AM~Erica Finds Him...umm...Odd

So anyway...

SEVERAL months ago, we had to have a U-Verse tech come to our house. He was nice, clean-cut, and kind of...well...ummm...odd. I was home by myself (hubby was at work)...with this very nice, very...ummm...odd tech. It was awkward. And I was telling my hubby about the oddness of this nice tech. Because...he was...well...odd. I don't even know if I got all the info I really needed. And as nice as the guy was...it was...well...odd.

Last night, we had needed a tech come out to look at our stuff again for some different reasons this time. Hubby was home, and when he let the tech in...it was the same very nice, very clean-cut, very...odd tech we had last time!!! And...my hubby said that the tech seemed very nice, very put together, but kind of "odd." I concurred & informed him that it was the same very nice, very "odd" tech that was here last time. And we couldn't get over how odd this guy is...but very nice, just...very...um...odd.

Because of this guy's oddness, I wondered if he had a significant other of sorts who put up with this...ummm...oddness. Cuz he's a fairly nice looking guy. Very clean cut. Kind of helpful. But it's hard to get past his oddness.

As he chomps his gum, but quietly, he keeps an oddly pleasant smirk on his face. And he likes following us around so he can keep explaining things that we are figuring out that he really may not have understood himself. And...he has a soft & raspy laugh that comes out at random times. Not even at appropriately funny times...just odd times. And it came across almost more egotistical than nerves. Does that sound odd?

But here's another odd thing: he doesn't appear to be socially awkward. He's just...quietly odd.

And it was weirder & odder when he was trying to stand over my shoulder to "help me" navigate my computer. Just...*shivers*...odd...

So in the midst of dealing with the...ummm...oddness, my hubby had an "appointment" to be at! So he had to leave while the...uh...odd tech was "hanging out to make sure everything works." (those were the odd tech's words) So I was at the house with the odd tech AGAIN!!! Aye-yi-yi...

It was at that point that the...ummm...odd tech (who is very nice & clean cut) decided to ask about how to work the universal remote we have...because there's no way he could've asked about it WHILE my hubby was there to talk about the workings of his gadgets. *face palm*

But we are hoping whatever was done worked. Because, if we had to call out a tech again...and it's this dude...that would be...ummm...well...uh...odd.

Did I mention that he was at least very nice & clean cut? And...well...ummm...odd?
Just checking. Cuz he really was very nice, very clean cut...just...well...odd.

Just to make things clear...I could totally pick him out in a line up. If it ever came to that. And I needed to. You know. But that might be...um...odd...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Blessed with Folks Who Recharge

So anyway...

If there's anyone who doesn't know me well, hasn't seen or connected with me in years, or for anyone who needs a reminder...I'm married to a pastor. Being MARRIED TO MY PRINCE CHARMING does also make me ONE OF THOSE PASTOR'S SPOUSE PEOPLE.

If you need to know how different we all are, please read the above link. Please. It's important to those of us in that title role. Seriously.

And it's the reason I am writing this post today. Because it's hard for us. I don't think a non-pastor/pastor spouse really get it. Because of this, we are clumped together in a group & are treated exactly the same way as any person-on-the-street &/or the general parishioner would treat the other pastor spouses they meet. I get it. But it's frustrating.

My fellow pastor spouses...especially the wives...do understand & go thru the same type of frustrations we deal with weekly, if not daily. We are all expected to be the PW's of old, just waiting to cook a large meal for the women's group or Sunday School class, sing in the choir &/or play the piano, and demurely follow in our husband's shadow wherever he goes & know everything that might be going on so that someone might think they can get a run on the pastor if they go thru the spouse first. Grrrrrr...!!!!!

I cannot stress enough that my hubby got the call to ministry. And the family (which is a whole post by itself) needs to meld with God's call. And, we do go along with the call. We know he is strong in the calling & know that's what my hubby needs to be doing! But I certainly don't fill that "demure pastor's wife" role. I'm probably not going to cook for an entire Sunday School class. I don't mind singing...but I'm not in the choir. I don't play the piano or the organ. I know, I know...BLASPHEMOUS! Right?

