Spilled Milk

Goood morning!!

I would say that the writing bug has returned, but I do not think that is true. However, this post has my heart racing and mind going crazy! My poor fingers can hardly stroke the keys fast enough because my nails keep getting caught in between the keys! 

This is joy!

This is peace!

This is freedom!

Maybe this is purpose! 

I have started five different blog posts, this year. Nothing was published. 

Fear will do that do you!

"Spilled Milk" is what I'll call this one because in a way, the other four posts with this one may very well be some milk I spilled along the way and I'm finally cleaning it up before the new year!

What a time to be alive, wouldn't you say?

I am thanking God for every blink of my eyes, every breath that I inhale and exhale without assistance; for the orchestrated flow of my blood through my veins and arteries; for the steps and missteps that I've taken, and for the oceans of tears that I've cried throughout this year.

My last post was published on January 3 of this year and it was entitled, "Let Pain be Gracious." I am thankful for that post now more than ever!

The lessons and the blessings that rained down on me this year have brought me to my knees in praise night after night because I know what Dawn Staley meant when she tearfully proclaimed, "Uncommon favor!"

Do you remember the saying, "There's no use crying over spilled milk!" Yeah... that's what I've been thinking about as I close out 2024 with the rest of you.

All of the milk that I spilled, the milk that was splashed on me, and even the milk that others knocked over for me to clean up. Not just this year, but throughout my life. 

"Spilled milk" as a metaphor for life means to me that the mistakes that I've made both consciously and unconsciously, the decisions that delayed God's plans in my life, the hurt and betrayals that I've felt are all just... SPILLED MILK. They've happened and by the grace of God, I'm still living to fight another day and to quite frankly, spill and clean up more milk!

There's NO use crying over it. Forgive yourself, forgive others, and move on... or don't! 

This is not to say that I do not care about the hurt that I've caused others, but I am over feeling guilty for what I cannot change especially after an apology. The rest is up to you, Darling! 

I do not harbor any anger or resentment towards those who have wronged me because life goes on! I made the conscious effort time and time again to forgive those who weren't even sorry; never uttered an "I'm sorry" or "I apologize," never showing an ounce of remorse or regret; taking no accountability for the hurt they've caused. And while I know that it isn't ok, I AM fine. 

Better than "fine," in fact. I haven't lost or missed a meal, a bill, a shoe, an opportunity, a blessing, a friend, etc. 

Sounds like a fair trade to me! 

We may have the freedom of speech and the freedom to live as we please, BUT we are not free from the responsibilities that may come with those aforementioned freedoms.

If someone says that you hurt their feelings, then please do not say to them that you didn't. It is their feelings and whether your intention was to hurt them or not, you did because they said you did, so acknowledge what you did that was wrong or inappropriate then make an attempt to offer them some type reassurance. 

Now, they still have their choices to accept, forgive, and move on- clean up the spill. Or leave it there to spoil. Either way, do not allow someone's inability OR their refusal to forgive you make you doubt yourself! Forgiveness is personal and you don't need anybody's permission to move on even if they won't. 

I remember reading a quote a long time ago saying something about anger; it's like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. 

So, it is imperative that we begin to understand the role we play in our suffering; we are our own consequences!

SPILLED MILK!

How much milk have you spilled in the last day... week... month... year? Think about the grace that you wanted granted unto you during those times. 

How much milk have you cleaned up in the last day... week... month... year? Think about how that felt to you. Cleaner, healthier maybe? Anger or resentment?

While for most of us, "It's the principle of the matter."-Or the milk itself. We let the milk sit there and spoil and smell because we cannot begin to fathom this hurt or betrayal from someone we love. We stare at that milk and let the odor invade our nostrils until we are nauseous. We even invite others over to look at the spilled milk so that they can side with us... smell the funk of the hurt... see the pain of milk splattered all over our floors and countertops; 

For others, it could be as simple as it's no use crying over that circumstance or situation. It's happened and now we either gotta pivot and take a new direction or clean it up and restart again. 

Maybe it's neither one. Or a little bit of both, perhaps? "Depends on the situation," right? Or the size of the mess, I understand that.  

Some could even be the manipulators; using our tears and one-sided stories to get others to help us clean up our messes... slowly creeping out and allowing other to take the fall and to accept full responsibility for our actions while we get away clean and dry. Careful now! Manipulators tend to multiply their messes, where it should have been one person involved, now there's families and generations affected because of that selfish act. 

Enablers are just as messy! How do you expect your child to seek counsel from God when you're always swooping in to save them? How does your child learn how to accept responsibility for their actions and to apologize if you say that they're never wrong? Be careful feeling guilty for splashing milk on your children and being so quick to clean them off. 

Regardless of which category you seem to fit in, you MUST acknowledge the milk. Whether you spilled it or someone else spilled it or maybe you could have gotten splashed by someone else's milk like children often do when parents divorce. 

There are blessings in that milk! In the Bible, milk is a symbol of abundance. Wasn't there a land somewhere flowing with milk and honey?? I do believe Moses had a mission from God in Exodus chapter 3. 

I know I've cried more times than I care to admit over spilled milk. But now I'm thinking back and shaking my head at the time I wasted when I could have just cleaned up the mess and moved on with my life. Maybe the saying is true, "there's no use crying over spilled milk;" however, it is NOT my right to judge those who do. 

My prayer for us all in the new year is to have the strength and patience to clean up our spills, the courage to forgive those who splash us with theirs, and extend grace to those who spill our milk.

I have written 21, this is my 22nd blog post without walls with pure intentions of inspiration and laughter for almost five years and I'm thankful every single day to those who have shared, commented, and even just visited my page for the views! 

I had no idea what I was thinking in February of 2020 when I began this blog, but I'll tell you one thing, spilled milk has been one of the most rewarding blessings in my life because there are lessons to be learned during the cleaning process especially if there's a huge spill! 

We are all going through something, I just pray that my posts have shown you that you are not alone in your thoughts or your feelings. 

It's time to clean up our messes!

Grab a bucket and a mop, some paper towels and disinfectant, so we can bring in the new year with a clean slate, a clean heart, a clear mind, and a strong foundation. 

There is redemption.

There is redirection.

There is a renewed heart and mind.

And one last piece of advice before I go, do NOT cling to a mistake just because it took you some time to make it, ok? The milk is already spilled, so now what are you gonna do?

Without further adieu,

It IS a pleasure to meet you!