JUMP

JUMP. JUMP. JUMP. 

Am I ready? How about I give myself some time? How could I help when I haven’t quite mastered it?

JUMP. JUMP. JUMP. 

I’m scared. What am I going to say?  What if no one hears me?

JUMP. JUMP. JUMP. 

This is a snippet of the conversation between God and I the past few weeks. Like I said in my previous blog, “Why Not Me?” I have felt so defeated this season. So I thought that before I could serve through my writing I needed to give my myself some time.

I was hoping that this period of time would give me all the answers I have been searching for. However, I have received very little clarity. So my fire for my purpose began to deplete despite the fact that I know this is my lane. 

Let me clarify that previous statement a bit. When I say I lost my fire, I mean I lost my discipline to physically put the things that are on my heart to paper. I didn’t intentionally take time to write. I didn’t make videos. I didn’t spark conversations. I just didn’t have the motivation. 

That is not to say that God wasn’t telling me what needs to be done. God told me what to write, when to write it. What to say, when to say it. Introduced me to people, told me their purpose in my purpose. But yet I didn’t JUMP. 

I was afraid that things wouldn’t turn out exactly how I saw it. 

What changed?

This past weekend, God has been screaming at me to JUMP. Now is the time. 

JUMP. JUMP. JUMP. 

I finally gave in after so many confirmations that He was telling me to press forward despite not knowing how I will do everything that He said I will. So I began to ask God to tell me what to do. 

He said, JUMP.  

Now if you’re anything like me...you’re wondering why JUMP is in all caps every single time. So I asked God to make it plain to me.

Jesus Understands My Plan (JUMP).

God was telling me to let go of the need to understand every detail. That He is the one guiding on this path of life. Despite my fear, shortcomings, disobedience, and more His plan is still the same. It my take longer to actually “land” due to the decisions I’ve made but it is still the same.

I find it so overwhelming how God still manages to believe that we deserve so much more. He has already given us so much and there’s literally so much more. But we HAVE to get serious about Him. We have to get serious about ourselves.

Why do we make the poor decisions that we do? What are we searching for that God hasn’t already provided? 

I’m still searching for the answers to this questions, you should too. 

But for now on Queen, NO MORE  FEAR. 

JUMP because we’re waiting for you to shine. 

Love you,

Queen Lennea

Why (Not) Me?

Hey Queen (King),

I have been so depressed lately. Yup...truthfully and honestly. 

I have been having so many mixed emotions about where my entire life is headed based on life's most recent events. And I mean my WHOLE life...

It seems like every time I think I receive something to be trusted with....it gets taken away and for the life of me I just don't understand. It's not even that I necessarily wanted these things (right now) but I was willing to uphold the responsibility of them despite. And still they were "given" and "taken" away.

All I can keep asking is:

• Why not me, Lord? 
• What have I done so wrong to be undeserving of such opportunities? 
• What am I supposed to do?
• What am I supposed to say?
• Is this really Your Will?
• Why are you torturing me?

The questions that presumed my undeserving nature just keep flowing in, convincing me more and more that I'm unworthy.

But, as I begin to indulge in His word...my perspective slowly begins to change. 

“Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.” (Lamentations 3:32)

The passage above reminded me that despite my grief, He still loves me and that He still shows compassion. To me that means that there's more on the other side...more joy, more blessings, more life to live, more love to give.

Grief is certainly an unpleasant experience and usually hits us like a ton of bricks. It is pain that we are unable to control by simply putting ointment and bandages on it. It takes greater effort to heal. We have to actually talk and intentionally do things to counter the feelings of grief, usually things that bring us joy even though we don't physically feel like it. We have to cry and talk and do all those things that make us look "weak".

But the truth is, that our ability to actually approach this grief head on is what makes us strong. Being able to dig deep and find out where these feelings are rooted will set you free. Doing the things that don't avoid those feelings is what we really need to heal.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews 10:35)

Once you are ready to heal from these emotions, you begin having healthier thoughts:

• Lord, I know that I am chosen, is now not the right time?
• Thank you for greater opportunities. 
• There is more work to be done, would you show me the way?
• My experience is my testimony, would you allow me to share in front of those who need it?
• Your Will is simply amazing.
• Thank You for protecting me from what I thought I deserved.

