About the Author

Lucretia is a wife, mom of three, and a TEDx and Q Ideas speaker (Charlotte, NC, 2017). As a former college professor, she designed the popular ‘beginners’ course and study guide, What LIES Between Us: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing. She is the creator and director of the Brownicity.com...

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. When I was rejected in my past, I used to think … “what’s wrong with me?” Now I see it as God’s protection from a path that was not meant for me to go! ❤️

    • Hi Lisa!
      I believe so! God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace. Sometimes, the peace walk is more challenging that other’s.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  2. My parents weren’t as succinct as your dad but they taught us that same truth. When those disappointing rejections come not only do I get to lean into the hope & expectation of something better for me, I get to experience God as the Comforter too walking with me thru the pain of disappointment. I like your dad’s eloquence! Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

    • Isn’t that the truth, Ruth!! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself 😉

      God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  3. As a family we’ve had many transitions in the past 10years.
    Some absolutely painful but God in His mercy hasn’t left us! He leads even when we can see…
    As your Dad said whatever is meant for you…will be in your life! In every case we can see his Hand because of trusting His heart is “For us”! I shared with my husband & 3 guys! My oldest in college has had aggressive treatment for Crohns past 3 years, My middle wanted to go off to college this fall… but because he chose to wait on the Lord He is currently serving with my cousin in Alaska rebuilding his home after it had burned down! God is good!
    And my husband who is “phasing out of a PT ministry role” as he works bivocationally
    Aiming to return to full time ministry! I’m returning to work after almost 20 years of raising my kids and ministry!
    Seasons are meant for change thankfully we have a loving father who not only guides but provides!! I’m counting on Him to close the doors not meant for me…to let me be aware of Where and when I will bloom!
    Appreciate your very well written article and the encouragement I received from it! Sister hang in there God will make a way!

    • BB, my youngest daughter has Crohn’s disease. She, too, had aggressive treatment during her college years. She finished school to become an R.N. and has a wonderful husband and sweet 5 year old daughter. Her health is not perfect, but she has a very good life. God is good. All the time. Blessings to you and your family!

    • BB, I am so glad to know this about God: where there is vision, there is provision!!!

      God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace, knowing God is faithful.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  4. So beautifully written. I needed this message. It encouraged me in so many ways, Thank You!

  5. Every obstacle in our lives has so many more blessings than we could ever imagine
    God is good All the time!

    • Dova!
      ALL THE TIME!!!

      God has a plan, and has our backs. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace. It’s all good!

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  6. Lucretia, I have seen this principle operating in my life and in the lives of those around me. Thank you for sharing your story.

  7. Lucretia,

    Your dad’s wisdom is relevant for everyone today. It is the equivalent of God saying “not his. I have something better in store for you.” I have had numerous job rejections/layoff & let go. Two years ago I was let go from a part time job. I was actually happy it happened. I knew deep in my heart God had something far superior to that. two weeks later I got a job at the largest hospital in our hospital group as ICU Step Down clerical. What started out as two days a week is now two days/3 days plus filling in anytime a clerical wants off. The pay is more to boot. Never would I have ever seen myself in a position like this. God knew that my past history of caring for aging parents would give me the empathy I need to help RNs, CNAs, patients & families with caring for patients. All those closed doors have lead me to this great opportunity & God’s best for me!!

