Category: Kerrington’s Posts

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} When I didn’t Get the Job…

UYM
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
My very first interview.  What I thought would have been my very first ‘real’ job.  I was beyond thrilled to accomplish this goal within the ending of the teenage years of my life.
I went into the job interview that one summer mid-June day, thinking that I’d be walking out of that place with great-confidence.  A guaranteed job and my new work schedule in hand.
Well let me tell you dear readers, if you were like I once was and you think that getting a job is super easy-peasy, I am sorry to say that you’re wrong.  Let me be completely vulnerable with you for a minute…Getting a job is difficult.  It’s hard.  It’s emotional.  And sometimes it just plain, old, hurts.  Like a lot.
I walked into that interview.  Excited.  Passionate and ready for all that God would have me to accomplish in that place.
Right before they came to get me from the lobby to begin the interview,
I went to ladies restroom where I began to pray the hardest I have ever prayed.  I prayed for peace.  I prayed for confidence in a humble manor.  I prayed that THIS would be my job.
I left that interview.  Yes, feeling confident in myself.  Feeling that maybe I would have this summer ‘dream job.’  I felt great about the interview, it went well and I felt that I had conducted myself professionally, especially for my age.  Obviously, they couldn’t tell me on the spot, if I had the job, but it felt like I ‘had it in the bag’ so to say. “I prayed that I would get this job, God won’t let me down on this one.”  At least, that’s what I thought…
About a weeks time had past, after that nerve wracking interview day.  My phone lit up…I was receiving a phone call from the Pastor who was hiring.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions, when swiping the green ‘answer’ button on my iPhone that day and then hearing the words “I am sorry to say, but we can’t hire you…”
*insert big GULP*
In those ridiculously low moments…Satan came with all his power, in hopes to tear me down and rip me to absolute shreds.  This situation was one, I was not at all prepared for.  My confidence was gone.  My heart ached.  I felt like a complete failure.  Like, as if someone just came and engraved failure on top of my name for LIFE.  I felt unworthy.
After I attempted to keep it all together on the phone, I ran to my bedroom, shut my door and collapsed on to my bed.  Right then and there, I began to have one of those good old-fashioned crying sessions.  I wept like I have never wept before.
My Mom came into my bedroom…and of course, my mom being my mom, had a profound statement for this situation and it changed my life in that moment, she said: “Just because you didn’t get that job, doesn’t mean that you’re not good enough.  Doesn’t mean that you will never get a good job, like this one.  God has plans for you.  Trust Him.  Wait patiently honey.”
I cling to those insightful words daily, as I walk through situations where my patience and grace are truly tested to their full capacities.
This experience in my life was where I wondered and questioned, “What in the great world, is the Lord trying to teach me through this awful and tough situation?”
Sisters, I have experienced one too many of those ‘situations’ in my life time, but I am reminded that these are situations, that I can now look back on and reflect.  I am able to see how God has taught me some very valuable life lessons through these tough seasons.
Let’s pray together, sisters.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for this experience in my life.  Although, it may have been quite painful at the time, I praise you for this opportunity to learn yet another life-lesson.  I thank you for the words that you uncovered within my heart to share with these readers and I ask that YOU would be with them today.  Be with them in the moments where they just feel like they are at the end of their rope.  I pray this all in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus! Amen!!!
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington
Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Blessings Beyond. 

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
~Romans 12:2  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

…Do you ever feel that God just sometimes passes over you in blessings?!  Do you sometimes get feelings of neglect and envy, when others receive blessings and you don’t?

Not long ago, I was experiencing these painful feelings on a whole new level.  As I watched tons of people on my left and on my right…(literally, we were all sitting in a church pew.)  Each of them were receiving high-substantial financial blessings.  I watched people, literally cut in front of me (in the pew) to begin blessing the people around me.  Not a one came to me.  I felt so unworthy of this “blessing.”  I felt over-looked, past over and yes, even neglected.  I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to be sewn into.  Like I had no purpose or any future prosperity.

