Some have the burden of being expected to fulfill the ideas of someone else's desires.

They want you to be an accountant, lawyer, mechanic, flight attendant, usher, tour guide, trustee, doctor, professor, plumber, or politician. Why? Because they are, their Mom was, or the neighbors need to be impressed. 

You have other plans. You have knowledge that your path is supposed to be different. Pressure. Issues. Arguments. Fights. Frustrations. 

You may even know they're right about your future, but you want to get there by the route prepared specifically for you. You may agree, but don't want to hear "I told you so" once you understand they are right. You certainly do not want to deal with them taking off at the speed of lightning giving you instructions on how to get where you both agreed you're supposed to go/be/do. 

The problem? You feel/believe/KNOW that if you allow them to drag/drive you NOW, they will be dragging/driving you for the rest of your life! They'll think everything they think you should do is right since they were right about that one thing!  When do you get to breathe? When do you get to live without them breathing down your neck about it? People are so determined to make their life your life...and do it their way...that even if you agree, you dread the coming 'ride'!

There's also the self-imposed guilt. You care. You go and do their desires for you because you don't want them to be hurt or disappointed, and all the while going, you're trying to figure out how to 'cut through the bushes' and get off the track to have a moment to yourself and your own thoughts.


The solution:  

Be honest with God. Be determined to do things God's way, no matter what happens. If you're hated, uninvited, constantly reminded that you 'are going the wrong way', be determined to go alone without their encouragement, money, support, presence, time, etc.

When we DETERMINE to do things God's way, God comes ready to work with us. 

WHAT IF God agrees with them about you going the route in life that follows their route? You'll accept it because you've already determined and concluded that you will follow God. God will be there to take you on the route and will inform others that he, not they, chose the route (even if it's the same as theirs) because God is not going to let them take credit for you being who you're supposed to be.  God will be there to block/run interference for you, fight them in a way that keeps you out of the hot seat, back you up with what you told them God told you to do, and make them apologize to you for being wrong about the whole thing or about little things they disagree with along your path that God is taking you.

Determine you will go God's way. Period! Be willing to take the rejection and the angry arrows. You'll get the blessings and those trying to mold you into what they want will fail and will know they failed and won't be blaming you because they will know God led you.

I remember someone telling the story about how he tried to tell his little boy what to do on the football field. His son said to him, "I have a coach." Parents would yell instructions at their kids during the games, practices or at home when studying their sport.  The coaches were frustrated.  Kids were trying to figure out who to obey, even as they played on the field and heard their parents' voices giving instructions. That little boy's coach (and I'm sure many others, as well) taught his team of little players,  
"Listen to me. Tell your parents you have a coach."

Son, Daughter, Person - Whether you are called to do something different from everyone else or from what is expected or if called to do the same thing, those who have gone before and think they get a say in your future profession, first remember to LISTEN TO THE COACH aka GOD.


   

Genesis 37 -Joseph, Son #11, was hated by his brothers.
Why?
Jealousy.
Jacob's favorite son.
Jacob made him a coat of many colors, showing favoritism and that Joseph would be a great leader.
Joseph had two dreams interpreted as confirmation that he would be a great leader over his family.
Joseph's brothers planned to kill him, put his body in a pit, and tell Dad that a beast ate him. 
Reuben talked them out of killing him, but agreed to placing him in a pit so he could save him later.
Later, Judah suggested they sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites.
Genesis 37:36 - And the Midianites [used interchangeably with the Ishmaelites; half siblings; same Dad Abraham]; sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. 
Genesis 39:1-4 - Joseph was taken to Egypt. His master saw that the Lord was with him. The Lord made all in Joseph's hands prosper. Joseph was made overseer over all his master's house.
Genesis 41:39-41 -  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.


Hated Brother. Put in a Pit. Twice Sold. The Lord was with him.
No weapon formed against him prospered. Gift made room for him.
He was promoted to be second only to the Pharaoh.


We've all been a Joseph or Josephine before. Whether a 3yo in day care who was hated because she dressed like a princess every day, a college student who started a small business claiming she or he would one day have one of the biggest companies in the country, a Gospel singer who became known all over the world as the greatest, or a Youth who knew he would rise to be the Lead Usher at church. If we did not let the dream go, we stayed the course and went on to be victorious.


We've all been in a group who recognized and targeted a Joseph or Josephine - that one person who stood out, for no reason of their own, by no calling of their own, but by God's doings.


Joseph/Josephine:  
Called to be the best and brightest in the group.
Unctioned by God to walk in the door that no one on the other side expected or wanted them to walk in.
Called to be the best golfer.
Thrust into the role of Club President.
Gifted to be the anointed singer.
Setup to be the Valedictorian.
Selected to be the right hand of the leader.
Wearer of the most beautiful natural crown of glory.
Winner an expensive car.
Offspring of the richest in the land.
Anything others deemed glorious that one did not choose for themselves.


The characters in Joseph's story:
They.
Reuben.
Judah.
The Ishmaelites/Midianites.
Potiphar.


Question: Of those characters, who have I/you/we chosen to be to the Joseph/Josephine we've met?


