God’s Timing for You in Twenty Twenty Two

Twenty – Twenty – Two God’s Timing for You

Coming back home to Tallahassee, Florida, after our retirements was never a question.  My husband and I just didn’t know when it would happen.  In my daily conversations with God, he knew but didn’t share that with me.  He just sent the right words about retirement at the right time through a friend to me.  She said, “Don’t let anyone talk you into retiring, you’ll know when it’s time.”  God gives all of us hints about our future.  We just need to find those quite times, those Me Times, every day to get away from the TVs, phones, and computers to talk to God, listen to God, learn from God, and take note of events that some would call coincidences.  I, personally, don’t call those good-feeling events good luck, coincidences or unbelievable happenings, I call them God’s timing.

It was God’s timing when Lady Brenda acted on her faith to write the book, The Get Noticed Woman: Kingdom Keys to Influence & Excellence.  It was God’s timing when this book was written, edited, published and ready when the Get Noticed Academy’s Sister Friend Circles (SFCs) came to fruition. It was God’s timing that I was a Co-Leader for one of the SFCs because he knew I would need that experience with the book in the future.  Was that luck? A coincidence? Unbelievable timing?  No, it was God’s timing because he knows the future.

It was God’s timing that I should transfer from an Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated Sorority Chapter (AKA) in Columbia, SC to the chapter here right at the time that the Spiritual Outreach Committee was looking for a motivational idea to involve the chapter spiritually.  Being a transfer Soror and having to make a selection from about twelve committees in which to focus and work, I chose the Spiritual Outreach Committee.  I did not know the committee’s plight.  Was it luck that I chose this committee at the right time? Was it a coincident that I suggested Lady Brenda’s book for a book study?  Was it unbelievable timing that among the other suggested books, The Get Noticed Woman: Kingdom Keys to Influence & Excellence was chosen to be the book for the chapter to study?  Was I lucky that I had recently gone through the book since I was asked to be the facilitator for each chapter?  God was preparing me for such a time as this from the moment SFCs were just an idea.  God is so awesome, he knew what was needed during the pandemic. 

January 2022 this AKA Chapter completed Lady Brenda’s book and what a successful and pleasurable experience it was for all who were able to participate.  The journey through the book began in April 2021 with a kickoff led by Lady Brenda introducing her book.  Every fourth Monday the sorority sisters locally and those from other chapters, discussed for an hour a chapter each month, except June and July when all AKA Chapters take a hiatus for vacations or staycations. By the way, was it a coincidence that the audio version of the book was released right before the hiatus?  Many sorors said they could listen while traveling or just relaxing during the summer.  Some said it was very welcomed due to their age and or vision challenges. Several sorors did not want to take our usual hiatus, they wanted to keep the book discussion going.  These professional women from just about every career you can imagine and ages ranging from about 25 to 90, gave this book a high-five.  They were pleased and deemed the book well worth their time to read, answer the Chapter’s Study Guide Questions and discuss during their lunch hour.  A time that we called The Spiritual Outreach Noonday Recharge.

While it was a challenge because the discussion was only an hour, from noon to 1:00, and not everyone has their lunch break at that time, we just asked those who could participate to join us.  The book is written in such a way that each chapter can stand alone.  So, if anyone couldn’t participate every month due to their schedules whether it be lunch or other appointments, these chapters are so women-friendly with topics all women talk about at some point in our lives.  Just about every woman can participate in the discussion even if they hadn’t read the chapter. But not being able to fully participate by referring to pages in the book as those who read could, sorors vowed to read or listen to that chapter.

The study this time was for AKAs only.  But, now that this book study is over and the Spiritual Outreach Committee will again be looking for next steps, I am so encouraged with the comments made by my participating sorority sisters verbally, electronically, and or on the evaluation of The Noonday Recharge.  I received a card from a soror expressing her excitement about the book study.  Several mentioned that they want to use this book in their churches, in Community Centers and other outreach venues. Kudos to our Get Notice Academy (GNA) founder and author, Lady Brenda!

God’s timing has cleared the way for the Florida Chapter of Sister Friends to get started.  I know what we have here in the GNA is great and I know it is needed for us to share.  In each chapter’s discussion participants echoed their church needed this, a friend needed this, and or their daughters or granddaughters and other relatives including men needed what’s in this book.  Many said they purchased the book for their holiday gift.  GNA Sisters, we are needed, and we have what it takes to get your chapters going.  This book is just the beginning. We have each other to call on for guidance and we know God answers prayers.  We know from The Gathering, The Leadership Retreat, and the SFCs that we all have different gifts.  We know that we are loyal, confident, and elegant strong Kingdom Women.  I want to encourage you to get with your sisters in your area and get your chapter started.  With God and the opportunity that I had because I said yes, I will get one started here. This AKA Chapter and the SFCs have stamped and approved what this GNA is about and that what we are doing is worth it. 

Some things happen once in a lifetime, so say yes to the GNA vision and mission. Spread the word.  God is giving you an opportunity to learn and grow for his glory. It’s not luck or a coincidence or unbelievable timing. It’s God’s timing that you are among the sisters of the Get Noticed Academy.  Let your light shine and influence other Kingdom Women toward excellence for God. God has and is preparing you.   Twenty-Twenty-Two (2022) God’s Timing for YOU!