Zoe Transitions

Truly feeling it! Looking back at this year, God has been so good to me and so I have been amazing too. 🔥💖🙏💕

Love this testimony!! Be encouraged.

A writer and illustrator for children shared the following testimony:

Several years ago, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She became so sick that she was on all kinds of machines. It came to a point where everything was failing except for her hearing, but she was still fighting to live. The doctors and nurses encouraged us to talk to her and tell her it was okay to let go. I sat beside her bed, bowed my head, and silently prayed. After a few minutes, I felt God tell me to tell her that I would make sure that my younger brother and sister were taken care of. When I looked up everyone had left the room except for my brother. I got up close to her ear and told her that. (I am the oldest of three children.) As soon as I said that she let go. That night, I became a single foster mother.

I had to work 60 hours a week to keep up on expenses and even then money was still tight. Then one Saturday morning while budgeting, I noticed that I had made a mistake. I was $9 short for my car registration that was due before my next pay check. My prayer went something like this: "Lord, I am sorry, I made a mistake and I am $9 short for the car registration. I don't know what to do, all I know is that I have to go get groceries right now. Please help."

Next, I went into the kitchen. There I had one cupboard that I kept full of snacks for my brother (by this time, my sister had graduated from school, landed a full time job, and was on her own). When I opened the cupboard, it was full. I thought that he probably left empty boxes in it, so I began pulling the boxes out. All of them were sealed, and when I shook them they were full! Next, I went to the store and came out twelve dollars under budget!

I was able to pay the car registration that day. After that, the cupboard continuously stayed full. This lasted for about two months, which coincided with my brother graduating from community college, and he immediately landed a full time job. I am so thankful for God's provisions!

Michelle S (PA, USA) 2021/12/20

Life is still messy… still beautiful too.

Life is made of beautiful messes. There is often confusion around how we are to behave when a mess happens. Recently I met with a good friend over brunch. We were meeting after several months and had so much to share with each other. As I talked and told her what I had been doing the past few months, she listened closely and then she said a beautiful thing. She said “Ramona, you are growing up.” Her face and voice told me she was happy for me. And then she did another beautiful thing… she immediately shifted, stepped up and engaged me at the level I had reached. We were still talking and sharing but now there was a subtle shift in the way we spoke, in what we shared even.

Have you ever had an experience with someone who had trouble reconciling who you were, with who you have become? Sometimes it’s simply who they think you are in their own minds and refuse to step up and meet you where you are at right now. Often it’s a belief that they have carried and generalized about a subject, like women, or colour or culture or religion. I have often wondered how to handle these beautiful messes that show up in life. Yes they are beautiful, because they help us grow as a person, they give us an opportunity to practice our values, stand up for who we are and what we believe in. But they are also beautiful because we get to love and be kind and exercise patience. They are messy because these are never easy things for me to do. It means making myself vulnerable, being humble and holding my tongue. Sometimes all three at the same time! That is a whole new stretching experience in itself!

I know I am moving on and growing up. I have wondered if I should slow down and wait for everyone else to catch up or should I leave the rest behind? Is that even possible? I don’t know. I don’t have the answer because that answer looks different for each person.

I am only determined to have joy in the process. My experience has taught me to persevere in loving. People always respond to love and even more to persistent love. I have watched lives changed in response to kindness. It’s like suddenly the doors are thrown open and the clouds part and the sun comes out. Something as simple as a smile, being the first one to smile can shift the dynamic.

Raising the standards to honour people in every environment, whether personal, business, corporate or spiritual shifts atmospheres and increases productivity.

Some things are basic and remain eternal. They work every time, in every situation.

Make your messes beautiful. Raise your joy quotient.

Ramona

Our family has been grieving for over a year. We wondered why? why this? why now? why here? And the questions seem to echo right back at us as if our minds were a chasm. The answers seem only partial making room for speculation and curiosity. So how is it we can still confidently say… “It is well with my soul.” There is no pretence, no burying of pain, no overwhelming sorrow. I thinks it’s because when we take the time on a daily basis to prosper our soul, our mind, will and emotions, we are already in a healthy place spiritually and emotionally, way before any crisis can hit. There is peace and joy in the process.

“Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.” 3 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Integrity is one personal value that will take you far!!

Do you feel like a change coming on? God promises to never leave your side. Yes change can be risky, but we can step out in confidence knowing He has our back. It’s no fun if you are feeling stuck. So let us shake out of that space and stride into our breakthrough!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful, brave Moms I know and love.
Thank you for loving us so well.
💗 💗 💗