Get Excited! I’m on Day #6. 6 Days of waking up at 5 AM, 24 more to go!! (Hopefully it will end up being a lifestyle.) Tomorrow I go back to work after 2 years off. Tomorrow is also my daughter’s 8th birthday. She’s not too happy that I’m going back, especially on her birthday. However, I keep it real with my kids, and she gets the reason why I’m going back. I’m looking forward to doing my best in teaching this year. There are so many lessons I can learn to help improve who I am personally and professionally. I am going to miss being able to follow my own schedule. However, sometimes we have to serve under someone else faithfully, before we are able to do our own thing. I’m getting ready for my first graders and their families, and I’m really going in with a new perspective. The sad part is I just got in the routine of writing in the mornings in this blog. I actually LOVE to write and encourage others. I’m still going to write, but not daily. Starting August 11th I am going to work on my consistency and commit to writing in Many Hats of Faith once a week. Prior to me writing the past 6 days. I would go months without writing. These last few days reminded me how much I love God, people, and writing!

So here’s how I got the title for this morning’s post. I’m really working on being more consistent in my life. I believe true consistency in various areas of my life would solve a lot of the self-induced challenges I face. So I refer back to Matthew 6:33-Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. My goal is simple, wake up and put God first. Here’s my morning routine, the past 6 days. Wake up at 5 am. Write down my prayers in my prayer journal. (I started doing that during a really tough season in my life, and now it’s a part of my daily routine.) After praying, I read the Bible. I am rereading the New Testament. I am in the book of Luke. I read 1 page per day. I don’t do this out of obligation, but I have a true desire to get to know God’s Word. Well this morning I read Luke 11:33- No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. (Matthew 5:14-16 has a similar message, and the one I’m more familiar with.) This verse really spoke to me this morning. I’ve read this before, but it’s like I’m reading it for the first time. That’s the beauty of God’s word, and why it’s called the Living Word, because each time you read it the words can take on a different meaning for your life. So that’s how I got the title for today’s post, “Let your Light Shine.”

Well how does it apply to my life? For years I’ve hid behind my writing. I love to write, and encourage others through my writing. However, I don’t necessarily feel comfortable speaking in front of adults. I can speak in front of a room of 1000 kids and be just fine. However, even posting videos on social media and sharing it for some reason has been a challenge for me, and something that I’ve shied away from. At Bible study last week, Pastor Ricky said something that pierced through my heart. He said something like, “You ever met someone who says they are not good at something, like speaking, but that very same thing they think they are not good at is the very same thing that they are called to do. You see what happened is they have a false identity and have believed the lie that they are not good enough, when that is actually their purpose.” Well that spoke to me. For years I’ve felt that I need to share Peacebe on You Tube and other social media avenues by getting in front of the camera as opposed to staying behind the scenes. I’ll post pictures, and things like that but just being me in front of a camera for some reason has been a challenge. Yesterday my cousin and I had a long talk. He was so encouraging. He has his own Podcast called TrailBlazers, his name is Stephen Hart. Definitely check it out. He spoke to a lot of the fears I had, and gave me practical tips on how to overcome it. Then this morning I read Luke 11:33! I can’t just hide anymore. Especially in these days, when people are so quick to spread evil and hate. I need to let my light shine, even if it means truly getting out of my comfort zone. My heart is for children, and I believe if we get kids excited about being kids with character in a fun way then that would have a positive impact on this world. I believe that no matter what your religious beliefs are that most sane adults want to ensure that their kids have good character. We want our kids to be filled with cooperation, responsibility, citizenship, kindness, respect, honesty, self-control, compassion and other positive character traits. I believe that if adults and children had good character then that would solve a lot of the issues we are facing. That’s the reason I wrote, “The Adventures of Peacebe and the Heartwatch,” to do my little part to help this world shine brighter. I have many other ideas in my head and heart, but I feel like I have to see this vision through, before starting some of the other things I want to do. It’s been many many years. However, I’m still at it. Why? Because it’s part of me, and I see the need for it. I say all of this to say, that it’s important to let our light shine even if that means we have to get a little uncomfortable in the process.

What’s your light? I believe your light usually has to do with the gifts God has placed inside of you, which are your talents. Yo Gabba Gabba said it best. “Your talent is something you are good at, and something you enjoy doing.” Whatever THAT is for you, can you share THAT with the world? The world needs more light and love. One of my favorite quotes ever is from Bob Marley, “The people doing evil in this world never take a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness.” My encouragement to anyone who is reading this is to let your light shine. Don’t worry about what others will say, and go for it. I’m also talking to myself as well. I’ve been courageous in some areas, but I know I still have work to do that will require me to get a little uncomfortable. However, when I switch my focus and realize that even if I help one child by doing the very thing I’ve avoided for years, then it will all be worth it. It reminds me of a quote I came up with a few years ago. It’s actually my very first IG post. “Your dream is bigger than you.” I believe our dreams are meant to help, encourage, inspire, uplift, and sharpen others. So whatever it is for you, step out on faith, and don’t be afraid to let your light shine.

I’m going to miss writing in this daily. However, the past 6 days has reminded me the purpose of this blog. I don’t know whose reading it, but I do receive messages from time to time how a post encouraged someone, and that’s what it’s all about. The past 6 days also reminded me how important it is to be consistent. I won’t be able to write daily, but I am committing to writing once a week for the rest of 2019. I believe if we can be consistent with the “little” things then that will translate to being consistent in the “bigger” things.

I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at leneenfaith@manyhatsoffaith.com Hopefully, this will be a blessing to someone, somehow <3