After I finally got back to my desk this morning following a fire drill at work, only for it to be a false alarm, I realized that many of the things we go through, in this life, are simply just a rehearsal preparing us for the real thing. Yea, that job you have now, it’s just a rehearsal preparing you for the career that’s on the way. Those few bad relationships you’ve had, they were only rehearsals preparing you for the marriage that God is binding together that has yet to be seen. That sickness that’s attacking your body, it’s just a rehearsal preparing you for the glory of God that’s about to be manifested in your healing that will be shown during your testimony. Yea, it’s just a rehearsal. Now, get this; a rehearsal is defined as a session or series of sessions in which something that is to be done later, especially a public performance, is practiced. So, in Lakisha’s logic of thinking, it breaks down like this. All the hell you’ve gone through behind closed doors was just a rehearsal preparing you to reveal God’s handiwork that is the miracle of your life that has now been restored to even greater than man could have ever thought. Yea, all the names you’ve been called, the lies that have been told, the whispers that said you’ve never be nothing, the knock down seconds, the giving up minutes, throwing in the towel hours, weeks of being without and months of living barely making ends meets were simply rehearsals preparing you for this time, the grand show that is the blessing you’re now reaping of everything you lost that has now been given back to you in a way that even blows your own mind. Therefore, when you have to go through the test more than once and when you have to bare the same storm again, it’s just a rehearsal. So, don’t give up now and don’t quit yet but pay attention because it’s just a rehearsal and God is watching and giving you everything you need to perfect your performance for when the real thing comes.
Blog Tour – Not My Will by Khara Campbell
Not My Will Book Tour
Khara Campbell’s new book, Not My Will, released on March 4th and she is giving you a chance to win a copy on Goodreads. Be sure to check out her interview, a book summary and your chance to win a copy of her new novel below and feel free to leave a comment and follow.
Title: Not My Will
Author: Khara Campbell
Publisher: Delphine
Having hooked up with her boyfriend Ty the same night they met in a club, two years ago, Virtue now wants to put a hold on their sexual relationship, but she’s not sure how Ty will take it. Their relationship started with sex from day one so she’s unsure of how to break the news to him. Erika, Virtue’s best friend from childhood, thinks Virtue is stupid for to force her man to quit having sex. She warns Virtue that she may push Ty into the arms and legs of another woman. While on her self-discovery, Virtue meet Terrance, a new confidant who is everything she wishes Ty would be: a godly man for one. But she will find out that sometimes her will is not the best.
1. What is your inspiration as a writer?
My faith is my inspiration for pretty much everything that I do, so that would include writing. I’ve always had a desire to write since I can remember being a little girl. I’m thankful that I didn’t give up on my dream, it’s so awesome to be releasing my debut novel-one of many.
2. How hard is to gain a following when you are a Urban Christian Writer?
I’m still in the process of doing this since this is my first novel. However I’ve been opening up myself and sharing bits of who I am on social media along with writing my blog post which has been helpful so far in gaining followers. I’ve realized that people like to know the person behind the products more than the product itself.
3. What motivates you to write?
Live motivates me. I like to write about real life situations, fictional of course, but real enough for readers to connect with some of the characters.
4. What do you want reader’s to take away from Not My Will?
Not My Will is fictional, however it is inspired by a similar situation I faced like the main character Virtue. Virtue struggles in her faith by wanting to abstain from sex with her boyfriend, however there are many other struggles that we all face in our lives. Virtue clearly is not perfect in this novel, like we all are imperfect, but she is looking to God to help her overcome that particular struggle. Like Virtue we are all faced with struggles, tragedies, fears, death whatever it may and the only place we can get help is from God. Everyday is a day to surrender our will and allow God’s will to be done.
5. What can the reader’s expect from you in the near future?
I’m already working on my second novel which I am very excited about. The main character gets some life changing news from her dying mother. I think there are many people that unfortunately are faced with family secrets that can either destroy them or make them stronger-depending on which way they allow the news to carry them.