They hated Jo and wanted to kill Jo with words, accusations, false stories, snubs, misinformation, deceptions, and detours leading them in the wrong direction.
Reuben sought to spare Jo's life, rescue him, refute the lies, and restore Jo's character to the lead on the job, department, business, group, teacher, coach, etc. 
Judah wanted to keep his hands clean but also wanted to be rid of Jo. So, Judah passed the bad words, accusations and lies on to the next group so that group would carry out the hate and he kept blood off his hands. 
The Ishmaelites/Midianites were fine with purchasing Jo and treating him badly because they believed all the things they were told about Jo.
Potiphar comes along and decides to take Jo off the Ish/Mid's hands and treat him like the pleasantly appealing person God has put in his heart that Jo is since the Ish/Mids seem to have had bad intentions for Jo. Apparently the Ish/Mids decided they didn't have the time/it wasn't in their plan to take on another person to enjoy mistreating at that particular time.


Will we be a 'they' and try to kill Joseph's/Josephine's reputation in the office, school, family, social club, study group, college class, Senior Living tower, warehouse, salon, basketball/golf/running/exercise/friend group?
Will we be a 'Reuben' and attempt to save Jo's reputation and livelihood?
Will we be a 'Judah' and send Jo to someone else to be mistreated?
Will we be a Ishmaelite/Midianite and offer to be the bad guy so a Judah won't have to be to one of his own?
Will we be a 'Potiphar' who will gather Jo up, with the purpose of making Jo who Jo is destined to be by the company owner, the boss, the manager, the teacher, the Professor, the club President, the community, and God?


When encountering a Joseph/Josephine, which character have you been or will you be?






Illustration: freepik.com
Books and Jewelry:  www.etsy.com/shop/becmin

Coming Soon.

Society, community, government, family, and religion expect us to meet certain requirements at all ages in our lives, whether or not we have all that is needed to meet those requirements.

So, how do we meet those requirements?  God!

First, consider the Children of Israel (COI), other OT people, then us. 

Genesis 37 -50
The Children of Israel came to be citizens of Egypt through Joseph, the son of Jacob. 
You've heard the story: 
Joseph's hateful brothers put him in a pit. He was sold twice. The second transaction for his life revealed that the Lord was with him. Weapons were formed against him but they did not prosper. Joseph's gift made room for him. He was favored and made Governor of Egypt, the position that was second only to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. 

Famine hit the land. Governor Joseph, whose King had plenty of food, was glad to care for his brothers when they travelled to Egypt in search of food. His brothers did not know Joseph was Governor before they approached him. Joseph, holding no grudges against his brothers, commanded that his whole family (parents, eleven brothers, spouses, children, etc.) move to Egypt so they would be well during the famine. Joseph's family lived happily and gratefully in Egypt, prospering and growing.

THEN ...
Exodus 1 -
Joseph, his brethren, and all that generation died.
The children of Israel had been fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied, and were exceeding mighty. The land was full of them! 
A new Pharaoh arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. He was intimidated by the multitude of the Children of Israel, who were just happily living life with no plans to revolt.
The new King's fear led him to enslave them, put slave masters over them, and afflict them with the heavy burdens of building cities for him. 

In spite of the enslavement, the COI multiplied. Pharaoh became very afraid of the COI. 

*Does that sound familiar to you? People fear and hate you because you're too happy, peaceful, joyful, unwavered by life's problems or by their attacks against you, etc.

VS 14 - And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service wherein they made them serve, was with rigor (harshness, severity, cruelness).
​
Exodus 5
New Pharaoh ordered the killing of all COI new baby boys, which led to the saving of Moses, who God eventually called to get COI released from Egyptian bondage.
When the time arrived for Moses to step into the shoes God formed for him, Moses asked Pharaoh to allow the COI to go into the wilderness to hold a feast unto God.
Pharaoh was furious, called them idle (lazy) and gave orders that they be given MORE work to do.

The caveat:  Pharaoh also took away the straw needed to make the bricks for all the buildings the COI had to construct for the new cities. In this one thing, The Children of Israel, failed. The search for straw (previously provided by Pharaoh) was time-consuming, futile and brought more punishment, YET, it was the catalyst that brought about their complete escape from Pharaoh through GOD!

TIDBITS of the lesson:

The world wants parents to raise brick solid children so they'll be brick solid adults, but will hold back the necessities to get it done.
 
The world wants us to be brick solid productive members of society, but will hold back and vote against the necessities to get it done.

The world wants you to be a brick solid leader and employee, but will hold back the necessities needed to meet the requirements

The world - meaning society, absent parents, government, politicians, law enforcement, educational institutions - insists on certain results from certain people, but will hold back what is needed to accomplish those results, such as: ... ..

The world requires 'bricks' but withholds the 'straw'...etc.

But GOD! He came through for... 

I Kings 17
II Kings 4
Daniel 6
Acts 12

... To be continued. 

A few weeks ago, someone mentioned a Pastor whose last name is/was Pitts. I immediately remembered him from a college chapel service or class many years ago.

He spoke on Luke 11:24-26 
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.


