Hey readers!!!
I Became A Bride
07 Nov 2018 Leave a comment
in #bloglikecrazy, #FinishStrong, A Daughter's Heart, Choosen, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy's Daughter, GOD Trust, Soul Detox, Soul Devotion, Soul Series, Wife, Wife in Training Tags: #bloglikecrazy2018, faith, Inspiration, Peace, Transparency, Vision
I Am Over IT!
22 Aug 2018 Leave a comment
in Courage, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy's Daughter, Daily Living, Mental Health, Purposed, Transition, Transparency, Transparent, Trusting Daddy Tags: faith, Freedom, Letting go, My it, Over it
Daddy, I am over it! The heartache, the frustration, the cycles, the relationships, the rollercoaster ride of emotions, the debt, the worry, the stress, the fear, the disappointment, the failures, setbacks, and setups. I AM OVER IT!!!
This is the conversation that I had a few days ago with Daddy as I sat in my living room crying and stressing over the bill collectors calling me, worrying about how I am going to pay, this and that. This is the mindset I had when I thought about the investment I poured into so many relationships and friendships. This is even the mindset I had when it came to church too. I was OVER IT!!!
Have you ever been there? To the point, you were over everything that affected your life in such a negative way? I mean to the point you even contemplated taking your life? Well, that was me. Yep, this is a transparent moment. One that I think plenty people have but are ashamed to admit. I mean who wants to be in the position of showing that they trust GOD and then turning around and saying life is not worth living anymore?
This is probably going to be a real transparent moment for me because I have not told anyone, but you, my readers this. I have been keeping these things bottled, masked, and hidden. I mean I am a licensed therapist and minister, how does it sound and look for me to be speaking or thinking suicidal thoughts? But, there I was only a week ago in my living room trying to Netflix and chill and these were my thoughts.
But, guess what? The same things that I just told Daddy that I was over, are the same things that He was trying to use to get me to my next. UGH!! Don’t you hate it when Daddy uses the things you hate to get you to your next? How He uses issues, situations, circumstances, and failure to show you how to grow. To birth out new assignments, ideas, and gifts? How He takes your constant complaining and creates a moment for you to experience His glory and presence?
I hate it, but it’s in those same moments that I realize how much GOD is I AM! I AM is over it, and I AM is in it. He takes over and uses His strength to create new beginnings for us to be in Him and over IT … The IT is us. We are the IT!!! I mean the IT is our…..will, word, and way. It is our ability and desires to want to operate in our strength, mindset, and emotions.
But how do we get over the IT? By allowing Daddy to be it. I was reminded of the game tag. How the object of the game when being IT, is to tag as many people as you can before they get to the base. That’s what Daddy wants to do. He wants to tag as many of your problems before they get to the base of your mind and you feel defeated instead of victorious. That’s why I John 5:4 says “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith”.
So today do me a favor join me in playing a game of tag. Let your problems run but allow Daddy to be IT!
Prayer: Daddy, thank you that you have already told us that you will handle all that concerns us. We thank you that even when it seems like our problems are weighing us down to the point we want to give up on life, we will tag you and allow you to be it. You are the source of our strength and everything that we need to get through every moment of our lives. We thank you for being IT. In JESUS name. Amen!
Demand In The Earth, Dangerous Prayers (Part 1)
01 Aug 2018 Leave a comment
in Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy's Daughter, Dangerous Prayer, Demand, Equipped, Fearless, Oh My Soul, Purposed, Soul Devotion, Transparency Tags: faith, Inspiration, Prayer, Purpose
So, last week I told you about my transition and this week can I tell you about my dangerous prayer?
