God has a way of saving His believers from heartaches, depression, regret, and so many other tragedies. The problem is that the Believers may not always understand it and, thus, fail to believe that they are being saved from so much worse.

For example, there have been times when I have wanted something so badly and wondered why God has neglected to provide me with what I ask, only to later realize either the timing would not have been right, or I was not prepared or ready for that particular ask. It is great to know that Christians serve a God, who is all-knowing. Sometimes, the items we ask for are useless for where we are or where we need to be: a new car when the one we have works fine, name brand clothes or shoes knowing that it does not have a direct correlation on the work that needs to be done or asking for money when it would be splurged instead of used in the way it should be used. It is important to ask why something is needed so that when we go to God we are able to say, this is needed for this reason if it is Your Will.

I cannot count how many times I have asked for things that I was not ready for and only now am I realizing and thanking God that He did not give it to me sooner. We think we can figure it out as we go but sometimes we have to learn beforehand. An example is being able to speak up. I find myself in a position where if I do not speak up, then I would be doing a lot of repetitive work or completing useless tasks. In previous roles, I remained silent but in this role, I know that I am the expert and therefore, respond like one. If I was not taught through different experiences how to properly respond, my message may be convoluted, unclear, or rude but instead, it is clear, concise, and professional while remaining firm on my stance.

Another example that so many people are experiencing now is obtaining a job. We ask God for a role in which we would be happy but then we apply to any role, hoping to just get away from where we are currently. That is okay if you are looking for anything for now but do not ask God for something long-term if you are looking for a temporary role.

I am able to speak on this because I have been here so many times. I have asked God for a job in which I would be able to retire but then applied to every job in which I was qualified. What happened? Once I ended up with a role that I really enjoyed but the company was unstable, and it led to me being either fired or quitting. Then to a job, where the company had no plans to continue the role that I had, then to a place where the company was literally falling apart and they expected me to work in unsafe conditions. Then I found myself jobless for some months. After this period of praying and focusing, checking what I was doing and what needed to be done spiritually, God provided me with a role where I am excited to work and learn.

The point is that I have been there and done that, and if I can offer a bit of advice, please wait on the Lord and hang in there, He is making space for you! Focus on Him and continue to go to the place you hate but is manageable, be pleasant, and trust that God has you. Speak to Him and keep Him first in all things. Make sure you are aligned with Christ and that you are doing the things you need to do, it is easy to blame others when we are the ones blocking ourselves. Thank Him for the things you have and be ready to move when He calls you because He will call you!

I re-read my post called “The Start” and it made me feel a type of way (feel free to check it out: https://rhonda-gates.com/2020/08/14/the-start/). Honestly, I have veered away from the original purpose of this blog; to share my thoughts and to live unapologetically. While I share my thoughts it has not been consistent and has not been in a way that conveys any particular message, thus, I have to get back to basics.

My foundation is built around my faith, but what happens when I allow my foundation to be built on personal freedoms or values that do not align with my faith in Christ? I will tell you, at least for me, my life begins to feel foreign, everything starts to feel impossible, mediocre becomes the norm and extraordinary becomes impossible. It is time for me to get back to basics. I find myself in a constant battle where I am losing to the world! Well, my eyes are open and I am ready to get back in the fight.

I am done with an unstable foundation and ready to build my house on a permanent foundation. I am so grateful for God’s grace, mercy, and love for me because, without it, I would be a lost cause. I would not have a place to cry and repent and would be destined for Hell. But God! He is unlike any other, He says in John 5: 24 (KJV), “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” God is not to be taken as a joke or a game, so it is time for me to stop playing. Stop acting as if, I am able to do what I want then turn to Him and say, “Lord, forgive me” and go on with my life as if there are no consequences.

I will start back reading my Bible daily and spending time with Jesus as I used to and letting Him lead me, truly lead me. I will wait on the Lord. I already pray daily but it is time that I took these prayers more seriously and be there when He calls on me. It is easy to get mixed up in the world and let it take the lead, because it seems right, well, it is time that I questioned the world and asked, how does that compare to the message of Jesus?

It will not be easy going back to where I was but I am ready for that challenge because that is where I belong. I belong to and with Christ, not the world.  

Feel free to join me on this journey of finding my way back to Christ while disencumbering the chains that I gathered while being away from Him.

I was having a chat with a peer recently and she mentioned she kept a Post-It Note on her computer to remind her of why she is working at this company. We discussed her why and I sat back and thought, it has been a little while since I asked myself why am I doing the things that I do. I will try to skip a lot of the details but here goes.

Why am I working at this particular company?

First, I am working because I have bills to pay and would like to enjoy what life has to offer. I like to go and buy food when I have a taste for it, and I like to have gas in my truck to get up and leave as I permit. Without a job, I would not have gas or money to freely buy and roam about the earth. Second, I  am working at this company, because I have always been fascinated with government companies or companies that are directly intertwined with the government. This role, I chose because I am good at it, it allows visibility to different sectors that I have not been a part of before. This company is exciting and the work energizes me, and I enjoy the people that I work with, despite some of them being less motivated than myself. Third, I joined this company because it fits my top five values, with my faith being the first value.

