1:51 AM//A Song of Praise & Encouragement

There will be mountains that I will have to climb. & there will be battles that I will have to fight. But victory or defeat, it’s up to me to decide…but how can I expect to win if I never try? I just can’t give up now. Come too far from where I’ve started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy & I don’t believe He’s brought me this far to leave me.

I’ve had this song on repeat for the past 30 minutes…these lyrics do something to me, every single time I turn the song on. Ironically, I had a long conversation with a friend today and one of the many things he told me was that all I needed was a little faith. He reminded me that mistakes are apart of all of our lives and help to define us and help to make us unique; they are an intricate part of the story I, as an individual, am still writing and one day will be able to tell.

Lately, I’ve learned that not only do I have high expectations of myself, I am also very conscientious of living up to the expectations others have set for me and expect of me. Two things I never want to be are a disappointment or a failure. Sometimes I get caught up in wanting to be “perfect,” ultimately failing to realize that nobody is perfect and it’s okay and very necessary to make mistakes as they are life lessons and learning experiences.

I sometimes feel as though the few hardships I encounter occur simultaneoulsy in my life; as a result, I tend to feel defeated, alone, overwhelmed and discouraged. This song speaks to me, and vividly reminds me that with God on my side, I am never alone and have no need to worry. He has a purpose for my life that is bigger and better than anything I could ever imagine for myself and that is so awesome. Sight beyond what I see, I am confident that God know’s what is best for me and will lead me in the right direction, regardless of the wrong turns I may take along the way.

An important lesson I learned today is that “things happen.” Plain and simple. Things don’t always work out the way we want them to, and although you may be frustrated by unanswered questions and unreciprocated feelings, you should never allow that to make you feel inferior, or that you are the underlying cause. What we want is not always what God sees best, or fit for us to have and it is our duty to trust him…not question him. Today I was reminded that I am a good person and should continue to be confident as I continue to strive in the direction of all of the positive things I have worked to attain thus far. I’m not going to lie, I doubt myself on occasion, however, I have to remind myself that because I was created in God’s image, I’m already a winner, victorious in all of my ways. Anything I can perceive, I can achieve.

I know this rant is all over the place and doesn’t flow very well at all, however, I wanted to take this opportunity to vent and release some of the innermost feelings that I’ve been battling with myself for a little while now. Each and everyday life gets a little easier for me to deal with. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but I’m well on my way. I’m thankful for learning experiences, good and bad & I’m so proud to say that through it all, I am still so ‘Blessed & Highly Favored.’

—Signed: Shattered, But Not Broken.

In a world of so many, babygirl you are that one. —Rick Ross

Just another kid that’s going through life so worried that I won’t be accepted. —Drake