Try a good walk

Walking is one of my favorite things to do. It is exercise, a stress reliever, and sets me up to people watch which I also love. I have worked it back into my morning routine. I didn't know how much I missed it. I walk my neighborhood, so it allows me to see people in my surrounding area.

I have been getting back to seeing my older neighbors that get up early and porch sit. I get a chance to say hello and they welcome it. Not like our generation that only speak to people they know and even then, it is iffy. I thought about being raised in their time, but I am from a small town and that is probably why I feel so relatable to older people. We were raised the same.

I have been coming across this middle-aged woman that we are clearly on the same schedule. I have been speaking to her every day. Today when I asked her how she was doing she said okay, but she told me to keep up the good work. I laughed and said you to. As I continued to walk, I thought about why was she just ok? She is healthy, looking good, and woke up this morning. I said I would ask her tomorrow when I pass her. I should've asked today.

Anyway, my walks give me a chance to just take time with God. I don't bring a phone, listen to music, I like to go alone. Just me and God processing through what my day is going to look like. Or just getting quiet so I can hear him. I remember one of my friends from Colorado grandmother talking to me about walking. She said she missed it. She said it calmed her. I sat and talked to her for about an hour and a half waiting on everybody else to wake up. She talked about growing up, marriage, and how life had changed. I laughed, cried, and learned from her.

When my friend woke up. I asked her why her grandma didn't go walking anymore it seemed like she loved it. She told me she had dementia. She started forgetting how to get back, so they didn't want her to go anymore. I laughed not the woman I just sat and talked to. God aligns moments for miraculous encounters.

Just try a good walk. It connects you to others you would never talk to. It is the best exercise you can do daily. It gives you peace of mind and calms your spirit. Go ahead and give it a try

Butterflies

I seen a big, beautiful, orange butterfly when I stepped out the door to go on my morning walk. I stopped and watched it for a second but went on about my walk. As I was walking I started having a talk with God about butterflies.

I laughed as I thought about a skit I say with this guy playing different insects. I thought God why make them so beautiful compared to the the other insects. God put it in my mind that they do not start out that way. It was once a caterpillar and at that point it was as ugly as any other bug. It has to go through a process and shed its skin to become a butterfly.

I still thought even if it was once ugly it isn't anymore. Then God revealed to me it never sees itself. Even when it lands on something reflective; Its wings close up as it is perched. Like when it is sitting around the other bugs, that it hangs with lol. They can all fly, has unique qualities about them, and are appreciated for what it does in the ecosystem. So a butterfly is always humble and just does its job.

I continued to walk and thought but God it sees other butterflies. They are all uniquely made like us, and that is if they are the same species. I looked it up and there are 17,500 species of butterflies in the world. 750 species in the United States. That blew my mind I guess when your numbers are that great you are just one of.

I thought about me as a butterfly, never being able to see myself. I realized that is how I feel when I am around people that are gifted. I am in Awe of how God is moving in their life that I forget how bright I shine. How uncomfortable I feel around everyone else. I am just in a safe place where my bright colors are not calling attention to predators. Just safe to be thankful to God that there is still beauty in the world.

Don't lose touch with reality

This weekend I was in time of celebration. I was surrounded by some of everybody. How I was raised was to be in judgement of people that had not got to God yet. I am learning as I am growing older is that to be set apart doesn't mean to stay in the house and church. It means where ever your feet step that people should see the difference in you.

I had an amazing weekend. It was full of laughter, hugs, dancing, talking, fellowshipping, and some happy tears. I can never get lost in the religious spirit. I am meant to be in the world but not of the world. If we never step out they may never see the light of God. I don't believe God wants us to barricade ourselves from the world. I believe he has changed us so when we are in the world that we be the impression of light. Not be persuaded to do the wrong thing.

Just because your relationship with God is stronger. Does not mean you have to move in a way were you can not relate. You have been there and know what it feels like to be judged. Maybe you weren't making all the right decisions but you meant no one any harm. Meet them where they are, and have regular conversations. Every conversations doesn't have to be preachy. Actually none of them have to be. If you are the light you believe you are. They will see the difference in you and ask what has changed it. Then you can have real conversations not forced that make them turn away.

All ministry won't look the same. I will follow Gods instruction for me. I will read my bible, workout, eat clean, journal, post my YouTube videos, write my blog, dance, laugh, sing, be transparent, take in all the sun I can so my clothes won't always reflect what a believer wears, but through it all I will glorify God.