Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Blessed Thoughts from Iris Celeste


Beginning Small


I’m an introvert by nature. I’ve never quite fit or blended well with the ‘in’ crowd. Therefore, I shy away from most large gatherings. My bashfulness became such an obstacle that in school when the given assignment was an oral report, I would opt for a zero as my grade. For me, standing before the class and speaking was unimaginable! Beyond conceivable. Little did I know that it was Satan's scheme to saturate my mind with insecurities to keep me from my destiny. Constantly telling me I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t matter. Believing those lies held me captive in my own body. As a result, writing became my chosen vehicle of expression. However, I kept my newfound fetish in the closet. It was all for me. My therapy. My sanity. My release. Until God intervened.

Don’t ask me how, but I’ve always sensed God had other plans for me despite my current location in life. I wasn’t sure of the path or where it would lead. But I was curious. No, make that hungry. Greedily, I took steps forward. Determination vanquishing the looming fears to withdraw. I KNEW greatness was out there for me. I heard it calling my name. Then the panic set in. What if I failed? The calling grew louder . To get something I’ve never had, I had to do something I’ve never done—L et go of my fear of rejection and let God rule. Have you ever felt that what you were going through was much bigger than you? In fact, it wasn't even about you. My big aha moment. The end destination was God's direction all along.

The mistakes made.
The pain endured.
The heartache suffered.
The failed relationships.
The friends lost.
It was all a divine setup to get me exactly where God wanted me.
Depended on Him.
Focus and faithful.
Disciplined and decided.

This writing that I love so much wasn’t for me to keep to myself. It's a gift to be shared. Everything that I had under gone was to prepare me for this moment in time. It was up to me to seize it! On shaky trembling legs, I staggered out of my secret closet peering apprehensively around the corner with each stride and accepted my first writing assignment. A poem. That opened doors to other possibilities I would have never dreamt of or believed. Who knew that one step of obedience many years ago would connect my path with the opportunities that lay before me as an author, writer and columnist today. A living testament to at no time underestimate small beginnings, because you never know where they might lead...And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end will greatly increase. Job 8:7




Iris Celeste is the author of Christian Fiction novel Praise Your Way Through. A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Because being saved doesn’t mean being perfect. To learn more about the author and order a book visit http://www.irisceleste.com/.

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