Covid-19, The Journal that prayed and being an Essential Worker

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

2020 is turning out to be quite a year. In light of it all, allow me to reflect on what I've been up to in my absence from the blog.

1.) I began a prayer journal that documents my own personal recount of the virus pandemic when the first wave of stay at home orders were issued here in Tallahassee, Florida. I began my first journal (I`m on my second now) in early March. Not even a few weeks later, A large portion of public places began to close early or close to the public completely as a precaution and orders issued by the CDC. Schools, restaurants and other places of social gatherings closed their doors in hopes of returning to some form of normality later in the year. However, it is now June and although States have gradually begin reopening everything, some argue that it is too early and endangers the life of too many civilians as the death toll and those being infected by the virus rise daily by the thousands.

Since I had no initial access to my site via a computer and our own home computer had not been set up (Nor did we have internet), I used that time to root myself in prayer and take some real, sincere moments to talk to God. While I had silenced myself on the blog, I re-birthed my beauty videos on Saturdays as well as revive my other social media panels. I began designing a new logo for my art business and through prayer, reinvented myself completely for a higher calling which brings me to

2.) Etches and Crylics is no more. This pandemic has been a real eye opener for me in the process of my spiritual awakening and continues to do so. I began to call into question my motives for EVERYTHING, why do I paint or draw, why do I partake in the beauty arena and skincare, why do I teach? Then I remembered a verse and a special moment shared with my students during our bible lessons:

1 Corinthians 10:31

"Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God."

I can't forget the person responsible for me being capable of doing what I do. When I recalled that scripture, it also reminded me of a conversation I had with my students in regards to it. Now, my students are fairly young, however they have shown me in one way or another that I don't always have the right answers and that things are a lot simpler than I make them so I can communicate with them on a different level than most would be comfortable with. I try to explain scripture in a way they can grasp and so I said:

"When God made us, he gave each of us a special gift. These gifts are very special because he's the only one who can give them to us. They are also very special because they are given to us to be used for him. Some of us are great painters or really good at drawing, some of us are great spellers, some of us are better at building block castles, some of us are great at playing soccer or really fast runners, God gave each of us a "gift", something we do different and over time, slightly better than most, you may hear some grown ups call these gifts "Talents". God-given abilities are meant for God given purpose. Do everything you're good at as if you are doing it for him BECAUSE he gave it to you."

Thus, I spent a few days in deep meditation and prayer to produce: JCreations by JCR8S, however it wasn't enough, I needed something else, JCR8S was a new creature and I needed her to have more of a divine element that was driven by a REAL spiritual encounter with the holy spirit. I joined bible lessons more diligently with my father in his live "Read your Bible hour" segments on Facebook as a listener and assistant.

I remember having a discussion with my father where I had persuaded him to have an impromptu bible study session with me. We began in Genesis, he emphasized on God as creator and it rest with me and therein awaited my first confirmation from the spirit: my connection was REAL and my relationship with Christ began when I identified him through my claim to be a creator. When I realized myself as a creation of THE creator, he had been welcomed into my heart and what better basis to be inspired from, With that in mind and heart, I looked for other scriptures that emphasized God as being creator and came upon

Colossians 1:16

" For by him, all things were created, in heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through and for him."

I wanted that, that link and connection, that sincere bond to the master of all creations, this scripture would be why I did everything because now I know and recognize him as the very reason I can do anything at all. I said "I want to create, but this time for you Lord. Hence Colossians 1:16 and "Live to Create" became my new slogans for my resurrected life, business and much more.

In the midst of this, I also created a logo for this site! (fanfare), something that has been in the making for quite a while but never put into effect. I have further plans for the site in terms of merchandise and promotions which brings me into

3.) The way I'll be conducting business in light of my spiritual 360, to work in the spirit more and less in the flesh and do so in the most sincere of ways: Introducing free will marketing. Some would argue this as Trade and or bargaining which is an old and outdated system of goods and services but the principle of it all is a ground element to what I am hoping to achieve: a fair and just means of purchasing a good or service that requires human conversation above currency. I only refer to it as "Free-will" purchasing because it enables customers with a choice of preferred payment and helps the producer develop inventory without always having to come out of pocket. In my shop/Gallery, customers will be given the unique opportunity of choosing the price of the painting they wish to purchase or offer a means of fair trade that isn't food, animals or weapons.

I have not began testing this strategy yet as I would like to come up with a list of Items that are appropriate for trade in exchange for certain items and items of particular interests (for example: I'm a huge fan of crystals and precious stones)

I also have a backstory for this one!: I had one of my new mentors in Christ to question my intentions of business when it came to selling my art. Something I took into deep consideration as to not be offended by well placed guidance by an elder in the faith I am a novice in. It made me think "Will I be seen as someone trying to SELL faith? by including Christ and Inspiration of Christ in what I do, will it be misconceived as trying to SELL God?", there were merchants in the bible who sold and traded their goods in a holy temple and it upset Jesus (Matthew 21:12) it dawned on me that the very objective of using my gifts in the name of the father should not be used in an ill manner and that I must be mindful of how I conduct business if I desire God to be apart of it. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice, the grandest price anyone could pay for the sake of the world, he gave his life for the soul of man that we may have a chance at redemption and to live forever with him (John 3:16). No one should have to "buy" something that has already been paid for, my objective is to SHARE his word and inspirations, to share my testimonies. Therefore my work comes without prices set in place and there are free gifts available for anyone who desires them, customers can be assured not to leave empty handed, as my heart has been filled with much that I can give and I am thankful for the opportunity.

4.) In the wake of Covid-19, I was and am an essential day care worker. Of course, a lot of the way we manage our every day routines have called for placed restrictions and precautions which were to be expected if we were to remain open. All done for the safety and well being of our administration, teachers, students and parents. Right now, most of the children in our care are those of front liners and first responders or those who have not the luxury to stay home from work. I am a proud teacher, who is honored to serve her community in whatever way she can, in spite of fears and objections I may have had prior to.

I needed to step back and really humble myself and understand that whereas you have people waking up without their jobs, who don't know where or how they are going to get their next meal or how they'll be able to pay bills that are NOT affected by covid-19, there are people who don't know when their next break will come and will be able to have the slightest bit of peace in their lives again and recognize that I am not one of these people. I am a highly blessed individual who's privileged to be at the service of those who need me in a time so critical.

5.) I mentioned in a "Get ready with me"that 2020 has proven itself to be a year of spiritual alignment, the children of God are being encouraged to have their vision recommitted to the sight of his true purpose in all their lives and a lot of us have begun to wake up in ways we have not been before, at a time where our attention to the holy spirit is needed the most, to understand that we are simply vessels of a whole being and operating under a spirit. The golden question should be: which spirit am I operating under: good or evil? that must be held into account to the upmost degree.

I conclude this entry with a message of the serenity prayer, in hopes that it rests and resides with members of the body of Christ and in your hearts today:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change,

the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the

difference."

Also I'd like to open the floor to conversation: what has life for you been like in the midst of this pandemic? how are you REALLY doing right now? you may send me a private message or comment below!

And of course, as always: "For the love of life and literature, stay prayerful, stay positive and write on."