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/.

*** http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donaldlawrence/encourageyourself.html ***

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/.

Obedience in Good Works

Obedience is better than sacrifice…

(1 Samuel 15:22)

If you really know me, you know that I profess the Holy Spirit’s grace and mercy by speaking favor over my life. By the instruction of David Frazier, I wave my hand over my head whenever I say the word FAVOR and declare that I believe all that His Word says about me. So when things happen in my life that I do not understand, I know that in the spirit, the experience is for my good. And that faith is what keeps me sane as my family enters a new season and begins a new journey.

When I first learned that we were re-locating again for my husband’s career, my first response was what? My second response…now?  All I could think about were the efforts exhausted during the past three years to become a part of the community. As I tried to reconcile the enormity of a move, everything around me kept reminding me that obedience is better than sacrifice. And that faith, knowing that humble submission to the Father’s will, is greater than any personal sacrifice that I have to make as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

When I finally settled down to examine how this change aligned with His Word spoken over my life, He revealed that none of this is a surprise, exposing the rams that He had already positioned for this moment: the teams and infrastructure in place that keep us connected to clients, regardless of physical location; the location of our new home that puts me less than thirty minutes away from a major international airport; and my favorite, the loyalty points that have already been accumulated that can be used to visit the office during the transition months. And that faith, seeing small examples of favor in my life, is what allows me to walk with bolder confidence that this is working for our good as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

When I opened my eyes and my heart to see the possibilities in our new community, I realized that I am in a fertile land to expand the purposed work as advocates of educating young people about the 21st century realities of manufacturing and other STEM related careers. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be for a time such as this. And that faith, knowing that grace and mercy came before me, is the best blessing of all as my family enters this new season and begins our new journey.

Waving my hand over my head, I speak FAVOR over my life and over my family’s life in our new home. This move is not what I planned, yet, I know that it is for the good of my purposed work. Not my will, but Thy Will be done, thus I submit: obedience is better than sacrifice. If you would like to share your experiences about re-locating while building a business, or being obedient to unplanned events in your good works, let us know by commenting or sending an email to latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of the previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

http://www.onlylyrics.com/david-frazier-lyrics-1030949.php

Walking in Good Works

Whether you turn left or right,

you will hear a voice saying

this is the way, walk in it

(Isaiah 30:21)

Kenny Rogers is famous for singing: You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run. Have you ever been in a situation (work, church, or community service) where the mission of the organization no longer aligned with your personal beliefs? What do you do? Do you stay, because it’s comfortable? Or do you walk away, because the experience no longer has purpose in your destiny?

I have come to a place in my spiritual journey where I have to question the value of some relationships. As a self-proclaimed math geek, I like order of operations and try to apply the same principle to life: The people on your path to destiny should add and multiply to your efforts of good works, not subtract and divide. Some people have power, that in the natural, may appear to have the ability to help you to reach your destination quicker, but I am reminded that we should not put our trust in man. By faith, I am listening for the still small voice for guidance on the walking the right way.

In the natural, I think about all of the time and energy I have invested. Or I wonder what others will say about me. Or in the case of a business deal, I am fiscally aware of how much walking away will cost me. By divine intervention, I am reminded of the story of the king who hired troops from a foreign land to fight his battle, but was commanded not to use the army whose services he had already paid a price. The king’s obedience to the spirit was rewarded by victory. Simply put, obedience is better than sacrifice.

This is the way, walk in it. Grace and favor will guide you through various right and left turns that eventually lead to your destiny. When you have doubts about a relationship or a situation, let your conscience be your guide. Stick to what you feel from the spirit. This is not the time to start navigating by someone else's maps or expectations -- you could get lost.

Walking by faith means learning to trust in God, in spite of how it looks to others. Everyone has his or her own spiritual journey, so no one else can truly understand what you are experiencing. Sometimes people and situations shift and you will know when to hold ‘em or when to walk away. Instead of making an emotional decision, try listening for that spiritual voice saying this is the way, walk in it. How do you decide who is adding and multiplying your efforts toward your purposed work? 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/.

Favor for Good Works

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;

and establish for us the work of our hands…

(Psalm 90:17)

 

It’s the first full week of summer vacation and several young people that I know are still looking for work. It is no coincidence that in the same week I found one of my old check stubs from my first job from high school that I also attended a meeting on workforce readiness in today’s economy. It was like déjà vu, reliving a moment in my Career Orientation class, hearing employers repeat the same message conveyed by my middle school teacher over thirty years ago, that the basic requirements to landing a job are simple: proper attire, appropriate conversation, and a positive attitude. If it is that simple, why are young job seekers having a hard time finding work? What do they need to do to find favor with hiring managers?
 

I grew up in a small community, so there were a limited number of jobs that teenagers typically preferred, like in retail or in an office. Most of my friends either worked in grocery stores, or as I did, in local dairy bars and restaurants. Many of us who worked in high school took classes like D.E.C.A. (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and C.C.E. (Cooperative Career Education) that allowed us to earn classroom credits while gaining real-world work experience. Without knowing, we found favor with local small business owners who took a chance on us, giving us our initial opportunity to do good works.

Favor is access to open doors beyond our natural reach. Two people can come from the same environment and have same opportunities, yet experience different levels of favor. I know from experience that favor ain’t fair, it reigns on the just as well as the unjust. I guess that is why it is called favor, a supernatural preference that allows you to experience unmerited blessings and grace to do good works. My constant prayer is that God grants me favor to be a blessing to someone in need.

So today, my targeted audience is young people who are looking for work and cannot seem to find opportunities via traditional job searches. Perhaps this is a season of access to favor to open doors by starting a small business. Ever consider the supernatural favor to become a

·        Personal assistant tasked with answering the telephones, scheduling meetings, running errands
·        Social media specialist responsible for updating Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts of other busy people or business owners
·        Mobile carwash attendant who travels to potential clients homes or business to provide services
·        Virtual tutor, helping younger students advance reading, math, and/or science skills
·        Mover/packer, assisting those in need with getting rid of clutter or prepare for a move

These are just a few suggestions for a young job seekers looking for economic diversity through entrepreneurial actions. Faith without works is dead, so I recommend getting started sooner than later. And remember those basic requirements mentioned in the first paragraph? That is a start, but do not forget some other P’s: professional, punctual, and persistent. How will you find favor to get hired?
 

Are you a hiring manager or interested in providing a young person with an initial opportunity to do good works? Let us know by commenting or sending 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/.