2011: Things I've Learned

I feel that everything that happens to you whether good or bad can teach you something. There's a saying that goes something like this "those who don't learn will feel". I rather learn from it than repeat it and it hurt me. I just wanted to share some things that I've learned this year

1. Not everyone is for you: I say that will all the love that I can, but it's the truth. Not every people you meet you will form a lasting bond, attachment, etc. This year, sadly A LOT of "friendships" and acquaintances came to an end. I realized that I was putting a lot of people first; before God and myself. I have put myself in hazard relationships where honesty was held back because it wasn't in reality a true friendship. Being exposed to true, genuine people opened my eyes to what a true friendship looks like. If honesty and being open poses a problem to your "friendship" than it's not a friendship. The word friendship is a compound word. Friend means: A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. Ship means: A vessel larger than a boat for transporting people or goods by sea. So, friendship means a mutual bond between two or more people moving in the same direction, rowing in the same direction based on a mutual agreement. That being said, are your "friendships" based on a mutual agreement? Have you guys decided that there is a direction that you both agree to go? What is being required from each party?

2. You win some, you lose some. There are things that I have gained this year and there are many things that I have lost. Through every situation, I have learned to see what the lesson was from it. When someone says something negative to me, I think what should be my reaction or how should I react to it. I don't get everything right, after all I am human. I try to learn from everything, because everything will not always work out in my favor. The main thing is that the way you reaction to a situation shows you who you really are.

3. The best things in life are free. I have experience wonderful things this year: the VV retreat, attending Hillsong NYC and being led into worship by Brooke Ligertwood, SWITCHFOOT and ANBERLIN in concert (#1 epic experience ever!), seeing the Macy's fireworks for the first time, attending Alexander McQueen's "Savage Beauty" exhibit at 1 o'clock in the morning, etc. but it wasn't what I was doing but who I was with. I have had the pleasure to meet and hang out with some wonderful people this year and through each event God has shown me that no amount of money can pay for amazing company.

4. Some moments will stay with you all your life. I had the pleasure of retreating to the mountains in September with my sister, my First Lady ( the Pastor's Wife), and two other friends to seek God for 3 days (while cut off from the rest of the world). It was amazing! To be touched in such a way that I know I can never go back but I must push forward to higher heights and deeper depths in Christ is something that I wish all believers and even non-believers would have the opportunity to experience. I came back with the determination that my relationship with God will not put on the back burner but will be the first thing I think as I do everything. I can't explain how it felt to be touched by God that weekend, it was like He put a tattoo on my heart, my soul and I am marked as His forever.

5. Put your heart in God's hands and it won't break. I must confess that this year I had many emotional relationships this year, but none of them were actual relationships, lol. It's so sad but true. It all stopped in the summer. God asked for me, all of me and my heart was the one thing He wanted more than anything else. Since I've given Him my heart, it has been scar free, it hasn't been broken or misused at all. I haven't had to come to Him to ask Him to heal my heart or fix scars since He has had it. My heart is a beautiful and valuable thing. I am a person that when I love, I love completely; I would lay down my live and defend that person to the end. That kind of love can't be given to everyone (though you should love like Christ), this kind of love is reserved for a lover and his beloved. Until that relationship comes, my heart will be in perfect care.

6. What you put in is what you get out. If you want to have something amazing, you have to put in the work. I have learned this about everything. If you want all A's in class you have to study and pay attention. If you want to have great friends be a great friend. If you want a deeper relationship with Christ, be in His face. If you want BSL (Bra-Strap Length) hair, you have to take care of the hair you have now. What you put in will be reflected in what you get out.

7. It's NEVER all about you. Working with the children at church especially the young girls has made me realize that whatever I say to them they have to see it evident in my life. It has become sort of check for me, everything I do (even the things that they don't see) has to echo Christ. It isn't about me, my life has to carry the melody, the tune of Christ. If I'm off key, everyone will be able to tell. I have to live a life for Him so that the next generation can move forward, not backwards in Christ. It should have a wildfire effect, one spark creates the blaze that keeps spreading.

8. If you have nothing nice to say, DON'T say anything at all. I don't feel that I need to explain something that explains itself in such a short sentence. Edification and opinions are too different things. One is for growth the other is meant to cut down and destroy.

9. Your Silent Years are the most painful years. The Lord has been in control of my tongue lately, and when I speak I have learned to let Him have control. I feel my frankness has been something that the Lord has taken hold of and curbed for His glory. The body of Christ is in a lukewarm state and God had been taken the time to deal with us. To listen as He speaks and be aware of where I come short and the slack that He has taken up is humbling and to be made aware of all that we need to do for God has broken my heart when I realize that we have been moving out of flesh and not in the direction of His spirit. The training time is not the easiest time but I have to go through the fire to come out as pure gold. There's a lot of impurities in me that need to come out so I can shine the way God intended.

10. Your peers can provide the best encouragement. I have received the best encouragement from some people I haven't met! I have to give a shout-out to Cory Copeland who has blessed me tremendously since I discovered his blog of God-inspired awesomeness (lol), and Adriana Maravilla who is younger than me but so hungry for God that she has blessed me with her honesty. I've also been blessed by my First Lady (she is only my peer since she's only 10 years older than me and is like a big sis to me....I absolutely love her), my wonderful friends at Village Vespers and even my baby sis! Through these people God has shown me and reminded me that I am on this road for a reason; I am doing HIS work and I can't come down.


I feel like I can write forever, but I won't torment you guys with that. I pray that God will bless each and every one of you. I pray that 2012 will be an amazing year and you will draw closer to God. Be blessed.