This was most definitely NOT how God wanted me, as a Daughter of the Almighty King, to be feeling and yet I still was feeling it anyways.  I’m human.  I feel pain at times.

Now of course, me not receiving a financial blessing that day, wasn’t at all because God was punishing me horribly or He was terribly disappointed in me.  In fact, in that very powerful moment, I truly believe with my whole heart…that God actually was giving me a different type of gift.

It was the gift of learning a very profound important life-lesson.  In those moments, a total revamp of my realization on blessings was birthed directly into my heart.

~Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Walking away from this situation with a forever changed mindset.  It’s not always a pain-free process when a change of our heart happens but, it’s worth it.  It’s normal for us to feel pain and sometimes even have anger about these types of situations involving change…because we feel like we don’t truly need this change to take place in our lives.  These are the same feelings, I experienced that day.

~Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Now, I must mention one more thing before closing…the really only unfortunate part of being blessed with one of these important life lesson-learning experiences…it isn’t really a tangible gift.  It’s not something you can hold in front of you, or eat, or wrap-up all pretty in paper, with a cute red bow.  This is something you can’t even purchase with all the money in the entire universe.

These profound God-ordained, life lesson moments are what will change your life forever and will continue the amazing process of shaping you and cultivating you into the very person, that God has truly called you ultimately to be.

~Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Never feel neglected or passed over.  God may just be blessing you with an important life-lesson.  Sometimes, you can’t really see it’s ‘fruit’ before going through a little bit of a process of pain and then after awhile you come into a brand new realization.

Ultimately, you will always walk away from situations, such as this, either radically changed or with an important deep thought to continue to ponder about changing your life-style of living.  Never forget, God doesn’t just “pass over” His children; He blesses us beyond our own understanding.

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Another Year Has Gone By…

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Well today, it’s Valentines Day.  *Insert heart-shaped confetti and many red roses bouquet pictures all over social media.* yay…..

I remember growing up all of my life, envisioning what my future Valentine’s Days would look like.  My fairy-tale went a little something like this… My darling Prince Charming, would take my arm and whisk me away, out to my front lawn where a horse-drawn carriage would be awaiting our arrival.  This is then where he would pick me up, literally right off my feet, and place me gently into the carriage.  Covering me with a toasty warm hand-stitched quilt and then handing me a hot cuppa tea in a to-go mug.  We then would drive away, right into the evening, keeping each other warm on that bitterly cold February night.  Enjoying each other’s company under the moon light.

Later on, our driver would drive us right into the nearby forest…where deep into the woods, we would come upon a ruggedly-old cabin.  Where flickering candles and a roaring fire in the old-fashioned stone fireplace would light the inside of this abandoned, one room abode.  We would enter into this special place, and see that the floors were adorned with red rose petals and a hot dinner prepared for two, would be awaiting for us.

This would be where my life would end, begin, and continue on forever…

This precious lad I called ‘my valentine‘, would get down on one knee and ask me to be his forever love.  His Wife.  His soul mate.  We then would begin to dance in the outdoors, as the stars shone from the heavens above.  The Happily Ever After I dreamt of for years was to begin that one special night.

I had a very vivid imagination growing up, as you can tell…Valentine fairy-tale dream-story ending now.

Today is nothing like I had ever dreamt of, or imagined it would be.  Yes, I am still single.  Still waiting for that ‘Prince Charming’ to magically waltz into my life.  To be vulnerable with you…Even though I am young, at times I question if I even still have a chance left at finding my one, true love.  No special romantic proposal will take place this evening and no, my happily ever after I have always dreamt of, will not begin today. But that’s okay…

I have come to a point in my life where I am just pleased with where I am at.  I am at, what it feels like is a season stand-still, where I am just “Okay” with how my life looks.  And that’s alright.  In the past, envy has at times taken over my joy, in celebrating beautiful milestones with my friends.  Especially in the areas of celebrating…dating, engagements and marriage. Valentine’s Day has always just been another painful reminder of something I don’t have.

