He does all things well

Tonight I had to work pretty late and I was on my way home listening to a gospel song. I don't really remember the whole song, but somewhere within the song, it said, "He does all things well." It made me think about how often we complain about the things that go on in this life. We have people who disappoint us, situations that upset us, and circumstances that baffle us. And yet, our God does all things well. That is not really something I can say for anyone.

Think about it. You know that the hair stylist that you love has messed someone's hair up before. Your auto mechanic has side stepped on a job before. Even the best lawyer has had moments that weren't that great in court. Great surgeons have watched their patients die. That person who you respect or look up to will eventually let you down. We are all human and fail. But, we serve a God who does all things well.

The things that we screw up He can fix. The situations in life that have turned out bad, He can work out for your good. The sickness the doctors have yet to even diagnosis, He can heal. The heart that seems to constantly be broken, He will heal and bandage up the wounds.

I know that there are times that I question God because things haven't turned out the way I wanted or expected. We all have our moments were we complain when we are in a bind. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God is good, and when our lives seem a bit screwed up, it's not because God did it. He's the author and perfector of our faith. He is the one who fixes the mess not causes it. God does not have Muchausen Syndrome. He is good, and does all things well.

Courtroom Drama

Columbus, OH (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Franklin
County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over
who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by
his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in
keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family
unity be maintained to the highest degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him
more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When
the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy
cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder
of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was
apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented
step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the University
of Michigan Wolverines, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of
beating anyone.

LOL omg you gotta be a Buckeye to get that..lol that was funny

What a weekend!

So my weekend started off with a bit of a tear fest. I was bemoaning my current lot in life because it's not really what I had planned. Dude, who scripts this stuff out because I really had no idea? So it's Friday night and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to skip out unnoticed to pastor's new sermon series on family. I don't want to hear how the husband I don't have can be better, how to raise the children I don't have, or how to be a better wife to the husband I don't have. I also did not want to hear someone married out of high school to tell me to hold on just a little while longer when they are getting some on a reg. I didn't want to hear flee youthful lust...I did that. Now, I'm grown; it has nothing to do with being youthful. Heck, I'm supposed to be making babies. I'm not praying that God does something to my hormones; I'm 26 and work properly. I'm supposed to have a sex drive. While I live a celibate life, I know it is not my calling. It is better to marry than to burn; so, can someone tell me where the hell is my husband?

Yeah, so while I'm having this moment, I'm sitting in bed and this book just pops out at me from the book shelf. I didn't know what book it was just that it was calling. So, I walk over to the bookshelf and pick up the book "Table for One: The Savvy Girl's Guide to Singleness." Okay, can you say "God has jokes."? Dude, I didn't even buy that book for me. I got it at a going out of business sale and someone said they might want it for their daughter, but didn't take it. So at any rate, I start reading the book. And it says everything that I think. Basically, being a single Christian sucks because: A. You aren't getting any (well you aint supposed to be getting any...lol) and B. If you aren't married or have children, you don't exist. Ok, so God gives me a book to confirm my life sucks, go figure. I'm sitting there thinking Jesus, this is not making me feel any better.

Chapter Two: Antidotes for the Single Girl Blues. Hmmm, this should be interesting. So this chapter talks about celebrating your singleness. Now this is one thing I do have on married women, freedom. If my bank account allows it, I can do it. I don't have to worry about anyone but Alicia. If I feel like eating a bowl of cereal for dinner, I don't have to worry about what my husband or children will eat. If I want to go out with the girls, I get dressed and go. If I feel like taking a spontaneous trip out of town, I just do it. I'm only responsible for me. That chapter made me feel a little better. However, it did say something disturbing single women are reportedly happier than married women. Heck, that doesn't sound to hopeful. And it said married men are happier than single men. Why, you ask...they get a live in maid, cook, and sex on the reg. What more can a man ask for? Yeah, it's a man's world, and I'm forced to live in it. (For those who don't know me well, or aren't used to this side of Alicia...laugh. This is pretty comical. For those of you who do know me, do not stop reading at this point and call me. i.e. "Alicia, are you okay? I read your blog." You laugh too.)

So, that was Friday night. Saturday, I go to SideWalk with my church. It was so wonderful. I mean I could just feel the presence of God. We went into this one man's home, there were people gathered, and he was laying in one of those hospital beds. We brought in a bag of grocieres, and then I asked if we could pray. I started praying, but when I finished, I could tell the Spirit wasn't through. Then Alfred says, "I don't think we are done. Can I pray, too?" He prayed and the presence of the Lord was just there. When we finished, one of the men in the house said, "I was sitting here wanting to pray, but I was waiting got the right moment then you came to the door." It was a divine appointment. Then off to Mr. Brown's house. Of course, he was waiting for us to get there. If fact, he told other people not to come cuz he knew we would be there. So we stayed at his house for a while, always jokes, always wisdom, and always moving. I love Mr. Brown.

While setting up, Pastor David sees a Muslim African woman with her children. He calls me over and says, "Alicia, I know it's not customary for a man to talk to her. Would you go over there and minister to her." So, I walk over to her and inquire where he's from...Kenya. Perfect, a good friend of our family is from Kenya. We had a big party full of Kenyans at our house. So, I talked to her about food and Mama Jane who's from Nairobi. She didn't know too much English but her oldest daughter (around 11 or 12) translated. I didn't mention Jesus, only if her children would be coming to sidewalk. The eldest girl said that her father told them not to go, because it bad and evil. Her mom then tells them in Swahili they could go. The children were happy and participated in SideWalk as their mother sat on the steps watching. And at the end of the service, those Muslim children prayed the sinner's prayer and asked Jesus into their hearts. Yes, I have my moments, but I'm bearing fruit. (Sidebar: This isn't for everyone, but for those of you who question what track I'm on, examine my fruit. That's all I'm going to say about that.)

After sidewalk, I get a quick reality check to remind me how single I am, which I thought was a bad thing. However, it ended up being the precursor for a spontaneous trip to Atlanta with my girl. Married women can't always do that...remember the book. Yeah, we didn't get to Atlanta til 2 am, but believe me it was worth it. We had soooooo much fun. We just happened to go to Atlanta when they were having a nice jazz festival that we didn't know about. We walked to the stage right when Chrisette Michelle was about to get on. Who know her music was so freakin hot? We got a pic with PJ Morton. Then, the drummer for Chrisette Michelle invited us out to their next set (reminiscent of track 1 or 2). I had such a wonderful time. I honestly didn't know how wonderful singleness could be. Dude, I had a ball. Party Like a Rock Star!!! No wonder married women miss this part of life. So, I guess God wasn't just being funny when he told me to pick up the book. At any rate, from the tear fest to the jazz fest, Labor Day weekend was hotness. We so have to do this again...SOON!!!