2013 Great Grace in Review

When I thought about 2013 I quickly recalled all the things that silently broke me. But the Spirit of God has a way of just bringing you back to HIS reality.

The word for me in 2013 was 'Great Grace' and below are a few things the Great Grace of God caused me to achieve

1. Offered and quickly accepted a job I was not officially qualified to do

2. Won an appeal that seemed impossible!

3. Re- ignited my passion for cooking

4. Reconnected with old friends

5. Saw one of besties go from Miss to Mrs

6. Co-Organised my 1st ever Hen. Her appreciation still brings me to tears

6. Fought for love and won the fight!

7. Shared the joy of my teen achieving his 1st A* Proud Mama!

8. Gave more of myself to those I love and my church  than 2012

9. Walked in forgiveness even when the hurt at times was too much to bare

10. Shared a message the Lord impressed on my heart to a bunch of amazing women

11. Cemented the foundation of God in my family

There were many more, none greater than the other but these all required me to dig deep into my reservoir. I could not have done it without God pouring out His Grace upon me. I needed His assistance every step of the way. None of this was possible in my own strength. I was weak and frail. Unqualified and seemingly defeated. In need of spiritual resuscitation only personal encounters with Him could give. When I look back I'm thankful.

He never gave up on me. He walked with me and never let me go. At times I wanted to run away and hide. Somethings I had to face everyday for months but He wouldn't allow me to go MIA. He pulled me out from the depths of my despair. He was patient and held my had every step of the way. He corrected me, challenged me. Kept me unscathed and unharmed. He strengthened me, showed his faithfulness. He never left me.

Wow! 2013 what a year....His Great Grace was and is truly upon me and we made it through!

Lets do this 2014! You ready?

The Mode Of Reflection

7 Months since I have written, sharing my thoughts and sources of inspiration. I hope Modes of Reflection will enlighten you with insight and continue the journey of Life and Life More Abundantly.

Preparation for continuing my education has begun, I pause and rewind reflecting on last years challenges. The months of self defeating thoughts, comparison extremities and an overwhelming sense of failure. I hated it, ran from it and fought it every step of way. The process, the procedure, the undertaking, the action. The painful moments my character and behavioral tendencies were being transfigured. 

Ready to abort, the stillness of His voice spoke "Do not give up, my Grace is more than sufficient" Yes, I thought. His Grace. The virtue, the unmerited favor that opened the door for my name to be present on that register, expected in that room. In those moments, amoungst the most gifted and complex brains I had ever encountered. A lecturer so well versed rays of intimidation shone as she paced the room.

Yet His Grace. I had and have. A mind wonderfully and purposefully made. A purpose beautifully weaved and lovingly thought out. New surroundings and unfamiliar faces that challenge me, because I am suppose to grow. I am to evolve, soak up, drink, consume and allow the transfiguration process to be my peace.

His Will not mine. My Will now aligned. To His perfect plan. I feel the shift. The change. There is no more fear. His love is perfect. The purpose comes through the process. All I am about to do is strengthened through Him.

Yes. I am ready to begin.

Love Serena 

Let Go! The Plan Isn't Yours!

So...its a wake up call. That's right! Its that moment when the penny finally drops and you get it...You get what?? You get it! That thing....the missing piece of the puzzle. The light bulb moment. The Revelation!....Wooo!

All your life you believed you had it nailed. You had what you believed was the PLAN....You knew what you were going to do. You knew when you would have it by. How old you would be...The salary you'd command....The business you'd have....The postcode that beautiful house would be sitting on....How fine he or she would be....what the wedding date would be how many kids you would have..right???

Then guess what??? It doesn't happen. Not the way you think....

Were you wrong to plan?? No! Direction is important and most necessary.Were you wrong to have desires and aspirations?? No it keeps us on our toes. But here is an ingredient that is full proof and is a must for any plan.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Couldn't say it better myself...God knows the plan He has for YOU!. So lets take a look at this.... If God knows the plan, instead of stressing, worrying, comparing our lives to other people, trying to figure it out in our limited mental capacity isn't it easier to spend a some time with God and let Him reveal the path?? 

Why?? Whats the point you might say??? 

Well as you read on, He says His plans are for good. So if His plan is for our good that's a great thing right? That means we are going to be lead in a direction that profits us. That is beneficial to us. His plan will be bountiful and fertile. Advantageous and honorable. It will be Divine.

Now I will be the 1st to lift my hand and and say....my hair brained schemes or plans...led me to disaster in some way shape or form.I'm sure if your honest... You've done it too!! Did some foolishness and then came the repercussions. You were caught up in pride, arrogance and selfishness. You looked around at all the rubble surrounding you and said "Why did I do that?" Well at the time the idea seemed great and then you planned and then....you know the rest...

