I don’t have an in-depth and lengthy post this morning. I started writing one, and God reminded me of what has been on my heart for months. Offense and Forgiveness. Being offended by your brothers and sisters will put you in a dark place of unforgiveness. Of course, we will justify why we won’t forgive by keeping the list of things that the person or persons have done that makes them deserving of the cold shoulder and sometimes harsh words. However, remember two things. One, the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy and one of his go-to weapons is offense. He knows that if he can make you offended he can destroy families, friendships and tear down any relationships you have built. Be vigilant my sisters and when you are feeling offended and ready to turn your back on your sister and brother, please go to God in prayer and ask him to reveal the issues of your heart and help you to mend the broken pieces.

Forgiveness is sometimes viewed as a weakness, but I declare it has been one of the most powerful tools in my life. I have had some deep wounds that made me feel like I could never forgive, but through prayer and some amazing books I removed the offense and forgave them. I didn’t have to go to the person and have a conversation or rehash everything, but in my heart, I released them from the bondage of owing me anything. The day I released the offense, I was able to walk up to the person, smile, and hug them in love. Remembering what had happened in the past made me feel amazing because Satan had lost power over me and I was finally free!

Forgiveness and Offense are not always as simple as the paragraphs above. When I needed to forgive I sought after it with all of my heart because I knew it was the key to becoming a better me. There are two books that I would highly recommend. Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley and The Bait of Satan by John Revere. I want to help heal the offense in each of our hearts, not for the offender but the freedom from the enemy. My prayer this morning is that you would open the issues of your heart and ask God what you need to remove the offense and forgive.

Thanks for listening to the issues of my heart.

Felicia Smith

Hey ladies it’s been a while, but my plan is to blog more often and share what God has placed in my spirit.  It’s been a week of deep reflection. My son turns one-year-old this Saturday and I am so excited! As some of you know, my son was born premature at 27 weeks weighing 2lbs and 4ozs. I was just looking through my drawers and I saw his first preemie diaper and it blew my mind. Some people will say as time goes on the memory of your NICU days will fade away, but that hasn’t been the case for me. I remember those days like they were yesterday and to be honest, I don’t want to ever forget them because they have shaped me and my marriage to this amazing place it is right now. My son didn’t have it easy. He had to fight to live every day. He went through three operations and to the operating room five times. He had a premature sickness that 50-70% of the children die from, but Jeremiah-Mark was determined to be the 30%. I am amazed by him and his strength and how no matter the challenges, he was determined to bounce back. 228 days in the NICU and every day he exceeded expectations. He’s really my hero!

But as I look back on those 228 days, I am reminded of my spiritual journey. I prayed and prayed and it was the greatest test of my faith. There were days when I prayed, worried, and questioned my faith. I knew what God had told me, but standing on that word and living it was difficult when you witness the life leaving your baby over and over again! What was amazing was I would share with my husband what God told me and how all I had left was to believe in his word. But man, the moment I told him that, the devil attacked me because he wanted me to give up on God. I remembered when my sons had to be resuscitated daily for about 7 days. On day three I broke. Everything in me was angry and wanted to give up. I no longer wanted to pray or even knew how to pray because my heart felt like it was in pieces. I was weak and in my mind, this was the last straw. As I looked into my husband’s eyes I told him I couldn’t take anymore.  I was weak and I couldn’t pray. He looked at me and he reminded me of everything God told me and how God was going to deliver our son. He prayed when I couldn’t pray. This will always be a defining moment of my life and our married. My husband is not super spiritual but he stood in agreement on what God told me and the moment that I began to doubt the Lord, he reminded me of who God was and what he told me. I look back on the times I prayed and ask God for a husband or a companion and I remember one night in particular when I told God I needed a best friend that I can go through and share who wouldn’t judge me, but love me in my weakest moments and God honored that pray. How I met my husband wasn’t the way I thought and the birth of my son wasn’t the way I imagined but both turned out to be the most amazing works of God.

So, as you can see I’m in deep thought and in a mode of gratefulness because I know that God is faithful! So I encourage you, my sisters, to open your heart to God and tell him your deepest desires but also be prepared for it not to look the way you think or go the way you plan. But just trust in him and it will be worth the journey!

He continues to blow my mind!