In His Time, NOT Mine

Have you ever prayed and felt like you have a right and you have the authority to request something within a certain timeframe? Of course! I have too and I believe that we can. I believe we can be bold about our prayers and make our requests known BUT I also know God sees all, He knows all, He is aware of what we need and exactly when we need it. He actually knows more than us. Crazy, right? When I think I have an urgent need and I need something by noon tomorrow, God might know, I actually have until next week. Honestly, I might even know that but I think it's more of a security thing. I want it by noon tomorrow, so I know we are ok, I'll have peace, I won't have to worry and the list goes on. However, everything I said there as a reason why I need it by that time, is basically saying I only follow the word when I have what I need. The word says "do not fret or worry" yet I just told you I'll have peace of mind, I'll know we're going to be ok "if" I have it.


This word I want to share all came from my son. Isaiah just turned 8 and he has been a prayer warrior since he learned how to talk. Anytime he hears a need or I say I have a headache or stomach ache or I'm dizzy, anything at all, Isaiah will come over and put his hand on me and begin praying. Every single time he prays for healing or for a need, he says please heal her tonight or later or in the morning or tomorrow or whenever". I've actually corrected him many times and I've even chuckled and there were times I whined and said I want to be healed now. And he will say "or now Lord". He's been doing this for so long and it wasn't until he did this the other night while praying for my headache, that God really spoke to me through it.

Isaiah KNOWS God will answer the prayer and he trust that He will answer it in His timing. Isaiah understands that God knows best. We have always chuckled and say, you give God a lot of options and he says yep. He knew even when I corrected him, he wasn't doing wrong. He has so much faith and is confident that the prayer WILL be answered.

So going back to what I was saying in the beginning, we put time limits on God. We say I need this and man, I have prayed some desperate prayers and I do know from experience some of those do have a crucial time limit on them, but when I look back at all we have gone through over the past few months, all of the desperate prayers I prayed. Some of them, were very urgent and some, God knew best. My point is, do you know how much stressing I could have saved out on if I just saw it like Isaiah does? If I followed the word exactly how it tells us to, I could have had a little bit more peace and a lot less stress. Yes, God wants us to bring our burdens to Him, yes we need to be bold in our praying and yes, sometimes our prayers do need to sound desperate. He wants us to cry out to Him but I am also learning that when the word says do not fret or worry, He means it. He's got us. Just as I shared in my last blog when I can't, He can. The same goes for you, when you can't, He can.

We've all heard those words, it's in God's timing and sometimes they are so hard to hear because we want it, when we want it but He knows best. Let's all work towards having childlike faith. The kind of faith that KNOWS He will answer but ultimately trust in His timing.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philipians 4:6-7 MSG

I can't but God can

Have you ever said "I can't" like I can't take it anymore, I can't do it anymore, I just can't? Like that overwhelming feeling you get and you feel like you just can't go on? You feel like life is too hard or things are just too bad and you almost might even get to the feeling of I can't live anymore. Have you ever been there? Oh, I definitely have. In fact, God put this so clearly on my heart to share, that I couldn't resist taking the time to write about it. 

On Sunday, we were on our way home from church. The car was quiet, I was driving, Jon had fallen asleep and so had the kids. We had worship music playing softly and God started speaking in my ear. He actually told me everything I'm about to tell you but He told me with my voice. I heard myself sharing this with you all. It was the craziest but coolest thing. I was so pumped and excited about it that after He told me it all and the noise stopped coming, I woke Jon up and told him everything. He was like wow, that's such an awesome word. I was like I know, it was ALL God. So here it is. 

In the past few months we have been through the HARDEST financial time of our lives. If you read my last blog "Be Still" then you know I was sent to the hospital by my cardiologist and after a few days and many test later, they released me. However, they did not give me a release to go back to work. They advised me I needed to see my doctors and they could release me back to work. Well, my doctor wouldn't release me, she was concerned about my blood pressure because it was running high. Then there was a new concern with my pulse jumping all over the place. It was one issue after another and every time I went back to the office ready to be released, instead something else didn't look right and I was kept out of work. I was on medical leave, so at least my job was secure but times were hard. 

