Whitnee's journey with Christ

On yesterday Emmanuel and William had a well child check at the pediatrician- I was unable to make it but Rico made sure they didn’t miss their appointment (shout out to Jasmine for the ride). Rachel, the nurse called me to ask some prescreen questions and I was able to voice my concerns about Emmanuel’s drastic weight gain and also some concerns I had for William concerning his asthma and his skin.

Rico texted me with the doctors report and I was so shocked. I had known the whole house to include my mom had gained weight since the pandemic but I hadn’t known it was this bad. As a parent I was devastated to hear that my overweight yet very active child was borderline diabetic.

Some parents would have blamed the child; but how I could I? He doesn’t go to the store and but takis, Cheetos, croissant rolls, Scooby snacks, goldfish, Chex mix, and all the other snacks that seem to disappear way too fast. I knew it was time for him to “step back” from the table and choose healthier eating habits but from this doctors report we decided as a family we would all do a lifestyle change to support Emmanuel.

When I got home I thought I would have seen a very emotional Emmanuel but I didn’t! He told me Dr Todd said no more snacking, three meals a day, incorporate more exercise, etc. Its like he took in everything that the doctor had said and totally dismissed what Rico and I said for the last few months. I thank God that He used Dr Todd to grab the attention of this sweet soul before its too late.

I made a lifestyle change several months ago and I must admit it is hard to see Rico and the boys eat fries which used to be one of the top things I loved to eat- but once my knees starting acting like they were fighting me every time I walked- I knew I had to give them up plus more. By us all taking a stand to support Emmanuel he won’t feel left out- truth be told it isn’t about his size- we just want him to be healthy. So celery sticks, cucumbers, stir fry onions and bell peppers here we all come!

Emmanuel said he wanted a salad for dinner and I thought that sounded so good. Only thing is we didn’t have anymore salad. The lettuce I had brought last week was now rotten-nothing don’t last like it used to. So my mom thought it was a good idea for Emmanuel to want salad so to support him and his new lifestyle change I decided to run to Publix to get a bag of lettuce.

When I got out of the car I was greeted by a brown grasshopper. This grasshopper was brown, “old looking”, and huge. I thought it was a praying mantis at first but after almost being “attacked” by it I saw it was a grasshopper. Do you know it flew by me and hopped along all the way to the door? I took a quick dash for the entrance so it wouldn’t follow me. Marlo says grasshoppers are a sign of good luck.

I’d seen a lot of grasshoppers lately. The last one clung to the car from Roses back to my house. I could not get of that thing to save my life. I asked Rico what do grasshoppers symbolize- he was unsure. Well according to Google, grasshoppers symbolize the following:

• Abundance
• Courageousness
• Resourcefulness
• Insight
• Peace
• Patience
• Intuition
• Stability
• Solidarity
• Balance
• Freedom
• Joy
• And the list goes on…

Then to take a step further it is said that the color of a grasshopper symbolizes something different. So for me I was interested in the brown and green ones. Green symbolizes rejuvenation, fresh beginnings, adventure, growth, health and youth. The brown symbolize positivity and progress.

Could God have used the grasshopper to grab my attention? Could this have been my burning bush moment? What did all of this mean?

I got my answer in the clearest way and on my way out of the store I was excited by my grocery selection, berries and salad was a good way for new beginnings to get my child back to a healthy place.

We could all use a healthy start and with the doctors report; there is a new awakening. Mr Athletic Rico didn’t miss the opportunity to get the boys started on a new regimen. Emmanuel was already busting moves and sweating to shed the pounds. He will get it off, I have faith he will. So again seeing the grasshopper was just confirmation.

Though I shared the story of Emmanuel and our latest news from the doctor today’s message is not about weight loss BUT to encourage us to change our way of thinking. I wanted to speak on doing this NOW and not LATER. It’s easy for us to keep putting things off BUT there is no time like the PRESENT.

We have to tell ourselves it’s NOW OR NEVER! We can’t say “just one more cigarette and I’m going to quit after this one”, “just one more bag of chips- I already paid for it”, or whatever our habits are that are toxic to us. Not every habit affects our physical health. Some affect us mentally, spiritually, physiologically, emotionally, etc.

Feelings of hopelessness, unforgivable things, hate, malice, holding grudges, etc. can all be toxic and can all affect or stunt our growth whether it be physically, emotionally, etc.

I know I’ve had my fair share of setbacks in the last few months. I was so happy to have worked hard to create a “healthy savings” just to have to almost deplete it because of car trouble and after car trouble, thefts, medical bills, etc. I stopped looking at it with the side eye and just praised God my husband and I were able to save and make investments for our future. We took the negative out of it and thanked God for the money in the first place. Before our chief complaint would have been we didn’t have it to spend BUT GOD. He always makes a way out of “no way.” I silence the “no way” BECAUSE GOD IS THE WAY!

Today we have to speak hope and life into our situations. It’s easy to loose hope when the road gets tough but why dim your faith when God has never dimmed His light? He has been here throughout the whole process and He will be there until whatever it is comes into fruition.

Right now many are struggling with death in the family, sickness, divorce, relationship problems, financial strain, lost of job, overwhelming stress, etc. Where is your hope? Whom do you put your trust? How strong is your faith?

What we hope for or who we place our hope in can change the dynamics or effect our outcome. We want God’s presence but we don’t thank Him for being there through the rough times. Just because there might be gray skies today; it doesn’t mean God isn’t there. His word says He will never leave us nor forsake us. Do you believe it this morning?

Through Him we have also obtained access to faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1

Can you take a moment for thanking God for being your hope, for being able to place your trust in Him? Can we thank Him right now for allowing us the opportunity to cast our cares on Him? Can we thank Him right now for caring and loving us so? Is there anybody thankful this morning for the Lord being Your hiding place and your shield?

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 

Today’s prayer for each of us is that the God of hope will fill us with all the joy and peace through believing. We ask that the power of the Holy Spirit abound us in hope. It is my prayer we be a strong and courageous people. It is my prayer that we trust God and His perfect timing for everything in this season.

God has promised us better things in this life and in the next. Would you believe? Do you believe?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

The how of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28

God we thank You right now for being with us in this time of death, great sickness, trials, tribulation, and Lord so much pain. Dear God, thank You for renewing our strength with each new day. Continue to heal our nation dear God. Lord we ask for the healing of our minds, of our hearts. Heal us mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, and Lord most importantly spiritually dear God. Lord we ask that we find strength in You on this day that we can mount up with wings like an eagle and that we may run and not grow weary.

Lord as I continue to reflect on the story of the grasshopper, it is my prayer Your people will rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. 🙏🏾