God Provides

Tamela Mann released a song recently called God Provides: 

God provides, so why do I worry about my life

When you come to my rescue a thousand times

Every other voice it is a lie

God provides

God provides 

In ways I can’t explain and can’t deny

The little that I have he multiplies 

Just when I feel he won’t show up on time

God provides

He’ll come through

When the clouds of doubt rain down on you

And test everything you thought you knew

Now you finally see what God can do, for you

God provides

It’s hard to say when there’s no food to eat

Or what you see feels all that life will be

And will this be another year of misery, for me

But by faith, can’t survive on just things I see

And my feelings can’t control my destiny

See God I only want what you believe, for me

So tonight, 

Close your eyes

There’s no more need to fight

Watch God provide 

Howard University Homecoming 2017 was epic but for different reasons: I saw God’s provision. This is a bit of a personal post and I pray people are okay with me naming names, it’s necessary because when God reveals himself as provider, you have to share that and encourage others. This will require some transparency but that’s okay too. 

The last year has been a rough one financially and I’ve been in a season of lack; you know the kind where there’s more month than money and it seems harder and harder to get by. For this reason I was not going to attend Howard Homecoming this year as I had a lot going on. This year happen to mark 150 years for the University and 20 years since I graduated so it was a big year. My friend Stephanie told me that it was a year I couldn’t miss and that we would figure it out and make it happen! Reluctantly, I agreed. 

As homecoming approaches people begin to purchase tickets. When everyone was purchasing their tickets, I did not have the money to get my tickets. One event in particular was the official alumni party and by the time I was able to get the ticket, the event sold out. This would be the first year I wouldn’t be with my crew at the alumni event. The day before we were due to go to D.C., Stephanie suggested I call Tameka because she had a ticket to another party that was taking place the same night. I called her and asked if I could get that ticket from her, she said yes but beyond that, she said, “Don’t worry about paying for it, I’ll just print it out and have it for you tomorrow night”. I don’t think she realized what a blessing that was for me but God orchestrates everything! 

So we leave for D.C. and I don’t really have much money at all. I worried a little but I heard God whisper: don’t worry about it, I got it. I met Keisha at her house and we drove to her job and caught a cab from her office to the hotel. When it came time to pay she said, “Don’t worry about it, I got it”. I don’t believe she knew what a blessing she was to me in that moment. I heard confirmation of God’s voice. 

The Friday night party that I was attending I wasn’t going to be alone because my friend Erin was going to that one instead of the alumni party. So God even worked that out! Meanwhile, a new friend (of two years), Ruben informs me that he’s flying into D.C. for one night and was going to go to this same event. He and his cousin came to pick me up from my hotel and we went to the party together (I met Erin there) and had a great time. His presence was indeed a blessing as it lifted my spirits in ways he didn’t even know. 

Day 2 of homecoming Stephanie made sure we ate and that we were good. Another new friend, Leonard, came through and met us on the yard. I was extremely thirsty (maybe even a bit dehydrated) and I asked him if he could get me a water. He came back with this larger than life lemonade, lol! It made my day and I was grateful. He was a blessing to me and didn’t even realize it. That evening, something went awry and I was not feeling well, Stephanie, Keisha, and Heather were all there to make sure I was okay. It was a blessing to have some people around. 

My point in all of this is: God Provides. One of the things about being in a season of lack is that you begin to appreciate the small things. You are humbled in a way that makes you thankful in ways you may have taken for granted in the past. When you’re in the valley know that God is still there. Even when it feels like He’s no where around, He’s there. He’s there developing some things in you that’s needed for where He’s about to take you. I actually had to stop writing for a few minutes and give God a praise right there because of the development, the pruning, the molding, and the crafting of a new character. God says where I’m about to take you, I need some aspects of your character developed in a new, mature way so that you can handle the favor that I’m about to place on your life. This favor will be for my glory and for the uplifting of my kingdom. 

So to all of my Howard family I thank you!! Whether you realized it or not, God used you to reveal himself even more as Jehovah Jireh! I pray now for each one of you that God restores everything unto you 100-fold that you have poured out this past weekend, knowingly and unknowingly. And I pray for all of you and for all of the Girrrl Stop Nation that God showers your life  with exponential favor and blessings! I know that God is able to do exceeding abundantly and that is my prayer today that He do exceeding abundantly above what you can ask or think according to the power that is already working in each of you. In Jesus name, Amen!

#20yearsHU

#HUHomecoming2017

#Favorandblessingsarecoming

#GodProvides

Girrrl! Why are you still single?

“Hey girl, what’s been up with you?”, she asked so inquisitively. 

“Oh not too much, just working and keeping busy, how about you?”

“I’m good, Brad is good and the kids are doing great, enough about me though what’s going on with you? How’s the love life?”

She saw the train coming but the speed was too fast for her to escape it, it was here. 

“Uh, well not too much going on in that area, dating tho”, she said with great satisfaction in her answer and great hope that it would ward off any additional questions. 

And then without warning, it dropped with the speed of lightning like your paycheck at the first of the month. 

“I don’t understand it, why are you still single?”, she asked with a hint of side-eye masked as concern. 

She wanted to reply but she couldn’t right away because she tried to focus on her facial expression; she knew it was stank and could be used in a meme. Then she thought about taking a machete and slicing her ear off but she knew God wouldn’t come down and put it back on like He did for Peter and the soldier. So she made a decision. She remained silent, like a deer in headlights. They both stood there in silence. 

Many singles can identify with this dreaded conversation that takes place often in various venues: family functions, work, church, or just simple walks in the mall. Many have been railroaded by the train of ‘why are you still single’ questions and the stain of the railroad tracks are still fresh and greasy. I mean honestly, if we could answer the question, ‘why are you still single’ and beyond answering the question, come up with a solution to what some view as a problem, I’m sure we could bottle it up and become rich! But the fact remains, we are single and the reason is simply, God has not released us into that season just yet. 

So here are a three responses for you that will be sure to make these verbal drive-by shooters stand down: 

1. Girrrl! God does not want to share me just yet -  The truth is God still needs you for ministry. As a single you are more free to serve as opposed to your married sisters whose first concern should be their husband and home
2. Girrrl! God is still preparing, molding and/or shaping me - this preparation, molding and shaping has no time limit on it, God works in His own time, not ours. When you’re ready it will happen. God develops character and maturity in us so that we will be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in married life.   
3. Girrrl I’m just not ready to cook, clean, screw and press repeat, nah mean? - Seriously, what comeback would a person have for that lol! 

“Girrrl I’m just not ready to cook, clean, screw and press repeat, nah mean?”

With the most awkward look on her face she replied, “Yeah, I guess I do” 

They both burst into laughter.

“Nah, all jokes aside, I’m good. And in the words of Olivia Pope, God’s got this thang: Handled!”

“Ok girrrl! I know that’s right!”