Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Encouraging Good Works

And let us encourage one another to love and good works
(Hebrews 10:24)


A year ago this week, I accepted the challenge of becoming a community blogger for the Stuttgart Daily Leader and sharing my Purposed Work blog in other Gatehouse Media online editions in Arkansas. At first, I wondered if I could really come up with enough content to post on a weekly, consistent basis. Fifty posts later, I can humbly say that it is possible because of the love and encouragement received. Thank you to all of the dedicated readers and commenters.

It took a lot of courage for me to expose the mountains and valleys of building a business and a brand, while attempting to maintain my primary role as a wife and mother. One the flip side, because I know that I opened myself to more people following the journey, I have had to lean on the knowledge that others are watching to give myself motivation to persevere when unexpected life events happen (like dealing with a major relocation). My faith has been tested in this year. However, the results of those trials have been exceedingly more than I ever expected or imagined. Thank you all for your virtual encouragement.

This blog is titled Purposed Work as a testament of the journey of releasing what I thought I would do through self-effort to receiving instruction for the work I was purposed to do through divine insight. At this point, I can say Thank You for unanswered prayers, for closed doors, and for earthly no’s because I am steps closer to a supernatural yes. On days where I am lead to places I never imagined, I forge ahead on the path, standing on the promise that faith, without good works, is dead. That blind faith and encouragement from those following the journey has allowed my business to grow into areas I never considered. Thank you all for your prayers and considerations.

One of the unexpected outcomes from writing this blog is the opportunity to mentor others in their efforts to walk by faith. I have received so many calls and emails and made so many new friends along the way. We encourage each other by sharing our stories of grace, mercy, favor, love, and humility in doing purposed work that does not happen easily but is needed to improve our communities. Thank you all for your service.

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. Sometimes you have to speak victory during your test. And no matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.*** Encourage yourself and others through love and good works. Has your purposed work led you to encourage others to persevere in their good works? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Perfect Good Works

… He who began a good work in you will perfect it…
(Philippians 1:6)
 
My son has discovered a new word: meme. Everyday, he comes home from middle school, finishes his homework, gets a snacks, googles I-funny for the latest meme of the day, and shares with his dad or me what’s trending in pop culture (especially those that have a good video or animated GIF).  We comply, because we both realize that in a couple of years, he may not be as open with sharing the latest in his world.

Currently, he is into “Deal with It.” At one point, we were inundated with every “Keep Calm” directive imaginable to a seventh grader. One day, he noticed that I was frustrated about work progress, which is unfortunately a common theme because I want things to progress faster than reality, when he looked at me and said: Keep Calm. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. All I could do was smile.

Today, I have to remind myself of those words: I. AM. EXACTLY. WHERE. I. AM. SUPPOSED. TO. BE. I have been grounded more than I prefer this year due to the unexpected amount of ice and snow. As frustrating as that is, it has also afforded me some much needed time to reflect on the journey of where I am compared to where I thought it would be. God does not call the qualified, but he qualifies those whom He calls. I thought I would be focused in one area, but I have been chosen for some things never imagined. One of those areas is to be a witness and encourage others to endure and persevere as we live through the season between now and not yet. So
  • to the grandmother who wants to work, but is needed to help with her daughter’s children,
  • to the daughter who wants to practice her trade, but is needed to assist with aging parents,
  • to the wife who wants to start a community program, but is needed to support her family,
  • to the son who wants to open a restaurant, but is needed to work in the family business,
I am here to remind you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. The vision for your good works shall come to pass. You have been chosen, but you have to have the faith to go through the process and trust that everything, including the setbacks and roadblocks, will sooner or later turn in your favor.

As I minister to you, I minister to yourself. Have patience that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. My job is to share with others that the road to purposed work does not always lead to where I planned to go, and to witness that He will perfect that concern in me...He who began the good works in me. Has your purposed work led you to the unexpected? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.