“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Romans 12: 6

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I am so excited to be back! A lot has happened in my life these last three months, with the most awesome event being that I graduated law school last Monday!  It’s been a whirlwind of events and activities, so I didn’t truly process it all until yesterday. It’s hit me- I graduated with my little girl right by my side! When I tell you my daughter and I went THROUGH some things…man. I once saw a quote on Pinterest (one of my favorite social media platforms!) that said “The days are long but the years are short.” What a perfect way to sum up these last three years! God truly brought me and my daughter through so much to graduation day on May 9, 2016. Many people have felt encouraged by my journey,  and for that I am so thankful. I am absolutely astounded by God- He took a single mother who was nothing extraordinary, redeemed me, and then showed off His amazing love and grace on me. Not only that, but I have a loving and supportive family and a good community here in Atlanta. Many people have a lot of questions, as well. The number one question I have gotten so far is:

How did you get through law school as a single mother?

My response is nearly always this:

He graced me.

His grace. It leaves me speechless every time I stop and meditate on it. Grace is God’s free and undeserved favor for us- sinful, imperfect, messy us. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible explains that grace indicates favor on the part of the giver and thanks on the part of the receiver. So, it’s safe to say that grace is a two-way flow between you and God: He gives you unmerited favor and does this amazing work in your heart, and that work and favor is reflected in the life of the believer, leaving them thankful. Romans 12:4-6 states “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have all the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all others.We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.” Ephesians 4:7 says “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Romans and Ephesians teaches us that every believer in Christ should be working together as one body, and we all have our special part to play in that body. You have a special God-given gift that is essential to the body of Christ. He has a calling, a purpose, for your life, and He will grace you and equip you for whatever it is he has called you to do. The key phrase there is “called you to do.” This means God told you to do something. So…

What did God tell you to do?

Whatever it is, do it. Be obedient unto Him. This isn’t about what mama and them said, what your friends think, or what your neighbors did. We cannot be so wrapped up in what people think  or held hostage by our own doubts and fears that we become disobedient to God. And let’s dispel a myth real quick:

You cannot take a degree to heaven, but a degree may be the thing God is telling you to pursue while here on earth.

I have seen people throw shade on college graduates by saying, “A degree don’t make you nobody!” You guys, stop it. Yes, I agree, we cannot take a degree to Heaven and no, our worth does not come from getting a college education or, in my case, a law degree. Let’s not use our jealousies to discourage others from doing something God told them to do. Getting a degree doesn’t make you worldly, an unrepentant heart does. God may very well want someone to be a counselor- that requires schooling in a lot of instances. God may very well want someone to be a doctor- that certainly requires schooling. The thing is this: don’t go chasing a degree because it’s the thing to do, because you think you’ll make more money, because of status, or whatever else. Take whatever picture you have in your head of your perfect life and lay it down at God’s feet. Ask Him what is your will for my life? What will my journey be to bring YOU glory, not me?

If God says go to school, you better go to school.

So, what will your journey be? As my friend Heather always says, “What’s on the other side of your obedience is more than you can imagine.” Law school was my journey to get closer to God. He called me to do this, and when I took Him at His word and decided to follow him wholeheartedly, God delivered.Going to law school provided more than a law degree, but it was journey that caused me to trust God with my whole life. He has shown Himself trustworthy. He brought peace. He gave me joy in spite of the bills, the issues with my child’s father, the grades, you name it. It was experiencing God firsthand by hearing Him speak. It was experiencing true love, which is God’s love. In terms of non-eternal things it was a J.D., a sweet little girl, and a good man. God took me and counted me as righteous even after I messed up so bad. He redeemed me not by a degree or a boyfriend, but by Jesus’s amazing act of love on the Cross.

He then took my mess and made something beautiful out of it.

So what’s on the other side of your obedience? What has God called you to do? If it’s in your own strength, you will have no grace and God is not in it. But if God said do it, then do it. Don’t worry about the fact that you have a baby/babies. Don’t worry about the fact that you are older and haven’t been in school in years. Don’t worry about this issue or that.

If God said do it, then do it. 

And what’s on the other side of your obedience is better than anything you can imagine- not only peace in your life right now but to be with our King for eternity.

This walk is not easy, but it is worth it. Even if I didn’t get to be a lawyer (after the passing the bar, I am not licensed yet!) or have a boyfriend, I would still say the Christian walk is so worth it.

Law school was part of His plan for me, so what is His plan for you? Walk in your purpose.

I am 69 days out from the bar exam as of today, so I ask that you pray for me- that I may not grow weary, anxious, or doubtful.

He has graced you, and me, for this.

Love,

Melonie