had received some horrible news a few years ago...a personal situation in my family. And it seems that shortly after receiving that news, I was called on to minister at a women's conference. And even in my continuous going through, my GIFTS continue to make room for me, and I've seen healing AND deliverance take place in my life....QUICKLY!!!

No matter what situation I'm in, God seems to impress it upon me to be of help to someone else. It may not always be in a tangible way; it may be a hug or a phone call or even just a smile. So I wanted to take a quick moment to post this -

While you're going through or dealing with something, don't be so closed in. And don't even for a moment think that it's just you. Or you've got it so bad! You never know when you're entertaining angels unaware. You never know if you're properly positioned to help someone else get THEIR breakthrough! I'm not sharing what someone has told me; I'm sharing what I know for myself! God truly does have a sense of humor! I've watched myself go through something only to have someone else be placed in my life for me to minister to them about it...that VERY SAME THING!

Go through...hold on...your healing will come quicker when you take a moment to take the focus off of you and place it on someone else - even if it's just for a moment. Try it for yourself.

Be blessed and encouraged,
~Tee