Wednesday, September 26, 2012

We've All Been There...


Photo Credit: Victoria Clemmons


"All In My Head" 

 [Verse 1]

I see you with her and it crushes me inside 
Guess I should stop thinking about you all the time 
Maybe this is what I needed maybe this is a sign 
Maybe I've been blind to reality baby tell me 

 [Chorus] 

Every little glance my way 
Every time you wanted to hang 
You seemed so interested 
Could you tell me was it real or was it all in my head 
Was it real or was it all in my head 

 [Verse 2] 

She's so pretty you two look so great 
Time for me to move on now it was probably just a silly crush anyway 
But I just cant help but think that we, we could've had something 
Have I really been blind to reality baby tell me 

 [Chorus] 

Every little glance my way 
Every time you wanted to hang 
You seemed so interested 
Could you tell me was it real or was it all in my head 
Was it real or was it all in my head 

 [Bridge] 

Was it real or was it fake? 
Was it all a mistake? 
Boy, I just gotta know was it all in my head, all in my head? 
Did you ever feel the same? 
Was my mind just playing games? 
Boy, I just gotta know was it all in my head, all in my head? 

 [Chorus] 

Every little glance my way 
Every time you wanted to hang 
You seemed so interested 
Could you tell me was it real or was it all in my head in my head 
Was it real or was it all in my head


----

Tori Kelly- All In My Head



So, the conclusion that I'm coming to...is that it was all in my head regarding my summer dream guy. It's a shame. I created a fabulous love story in my head. Ha. But I trust that God has a better one in store. Now I'll go and remind myself of the basics... that when a guy likes you, he lets you know. Patrice advice circa 2011. Check it: Click Link.




Wisdom's Knocking:

With God, you have the ability to be braver than you feel.



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Cry to Me



      Full disclosure:

      I cried in my mother's arms last night for about an hour as she prayed over me.

     It was a long time coming. And if you've been following my blog over the past 3 or so months, you probably saw this coming as well.

     Waiting is hard. Surrender is hard.

     Granted, the Sunday before last, I did pray for the thing that no person in their right mind is suppose to pray for. I prayed for more Patience.

     And then things went from bad to worse.

     So as I'm in the Valley of Worse, I simply share my heart and hope to encourage my heart and maybe yours as well.

     God is a "Promise Keeper". This blog post is simply to remind myself of how hard it got before the promise was fulfilled. So if anyone in the years to come looks at my life and thinks that I have it so good and so easy, I want them to be fully aware that it didn't come for free. It cost me something. It cost me a lot of tears. A lot of time. A lot patience. A lot of "What the--??"

     I have this quote by Louise Hay at the end of my email signature: "Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer."

     When I first saw that quote, for some reason, I only put it within the context of job hunting...Lame. Today, I realize that quote is meant to be true for all areas of our lives.

     You are wanted. I am wanted. That's profound. Let that truth really hit your heart and your mind.

     When you think your unlovable or unwanted. The truth is, you're not. You are wanted. And "somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer."

     Oh to love and to want and to be loved and wanted in return. Yes. Pretty much bliss. And that's what we've all been signed up for.

     Believe me, I know at times it seems like walking on the straight and narrow path doesn't pay off. Like you're being mocked all the way down. And you look to your left and right, and folks that are acting crazy and ignorant seem to be living it up.

     But don't worry. Your time is coming. The present suffering doesn't compare to the glory ahead.

     You will make it. And I will make it.  Just don't quit. This may be the hardest and most confusing it's ever been. But God is still God. He is still good. And His memory is better than ours. He knows what is and will ever be. And He is a Promise Keeper.




Wisdom's Knocking:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' - Jeremiah 29:11






Friday, September 14, 2012

Go, Ricki!

I've been keeping it pretty heavy lately, pouring my heart out to you this past week. But my own melodrama is getting a bit exhausting. Even for me.

I thought I'd reiterate some news you've probably heard already.

