Friends R UsSample

Work Life Balance 

In 2016, I was offered a job I had been praying for. I took a leap of faith and packed up enough stuff for a one bedroom apartment and drove 16 hours to the state of Georgia from the state of Illinois. In 2017, I received a telephone call from my only child informing me she was pregnant. I was not happy with this telephone call, but as I spoke to her with disappointment, the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Only God gives life; yet in her sin, I am still with her because you continuously pray for her.” This changed my entire perspective regarding the news my daughter shared with me. Later on, my daughter came to visit me and, long story short, she never left. In 2018, my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I am now juggling working, taking care of my daughter, granddaughter, serving in ministry as well as keeping connected with friends who live in various states.

How do I balance it all? It is truly by the grace of God. One powerful lesson that I have learned in this Christian walk is that everything needs to be done decently and in order. In 1 Corinthians 14: 40 (NCV) it is written,  “But let everything be done in a right and orderly way.” When I wake up in the morning, I spend quiet time with God to start my day. I may read a devotion, listen to worship music, google some scriptures, or listen to a sermon. Starting my day with God orders my steps for the day. In Matthew 6: 33 (NCV) it is written,  “Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.” I want to encourage you to begin your day with God. Take time to spend quiet time with the Lord. There is no required time frame; so, start off with how much time you are comfortable doing. God wants to be your friend, and He waits to hear from you every day about everything that concerns you. Pray this scripture and watch God change the trajectory of your life, Psalms 119: 133 (NCV) “Guide my steps as you promised; don’t let any sin control me.” In Jesus name, with the help of the Holy Spirit,  Amen.

Written by Dr. Ta-Tanisha Essex