On top of this, our business had to be put on hold because not one but ALL three pressure washers quit working on us. Since this happened very early in the business, we hadn't had enough time to really build up a savings or a safety net, Jon was doing pressure washing for us full time, so he had no other income and then I was out of work. No money to repair our pressure washers and no money to purchase a new one. Seriously, I felt like it was a nightmare. How do you pay your bills when you have nothing? 

Now that I've told you the background, this is the message God gave me to share. During that time, life was hard. I was out of work yet hardly sleeping. I woke up all night thinking of bills and thinking of how we could keep a roof over our family's head. Yes, of course I turned to prayer, that's all I did was pray. We prayed, prayed and prayed some more. 

One morning I woke up and went to the kitchen sink to find that our water had been turned off. I started screaming crying. That was one bill I was counting the days for but I thought I had a little bit more time. Yes, we can live without water, but it seemed like every morning I woke up to more bad news. Another loss of some kind. It felt like we would slowly lose everything. Jon was applying to so many jobs and nothing was coming through, I was desperately begging my doctor to get me back to work but she was very concerned about my heart rate. To be honest, I was pretty concerned too, it was all over the place. I wore a Fitbit and would look at the app to see what my heart was doing in my sleep and the lines were up and down constantly. So, this particular morning, I said I can't do this anymore. What else? I can't!!! Shortly after I cried out a small breakthrough would happen, that bill got paid. 

On Sunday, God showed me what happened each time, I said I can't. God said "Oh, but I can." He was there all along and once I truly screamed saying this is it, I can't!! He said "but I can my daughter, I'm here and I've got you". When I woke up to no water... I can't take this anymore, oh but I can. When our landlord called and gave us a deadline, I said I don't know what to do Lord. We don't have anything. We can't lose our home. I can't do this anymore, He said BUT I can! Sure enough at the last minute, we were blessed with just enough to cover our rent. 

During all of this we were serving at a production called Blink The Revival at our church. We drive about 35 minutes each way for church. When we thought we didn't have money for gas, our tank would get randomly filled up. We didn't have money to give during this time. How do you give tithe on no income? You can't but you can give of your time. We didn't allow it to stop us from serving. We went to church nightly to serve our hearts out and give our all. We knew the enemy wanted to stop that, but he didn't get his way. We served at Blink with joyful hearts, we figured out a way to give, even when there is no money to give. We were blessed with dinner by a few different people during that time and none of them knew what was going on. That is when you know God is at work. 

During hard times it might be hard to see God's hand, it might make you want to ask God why, it might make you ask what you're doing wrong and believe me, I did. I wanted to know if there was anything I needed to change. I feel like every trial we go through, is a time where we can learn to be better, there is always something to learn. As a friend of mine told me, it's not punishment, it's trials that we all go through. We have to allow these times to teach us something. Let it help you grow into something better. I know God continues to mold me into something better and I want that. Just as growing pains hurt, this can hurt but you will get through it. 

On Sunday, God also reminded me how I thought I couldn't handle anymore when my marriage was falling apart over 5 years ago. I remember saying those same words. I can't do this. I can't take it. This is too much. BUT God. He took care of it, He handled it. He saved my marriage. How about when I heard the scary words of you need open heart surgery. No! I can't. I'm scared. What if I don't make it? My son needs me. God said oh but I can and He did. 

There have been so many situations in my life where I said I can't and I truly couldn't handle them, but God can and He did. I'm sharing this to remind you, if you are in a situation where you feel you cannot go on anymore or you cannot take one more piece of bad news, just remember God can and He will. If you find yourself saying I can't, follow it up with BUT God can! Claim it and believe it. I can't BUT God can! He has you in the palm of His hands. He loves you. He cares about you. It's ok if you can't handle it, give it to Him to handle. Let those words become a release of control, let them be a surrender to Him. Add but You can Lord, I KNOW You will see me through this. 