Just when I felt that I was missing 1995 in a big way, here she comes.

"Rick-eee! Rick-eee! Rick-eee!"

I don't know if taping the show in Culver City, Cali, will give the show its same gritty live vibe that New York City did, but perhaps our dear Ricki is taking us on a new road, a new direction.

It's funny to me that there is a new generation of young folks that...

#1: Have no idea who Ricki Lake is. And her show's television run from 1993-2004.

And #2: Have never seen "The Princess Bride."

But I digress.




So yes. "The Ricki Lake Show" is back this Fall. And somehow I feel like I'm young all over again. Like a re-do button has been pushed.

And I get to start something over.

Oh, how grateful I am for new beginnings.




Wisdom's Knocking:

God's mercies are new every morning.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

My Head Hurts

Photo Credit: Hannah Anderson


From crying.

See, this is the thing.

Surrender doesn't just happen. Poof. And then you're done. Too legit 2 quit. Hey, hey.

No. Surrender presses and squeezes every last bit of control out of your being.

This too shall pass.

But until then, I practice a fresh surrender each new day. Each new moment.

Underneath it all--the antics, the dramatics, the impatience, I'm anticipating. I'm anticipating something good.

Labor pains are no joke---So I've heard.

And now, it's time to give birth.


Wisdom's Knocking:

"Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -Earl Nightingale






Wednesday, September 12, 2012

My Friend



     My friend, Kevin Tarbill, writes this insane little blog about "Putting Feet to Faith". And can I just tell you, it's been rocking my face off for the past couple of months!

     I'm no dummy. I signed up for his new blog posts to automatically get sent to my email address.

     And it's like Kevin is "reading my mail" or in other words, peering into my soul and writing about the very issues that I'm facing in my life right now.

     We'll talk more about Kevin later, how we met, and how you definitely, definitely want him on your team in case of a zombie break out.

     But I just couldn't keep his blog buttery goodness to myself.

     I felt as though some of you may glean some wisdom, peace, and insight by taking a stroll over to his blog.

     And it doesn't matter if you feel like a spiritual heavy weight or you're simply searching. I guarantee you'll find the beginning nuggets of what you need and have been looking for.

     I know. That's a weighty claim. But I dare you to test this claim.

     Today, Kevin blogged about, "Just Believe".

    And of course it was fitting for me for a variety of reasons.

     Yes, recently I've encountered some unfortunate hiccups, I've made some unfortunate mistakes, but today I'm back on the saddle. I'm coming back to my "Field of Dreams".

     The impossible and fantastical are very much possible. And miraculously within reach.




Wisdom's Knocking:

"It always seems impossible until it's done." -Nelson Mandela








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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Earthquakes...Get Your Life Right.



That is all.



Wisdom's Knocking:

"Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." -Anonymous

Monday, September 10, 2012

Second Best, But Then Restoration



      He kept asking me if everything was okay. And I kept saying yes...

:::

      But we all know the truth. Something was bothering me. Something had affected and possibly infected my heart:

      Anxiety.

      For the first time in years, I let my guard down. And I don't think he even noticed.  I opened my heart towards expectations. Not only was my heart full of great hope this past June, I felt in many ways that my hope had been fulfilled. But right before a miracle reaches your hand, it seems as if all hell begins to break loose.

     "The course of true love never did run smooth." - Shakespeare

      I've always had this fear in the back of my mind, that I would be someone's second choice and not their first choice.

     And although I've gone to great lengths to make space and room in my heart for true love, I'm fearful that the same is not being done for me, on the part of the man who I will end up falling for utterly and wholly. Hello Anxiety.

     Not to make this a sob story of sorts, but just to give you facts and context:

     I've only chosen to enter into one, yes one, dating relationship since being out of high school. And in fact, I only had one boyfriend in high school. But our dating relationship had more of a brother-sister vibe to it, versus anything romantic. Subsequently, that lasted a little less than a month. Sorry, Joey.

