There is a song that’s always playing on the radio, ‘Easy On Me,’ by Adele. And I always tell God I don’t want Him to go easy on me because I want to be His top soldier, learning all the difficult lessons He would have me to know so that I can come here as His Rockstar to pass these valuable lessons on to you guys. No problem, God, I got You! Wink! Wink!

This is a tough assignment at times, though. And yesterday was a terrible day where I let the sad and depressing thoughts get the best of me AGAIN. Hey, I’m still human! But like I told a neighbor today, these humiliating knockdowns are from me thinking about the wrong things, but knowing is half the battle. That’s why it’s called the battlefield of the mind. I’m literally my own worst enemy when I allow my mind to dwell on the unpleasant things of life and have a negative focus. And the most challenging part is God telling me I must be silent about everything and control my emotions. GOD, THIS IS HARD!!!

But let me tell you the sweetness of God. It was my Joshie’s birthday yesterday, and he insisted that we go to Dave and Buster’s. So, I had to take him and some friends in all my sadness. My daughter Julie came with me, and in wanted to show her something, I went and open my meditation book, He and I, written as if God was speaking to me and He had this to say:

“Aim to the best of your ability. Isn’t it for God? Why should you give up? My very little girl, YOU MUST BEGIN TO BE HAPPY TO SUFFER FOR ME.”

I knew right away that this was a direct message from God to me on this miserable day I was having. God, I’m happy to suffer for You! Don’t go easy on me!!!

And that’s my message for you guys today, God does ask us to suffer sometimes for Him. Life isn’t always easy, and God does ask us to do some hard things at times. Still, when I look around at all He is doing for me, I must put on God’s whole armor and do everything for His glory. No matter what anyone else is doing, I want to aim to be obedient to Him, even if it means taking the insults and keeping silent.

This is my prayer for us all stolen from Joel Osteen:

‘God, Help us to ignore insignificant distractions that try to keep us from Your best.’ Amen

Today, I’m enjoying working with my daughter, Julie. I’m sucking up every moment with her before she leaves for university in New York shortly, by the grace of God. She’s a huge example of why I say everything is between God and me, not between me and anyone else. I told her that I promised my daughter, Ember, no more crazy momma. These fierce daughters deserve the best mom to show up for them.

Ember stayed late with me the other night at work to help me, and I was so impressed at how she handled the assignment. Hubby called and said I should teach them everything I know. That day’s lesson was that sometimes you have to suffer and endure complex stuff. I made her go hard and long because I’m preparing her for life, and sometimes you must ENDURE without giving up. Today, it’s Julie’s turn to learn this vital lesson.

The struggles are real, but God is there to help us through anything!!! Even the sufferings!!! That’s why He invites us to come with all our burdens to Him, and He will give us rest. Look how He found a way to cheer me up yesterday, asking me to be happy to suffer for Him. God, for all that You are doing for my family and me, anything to please You, let me learn.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.” – Galatians 6:9-10 NLT