Lettuce 05/06/2012
 
Dad: Hey, are you planning to grow vegetables again this year?

Me: I sure am daddy.

Dad: Ok. Tell Skip to come help me empty last year’s dirt from the pots.

Me: Ok. Hon, dad needs help emptying the pots so that we can prepare for this year’s planting.

Skip: Ok (pauses to walk outside and turns around to motion for mom). Can you come outside for a moment?

Mom: Sure.

Mom: (comes back inside) You need to go pick your lettuce before they empty the pot.

Me: I don’t have lettuce. I haven’t planted anything.

Mom: You have lettuce. Take a bag and go pick it. 

Immediately, I think to myself, How can I have something that I have not  planted? Reluctantly, I grabbed a bag and headed outside to a wonderful and totally unexpected full pot of lettuce. Seems after last year’s crop, the seeds embedded themselves into the dirt, held on for the winter, received the necessary nutrients and water from God above and sprouted into my first crop of the season. Simply put, it was an AMAZING sight to behold!

Tomorrow, we will have salad for dinner and I am excited to share the blessing with my family! I had no idea that lettuce was growing in my yard. Without my interference, God saw and met my need. He harvested lettuce and provided for me and my family. “At the moment, I have all I need and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Phi 4:18 NLT)

God is no respecter of persons, He knows what you need. Your lettuce (blessing) is being harvested at this very moment and in due time will show up in your yard. How can I make that statement with such confidence? Well, as it is recorded in Philippians 4:19 (NLT) “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

“Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. (Phi 4:20).”  Be encouraged and know that until next time, God bless and keep you will be among my prayers!

©2012 Danette Michelle Reid. All rights reserved.

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Good Mornin' 04/24/2012
 
During the month of April, I have been busy! I have stood before over 150 women to deliver a presentation; co-presented for a group project; served as a guest speaker for an organization’s annual tea; conducted an etiquette workshop; moderated a panel for a youth conference; and facilitated a financial session on budgeting. Each time, I have executed and each time it has been well received. In fact, following one of my engagements, I was told that I am a “natural.” ......
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The people cheered for Him…. “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord (John 12:13).”

The same people jeered Him…  “But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. (John 19:15)”

BUT Jesus remained focused! He knew that it was a part of the PLAN. He laid down His life for the very people who proclaimed Him in one breath and denied Him with the next! He laid down His life for you! He laid down His life for me! And on the third day, He rose again… “ 5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?  6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,  7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:5-7)”.

I am humbled knowing that God loves me beyond explanation. He thinks I’m so special that He sent His Son to die for me. On the contrary, there have been times when man has cheered for me and called me friend one minute and denied me the next. Those times were painful and I didn’t always handle them as I should. But, I am thankful that experience has taught me to follow Jesus’ example and stay focused on the assignment whenever the crowd jeers. I must see things through regardless of man’s acceptance or rejection. For in the end, the plan He has for me is much greater than the cheers and jeers of the crowd. And because He is no respecter of persons, the plan He has for you is also greater than the cheers and jeers of your crowd so be encouraged! He loves us beyond explanation and that is more than enough!

Until next time, God bless and keep you will be among my prayers!

©2012 Danette Michelle Reid. All rights reserved.

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Whitehall Rd 03/24/2012
 
Yesterday, I had to inspect a home for insurance. The home was located in an area unfamiliar to me so I keyed the address into my GPS and followed the planned route. The system led me down several roads and I was confident that I would arrive at my destination with no problem until I reached Whitehall Rd. My directions instructed me to follow Whitehall Rd for 4 miles. However, after about 2 miles, I was met with a “Road Closed Ahead” sign. I had a decision to make. Should I wait until another day when the road is reopened? Or should I attempt to keep straight and ignore the sign? Or should I follow the detour that provides me with a new set of instructions? I chose option 3 and followed the detour. When I turned in the opposite direction, my GPS told me that signal had been lost and that a new route needed to be calculated. I continued to follow the detour signs and shortly thereafter, my GPS synched with the new directions and led me to my destination.

Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Like the GPS with its planned route, I, too, have a planned route for my life. I know what goals I have planned to accomplish in both my personal and professional life. I know what I have planned for my family. I know what I have planned for my business. However, there are times when my plan tells me to continue for 4 miles, but after about 2 miles, I experience a “Road Closed Ahead” sign. I want to keep straight but that will lead me to a dead end. Initially, my mind tells me that I am about to get lost without my plan. Admittedly, that makes me uneasy but my mustard seed faith takes over and I follow the detour. The new road is unfamiliar and often filled with opportunities and experiences that I never dreamed would happen to me. This road blesses me and becomes a part of my testimony. It is the detour that God allows in order to pull me to the place where He wants me to be. At first, I don’t understand why the detour is needed, but I trust God with all my heart. I acknowledge Him, and like my GPS, I synch up to the new directions and follow Him as He leads me to my destination.

Attempting to go down the road when you have been told that the road is closed is an unwise choice. Today, I invite you to follow the detour and experience the Goodness of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He will never leave nor forsake you (I Kings 8:57). He is good and the detour carries both blessings and testimonies that He has designed just for you! Be encouraged and know that until next time, God bless and keep you will be among my prayers.

©2012 Danette Michelle Reid. All rights reserved.

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Amen 03/15/2012
 
“God has spoken, let the church say Amen.” This song, by Andre Crouch featuring Pastor Marvin Winans is one of my new favorites. An instant classic, it speaks to my heart each and every time I hear it on the radio. I hear the song at least once daily but as I listened yesterday, it reminded me of times past when instead of “amen”, my reply was “are you sure?” Whenever He spoke a Word or allowed something to enter my life which displeased or disappointed me, I would make the assumption that His wires got crossed. Immediately, my mind would conjure up what should have happened and I would attempt to orchestrate a different outcome. There were times when I thought I had successfully manipulated the outcome only to later find myself returned to the same place. One day, during a painful time in my life, I realized that I am not exempt from heartache, disappointment, and challenges. The Bible tells me that it rains on the just and unjust (Matt 5:45). Assuming that I am exempt is unrealistic and trying to manipulate the outcome is unacceptable. But in All things, God gets the glory. He uses every situation for my good and when I get in the way, I block my own blessings. Often experience brings wisdom and thankfully, my personal experiences  have taught me that when God has spoken, I say "Amen."

If you are in a place where you think God has made a mistake, please know that He has not forgotten about you. What He has promised you will come to pass. What He has spoken may not always feel good but it is preparing you for the next step on your journey. It is my prayer that instead of saying, “are You sure” you respond with a hearty “Amen.”

Until next time, God bless and keep you will be among my prayers.

©2012 Danette Michelle Reid. All rights reserved.

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The Game 11/12/2011
 
The coaches are on the field; my son, the quarterback, is on the ground. That last play was a doozy! A player from the opposing team knocked the wind out of Tre’ as he was attempting a pass. He was down before the whistle blew and a hush fell across the crowd. I don’t know when I stopped breathing but ....
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Wow, it has been four years almost to the day since God allowed me to open up my life to encourage others. I had no idea then where He was leading me but after years of doing things on my own, I knew the time had come for me to surrender myself to Him. I am a different woman today because of the lessons that I have learned. They haven’t always been fun;
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Baptism 08/15/2011
 
George, “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Those words were like music to my ears. I, along with the angels above, rejoiced yesterday as my son was baptized. George, “Tre” has been raised in the church. He was dedicated as a baby, has served on the youth usher board for the past few years, and volunteers annually for the Angel Tree ministry but ...
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Perception 08/09/2011
 
One day while in church I looked over at my daughter who was feverishly plucking at the keys on her phone. I thought to myself that she had gone stark raving mad! Was she really texting in church? I had to calm myself because if I didn’t, I knew that I would cause a scene and disrupt the service. I patiently gave her an evil eye, told her to give me the phone, and let her know that I would deal with her later! How dare she be disrespectful in God’s house! I was furious and knew the exact words that would be coming out ...
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Shopping Trip 08/02/2011
 
I had approximately one hour to spare before one of my favorite shows was scheduled. I had a short grocery list so I figured I would run to the market before the show. The store that I normally shop at was about twenty minutes away so I figured I’d go to a closer store that I don’t frequent often to give myself more than enough time to run my errand and get back home before show time. Five minutes later, I walked into the store only to find that the breakfast burritos and yogurt were
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