One Of God's Favorites
"How does it feel to be one of God's favorites?" Those were the words I heard today during a deep conversation at work. Today was an awesome day; one that I am actually in disbelief about. All week we have been training and preparing for several upcoming events that we are having over the next few weeks at the training center. I had the divine opportunity to train seven other ladies in the culinary and event design program in classic balloon decor. We made columns, arches and topiaries. I pretty much tried to recreate the trainings I have done on the outside as well as ones I have attended.
This morning, I was able to leave the camp, escorted, along with community drivers and take a trip to a local floral warehouse were I was able to teach the other program members about florals. It was truly an experience. For a moment I forgot that I was even in prison; I felt "normal" again. Not because I was out in the community; that was only a part of it. It was mainly because I was doing what I truly love and utilizing the gifts God gave me even while locked up. Although I/we felt free, we were quickly reminded that we were prisoners. I guess our uniforms, ID badges, and the name on the account we were using tipped off one of the workers at the store who proceeded to follow us around and even walked to the parking lot as we were leaving to ask us if we needed an invoice. It was a sad reminder of the reality of some individuals’ mentality that I will be faced with upon returning to the outside. We were lucky that our escort, my boss, was there and handled the situation in the professional, but assertive, manner that she always does things. I love and appreciate her for that and for this program. There was a moment that I was in the flower shop looking at the others thinking to myself, "who is going to believe this story when I go home and tell it?"
When we got back to the camp, the entire team assembled to discuss the upcoming events, schedule, as well as the situation that occurred at the flower shop. It was during this conversation that the phoenix came up, and ultimately lead my boss to saying, "How does it feel to be one of God's favorites?" Those words touched me in a way I cannot describe. It brought me to tears. I have always felt that way. But I think it was the fact that it was recognized by someone else, someone who has sees me at my lowest point in life, that moved me.
I know I am on the right path. I know my steps have been ordered by something greater than me, God. I know that coming here at this exactly moment and time in my life is not an accident. I also know there is so much more for me in store because I am "One of God's Favorites!"
