The Power of "Send"

The Power in “SEND”

Something has been on my heart for weeks, and I debated on whether or not I should write about it.  I wanted to wait a few days to ensure it was not written out of anger or retaliation.  I have faith in the fact that everything happens for a reason.  Even if it was meant for evil, I believe God uses it for good.  As hard as it was, I knew I had to open my heart and allow Him to work.

Technology is awesome.  I love Facebook!  With the use of technology, I keep up with people I may not be able to talk to on a regular basis.  I adore watching videos of my friends’ children and celebrate the accomplishments of friends that are hundreds of miles away. I love to pray for people and see God’s work happening before my eyes.

However, I want to ask a question.  Do we really understand the power of the “SEND” key?

When we have a screen before us, I hope we can remember that people on the other side will be affected.  The computer screen can provide a sense of confidence that a person might not show regularly. That sense of confidence could be used in positive or negative ways.

I enjoy using technology to share my life experiences.  Many people who don’t know me or my story think I have a boring life or feel sorry for me because of my disability. I often will direct people to my Facebook page or blog.  I love to share all that I am doing as Ms. Wheelchair Virginia.  Every post and every picture capture lives being changed, including my life.  It is my hope that people will be ignited to become invested in the community as I am. I may not be able to have the opportunity to talk to everyone, so I hope my writings will touch more people. 

The other side is technology can be used in a negative way.  When we were growing up, we were told that words can never hurt us!  WRONG!  Words run deep, touch the heart, and affect a person’s entire life. 

Recently, I received a message from a colleague accusing me of lying about my accomplishments. In a split moment, I felt a stab to the heart.  Being accused of lying about something so special to me stung.  My knee-jerk reaction was to reply with an attitude saying that she was wrong and how much she hurt me. 

After waking up the next morning, I realized that I didn’t show grace.  I had done exactly what she did to me.  I didn’t take a moment to think about how my words could have affected her.  That morning, I sent her a message again explaining the situation and apologize for my reaction!  We forgave each other and promised to keep lifting one another up. 

Friends, I hope you see the influence of your words and see the “SEND” key as a powerful tool. Before hitting send, let’s think about how the message will affect the lives of others.  We should be using our words to encourage and love one another. 

Sending my love,

Angela 

Never Say Never pt 1

I have always had a love for teaching!  It feels natural to me!  Honestly, my heart skips a beat when I enter a classroom!  I love seeing students encounter new concepts and apply them to their lives.  It is a place where I feel free and come alive to help students create dreams.

I never really pursued a teaching career. I just thought it would be a lot to make sure the students understand the curriculum. So I kind of tucked that dream in the back of my heart.
But, last week, it came out!  I was invited to speak to a middle school out in Southwest Virginia.  The students have been anticipating my visit for a month.  The last day we had scheduled, the schools were closed due to flooding…

My hands are not cooperating tonight…  So I need to finish tomorrow!

Dreaming

I am going to try something new.  Writing Wednesdays!  The entries may be short and sweet or they may be longer.  We will see!

I am a dreamer.  I always have been and I probably always will be.  And sometimes I feel guilty for dreaming.  I feel as though by dreaming, I am not content in the place that God has me.

For those who know me know that my life is pretty awesome right now!  I am celebrating five years with the most amazing man, David.  I absolutely love my job at VCU.  And being Ms. Wheelchair Virginia is giving me so many life changing moments.

But I am dreaming for more…  And I thought that was a bad sign.

I happened to hear a sermon online today and he talked about dreaming.  He spoke about Joseph as the example to show God’s faithfulness.  Joseph had a dream and his family thought he was insane, even to the point where they sold him into slavery.  But those circumstances actually lifted him up and helped him achieve his dream!

So, what was meant for evil, God used for good.

I have been looking for more opportunities to work because I dream about moving into a better place to have more room for a fur baby and possibly a child.  But lately, I received rejection after rejection. However, in the sermon, the pastor explained how rejection is a part of God’s protection.  The pain will be used for good. He also spoke about how we are not created to fit in with the world. I was created to be a leader, to show how good God is!

Thankfully, I am not in control.  He is!

Dreaming with Jesus!

Rolling in a Homerun

I know I have not written to you in a long time. So many things have been happening to me over the last few months and life has changed dramatically!! For the good!! I met with my long-term mentor, Papa John, and he got on me about writing! Gee, he never stops. That’s a great thing to have.
So, now I am sitting here writing my first blog in a long time. A lot has happened to me over the last few months and I can’t even begin to tell you how life has been so exciting.

