The Sea of Life

June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Waves by Jessica — Watercolor waves by Jessica Yee @Calligraph.yee

The Sea of Life
By: Nicole Renee Kent (Onthecliffoflife)

There was a girl sailing a boat on the sea called “Life”
When suddenly, the waves became turbulent, pushing her into an unrelenting strife

After the water finally calmed and settled down
She realized a plan should be in place or next time surely she would drown

The girl prepared and overthought every potential possibility
Believing she had to do this alone—her own responsibility

Suddenly, a voice came softly over the wind
Bringing peace to the water as her broken boat began to mend

“You do not need to worry about the storms on Life’s sea
For I bring peace and healing—plans that will give you prosperity”

“No, no” she said, “I have to be prepared”
She spoke out of fear and utter despair

“I cannot trust in what I do not know
Planning for every outcome—especially when the Life’s waves seem to grow”

So, the girl continued on this self-destructing path
Carrying her own burdens and alone, dealing with the sea’s torturous wrath

By going along in this burdensome way—she built-up anxiety
With the potential outcomes filling her head—threatening the girl to her knees

It finally became too much for her to bare
Finally breaking under the weight of Life, no longer could she plan or prepare

Lying crumpled on the deck of the boat
She became too weak—unable to try and stay afloat

Suddenly, a the voice reappeared
Stronger than before and oh, so near and dear

A man dressed as a captain crouched down next to her
He touched her face and spoke more than the previous whisper

“Dear one, you were never meant to carry this burden on your own
Let me help you and let My love be ever known

You need not plan for every possibility
For I will steer you in the correct direction—just trust in Me”

The girl fell into his arms, feeling the weight of Life go
Putting her faith in the Captain and letting His trustworthiness show

Soon the next storm came upon them
But it was no match for her ever-present, knowledgeable captain

He guided the boat over one of the giant swells
Commanding her to focus on Him—from then on she knew all would be well

Left Lane Ends

June 26, 2018June 27, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I was driving to work and saw the ever-known orange road construction signs. *sigh* One sign signified that the lane to the left would end, so I stayed on the right. Suddenly, almost all the cars in front of me started going to the LEFT LANE. I began to doubt that I read the sign correctly. After steering my car to the left, I soon came to a halt. You want to guess why? The left lane ended. The sign was right. The people in front of me were wrong…AND I FOLLOWED THEM.

While waiting for a kind driver to let me squeeze back into the CORRECT lane, God decided to bring in a “spiritual lesson” to beat some time.

Spiritual Lesson:

God: “Have I not given you directions on where to go? Have you not doubted my Word and decided to go the way of the crowd?”

Me: “This is some ‘pep-talk’ before work today. Thanks, God.” *sigh* “But, yes. I know You, yet I have gotten swayed by taking my eyes off your guidance and by going by the way of the majority.”

God: “It is easy to sway in the way of the world, but I have overcome the world. You need not look to where the group is going, for their way is a large path where many will enter…go by the narrow path where few are called.”

Me: “Technically, everyone who was in the wrong lane began scrambling to get back towards the correct lane (especially when they realized the end of the road was near).”

God: “Exactly. When the end is near, and they see their errors, they will try to come back…but for some, it will be too late. Keep your eyes upon Me and listen to My direction.”

Me: “What about the cars to the right that stop to let the wrong lane back in?”

God: “They are willing to help those be free of their wrong path. Will you be one of them?”

Me: “What if the person who wants back in was the one that cut me off earlier?”

God: “What about grace? You should be excited that they want to go on the right path and turn from their error.”

Me: “I see your point…but we’re still talking metaphorically, right? Not in handling real traffic, right?”

God: “….”

Me: “Hello?”

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End Note:

Don’t you just love when God uses those simple day experiences to teach you a life lesson? Whether driving to work, being at work or even being at home, God will meet you where you’re at. He will use those “interesting moments” to speak to your heart. Let’s just say, there are many lessons that God has been revealing to me when I drive through traffic (and I might just share a few more of the stories with you).

What and where has God been speaking to your heart recently? Please share in the comment section below.

P.S. (A nice driver let me squeeze back into the correct lane. Thank you kind sir! 😉)

Tithe Lesson

June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Me: “Who do you want the rest of my tithe money to go to?”

God: “Wait, I will tell you at the right moment.”

Me: “ If I don’t give the money now, I might forget.”

God: “Wait.”

A few days later…

God: “I want you to keep that tithe money for yourself.”

Me thinks to self: *is this a deceiving spirit? Or is God wanting me to keep a part of my tithe money? This HAST to be a deceiving spirit.*

Me: “Are you sure? There are poor people and others who will need it more than me.”

God: “Yes, I am sure.”

Later on…

Me to self: *I cannot spend what God has given me, on myself. He has trusted me with it. I will help someone with what He has given me.*

God: “That is why I wanted you to keep it. I knew that with what I trusted you in little, you would give unto others of what I have given you. Now, this was a lesson. Have I not given you the greatest gift of all? Is my Son not greater than any amount of money? Do not forget to give as you have been given; share as has been shared unto you. Tell of the Greatest Gift. It is worth more than all the money in the world combined.”