Ok, I know you are like a dangerous prayer… Yep, a prayer so dangerous that you are scared to even pray it because the consequences are so great and the process may feel unbearable. A prayer that comes with life-changing results and a stretch, tug, and pulls on your purpose and next. With all that being said and explained, let me tell you my dangerous prayer…
I was with one of my favorite sisters and she was on the phone with someone talking about the service that she offered through her company that she is the founder and CEO of. (She is an international educator. She teaches all over the world and helps parents in and outside of the US become better educators for their children) As she continued her call I realize how much a demand my sister and her services were in the earth. I told her, “Sis you are truly a demand in the earth”…That’s when the dangerous prayer entered my spirit and came out my mouth… “Lord I want to be a demand in the earth”. I didn’t realize it was a dangerous prayer until three days later when I got an email saying… “Hey girl, I have been looking for you!” 72 hours after praying, GOD the manifestation of my words became my reality. So, I knew what I prayed had to be dangerous due to the quick turn around that took place. A week after getting the email, I was on a call with another sister who told me, “Sis, I am glad you called me I need you to pray about your participation in a conference that I am having in October.” Look, let me tell you all something when I prayed that prayer, I was not really expecting results. OOOOOOO… Pause…Stop, back that up… “I said when I prayed the prayer I was not really expecting results”. How many times do we pray prayers without the expectation of seeing them manifest? I’ll wait, while you think of the many times you said prayers that you thought would take forever or never to manifest.
Let’s be real for a moment, we pray some prayers and expect GOD to do them right away, but there are times that we pray and before we say AMEN, we already thinking GOD ain’t about to do that for real. But, we continue to pray the dangerous prayers not realizing the setup that we are creating for ourselves.
I know you are wondering what am I trying to tell you. Am I encouraging you to pray these dangerous prayers? Am I warning you about these dangerous prayers? What am I telling you? I’m telling you both. I want to encourage you to pray these prayers, but be aware of what comes with them. Be ready to deal with the consequences or should I say the demand that will come with them. You will be the one that people seek out. You will be the missing piece of the puzzle. You will be the one that creates a demand on someone else. Do me a favor take time right now to pray your dangerous prayer (don’t read another line until you do). All it takes is one time, and that one time will cause you to pray more dangerous prayers.
Prayer: Daddy thank you for making us aware of the impact we can have on the earth if we are bold enough to pray dangerous prayers. Thank you for letting us know that we can be a demand in the earth, that you have purposed us to be a blessing to others, and create moments where you can move and breath life in situations. Thank you for allowing us to be what the earth needs for your glory. Thank that today we open our mouths with a heart of anticipation to speak the dangerous prayers that are needed for your victory to be seen. In JESUS name… AMEN!
Transition
24 Jul 2018 Leave a comment
in #Chapter35, #FinishStrong, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy's Daughter, Daily Living, GOD Trust, He will, Legacy of A Daughter, Ocean Faith, Open Heart, Relentless Faith, Soul Detox, The Reality, Transition, Transparency, Transparent, Trusting Daddy Tags: Chosen, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy Daughter Lessons, Daddy's Attention, Daddy's Daughters, Examining Faith, faith, Freedom, Inspirations for the Soul and Heart, Legacy of A Daughter, Ocean Faith, Oh My Soul, Relentless Faith, Transition, Transparency
I know it’s been a while and I do apologize. I am realizing that in order for this thing to really work you all need to hear from me. So today you, my readers are my accountability partners. That’s right I have given you the task to email me at: shawndrikaLcook@gmail.com if you aren’t getting a blog once a week. See we must realize that we are meant to do life alone, and sometimes strangers, people we don’t know are for us will hold us accountable. So welcome ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS!
With that being said let’s talk about transition! So for the past 4 months, I have been in a place of total transition. I went from working a full 8-5 in my field, to leaving there and doing ministry full time!! Yep, ministry FULL TIME!!! Now I know you are wondering what causes me to make this move. I mean I just passed my licensure examine only a year ago, I have not been a private practice therapist at all, and now I am in ministry. To answer the question of why, is simple, obedience. But, in my obedience, the walk and the focus of my next has been hard. I find myself feeling lost, confused, out of place, ill-prepared, hopeless, distraught, and discourage. Any negative feelings that a human being can express… This girl expressed them and more. I know you are wondering why did you experience all these negative emotions. I mean you were being obedient right? Well, here is the thing with obedience comes sacrifice, thought 1 Samuel 15:22 states, “Obedience is better than sacrifice”. There is a sacrifice that comes with obedience. Maybe I shouldn’t say a sacrifice, there is a surrendering that comes with it. To some that surrendering position can feel like a sacrifice. I mean give up everything you know just to be submerged into something you know nothing about.