Why am I focused on paying off my debts?

Well, because I have too much of it. But honestly, I could do so much more with the money I have once it is “free” from my obligations. I am focused because everything is tied to my freedom. With debt, my income is not free, thus I am not either. It is nice to take trips but not nice to take them if it causes stress when I return. I know some people who say all of my money should not be tied to paying off my debts, but I reply, that when I am out of debt in a few years, they may still be bounded. Sacrifice now, and enjoy later!

Why create goals?

I created my goals because it is what drives me to keep moving forward and not remain stagnant. I will admit that sometimes a little push never hurts when I get stuck in one place or feel overwhelmed, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time!

Lastly, why continue to blog?

I continue to blog because it allows me to get my thoughts out. It is also a good way for me to go back at the end of the year or month and reflect on my thoughts, where I was, and how much I have grown or not. It also gives me motivation to work on new goals or places in my life. Remember, let your WHY be so strong that when you want to quit, it will force you to keep going.

I had the honor of learning the process of how to make dentures, from scratch. I watched experts in their field tackle a task in which many others have failed. First, someone close to me had to have their entire bottom row of teeth removed and some on the top. It left approximately, four teeth on the top row of this person’s mouth. This person has been to many other dentists, which is how this process began.

Oftentimes, a person do not care about the work they do, until it impacts them or a person they love, at least that is how I view this situation. A few years ago, this person went to a dentist who convinced them that for a top partial (three or four teeth) to fit, their bottom teeth had to be shaved down. A little reluctant, this person agreed. So, the shaving began. Fast forward to last year, and the bottom teeth were so short that it pained the person even to eat mashed potatoes, the teeth had to be removed.

This person goes to a dentist and a partial is made in four hours. It fell apart, so the person goes back so often that the office tells the person, there is nothing further they can do. I am not sure about anyone else, but a person’s teeth are a reflection of confidence, beauty, and class. Without my teeth, I would not know what to do. So here we are and finally, a new dentist is located. We arrive there and this dentist’s office is beautiful, the staff is pleasant, respectable, and good human beings. We meet the dentist, who is so nice, funny, and knowledgeable! We began the consultation and he told us that the person would have to have their bottom row of teeth removed, crowns on the top, and part of the bone in the gums removed for the dentures to fit. I am very cautious so I ask a lot of questions, about options, the necessity of different procedures, next steps, and so on. We decided to move forward in this process.

We went to a cosmetic dentist and he removed the bottom row of teeth, but the tori was missed. So we go back to our now primary dentist who sends us back for the tori removal. The process is smooth, all in all, the person has been without teeth now for the past four months for healing and the different steps in the process.

Here we are and we go back to our primary dentist and this is where I think, “Wow, the craftsmanship of these dentists are amazing.” We are there taking wax prints of what we want the teeth to look like, looking at colors to match the teeth and gums. We go through this process over two more weeks. The teeth are finally in and the fitting takes place, but the color is off and the dentist says, “I care about the color but for me, at this moment, I want to make sure the alignment and the bite is great.” Here we were so focused on getting teeth where the color matches and it feels good in this person’s mouth but the expert says, what about the bite and alignment? It is things like that, in which one has to think, wow, the knowledge of this expert is amazing. It is great to finally meet two experts in the field of dentistry who pride themselves on their work and process.

At this visit, the bite was incorrect and the color was off. He immediately said, you will need to come back to do this again, with the correct color and the right bite. This part of the process is called the try-in. So, we will go back to complete the try-in, then it goes off to a lab where the actual teeth are made, and the person will finally have teeth after living a year with bad teeth and/or no teeth.

As I go to work, I strive to know a lot about the field in which I work. I strive to be able to know the process or create new processes. It is important to be an expert at your craft! I am so impressed by others who share the enjoyment of the work that they do and how it impacts others. To see this person smile with those dentures, even though they were not the ones that were going to be worn home, was worth a million words. He also shared in that person’s joy and they spoke of how the person could not wait to eat real food (not just soups or soft foods) and how the person could not wait to smile again, as the person was a person full of smiles and laughs. It is amazing how one can train or untrain themselves to respond differently, instead of a full smile, it was replaced by a closed-lip grin, instead of a hearty laugh it was replaced by a closed-mouth chuckle.

Life has a way of taking us through many trials and tribulations, in which God tells us that none of them will be easy, but He has a way of making us enjoy life again. He creates people who will be or are experts at their craft and take pride in their work, so others may enjoy their skills and talents. I am so grateful for the dentists that we finally encountered who are proud of their craftsmanship.

I once heard that “a piece of candy can save the world.” That made me laugh, the thought that candy could save the world seems genius because there are so many different types of candy. This made me think what else could save the world?

Sleep could save the world, if everyone took time to rest and let their ideas or decisions sit for a day, then the outcome may be better. Sleep is proven to be a way for one’s body to regenerate, regulate weight loss, and solve problems in the subconscious so when conscious it is all worked out. Christ is able to save the world, if only everyone believed. He created the world, thus, have the power to save it. It does not matter who or what could save the world, because it is more profitable for the world to not be saved.

