One thing I know is that, God will make it work out for my good.
This year was a very challenging year, a new role, working multiple jobs, working on my art business and nonprofit, and trying to do things I enjoyed doing while trying to get enough rest. It was quite the juggling act, and my hand eye coordination is a joke. I literally floated through the end of the school year, my prayer was God, please give me strength. Instead of strength, He carried me. I am grateful. With that being said, I needed a break.
Celebrating
I spent the last couple of weeks closing out the end of the school year, traveling, resting, and creating. It was a revival that I so desperately needed. When I tell you I saw a light around Mid-May, I felt so free. Back during Christmas, I was supposed to travel to Maryland, but I had so much anxiety about traveling that I canceled my plans. This time around, there was no anxiety, I wasn’t even stressing over money. God was like, you need this, you need to see your family. My mother and aunt traveled from Minnesota, my aunt and cousin traveled from New York, and I traveled from Texas, to meet my family in Maryland. It was a weekend filled with celebrations! Celebration of Life… You only get one and it is a blessing to celebrate people while they are alive.
Recovery Mode
The last week I spent in recovery mode, me, God, and art. It was beautiful. I tend to have stomach issues, but I noticed today that I haven’t had those issues in weeks praise God. I participated in Workshop Week where over 40 artists around the globe taught different art classes. It fueled the flame, reminding me of when I first started creating. It was the jumpstart I needed to be more purposeful, intentional, and mindful for my art business and non-profit. It is a ministry, and if I am over here doing things in Jesus’ name, then I cannot do things haphazardly or willy-nilly. God is a God of excellence, order, and purpose. He is not a God of go with the flow.
Audacity
My bestie Candace and I have been doing life and business together over the past few years, she truly is a blessing. We are both artists, she a jewelry maker, and me visual artist. We would be scrolling on social media and would come across people who sell invisible statues for thousands of dollars, or people that sell a taped banana on the wall for millions, and we are like, how… its the audacity. And of course we are creatives on purpose for a purpose, so we will not just make and sell anything, but our audacity connects to being shameless and bold. We always tend to dull our shine, and because we are Christians, the shine isn’t ours to dull. Why put a lamp under a basket? So, we are removing the limits, polishing these cracked vessels, and showing up unapologetically.
God as CEO
I tend to get overwhelmed with all the things that are needing to be done. I don’t know where to begin which causes me to freeze instead of go.
Let’s read Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. -NIV
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. -NLT
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.- Amplified
This became my founding scripture in life but in my business too. I realized that I have to surrender everything to Him and allow Him to guide me in every step.
I pray before meetings with God, pray this verse, ask Him for wisdom and creative ideas, and I believe that with my next step, it is God led. Last week during our business meeting, after that prayer, I went from being overwhelmed to having a dope plan, I WAS EXCITED!
It really is Faith and Flourish…
Flourishing Forward
One thing I know is that God will make it work out for my good. Even when I don’t feel strong, even when I’m unsure, He steps in, not just with strength, but with His presence. He carries. He counsels. He guides.
As I move into this next season, rested, revived, and reconnected to purpose, I’m reminded that I don’t walk alone. I walk with the One who leads me, teaches me, and watches over me. That changes everything.
Maybe you’re in a place of recovery, uncertainty, or decision. Maybe you’re just getting your footing again, or you’re dreaming new dreams. Wherever you are, take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect with God.
Let this be your invitation to reset, with audacity, intention, and grace.
Journaling Prompts for the Week:
What is one thing God carried you through recently, even when you didn’t ask for strength?
What does rest look like for you in this season, and what might God be inviting you to recover?
What areas of your life or work need to be surrendered to God’s leadership right now?
Where do you need to be more audacious with your gifts, and what’s holding you back?
What does it mean to let God be the CEO of your calling? What changes when you really trust Him with the plan?
Thank you for walking this journey with me. May your faith lead you, and may you flourish, boldly, purposefully, and in full bloom.
Grace and Peace,
Cicely Renee
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