“Every locked door has a key, every problem has a solution.”
This key says: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5).
May 24, 2007
This was the day I was graduating from high school, seems so long ago. I was eighteen, I didn’t know much but I knew that I was done with high school! Friends, family, and church members all gathering around to wish me congratulations. My friends and I were planning what we would wear after graduation, and what party we would go to later. The ceremony was long and boring. I was nervous as I crossed that stage, not sure what life would hold next.
As I was taking pictures with everyone, they were coming up and handing me love gifts. I received quite a bit of money, cards, and little trinkets. My hands full with my acquired diploma, and the gifts I smiled a cheesy grin. Smile! Another photo! I was ready to go now! My little black Honda Accord calling my name, I was ready to put high school behind me. There were lots of good memories but many poor choices as well. Such is life, we all think we know everything at that age! Some days I wish I could grab my shoulders and shake that little girl!
However regrets wont get us too far we have to accept that our mistakes and failures, they shape who we become. I am proud of the woman I am now, but there is still a lot of growing up to do. I used to think thirty-six was old, now that I am here I know I have a long life to live. Matter of fact my birthday is less than a month away!
The Key to Success
There were a handful of church members that came to my high school graduation, I truly appreciate that they did that. It was so sweet of them. One guy named LA, gave me this key in a beautiful little box. I have had this key for eighteen years this month! How in the world has it been so long? I immediately loved this gift because it was so unique and I carry with me all the time. I keep it in my purse. I am surprised I still have it! LA died several years ago, and I still can see his smile in my mind. He was such a kind man, he was always impeccably dressed, and had a little dance in his walk. He didn’t know that that gift would be still special to me, all these years later.
Capstone to Faith
Capstone: Is the final stone that is placed when building a structure. The significance here is that God wants us to have that image of completion in our minds. The good work God is doing, he will finish. The final piece to the puzzle is just as important as all the rest, but sometimes it can be what motivates us to keep working towards a goal; to think of the finished product. I took this key out of my purse and I put it on my dresser. It serves as a reminder of God’s promises to me, and a symbol of hope. I know better days are ahead. I look at it each day and I move forward.
What does your capstone look like?
The other day I was listening to a sermon that was talking about we need to start dreaming and trying again for things that we have given up on. The preacher told a story about Zerubbabel in the Bible, who had a dream and mission to rebuild temple, but he faced adversity and almost gave up. God encouraged him to finish.
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
He had only laid the foundation, but the people began discouraging him and he gets down and stops building. Then fifteen years later a prophetic word comes from Zechariah:
“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
Have you ever given up on something you really wanted to accomplish? Maybe because of adversity and discouragement, like in this story?
This story should serve as a reminder to us all that sometimes our dreams may get delayed for various reasons but it is okay to begin again. God never starts something that he doesn’t plan to finish. He has a plan for our lives and we should look to him for guidance. Today I am encouraging you and that younger version of me, not to give up. To keep believing and working hard to accomplish all that you have in your heart.
What did you want to be when you “grew up”?
I always said that I wanted to be a secretary, because I loved office work and being organized. After high school, I went to a technical college for Medical Office Specialist. I began doing clerical work in various positions over the years. I truly enjoyed it and learned a lot. However, there were other dreams as I evolved and matured. I desired to be married, have a family, write a book, travel, sing in public, buy a new home, earn my degree, etc. So many dreams! I have many accomplished many of the dreams but there are still more. Sometimes my dreams scare me, they seem too hard or impossible. However that is where faith comes in: faith is the evidence of the unseen.
How to Begin Again:
- Review the past. (Sometimes we can’t go forward until we go back.) Study what worked and what didn’t.
- Align your goals and values. (God’s will vs. My own) What is your WHY?
- Forgive yourself (Move forward without regrets and shame)
- Plan the next steps. (Start small, but START!)
- Embrace change, welcome help from others.
- Keep learning, trust your abilities, and be persistent!
Hey YOU! Yes, you don’t you dare quit! Get your fire and passion back and GO GET IT!
Happy Reading!
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