People do need to know that my calling is elsewhere. I like one-on-one conversations with people. I'm a good listener. I'm also into the field of performing: speaking, acting, dancing, costuming. I am not quiet. I don't walk in my hubby's shadow. He & I are like one in spirit & soul...but we have our own identities.

The point I am trying to get to is that there are the folks that actually GET THAT!! The ones that know I'm my own person. The ones that I can have an open conversation with. Some of them are church folk. Some of them are not. But I appreciate these people more than you know! The ones that don't assume I know what's going on. The one's that know not to come to me for church information. The ones that check on me for me. The ones that know where I am different from other folks & pastor spouses. The ones that know I'm not my hubby's church messenger.

These are the folks that I truly appreciate. I love the people at my church. I love God's children. But I am truly the most recharged by those who can & will advocate for ME being me...outside of my hubby.

Anyone who reads this that talks to me for me...I thank you. You are an absolute blessing! You have no idea. The ones who don't come to talk to me so you can have an in with my hubby.

Trust me, if that's why you try to talk to me, I know it...and your message probably won't reach my hubby. I don't appreciate being used. And that's what you are doing, even if you don't think so.

I love getting connected with my "rechargers". Even if it's a deep conversation, a serious one, or a not-so-serious one...the fun respect & understanding that comes out of those friendships mean more than you know!

I am a pastor's spouse...and I have been burdened with glorious purpose! (Oh yes...I just went there...)

And not everyone understands it. But I am so grateful for the ones that do.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Calling the Pigskin Pretties

So anyway...

TICK-TICK-TICK...

The countdown to the 2013 NFL (yes...I do mean FOOTBALL SEASON this time) is coming upon us very soon! Raise your hand if you are excited!!

*raises hand like an overzealous Hermione*

It's during this preseason time that many start looking at and projecting stats to compile to see about building a team of their own. For anyone who is unawares: it's called "Fantasy Football." Some of you are getting excited by that thought...and some of you may be cringing.

Most of you know it's my hubby's fault that I really like football. After being a "football widow" for a long time, it became more of a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" kind of thing. Kind of like my STAR TREK FOLLOWING, I came into it by being baptized in the association river.

Well, my hubby has participated in several fantasy football leagues over the years...there was even the year that he was the commissioner of one, and I helped. It hurt my head. As much as I love keeping up with football, I hated keeping up with the FFL. The team names usually amuse me, as well as the trash-talking...but that's about it.

So, while my hubby does his FFL-thing, I had thought along those lines...

My friend, Lisha, over at THE LUCKY MOM & I did this wager a couple of times. Last season, she asked me if I wanted to wager something for our teams playing against each other.
Now, if you probably remember, my Chiefs were...um...awful last season. Embarrassingly awful! Lisha's team, the NO Saints, were having a tough year, but nothing like ours. So when they played, she offered up an interesting wager: if our team lost, we needed to sport our Facebook profile pic as the other team for 24 hours; the pic being of the winner's choosing.

My family was very busy at the beginning of the game. We had to DVR it & watch the possible massacre when we got back home. We stayed off of social media during that time so we didn't know what was going on until we could watch it. When we got caught up, we got on Twitter & Facebook to catch up on reactions, too. Then I saw the wager offered up. I didn't want to take her up on it & wanted to pretend I didn't even see it. I did tell her I wasn't sure, especially with how sad our team was...
Well...
...later in the game, the Chiefs were actually making up lost ground. They put up a fight. They were putting up such a great fight that I flagged her down & asked if she was still up for the wager. Even if we lost & I had to sport a Saints pic of sorts...it was going to be worth it! She agreed.

Now then, if you don't know how hard I root for the Chiefs' kicker, you need to catch up RIGHT HERE to understand. Because he had an amazing game!!! He had to make up for everyone else that game...so much so...that he led us to 1 of our 2 victories of the entire season!!!

Wha...WHA????

It was quite a game. Quite. A. Game.