But Isn't it refreshing to know with God, you don't have to relive those moments? Doesn't mean life cant and wont happen, but the piece of mind of knowing Gods plan for your future is good and full proof is priceless. Knowing He is going to give you the future you expected and the Hope to have even better. Minus all the self inflicted mess???? Minus the aimless soul searching and years of 'I don't know what to do' Stalling, wasting not just our time but others too?

How do I know God's plan is right for me??

I'm so glad you asked...go back to Jeremiah Chapter 1

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

I love this. No God has not appointed us all to become prophets to the nations,but He has appointed us all for a purpose. Our very birth has meaning behind it. Although like myself my parents did not 'plan' to conceive me,God had a plan for me. He knew exactly what my birth was to signify even if my parents didn't at the time. There is a reason you were not born 1889 or scheduled for 2014. There is a reason why you were set apart for this season, this time, this place right now.

Even before the nine months of development our bodies went through to survive outside out mothers womb He knew us. He weaved together every cell, vein and molecule our body has. He knows you intimately, like no one else. He knows the imprint you are to make on the world. 

With all this in mind, surely His plan is better than your plan A,B and C?....Just a thought x

" The Door" by Ava DuVernay

"The Door" is a Love Story with no words. An Intelligently beautiful and breathtakingly elegant short film written and directed by the amazing Ava DuVernay for fashion house Miu Miu. One of five international female directors commissioned to tell their story of a "Woman's Tale", Ava tells a beautiful story of friendship, love, commitment and compassion. 

Unity among women is often un-celebrated despite its strong existence. We are portrayed as catty, insecure, covetous and vengeful. Reality television has endorsed these concepts, tainting the perception of valuing anyone other than ourselves.

I fell in love with how Ava captured visually the beauty of friendship, the essence of who women really are. We are supportive and caring. We leave positive footprints on lives we touch. We are capable of loving through circumstances and seasons. During transition and change we can be non-judgmental and non-critical ushering each other through new doors. We can be honest and pure sometimes without the need to say anything at all.

Cinematic bliss is created through back drops of beautiful settings. Graced with the talent of Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye, Emayatzy Corinealdi and artist Goapele keep you locked in. Miu Miu heighten the elegance of these woman by adorning them with pieces that represent real prowess and demure.

Ava DuVernay is the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance Film Festival, for her second feature, Middle of Nowhere, in 2012. An achievement that speaks for itself.

Watch her creative work below and share your thoughts.

God Bless you x 

The Crossroads of Life

Sometimes we undermine and undervalue the power of CHOICE. We are the common denominator in every situation, test, trial or circumstance we find ourselves in. Some situations we are in because we made bad CHOICES. Some we could of avoided but we CHOSE not to. No! Everything is not our fault. It was not your fault you may have been lied to, cheated on, abused, abandoned or worse. However, how long we choose to dwell, reside and wallow on those experiences is OUR CHOICE. We can be dead men and women walking, carrying our burdens and cares or we can STAND UP. DECIDE. CHOOSE. Make a CONSCIOUS DECISION that your our lives are gifts and what we do with OUR LIVES MATTERS Stand up and LIVE! For Your son, Your daughter, Your family, Your church, Your loved Ones, Your colleagues on your job. There are people, waiting for YOU to CHOOSE to be all YOU were created to be so they can become who they were created to be. Waiting for you to see past yourself, past your circumstances, past your pain. We have all been given the CHOICE to CHOOSE LIFE or DEATH. What are you doing with your CHOICE?

What Is She Reading: Lioness Arising

 

Hey Beautiful,

I wanted to share with you a book I'm reading that's had the cog wheels of my mind turning. An old high school friend and I had recently rekindled our friendship via facebook. She had observed my posts over a number of months and surprised me one day with sending me this book.

I had no expectations and had never heard of the author Lisa Bevere myself. Needless to say, I've been Awakened and hooked ever since. I haven't quite finished it yet, but its been such a blessing.

If any of you have read Lioness Arising, please feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I'll post a full review once I'm done. Thanks for being such a blessing Katrina

God Bless you x

Thank You!

Overwhelmed. Its the most accurate word I can use to describe how I'm feeling. I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to visit my blog page, read and leave comments.

I was nervous in this new venture of expression and wasn't sure what to expect. I'm seeing the fruits so it was well worth it.

Your feedback has been more than I could have ever imagined and will endeavour to post updates as regularly as my schedule allows.If there are any topics you'd like me to cover feel free to let me know and I will do my best to include them.

Remember....Jesus Loves you,

Love Serena x