Let the countdown begin!! In less than 100 hours we’ll bid adieu to 2018 and say “happy new year” to everyone we come in contact with for the next couple of months. You know it’s true. Never could figure out the expiration date on the phrase. I usually stop greeting people with it after about a week, but I continue to reciprocate for as long as people say it to me. LOL

How long do you say it?

Anyway, reflection time! Overall, this year has been one of the most fulfilling years of my life. So much so that I’m starting a new blog series called #CheckYourHeart. I thought long and hard about what I should write in this blog. I’ll begin with a confession. One that I pray will help whoever takes the time to read this post. Here goes!

I’ve been a Christian for over two decades and was the biggest sucker-upper.

Sucker-upper: one who sucks up hurt and denies the feeling of pain rather than dealing with it and allowing the Lord to heal his/her heart. 

Not always, but quite often. Sucker-uppers are usually pretty strong people and can take a lot of crap without missing a beat. They disregard their feelings to get the job done and are not big complainers. When they do speak up, aww man!! They usually wish they hadn’t, and so the next time something goes down, THEY SUCK IT UP instead of speaking up to AVOID drama.

That’s not good for the heart, folks. I’m not talking about the hunk of muscle that’s pumping blood throughout the body. I’m talking about the mind or the subconscious. That place where we feel emotions, make decisions, make choices, reason. Know what I mean? I didn’t have a problem with dealing with the big things because they made sense to me. Dealing with people was hands down the most challenging. And since I’m honest, I spent a good 2-3 months being a people pleaser in 2017. If you know me at all, you know I am not a people pleaser by nature. LOL In the whirlwind of sucking it up and people pleasing I lost myself. Something (s) HAD TO CHANGE!!!

I made several necessary changes, but the most important was surrendering to the Lord. Yeah, yeah I thought I had surrendered before, and I did. Don’t forget what the Bible says about dying to self daily, renewing our minds, guarding our hearts, etc. It’s a constant thing. If you think where you are is enough to get you through the rest of your life, think again.

Carnal Justification (I think I just made that up. LOL) blinded me. Everything that pissed me off or caused me pain, I could always find someone who could relate. You know, validating my feelings. Afterward, I would suck it up and carry on as if nothing happened. As for the people who would try to come at me with Christianese or with correction, it went in one ear and out the other. Ever heard of the expression, “Pot calling the kettle black”? My heart wasn’t open to receiving. I’m talking rock solid!! I had a heart condition, but I didn’t see it until I looked harder.

One day in all my fed-up-ness (LOL), I told the Lord, “Okay, okay I give up!! I’m tired of me!!” And the transformation began. What happened, you say?

I realized there were areas in my life where I was comfortable with leaving Jesus out. I DIDN’T SEE IT, THOUGH. Before you start gasping at my ungodly behavior, you may be doing the same thing so get off Seabiscuit. (Your high horse.) LOL

We call them pet-peeves or preferences. I guess they can be harmless, but if they’re keeping you from showing love to others, you may need to #CheckYourHeart. But hey, I’m writing about my experience. I made changes immediately such as:

• No longer confess pet-peeves like, “I don’t do women because they are messy.” Started going to Women’s fellowship to shock the enemy.
• Absorb more Jesus than anything. Turned off the TV & shut down social media (Read, study, pray, meditate on the word, etc.)
• Choose the Word! Character over my feelings no matter the foolishness I faced or heard.
• Walk in love and offer grace (Grace doesn’t give us a license to sin.)
• Go to the Creator (God) rather than to other creations (people) for validation.
• And many, many more!! Daily!!

Two thousand eighteen has been an excellent year for me. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences in the 2019 blog series, #CheckYourHeart. I’m also looking forward to your comments sharing your experiences too. Remember, we are all made in His image, and we all need Him because we are all damaged even if you won’t admit it. I’m not exempt.

I’m just blogging it out, Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Check out this funny quote. “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” ~Joey Adams