Khara Campbell holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Midland Lutheran University. She is an online contributor for The Praying Woman which many of her post have went viral on social media; also Black Literature Magazine and The Literary Network. She was born and raised in Nassau, The Bahamas. She resides in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband and their three young children. Not My Will is her debut novel.
don’t forget to enter the contest to win her new novel.
Daily Devotional – 3/7/14 “Let me see your test!”
Thomas and Lacy Ackright have been married for about 15 years and they seem very happy. They have the house, 2 children, 2 cars, jobs, money in their retirement accounts and even in their savings. They go to church every Sunday, she is on the Usher Board and he serves as a deacon and they’re always willing to help. They are the head of the couple’s ministry at church because everybody wants to know the secret behind the “great marriage” they portray. He is always a gentleman and she is the type of wife every guy wishes for. Their kids are well behaved, do well in school, play all types of sports and really involved in the church. They seem to have it all together and even folks who aren’t married are a little jealous. Then one day, there’s breaking news of a shooting in this upscale neighborhood. The news reporters don’t release any names but he says the house belongs to the Ackright’s. Now, everybody is wondering who would hurt such loving people? Oh but then it is revealed that Mrs. Ackright had actually killed Mr. Ackright. Wow! No one, not one person outside the house would ever expect this but the children did. Why? Because their father was a monster behind closed doors. Yea, while he was perfect to the world, his own family barely recognized the man he’d become. No one knew what caused the sudden change in him but it happened and it was bad, worse even! See, folks only got to see what the family wanted them to see. They didn’t see the bruises under their clothes or the small limp the son had from being kicked down the stairs. They didn’t notice the pain behind the smile of the daughter when they spoke to her and they never saw the fear in the eyes of Mrs. Ackright when they asked how she was doing or how she flinched when someone grabbed her arm. No, all the world saw was the perfect picture that was painted. They did all they could to keep the war inside of their home instead of asking for help because folks had labeled them and no one wanted to ruin the image of the “perfect family” but the image ended up ruining them. Yea, they lost themselves by trying to please everybody else.
See, we’ve become so accustomed to putting up fronts that we don’t realize they’re killing us. We’d rather go hungry than to admit we don’t have money in our pocket. We’d rather run out of gas instead of asking a friend to borrow $20 until pay day. We’d rather allow ourselves to be killed at the hands of an abusive spouse rather than ask for help. Oh, but I’m here to tell you, right now, at this very moment that everybody is struggling in some kind of way. While you are so busy trying to keep your co-workers from knowing your struggle, they’re busy trying to hide theirs. But, as Christians, how can I believe your testimony if I never saw you going through your test? If I never see you stumble then how can I believe that God straighten your walk? How can a sinner see God’s work if you’re not showing His work? No, I’m not saying you have to broadcast every piece of your business but at least show me some of your test? How can I show that God forgave me of my sin if I consistently act like I’ve never committed one? How can I show a doubter that God is truly real if I never show them how He changed me when Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven?” You don’t have to broadcast your business on Facebook everyday but at least allow me to peek inside your storm every now and then so that I’ll see the goodness of God’s mercy when He brings you out. At least show me a little of your test before you start broadcasting your testimony.
Daily Devotional – 3/6/14 “Wait on the Lord!”
There’s been a song in my head all week that says, “I don’t mind waiting, I don’t mind waiting, I don’t mind waiting on you Lord.” I don’t know why this song was placed into my spirit but then it dawned on me yesterday. See, I’ve been worrying over some things that haven’t even happened yet and while I was worrying, God had already worked it out. While I was stressing, God had already settled it. Yea, here I am trying to fix it and God had already finished it! I got the nerve to try to put my hand in the fire that God was putting out. I had the audacity to be wrecking my nerves over a battle that wasn’t even mine to fight. Who am I to worry anyway when God has already told me in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future?”