In March, I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia. For those of you who know me, remember that this has been my dream for about five years. I first learned about the program when I was in undergraduate school when a title holder came to my class and spoke. She told me I had to do it. At the time, I was not really excited about the whole idea of pageants. That word was scary to me. But after several years of growing up, I decided to participate. The first two years, I did not receive the title and that was really hard for me because I thought “I had it in the bag”. But God had a different plan. At the time, I did not know what that was and I became very angry.

After taking a year off, and praying, God told me to try again. This time, I had a whole new perspective on the weekend of the gala. I viewed it as a mission to love on the other contestants and the staff. The weekend was amazing and I gave it my all. I believe that it is one of the reasons why God gave me this title. At the right time, He knew that I could give it my all and really pour into girls’ lives. So, that is what I am doing.

I realize this blog is a little late and I can’t really go into all the events that I have done because you would be reading for days. Plus, I don’t think I could cover all the joy that I have felt over the last few months.

One story that stands out to me happened about a week ago. I was a special guest with the Challengers’ baseball team. We were able to go to a Tides game and actually go onto the field while they were singing the National Anthem. When David and I first got to the stadium, the PR person told us we would be going to the outfield to enter the stadium because that was the only wheelchair accessible way onto the field. When he opened the gate, I had a “wow” experience. The field looked so different at that angle. I think I sat there for a few moments star struck. After getting over the initial moment, the kids and I danced while we were waiting for the ceremony to start. They were so fun!

When it was time for me to watch the game, I had to return to the accessible seating area. I was a little sad because I would not be with the whole team. Little did I know, God had an appointment for me. I got to sit with a little girl, Savannah. She was entirely too adorable and had a little spunky attitude. She kept thinking that she was going to catch a ball. And every time the ball was hit, we would get ready. I laughed so much with her and she kept calling me “Ms. Wheelchair”. At the end of the night, I knew that she is the reason why I love this title so much. I have the opportunity to see the sparkle in little girls’ eyes and tell them that they can do anything when they believe. HOMERUN!!

I am excited about so many more opportunities to meet amazing people and share their remarkable stories.

Serving with a crown!

Can You See Them?

Has anyone ever said something to you that echoes in your mind even years later? The other day, I was talking to David about myWorld Religions class that I took in my undergraduate studies. We had to write a paper on a topic that he gave us. The topic that I received was “Do miracles exist? Why or why not?” Easy! 

When I got my paper back, I was horrified! A big C in red ink was at the top of my paper and a note that read “opinions are not scientific.” At first, I was too angry to say anything. Then he opened the class for discussion of our papers. Oh boy, did I have a field day! 

I asked the class if they could hold their breath for five minutes. They laughed nervously as I begun to tell my story. The story about how the doctor pushed me back into my mother’s womb after seeing that I was being delivered upside-down; therefore, cutting off my oxygen for fifteen minutes. About how, at the age two, doctors told my parents that I would never speak, much less go to high school or even college. I told the class that according to science, I should not be alive. I believed in miracles in the Bible, and I also believe in miracles today! When I finished, you could have heard a pin drop! 

As I grow in my walk with Jesus, I have learned to study Scripture and really understand the letter that God wrote to us. Sometimes that might require researching the original meaning of the words. Now, I am not a linguistic scholar. In fact, Greek and Hebrew scare the mess out of me. But thankfully, Strong’s Concordance is on-line. Look at the original word for miracle with me. 

sēmeíon – a sign (typically miraculous), given especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate.

sēmeíon ("sign") then emphasizes the end-purpose which exalts the one giving it. Accordingly, it is used dozens of times in the NT for what authenticates the Lord and His eternal purpose, especially by doing what mere man cannot replicate of take credit for.

I don’t know about you, but that causes my heart to do somersaults! The miracle of life cannot be credited to hopeless medical professionals or doubting college professors. The life I live every day is one with a greater purpose to glorify Jesus! A purpose that impacts eternity… 

Debating over the existence of miracles is not my intentions! I am just hoping that our hearts are opened to see the next one! He has so much in store for us!

Why Read?

Lately, I have been reading a lot more. Usually, I am not a reader, but people have told me that reading will help increase my writing skills.  So I am now reading! I have made a commitment to read at least one book a month. My bookshelf is full of books because every time I go to Lifeway, I have to pick up a new one. Well, it’s time to dive in!

This month, I am reading “Jesus, the One and Only”. I absolutely love Beth Moore and the way she writes. I also think it helps because I have heard her speak and met her at The Passion Conference a few years ago. When she writes and speaks, she is completely sharing her heart and urges others to understand the Truth she is describing. It’s not about her agenda, but it’s all about the One she is writing for.