I read a scripture verse recently, that I have read at least a thousand and one times.  I could possibly even recite this specific verse to you, backwards if you asked me to.  It is a verse, that I am very familiar with.  But this time, when I read it, something different happened in me.  Like never before.  It truly clicked.  The words came to life.  My eyes were opened.  It changed my perspective and broke a strong mindset in my life.

John 10:10 says, “I came so that you may have Life and live it more abundantly.” 

It was in that very moment, that I realized I had been wallowing in a vault of self-pity and drowning in a sea of hurt, rejection and anger towards others.  I just knew that I knew, something had to change.  “Why was I at a point, where I was just okay with my life?!”  God sent Jesus to us, His Children, as a gift.  He sent Him, to give us life.  He sent Him, to give us life and life more abundantly.  Readers, do you know what abundantly means to God?  We can’t even begin to fathom it.

Personally, what I believe it means to live ‘Abundantly’ is…to live a life that is so captivated with The Heavenly Father, that in all seasons, situations and circumstances around us seem but so small, because of the big God we serve. Although, my heart desperately, daily yearns for an earthly relationship, my first and forever love was nailed to a cross 2,000 years ago in the place of me. He was willing to be the sacrifice for all of my mistakes and sins. Everything I ever did, have done, or will do was laid upon His shoulders. 

We are to live in total surrender to our Saviour. Because Jesus came, to give us life and life more abundantly. So although, I won’t be proposed to and my happily ever after won’t begin today, my hearts true desire is to, love unconditionally. Trust my Saviour, my precious forever love and live life and live it well. Will you join me?

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

About Kerrington Sweeney: 

  

Kerrington Sweeney is President & Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries. She is so honoured that God has entrusted her with this adventure, of Ministry Leadership at such young age. She presently serves on various leadership teams at different churches and actively volunteers in her home town. She carries a strong mantle of community, a heart to love the unloveable, and walks with divine purpose to empower and compel women of the faith. 

Kerrington, adores journaling, public speaking, shopping, leading, and star-bucks with a friend! She feel’s God’s ‘call’ to one day embark on the journey, of a lifestyle fully committed to ministry and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

Amie, Cheyenne's Posts, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Lanissa's Posts, Melissa's Posts, OBS, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

UYM turns 8 Months! 

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Today is the day!! We turn 8 months!!! Wow! What a journey it has been, walking in full-time ministry with The UYM Team! We are so amazed by how faithful God has been to our ministry. The thousands of lives that have been changed, touched and restored…brings tears to our eyes.

Thank YOU dear friends and family, for your support and encouragement! Uniquely Yours Ministries, wouldn’t be the same without you ❤️ We love y’all and we can’t wait to see what God has in store in the future! Happy 8 months!!!! 

Much love! Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

{VIDEO Blog} Our Journey.

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Hello UYM Friends,

We are SO excited to share with you, this incredible video blog! (Thank you shout-out to Joshua Chaulk, our super talented video productions manager)

Join Our President and Founder, Kerrington Sweeney, as she shares from her heart about the journey and inception of Uniquely Yours Ministries! Bless you! Happy Tuesday y’all💙

Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team 

http://youtu.be/zE_nfDR5En8 

Kerrington's Posts, UYM

{Worth} Darkest Hour.

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney


Young Girl about 14…Damp tear filled eyes.  Messed up mascara.  Sad expression imprinted upon her face.  I could tell she was depressed. “She had it rough.” I thought to myself.

One week in our small groups at youth, I began asking the girls, about their favorite hobbies or something that really interested them.  Some it was, horse-back riding, others shopping, and then, it came time for this particularly quiet- sad looking girl, to answer this quite simple question.

The room was silenced.  We all waited in great anticipation, for a few seconds to hear her response.  She replied with…”Nothing.”

In that moment, my heart sank.  This girl, even at her young age, was already believing a lie from the enemy, that she had no purpose.  That she was nothing.  She had no reason to even be here on this earth.

