Hi friends! This week was a good and long week. I was at our corporate office for leadership training. It still amazes me how much my company pours into each individual to become a better version of themselves. When I was gone all week the word that kept pulling on my heart strings during prayer was unanswered prayers. Not Thank God for unanswered prayers, just unanswered prayers. Kind of strange, because I am very aware of God not answering all my prayers but it doesn’t seem like something I am struggling with right now. For the first time in my life, I am not worried or concerned with the future. I know it will be good regardless of what happens. I can feel it in my bones. But I am also very aware that most people don’t feel that way. Most people stress about their future and what it holds. Well I hope my words can bring you some peace. I hope you can feel Jesus give you a big ole’ hug and a whisper in your ear saying,”I’ve got this. Have faith. Trust me on this one. It’s going to be good.”

The funny thing about unanswered prayers is when they aren’t answered I tend to get pissed off. Frustrated and begin to question things. Another little fun fact about me is I like to be in control. I am called the mama of my friend group for a reason. When I look back on prayers that weren’t answered I definitely stop and Thank God for not answering my prayers…now. Have you ever been there too?

When I was in college I was a management major. I took a sales class as an elective and really enjoyed it. I became a sales ambassador for the sales program which I was not qualified for because I was a management major, not a marketing major with a professional sales concentration. 100% God thing. Back then we were assigned corporate partners. I was assigned Tom James. I met the recruiter, Katie. Yall she was classy and well spoken, but most of all she was kind. She was SO nice and just real. A straight shooter. She walks in a room and captures people’s attention. She is a one-of-a-kind person and someone I immediately looked up to and still do to this day.

Being a sales ambassador you get one-on-one time with the recruiters which is a huge benefit to a senior in college needing a J.O.B post graduation. Another fun fact, I am also a straight shooter. She asked me if I wanted to go into sales. Yeah no thanks! I am doing this so I can add another line on my resume. She asked me if I would entertain doing a ride along day with her. Sure! What did I have to lose? Well to keep a long story short, I actually really liked it. When I graduated I had two job offers. One from Tom James and the other from a smaller power company I interned with my senior year. I turned down the offer from Tom James and went to work for the other company. I worked there for about two years and kept in touch with Katie. Which again is a God thing to me because how many people keep in touch with the recruiter when they turn down the job?!

Anyway, I got laid off from my last job and Katie called me the same day I had verbally accepted a job with another company and was told I was going to be receiving my last paycheck on said day. After talking to Katie, there was an opening in Houston and she could get me in for an interview the very next week. 15 minutes later I turned down the other job, put all my eggs in one basket, and went to the interview the very next week. I got the job and started working in February.

Three years later I am still here and involved in quite a few roles. When I look back on the last three years I cannot tell you how many unanswered prayers I have had. Countless times I thought God had thrown me to the wolves, but instead he was behind the scenes moving so many different things around so when the timing was right I was truly ready. There were plenty of times I thought I was ready to take more on my plate, but looking back now I definitely wasn’t. Leadership, hiring people, being more involved with training, etc. That’s the thing yall. He has already read the book. He knows exactly what is coming up and on our horizon. We have no stinking clue… which is also the cool part too. How different would you live your life if you knew how the whole thing played out? I don’t think I would make as many mistakes, but that’s when you learn the most so what’s the fun in that?

There was a couple amazing women I was slotted to hire. They both backed out and I was bummed about it. But fast forward and the weeks they were going to be a sales school I was either dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey or moving out of my house and going through my divorce. I definitely wasn’t in the right head space to take more on my plate when some days just getting through the day was my only concern.

The moral to the story is God knows your story. He is sometimes quiet and holding things back from you for your own good. He knows exactly what you need even if that means a challenge to build your character. Yall, God is so good. He loves you and wants you to live an abundant life. He designed that for you. Each of us have our own story. There are going to be challenges. There are going to be times when you shake your fist at God and feel like he is no where to be found when you may need him the most. But, friend, he is there and it’s okay to do that. I promise. He is controlling everything you can’t see. It reminds me of a play. You are on stage and he is controlling the lights, sound, camera, etc. The whole dang thing.

There are a lot of other times I could go into detail about unanswered prayers… guys I liked that didn’t like me back, opportunities, events, etc. The list could go on and on… and on. When unanswered prayers kept pulling on my heart strings last week I was trying to figure out what he was telling me. I believe it was for a few reasons. One to make me stop and smell the roses. Two to share with someone reading this blog that is in a situation where God isn’t answering their prayers right now. Three as a reminder. If it’s not any of them for you, that’s okay too. I hope you hear on your heart his words that he has you. He has your back and will never bring you to something you can’t get through. He loves you and adores you for all that you are. Heck! He was the one that created you. Go out and let your little light shine, friend! You are beautiful!!

As always, thank you for spending some of your day with me! Have the most amazing week!!

Amanda