So, here I am in the 5th month of the transition and I am stuck! Yep, stuck like a truck in the mud. I am not writing this blog from a place of overcoming this time. This time I am writing to you while the process is still going. While I am still in the place of getting to the prize or the next that GOD has called me to. I am in that, “I have to more trust GOD moments”, rather than “I will figure something out moments”. I’m at a place where I need the manifestation whether than being on ok with waiting for the manifestation.
I know someone who is reading this is wondering why am I telling the story as it is happening? Well. it’s because you need to know the process of transitioning. When you are in a place where the transition is not by choice, but assignment there are certain things you can’t control or deal with because you truly trust Daddy to guide your every step. For instance, I can’t control the demands that my assignment has on my life. I took a $2500 pay cut, yet I have not wanted for anything for real. I have tried to apply for a second job with the conviction that I couldn’t because of the demands of this assignment.
Why tell you the now of my transition for real?!? Because you need to know that transition is worth it!!! It’s worth leaving something that you do know for something you don’t know. It’s worth moving beyond you to get to Daddy. It’s worth the process… OOOOOO!!! That’s a word PROCESS!!! The process will be the foundation of your transition. How you see your process will determine how long you will stay in your transition. If you see your process as a burden, then your transition will last longer, because you are not able to receive the benefits of the process. But, if you see the process as a purpose, that it pushes you to your next, stretches you to another level in GOD, and betters your faith and trust in Daddy. Then the transition will be short and one that you can talk about as part of your testimony. Let me say this I don’t care what kind of transition you experience good or bad, no one likes the discomfort that comes with it. No one likes being in limbo where you aren’t sure what’s going on, but you know where you are going. No one likes looking at the preview of their promise and wondering when they will get there. These are the feelings of transition.
Today, I want to encourage someone to keep pressing in their transition!!! Keep enjoying the process no matter how uncomfortable it gets. Remember this transition is not about you, but about those who are looking at you. You are the only manifestation of GOD they may see! This is about your legacy, your future, your next…DON’T FORFEIT IT!!!
Prayer: Daddy transition is not easy. It can be uncomfortable and stressful if we don’t allow You to guide us. Today we say guide us!!! Open our ears to your instructions. Open our minds to the thoughts that you have towards us. Remind us that your thoughts towards us are good and they have the outcome of your perfection. Open our eyes that we don’t see things in the natural but in the spirit. Let us see the manifestation of the prayer that the Prophet Elisha prayed for his servant in 2 Kings 6:17, where he said: “LORD open his eyes so he can see”. Daddy open our eyes so we can see. Let us see your hand of protection and provision on us. Let us see your wisdom, knowledge, and understand. Let us see that your plan is great than our process. Daddy, help us with our words. Help us speak the words that line up with your will, word, and way. Let us not get so frustrated in this transition that we forget the power of our tongue. That we speak life when we feel like death is trying to overtake us. We respond to situations and people with a soft answer. Daddy, be our Jehovah Shalom and let us experience your peace like never before. Be Jehovah Jierha so we can know that you will provide and meet our needs and wants. Daddy, we thank you that we will be the examples we need to be during this time of transition. In JESUS name AMEN!!!
The Stretch
11 May 2018 Leave a comment
in Courage, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daily Living, Equipped, Faith is..., Fearless, GOD Trust, My Position, New Beginnings, Oh My Soul, Open Heart, Relentless Faith, Soul Devotion, The Faith Process, The Reality, The Weight of Waiting, Trusting Daddy, Wise Words Tags: faith, Inspiration, Transparency
I know it’s been a while, but I have a good excuse… I’ve been stretching and the stretch has not been easy. So let me tell you what this looks like and why the stretch has been one for the record books. Last year I talked to Daddy about my next. I had a conversation about what to do now that I was finished with school and I was in a high leadership position. For a while, I didn’t hear anything. I keep praying and being silent, but nothing. One day an event at work happen and it causes me to really feel like it was time for me to go, I prayed and this time Daddy gave me an answer. He told me a date that I would need to turn in my resignation and where to go afterward. Now it was where he told me to go afterward that had me kind of shook. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. He said: “It’s time for you to trust me fully, and do what I have equipped you to do. It’s time that you go and do ministry at your church”. After hearing this I spoke with my pastors to see what we need to do, to get me set up for the transition. They were so excited and felt like this was the best time to do so. I, on the other hand, was feeling some kind of way, but I knew what GOD said so I was in an ” I trust GOD mindset”. So long story short I resigned from my job and working for my church full time as the senior pastor’s assistant and mental health consultant. I have taken a $1400 pay cut, but nothing in my house has lack… NOTHING!!!
