This morning as all the last minute things are being packed away and business is being handled, I am quite reflective on the last 7 years I've lived in the Detroit area.
I was scheduled to move to L.A. when I ministered at a church in Columbus where I used to be the co-minister of music as well as the !st lady's armorbearer. Although I was very comfortable there, I felt the strangest anointing that night. I'd been leading praise and worship for about 2 years, and been through so much in my personal life that I had no choice but to know God in a much more personal way than before.
I remember that night like it was yesterday. The concert consisted of praise and worship, a all male group called PROVEN, us (Latter Rain), Jonathan Dunn (or J.D. as most of us referred to him as) and Mitchell Jones as the headliner. I'd be lying if I told you I remembered much else after we ministered. When I watch the video I 'm amazed at how much of that night is a blur. God used us in such a mighty way and I began to sing prophetically and prophesy as the spirit of worship filled the house. Once off the stage a wind of praise swept through the sanctuary and we danced and ran and shouted until worship came once again. It was an incredible encounter with Gods presence.
I remember not being able to shake the feeling that something had changed. To my surprise a young man met in the hallway and said he was so excited to go back and tell his pastor and 1st lady about my ministry. He began to prophesy to me about what God had called me to do, etc, and ended by saying something along the lines of "and the moment your feet touch L.A. you will prosper."
In my mind I thought that was my sure sign that the things I was waiting to fall in place for my move to California would, and Id be on my way as planned 2 weeks later.
The following week I found myself on a plane to Detroit to minister @ a place called Great Faith Minisitries. I had only heard the pastors name in passing, didnt know much about the church, and was only going for the ministry opportunity. I felt an urgency actually to accept the invitation to come and minister. As the plane was cleared for landing the pilot said, "we are now making our final descent into Detroit".....and as his voice trailed off I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me, "You're moving to Detroit." My heart began to race. My palms were sweaty, and I was immediately uncomfortable. There was a relationship in California I was in personally, and business wise there were music opportunities that Id already given my word to be a part of. I remember tears began to stream down my face and I whispered, "NO". Again the Holy Spirit nudged me. By the time the plane landed I was in all out tears. I'd been to Detroit many times before and hated it. So I told God; "IF this is where you want me, I need these 3 things." 3 days later those things were in place, and a week later I moved to Detroit to work in a church I knew nothing about, and for 2 leaders I knew nothing about. I had experienced some SERIOUS church hurt within leadership just the year before; so to make this type of decision and submit to the vision of leaders I didnt know was a big deal.
I cried EVERY SINGLE DAY for at least a month. Everything in Detroit was foreign to me. The people. The way they did things. The place I lived. I cried daily, but I knew I was in Gods will.
From the moment I said YES to moving to Detroit, I was in Gods favor. I was here less than a month when I started singing with Deitrick Haddon not only as a part of VOU, but traveling as a background artist. I was here less than 2 months when I met and sang with Twinkie Clark and she told me there was something unique and different not only about my voice by the anointing on my life. I was here less than a year when I started singing for Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole as a background vocalist. I was here less than 3 years when I got married to my husband. I could go on and on about the blessings that overtook me and the many things I learned under Bishop and Dr. Beverly. Detroit changed my life. Detroit made me realize that just because its Gods will doesnt mean its always easy. Gods will sometimes means pressure, tears, sacrifice. But in the end it makes for a better you, and a better understanding of God.
Yesterday as I was showering, the Lord reminded me that he brought me to Detroit, and just as it has been spoken to me and my husband numerous times California is not only His will, but favor will meet us there. But what I hadnt realized is that when I came to Detroit; I was single. I was young. I was bullheaded. Im still young, and even a bit bullheaded, but now Im married. And because of the honor God places on marriage; the favor we are about to experience is even of a different quality and level than that which I experienced when I came to Detroit. Now Im married with children and Ive passed a few tests I hadnt been through before.
This transition to California has NOT been easy. We have been tested on every hand. At times we could have easily thrown in the towel. But this one thing never changed. GOD SAID IT! So if He said it; He means it whether its easy or hard.
Today I am excited about this new ministry opportunity. At night I see glimpses of faces Ive never seen, I hear music I ve never heard, and I know there are great things in store for us. But Im also very sober. realizing it will not be easy to transition at such a pivotal time in our lives. Im 4-6 weeks from having a baby girl with a dr I dont know. I'll be off my feet for at least 6 weeks afterwards b/c of the c section. I wont be surrounded by family like I was when I had my son, and I didnt have to cook or could always count on someone coming over the first few weeks to give me at least an hour to myself. Musically, although Im confident in the gifting God has given both my husband and I; Ive realized we're different. We're not the normal psalmist and minstrel. We love classical music. We love CCM over gospel. We are perfectionists. We dont have to be with the "in crowd" and almost prefer to be somewhat isolated.
Its not going to be easy and Ill probably cry for a month like I did when I moved to Detroit. But there is no place better and safer than being in Gods will. Even now with the uncertainty of where we're living, my rest, my peace and my confidence is in God.
7 years + completion.
Detroit; you have been a place where i can look back in life and say I grew. I was tested. I was lost. I was found. I was blessed. I was let down. I was misunderstood. I was changed. I was favored. I was celebrated. I was MADE.
Here's to 7 years! ITs been worth it.
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