What I Learned in One Year

Well, it has officially been one year since the launch of Weather in April, and what an experience it has been!

It truly is amazing how God works. In the beginning of my diagnosis, I felt like the last person on earth. Little did I know what world was really out there – a world of others who feel what I feel. See what I see. Experience the same life I do but only with a different lens.

It is almost as though I have learned more in this past year than I have throughout this entire sickness. And I don’t think that would be the case had I not started this outreach. As it turns out, my goal of trying to help others has ultimately helped me as well.

I’ve grown. I’ve healed. I’ve become educated on many things that I never even knew were possible. But most importantly, I’ve gained countless life lessons.

So may I present to you just five of the many things that I learned through one year of Weather in April:

1.) It’s not about the numbers.

Oftentimes, we tend to measure success over quantity. How many people are we attracting? How many followers do we have?

I’ll be honest. I was very discouraged in the beginning to find out that Weather in April was slow to progress. I was disappointed to find out how few of my close loved ones actually read what I wrote, much less even liked a post. I was surprised that I was not watching numbers climb and multiply or reach the thousands like so many others had.

What was I doing wrong? Was God trying to prevent my ego from being destroyed? Was this my test to resist selling out?

But the old saying remains true: quality over quantity. Don’t focus on the numbers. Focus on the material – the purpose.

Are you doing all that God has called you to do? Then that is all that matters. We are merely vessels, and like Abraham, we may never see the end of what God has planned.

We tend to be so obsessed over how many pages are in the book. But perhaps you were not called to write the entire book but rather called as the one to begin the first chapter. Focus on the calling God has given you and allow God to handle the rest.

2.) Don’t try to limit God.

Trust me, when God is ready to speak through you, you better move. If you hesitate, He may very well pass the torch on to someone else. And if you resist, there may be repercussions. You may notice things not going as smoothly as they were before. You may feel yourself tripping up or hitting dry spells. Or worse.

Too often I hesitated on a post based off of not having the proper image to match my theme. Or maybe I didn’t share a video of what God wanted me to say because I didn’t feel comfortable. And guess what, I lost it. The words, the message, the joy and passion, all gone.

So when God has determined the fruit is ready for picking, do not let it overripen, or you may soon find it rotted away.

3.) Prepare for battle.

Here’s the catch when you choose to fulfill God’s purpose for your life: the devil gets mad. This should come as no surprise.

Ever notice how those in sin often tend to be left alone? Why would the devil need to mess with them when he already has them? But what happens when you do something for God? The devil has to fight to stop you.

He’s going to throw hurdles at you. He’s going to try to ruin your life, tempt you, distract you. Remember, he tried the same with Job and even with the Son of God Himself.

As the scripture states, we don’t always fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and the powers of darkness.

Focus on God. Resist the devil, and he will flee.

4.) One person’s negativity will never override one person’s benefit.

There is always going to be someone who doesn’t agree with you. Sometimes, it can even come from those closest to us. Other times from some random stranger debating on the internet.

Don’t let one person’s negative comment discourage you from doing what God called you to do.

Again, you are a vessel. If you are acting on God’s Will, then that person is not for you to handle. Keep things in peace, pray for them, pray for yourself, and move on. Give the situation to God. You may not be here for them. They may simply be another one of the devil’s trips. After all, the enemy loves division.

So instead of getting caught up in discord, focus on the mission. There will always be that one person out there who God is trying to reach through you. You may be the only bit of Jesus some people see. And if you are too discouraged by that one negative commentator, you may miss them.

Keep spreading that hope!

5.) Just get it on the plate.

Ever watch cooking competitions on tv? What is the only thing that matters in the end? That their ingredients are on the plate.

Don’t spend all your time on perfection. We are not perfect, therefore our work will not be perfect. Our work can always be better. But the internet world is endless, and your platform is yours to do with whatever you please. I promise, there will be other opportunities to incorporate what you want.

So if you know that your post has to come out anyway, just hit publish. (Remember, fruit only stays ripe for so long).

Ultimately, don’t worry about the rules of perfection and fitting in. Just be who God called you to be.