Speaking Against the Wind

January 20, 2018January 23, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The girl whispered against the wind, but her words were thrust back to her face with the powerful gust. Why do I continue to speak against something so strong? My breath returns to me as if I never spoke. Why do I even try?

Then a voice cut through the walls surrounding her heart saying, “You speak against the wind for you wish it to blow a different way. You wish there to be a change…but why do you do it on your own strength? Why not first speak to the One who created those winds, why not speak to the One who created your breath…why not speak to Me?”

The girl shed a tear, but it too was blown away with the powerful wind. I can do this, I got this, God has given me the power.

The voice continued, “I have given you power to trample the serpent under your feet, to give command to the storm, and to heal the broken…but have you left your first love? Have you forgotten to listen to Me? I will guide you, so your aim will be true as an arrow to its target. It was never on your shoulders to make everything right, but it was for you to listen to Me, and I will make everything right.”

The girl’s shoulders slumped as she began to fight the burden that held power over her for so long. Then, deciding to give it to Him, she let go and fell to her knees. With head bowed, she waited and listened. Peace filled her heart and beat against the walls causing them to crumble. The girl was reminded of the love her Father had for her. Have I been lacking in sharing this love to others? This realization was a shock…but awakened something in her that desperately needed to be shaken from its deep sleep…

After some time, the voice spoke to her. “Now, get up my child and speak to the wind with the realization that has come into your heart. You see, dear one, you were trying to speak against the wind with your heart so guarded (you had such a hardness of heart). You wished for it to be changed, but the bitterness inside you was a stumbling block to your belief.”

The girl got up, and spoke to the wind. She smiled as her breath didn’t return to her but penetrated the powerful gust and went further than she ever would’ve imagined. You see, she had been speaking to the wind with the wrong mindset; the wrong heart…and in her own strength. She had forgotten the greatest part…Love.

∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴∴

End thought: Love is great. Love is greater when it is first discovered that God has an infinite love for us. Love is greatly shared when we remember to “love because He first loved us” and to pray for those who need that love.

End thought to the end thought: When we speak to the “winds” in our life, with the realization that we are loved by God and find our identity in Him, we can conquer more than our puny minds can comprehend. Our words will be carried through the storm and penetrate to the depths of need by the power of God.

End verse to the end thought of the end thought:

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NASB

Bitter or Better?

December 10, 2017December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

There once were two girls who walked down a tree-laden path. One day, a couple bullies were hiding in some fruit trees, waiting for the girls to come near.

The mean kids threw the freshly-picked oranges at the girls’ heads. Sadly, their aim was true, causing the girls to fall backwards at the fruit-flavored impact. Bruised and battered with a few scrapes here and there, Girl #1 bent down to help up Girl #2. They then grabbed the fruity weapons, but alas the bullies had already come and gone.

Talk about a “hit and run.”

Girl #1 brushed off the fruit and began peeling it. “At least we got something positive out of the dastardly thing that happened to us.”

Girl #2 did not respond but the scowl on her face was evidence of her anger. She too brushed off her orange, but instead of eating the fruit, she partook of the peel. Bitterness filled her mouth…her whole being. All she could see was the peel, causing the sweet/positive fruit to become discarded.

Girl #1 was ready to move on due to not holding onto the bitterness; however, Girl #2 began to see the world in the most pessimistic way…just waiting for someone to throw something at her again. Because of her suspiciousness, she drove the possibility of more friendships away. She even turned against Girl #1, taking out her past frustrations on her…

Girl #2 couldn’t fathom how her friend could be so happy after being so hurt. One day she asked her, “Why do you continuously seem to be happy after each bully threatens to steal your joy away?”

Girl #1 smiled, and responded with, “Remember when you and I were hit with oranges?” seeing her friend nod she continued, “Well, if you recall, I ate of the fruit. It was sweet and reminded me that there will always be a positive found within a negative circumstance. Sometimes you have to look deep for it (like past the peel of the orange) and it will be there.”

Girl #2 wanted the happiness so much, that she gave up her eating of the bitter peel and dove deeper into what could fill her true hunger in life. She began to partake of the sweetness in life. It took some time, but the bitterness went away as she became full on the fruit’s happiness.

In conclusion, we all have the choice to be Girl #1 or Girl #2…which part of the fruit will you eat?

The Domino Effect

July 7, 2017February 14, 2021 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Look at the dominoes in this picture. Now imagine each domino is a person who has been hurt by another (the pieces, one-by-one, knocking into each other). We have a choice to either let the hurt be harvested and continue on by pushing our neighbor down…or we can rise above the hurt and chose to let the vicious cycle end with us.
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It’s our choice (and what a difficult choice it is).
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Bitter or Better?