And, like a good sport, Lisha said she would hold up the end of her wager, and I would pick the pic for her to use. So...of course I had to use one of Ryan Succop...that I slightly doctored to add his number & "MVP" to his shirt:

The pic I chose & doctored for my friend's profile pic

It was a lot of fun. Now that preseason has been going, the Chiefs played their 1st preseason game against...guess who! That's right! The Saints! So...Lisha offered up the wager again. I'm pretty excited about our team this year, so of course I took her up on it! Why not! Amm-i-rite?

Well...as it turns out, our backups to our backups' backups weren't so great. We lost in the end. So...like a good sport...I held up my end of the wager. She picked the picture I was to sport for 24 hours:

The pic my friend picked for me to use for my profile pic

You know what? Just that was a lot of fun! No money exchanged & just 1 day of changing your profile pic if you lose the wager!

So...I got thinking...

I know a LOT of gals who are big football fans! And from all different teams! So it led me to thinking about this:

What if there was just a lighter version of a pick-a-team league out there, for the football-lovin' women? You know, you root for your team every week & wager up your profile pic for 1 day should your team lose? Yes...even if it's to one of your twitch-worthy arch rivals.

So, my pigskin pretties...who's in? Would that be something you might be interested in this season? The first official kickoff is right around the corner!

Let me know! If you're on FB, send me a private message. Or you can email me: erica.williams74@gmail.com.

This could be fun...and we refuse to be the football widows, yo!

So let me know, if you know someone who would be interested & I'll start working out the details.

Sound good? Starting a League of Our Own?? *wink, wink*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

**********

UPDATE:
I decided to start a Facebook page specifically for this!

Head on over to WageHer (click for the link HERE), take a look around & decide if you want to join in the fun! Hope to see a bunch of the girls there!

All the football-lovin' gals, put your hands in, and "WageHer" on 3:

1...


2...


3...

AM~Erica Goes Retro for Date Day

So anyway...

This week came to the delight of many parents & to the disappointment of most school-aged kiddos in most of the U.S.

This week marked the start of a brand new school year!!

*LOUD APPLAUSE*

*GLITTER CONFETTI CANNON*

As we are trying to settle back in the "regularly scheduled programming", this was also getting my hubby & I back on track to getting our Fridays back. While the kiddos are at school, my hubby (who has most Fridays off) and I use Fridays to keep kindling our marriage that usually included our weekly grocery shopping. Oh, the life of PRINCE CHARMING & HIS PRINCESS!

          Have you ever tried to do your grocery shopping with the kiddos? It's stressful & takes at least double the time. 
     Anyhoo...

Right now I'm in the midst of possibly getting the chance to dress up hardcore vintage/retro & maybe be an over-the-top-type character! Exciting, amm-i-rite?

          What? Why are you not acting shocked by this? *shrugs*

     Anyhoo...

I've been trying to pull the look a little more often to try it out...you know..."just in case". So I did it yesterday for hubby's & my 1st date day in the new school year.

So...my outfit was pretty close to this. Only with slightly different headwear,

 jewelry,

& footwear.

That whole sheer socks with pumps thing. It's weird, but I'm figuring it out...

Put it all together & then you get the is the gist.

My hubby looked a bit more casual...so he changed to a button up shirt to try to appear comparable. *snort*

While we were out grocery shopping, a little old man flagged me down to ask for some help getting some milk off the top shelf for him. He was probably in his 80's & was housing his oxygen tank in his grocery cart, so I was happy to be helpful to get his half gallon of skim milk for him. He was so funny telling me about how his wife, of 40 years, would tell him he was the most trying person she knew. He was a funny little man. And I carried on with the shopping...

Then, as I headed down the cereal aisle, I was flagged down by another little old man, probably in his 80's. Here was the conversation:

*~*~*

"Pardon me..."

"Yes?" 
*right here, I can't believe another little old man has flagged me down*

*he removes his baseball cap & places it to his heart*
"You are mighty charming today in your getup: your hair & lovely dress, with your socks & shoes. Just lovely."

"Why thank you so much, sir!"

"Oh no, my dear. Thank you."


           Awwwwwww...!!

