A few weeks ago, as I was driving home, I stopped at a restaurant to pick up and order. The place was packed with many customers. One of them looked particularly nice and smiled at me. I smiled back and nodded. He introduced himself as Mario and explained that he had ordered a dish of BBQ chicken, with fried plantains. He asked me what I wanted to eat for supper and I told him that I had called-in my order for broiled fish and a dish of tomato rice.
Always make sure you receive what you ask for
As we were talking about the quality of the food served and the treat that it is not to have to cook from time to time, the cashier came out of the kitchen with Mario’s order. Before he paid for his order, Mario asked if the chicken had been cut into small piece as he had requested on the telephone when he placed the order. Indeed, the cashier informed Mario that the chicken was whole and offered to take it back to the kitchen to have it cut. When he left, Mario turned to me and said: Always make sure you receive what you ask for. I responded that I agreed and that it was also important to ask for what we pay for.
Would you be happy with any job?
Then, I inquired:
—What do you do for a living?
—I am currently looking for a job actually
—Really? In what area and what type of work would you like to have?
—Oh, any job would do?
—Really? You don’t mean that! Didn’t you just tell me that we should make sure we receive what we ask for? Would you be happy with “any” job?
He realized that he was in disharmony with his previous actions and statement. He laughed and said:
—You are sharp!
—I am a Life Coach: I listen when people speak.
After a few minutes, I went on to explain that God had plans for him, plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him hope and a future. He said:
—A Life Coach and a Pastor! My luck!
I laughed and said that I was not a pastor, just a person who loved God and looked for opportunities to spread his Word, to bring faith, hope and love around me. He continued:
—I know that you are right. In fact, I do not want just any job. What I am hoping for is a good job.
—Excellent! Do you want to be paid hourly or annually?
—Annually of course! I would like to have good benefits, access dental and medical plans, as well as be reimbursed for medications.
—We are getting somewhere! How about your team and your boss? Would you like them to be collaborative and help you succeed?
—Yes, I would like to work in a positive environment where I feel supported as I add value and contribute to the best of my abilities.
—See! You want the best! Your desire is in harmony with God’s desire for your life. How do you feel?
Intentional Thoughts bring us better experiences
Evidently, I could see how this short conversation lit his face with an even bigger smile. He was glowing at the perspective of the position that he had just dream up. I continued:
—By thinking intentionally about your job, and because we are talking about it, you just addressed a new prayer to God. I join with you to believe that you will soon receive a phone call offering you the position that you want and deserve, in Jesus’ name.
At that point, the cashier came back with Mario’s chicken, cut into pieces as requested. He thanked me for the quick coaching session and prayer. I gave him my business card and he left. I hope to hear from him one day with the good news. When my broiled fish order was ready, I also paid and drove home.
Thoughts shape destiny
On my way, I thanked God for giving me too a reminder to be focused and clear in my desires. I remembered a chapter of my book “Quietude Conversation” which is currently being translated into English. In the book I highlight what Gandhi said about thoughts becoming destiny:
Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
just like most of us, I know that I am on my way to fully seeing myself as God sees me. However, I am committed to nurturing thoughts that are in alignment with his Word. I would like to reach a point where I constantly improve my mindset and build up my self-esteem. I am striving to nurture and foster thoughts that are to my advantage rather than against me.
Cultivating inspired thoughts
In order to achieve this goal, I learn to cultivate the Word of God and listen to his voice. I also recognize the voice of the enemy when he accuses me and I immediately reject it by saying out loud: Liar! Get out of my head. Above all, I try to replace untrue thoughts by the truth of God’s Word. To do so in a regular basis, I created reminder cards that I read out loud for twenty-one days in order to reprogram myself. Here are a few examples of I am statements:
- Jesus’s friend and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
- The dwelling place of God. I am blessed.
- Wise with Christ, strong with Christ and honored everywhere.
- A letter of Christ, written with the Spirit of the living God.
- A new creature. I am wonderful.
I know the process won’t happen with the wave of a magic wand. But I also know that I trust God: what he started in me, he will make it perfect. That’s why I learn to believe that I was indeed wonderfully made, because he made me. Being right her on earth, I want to accomplish everything that God has in his wonderful plans for me. I will achieve it with his help, discernment and favor, by staying in harmony with His Word. How about you? Where do you stand with God’s plans to prosper you, give you hope and a future? Please let me know.
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