Acceptance...

With only two weeks remaining in this Watch, it's time to bring our emotions full circle. If you're anything like me, focusing on what's in the heart was like taking a trip down memory lane – some good memories, some not so good. And for some of you, perhaps long forgotten experiences from childhood surfaced like the TAKE 6 blogger who commented about an experience she had at 10-years-old when her male cousin who was 8 years older than her made a game out of sexual touching.

That said, it's time to close the door on all the stuff that keeps us bound, hurting, insecure, and hopeless. So this week is all about “acceptance” because when we fail to accept what has happened to us, we find ourselves wasting time trying to figure out “why.” I know people who have spent most of their adult lives wondering why something happened to them or trying to figure out why someone treated them a certain way. Please understand that I know what it's like to want answers to devastating, life altering circumstances. But what I'm saying is that even when you get the answers you “think” you want, they may not change the way you feel. So don't leave it to someone or something else to determine your atmosphere (Ahhh...I like that!)

Now, acceptance might prove to be the most challenging of anything we've done during this Watch because I'm asking that you accept EVERYTHING that has happened to you – the good, the bad, and the ugly. This includes unthinkable things from your childhood, not knowing or not having a relationship with your biological parents, an abusive or cheating ex-husband or boyfriend, the fact that your child's father may have left you alone to do the work that God intended for two; destructive family secrets, betrayal of a trusted friend... Just anything and everything that could be in the way of you living your best life.

Here's the exercise for this week:

1. Make a list of your baggage. This list should include anything that you just can't seem to get over. Things you constantly talk or think about that are counter-productive to moving forward.

2. Once you have your list, take each item and accept that it happened (or is currently happening). Doing this does not condone the thing, but rather allows YOU to take power over it.

I know this is not an overnight thing – but a process. Yet I want you to understand that God works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him....

You can't change the things done to you in the past, nor can you change the mistakes you've made. But you can decide to move forward in the fullness that love, joy and peace all belong to you. And let it start with this: Accepting your life (all of it) and trusting God that the best years are yet to come.

Scripture: Continue to saturate your heart and soul with the love scriptures: Matthew 22:37-40 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. For encouragement, add Romans 8:28-39.

An opportunity to share your testimony: Last week I had an interview with the delightful Sharon Nelson, host of the Sharon Nelson Variety Show – a Blogtalk Radio show. Sharon was touched by the comments she read here on the blog and asked if I thought any of you would consider calling in to her show and giving your testimony.

If you're interested, check out her Web site: www.blogtalkradio.com/sharonnelsonvarietyshow.

The call-in number is 917-889-3483. Sharon has 3 shows: Hip Hop and Jazz during the week and a Gospel Brunch show on Sundays from 1:00-2:00 PM EST. Testimonies would be given during the Gospel Brunch show. Oh, I forgot to mention that Sharon is the sister of his royal purpleness...Prince!

Have a wonderful week!