I know you are wondering what is the stretch. The stretch is letting GOD be GOD. How can we name Him provider and not give me the opportunity to actually provide? How can we call Him healer and not allow Him to heal us? How can we say we have victory in Him, but never give Him the opportunity to win the wars and battles that life throws at us? This is the stretch… Letting Daddy be all he says he can, will, and has been. Allowing Him to be everything we need when we need it as we continue to be obedient to all his instructions.
Let me say this… THIS HAS NOT BEEN EASY!!! I have tried to get another job, sought out ways to earn extra income, make my own plans, but GOD has blocked and convicted me of it all. This stretch has really reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11 where Daddy says: “I know the plans I have for your life, plans to prosper you, not to harm you.” In this stretch, it doesn’t seem like the plan looks prosperous. It kind of feels like Daddy has brought me in the middle of the ocean and said now, swim. No direction, no guidance, only the action of doing what he said. Let me say this I thought that swimming in the ocean would be hard, but can I tell you I have been floating like a fish.
The stretch has taught 5 things… (If you don’t know I love the number 5, it’s the number of Grace):
1. Learn how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
2. The weight may seem unbearable, but the wait is worth the process.
3. Remind Daddy of his word and promises. Daddy sees your heart, but HE responses to his word. He said that his word will not return to him void, so speak what he already said and watch him work.
4. Stay focus. When you are being obedient you may feel like you need to explain yourself, but there’s not needed when you trust Daddy… Which brings me to number 5.
5. TRUST DADDY!!! When I tell you that Daddy has met needs before I even ask…He has. It can be as simple as lunch to money. I have never been a place where I’ve never seen His word manifest so quickly. But because I was obedient and I speak His word even in the midst of distractions, I have seen Him come through for me like never before.
Prayer: Father right now we thank you that you have already given us an example of the effects of what relentless faith looks like. We thank you that greatness is in us and though we may never see the whole promise we are grateful for the position to see pieces of the promise. We will pursue you like it is our last time, and seek your face over your hand. In the Name of JESUS… AMEN
The Perfect Goodbye
31 Dec 2017 Leave a comment
in Daddy and I, Encouragement, New Season, Speak to My Soul, Speaking Future, Thankful, The Beginning Tags: #2018, faith, new vision, Open, The perfect goodbye
Today Daddy is kinda hard but easy at the same time. Today I say goodbye to 2017 and welcome 2018 with open arms! Today I come to you, asking your help, in helping me create the perfect goodbye. I feel like 2017 was the roller coaster ride that everyone talked about, but did not expect to be so bad. I mean I started the year with a positive attitude, embracing all changes, taking in all the blessings, and then it hit me. The truth of the year hit me and I realize that this roller coaster ride was not for me. But no matter how much I scream to get off it seemed like it started getting longer and longer to the point I just rode it out. I see that 2017 did not meet my expectations. It created moments where I did not see the reality of your love for me. I even got to the point where I just wanted it all to end. I mean what was 2017 really suppose to be about? Was it suppose to cause me to doubt you, limit my love for you, cause me to feel this moment of selflessness???? Was it suppose to make me cry to the point that my tears became dry? Was it suppose to disappointment this much? What was 2017 supposed to do for me?
