REDEMPTION! God is truly a redeemer!

Today is January 13th.

#IYKYK I went to bed last night with the thought that I would not wake up to an alarm. This date has meant something to me for the past few years. Today feels very very different.

On a day that I didn't set an alarm- God woke me up at 3:00 am.

He woke me up in such a gentle and loving way. He took me to Proverbs 21:21 TPT, "The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction."

He began to minister to me and remind me that there is nothing in this world that would satisfy me but Him. He highlighted those who chase after righteousness will have an abundant life full of favor and satisfaction. Chase here means to pursue in order to catch or catch up with; to drive or cause to go in a specific direction. Over these past 15 months of being in Tulsa, I feel like I have been chasing righteousness, holiness, purity and everything God has for me. I see now how I am living the abundant life that has favor all on it and it is truly the first time I have been satisfied.

I know you may be thinking, what does all of this have to do with January 13th. In 2014, I joined a historically black sorority. I gave all of my love, peace and happiness to this organization. I joined with such bright eyes and felt like that organization was the key to the community that I desperately needed, all the jobs and connections I could ever want or need and was the way I would reach and serve those in need. January 13th is a special day to this organization. After renouncing and leaving spiritually in November and being officially released December 22, 2022 *cues praise music* I almost didn't want today to arrive.

In an effort to be transparent, when God prunes and takes things away... there is not much shared on the after effects. While I am so thankful to GOD for this freedom, there are bonds and connections I made with real people through that organization. People who I still love to my core, people I wanted to be in my bridal party and imagined our kids being besties in the future. After all the dust settled, I had to sit with the real reality that something I held near and dear to me for eight years is now gone.

Instead of acting like that experience never happened, God began to speak. He began to show me that every day He creates is a miracle. Instead of spending this day how I normally would, posting throw backs and reaching out to each and every person who I knew in that sorority, today I let God minister to me. He started to talk to me about my experience. Of course, in that my line name came up: REDEMPTION.

My "line name" was redemption. When I used to think about this, I loved the idea of "redeeming" the yard. Feeling like I was that girl that was bringing all the energy and saving the black greek experience at my university. I was taking all of the glory, popularity and attention for myself.

To look up the definition today, brought me to tears. Even with the scales over my eyes, God was singing over me. Redemption is the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil. It's the action of "buying one's freedom." I am so blessed that there was nothing that I had to buy. I did not have to buy my freedom from something that had me bound. JESUS PAYED MY PRICE! I thought I was actively saving the yard, when God had a totally different meaning. This whole journey was really for him to save ME from sin, error and evil.

So, today my phone is normally blowing up with cash apps of $19.13 and Happy j13 texts. Today is different. It's been a refreshing different, alone with God. Two of my sisters messaged me and honored me for my steps of obedience. My testimony was posted on Transformation Church's instagram! My friend is taking me to get my nails done later and I had some BOMB vegan tacos.

Today, although it's different has been a day where God has been at the center. I am finally giving Him all of the glory and no one else. It's been a breath of fresh air. I am just really thankful.

All of this to say, this day may not hold any worth for you. On this walk with God there will be friendship breakups, relationship break ups, addiction break ups and so so much more. While He purifies you, He is subtracting the things that have been in His place. This is a painful process and there are ripple effects. I'm not sure what you feel like you have lost. I am praying for you in this season, whether it has happened yet or if it is to come. I am praying that God will truly satisfy you.

I just want to encourage you that God is a redeemer! He can take all of the broken pieces and make a masterpiece. Your situation is not too far gone. You are not too broken. You haven't loss too much time. I am praying that today or whatever day you read this you know that God loves you and every single thing that is happening is for your good and His glory. I am choosing to encourage myself today. I will not let the enemy rob me another moment, another day. I pray that you do the same. So happy #J13! Happy miraculous Friday- another day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

xoxo, Paige