Once my household began claiming our breakthrough daily, everything changed. We danced together, singing our own songs of praise to God and claiming a breakthrough was on its way. We knew our God had better plans for us. Within a week of us changing our own attitudes and claiming a breakthrough, Jon got a job and I was released to go back to work! My heart rate has calmed down and seems to be normal again. We do have a lot of recovery with our bills, we are behind on things and playing catch up BUT we know our God has it, just like He had us all along. We are back to work now and working hard. Jon loves his job and I am back to working and appreciate my job more than I ever did. I'm excited to get up every morning and work. 

This Thanksgiving, I cried thinking of how grateful I am to have a roof over our heads. I'm thankful for my family, I'm thankful for our jobs, I'm thankful for a car, for gas, for food and the list goes on. This year, we went through so much but learned a lot. I now know more than ever there might be times when I can't but God can. 

So no matter what you are going through, whether it's financial issues, relational issues, medical issues or anything else, please remember there is so much we feel that we can't handle but turn it over to God and allow Him to handle it. He handles it much better than us. Don't ever think He isn't there, He is there all along, He cares for you, He loves you and He knows exactly what you are going through. Trust Him and know when you can't, He can. 

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

Luke 18:27 NIV

Be Still

                   Be Still...

Sometimes life hits you with some unexpected things, sometimes scary, sometimes they seem unbearable, sometimes they're great moments, moments you never want to forget. Other times they are moments, you may wish had never happened. The important thing to remember is in life whether things are bad or good, you have to remember Who you belong to. You have to remember Who has blessed you. Jesus is always the answer. Remember that Jesus brought you through those rough times. He is there when things are bad, but don't forget Him when things are good. 

Today, if you are walking in blessings, remember Who created you. Remember Who provided those blessings for you. Remember to serve Him first and with that ALL things will be made beautiful. 

Today, if things are rough for you, remember what He has brought you through before. Run to Him, hold on to Him. Take His hand and allow Him to show you what you can learn through your rough times. I can tell you, every single trial I have been through in my life, I have learned so much through it. Jesus has taught me to be a better daughter to Him, a better wife to my husband, a better mom to my kids, a better daughter to my parents, a better sister to my sisters, a better employee to my job, a better servant at church and the list goes on. I'm still learning how to get better at those roles in my life and I'm continuously working at it. I'm not perfect, that's for sure. I'm still a work in progress but I can tell you that with every trial, there is a lesson that can be learned. We just have to humble ourselves, be quiet and allow God to speak to us and help us through it. 

This week, I learned to BE STILL. I was in prayer about some things, begging for answers, crying out to God and I even hit a moment where I said "God, where are you?? Why are things so rough right now? I don't understand." I was desperately seeking but I wasn't giving Him a moment to answer me. I ended up getting so worked up and upset that I had chest pains that would not stop. I was sent to the hospital by my cardiologist. I was so frustrated and scared. I kept thinking why is all of this happening? I was terrified of reliving what happened to me 5 years ago. 

I walked in the emergency room, thinking please let them tell me, it's nothing and I can go home. I checked in, they called me within 5 minutes. I went to triage and once they asked a few questions the nurse said give me one second. He came back so fast with a wheelchair and said "Darling, we're getting you right back, we don't want to risk anything with your history and symptoms." Yes, it's great that I didn't have to wait but oh my, everything is happening so fast. 

Once back there, they had nurses coming into my room so fast, getting an EKG and hooking me up to the monitors. They asked what caused this, I said a meltdown caused it. I literally cried so hard, it felt like my chest was going to rip open. I kept laughing with the nurses and doctors, kept trying to convince them I am not crazy, I just had a moment that was apparently long overdue. The doctor came in and said, I'm afraid your repaired valve could have gotten damaged or started to dissect during this since we know your blood pressure shot up. He said I'm admitting you to monitor you for at least 24 hours, I don't want to take any chances. They got me in for an urgent CT scan to check my valve. Thankfully, I got those results pretty quickly and found out my valve looked great! Praise Jesus!! I was so thankful. 

The doctor went over it all and said, I'm still keeping you. We still need to do further testing to check on your heart more. We don't want to take any chances with your history. While I did appreciate that, I was so sad at the same time. It felt like I was reliving everything from 5 years ago. I heard those same things, everything looks fine but we are going to keep you just in case. 