The key to maintaining these healthy thoughts towards your situation is to Trust in the Lord. Everything is working for your good. How many times have you gone through something and thought "This is the end." But look, it wasn't. I know because you're reading this. God has never left you and He does not plan to. All he asks is that you trust Him and in return blessings will overflow in your life.

I know that none of this is as easy as it sounds. We will still have days/nights that are hard. The tears will still flow. The memories will still be there. But the beauty in it all is...God is still there. When your friends don't answer, when your family doesn't understand, when people simply don't care...God is always listening with open ears and is willing to hold you.

Writing this blog is a part of my healing. I am also committing to see a therapist. Opening up and being honest is the only way out of my sadness. There is nothing more satisfying to me than helping others but I must also help me to be effective. So whatever it takes, I’ll do.

God confirmed that leaning on Him through my dark days will allow me to be a light to others in theirs.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

So, keep searching for the beauty in your despair. Allow others to help you get through. Reach out to me if you’d like. When you look back you'll realize that this too was a blessing and without it you will not have be elevated to your next level.

I love you Queen (King)!

Queen Lennea 

The Sweet Spot

Hey Queen (King)

We're all desperate to get somewhere in life. We want the new career, new car, new house, marriage, kids, businesses...something. Where we are now isn't quite enough. Something is missing. But, what is it?

I have a lot of love for our generation. We are a generation of go getters. We aren't afraid of change...most of the times we demand it. At early ages, we've accomplished so much more than most of our parents/grandparents ever have. But yet, it just isn't enough.

You have to do more. But when? Now? Yesterday? Is it too late?

If you feel like you're running out of time, you're in the Sweet Spot.

You're in a perfect place to s l o w d o w n. Slow down and embrace the Sweet Spot.

What is the Sweet Spot you ask?

The Sweet Spot is a place where if you pause for a moment...you'll realize you've asked to be right here. You have made significant progress but aren't quite at the "finish line" yet...but thats ok. The Sweet Spot is a moment where you still have growing to do so that when you reach that ultimate goal, you don't mess it up. Learn all you can while you can, right here, today.

The Sweet Spot deserves celebration. Why?

Because you're on the right track. You are making the necessary strides to get to your goal. So be proud of your commitment and embrace the small victories.

Your Sweet Spot is just as unique as you are. You will never be right here in this moment again but there is so much value here. Extract that value and take it with you to purpose, you'll need every ounce of it.

If you have been keeping up with my blogs they have a common theme of "purpose" because each one of us has purpose. But you have to recognize, purpose is a position of proper posture.

Again, PURPOSE IS A POSITION OF PROPER POSTURE.

Meaning, that when you step into YOUR purpose you are completely ready to trust God in the midst of all of the fear. You are no longer trying to control every little detail, but you're putting in the necessary work.

Queen/King, take a look around...you've come far. So embrace the journey...don't rush it. Enjoy the scenery a bit because there is beauty where you are.

I'm proud of you and I really want to shout you out for your accomplishments. So, be sure to visit the @heyqueenblog IG and share your victories.

Keep Going,

Queen Lennea

The Emancipation of the Woman

Dear Queen,

It’s OUR season!

Over the past couple of years, I have become a podcast junkie. So, every Monday, I listen to my virtual pastors, Toure’ and Sarah Roberts, PREACHHHHH on the Potters House at ONE LA Podcast. This week’s message was called, “His Role, Her Movement, Our Reward” and one thing that stood out to me was the theme around “The Emancipation of the Woman.”

Emancipation is defined as “the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberation. The freeing of someone from slavery.”

Are women enslaved in our current US society? Maybe not physically, but mentally we are still very often oppressed. And what about our sisters in other countries? More than likely they are even more oppressed. But one thing is becoming evident, WE are breaking free and we can’t be stopped.