The sad part is everyone does not even agree that innocent people should not be murdered. Let’s start there, if only everyone knew that the innocent should not be sacrificed for a cause, we could have a huge win for humanity.

Until this world ends and the next one begins, there will never be an opportunity for man to save the world, this is a job that only God could handle. However, it is fun to think that candy, sleep, or empathy could save the world. Continue to pray for everyone, as we all could use a prayer!

I remember when I was younger, my school had selected my class to be buddies with another class from a school in another country. We were tasked with communication building, learning from one another, and having fun while making new friends. It was a great concept. As I grow older I think, it is rare to find someone who writes in a script, signs checks, mail in bill payments, and sends handwritten letters or notes.

I thought I would write a handwritten letter to my mother. I will tell her how my days went and start challenging her to write back as well. Perhaps, it will be another activity that we do. My sister, mother, and I arrange activities such as all-nighters, that include games, talking, dancing, and a breakfast as the sun is coming up. Then we all go to sleep and wake up and tell each other that we slept for so long and that we are still tired. I smiled while writing that because it truly is a good time and memories to share. My mother really looks forward to doing activities like those.

I still enjoy a good puzzle, reading, and music instead of television for background or foreground noise. I prefer board or card games over electronic games. It is a hoot to hang out with people who also like those types of games because they understand. As I look around, and listen to the news where bookstores or libraries are considering shuttering their doors because of the decrease in patrons and I think, I still love a good hard/softcover book in my hands. There is something about the physical pages that I get to turn, the smell when I open them, and the ability to look at them over and over again.

Now, these activities are called throwback or antiquated activities. I say like everything else in life, it is up to one’s own taste. And I have acquired a taste for the antiquated.

They say that two things in life bond all people: music and food. I believe that. I have walked into music stores that play music from other countries and the rhythm has spoken to me. I have played music for people who do not like a certain genre of music but the beat moved them. I have been to places where the food smells unfamiliar and have taken a bite and fallen in love with the tastes of a nation.

America is known as the mixing pot because there are so many different people there with different ethnicities and tastes in language, music, food, and culture. Yet, when it is shared it speaks to people who look like they do not share the same tastes.

Music and food are universal. Everyone will not like everything, but some type of commonality could be found if it were shared. America is unique because people from the South enjoy different tastes from the people in the North, and the North has different tastes from those on the East Coast, and they have different tastes from those on the West Coast.

I remember being on the West Coast and having fish tacos for the first time. I did not enjoy the taste of those tacos, but I loved the rhythm of the West Coast. I enjoyed the way it moved and sounded. I remember being in Costa Rica and loving the food, music, and beat of the country. It was a great experience to have a nation open its doors to me to share its culture, food, people, music, and rhythm with me.

Somedays when I wake up and thank God that I am alive to see another day, I do not immediately smile or have great thoughts or high anticipation of the events that will happen on that day. About the time I am done getting dressed and eating breakfast, a smile flashes across my face. I look around my house and think, “It is great that I own a house” or “This is a beautiful house, despite its many problems.” Out in my front yard, I am frequently visited by deer, as many as eight at a time. I am visited by many types of birds, such as robins, bluejays, woodpeckers, and so many more. I get to see the squirrels, who like to annoy me by jumping on my roof, they are so cute eating and playing in the trees. So, I smile. A smile that shows all of my teeth, the smile that makes my eyes squint, and it feels so good to smile.

My sister makes me smile, the silly things my dog does make me smile. The crazy things I do and later reflect on make me smile, my cat makes me smile, and my job makes me smile. I love smiling, it just feels so good. I smile and relish in the rays when the sun is shining down on me. I think, “Thank you, God, for smiling at me.” I smile when I see my mom because she is silly or says hilarious things that make me smile and laugh. I probably smile more than most. It feels good to smile.

I one time heard someone say, do not smile too much because it will leave lines on your face. Well, I will gladly accept the smile lines rather than the frown lines that show up on so many faces. I smile when I help the unfortunate, or when I am raising funds for different associations. I read that smiling improves one’s mood and body. So, get out there and do something that makes you smile.

Pray for the world and everyone in it.

I am so tired, I can no longer think,

I am sure I need quality sleep.

I go to bed early but fall asleep late,

Or I go to bed early and wake up in the middle of the night,

Please just allow me some quality sleep.

I am so tired, I no longer care,

I am sure that this causes some people to stare,

But let me assure you, I just need quality sleep.

Let me sleep, let me lay, come back and bother me another day.

Let me sleep, let me dream, and I will not look like I need facial cream. Just let me be, I need some quality sleep.

While I was working hard at my nine-to-five I received a text. “If you get bored, feel free to take a typing test for me.” I responded, “No, but you can do it later.” So later approached and this person arrived, acting like they would take this typing test.

There were only three tries to pass. This person practiced and practiced, then failed two times. So the person looks over and says, “I only have one try left.” I said, “Okay… do you want me to try?” there was an overwhelming sound of joy and the word, “Yes!” So, I took the typing test and the person passed.

Then with a look of, I hope the employer really doesn’t need me to type this fast, the person says, “This job should be easy, huh?” I replied, “Yeah.”

I hope you find this as entertaining as I did.