1 Peter 1:14 - as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.
The start of a new year brings an eagerness to commit to change within one's life. The excitement of being granted another fresh start, another chance, to correct past mistakes is something many of us look forward to. We begin thinking of the many changes we'll make in November, and sometimes earlier, but can't press the start button until January 1st. We jot down resolutions that may, or may not, make it past the 2-week trial period. And let's not forget about the pledge to lose weight by joining The Forgotten Treadmills of America Club. You know good and 2025 doggone well you ain't going to the gym...Still, we persevere with brilliant blueprints designed to make us the best of the best that society has to offer. No faults or imperfections. The, "That" could never be me," mentality has continued to fool many of us. "That" is you, it's just "That" in a different form.
Some of us perfect people choose one positive word to sum up our new efforts. Each year my one word is obedience. Each year I ask myself why do I always choose the word obedience. Well, it's been said that you have to repeat the same error over and over until you get it right. Geesh, what in the world do I keep messing up? And every year? Dang, Wanda.
I promise you each day I receive multiple blessings. I also promise you I'm proof that you can get some good stuff even when you don't deserve good stuff. I did a deep dive into the word obedience as it pertains to me and realized that the things I attached the word obedience to didn't equate to 365 days. It didn't add up to 6 months straight or, at times 2 days. Dang, Wanda!
The issue with my word, or better yet, me, is what I choose to be obedient to. Realizing that I'm not consistent kinda messed me up a bit. Gotta be truthful with who you are and who you present to the world. Going outside each day and striving to come home to an Oscar award ceremony that no one attends is absolute stupidity. A seven-day cruise to a fool's paradise where everything that you paid for is free? What? I'm not trying to figure that out.
Consistent and obedience are my 2 words for 2025. I thank God for allowing me to be aware and feel in the moment experiences. I finally understand that I can't share what is especially for me. That doesn't mean you're selfish or don't have concern for others. That does mean that what's for you is for you, and you better love it as such. You also can't tell everything nor can you include folks who don't have the same mindset. Differences make the world go around and opposites attract. Sometimes the differences and opposites are filled with love. And that's a good thing.
2025 is the year I plan to do everything right! And here we go...I done messed up already! Dang Wanda...
Soooooooooooooo, I'm obedient in what I'm supposed to do. You know, daily life stuff - requirements. I'm not obedient in things outside of the norm. At times what I want and how I feel cause my mind to focus on thoughts that I shouldn't, but I want to and I like it, so I do. Wants added with feelings may cause you to become a manipulated puppet to emotions. They control you and your obedience is null and void. (not conforming yourselves to the former) Until you gain control of you, go sit down in a truck stop bathroom and hang a sign around your neck. Out.Of.Order.
Being consistently obedient to what you want is a battle with a beast! If it isn't a need, but more so a desire - Out.Of.Order.
If you could see my thoughts, you'd see me trying to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope, falling off and landing on the Titanic as it's sinking, and then trying to outswim Jaws while looking for a helicopter that has dropped a safety ladder. Oh, the horror.
This life requires you to be obedient in all things. What you feed your body, your mind and your soul matters. But yah'll know how "we" get down. A lil' brown liquor, a box of Newport 100s and fried chittlins' never hurt nobody until it hurts you. Consistently greasy and obediently out of breath. Man listen...
Sequential small things will keep you on the right track. Sometimes we need to simply turn the TV off, tune out the reckless noise and sit in silence. I received a reality check one night while watching an ooooooooweeeee program. I won't mention the name of the show that slapped me in my face. Someone on the screen looked directly me and said,
"Girl, this is why you're struggling with consistent obedience."
"But..."
"Turn it off."
I ain't had no business watching the show but, yeah, uh, never mind.
The ways that I attempt to reason with my obedience is laughable. The situation isn't the same, maybe similar, but not exactly the same. The people, places and things are different, so as long as I don't do that I'm okay doing this. Nope! Gotta be all in or gotta be all in. And that's the way it's gotta be.
What I will say I know for sure is that when God tells you no, tell Him thank you. Life is beautiful. Don't jack yours up continuing to fight an opponent that,
1. Doesn't want to be in the ring with you in the first place.
2. Will unplug your life support and then plug it back in just to see you struggle again.
We can be consistently obedient to situations that cause us harm, an activity, habit or a person. Loyalty to a distraught individual is the worst. You ain't gotta rely on a fool, that absolutely knows they're a fool, and enjoys the foolish attention they receive to slow down your progress.
Did you make a choice to remain in agreement with a person, place or thing that picks stupidity daily as their road map? Is that where your consistent obedience lies? If you paused before answering, ask yourself what's really going on with you.
Listen, we gotta pray that Godzilla doesn't get to the helicopter before me because that will be tragic. Everybody gets a turn, so if I get got, you're on deck next. Come on, my friend; consistent obedience or consequences and repercussions? We gotta get through this life together. Will you work with me?
I luv you.