Queens, are redefining every “norm” that culture has placed on us. We are reshaping what it means to be a woman every, single day. We have easily become CEOs, Presidents, and Directors of various leading companies and organizations. We are doing this and still manage to be PHENOMENAL wives, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, etc. There is literally not one thing we cannot do.

Though we make these things look so flawless…truth is, it’s not easy. In a world, where we are constantly fighting battles simply because we were born a Queen…we MUST support each other.

This weekend, I was in New Orleans with a few of my favorite Queens (Niy, Dime, and Jiy) and our good King friend, Lionel. One late night/early morning we had a very deep conversation about oppression in the workplace, spanning from gender, sexuality, race, etc. One thing that all of the Queens have experienced is what we call “man-splaining.”

Man-splaining is when a Queen is speaking and a rude peasant of male descent feels the need to cut her off and explain what the Queen is saying, as if the Queen needs a translator. Uh, no sir...not requested. (Please note, Kings do not suffer from man-splaining.) But how do we overcome this trend without appearing as though we are being “aggressive” or “over-reacting”?

We support each other.

A perfect way to handle a situation as such is to speak up for your fellow Queen in a meeting. If you notice that she is speaking and is cut off by someone else (male or female) stand up for her. You can say something as simple as “Hey (rude person’s name), I’m positive you have some valuable thoughts to offer but may we allow (Queen’s name) to finish contributing her thoughts first, please?”

By doing simple acts like this, we help assure that our fellow Queens are not being silenced. We are also shedding light on the “man-splaining” issue without being "rude" or “aggressive”. It may seem a bit uncomfortable the first time around but the results will be so rewarding in the end. 

Make supporting another Queen your daily attitude.

Queen, when God created women, he created us extremely special. We are able to withstand a lot but I must also caution that asking for help is not a sin. When things become a bit overwhelming, don’t be too independent or prideful to ask for help. Make sure your support system is solid. This is a Kingdom of Kings and Queens that have nothing to gain when you ask for help. These are the people that aren’t afraid to tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear.

Your season is now. Not tomorrow, not next week. So that means that your energy must be protected and expended only on things that enhance you. This season is going to call for you to let go of dead weight so that you can move more freely.

Whatever it is that God has called you to do…execute it without delay. He wants to take you to a new level but He needs you to do your part.

What is it that God has called you to this season? Are you struggling with getting started? If so, share below to allow another Queen to support and encourage you this season.

With Love,

Queen Lennea

Detours, Not Stop Signs

Hey Queen (or King),

This week has been pretty interesting for me to say the least. A common theme that seemed to take place was "Change of plans...or a lack thereof." For those of you that don't know me very well, here's a fun fact about me...

I, Queen Lennea, plan everything to the T.

I do not enjoy being surprised, I refuse to be lost, and I do not like not having an itinerary. No, this does not mean that I'm boring lol.

Moving on, that being said this week's common theme has had me pretty overwhelmed. But thank God for family and friends that have qualities you don't possess, right?

My family and friends helped me realize that even though we may have these grand plans for our lives, they're just plans. Plans are meant to be adjusted the more you execute against them. But, that does not mean you will never reach your destination. Will it take a little longer? Maybe. Will it take less time? Quite possible, also.

One thing for sure though, is that you still arrive if you keep going.

We naturally get these great ideas and we believe that they’ll come to fruition the way we envisioned. What we tend to forget is there are tons of external factors we have no control over that impact us. Or maybe we do have control but we fail to consider the relationship or potential impact to the current plan. The point is, the plan is never perfect.

So, what do we do? We keep going. We do not stop. We do not turnaround. Failure is inevitable but success is worth the lesson.

None of us are perfect, we strive to be but we can’t be. As long as we’re giving honest effort and learning every day we are on a great path.

So, the next time you get to a bump in the road…slow down, readjust, and keep going.

You can even use the chart below to help think through your uh-oh.

Keep Going Love,

Queen Lennea