NLT30's Writings

Photo credit: digitalart

Unless you have been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard Beyoncé’s latest song, “The Best Thing I Never Had.” Atlanta radio plays the song SO much; I almost know the words by heart.

The song has me thinking about all the things I thought were the best for me but I never had. Those were things I thought I wanted, the people I thought I needed, and the titles I thought were necessary for career advancement. I thought if I didn’t have this stuff, my life wouldn’t be what I thought it should be. For example,

•           I thought I wanted the guy I briefly dated in grad school. We met when he crashed my Christmas party one year (honestly, it was by the grace of God, I graduated because I worked 3 jobs and through parties every other weekend). Great guy, ambitious, on his way to law school, was interesting, and fine as hades. But, he had one flaw that I couldn’t deal with: he didn’t believe in God.  At all.

          2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship      can light have with darkness? 

•           I thought I wanted to work in the nonprofit arena. Working for the feds (in a job that didn’t fit me) had burned me out. So I had done some research and found that you really could make some money working at a nonprofit. I thought nonprofits were the way to go. And I got what I wanted. I got the “dream job” (not) but also ended up with drama, evil and greed. I gained weight, was stressed out, and cried every day.

           Job 5:12 – He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.

Those are just two experiences that shaped me into the woman I am today. Even when you’re going through and it feels like you won’t make it, you will. You just have to get through. And weeks, months, and years later, you’ll look back, see how far you’ve come, and realize the things, people, and titles you wanted was not what you needed. And you’re fine with that.

We really don’t know what’s best for us. If you’re like me, you’re emotional and can make the most important decisions when you’re pissed, sad, or lonely. When that happens, you’ll have regrets and disappointments.

Keep this in mind – Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God knows best. He knows the best things we’ve never had were the best things we didn’t need.

Photo Credit: Jeroen van Oostrom

Remember when we were kids and the way you knew someone liked you was simple:

               a.    They acted like they didn’t like you and ignored you.

               b.    They would hit you constantly and run away.

               c.    They would send a note. “Do you like me? Check yes, no, or maybe”.

Ahh, those were the good ole’ days of finding a man or woman.

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Photo Credit: Ambro

In dealing with one of my interns this week, I had to ask myself, “was I that bad?”

This chick has lied, went HAM, sent emails with content like “someone who shall remain nameless but you know who I’m talking about”, altered emails, and who know what else as a volunteer for an event at work. It got so bad that the event coordinators asked her not to attend the event.

How do you get fired from being a volunteer?

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Photo Credit: Posterize

Last week I was presented an opportunity to do something that is totally different, totally left field for me. This opportunity doesn’t really cost anything (well gas) but it is new for me. And it was presented to me by a couple of folks I really don’t know.

But I’ve decided to step outside of my box. It all goes down today at 5:30. I’m excited but I’m nervous.

Everyone has a “personal box”. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Salvatore Vuono

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted a blog. My bad. Lots have been going on in my life. But that only means I have a lot more content for upcoming blogs.

One of the folks I follow on Twitter posted this tweet one day:

 “Make sure you’re not living an accidental life.”

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