The year started off HOT as I was fitted in a nice HOT dress with my HOT college besties on a cold winter night. We went to the Casino downtown and were pleasantly surprised with decorations, food, drinks and music. 90s hip-hop and r&b blared through the sound system and we danced our way into 2016.
Then February rolled around. Not only did my BFF from Haiti pay me a visit but I got to have my first speaking engagement! I had no idea I was the key speaker until after the event my great friend Hope who came with me informed me of this important detail. The event was not without its warfare but I prevailed and actually sold so many books I had them on back order!
That same month I received a word from the Lord that I was to start my 2nd book, which I immediately began working on! I was also blessed to be apart of an international conference call. There were several authors who led the call and that opportunity connected me with more writers who I would work with on future projects throughout the year.
In March I stayed busy doing taxes during the tax season while still looking for employment. Since I was laid off the previous November I had been unable to find another full time job. Thankfully God provided every step of the way and I never went without. He also gave me the desire of my heart by allowing me to work as a Tax Preparer full time.
My birthday then came in April. I was overwhelmed by the calls and love shown. I actually had to turn my phone off at one point because I was getting so many phone calls. I did not get to speak with everyone simply because I did not have the emotional capacity to. Instead I chose to quietly celebrate with my mom at dinner. Afterward we did the thing we love most: shopping! That weekend I went to dinner with my girls and was so blessed by all who chose to come and spend it with me. What can I say? 33 looked good on me…
Another big event took place this month! My friends and I were featured in Essence Magazine!! Check out the article here. Make sure to check out #12😉. God is AMAZING😊.
In mid April the tax season ended and the very next day I began working for my landlord as his bookkeeper. God did not miss a beat and it was a much-needed open door. I was at my wits end struggling with depression and anxiety. I wanted to give up but just when I felt there was no hope, a beam of light shined brightly upon me through this opportunity, tho it came from the most unlikely of places… For the first time in my career I was working in an accounting position! Additionally I got an up close and personal view of an entreprenuer’s life. I have known entrepreneurship was a calling on my life for a while now and I felt that this job opportunity was further confirmation of that. This job was also another desire of my heart fulfilled, as it was located downtown in the heart of the city–exactly what I wanted. I LOVED going across the street to Mel’s for a cup of joe every morning, using my parking pass on the weekends to kick it in the city and being a “downtown girl”. The Father was showering me with His love.
In June Cleveland was rocked with winning and celebrating the NBA national championship! I’m not a big sports fan but out of all sports basketball would be my favorite to watch. And it was amazing to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first ring in 50 years! The city was on FIRE. There was such a spirit of encouragement, hope and unity wherever I went. Everyone had on their CAVS gear at the parade and I was so blessed to experience a historical event in a city God loved. We were champions, and now everyone knew it!
That same month I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest on a really dope podcast! It was my first time and hopefully not my last! I was so honored and blessed by this open door to talk about a topic I’m passionate about–being a healthy and whole single😊. You can check out the podcast here.
The summer was full of activity with friends and family. My mom treated my friend and I to a day at Cedar Point. I took my god-daughter to the Universal Soul Circus. My college bestie visited from Orlando and I took a road trip with my other bestie to D.C. I was honored to celebrate her 33rd with her in style.
My Haitian bestie and I took a road trip to her hometown in Indy. It was go go go and by the end of the trip my introverted self was pooped. But I knew God was showing His love and goodness through so many social experiences. It was truly a blessing to spend such quality time with my friend who now lives so far away.
In September I got a roommate for the first time in 3 years. She was another answer to prayer. Not only did she provide financial assistance but also companionship in the home (which I didn’t even know was needed.) I LOVE our story of how we met on my blog and how God connected us through writing. Who knew starting this blog 4 years ago would lead to SO MUCH? She is such a gem and I love having her in my home! Shortly after her move we added another member to our household: Ben-Samuel. He has been another source of joy and companionship that I know the Father ordained.
September and October provided more open doors with my writing. I was finishing up my 2nd book and had some book selling engagements for the first one. I was blessed by the support of those who came and encouraged that God was moving in my calling as an author.
And then suddenly it was November: one year after my layoff. My position as a bookkeeper with my landlord was great but it did not offer a long-term solution, so I applied for other jobs. Never in my career has God used practical means to employ me and I was frustrated by this fact. Whenever I had a job assignment it came through supernatural means, which I was grateful for, however I struggled with my own insecurities at being a competent professional. Did I have the skills, knowledge and abilities to work in the field of Accounting? Would my degree ever be of use? Do I have what it takes? God was about to answer all of those questions. I excelled at the phone interview and 2 panel interviews and after almost a month of waiting (because that is just my path) I was hired as a bookkeeper for a small janitorial company! When asked if I would accept the position I felt like I was accepting a marriage proposal! I happily said yes. In addition to this huge blessing my 2nd book came out that same month! How to Overcome Heartbreak: Stories That Heal was available, 9 months after I started writing it. God had given me a dream earlier that year that I would have a huge spiritual birthing. I felt this 9 month time frame was further confirmation…
The year ended the same way it began: in style. There were more social events with friends and the celebration of life. Yet 2016 was not without its hard times and in fact they still continue. God did many new things for me this year, things I didn’t expect or even believe He would do for me, simply because He had never done them before. At the end of last year I heard Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” I knew I had passed another series of tests and that I was being promoted. What I did not understand was that spiritual promotion means a higher level of testing and warfare. This year I have experienced that higher level.
Everyday I am learning God’s ways. He is a good Father who has a set path and course for each person’s life but we must seek Him to have understanding of that course. For a long time I felt His hand and His way with me. I was always aware of His presence and intimacy. In this season I did not have that luxury. He was growing me up and I did not want to grow up.
God’s ways are higher than our ways. When He says promotion and advancement it does not always mean what we think it will mean. Sometimes it does not even look like a promotion in the natural. But always it is for our good and if we give Him time we can gain understanding of His ways.
There were unmet expectations in 2016. There were times of utter darkness, aloneness and feeling abandoned. But the fact that I have made it to the end confirms what I feel He is teaching me in this season: my feelings are temporary. Even when I feel alone, I never really am. Yet it is His grace for me to walk out this truth.
I am ministered to through the lyrics of an artist who I appreciate. “If I make it through hell and then came out alive I’ve got nothing to fear”.
He has caused me to face my fears in 2016. The fact that I am still here shows me what He wanted me to see all along. My fears were false and they are not the giants I perceived them to be. In fact, they were only here to reveal the greater version of me that was hidden beneath the surface.
I can honestly say that I am better at the end of this year than I was when it began. And I guess that would be the goal for any year or any season of life.
To get better.
To become more whole.
And to walk in greater purpose and manifestation of the original intention of the Creator.
If you’re interested in checking out my latest youtube video “Encouragement to be a light in 2017” click here.
SHALOM
