Transformed by Renewing Your Mind

The story goes, that on June 10, 1982, my mother went into labor, ready to deliver her 5th child.  For two days, she endured labor pains and waiting, as I took my time entering the world.  I would like to say, that I have always exhibited the characteristics of a woman of destiny.  I guess it's also true, that I somehow also tend to be a little late, both literally and metaphorically.  At any rate, as my father tells it, he received a call at around 4 am, on June 12 from my mother saying that it was finally time.  He'd worked a late shift and left at 4 am heading to Northwestern's Prentice Hospital.  When they arrived at the hospital, they were informed that I was presenting in the footling breech position.  I was backwards, trying to enter the world feet first.  Not only was I late, but I was also causing my mother a lot of pain (Sorry mom) and great distress to the medical staff.  My parents, who were and are people of faith, turned to the one thing that they had the most confidence in, prayer.  They prayed that the situation would turn around, in this case that I would literally turn around.  At some point my Dad was sent out of the room while the doctor tried to convince my mother of surgery.  She refused, and they continued to pray and wait the situation out.  In due course, I turned and presented myself in the proper birthing position, head first.  My Father insists, to this day, that God turned me.  No two ways about it.  Of my siblings, none before and none sense presented such a case at their birth.  I was born, coming into this world head first at around 12 Noon, on June 12, 1982, on my parents 7th wedding anniversary.  If I could give my birth story, and my life story a title or theme, it'd probably be something like, "Delayed...but right on time for destiny".  Maybe it's a little corny, but it's also a little true.  And, I don't think it's a coincidence.  It's how my story has played out time and time again.  I'm late.  I walked, late.  Yup.  I talked, before I walked.  I have been accused, or teased that it was just mere laziness on my part, in both cases and I used to believe that story about me.  But I've learned better.  I choose instead to believe that God himself delayed my entrance for a specific destination.  Somehow, I got all turned around and misguided, but through divine intervention I was adjusted, and turned and positioned to be delivered at a special time, on a special day.  And so, it's been, repeatedly in my life.  I was the last of my friends to get my driver’s license. To finish my bachelor’s degree.  To find a job and start a career (still working on this one). To finish a master’s degree.  To find love and start a family (still working on this one too). My life has been marked by delay after delay after delay.  And in these moments of delay have been frustration, and pain and confusion.  And sometimes, I get a little turned around.  Sometimes I try to come out of situations the wrong way.  And it causes extreme pain and discomfort and distress.  And it never fails, I still need quiet meditation, and prayer and a little bit of divine intervention to reach down and turn me around.  I've probably listened to the attached link of TD Jakes "Unlock Your Mind" about 20 times in the last two days.  Prior to coming across this video I had started quoting and dwelling on Romans 12:2. It says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  This word resounded and resonated in this short clip.  At around the 6:37 mark, he begins to talk about coming out of situations "head first".  He says (and I'm not quoting verbatim), "If you get your mind right, everything else will follow.  And sometimes you just have to tell yourself, I'm coming out head first."  I probably started hollering at this point.  It so reminded me of my own birth story.  And it's still true today.  I still get "turned around" sometimes and need to be reminded to position myself so that my head comes out first.  I must fix my stinkin' thinkin' first to have a natural and normal delivery.  It's proven in the text from Romans too.  As I quoted this verse over and over to myself, I focused on the words, "Transformed by renewing your mind."  I have been in the midst of probably one of my most life changing transformations.  I have been become aware and feel a great sense of urgency, that where I'm going, my destiny, my destination, is going to require that I change.  Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...the whole of me needs to be gutted and rebuilt.  I've wondered why, even with the knowledge of what to do, the resources and time to do it, I still have a hard time losing weight.  I have the answers to the "why" and the "how" to make changes, and yet I have started and faltered countless times.  And then, last week, this verse came to me.  If you want to TRANSFORM physically, you need a RENEWED mind.  Physical transformation follows the transformation that happens in the mind.  So, I find myself saying over and over, “Be transformed by renewing your mind".  From my day one, it seems that delay and struggle have been a part of my story, but also turnaround and destiny have also been a part.  So, I'm taking this word and running with it.  Repositioning myself, getting my head right, and coming forth into my destiny headfirst.  Be blessed!   T.D. Jakes: Unlock Your Mind