So I got admitted to a chest pain area of the hospital where they are monitoring everything around the clock. They did so much testing on me, ended up telling me the next day, they needed to keep me ANOTHER day. I was SO frustrated and sad. I was confused. I didn't get it. Jon never left my side, he stayed in the recliner next to me the whole time I was there. The most he did was go to the cafeteria twice and only because I made him. He was just there, right by my side. We didn't say a whole lot, most of the time, we were actually quiet, which isn't even like us but God was doing something. 

As I went for test after test, I didn't have my phone with me most of the time. I didn't even want it. So, I finally said while starring at the ceiling in a room where I was waiting for a test to be done with no tv in there. God, why am I here? What is it? I know nothing is wrong with me. I know I'm not going to go through all of this heart stuff again. I'm already fixed. What is it God? Is there someone here that I need to witness to? Invite to church? Invite to Blink? Show me God, I want to hear you and do what you want me to do, so I can get out of here. After that, I was quiet. In that moment He told me to be still, I learned so much. He answered so many questions that about drove me crazy before I went in. Those questions that I told you I was begging for the answers for. Just that quick, He answered me. It was basically when I finally shut up, when I finally stopped trying to figure it out on my own. When I finally was no longer distracted by my phone or tv or even my family. I was by myself in a room for a long time because the cardiologist that was going to do the test got called for an emergency surgery. When the nurse told me that, I began praying for that person that was laying on the table and then that is when I started praying the prayer above that I shared. In a quick moment of me worrying about my test results, I was hit with the reality that there are some suffering way more than me. There is someone going through their heart surgery, there are others losing loved ones, there are so many things going on all around me. 

That reality hit me and I no longer felt sad. I just said Lord, I trust You. Please just talk to me. He so sweetly told me so many answers. I got back to my room after so long, to friends (that are like family) there to see me. I was exhausted from the testing and they were there with hugs and smiles. Just what I needed and I didn't even know I needed it. 

When they left, I sat on the edge of my bed and shared with Jon what God did in me while I was down there waiting for that test. Here is the amazing part, God was also talking to Jon in that same moment. We both were getting answers that we needed and they were the same answers. We were given direction that could only come from Him. He showed us what needed to be done. We talked for so long about how God was right there all along but the noise all around us, kept us from hearing Him. 

Just like that my peace and joy were back. Just like that I was refreshed. It was a crazy week, very tiring and scary but ultimately, I learned so much. I learned to be still. Something I know to do but I learned how to do it. I learned how important it is for our soul to have that completely quiet time with God and allow Him to direct you. I learned that I can ask God all day what to do in a situation, I can pray, I can beg but if I don't take a moment to listen, I'm getting nowhere. 

I have great news! All of my test results came back great and they finally let me go home! What is amazing to me though is I feel like it was a time of healing and spiritual learning in that hospital bed. I wasn't discharged to go home until I was spiritually better. I needed that so badly and I had no clue. God was my doctor there, He was and always has been my healer. He healed me physically and spiritually. 

Please learn from me. I'm not saying God will put you in a hospital. I'm saying we can put ourselves in a hospital. I was still serving God, praying and doing everything for Him but I was simply not taking time for Him to speak to me. I was searching for answers on my own, in reality. I may have been asking Him but it doesn't count since I wasn't giving him a chance to answer me. If you find that you are anxious, frustrated or stressed, take a moment with just you and Jesus. Sit quietly and allow Him to speak to you. It will bring you peace, joy and clarity. 

      “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

‭‭       Psalms‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

With love,
Lynette Colon

A Message for Wives...

There is something I have felt on my heart for a long time, but never really thought about writing on it or if I did, I then worried I would offend someone or I wouldn't be understood.

Today, I realized I need to share. I was sitting at the pool and had just come up to a chair to relax for a minute and catch some sun after swimming with my boy. I sit down and three ladies are sitting right next to me and the one is talking away. There was no way of me NOT hearing. She was a frustrated wife and step mom. My heart hurt as I heard her speaking the way she was about her step daughter and even about her husband. She was complaining about the step daughter seeming ungrateful and wanting things from her dad and then the next sentence she was complaining that it seems like her husband doesn't know how to "stand up" to his daughter.

