Hey y’all!

For my returning readers, I see you! To my new readers, I’m so glad you chose to stop by!

I know, I’ve been missing in action but as the blog is called, life be life’n, and life has been doing just that. Good news is…

The holidays are tough for me. It’s nostalgic and a reminder of the way things used to be. I think on how grandma and I used to cook the night before Thanksgiving or how the family would get together at Nana’s house. Right now, the holiday season isn’t my favorite time of year. It may not always feel like this, but right now it does; and I’m okay with that.

In life we all go through seasons. Some are good, some are not so good, and some are just downright awful. This is a downright awful season.

I’ve been tested in all areas of my life, especially the areas I thought I was strong in. I’ve lost family and friends, I’ve been betrayed, lied on and lied to, manipulated, and taken advantage of. I’ve allowed people to make me question my worth. I’ve given access to parts of my life that I would NEVER share, only for it to be used against me. Listen here, this season has held no punches and played no games.

I’ve felt like I lost my mind, and for a minute there I lost myself, it’s been a mess! I told my mama the other day, adulting is ghetto, I didn’t sign up for this and she can now resume her motherly duties and responsibilities.

When I was younger, I thought life was gone be a breeze, but as the old folks say, “Just keep on living.” Y’all better start listening because they haven’t been wrong yet!

When my grandmother passed, it was like a domino effect, everything just started going haywire. The woman who helped me maintain my sanity, the one I could lean on and know without a doubt she was ten toes down, was gone. My anchor was gone.

Instead of relying on her, I had to rely on what she taught me; when all else fails, as it will, go to the one who doesn’t, go to God. This season, I got reacquainted with him.

If you’ve read my previous blog, Sarah’s Dance, you know I had beef with God. Listen my pride and stubbornness are applicable in all areas of my life, yes even with the Lord. I went to God with an attitude but knew he was the only one who could help me. I had to go to him boldly, but humble, confess, repent of my sins and ask for help.

God sent me to Job. I was listening to a service and Bishop talked about how we have so much in common with him. So, as I would, I read Job to see for myself.

Let me just start by saying Job’s story is a good one. Its drama filled and relatable. He was attacked by the enemy because he was living his BEST life! Haters always hatin’.

So, here’s the tea…

Job was favored by God. God blessed him, with health, wealth, children, and all the things. He was a modern-day celebrity.

One day, the devil told God “I bet if Job was broke, busted, and disgusted, he would curse you.”

God: “Nah man, he loyal.”

Devil: “Yeah, aight. If he so loyal, let me take away all he owns and his health and let’s see how loyal he is.”

God: “Alright bet. You can take everything he owns; you can even take away his health, but don’t kill him”.

Devil: “Say less.”

With God’s permission, Satan orchestrated unimaginable trials, with confidence Job was going to curse him. Job never cursed God.

Wife: “Job curse God and DIE! We are broke, our children are dead, and you’re sick as a dog. You’ve served God faithfully with integrity and now he’s treating us like redheaded stepchildren. Apparently, you’ve done something to piss him off so we might as well cut our loses and sin for real.”

Yes, I know, she should have encouraged and stuck beside her husband. How many of us can honestly say we could have been down like four flat tires knowing all the hell that broke loose in their life? Can you honestly say you wouldn’t have questioned God and his reasoning? Listen, if you wouldn’t kudos to you. I was right there with her! She had a human response. She suffered as much as he did. She lost her children and wealth by default. That’s a lot to swallow at one time. Especially when you are indirectly affected.

Job’s friends: “Dang bruh, you look bad. We just gone sit here with you homie.”

7 days to be exact.

Job: “I’m innocent bruh! I haven’t sinned, I’ve done right by people, I’ve never disrespected God, I never sinned against God, and look at me! I wish God would go ahead and kill me, because I can’t take anymore!”

Job’s friends offered their opinion and perspectives on the situation. All of them said he must have done something to piss God off, but Job maintained his innocence.

Sidenote: friends, when your friend is going through be there for them, don’t try to add your two cents as to why they are going through. They need you for support, not unsolicited advice or commentary.

Finally, Job talks to God.

God: “You want my job? You think you can do me better than me? Let me see you try! I created the universe, the birds, the bees, and all you see. You still want to argue?”

Job: “My bad God. I was in my feelings. You can do anything and can’t nobody stop you. I was talking out the side of my neck. I’m gone sit down and shut up.”

God: “It’s all good fam. Just put some respect on my name.”

Then because God is just that good, he restores Job’s fortunes twofold. Whatever Job lost he got back double! It’s a reminder that whatever you’re going through, remain faithful and persevere because God will restore you.

The story of Job changed my way of thinking and allowed me to see seasons from a different perspective.

Here’s what I learned:

The devil can only do what God allows. God is always in control. Even the devil has restrictions on what he can do to you.

There are lessons and blessings. All bad things aren’t the devil. There are times when God uses suffering to test your faith, your resilience, and your trust in him. We have to trust in God’s plan, even the parts of it that don’t feel good. It may not feel good, but it’s for your good. God will use what broke you to bless you when you least expect it!

This too shall pass! Nothing is forever. What bothers you today will be a memory tomorrow. Your test is the setup for your testimony! If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.

Life is a combination of contrasting seasons. Every season in your life has good and bad times. They allow you the opportunity to learn and grow. All rain there’s a flood, all sunshine you’re in a desert. There has to be balance in life – rain for seeds to grow, sun for flowers to bloom.

There’s mountains and valleys, successes and failures, wins and losses. As the old folks say, “What goes up, must come down.” The lows of life aren’t to break you, they test your grit, resolve, and many times your faith.

Dr. C asked me “What will you do when this is done? How will you command your life?” She told me to think about the future and what I hope to gain and learn from this rough season because at the end of the day, it’s going to pass.

I had to remember I’ve had rough days before. Where I’m at today is an answered prayer and the outcome of a former rough season. While you’re in your rough season, remember to be grateful. Even your worse day is somebody’s best day.

I’ll end with this; Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season.” and Ecclesiastes 3:11 “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Healing is a journey; you decide where you want to go.

I love y’all 🤟

~Dee