And who are we to rush God when Psalm 37:7-9 says, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land?” Yes, I know that worrying comes naturally and stressing is sometimes needed in order for us to appreciate God’s sacrifice but don’t allow it to consume your life. The bible finishes this for me better than I could have ever done in Isaiah 40:27-31 (The Message Bible), by simply stating; “Why would you ever complain, O Jacob or whine Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”
I’ve always wondered why God references an eagle but in my studying, I’ve found that an eagle is powerfully built with a hard head and beak and even stronger eyes. And they have larger wings which allow them to fly faster. Which breaks down like this, when you wait on God, He gives you strength but not just any strength but the strength of an eagle which allows you to fly above the mess that should have made you miserable, see the stuff that should have shattered you and made you stumble and may even fall but not fail, may be stabbed in the back or either drug to hell and back yet your body is strong to take it and then heal. Yea, you have an eagle’s strength so get an eagle’s mentality which makes your head hard enough to endure those who say you won’t amount to nothing or be anything and prove them wrong. Get an eagle’s mentality whose beak is strong which means your beak (mouth) is even stronger to speak life and not death. So, wait on the Lord and don’t mind doing it!
Daily Devotional – 3/5/14 “Somebody needs reminding!”
There was this man who was homeless and would spend his days sitting in the subway station with a cup asking anyone who would help him for change. Each day this young woman would pass by in her expensive suit, expensive tennis shoes (her expensive heels were in her expensive bag), while talking on her expensive cell phone and although she passed the same way every morning and every evening, looking him in his eyes, she never would place even a penny in his cup. After a month or so, this man got up the courage to say, “Excuse me ma’am, can you spare some change?” Yet she looked at him, again in his eyes, but never mumbled a word. Late one evening, the man was again in the same spot in the almost empty subway when he saw the young lady pass by but this time he noticed a suspicious looking man following behind her so when she got ready to pass by he grabbed her arm. She became furious raising her voice asking him why he would put his dirty hands on her $300 suit. She kept ranting and raving saying I don’t know you and for you to touch me, you must want me to scream for the police. Finally after a few minutes, he let her go. She said, “The nerve of you to grab me like that, who do you think you are? I can’t believe you just did that!” Finally able to speak, he said, “Ma’am, please excuse me for grabbing on you but..,” she interrupted, “But what? What gives you the right or the authority to put your hands on me?” He said, “Ma’am, if you would let me explain. I grabbed you because there was a man walking closely behind you with a knife and he was about to snatch you and your bag and the only way I could stop it was to grab you. My apologies ma’am, I won’t ever touch you again.” She slowly stepped back to regain her composure because she couldn’t believe someone, a stranger who she avoided like the plague, would risk his life to save hers. Tears started to swell in her eyes and although her mouth was open, no words were present. He stood there just to make sure she was alright and when he started to leave, she placed her hand on his arm to stop him. With the tears now streaming down her face, she said, “Day after day I walk past judging you because of the way you look without even knowing your story or putting money in your cup even though I have it to spare. I never take the time to offer you a cup of coffee or the sandwich in my bag because I think I’m better than you and wouldn’t ever be in your shoes but who am I? You risked your life to save mine after the months that I’ve ignored you, never speaking or even asking your name. Why would you do that?” He replied, “I’m just paying it forward. See, I didn’t ask to be in the situation that I’m in but when I got sick with cancer I lost my job then I lost my apartment and all my so-called friends but I never lost God. Even in the midst of my begging for change in this subway, God healed my body. Even in the midst of you and others ignoring my pleas for help, God never allows me to be hungry. Even when folks judge me without knowing my story, God never allows me to be cold while I’m sleeping outside. Even when I don’t know how to make it, God does and because God never forgets about me, the least I can do is be true to his word which says in Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” I’m simply doing what God will have me to do.”
Isn’t that something? Now, this was part of a devotional I wrote on 3/6/12 entitled “Pay it forward,” and although I had every intention on writing something different God’s plan is so much better. See, many times we get so caught up in the hype that we allow ourselves to become higher than others because we’ve forgotten how we got there yet God is still there waiting. Who are you to judge someone? Who are you to look down your nose at others? Don’t you put your pants, shirt, dress or suit on the same way they do? If I cut you, won’t you bleed red blood? Doesn’t your heart beat like mine? Don’t you hurt like me? Can’t you fall just as surely as I can? Oh, ok! I’m just asking. This may not be for you but someone needed to be reminded that it could be you and it could be worse.