My heart hurt. I'm hurting because in the midst of something that was once broken (the husband not lasting with the daughters mother) there is still brokenness. So many things went through my head as I sat there hearing it all, so many prayers, asking God to give me the right words to say, if I was supposed to say something. I never ended up saying anything, I didn't feel I was supposed to and didn't know what to say but I did feel God stirring in my heart to write.

First of all, wives, talk to your husband. Talk to God about your husband. Pray about your concerns. Wives, be your husband's teammate, be by his side, help him on this journey of life. Truly BE his partner. I promise you, if you start talking to him and helping him through things, letting him know you are WITH him and not against him, things will change. You two will grow a bond, like you never knew.

Many times as wives, we can run our mouths to friends, we can complain to our husbands, to where it sounds like we are barking at them, but let's try talking, let's try asking a simple question like "How are you? How was your day? How do you feel?" And truly taking time to listen to the answer to that question. When they are stressed, hear them out. Tell him, you are there, that you two will get through it. You married him, you said "til death do us part" in other words, just be there for him and care for him. Instead of your husband responding in defense or brushing his feelings under the rug, you'll begin to see things change, you'll begin to see him open up and you will grow a friendship stronger than ever.

Now, with that being said, if you are a step mom, please don't treat that child, no matter how old they are, like they are your husband's kid. Don't talk bad about them, don't talk against them, don't talk as if they are not your responsibility at all. Love that child! Even if they are not your blood, God blessed you with that child. Show love to them, show that you care for them. Do things for them. Embrace the walk in life you were given with every relationship God placed in your life. There is no reason for division in a family. You are all one together, whether one might have a different mom or not, they should still be loved and accepted by you, just as much as the one you birthed from your womb. Children come into our lives in all different ways, sometimes it's not exactly the way we planned but if you give it all to God, He can and will bring unity to your family.

  Bottom line, love God, love the life you were given, love your husband, love your kids, ALL of them. If you're having problems or concerns, pray about it, don't go talking about it. Yes, you can have people to turn to, that will pray with you and encourage you, but I have found that "talking" about your problems doesn't really do anything for them but possibly stir you up more. Pray pray pray, God will work a miracle in your life, in your marriage and in your family but you have to first, fully give Him your heart.

With Love,

Lynette Colon

You Have a Purpose

Please take a moment and watch this video below before reading my post...

https://www.facebook.com/AngelaSernaPaginaOriginal/videos/772699529418678/

Crying. We may not always realize it, but He is there and He is with us every step of the way. 

Today, I heard about the loss of my friend's friend (I didn't know her) but passed pretty suddenly after her aorta tore, unexpectedly. That's the reason I had open heart surgery in 2012, normally there are no symptoms for it but somehow my God allowed me to have chest tightness that led me to the ER by ambulance and about 24 hours later, they found an aortic aneurysm. I had surgery about 20 days later and was saved. I was fortunate. 

Today, I've sat here and thought, why did you choose to save me, Lord? Why not this woman? She also had two small children at home. Why me? Why not her? I don't have the answer as to why she was taken today, but it has been confirmed to me that I have a purpose. I am a walking miracle and I have so much to be thankful for, but I'm writing this to tell you, if you are breathing right now, if you have a pulse, you also have a purpose. We all have a purpose. Everyday that I wake up, I am thankful for another day of life, but hearing this news today, has made me much more grateful. I am so sad for her kids and husband, I'm sad for the rest of their family and have been praying for them all day. It hit close to home with hearing the words "that could have been you" it really could have. In reality, it could be any of us. We should live everyday of our lives to the fullest, live with joy in our hearts, live on a mission to serve Him and do all the task He has assigned for us to do. 

I hope and pray this post encourages you, pushes you into your calling, strengthens you and reminds you, you DO have a purpose here and don't ever doubt it. Our God needs each one of us, we all have unique callings to fulfill. 

Do you know your calling? If not, post a comment or message me. I would love to pray with you or for you.  

Also, please keep this family in prayer, they are going through something that was completely unexpected and I can't imagine the pain.

Love and blessings,

Lynette Colon