     But many of you already know,  the one relationship that I had in college, which only lasted 6 months, left scars on my heart for the many years following. After that relationship, God and I had an amazing conversation.

     God reminded me of the little warning nudges He was trying to give me, before I had entered into that relationship. And how I had ignored all of those warning signs, and basically told God, "Don't worry. I got this. I have this under control."

     Through our conversation, after that ill-fated relationship, God simply reminded me that I could trust Him. And that He in fact, has everything under control. And therefore, when it came to who I was going to fall in love with for keeps, God already knew who this person would be and knew how to direct me straight to that person.  I had already seen God do this sort of "directing" in other areas of my life. So, at this point I was ready to trust Him fully.

     And since that moment I've been on a faith journey regarding romance ever since. That was over 10 years ago.

     "The course of true love never did run smooth."


     The draw to date every attractive person I saw, faded shortly thereafter. It became easier to gracefully decline the advances of men I wasn't really feelin'. Plus, I didn't want to go through the cycle of dating. It didn't mean that I wouldn't spend quality time with the opposite sex, and have amazing guy friends. It just meant that I wasn't going to unveil all the mysteries of my heart to every Tom, Dick, or Harry. I wanted to save those places of my heart for someone special.

     But of course, I still desired to be held, to be kissed, to be loved. But I chose not to engage in any physical intimacy from the moment I had that conversation with God over 10 years ago. This by far, has probably been one of the hardest things I've had to walk through in my life thus far. I mean, my primary love language is physical touch, people!

     But I wanted to delay gratification for the sake of having a one-of-a-kind adventurous love story, tailor made by God. I wanted to see where this road could really lead me. And believe me, at times, I'm scared that I've lost my mind and that this will not pan out at all. And I'll be standing looking like a fool with my pants down.

     Some nights I'm afraid of being alone. Other nights, I might cry about it. But often, I feel peace and grace in the waiting. And somehow, through it all, I sense and know that everything is going to be okay.

     And then God begins to show me an area of my heart that is full of anxiety and needs healing...

     You see, something shifted in me after that last relationship. Even though it was ions ago,  I was left feeling a little bit like a chump and would carry a bit of residue even 10 years later. Like the feeling of being Second Best. Feeling like I couldn't compete with the other woman. And my man at the time somehow knew that. We'll of course he did. That's why he cheated.

     And yes, we all make mistakes. And I'm always ready to forgive. But remember, those mistakes do have consequences that may not often show themselves right away and rarely just affect ourselves.

     The consequence of his actions, resulted in me constantly looking over my shoulder at the "other hot girl". Because most likely, that's who you'd choose, if it got down to the wire.

     So now let's bring it back to this past summer, and me letting my guard down towards this specific guy. There was already an ideal girl in his life. Not one that he was currently with, but previously. And there was the trigger.

     I don't know about your heart. But I know about mine. It's super sensitive. I'm definitely a feeler. And in these years of waiting for love, my heart has not become more bitter, but somehow more vulnerable.

      So in secretly opening my heart towards this guy, the residue of "Second Best" began to surface. And I thought to myself, "What have I been doing all these years? Working towards this? To feel this?"

     Would I only be second best for you? Horrible. No one deserves second best. Everyone deserves their first choice. I would hate to disappoint you. I don't want to disappoint you. Well, in fact I already have, because I'm not her. Or that girl over there, or that girl, or this girl. ---Oh, Hi Anxiety.

     I tuckered myself out.

     And I basically fell out like a 5 year old from a sugar coma.

     I was forced to surrender.

     I couldn't rely on my own ability, my own gifting, my own anything to rectify the situation. In fact, it seemed that the more I tried to utilize my own efforts, the worse things became.

     And then.

     God.


Photo Credit: Hannah Anderson


      Surrender opens the door for restoration.

      But wait. I thought I was already good. I thought I was already restored?

     "But recently, you suffered a real sense of disappointment, Patrice, because things are not going as planned concerning your current love story."