*~*~*

When my hubby & I went to IHOP for breakfast, our favorite manager made sure that she sat us. She had on an amazing Chiefs shirt! We always compliment her on how she looks. We watched her, kind of from afar, for quite some time while she was losing weight & making herself over. Finally, when we connected with her, she knew who we were & we confessed to us watching her making herself over. So we do make sure to compliment her often when we go in..which is obviously often enough that she figured out who were are. So as I commented about how much I loved her shirt (since she was obviously wearing it from the first home game of the preseason), she gushed over my retro-inspired outfit...in which did include red for the Chiefs game.

As we sat there, I noticed a couple of little old ladies sitting together in a booth. They were so adorable! After a while I began to notice them looking around the restaurant & people watching, much of what I enjoy doing, and I could read the lips of one of the little dears, as I could feel their eyes fixed upon our booth:

"I really love her hair. It's so pretty."

As I have been on Pinterest lately, I have seen several (including myself) posting pictures of 50's housewives & dresses. I do see a lot of taglines to them with the laments along the lines of, "If only we still dressed like this."

Why not begin this revolution? I have seen some begin to. I've done a little & don't mind picking it up more.

The older generation definitely laments the Pinterest sentiments, too. It appeared glamorous & simple all at the same time.

My hubby loves the look, too. He likes that traditional look. It's modest with sex-appeal. Because it can happen! You can look great without EVERYTHING hanging out, yo!

So my hubby was just fine with my look. And would have no issue with me sporting it nearly everyday! hehe

But we know that if this were to happen when I head out with my hubby...it might look like this:

Modern-day Lucy & Ricky...amm-i-rite?

Oh yeah...looking forward to our Fridays kicking back up!

By the way...my hubby did say that if he really did speak Spanish (more specifically, the Cuban dialect), then we really would be like Lucy & Ricky! hehe

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Takes in Some Live Football

So anyway...

You all know that I love my KC Chiefs...and I LOVE FOOTBALL! Amm-i-rite?

I'm not a bandwagon Chiefs' fan. I have been disappointed in them...but will cheer them on & stand up for them all day long. Even after the sadness of last season. It was bleak.

But I have been counting down to this season with all the changes made!!!

~ I couldn't believe WE LANDED ANDY REID!

~ I was stoked for us BRINGING ON JOHN DORSEY!

~ I was leery about GETTING ALEX SMITH.

~ I was hopeful after the NFL Draft.

After the excitement of being at training camp last year, I was super stoked for going back this year!! And the changes to practice were oh-so-obvious. Well, the very different weather helped a lot, too...

Last year, we did get to talk to, meet, get autographs & pics of/with some of the Chiefs. That was SO awesome! I think our overall favorite was Eric Berry after all of that. He was so personable & was willing to take several pics & sign anything without hesitation. He loved mingling with the fans...even in the heat of the drought!

With Eric Berry in 2012

But the one I was hoping to meet...FINALLY...is our kicker: #6 Ryan Succop. Because somehow I KEEP MISSING HIM! How is this?? Especially when I've been his die-hard fan from the moment we acquired him. So since I was so close last year...and I seem to keep missing him other places...or others I know keep getting to run into him...I was hoping I would get my pic with today!

We watched drills, our draft picks, we watched Coach Reid being VERY involved in the practice,
Lil Guy got to do the kids' zone,

we spotted John Dorsey (like a Sasquatch moment),

we saw running plays, touchdowns, a little tackling, smashing pads & grunting, one big hail-Mary pass, and some serious field goal kicks (like a 57-yarder, baby)!

This really is Succop & Special Teams back at 47 yd marker

They even blared a lot of music a couple of times. First song up?

Totally made me think about our high school pregames when our school would play this song for years!
Then it was followed up by more Head-Bangers' Ball playlists that rolled into hardcore rap & hiphop songs.

It was quite a morning!! Even getting thru some rain, a nice cooler morning...we got to see some of the scrimmaging & the crowds that came out 2 hours after us just to watch the scrimmage & try to catch some autographs & such.

And yes...today is when Jamaal Charles was carted off the practice field...quietly. We didn't even know it! My hubby saw a tweet about it! Go figure...

