Not Free until broken...

While lying in the bed this morning I had a gentle reminder of a meditation shared on the prayer line in November of 2011 and again June 2012. My first thought was, “Why? Why broken?” and I heard this, “Pressure means God desires to pull something out in order to pour something greater in”.  I smiled at the thought and took a glance over my life remembering pressures have always produced something greater in me – FAITH – a steadfastness and persistence that I cannot describe with words. Sadness, remorse, frustration, need, the appearance of emptiness and even anger causes me to search for a truth beyond what my eyes can see and even beyond what my heart feels.  Brokenness causes me to introspectively study myself – the “why I do what I do”. 

As I continued laying, thinking, meditating, praying and questioning, the Spirit of the Lord spoke back to me saying:

Where is your humility?

Where is your praise?

Where is your faith?

Where is your hope?

Where is your trust?


Again I ask you, where is your praise?

Where is your lowliness?

Where is your determination?

Where is your steadfastness?

Where is your joy?


Where is your love?

Where is your heart?

Your praise, where is your praise?

Where is your mind?

Where is your forgiveness?


Where is your fasting?

Where is your worship?

Where is your focus?

Where is your honor?

Where is your press?


To whom does all glory belong? 

As I continued lying there, listening, receiving, being ministered to, I heard this:

“Where, where, where, oh where are all these things? Let me tell you where they are: they are tied up. They are bound – all desiring to be free, right now, in this moment, at the same time. But you cannot be loosed and freed standing in your own might, hardened, turned away, seeking wholeness in that which is not from The Whole. You cannot avoid my will for your life because “LIFE” keeps happening. You cannot turn these things on and off. 

Surrender your heart and all your thoughts to me again this day. Allow your brokenness – be it your broken heart, your broken thoughts, your broken body, your broken family, your broken finances, your broken vision, your broken state of being – surrender and allow me, your God, the one who loves you, to mend your brokenness! Your brokenness, your vulnerability, your weaknesses, keeps YOU coming to me for guidance. They keep you reliant and dependent on me and not dependent on the world, its systems, order or functions – neither dependent on your humanness.  

Nothing – not your faith, your love, peace, joy, hope, worship, praise – NOTHING will be freed, released, set free until you ARE broken. Do you know why? Because the God you speak with in tears desires every part of you, not just pieces of you.  I, your God, desire your uninhibited worship without restraint – regardless of life’s ever changing situations and circumstances. I want your good and bad, pains and hurts, successes and failures, highs and lows – I want ALL of you!

So get broken, get so broken that you cry, get so broken that you grow weary, and get so broken that you question everything – Why??? Because it’s in your state of brokenness that I, your strong and mighty God can reveal my glory to, in and through you!  In your brokenness, I am able to prune, pick, pluck, pour and produce what I desire for you.

You are my beloved child. I am NOT far from you but instead – I am always near. Closer in your broken times than you realize so keep searching yourself, keep looking at your own heart, keep coming to me with each question, all your tears and every fear.  Your brokenness allows me to continuously shape you, make you, mold and sculpt you. Your brokenness produces a greater perspective of me, your life’s purpose, greater love, more hope, deeper compassion, the ability to forgive over and over again, the openness to help others in need, faith to believe me at my word and to act on that which you believe! KNOW I am here and will never leave you nor forsake you”.

Essentially, what I heard this morning was that true freedom – ultimate liberation comes from my ability to NOT look at being broken (be it a moment or many moments) as bad or horrible but instead, to embrace my broken state so that I may allow true healing, development and constant continual growth. I am encouraged this morning to allow the pressures that lead to brokenness to develop this diamond into a priceless and rather rare gem and I pray you do the same.

PRAYER:

Father God in heaven, the one who was, who is and is to come, my strength, my provider, my shield and my rock; hear me this day as I simply thank you for holding me, caring for me, and loving me unconditionally. Break me simply to mend me for Your glory. Help me to believe even in weariness and rough times that You are still God, on the throne. Help me to do Your will despite my fleshly insistence to do things my way. Help me NOT try to avoid brokenness but to trust that even the pain is working together for good. Thank You for granting me the security to be vulnerable.  Thank You for creating in me a clean heart and for granting me a renewed spirit. In You do I trust and submit this prayer humbly, In Christ name, Amen

Baggage & Boundaries (Part III)

BAGGAGE & BOUNDARIES PART III: 

THE FINALE

Much like interviewees Marcell "The Voice" Russell and Ama "Sacred Woman" Chandra, many have expressed similar sentiments regarding the  Baggage & Boundaries of and in relationships.

For me, introspection is key to growth, expansion, development and totally embracing oneself. Still, I believe maturation comes from our own experiences and those lessons we learn from those who come before us.  My mother, the late Barbara A. Whitaker-Jones always told me to never say never but at some point since she transitioned I've found myself speaking exactly that.  

Only after careful thought, consideration and the awakening of my soul, where the conscious and unconscious both met and collided, did it become necessary for me to create a standard to live by.  This sort of growth requires the affirmative over the negatives of never. 