In this particular book, she reflects on the accounts of Jesus. I have had a relationship with Jesus for almost ten years now. Just like the other relationships in life, it deepens when you’re spending time with one another. Reading and learning about Scripture is a way to deepen that relationship. There are moments when I’m reading and I will think, “Oh, yeah! Why didn’t I see that before?” then hide it in my heart and thank Him.

I don’t know where you are in your relationship with Jesus. Or if you have one. Maybe you don’t even desire to know Him. All I can say is I love Him and I ask Him to touch your heart with these blogs! He is the Author of my life. These shaky Cerebral Palsy hands have been entrusted with sharing a great story. And so I am writing with humility and grace.

Reading is not just for head knowledge, but I ask you to allow it to transform your heart and ignite a passion!

Love Has Won

Many people start making New Year’s resolutions as soon as the clock strikes midnight! Although I had my list ready, (I am a list maker) I didn’t really set any in place. For some reason I felt like I needed to reflect. I feel like sometimes I forget that I should take time to praise Jesus for the blessings and learn from the lessons.

“STOP… LISTEN TO ME, I AM SPEAKING TO YOU, MY DAUGHTER,” said Jesus. I capitalize that not because he yelled at me out of anger.  But I believe He is excited for me to see the beauty He revealed in my life the past year from a different perspective.

I cannot explain everything that happened to me in 2014, but two things major happened that were life changing. I will never be the same.

I was selected to spend the summer in Washington D.C. I knew it was an awesome opportunity when I had the initial offer for the interview but when I received the placement for the Senate HELP Committee Disability Policy Office, I knew it was an once in a lifetime experience. Moving up to DC was eventful. There were times when it almost became too much. David and my parents were willing to do anything to make it happen! The summer was incredible. Working with Senator Harkin and his staff was an unforgettable experience! Although the work was tough, it was an honor. I made several friends throughout the summer. One in particular, Clem, became a dear friend. We learned so much together and he was the one I texted when deadlines become too overwhelming.  He understood the “Angela language.” You know, when I speak under my breath, hoping people won’t understand me. It was funny because it became my goal to make him laugh during the times we were supposed to be quiet. Oh, so many other great memories. The summer in Washington was life-changing!

I returned home in August ready for my last semester of graduate school. I started my fall internship a week after the move.  Everything was back to normal. Or so I thought.  I was working every day and didn’t do a lot of other things because of the hectic schedule. One day, David did not feel very well, so I asked my mom to come help me get ready for bed. To my surprise, daddy came with her. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to see me. We talked about work and he laughed because I wouldn’t let him change the thermostat. At the end of their visit, he hugged me and said, “I love you, babe” in his southern accent.

That Tuesday, September 7^th, I went to the office just as any other day. My van started to stutter a little. I thought I would just call daddy when I got to the office. But the morning turned out to be really busy and I planned to call when I got home. So I texted him and told him I’d call him later. When I got home, I called several times and he didn’t answer. I thought he probably just fell asleep and forgot the phone in another room. I asked David to go check on him. A small voice told me that I should stay home. When David arrived, daddy didn’t open the door. Mama rushed home and together, they found daddy had passed away in his bed. After a few minutes, David had told me over the phone because I knew something was terribly wrong and I was flipping out because mama would not tell me why she was crying.

On my way, the first person I called was Melody. She has been that friend that you may not see every day but is the one you call first when you need someone there. And she was there as I pulled up. There were also an ambulance, a fire truck, and police.  All I can remember was Melody and David pushing me to the house that I called home for over twenty-five years. But as I entered, I realized that a huge part of my heart was gone. You see after the month that I moved out, daddy and I became really close. The dynamic of our relationship changed. He was always there when we needed anything, but our relationship was now driven by a desire to know one another and love.

Maybe I will write about the following weeks in a different post. But for now, I need you to know that love has won! I love you, daddy!

In the closing of 2014, I just wanted to remember the incredible story God has written for me to roll through. 

New Start

I have been wanting to blog for many years, but I am never consistent! School and all sorts of excuses have been my reasons for not writing! I love writing but typing is rough, especially with only two fingers. You know when typing for school, it’s for a grade. Or work, it’s for a paycheck. But, a blog? What can that be for?  Over the last week, God has shown me examples of how blogs can touch millions of people just with one person typing out their heart.  I surely don’t expect a million followers, but if I can touch one person, then I’ve accomplished this calling.

So I asked myself, “Why don’t you ask your attendant to type as you talk?” I tried to search for excuses again! “Time, uhhh time, time?” I have a ton of free time now. So what is it? What is keeping me from recording my wonderful journey? PRIDE! I didn’t want to ask someone to help me write. I felt like if I asked them to type something that they don’t agree with, then I would have to give an explanation. I hate confrontation. But I realize I don’t have to explain!

I am God’s masterpiece. I must shine for Him!