Well...as practice ended. And people were beginning to gather along the field & trail borders to try to get at least an autograph from at least one player, if not their favorite...
So...
Guess who got to meet the kicker! Go ahead...GUESS!!! No...really...!!

Cuz I don't know either. *sigh* Missed him AGAIN!!! He was still on the field working out a bit, and hubby had to head back to get to work since the practices are in the mornings.

*Imagine a pic with me posed with Ryan Succop here*

Figures.

Oh well...maybe yet another time...eventually...down the line...before Succop leaves the team or retires...*sigh*

Well...onto an exciting football season...
And, for us, absolutely ANYTHING will be better than last year!

So...as always...
GO CHIEFS!!

(You don't think that Ryan Succop is dodging me do you...???)

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Needs Your Votes

So anyway...

If you remember, I totally took part in a PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE that my friend, David, hosted thru his PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS.

It was because of this challenge that I came up with A BLUE DRINK as well as finding A STRANGELY ROMANTIC SPOT. It also helped me discover & really like mint M & M's. I blame David for that one. hehe

Well...it has come time for the top 50 photos (out of over 600 submissions, by the way) to be voted on! And I am so excited to say that the voting is going on RIGHT NOW! It began today & will go thru August 24th. And...AND...? I have 2 photos included in that 50 photos being put up for the public vote! I. Am. Stoked.

OK...so here's where I need your help:

1. Click on the links (part of the photos, below). Each link will take you straight to my photos being considered.

2. Click the 'Like' button on each of those photos to make your vote official.

3. Share the pics &/or this post with others so more folks can vote.

4. Browse thru THE OTHER AMAZING PHOTOS in the gallery! Vote for any of them you like, but the photo with the most 'likes' wins the popular public vote. I would really, Really, REALLY like for this to be one of mine! (hint, hint)

So...are you ready? Click on each photo to take you to the respective link on Facebook & hit that 'Like' button on each one!

Click on photo to vote with your 'Like'

Click on photo to vote with your 'Like'

OK...GO-GO-GO!!!

Please? And...thank you for your support. *bats eyes really big*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

**********
UPDATE:

Don't forget...voting goes thru THIS SATURDAY!!! I'm woefully behind on my pics' voting.

Also, there is an ALBUM OF EXTRAS that you can check out, too. I have a few featured in there. But those are not up for voting...just to enjoy.

AM~Erica Has an Odd Romantic Moment

 So anyway...

Recently, my family went on vacation to Colorado. I have been teetering back-&-forth as to whether or not to share some of our adventures here like I did when WE WENT TO SEATTLE. So it might still happen...but I had to share a particular moment!

OK...just take note that my hubby & I found it very romantic for us...but there will be several of you shaking your heads, wondering what's wrong with us, be confused, or just laugh in amusement. Trust me: we understand all of these reactions. But it was great for us & that's all that matters! Each to their own, amm-i-rite? (Keep in mind the REDDIT PROPOSAL that worked for that couple...it's not for everyone, but it was great for them. OK?)

As we were planning our trip to Colorado, we built it around some amazing lodging that we found in Keystone. So that's the route we went in the family vacay planning. And in the planning stages, we realized we were fairly close to Breckenridge...which we've heard so much about!

I've been to Colorado 3 other times in my life. Breckenridge was not part of any of those trips, so I was stoked to check it out.

During this time, I was taking part in a summer photography challenge from my friend, David, thru his photography business HIPSTABEAR PHOTOGRAPHY. It was almost like a scavenger hunt to try to get great shots of any or as many of the 100 possible topics given. Since we were getting ready to travel, I wanted to plan ahead to see if I could try to get any of these while in Colorado.
One of the shots being asked for was a building location where a movie had been filmed. So I started doing some research as to movies that were possibly filmed in Colorado to see if I could pin down a location or two. And guess what! GUESS WHAT-GUESS WHAT-GUESS WHAT!!! I could not have been more ridiculously excited than to come across a particular movie that had apparently been filmed in Breckenridge!!