Play Your Own Tune

December 23, 2016December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Like playing an instrument, conversing with people takes practice. Once you learn the basics, you can spout off your own “tune.” Although, you will soon find out that some will perceive it with enjoyment; whilst others will detest it. Don’t chase after the ones that walk away and don’t try to copy their tune just to get them to stay. No, for there are others who will like your own unique sound…and you know what? Get out of your head. Stop thinking about each “note” and how it could be received. Hey, if the Conductor directed you, play your tune the way He uniquely made you to play. You might just be surprised how lovely your sound is without overthinking every “note.” Harmonies may clash, but the Conductor brings people together to make beautiful music.

So remember…

Be real.

Be honest.

Be you.

Play your unique tune.

P.s. The Conductor loves your uniqueness.

Mirror Mirror

October 5, 2016August 26, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Trudging through thorny weeds (to avoid paths), dehydrated, and skin cooked well over-done by the sun’s rays, the woman looked as if she was on her last breath. When bystanders beheld this sad sight, they tried to help her, but the woman always kept her head down and denied any helping hand…until today. A boy came up to her and asked, “Why do you walk off the path?”

The woman stopped and turned to the boy (perfect that she didn’t have to lift her head to talk to an adult…this was the first child that had ever confronted her).

Woman: “Because if I set a foot on the path, it will appear.”

The boy looked at her with big eyes.

Boy: “What will appear?”

Woman: “The mirror.”

Boy: “What is so scary about a mirror?”

Woman: “This mirror reveals more than just a mere image…it shows you all the wrongs you’ve done in the past; unveiling your true self. I have been running from it for quite some time now. I don’t want to be reminded of who I am.”

Boy: “I know what to do! Stay right here.”

The woman usually grew antsy by staying too long in one place, but from pure exhaustion or from meeting a kind child, she decided to stay.

The child came running back with glass cleaner and a rag.

Boy: “I know what to do, I will stand here and wipe away all the wrongs.”

Woman: “Why would you do that for me?”

Boy: “Because no matter what you’ve done, I like you and you are my new friend.”

Woman with tear-filled eyes: “No one has every said that to me before…”

No one ever had, for when people saw the damaged shell she is, they wanted to help her out of pity…and when they learned of her past, they spat at her. No one had ever truly wanted to help her due to liking her.

The boy took the woman’s hand and she allowed him to lead her back on the path. She caught a glimmer behind her, knowing the mirror was there. Looking at the boy, he responded with squeezing her hand and nodding in encouragement.

The woman straightened herself up (with help from the boy) and turned to face the mirror. Sobs from deep within her soul began to shake her body; causing her to use the mirror as balance (thinking the boy had left). She sunk down, letting her hand slide along the full length mirror, when suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder. Looking up and instead of seeing the boy, she saw a man and then she noticed the mirror. The man was taking his pure white sleeve…and wiping her mirror clean! Her past reflections disappeared!

After the man was done, he bent down and got to her level. All the kindness (that was not of this world) was set upon his brow and all the love was in his eyes and all the warmth was in his smile. He helped her stand up and turn facing the mirror.

The man then wrote “I loved you at your darkest, I love you now, and I love the future you. You are loved for you.”

The woman laughed and cried at the same time. She was so joyful! She was free! She was loved. Every time she looked back at the mirror, she saw love.

When she twirled, something caught her eye. The boy was walking toward her.

Boy: “No more fear of the mirror?”

Woman: “Nope. I am free. The man wiped my mirror clean.”

Boy: “Isn’t he nice?! He’s my best friend.”

The Girl in the Meadow

February 11, 2016December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The soft tendrils of the meadow flowers glided through her fingers as she made her way through thought-provoking valleys.
Which way to turn?
Which way to go?
She had lost her way in such beauty. The breeze caressed her hair with care…a voice on the wind’s tongue called her. She could not stop; could not wait for those calling behind her…for they did not see what she saw…for where her vision grasped the beauty…others only saw weeds…where she saw hope…others envisioned a desert of darkness.

Not to fear (for the unseeing ones) for she once did not see what she grasps in her vision now…not too long ago she saw darkness and despair. It wasn’t until she called out for help…that a wind with a whisper came a response and a call to take action. As a pounding tremor in her chest grew, she made her way through thick forests of doubt. Trees grasped at her; trying to plant their seeds of fear and death in her mind.
The path grew more precarious and the dread covered her like an old, ratty cloak.
“Help, I cannot do this alone!”
“I am here dear one, listen to My voice. Shed your doubtful cloak and do not water the seeds anymore. Let us destroy the lies with truth. Get up and follow me.”

As she followed the wind, the voice became clearer and began to permeate a shield throughout her. She continues walking and following the voice to this day.

God gave me an image of the girl in the meadow. This girl resembled me but was much stronger on leaning on the “whispering wind” that guided her, than I was with following God.
After I saw this picture, God told me these simple but powerful words: “Keep Running.” I did not name this girl because “she” can be any of us.

“Let us run the race set before us…”