Pitts related the scriptures to new babies.  He said new babies are presented by God as 'clean houses' and that it is the responsibility of the parents, and everyone else in the child's life, to keep the new house (baby) clean, or else the demons that plagued the previous generation would see the clean house and would try to enter it with seven times the strength/stronghold/spirits.


Pitts used examples like alcohol, drugs, lasciviousness, anger, violence, pride, envy, lust, etc.  He said whereas the previous generation's issues (Mom or Dad) could drink on the weekends or evenings and be fine, the new clean house - the new baby - could or would be sought out by the same spirit that would have seven others with it, leading to the new baby not being able to handle alcohol 'as well' as the previous generation.  Previous generation - weekend drinkers. A new baby grows up to be an every evening alcoholic or a 24/7 alcoholic unable to properly function in society.  The same with drugs only experimented with by the previous generation but the new house falling victim to drug addiction. The same with lustful activities, for example, the Mom may 'do what she needs to do' to get funds to feed the family, whereas the new house (daughter or son) will be susceptible to the one plus seven spirits that draw them into deeper lasciviousness. Cigarette smokers...... Abusive..... Envious..... Prideful....


You get the meaning, right?  He said o-u-r responsibility with any new one (I would include new anybody - coworker, team member, government employee, etc.) is to make sure they remain the 'clean house' they are when God sends them here on Earth (or to the business, organization, political office, community group, etc.) - make sure they don't become corrupt or MORE corrupt than the 'family' they have become a part of.


​Amen? Amen.      



Find my books and jewelry on
www.etsy.com/shop/becmin      

 Stop burying the bodies and hiding the wounded.

Deal with the ones who are spiritually and emotionally k*ll*ng and wounding people, instead of 'hiding the bodies' - moving the wounded from place to place, department transfers, title changes and moves, reassignments, firing, etc  - then pretending nothing happened or it's not your fault.

Employers; family leaders; political leaders - locally, nationally and globally; organization leaders; religious leaders; medical leaders - physicians, researchers, the medical community at-large; departments of justice, mental/behavioral health oversight organizations - psychiatry, psychology....






If we act ugly when dealing with someone else, wishing them away is not the answer. The answer is
live holy -  I Peter 1:16
love -  I John 13 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
follow peace -  Hebrews 12 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;)

Do you have something spiritual that you won't help others get for themselves?

You sit back and watch them struggle and act like they are the problem.

You got it. It helps you, tremendously, to live life.

You know how to get it.

Why won't you help others get it?


​

Matthew 5:15​

​​








Two reactions people have to our light:

1) Run towards us because they realize their darkness needs the light.

John 3 Nicodemus, Jesus
John 4:46-47 Nobleman, Jesus
Acts16:29-31 Keeper of the Prison, Paul and Silas

2) Shield themselves from us because their darkness doesn't want the light.

John 3:17-20


Work, church, community, family, business establishments, and even in the park! We meet these people anywhere, Embrace the ones who run towards us. Beware, watch and pray for the ones that run from us.






Books and Bracelets: www.etsy.com/shop/becmin
Illustration:<ahref="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-flat-design-shame-illustration_24497160.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=7&uuid=edb3ded7-a292-435a-a63c-d4434d269bee">Image by freepik</a>

♟♟♟
My husband has played chess since he was a kid living in the Bronx. He was and still is very good at chess. 

For years he had a chess board in every room of his and then our living spaces and in the trunk of his car, always prepared to play a game with a friend or stranger. He's always stated his goal to train others so well that they beat him at the game. He has truly meant it. 

When we teach, parent, disciple, or mentor people to be better, stronger, wiser, and more knowledgeable, what is our reaction when they get the lessons and use all that on us? Are we/AM I/Are you glad or offended? We should be glad because they've learned and are bold enough to stand for themselves and in what they've gained, even when they disagree with or have come into better knowledge or wisdom on a subject, act or personal decision.
Our reaction to them walking in light we've taught, brought, modeled or facilitated, will indeed clarify our motivations for leading them. 

Let's not have the superior attitude that "I taught you. You can use it on others, but you can't use it on me". Hmmm...♟♟♟

Clarity - Called to BE Thought-Provoking.

+ Intentionality, meaing Focused on all aspects of life (visual, auditory, humanistic, naturalistic, spiritual, secular, moral, immoral and carnal) to discern thought-provoking moments that will explain, correlate, value, or appropriately devalue meanings, so as to give insights aimed to open the understanding to individuals, so as to lead to life changes for the better.

+ Urgency as in NOW & ALWAYS, because it is l-i-f-e, meaning I am CALLED TO BE THOUGHT-PROVOKING (as was Jesus from his virgin birth to conquering the grave/death/hell. Reference Matthew 10 KJV). Therefore, I am always on 'the job'/on the CALL.

= Extraordinary Results such as much volunteerism work in the church, non-profits and various communities, daily spiritual motivational radio spots for 10+ years, books, social media, epistles, sermons, letters, and verses.)

(https://www.facebook.com/WOFFamily/videos/495246469741332/?app=fbl at the 1:05:00 mark.)