Folks, Breckenridge had been filmed as Fake Aspen. And in Fake Aspen is where a few shots of an important movie in hubby's & my relationship happened to be filmed. But I had to pinpoint the spot! And it took ridiculous study of movie stills to find the right spot. But we found it! And it was one of the most exciting moments for me in all of our Colorado trip!!

Do you recognize it? It's where Harry & Lloyd went to Aspen!

Wait...did you ask who Harry & Lloyd are? Let me refresh your brains for a moment:

Yes!! It's from the movie, "Dumb & Dumber"!

"...He must work out..."

Wait...are you scratching your heads? Shaking them?? Again, allow me to refresh your memory...or introduce you as to why this movie is considered so romantic to us. It's a part of our MODERN DAY FAIRY TALE.

So we had a full-circle moment that meant a lot to us. And in a beautiful area, I might add...
And when we go back (yes...I said 'WHEN'), we may very well stay in the very romantic & beautiful Fake Aspen!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Believes in the Power of Prayer

So anyway...

Got a call this morning that my 92yo grandmother had a stroke. Left side completely paralyzed & couldn't form words. After being given some declotting meds, an angiogram, and lots of prayer...my grandmother is doing amazingly well compared to what they thought she would be when she first arrived.

She has movement on her left side, can lift her left arm & leg...and she can form words! She knows where she's at, what's going on...and even has a bit of humor in her. She told the lab technician taking blood to not take all of it.

Imagine my surprise when she even asked if my kiddos were ready for school, especially Lil Guy, and wanted to see if we enjoyed our vacation. Just...wow!

She still must go thru quite a bit of therapy for movement & speech...but she moved her check-in nurse to tears when she saw the progress within hours. And that moved me to tears.

Now...I don't know if she'll remember that I was even there, but I am stoked to know that she is doing so well that she may be moved into a regular room tomorrow!

I honestly cannot thank those of you who prayed & sent positive energy today. Even if you didn't know why. We were lifting up a very special woman...and she is so much stronger than she believes she is. Because of how bleak things sounded & the little I had to go on earlier, I could not give details. But I am moved by the faith you all have that joined in prayer during an uncertain time. My family cannot thank you enough!!!

I waited a long time with my dad today. As he said, "This waiting sucks!" And it did...but it brought great news!

She is not out of the woods yet. Please keep up the prayers & positive thoughts. They work miracles!

Stay tuned...

*******************************

UPDATE 8/6:

Got word she was feeding herself a sandwich & using BOTH hands!!! Moved to a regular room & her face is even less droopy. She will begin physical & speech therapy right away. Continued prayers and positive thoughts & energy is working beautifully! Keep it up as she continues to recover. Thank you all! You all are a blessing!

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Wonders What is Really Being Protested

So anyway...

ALL of America needs to take note: Racism runs in all directions. The moment you are willing & ready to throw out the race card at any given circumstance...then the label goes on you, too. This was not a white vs black case. The accused was bi-racial. Half of one race & half of another constitutes bi-racial...regardless of the mixed races. And it was not a stand your ground case...it was self defense. The justice system spoke. The jury weighed evidence given to them. No racism/hate crime was ever considered...and neither was stand your ground.

Even though a 17 yo guy (yes...I said 'guy', not "child") was killed, in many states he's considered an adult. If the tables had been turned, he would have been tried as an adult. By that time in school, they are considered young men & young women. Trust me...I know they are still minors & not legal adults...but the system is broken in this case.

It is tragic no matter how you look at it. None of it should have happened. There is absolutely no winners in this case...and absolutely no one was innocent.

But...if you want the race thing to be leveled out...quit being so quick to jump to it as being a reason right off the bat. It happens too often. But that goes for ALL sides! It's sad when bad & ugly stereotypes get lifted up. Do something better with yourselves & treat others the way you want to be treated. If groups got together to uplift the acquitted side for wrong reasons...don't be upset.

Get over yourselves. Move on! EVERYONE!!!!!! Hug it out and tear up your race card.

The whole thing is very sad...all the way around. It's tiring hearing the whineyness from any side of it. It's done. There are stereotypes within all races! The question is...do you fall into one of the stereotypes? Or can you actually be yourself to let others see the real you? Regardless of background, skin color, living situations, family...whatever! Rise above & be the better person. And stop & think if you are standing for what is really right...or a blind cause.

