Sacred-ish

Welcome to "The New Era of Me! Yes! This is my season to flourishes MEEE!!! Like....I don't even have the grace to disciple, pour into, or worry about anyone! I am officially on sabbatical! It sounds like the perfect season, right? Nope! It is hard. I am neurodivergent. So, I swing from hyperfocus to completely distracted by everything... ALL . THEE . TIME!!!! Even now, it is taking a lot not get distracted by other people's lives. AUUUUGH!!!

You see, I was born into a family who was dedicated to serving others. My earliest memories was holding the tracts or visitation cards while sitting in a stroller in Gary, Indiana. As I got older, it was inviting people to our home for food/ fellowship after church, long prayer circles for others, serving in nursing homes, giving to missionaries, singing all over the nation, cleaning churches, picking weeds, the list goes on and on. In a nutshell, if it was a need for someone else, we tried our hardest to fulfill it. My parents instilled a motto- "If you can eat, everybody can eat!" But if it was something that only took effort...We were about that life...frfr! I am so happy this is my beginning. My parents dedicated their lives to putting good in the universe for the glory of God. I am who I am because of them.

My family was not perfect, but we were authentic. My authenticity and warmth is inherited. I am who I am because of my parents (who are now my ancestors.). You can say alot about me, but you can not say I am fake. I grew up in a family that showed our flaws as we served. Looking back, I wished someone would have loved us enough to sit us down and let us get filled, healed and restored. We were so dedicated to serving others that everything was on the backburner. So, my parent's marriage suffered, I never really developed a closeness with my parents, and I am learning NOW how to navigate intimacy in my relationships. I wished I would have learned how to minister to my siblings, and other family members. Don't get me wrong, we are close. I am protective of my family. One thing about me, I will gladly come for the neck of anyone who tries to come for anyone in my family. I don't even let people poke fun at any of them. My family is one thing in my life that I will lose it all for--without question! But there is this level of intimacy, depth of relationship and affirmation that I am working on right now as I navigate a deeper relationship with my immediate family. I feel that even now, both of my parents are in unison encouraging me to seek a deeper relationship with my siblings-they are my life!

This is my season to flourish! I didn't realize until now, that it had to be this way. God knew that my parents only had a short time to live on this earth. My parent's short time was spent overwhelming the universe with goodness. I am inheriting from the investment of goodness they sacrificed to release into the universe. God is about the right time and season. My Heavenly Father had to step in to heal, change my perspective, build and teach me somethings so that I continue the spiritual legacy that was began by my parents. The process was rough, scary, exhausting, lonely, empowering, sad, disappointing, and hard. It was also necessary! I thank God for every part of it. I also NEVER want to go through it again! God did that: HE made all things new, and like Nina Simone sings..."And it feels sooooo good!"

So, here I am. It's 2023. I am learning Sharon. Investing in Sharon. Healing Sharon. Affirming Sharon. I acknowledge and accept my royalty as the daughter of the King of all Kings. I accept the power of my sanctity because of the spirit of my Father that flows freely through me. Sharon is sacred. I am learning how to protect my sacred space, keeping it free from anything that would hinder the flow of my sacred space!

This season of sacred is the tip of the iceberg. God is brewing so much more for me! My mind has not been blown yet, so I confident that He has more for me. Presently, my life is wonderfully uncomfortable. I have learned from my hard seasons how to lean into the uncomfortable so that I can get what I am destined to receive. My coach at my gym said, "Sharon, this is a new season-we are running towards intimidation, not away from it!" This season of sacred flourishing is intimidating, but I am ready for it. My ancestors invested in this season by sacrificially depositing goodness into the world... oh yeah, AND.....God is my Father...sooooo...nuff said! Also, God brought me through the hard times and built a "special-forces" level of strength in me...in other words, "I'm a strong sum'body!

I wish I could say that I have no fear. But I do have fear, and that is completely ok. The difference is, fear does not stop me. The spirit of God is my strength. I am empowered to walk through my fear to receive everything that is assigned to me....and I claim and receive it all...plus some more (insert Ephesians 3:20, Isaiah 43:19 & Philippians 1:6 here)!

The Bible says, "Do not despise small beginnings" & I don't! In fact, Love the way God has used my good, great, and the terrible moments in my life to prepare and strengthen me this season of my life. I will never stop doing good for others. I will never stop being a source of joy and encouragement to those around me. I have witnessed the little "foxes" that spoil the vine, therefore, I will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, being intentional about ministering to me.

I am sacred