      Well, it's funny how disappointment brings forth heartbreak. And heartbreak becomes the breeding ground for anxiety and mistrust. And when you no longer trust people or things around you, you feel the need to take up the reigns once more in attempt to control everything, in fear of being hurt again.

      But you have to let go. You have to.

     Yes. Yet again.


Photo Credit: Hannah Anderson


     And then, Restoration begins to flow.

     And I am reminded of how beautiful and unique I am. I am reminded that I am desirable. I am reminded that I am wonderfully and fearfully made. I reminded of how complete I am in God. I am reminded that I am enough. And I am reminded of how I am and forever will be a "First Choice", not merely second best.

     But, see, only God can really remind you and I of this, and speak it over us with such power and conviction. Because if this were to come just from yourself, family, or friends, you would have the tendency to doubt it. But when it comes to you in the way in which you are accustomed to hearing God's voice. It changes you.

     And peace arises where anxiety once took root.

     Newfound joy surfaces where despair began to leak in.

     And hope begins to steer your motives once again.


Photo Credit: Hannah Anderson


     Surrender is not about giving up, it's about making way--

     Making way for the impossible.

     And in my case, making way for love.

     True surrender, although painful at times, is not birthed out of fear, but faith. Because now, we relinquish control based solely upon our own efforts, and we put our faith in God to do the very thing we cannot. It's the ultimate adventure and it definitely involves a high degree of trust--of letting go.

     I know it seems so backwards. Surrender to gain? But we're all familiar with the effects of pruning a tree:


Prune: Trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, esp. to increase fruitfulness and growth.

     I now know more than ever that God is always ready to restore us.

     And with His restoration, He doesn't just bring you back to your former glory. He brings you to a glory that you've never known, full of increased fruitfulness and growth. A land flowing with Milk and Honey.


     "The course of true love never did run smooth..."





Wisdom's Knocking:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)







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 (Definition provided by Google Dictionary)

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Consolation Prize

     Consolation Prize:

n. A prize given to a competitor who loses or does not win the first prize.


n. (Group Games / Games, other than specified) a prize given to console a loser of a game.

     For instance, if you were competing to win a 2 week vacation for 4 to the Caribbean, but lost on a game show, your consolation prize might be something like luggage from one of the sponsors of the game show. 

     A prize to ease the blow...of losing.



     So yes. That's what my life has felt like this week.

     I had so much anticipation built up in my heart over these last few months.

     You know how that is. We've just mustered up enough strength and hope to believe that something good is unfolding. And in fact, the beginnings of something beautiful begin to sprout...

     But now I know more than ever….The road to winning prizes is rocky.

     2012 has taught me this well.

      Remember when I blogged about me sensing someone--not just someone…but an amazing, beautiful, and wonderful man coming into my life. A someone that I actually had a dream about over a year ago…Well, that someone arrived….

     It took me about a month to get out of the stupor of seeing this person outside of the dream I had of him almost a year ago.

     And I, with my keen sense of deduction, I simply knew this person would be the grand prize of sorts. 

      I thought it was finally time to ring the bells.

      And just as I settled into the idea of being in his arms--

      I was handed a consolation prize. Not crackers, more like a box of chocolates.

     "Sorry kid, and thanks for playing."

     You never expect that.

      At least not that fast.

      But when it comes, you just shake the necessary hands and smile for the cameras.

     I look down at my hand. "You mean, you didn't put a ring on my finger?"

     "No dear. Now can you please exit stage left. Thank you."

      And that was that. 

      Questions arise. As they should. But the answers seem to be a bit more elusive. My ears keep ringing. Or is it my heart? It's probably both. The reverb of a huge sting ripples down to my toes.

      I wish…I wish….I wish I could stop collecting consolation prizes.

      Sometimes you just want to be held. 

      Held as a winner.

      A winner of the grand prize.




Wisdom's Knocking:

"I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains... My advice is : "Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!" --Anne Frank











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