Equality comes when we all work together as one unit...not the constant divisiveness at any & every turn. How do we get past that?

There's something for all of us to think about. Because it doesn't bring back a 17yo young man. He was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and in the wrong mindset as he sadly fell into a stereotype of older teenagers/young adults who had been breaking into this neighborhood.

But take note that it was never OK for the accused to get out of his car when told not too...with a weapon designed to kill. NONE of it should have happened!

So stop taking sides & figure out how to come together already, America!

Now the question is: Does it start with you?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

** Notice I didn't use either of the names in the case? We are all either of those people at any given time! I used their names before...but this is now beyond them. It's about us as a people...AMERICAN PEOPLE!

AM~Erica Gets Out and Away from Darkness

This is not a typical post. I will not be openly sharing this. But, if you do come across this post, then I hope someone learns from it.

It began with my opening blog post of the year (HERE), and it has led to this. Please pray for this situation.

~~~~~~~~~~

I am thankful that God blessed me & led me out of the darkness I was living in. I have seen the light and recognize where the shadows lie. Now that I have seen & been in the light, and though those living in the darkness attempt to beckon me back into the ways of the shadows, I must resist that kind of black hole. If I drift back into that dark shadow, I will trip & fall from the blindness.

I continue to pray that I am continually led down the glistening and well-lit path God has shown me rather than falling back into what I clawed & crawled out of. That would be committing the most vile hypocrisy. Tricking me with a false warmth of a mere blanket or rug is no match for basking in the truest form of the sun. And I will take it in its fullest form, and not shading it with a dimmed lens.

Thanks be to God I have found firm ground to stand on and open eyes! I will not be tricked into taking that sight for granted by looking off a rocky cliff just to fall back into the barren well.

To think that wearing rose colored glasses might help you see in the darkness you live in is just a lie you are telling yourself. And the lie is evident to those around you as it is quickly obvious that you cannot truly see where you stand.

I once stepped back to the darkness thinking I was building a bridge to forgiveness while having the cold shadow fingers around my neck. After being there for a long time, I also realize the shadow moves with an ebb & flow that it is hard to realize where it will end up. I will not keep up with the darkness. I now step away from the shadows, shake the dirt from my sandals, and will run toward the light. I will no longer be held hostage by the shadow darkness. And I pray the darkness leaves my children as well. There is no need for them to get caught in the inconsistency of the shadow's hypocrisy. And it is wrong of the darkness & the shadow makers to beckon for them while they enable the shadows to block the light of the sun.

They strength I have prayed for was given to me to deal with the darkness trying to beckon me back. And I am thankful I now have the divine-given strength to know that I can face the darkness without being tricked to head back into the sadness. I will not accept the dimmed lens or the broom to sweep the darkness away for a short moment. The faith I have built to this moment has granted me the vision I needed to deal with it. Though I am shunned, the darkness is disappointed that I am not going back there to that place. I am strong enough to leave the darkness confused & bewildered as to why I refuse to drift back in that coldness in its hardworking deviousness to draw me back.

I still sin, because I am a sinner. But I also know that covering a sin to pretend I am faithful is a hypocritical sin that I cannot muster. I think for myself & am guided by God. I am covered in the blood of Christ Jesus. I have used His word. I am no prophet, but I do believe we all have prophetic moments when God needs us to lead some of his people out of the dark. The prophetic words are not always used, and when they are, it doesn't mean those the words will be accepted by those it the words were meant for. But the Word must still be delivered. And I had to deliver harsh-yet-loving words to get the darkness to disappear. And it's a message that could only have been delivered through intervention of only the Divine. Yet I am still shunned. Yet it still beckons my children.

I pray the Word of God sets into those who are still truly lost. I pray the dimmed lens will be removed, blankets & rugs will disappear, and truth is dealt with. It isn't easy to let go, but I am not going back. And maybe one day the darkness will disappear in its ever-so-volatile ebb & flow.

I'm in the light...and I am not going back!

Amen.