Considering the Lilies

These are not lilies. image source

It's been a while since I've posted on here. And honestly, I just haven't been quite in the mood. Its not that I haven't been inspired or that I've been too busy. Its just that I haven't felt like writing. If you've been following me here on my blog, you'll know that basically this has become a space for me to document all that I have been learning in the last few months. And man, the School of Life; it'll teach you some things. But now I'm back and I'm ready to share some of the lessons I've been learning lately and what God's been putting on my heart.

Even though lists are often easier, this needs to come out like real talk. So we're going to take it back old school..paragraph style.

Really, it all starts with this verse that one of my pastors used recently. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin." (Matthew 6:28) Now, I am not great when it comes to remembering scripture. Clearly, because when I heard this the other day, I remember thinking to myself, "Jesus said that? That's in the Bible?" And the funny thing is I've definitely read/heard this verse many times before. But all those times I glossed over it, I totally missed the point. I missed the profound truth that lies behind those words. Its amazing how God can use some of the most seemingly insignificant verses in scripture to be applicable to our lives at just the right time.

In this passage, Jesus is laying it out to the disciples to not worry about about their lives. And not the type of pat on the back message of "don't worry, you'll be alright." But really commanding them not to worry, like at all. He basically says to them don't do it, don't waste your time worrying, nothing at all comes from it. Then he takes them and shows them (I imagine much like Mufasa showing Simba the kingdom) and says look, look at the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. Look how day in and day out I take care of them without them worrying about the food their going to eat and whatnot, and heck those little things don't even matter, they're just there for decoration (interpretation mine.) How much more will I take care of you? How much more will I provide for you?

This is where the consider the lilies part comes in, in the next verse. This is where I got a new revelation to the truth behind these words. Its not just that Jesus is showing us an example of how much  he provides for us. He is also reminding us to stop, be still, and consider where I have you right now. Stop the constant go, go, go and breathe. Consider the lilies, almost like stop and smell the roses, right? But more like, consider where you are right now. I've taken care of you, I'm taking care of you, and I will continue to take care of you, of every situation, every challenge, every desire, every setback. Consider the fact, that this place where you are at right now, is exactly where I want you to be. This pastor said it like this, "No one wants you to be where you want to be more that God wants you to be where you want to be." So know that God has you right where he wants you.  Don't worry about what you ought to be doing, where you ought to be, if you'll make it, etc. God has a plan for you exactly where you are. Take some time to think about that. Ask God, what is he using you, your story for, exactly where you are. It could be your physical location (God, why am I sitting in this chair? jokes) or possibly a situation you are going through. But take some time to consider how God is building your story just where you are.

Maybe you don't consider yourself spiritual or religious, and you're thinking, "Doris, what the heck are you talking about?" That's okay. Who ever you are, where ever you are in this life, catch this: Trust the process. Trust that there is a purpose for exactly where you are. Consider the lilies, consider why you are where you are at this very moment and be thankful that it is exactly where you need to be. Don't worry about tomorrow or the future. Don't be anxious about whether or not you'll make it, whether or not you're good enough, qualified enough, talented enough. Consider the fact that you are alive. You've been taken care of and provided for up until this very moment, this very breath you're breathing in. Now, I'm not saying don't be prepared or don't be ambitious. Those things are good, have dreams, have goals and desires. Or, if your facing challenges, know that even though it hurts in the meantime, know that you are taken care of and not forgotten. But always remember, there is purpose where you are right now, whatever you are going through and that He. will. provide. He will, it's kind of His thing.

Stay hungry, trust the process.

Doris



Notes:

• If you're in the DC metro area definitely check out National Community Church led by Pastor Mark Batterson. Listen to this message here.
• The above flowers are not lilies at all. I couldnt find a quality picture of lilies (they're kind of the ugly duckling of flowers) so lo-and-behold...roses. That'll just have to do.

Falling in love with the South.
It's like when you've written someone off,
and you spend a little more time with them.
And then you realize that you're madly in love with that person.

D.S.

Notes to Self #3

Are you alive?
Check that pulse of yours. You're breathing, right?
It doesn't matter what you are doing right now.
What you have, what you don't have, what you want.
You're alive. And you're hear to learn and to live.
To truly live.
So live.
Take it all in.
All this time. It's yours.
The time at the margins. The time in the trenches.
It teaches us. It shapes us. It changes us.
If we let it.
If we get up and face this world head on.
Everyday you must ask yourself, "Am I becoming that woman?"
Am I facing the world head on?
Dissapointments, setbacks, challenges, and all.
Or am I hiding under the blankets of self doubt, fear, and anxiety.
This life is not a contest. It's not a race. It's not a game show.
We all die in the end.
We get to take nothing with us.
If anything, this life, it's a learn by fire, trial by error, lifelong lesson in the language of relations.
It's a voyage in mastering the art of purpose and relieving ourselves from vanity.
You want to be becoming?
You have to start by being.
Now.
It starts by diving in. This very second.
In your thoughts, your dreams. Most importantly, your actions.
Dive into this life. Dive into all that it has to offer. Dive into knowing your deepest, truest self. Dive into making mistakes and making opportunities. Dive into forgiveness and the art of letting go. Dive into healing. Dive into the celebration of life around you. Dive into your roots and where you come from. Dive into love, over and over again.
But most importantly
Dive in.
It starts now.
It doesn't start tomorrow or the next day.
It starts now.
You're alive, right?

Listening to Now

Here's some of the music I've had on repeat lately. Really Good stuff.
Check it out.

Much Love,
D.

"First Time" by Dre Skull

"Hey Love" Quadron

"Q.U.E.E.N." Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu

"They be like ooh, let them eat cake. But we eat wings and throw the bones on the ground."

Yaaasss.

Doris vs. Reality: Updates

It's been a while, but I'm glad to have a little more free time to give back to this here blog. Lots of things have been happenin. I'm finally making out it from my MCAT cave. Back into the real world, and its feeling good. I received so much encouragement, prayers and support from my friends and family. It was truly incredible. Thanks so much for all the good vibes! I'm definitely relieved that that phase is mostly over for right now, but now its time to jump into yet another grind of job hunting and general life management mode. The stress and anxiety easily creeps in, but I've learned how important it is to let all that go and just trust God to open the right doors. So that's kind of where I am right now. Just trying to cast my nets far and wide and keep on chuggin.

In other news, how long was that video?! No joke. My friend was like, "I love you Doris, but 13 minutes!" I know. I know. I promise I'll make it shorter next time. And I'll try not to mess up the woman's quote from the dang video. In all seriousness though, thank you so much for taking the time to watch and listen. I definitely appreciated the thoughtful responses and comments. So much love.

Now that its not just me and my books anymore, I can focus on other exciting things happening soon, i.e. graduations and my dear friend's wedding. Really looking forward to these celebrations, and to making it back out to Cali for a bit and catching up with my peoples over there. Anyway, das it for now.

Much love,
D.