Daughter 2017 was the year I gave you to trust me the most. This year was not about success, favor, or even the blessings. This year was about us, our relationship, and who I am to you in the truth of your reality. I understand that you weren’t prepared for all of the consequences of 2017. Whoever is? Who is ever prepared for what they do not know about? Who is ever prepared for the imperfections of my perfect moments? Who is ever prepared for my perfected timing when you are expecting a different box or presentation? Daddy, no one. Right so daughter I will help you with your perfect goodbye because my ways are always perfect and my thoughts towards you are always good. I will help you say goodbye, but before we leave can I help you embrace the hellos of 2017. Ok, Daddy. Say hello to your boldness, your strength, your new faith, your hope, and courage to come out of your comfort zone. Say hello to the leadership, the pruning, the gains, the love, and the letting go. Say hello to the things you said yes to and the things that got you the moments you were hoping for. Say hello to the new level of my presence and the growth you got to experience. Daddy, I never saw it like that. Well, daughter, it is hard to see my vision out of flesh eyes, but know that there is nothing in 2017 that I created just to make your life a question mark. I created every to bring you to this moment of goodbye. So let’s say goodbye to looking back, lacking wisdom, not trusting me, and your broken vision. Let’s say goodbye to the insane decisions, the people that left you empty, and the disappointments of your own decisions. Let’s say goodbye to what they say, expect, or even wanted from you. Let’s say goodbye to the old you! This is my perfect goodbye for you. Daddy what a perfect goodbye it is. Daughter, I leave you with this… Become new in my son, and watch the old things pass away. (2Cor.5:17)
Prayer: Daddy help us to say goodbye to the things that we should not carry into 2018. Help us to embrace the tools produced in 2017, and let go of those things that we have held on for so long from the past years up until now. Let us not get caught in the resolutions of 2018 or the declarations that come with the new year, but let us get caught in your presence and wisdom. Let us grab hold to your word and make it part of our heart. Let us not get caught up in the process but stand firm in the promises of you. We live this life to please you and hold fast to the things you have called us to. Let us embrace the stretching, fall in love with your will, enjoy your love, hold on to your peace, and share your joy. Help us to remember we are made new in you through your son Christ Jesus, and that in him we can move forward. In Jesus Name. AMEN!
Declaration of A Daughter
27 Dec 2017 Leave a comment
in #FinishStrong, A cry, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daily Living, Oh My Soul, Open Heart, Trusting Daddy Tags: #finishstrong #newbeginnings, faith, Inspiration, Prayer, Vision
I speak wholeness in your life now… We will not wait until 2018…you will finish strong… You will face the dark, hidden, and broken place in your life with boldness and walk into your God given calling in his strength. No longer will you down play the greatness in you or settle just to be love. You will prepare for your king like a queen… You are Royalty….. You stand strong because of the intercessors that pray for you. Life will no longer be the same as of today!! It’s over… Depression is sent to a dry place no longer keeping you in silent isolation. Joy is your strength, peace is your portion, and love is your life. You will never have to want for anything for the father will, has, and shall supply your needs and you will call him Abba and he will answer yes Daughter… No longer will you wait for moments you will create them with your worship and record them with your praise… You will hear the songs that the Father sings over you and you longer feel unworthy of his love. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Chapter 35
26 Sep 2017 Leave a comment
in #Chapter35, Daddy and I, Daddy Daughter Faith, Daddy's Daughter Tags: faith, Love, moving forward, Open, Transparency, vindication
So this is going to be a different blog because I am writing this from a heart of frustration in the beginning. I know you, my readers are wonder what’s going on, what is so different about this blog. Well this blog is different because I am going to throw a great big pity party in the beginning then end it with what you are use to….A Daddy Daughter moment.
