Things Can Happen Accidentally On Purpose

Before today, I had no clue that
raccoons possess a certain power.

I really, really, really hate admitting that I am addicted to FaceBook. Not that I think that this addiction is a totally bad thing. It does have its place in my life now. The way I use it has primarily shifted over the past few months. It started as a way for me to stay connected with my sisters and other family members. I  love seeing pictures of Navi and Jaden (my niece and nephew) considering they are more than 700 miles away. It was where I gave birth to my trademark. I have been able to reconnect with old acquaintances. And because I am an e-learning enthusiast, I recognize the potential it has for transforming the learning process. Now I realize that my FaceBook posts also provide fodder for this blog and other writing assignments that are down the road. (Disclaimer: Please don't be alarmed by my use of words. Just go to dictionary.com and look up fodder. Vocabulary words just aren't for kids, you know.)

I am not necessarily proud of the amount of time that I spend on FaceBook, especially lately, but I really do get a lot inspiration and encouragement reading most posts (Sometimes I think that I need to delete a few people cause our mindsets really don't line up, but then again, that might be a good thing. Isn't it important to know about other views that don't necessary line up with yours? Uh huh. I thought so, but that's another topic!). This morning, someone posted this scripture, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." I really try to make sure that I read every post that's a quote from the Bible. It doesn't feel right skipping those posts knowing that I took the time to read an actual status update about a party attended over the weekend, a quote someone likes, or a rant that somebody needs to get off their chest, but I skipped over God's word! Well, this particular verse really stood out to me today, and is the point of this very post.

I believe that everything that has happened in my life was prepared beforehand - before the beginning of time, before the beginning of history, before the beginning of my ancestors, before the beginning of my parents, and before the beginning of me. I know that it might be a challenging notion for some to believe and that is ok with me. I don't mind challenging you or being challenged myself because that's how we grow. Remember, this movement is not about prejudice, bias, and stereotypes.  It is my belief and you can choose to subscribe to it or not. If you are reading this, I would hope that you would hold my belief with some regard because I have chosen to share it with you. So, let me make this point.  Now, since this (what I believe) is the case, then I also must believe that things can happen accidentally on purpose. Things that I had no control over, but were prepared beforehand for me to walk in. You still tracking with me? Several things have happened this way recently and I can't help but be amazed:

• Seeing Dawn at TJ Maxx almost two years ago without a notion that our friendship would blossom and that she would be that one person to encourage me to push forward and execute that one idea.
• Meeting Terre at Opus when I clearly wasn't interested in making new friends, even though my heart was crying out for a change. I know she is tired of me saying this, but I am so glad that we connected. Her energy has rubbed off on me in such a good way.
• Having that raccoon who has the same schedule as I do interrupt my drive to work two days in a row. Based on Native American beliefs, this animal has the kind of power that has been surfacing in my life recently. (Please note: I am not going to start worshipping racoons now, but it does make me feel a certain way identifying with my Native American ancestry.)
• Praying with Deacon Domingue this past Sunday who after I shared with him my prayer request, said, "You should look up my daughter. She might be able to help you." Truth be told, I really wanted to pray with Vanessa J., but she wasn't available when my turn came. What's really funny about this accidental thing that happened on purpose was that I didn't even know that he had a daughter!!!! But I'm glad he did. I looked her up on Monday, and we talked today. And she is cold y'all, really like cold blooded (not the reptile version, but the slang version of the word). After we talked all I could say was WOW.
• Losing my precious job in October 2010. If I had still worked for Head Start, I would have never pushed forward with  gonegirlgo™ because Head Start was such a consuming passion for me. I grew up professionally in Head Start, and spent about 15 years in that environment. I guess it was time for me to leave that comfortable nest.

I can think of a few more things that have happened to me accidentally on purpose. But don't you think that these are enough to contemplate right now? I do.

Peace