Whew…. Ladies! How are you? It’s your host Ja’Lisa and we have a lot to talk about! Where have I been? I have so much to share with you and catch you up on! Well in this episode and Part II may be the longest and most transparent episode I’ve done so far. So let’s jump right in……
In my last episode titled God Told Me to Level Up I spoke about being stretched in order to be prepared for future blessings and opportunities. If you haven’t listened to that episode, pause right now, go listen and come back to this episode.
In the midst of this preparation God informed me to take a step back and spend time in his presence. I had to pause because I was in the midst of EVERYTHING! This was so hard for me because the ideas kept flowing and I was ready to keep moving and to put everything I was thinking about into motion but I knew deep down my obedience to God was more important than my next social media post, blog post, event or podcast episode.
Losing my job December 1st let me know I was in a season of pivoting and transition. If you listened to prior episodes, I knew my season was ending with my prior employer. God informed me a year in advance. People thought I was crazy when I said I knew I was losing my job and that I was prepared for it. I didn’t stress. I didn’t worry. I didn’t cry. I knew God was going to carry me and my girls through because he’s done it before and he’s going to do it again. AND HE DID IT AGAIN! I wasn’t blind sided because he gave me a heads up.
While taking this time away before God opened the next door, I was led to pray for and over numerous things and people. It was as if I was praying for things that were to soon come. I prayed for the shift that was occurring. I prayed for the pivoting and the new season I was walking into. I prayed over the lessons I learned in prior seasons and to carry those lessons with me forward. This was more like a recap.
It’s always a little uncomfortable when you’re walking into something new but I need to take a step back to prepare for what God had been preparing for me along. I prayed over future connections I would make, my family, my professional career, my future husband, my current children and future children, my current business A Queen with Purpose and future businesses God has placed on my heart to begin. My finances as well…nothing was left off the table. My spirit felt led to pause and to pray over my next season. So that’s exactly what I did and have continued to do while here….. Have you ever been at the height of something and something just feels off? I didn’t feel as if I wasn’t in alignment or I’d gotten off course. It was more like a tap on the shoulder from God to get my attention. Ja’Lisa, what you prayed for is about to occur, get ready because it’s happening.
During the time I was laid off, in all honesty there were moments when I felt extremely alone. I mean Extremely alone! I kept myself busy and still operated as if I had a job. I would take my girls to school and go straight to the gym to workout with my trainer. But after that, I would have nothing to do. I would work on my business as usual but I had nowhere to be. I had no obligations. See, you will soon know I’m a busy body. Meaning, I’m always on the go! I’m never not doing anything! So in the period of transition I had NOTHING TO DO! My life slowed down tremendously. It was hard to come to terms with what my new norm was at time but I realized I needed that time to truly get clear on things that I had just experienced for the past year.
One of those being ending an extremely toxic relationship that left me with invisible scars. You know, the scars you don’t realize you have until you meet someone new and the new person you’re talking to being to show behaviors of your past and triggers you so you immediately get into defense mode. I never wanted to go into extreme detail about this relationship. I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life and wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy! My ex conducted himself in ways I never would’ve imagined and betrayed me in ways I never thought he would.
Whew…Remember when I said transparency it’s real! I don’t have it altogether and never portrayed myself to be perfect. That’s so unrealistic. I work hard to be a better woman, and mother than I was the day before. We are all constant works in progress. But what I am for sure is OPEN and REAL and I offer my story and my testimony to help other women know they aren’t alone on this journey called life and God can and will turn any situation you face around to work for your good. Thank God for Jesus and Therapy! You all know I’m a huge advocate for going to therapy and going to see a therapist doesn’t mean you’re crazy! It helps you deal with crazy people (laughing). So how did I address the loneliness I felt?? I prayed, journaled, read books and took one day at a time!
So as I obeyed God and followed his direction….everything began to fall into place. I went on not one but two job interviews at the same time and was offered a position within a week of interviewing. I felt the position was mine once I completed the first interview but I never want to be cocky or arrogant. For those who know me personally, I’m an extremely humble person.
I prayed and if the position was mine it would be. All i needed to do was PLAY MY PART AND BUT FORTH THE EFFORT. That’s a word for somebody! Stop expecting God to just hand you things just because you prayed sis! Faith without works is DEAD! Put in the work and allow God to be God and do what he does best! Open doors for you and pour down blessings you won’t have enough room to receive. Yes, pray but also prepare and ACT!
So now I have a new job with a major healthcare provider here in the Pittsburgh area. This was all GOD! From receiving the initial call while I’m in the dentist chair getting fitted for my Invisalign, to receiving the second call asking for me to come back in and meet the team, and then lastly the offer of the job.
Secondly, I took a step out on faith and applied for a professional development Women in Leadership Program. The cost scared me but I kept feeling the need to apply. Remember that tap on the shoulder I talked about…yes it was that! So I stepped out on faith and am now a member of the Women in Leadership 2020 Cohort. I’m ready to SOAR and to learn additional skills to grow my business as well as my professional career.
From December to February I had 3 months off due to being laid off. You all know I dedicated those three months to becoming a better version of myself and I’m doing a great job if I say so myself. Now the dust has settled in my new season and I’m BACKKKKKKK!
I’ll say this you….never feel the need to stay in the know or to be seen when God is calling for your attention. It’s better to obey God than to try to keep up or stay relevant. Hear me out, I had just launched this Podcast and God told me to step back for a minute! I wondered what people would think…it would show inconsistency. I told God I Can’t do that because there are women depending on me! BUT he reminded me, I’m not doing this Podcast for myself! This Podcast isn’t for me to be seen, heard or my glory. I’m a vessel that God is using to relay information to the women connected to me. He won’t allow anything to fail that has his name attached to it. His name is on the line.
So when God taps you on the shoulder sis, LISTEN!
So the last three months set me up to be better prepared to accept the new season I’m now in and better prepared to accept all the blessings that are coming my way because at times I AND/OR we may feel we are undeserving of what God gives us. Or we receive a blessing and feel we aren’t truly prepared for it!
If you feel yourself in a period of transition, pivoting or God just simply telling you to take a step back and spend time with him. Do so! You need it! You need it in preparation for where he’s taking you and I can’t stress to you enough that you aren’t going to miss a BEAT during the time you step away!
I learned a lot about myself during that time and I’m ready for this next chapter God has opened the door for me to walk through…..
So stay connected with me on personal Instagram @jalisalashawn and my business instagram @_aqueenwithpurpose
The next episode I’ll share how my business pivoted and changes soon to come for A Queen with Purpose…
Stay Tuned…….
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