So let’s get to business shall we… Today I turn 35… I know some are wondering what’s the big deal. Well the big deal is at 35 this place that I am at in life is not where I thought I would be. Never thought I would be divorce, unmarried, no kids, lost and confused about my next steps, still learning to trust Daddy with the little things, and wonder where in the heck am I going to do now that all my career goals have been accomplished… So I think. Never would I have thought that I would feel like Daddy was not hearing me or leading me on, while just being found in another process. Process… Now that’s a word that keeps echoing in my spirit, ringing in my ear, and become the one thing I really don’t understand, the why behind. I feel like this process has been going on for the last 5 years and I still don’t understand when the end is coming. Or even if there is an end.. (If you are wondering if this is my pity party? The answer is simply yes. So pull you up a sit and get you something to drink because the turn up is about to get real) So here I am at Chapter 35 and I am thinking to myself… Really GOD this is it? This is the chapter of the middle of the road. I am 5 years into my 30’s and 5 years away from 40… and I have nothing but heartache to show for it. I am on my facebook page and on my timeline all I see is engagement, babies, wedding… EVERYTHING I have prayed for…. Oh and I haven’t just prayed cute prayers for these things, I have fast, rolled on the floor, cried my eyes out, tarried, went into tongues, shouted, and the list goes on and on. But yet the people that barely know you Daddy, or even want to know you…. Get it instantly. I mean they haven’t even said a Hello to you, they are the ones with my blessings… (Yep I am at the feed up part of the pity party… just in cause you were wonder) But in all my pity and before the party really gets turnt up… I hear Daddy say this…
Look up the number 35 and tell me what it means in my biblical meaning. I am obedient even in my anger and pity… Yep I am angry because I feel like I have done enough to at least feel like Daddy is working on something, yet I feel nothing. I look up the biblical meaning of 35 and you know what it says. Vindication. The number 35 means vindication, but it doesn’t stop there it. It means to gain hope, confidence, and trust. UGH!!!! Daddy just mess me all the way up. Then Daddy speaks:
“Daughter you think that in the last 5 years I have been silently listen to you pour out your heart with tears in your eyes while you pour out your soul all at the same time. Do you think I enjoy your pity parties, your doubt in me because I am not moving in your timing? Do you think I would forsake my word that says that I will never leave you or forsake you to make a point? Do you think that’s the kind of GOD I am….matter of fact do you think that’s the kind of Daddy I am?” and with tears in my eyes and my voice shaky I say no. Then he poured out this revelation on why chapter 35 is hard for me to accept. Now please for those that are 35 or about to be, this revelation is deep and will cause you to really look at Chapter 35 a different way. For those that aren’t in Chapter 35 yet or surpassed it, trust this revelation will still hit home.
“The reason daughter you find it hard to accept Chapter 35 is because you find it hard to believe I will truly vindicate all those that have done your wrong, devalued you, mistreated you, used you, and abused you.You think I forgot how you poured your heart out about the hurt they cause, and though you have forgiven them, the scares still sometimes hurt to look at. You think I haven’t felt your rejection. persecution, or disappointment? You think I did not see how it tore your heart into to watch them leave you in your most vulnerable place just so they can be happy, with the disregard of your feelings? You didn’t think I saw how the enemy took pleasure and using your anger, against you? You think I didn’t see how the enemy tried to rip you out my arm, make you feel like I didn’t love you, or I wasn’t there when the hurt become to much for you to bare? When you wanted to end it all because it was too much for you to deal with, for your comprehend, and too much for you to give? I was there looking and watching it all take place. It hurt me really bad to see you like that. But it was in those moments that I need you to grow, to mature, to trust me, to love, to have hope in me and realize that I got your back. It was in those moments that I sat up in my seat waiting for you to response so that I may get the glory. And daughter there were moments that you failed, but there were also moments where you succeed. In those moments of success is where my glory made a way for your story to be so much greater. It’s time that you let me restore. It’s time that you trust me and have confident in this one thing….You will see my goodness. You will experience my joy… I have not forgotten about you. You are still worth the work of the cross… you are still worth the breath that I breathe into your lungs everyday. You are worth more to me than the life I created in you. You are the apple of my eye and you are wonderfully made in my image and there is nothing you or anyone on this earth I made that can take away that value. So please gather the decorations from your pity party and throw them in the trash, for I am your Daddy and you are so ready for your vindication.”
Now this message may seem personal and to a certain point it is, but know that it is also meant as a reminder that you are worth it all. Everything Daddy has for you is worth your wait, time, and trust in HIM. Never allow your timing to become a weight on your waiting that you miss your moment to experience GOD’s glory.
Prayer: Daddy you are more than life to us. There are not enough words in our vocabulary that can express the gratitude of our hearts. You give us freedom when we are bound by sin, you give us life when death had the right to call us his, and you give us joy when we abused your grace. Thank you Daddy for always giving us another change to get right. For us to throw away our pity party decorations and put on the gladness of your joy, the full armor of you for war, and your peace that surpasses our understanding. Thank you for your perfect timing and the ability to give us the desire of our hearts, because we live in your heart desires. In Jesus Name…AMEN

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