WHAT'S YOUR NAME, MAN?

A few years ago a friend of mine made me a shirt that said, "My thoughts have been replaced by Hamilton lyrics".  This is so true.  However, my non-Hamilton loving or knowing friends (I can't even believe there ARE those people but it's true) don't get my references so it's not as much fun.  Side bar - I am FINALLY going to get to see it on April 14th!  --The opening number is entitled "Alexander Hamilton" There are a lot of names given as to who Hamilton was.  In the song, it asks "What's your name, man?'

Last Sunday the message was titled "Renamed".  It was so good and timely.  I have written about the lies that the enemy will tell us and we believe.  My entire adult life (and maybe during school too) I was convinced I was a horrible student.  I mean, I really went for the social aspect - shocker if you know me- so academics weren't my total focus.  I don't say that out loud too often since education is my livelihood!  Maybe it was more comparing myself to my best friend who was (and still is) totally scholarly.  She was in the top 10, always made good grades, got into A&M... all the things.  There was never a time she made me feel inferior at all.  She always cheered me on with whatever I was doing.   Fast forward to present day- March 23rd.  I went to my sister's house and she had a package that our other sister and mom and sent us.  My mother had gone through some things and thought we might want them.  The first of the items was my kindergarten report cards - one for each six weeks.  Each indicated I was progressing satisfactorily.  I loved Peggy Harmon.  She was an amazing teacher.  Then on to the next item, my 1st grade report card with Mrs. Calhoun.  She noted that each six weeks I excelled in writing and math and then in the spring semester reading was added to the excelled column.  I think it's also good to note that I behaved myself accordingly with good conduct marks and also was never tardy that year - thanks, Mom!  It's good for my people to know I was on time at some point in my life.  Then, I pulled out another paper and it was from 10th grade.  I had all A's and B's until the spring semester - which is when I turned 16 and had a boyfriend so I guess I didn't care as much about English II and my grades dropped to high Cs.  (Sorry, Cheryl Brown).  Then, I thought about college - I mean we are not going to talk about my first semester but after that it wasn't so bad.  During my masters program, I only had one B.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't have a 4.0 overall, but that was the class I was taking when my dad passed away so I'm ok.    With all of that-- why did I tell myself I wasn't a good student?  I am not believing those lies ever again.  I am renaming myself a good student who excelled in writing, math and reading (thank you Mrs. Calhoun).

So many times I am guilty of allowing my circumstances to create names for me such as inadequate, not equipped, poor leader etc... I am so thankful that God has surrounded me with wise counsel who speak into this to open my eyes and show me that these are names the enemy is giving.  I am tossing out all of those names and leaning into the promises our heavenly father has given.  I encourage you to do the same and RENAME yourself according to the Word that says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14) among others.

In the words of Hamilton, "There's a million things I haven't done but just you wait-- just you wait.... What's your name, man?"

Have a great week!  Be BLESSED, Be BRAVE, and know you are EQUIPPED!

XOXO Stacey

MISSING THE MESSAGES

If God sent emojis with his messages, I feel sure He would have had this one for me this week.





