Black Pepper Cookies 

I have this vivid memory of me sitting in first grade. It was around the holidays and the teacher asked us (her class) to share ingredients that go into making cookies. 

Children around me raised their hands. They said things like sugar, salt, flour. water, food coloring. As I listened I felt energized to raise my hand and share an ingredient. The teacher called upon me and asked me what ingredient I would like to share and add to the list on the board. I proudly said, “Pepper!” I heard giggles from around the room. The teacher then said, “No, I don’t think pepper goes into making cookies,” and then moved onto the next child raising their hand. 

There was a tall boy in the class and for what seemed like the next two years he would constantly tease me about sharing pepper as an ingredient. I would just shrink back in embarrassment each and every time. 

Tonight, I was watching a holiday cookie baking show and there they were a new delight - Ginger Cookies with (you guessed it) Black Pepper! My soul sang and yes black pepper in cookies is a trending concept. 

Do not get discouraged if others do not see your vision! That vision was gifted to you on purpose and for a good reason! 

Trust the visions God places upon your heart! Those visions are there on purpose!!!!

💜

Lea Michelle

698 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ 

-Rest-

I will give you rest! Matt. 11:8

Today is a great day! Today is the last day of this series. This year has been challenging but I made it through. I am very ready to move to the next season of my life. I was afraid I would end this defeated but in these last days I have had so much encouragement come my way. 

I have many I lean on for support. I believe it’s always good to get your information and fellowship from multiple sources not just one. One pastor reached out and said he’s praying for me. I asked him if he thought all the spiritual warfare I was fighting this week was because I’m about to hit a breakthrough and maybe Satan’s trying to distract and stop me? He replayed with the most brilliant answer! He said, “Rest!” And that was all I needed to know! After two years It’s time to rest and so I shall. 

The Challenge: 

It’s time to rest. I know this devotional is only 333 Days but for the next missing 32 Days I want you to pick up your bible, read, journal and simply rest alone in him. Blessings 💜

697 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ 

Live and Learn 

Avoid godless chatter. 2 Timothy 2:16

I was hurting pretty badly and I wrote that I felt abandoned by God. I said I felt like Job. I felt so beaten down this week already but then I happened to scroll on my newsfeed while at work and o saw a girl from my hometown write a post that I know was about me. This week I posted about helping the man in the wheel chair and then I shared a live video about being transparent. 

Her post said something like this: 

“When you have to share about being a good person all the time and being transparent I call #Bullshit. 

God shielded my eyes from all the likes and I couldn’t see anymore but it looked as though many mutual friends were liking and chiming in. I felt they were gossiping about me and I was very disheartened. All this time and they just don’t get it. This walk is hard but I share to lead and hope others go actually go ahead of me and do a far better job. 

I wrote this on my wall as I was in defense mode. I know, I know I need to turn my cheek! I’m working on it. I’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go! Who doesn’t? 

My post back: 

“I think I’ve been “transparent”  with I am not a GOOD  person and that’s why I NEED Jesus. He who is perfect cast the first stone! If you plan to be against me then 

it’s time we part. I’ve heard the gossip! Please unfriend me if you do not understand the work I do! Very hurt heart today but I’ll recover.

The Challenge: 

Why must we always try to prove we are good people when we are in disagreement? Why can’t we just realize some people will love us no matter what, some people won’t have an opinion and there will always be people who don’t like us no matter what we do! 

696 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ 

Final Days 

Listen to Gods voice. Proverbs 3:6

I have written now for 696 Days and I am feeling weary. I’m honestly feeling ready to move on from this 2nd year series and get into my third series which will be a brand new season with a new twist. I’ll be digging deeper then ever before. 

I now life coach people and what I’m finding is that blogging about my personal walk with Christ and life coaching are not blending well  together anymore. 

I work with about 5 to 7 people a day right now  on a 33 Day life coaching program. It’s everything I dreamed of doing and because of this journey here God lead me to it. He knew all along I just needed to find my way. 

The Challenge is this. When I use to feel the spirit want me to share a topic God had me fearlessly share, now I am feeling reserved almost hesitant as I am now leading clients and I don’t want them to feel exposed or like I’m blogging about topics we’ve been through. It’s tricky but that’s why I have decided to wrap this journey here up! I’ll write and share for 2 more Days then I must move on. 

The Challenge: 

I had planned to do a 365 day devotional but why must we fit man made molds? If God says stop he means stop so this journey will now end at my precious number of 333! 

695 Day Saved - A Walk with Christ 

In your court

I have made you; and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

As you know if you read my first year book I fought many battles back then. When I first started with the mission of sharing Christ through social media and documenting it I was so honored God gifted me this journey to take but I was also so very insecure. I desperately wanted close friends and family to understand and support me instantly and when I felt that was not happening it felt like I had to mourn people in my life. Our lives just weren’t fitting at that time. Since then my sisters and I have worked through our changes and in the last days as I’ve been hurting they have been right by my side loving me just as the mess I am. I am grateful for this. There will be seasons when people are with you and there will be seasons when people can’t be and that is okay! The only person you need in your court at all times is the Lord Jesus himself! 

The Challenge: 

What if God was the only one cheering you on? Would you withstand the race? 

694 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ 

-Encourage- 

Therefore encourage each other and build each other up just as you are doing. 1 Thess 5:11

I have so much to share. It’s unbelievable how challenging this week has been but through it I am discovering so many things. I was hurting pretty bad. I feel as I move forward in this journey I’m going to hit these tidal waves but I’ll get stronger and less defensive with each wave that hits. 

I honestly was at work last night and cried. I cried because for the first time since Day 120 I felt like quitting again. Another wall! Truly I literally put my hands up and then many things happened. A girl at work saw me hurting and asked what was wrong. I told her I felt like quitting my ministry. Then I cried. She then told me, “Don’t you have been on my mind and you have made me want to have faith again!” My heart warmed up. Then I went out to my car and messaged my friend Ann and she said, “Ha you are in no way quitting!”

The Challenge: 

Build a network around you of encouragers! When you are down they will be who pick you up. 

693 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ 

-Breakthrough- 

Though I walk through a valley of a shadow of death I will not fear evil for you are with me. Psalm 23:4

I feel a bit abandoned by God and I’m in a pit right now. Job of the Bible felt this way a long time but then God blessed him for his suffering. I feel as though my endurance is being tested harder then ever before. I have my mom upset with me, a client upset with me and a bunch of people from my hometown talking bad about the posts I’ve been sharing. Tonight I want to quit! But if I quit I will feel like dying. This ministry is my heartbeat.

Lord please help me endure this storm. I’m trying to be steadfast but the water is rising up. Although I’m drowning I see you peek through with encouragement. Thank you for that but please keep me strong through the hash waves! Just as I felt the waters rising I also feel breakthrough is on the horizon! I hang on to that hope!