You are going through something and you’re probably sitting there wondering why is this happening to me? You get paid on Friday and still broke. You get up, get ready for work and go out to the car and the tire is flat. Or you can be like me, make it to work and the school calls because your child is sick.  I’ve come to realize that stuff happens.

That’s life! What are you going to do about it? Do you sit around sulking or do you get up and make something happen? If you’re bills outweigh your money, cut back or get a second job. If the job is worrying you thin and stressing you out, change it. If the kids aren’t acting right, take away some of the expensive stuff you’ve spent your money own or do like your momma did, beat some butts!

We all know that things happen for a reason and for a season (Ecclesiastes 3) but when the season is over you can’t keep dwelling in it. If a so-call friend walks away, let them go. If a husband/wife, decide they don’t love you no more let them go because you can’t make love you when they don’t. If it is meant to be, then they’ll be back. If God ordains it he will maintain it but, it has to be of God. Now don’t think that God has blessed you with everything you got because you know that for some things you didn’t consult God on so don’t expect him to bless your mess.

You do know that the devil blesses too? Let me explain. You and your spouse are having trouble in your marriage. You keep saying that you’ve done all you’re going to do and if he’s not willing to change you’re done. You haven’t prayed and fast for guidance from God because you don’t need to change, he does. You’re doing what God has asked you to do. You go to church, Sunday school and bible study, you help those in need, you sing in the choir and you pray for those who ask, so you’re good. When your spouse mentions counseling you roll your eyes because again you don’t need changing, you’re done! Then you meet this man/woman who seems to know just what you need. They tell you everything you need to hear, touch you in all the right spots and attends to your every need. You’re thinking this must be a blessing from God. Chile, what makes you think God will send you somebody to cheat on the person he’s already given you? God don’t work like that. His word says what God has joined together let no man put asunder (Mark 10:9). You’re thinking, but this person knows me, my likes & dislikes, what makes me feel good, the food I like to eat and places I like to go; this has to be God. But doesn’t the person at home know all of this too; aren’t they the one God sent when things were good? Aren’t they the ones that made your eyes light up when they walked into a room when everything was good? Aren’t they worth working for? See, the devil has sent you a blessing in a blue dress or a blue suit but you’re too busy being wooed to even notice. Shouldn’t you consult God first before you get yourself into something you can’t pray your way out of? Isn’t your marriage worth a day of fasting and prayer? When you’ve tried everything, try God because you may just be overlooking the one thing meant for only you.

Stop rushing to give up on things! Stop wallowing in self-pity because things aren’t going your way or because you didn’t get the job that you thought had your name all over it. Stuff happens in your life every day. Stuff happened yesterday and will happen tomorrow. What you have to do when you get knocked down, is pick yourself up, dust off the dirt and keep going. Eventually you’ll stop wobbling and falling, just like a baby that begins to walk, and start walking straight. It doesn’t matter about the number of times you fall, what matters is the times you get up. The only thing you should be doing on your knees is praying because digging a hole for yourself won’t help. God has made you and he has already destined you for greatness but you’ll have to work for it. Anything worth having is worth working for! Stuff happens, get over it!!

This morning when I rose I could have complained about the number of hours I didn’t sleep or how early I had to get up. I could have complained about the coldness in the air or the fact that I had to get out in it. I could have even complained about my long drive to church. But then I thought about my cousin who is laying in ICU and not able to do any of these things. I though of grandma who wants to go to church but can’t or granddaddy who would love to get up and walk but can’t but I can so who am I to complain?

When I begin to think about the blessings that God bestows on me day after day it makes me want to dance. When I think about how he has kept me through dangerous situations, I want to dance. When I think about the things that could have taken my life when I was in the world, it makes me want to dance. When I think about how God has blessed my family over & over, how he breathes life into my body each day, keeps my mind, sends new mercies my way each morning, it makes me want to dance!

Not only am I dancing to show my appreciation to God but I’m dancing on the devils head. I’m letting him know that he can’t have my joy, my peace, my children, my husband, my family, my friends, my mind, my car, my job, my happiness nor my life. I’m letting the devil know that even though you may try and show up from time to time, there is no room here. I won’t allow you to sleep in my guest room. So whatever situation you’re ready to send my way, send it cause I’m ready. Whoever you want to send to try and block my blessings, send them cause I’m ready. Whatsoever you try to do to me won’t prosper cause I’ve got the love of God in my heart and I’m covered by his blood. I know all my days won’t be easy and the sun won’t always shine but God’s word has prepared me for that and for you, so I’m ready.

So when times begin to get too much for you, dance on the devils head! When it seems like you’re taking 2 steps back, dance on the devils head! When your bills outweigh your money, dance on the devils head! When your spouse & kids aren’t acting like they belong to you, when sickness comes, death attacks your family & friends and it seems like there’s no answer..dance!!

Dance like there is no one watching. Dance like you have no problems. Dance like God will do just what he said he would! Dance! Dance on the devil’s head!

As I journey through this thing called life, I have to sometimes take a moment to reflect on how good God is.  This morning I attended the funeral of a little girl, who although she was born with some birth defects, God allowed her to live on this side for 7 years.  Even with the problems in her body on this side she had a smile on her face and touched those that she came in contact with.  Because of that, God allowed her to sleep away on this side only to wake up with a whole new body that is without pain and judgment from folk on the other side.  There she will be able to walk and run and do all of things that she couldn’t do on this side, because when she wakes up with God, all her problems will be solved. I can never imagine how a mom or dad feels burying a child, but I know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, so that’s good news.

I realize that no matter what life throws, things could be much worse.  I visited Baptist ICU, tonight, and watched my cousins deal with the pain of watching their mother on life support and not knowing if she will ever be the same again and then having to make tough decisions on how long she should remain on life support.  I can’t begin to understand what they feel because my mom was sitting in the waiting room.  Often times we take people for granted until we are standing over their caskets and then all the things we want to say or should have said are meaningless.  We take things for granted, like our hands & feet until we can no longer use them, our legs until we are in a wheelchair with no feeling, our eyes until we can no longer see, our minds until it is no longer useful or our love until there is no one to share it with.  We take small things for granted because we think it’ll always be there, like an appetite until you have food and no desire to eat or a bed with no rest or sleep no matter what you take or how many sheep you count.

It has been said many times that life is precious because the next minute isn’t promised but no matter how many times it is said, you are the only one that can make the best of your life.  Start by living for you.  When you allow yourself to be happy then nothing can take it from you.  Love yourself and those around you.  Things happen faster than a blink of an eye, don’t live with regret but live for the reward that God has waiting.