Listen, I know I don't hear or see the obvious a lot of the time, but this week was that and more.  This past week was not bad but busy and a lot of late nights at school and moving parts during the day.  All of which makes for an exhausted educator.  I struggled getting all of my Stitch Fix done this week because I didn't get home before 8:30 every night this week.  It was just one of those weeks.  Yet, everywhere I went, read, heard etc... these two verses were the messages God was giving me that I wasn't hearing -  "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Ps. 139:23  The other one was Ex 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still".   With the weight of the world (in my mind) this week, I was getting clear messages but I didn't stop to listen.  As I was cooking today, and thinking about what I would blog about, a story came to mind.  Several years ago, a friend who lived close, and I walked together regularly.  I taught both of her girls and we have a great friendship.  So she was at my house with her youngest daughter.  Kerri and I were talking (I'm sure something totally meaningful and life changing) and Kaitlyn was saying something.  As an teacher I have learned to tune kids out when I'm talking to an adult --- big mistake here.  As Kerri and I continued to talk, I sat down and then screamed.  See, there was a pair of scissors sticking point end up from the cushion (I have no idea why- I'm sure I was in the middle of creating some type of masterpiece craft) and sat on them.  Seriously, it sounded like poking something through bubble wrap.   They are laughing so hard at my expense.  I made Kerri look at my butt cheek to see the injury - I mean she is a nurse as well.  I mean I was going to be mortified if I was going to have to go to the ER for stitches in my rear for sitting on scissors.  Just a little flesh wound - nothing over the top. Then Kaitlyn piped up again and said, "I was trying to tell you there were scissors there and to not sit down.  You weren't paying attention to me."  Oh - well maybe I should have listened more!  I still laugh about that.  However, the point of the story (no pun intended) was so true this week.  As I was praying through things going on, God was speaking but I was so focused on the issues I didn't stop to listen.   So, as I go through this week before spring break (yes, I realize most of my friends have spring break this week) and I am praying for wisdom to navigate through all the things I am already anxious about completing,  I will be brave enough to STOP and listen and not be so engulfed by the situation that I am tuning out the messages that are being given.

I hope you all have an amazing week!  BE BLESSED, BE BRAVE, and KNOW YOU ARE EQUIPPED!

XOXO Stacey

The Power of YES!

I know it's been a few weeks since I've blogged even though I said I was going to weekly.  I'm going to get to that a bit later in the post, but first I have to share with you the greatness I have gleaned from Annie Downs' "Let's all be Brave.  Living Life with Everything You Have".   It will all weave together.

The last chapter I read a few days ago was entitled Say Yes.  It hit me right between the eyes.  Saying yes to the things we need to do in order to be brave means saying no to all of the other distractions keeping us from being brave.

The last few weeks have been so hectic for me.  My thoughts were so random, I didn't even know what to even start blogging about.  Then I hear these thoughts that say, "You're a hot mess!  You can't even put two sentences together.  You don't have anything to give right now."  So, that is what I said yes to for the past few weeks.  Except that isn't what my REAL YES was to being brave.  I want to write.  That is what my yes is.  However, I believed the lies the enemy was speaking and making them my reality.  Listen, the hot mess part is mostly truth but the rest.... meh... :)   So saying YES to writing my blog every week is saying no to all the things that would distract me from doing it such as a tough week, being tired, feeling I don't have the words... etc...  Saying YES is believing the truth that has been put in my heart and saying NO to the lies the enemy would like me to believe in order to NOT accomplish my goals.

Annie (I hope she doesn't mind I have put us on a first name basis, because I already feel we are friends)😁 stated that "When God tells you to be brave, he will make it work.  It won't be perfect.  It won't be easy.  But it will be your story and your best story."  I need this in a sign for everywhere I go! 

My people have encouraged me to get back to my goal of writing telling me my words matter to them.  "Even when you are at your lowest...the place where you think no one can help, a kind word can go a long way to heal and to rescue and help you finish."  (Y'all this book is filled with so many nuggets)

There are so many other areas of my life that I have evaluated over the past few days as to what I should be saying YES.  I mean wanting to buy a house this year means saying YES to my budget and NO to unnecessary spending. (GAHHHH--- so hard)  Saying YES to the gym, means saying NO to hitting snooze at 4:40 a.m. three days a week.  Saying YES to eating more healthy means saying NO to all things tasty - just joking - but kind of true.  These are some things we all want to say YES to.  Yet, consider what the author says,  "Say yes to the situations that stretch you and scare you and ask you to be a better you than you think you can be.  Say yes to the moments that will only come once.  Say yes to serving.  Say yes to Jesus in every way - every change you get.  We have to say yes.  Even when it's scary or costly or unknown."

Y'all THIS!!!  It's so good and has been such great medicine for my soul moving into a new week.

Share with me what your YES is.  I would love to encourage you to be the best you!  Thank you for reading and encouraging me.  Your words matter!

Have a great week and BE BRAVE, BE BLESSED, and BELIEVE YOU ARE EQUIPPED.