Relationship Talk: Faith & Patience

I guess you could say these are the thoughts I've had while writing my project spilling over onto your screen...My relationship talk!

As I've been writing for my debut project, The Mixstory vol. 1 Tales of Love I've had so many conversations with people discussing love and relationships.  I think the biggest themes represented from the songs I've been creating are love yourself, wait for love, and know that God loves you and thinks highly of you.  After all, He did create you.

I am so glad that during the last few years of my life God has molded and shaped my views towards relationships in a positive direction.  There are too many folks anxious (Philippians 4:6) and not enough patiently waiting (Psalm 37:7).  

I sincerely pray that we will learn how to rest in The Lord.  There's so much to be discovered when we just allow ourselves to rest in the arms of the most high God.  He loves us more than any human being ever could.

And that's not to say that God won't send someone, but your time of singleness can truly help to maintain your focus on passion and purpose.  I can personally say that over the course of graduating from college, beginning a new position, working on music, etc., I don't know how I would've fit a guy into my schedule.  But as a result of being busy and shifting my attention, I can say I am closer to God than I've ever been in my life.

And while I may have never met "the one" in person...I know he's out there and I pray for him all the time.  Eventually he'll find me (oh and trust, even if my schedule is busy, this sister will make time lol!).  

Visualizing this man I can't see definitely requires some faith...And just thinking about my single "Heartache",  I think people allow themselves to go through a lot of pain and face bad relationships because of a lack of faith.

They lack faith that God will mend their hearts.  They lack faith that God will send someone to love them both inwardly and outwardly.  They lack faith that their future will be better than their past.  They lack faith in the abilities of God.  They lack faith in their ability to let go.  I guess someone could also be in denial and not even recognize they need faith too. 

And my response to that is to seek the Word of God to strengthen your faith.  Read some Christian relationship books if you need to (I sure did!).  Seek godly wisdom and find examples of beautiful relationships and people amongst you.  Hey and by the summer you will have songs from The Mixstory to help strengthen your faith in love!

I've been so blessed watching the union of my sister and brother-in-law through the years.  They are my reminder of what God wants to do in my life.  My family and friends help to reaffirm for me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord (as a child I had many moments of struggling to see my beauty, to be transparent..at times I still do).  And seeing young men on fire for The Lord always makes me think, "Oh wow God...they do exist!"  

Everything you just read in that last paragraph...those are examples of how my faith remains strengthened in love.  So I wait...patiently.  I pray more of my sisters and brothers in Christ will do the same...wait and do so with a willing heart.

This is longer than I anticipated but this is me being transparent.   I hope that we learn to value ourselves as God does, accept only the best, and in our season of waiting allow God to mold us into becoming His best!

Drawing Nearer in 2013

At the top of this year I spoke of plans for this new year and asked for prayers through my accountability family of the Intensive Care Unit (check out the website at icuALIVE.com).

Today I would like to give you an update on what is new on my end.  I am steadily working on my first CD project which will prayerfully be released no later than the summer.  There has been a lot of time and effort put into it and in some ways it has required more of my focus than I realized.  And personally I feel that God has been "growing me up."

I've learned more about my responsibilities and I'm not just talking about finances (although that has been a journey in itself), but really, I have grown in my relationship with God.  I have had many moments with just me and God than I believe I've ever experienced.

The fact that He leads and guides me and is present in all things I do has become more evident to me than ever before. I'm also working on areas where I typically block out His instruction or what you could also refer to as plan ol' disobedience.  I am in no way perfect, but he perfects me when I allow Him to.  And I am so grateful for that.

My personal resolution for this year has not only been to strengthen my bond with Christ, but also to build bonds that go beyond the surface and dive deep into the needs of family and friends.  I believe gradually but surely God is allowing me to do those things.

BUT, God has also shown me the value of ICU when it comes to the core purpose of studying and memorizing scripture.  My sister Katrina brought it to my attention that sharing scriptures was really helping her.  That meant a lot to me because it helps to be able to say to myself, "Carlena, you're not the only one seeing your vision, but others are as well, even if it's just family or one person.  That's a life touched for the glory of God."

With that being said, I would like to share with you all a scripture that I will personally be focusing on for the remainder of this month...

James 4:8 (KJV) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I could provide you with some great summary of what's being said through this scripture but...I'm not.  Read the word for yourself, study it, receive it, live it out, and learn to love God unconditionally.  For me, it defines what I'm working on...drawing closer the Lord.

Draw Me by Myron Williams

At some point, I will jump back on ICU (as well as the Lighthouse) more consistently, but as of now I ask that you review scriptures and allow them to be rooted in your heart.  Your scripture focus doesn't have to be the same as mine.  What's important is that we spend time in God's Holy Word and activate it in our daily living.



Want more information about ICU?  Check out the website at icuALIVE.com.  If you are interested in being a part of ICU in the future, please email me at either tacarajourney@yahoo.com or carlena@icualive.com.