So here I share: The Embracing Me "Bible" (so to speak), which are simple reminders of the do's and don'ts according to life lessons and experiences regarding baggage and boundaries. They have shaped my outlook and developed my character. They have helped me to live, love, laugh and especially know when its time to let go. They have taught me to embrace all the more, everything that makes me, ME...the broken places and empty spaces, the ups and downs, the love I pour and each of my downfalls and dislikes. 

I pray these affirmations groom, grow and guide you as you journey on, Embracing everything that makes you, YOU!

CONSIDER THESE AFFIRMATIONS IN AVOIDING & GETTING RID OF BAGGAGE WHILE ESTABLISHING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

• Trust God more than anyone or anything else  

• Know that you are a gift containing many gifts - one major gift being LOVE 

• Take your time, do not rush into anything or allow yourself to be led astray by impulse 

• Avoid the faint whisper of another who seeks to quiet the scream of your inner voice which in turn desires peace

• Allow your brightly lit flame to shine, glow, and grow - always recognizing when other energy seeks to smother your flame 

• Believe in, love and share your gifts and talents regardless of other's belief in you or envy/jealousy of you  

• Dignity and self respect denotes security and a deep love for oneself - Do not compromise  

• Seeking wise counsel does not make you stupid - it makes you wiser  

• Remember, potential is just that - actions matter most - Do not settle

• Do not allow the idea of love, the need for companionship or constant loneliness to dictate your actions - Be happy with you

• Remain level-headed with eyes open, mind alert, heart shielded and ears in tune to your inner spirit which makes you aware of wolves in sheep's clothing 

• Be open to change, growth and development but know the difference between someone trying to change you and someone aiding to your advancement

• Know you are valuable - Not someones scape goat, whipping post or dumping ground  

• You are NOT a victim nor are you your circumstances so live victoriously

• Eagerly await and openly embrace life's daily lessons 

• Fight for what you want - know that there is no such thing as a perfect person or perfect relationship - YOU determine the success of your partnership so work for it 

• Pointing the finger never works - own your flaws 

• Rid yourself of your own mental and emotional garbage - No one else can do that for you

• Know yourself well enough to set your own boundaries 

Remember, baggage will blind you. Know yourself enough to know when to ask for help.  This includes spiritual counseling as well as mental health counseling. 

Feel free to leave a comment to contribute valuable life lessons, experiences, knowledge and uplifting affirmations for individuals as well as couples. Blessings of love

READ: 
Baggage & Boundaries (Part I) - Featuring Marcell Russell 

Baggage & Boundaries (Part II) - Featuring Ama Chandra

Baggage & Boundaries (Part II)

In part I of Baggage & Boundaries, Marcell "The Voice" Russell poured out light, love and healing with his words as well as his music.  Here in part II of Baggage & Boundaries, gifted singer, songwriter, world leader and sacred woman, Ama Chandra provides insight to enlighten the masses regarding the baggage and boundaries in and of relationships. 

In this interview she allowed herself to openly express the vulnerability she felt after divorce and a few broken relationships.  In doing so, Ama describes her experiences with the baggage she allowed to enter her sacred space, the baggage she carried from  relationship to relationship and also the establishment of boundaries after each place of growth. 

"Many women, even those on the path of self-actualization, like myself, at the core, simply don't feel loved or lovable because our parents didn't necessarily get "IT" (loving us) right.  This leads to us accepting things we shouldn't.  For instance, I am so trusting and because of that I have often been manipulated.   

So I agree, many of us carry baggage from past trauma's.  We have been conditioned towards pain, blame and judgment.  So we sort of expect that.  People will do anything to justify their behaviors - especially women because many of us are used to being victims.   

As a woman and mother, I have learned, through the course of time that I must take care of self and that includes; knowing my worth, trusting "The Spirit" as well as trusting myself.  I have learned to read the signs - when someone reveals themselves, I trust what they divulge. 

So I reclaim my worth with statements of power and purpose that affirm me such as; Anyone who is not for my highest good is released to their highest good immediately and effortlessly and other affirmations such as; Love flows in and through me effortlessly. I am love. I receive love. I radiate love. I BE LOVE",  beautiful songstress, Ama proclaimed. 

Sacred woman Ama Chandra continued sharing the negative self talk males and females often have after engaging in a distressing relationship with these words, 

"This (negativity) does not have to be the case. Releasing something or someone that is not good for you does not have to be met with struggle and strife. We can choose to be at peace which takes practice". 

Finally, Ama says she remains positive in her outlook towards partnership. Although she no longer relies on the "check list" method to guide, acquire or inform her relationship choices and decisions, Ama does remain open to a complimentary, spiritually grounded, supportive, man, partner and mate who is protective, kind, masculine, artistic and ready to love her and her children. 

Each encounter in our lives is an opportunity to grow. Thank you Ama Chandra for your insightful perspective and especially for those powerful affirmations that release positive energy back into the atmosphere.

Enjoy the melodious Ama Chandra as she shares an affirmation of love with her song "Love is Where You Are"  as well as one of my favorites "Free" which describes the release of pain and baggage while setting boundaries in order to reclaim peace and balance.

Here are links to connect to this Beautiful instrument and gently loving woman:

Beautiful Melodies by Ama Chandra
Twitter @Amachandra 
Facebook