    Blessings 🙂

  8. Excellent Lucretia. I was never what the world would call popular. I am glad. I was hardly ever picked for anything. Especially when at school. I had few friends at school. But when I left school. I was even more left out with hardly any friends. The ones I had a school. Some do want to keep in touch. Some just send me a Christmas Card at Christmas time. But I have two good ones. Two sisters that remind friends with me. They used to live down were I live in Enniskillen. But when there Dad died he was a Rectory. They moved to Belfast. I still keep in touch with them. But hardly ever see them. As Belfast is 86 miles away from Enniskillen were I live. I one other friend. I see now and then. But she lovely. Like my two friends that live 86 miles away from me. But apart than that I no other friends. I did try to make friends with one girl. But she didn’t want to know. Yes I am married. My Husband keeps telling me. You have me. What more would you want. Yes I have my Husband too. I still like at times a friend. Outside my Husband and the other friend that lives not that far away from me. That I don’t see that often. So as we could go prayer walks and coffee together etc. But God showed me this. I have the best friend in him. Like the song “What a friend we have in Jesus” Jesus is the best ever friend. He is the person who will never leave you or forsake you. Jesus is alway wanting to be my friend. That stops me grumbling. About not having more friends even just one I could see more often. Especially to have as I have already said just one to go on prayer walk and coffee etc. As I it did hurt me along time ago as an Adult. That I don’t have more friends. Now it doesn’t get to me as much. Because God said to me like the song. What a friend we have in Jesus. God said Dawn don’t forget that. Jesus always wants to be your friend. Even if you feel rejection. Don’t see your friend that lives not that many miles away from you that often. The other two you don’t see that often that live now because they live Belfast. No better friend could I have than Jesus. You get the song “What a friend we have in Jesus” on YouTube. So I don’t let it worry me as much. As I have Jesus the best friend of all. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

    • Hi Dawn.
      Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, have been in a season where I felt like the only friend I have is Jesus. In the lowest moments, I was reminded that having and knowing Jesus is my friend is good for me. It was tough. And it was also good for me to lean deeper into my friendship with Jesus.

      God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace. Sometimes, the peace walk is more challenging than other’s.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

    • HI Rose.
      I know waiting can be tough. God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back. In the meantime, we get to learn how to walk in peace. Sometimes, the peace walk is more challenging than other’s.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

      • I meant, I might be rejected or accepted for the next project. But God is the Leader. I cling to His leading than my apprehensions.

  9. Thank you for your wonderful posting. Your words and your Dad’s words touched my soul. They will get me a new perspective on rejection. Blessings

  10. Lucretia,

    I loved the post, and it’s oh, so true. Almost 19 years ago, I got laid off from my job in consulting. Five years later, I found out why when I took a job with the State of North Carolina. I’ve been there ever since and have found a healthy work-life balance that is so necessary. It’s had it’s ups and downs, but God know what he was doing.

    Thanks for sharing. BTW, did you go to Davidson?

    • Hi Jennifer!

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Yes! God has a plan for you, goes before you, and has your back.

      I did not go to Davidson. Did you?

      Shalom
      LCB

  11. Beautiful! Your dad was a wise father….I’m so happy that you have moved beyond the norm..
    We need more believers like you
    Thank you. Grace

  12. Lucretia, thank you for allowing God to use you. Thank you for seeing that whatever we experience in life has a purpose. God can and will use us- our situations and circumstances for good. Even when we can see beyond what we are experiencing. To God we give glory.

  13. Beautiful. Thank you, Lucretia, for your encouraging words. Your father’s wisdom is a wonderful comfort; I am so glad that it softened the sting of rejection throughout your life. And now, you have passed on that comforting wisdom to us!

    Thank you.

    I am so grateful that “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NIV). And that while our hopes and dreams do not always come to be, that God faithfully protects the plans He has for us.

    May God bless you!

    • HI Melanie!!
      I love what you shared:
      “And that while our hopes and dreams do not always come to be, that God faithfully protects the plans He has for us.”

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  14. This was right on time. I recently had a job offer rescinded after I asked for a higher starting salary. My first reaction was to panic but I decided to pray. I actually read this devotional a day before the event but came back to it after. And God’s message to me is even more clear now than it was before. What God has for me is for me and this “missed opportunity” is Him calling me to new places and spaces made just for me. Thank you for answering His call to write and share. It has blessed me in unthinkable ways.

    • Hi Nikki!
      WOW! I am so incredibly grateful that you shared your story here. We can be confident that God has a plan for us, goes before us, and has our backs. In the meantime, we get to practice walking in peace.

      Thank you for reading. I am honored that my story encouraged you.

      Shalom
      LCB

  15. Thank you for this encouragement, Lucretia. God does want us to flourish and thrive, to be productive and fulfilled. And I especially appreciate your reassuring statement: “God . . . protects the plans He has for me.” Even for a retiree like me, these words resonate, because God is never finished with us!