My 2013 Yearly Reflections

As the year 2013 winds down and comes to a close, I sit her and reflect on what an absolutely amazing year this has been for me. Not in terms of material things, but moreso spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. God gets all of the glory for the lessons He has taught me and the journey He has brought me.

As part of my 2012 reflections, there were three mantra words that I chose to live in 2013. And somehow, in some way, I have done so with each of them. Here is a recap of the words and why they were chosen.

#Responsibility- For we are all called to duty. To serve in the capacity that has been predestined for us. Therefore, it is my responsibility to serve those whom I have been called to serve in whatever capacity I shall serve them. Responsibility; not opportunity.

#Obedience- For it is my heart's desire to obey the call of God and to obey His guidance and instructions. I finally realized that if I just obey Him, I am comforted in knowing that the consequences of those actions are all up to Him. He knows more about me and what He has planned for me. So, I choose to obey with an open heart.

#Inspiration- For I choose to bring a breath of fresh thinking and life anew to others who are feeling as if there is no hope. I have asked God to use me and as I am inspired, so shall they be also.

I choose to live my life in such a way that is pleasing to God. Faith and obedience are two of the things that please Him most. So, it was a no-brainer to want to live my life accordingly.

I’m not saying that this year was not easy. Not at all. There were moments when I wanted to just throw in the towel and head in a different direction. But there is something about the power of the WORD and the LOVE of Jesus always seem to reel me back in and not let me drift too far.

At the beginning of the year I launched my ’28 Day Transform My Life” challenge on the blog. This challenge was filled with lessons and assignments to help those who were ready to reach higher levels of their being do so.

I also felt the need to take a break from this blog and the Soulful Sandstone Facebook page. I was beginning to have a nonchalant attitude about them and I knew that was not a good thing. So, I had to pull away from them to regroup and hear from the Father about what it was that I should be doing with them.

Also, during the course of the year, I was at another place of needing more of God and less of me. So, I was led to do a 47-day prayer and consecration fast. To consecrate means to set something aside as holy. I chose 47 because this year, I celebrated 47 years of living and have now entered living my 48th year. So, those 47 days were set aside for just that, which meant no t.v., no social media, no drinking (love my wine, martinis and margaritas, don’t judge me) or anything that would be considered unholy. I also studied the 40-Days of The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, during this time. And let me tell you something, this book is absolutely amazing and will set you on the right course for your life.

It was during this time, that God showed me some amazing things. He also gave me an assignment that included me being responsible, obedient and inspirational. I knew that it was a test to see if I would resolve to live the mantras that I chose for the year. And I knew that if I didn’t pass the test that I would have to keep taking it over and over again until I did.

Well, to say the least, I passed the test. My spiritual journey and my assignment led me across the country, all the way to Tucson, AZ. I knew that in some way, my responsibility and obedience was to serve the people of God in such a way that it would breathe new life into them; into their circumstances, relationships, and spiritual journey. I knew that since I wanted more of God and less of me, that this move was all about Him and the things that He was about to do in the lives of His children here.

I also knew that the enemy didn’t want me here. I usually don’t write about the enemy and all of His tricks because my faith has thwarted them all. But, I feel the need to share this because someone is under his attack right now. You see, he tried several times to try to get me to pack it all in and to think only about myself. I doubted myself and my journey even as I was stepping off of that plane when I landed here. The enemy had several tricks up his sleeve to get me off of the path, but He must have forgotten that I am a child of the Most High God and I walk the faith that I talk. And each time he pulled a maneuver and I refused to buckle, God ALWAYS showed up and showed out. I’ve had several, ‘in the twinkling of an eye’, and ‘and suddenly, it appeared’ moments that happened to me many times. And there were witnesses to these accounts. So to anyone who is being attacked by the enemy, and it seems that he is trying to thwart every plan that you have, stand firm in your faith knowing that the trying of your faith, works patience and when it is finished, you will lack nothing. 

Whewwww! I take a praise break every time I think about God’s faithfulness in breaking any and every stronghold that tries to bind me up.

So, here I am, in a new city/state, serving the children of God in the capacity in which He has called me. No more resisting the call. Instead, I embrace it wholeheartedly. No more of doing things my way, but doing them His way. I am called to serve and I’ve tuned in to the way in which He wants me to serve. And I realize that it is not about the ‘work’ that I thought that I came here to do, but it about the people. The ‘work’ was just an avenue to get me here. The real ‘work’ is teaching, encouraging and inspiring God’s blessed children and I love doing every minute of it.

My journey continues and I know that no matter what, my God is ALWAYS there for me. I shall keep the faith. I shall continue the race. In Him, I continue to move, breathe, live and have my being. In Him, I AM. 

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment and feel free to share this post. 
You are Destined for Purpose: Empowered by Passion. 
Cassandra