Even then, while still in our small group, I said a quick prayer to myself, for that beautifully broken young girl.  When I got home that night, I sat down and wrote her a letter of love and encouragement… I didn’t even know her name but, the Lord laid it so thick on my heart to just simply sit and write to her.  To take time, just for her, nobody else.  Focused attention on this precious young soul.  This is the letter, I still have the hand-written copy actually sitting in my room ready to give her, if I ever see her again.  I look forward to the day of being able to bless her and pray with her.

Dear Young Girl,

Wherever you are reading this…I want you to know that I am thinking of you and praying for you.  I want you to know that you are worth it, you have a purpose.  No matter how worthless and depressed you may be feeling, God has plans for you.  He has a unique purpose just for YOU!  The enemy  is always looking to steal, kill, and, destroy you.  The enemy, knows and sees your divine potential.  He doesn’t like it.  Now you may be thinking, God could never love me…I am so dirty.  I am so sinful.  I am so dark.  I have done and been around so much ‘stuff.’  Well my friend, it says in the Bible in Romans 5:8…”I loved you, at your darkest hour.”  He loves you, just as much as He loved His only son Jesus.  God sent His Son down to earth to live a life.  Jesus was crucified a horrific death for you and I.  He died on a cross just so that you could be alive and breathing, today.  An act of sacrificial love was taken place on your behave 2,000 years ago.  When He hung there on that cross, in complete agony…He thought of you.  He took every mistake, every sickness, every pain, every, trouble.  HE took it all, so that you could walk in freedom and FULL of Light!  He loves you, even at your darkest-lowest points in life.  Never forget that.  I pray that this letter one day finds you…because you are worth every word.  God has so much for you sweet girl!!

 Love, Kerrington 

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, Uncategorized, {Love}

{Love} He’s There. 

UYM
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
I think at times, we as a culture often forget that God is a personal God.  We forget that He deserves our undivided attention first and foremost.  I challenge you, that before you start your day:
Stop.  Seek.  Pray.  Reach and Regenerate.  Because, He’s there.
He’s there.  He’s there in those moments when you could just break down and cry.  He’s there celebrating with you in your greatest achievements.  He’s there in the stormy crashing waves of life and He’s there in those moments of sweet stillness.
He’s with you in hardship and in worship.  In agony and in freedom.  He’s always there.
He’s there in those situations where you can’t keep it all together.  He’s there with you, as you glorify Him in a crowd of 2,000 people.  He’s there when you weep in sorrow.  He’s there when you jump in joy.
He’s there with you as you lay down your own selfish desires for Christ.  He’s there with you when you need to act in boldness and walk in authority.  He’s also there when you need to keep quiet.  He’s there in the seasons of busyness and He’s there in the seasons of rest.
He’s there when you say “I do”, but He’s also there if you have to walk through painful divorce.  He’s there when you are in love.  He’s there when you don’t feel like loving.
He’s there with you, as you lead that cashier to Christ.
He’s there with you as you watch your mail-man receive the tongues of the Holy Spirit on your front lawn.  He’s there with students who boldly approach the leadership of their schools to bring God back into them.
He’s there.  He’s there when you start to see children prophecy over people and preach the gospel to the nations.  He’s there when you tithe every Sunday at church and He sees your faithful sacrifice and your diligence in this.  He’s there when you can’t move forward.  He’s there when you can’t keep up.
He’s there when you say good bye to a close loved one on funeral day.  He’s there when you welcome a new, little life into the world at the hospital.  He’s there through your teen years when all you want to do is rebel.  He’s there when people try to force their worldly views on you.  He’s there when you need more grace than most.  He’s there when you mentor.  He’s there when you lead.  He’s there when you’re being led.  He’s there in peace and in turmoil.  He’s there during cancer.  He’s there in loss.  He’s there as you send your hubby off to fight that fire in the middle of the night.  He’s there when you teach.  He’s there when you are being taught.  He’s there.
He’s there when you stand up and stand out against the crowd of today.  He’s there to comfort.  He’s there to bring peace.  He’s there to love.  He’s there to bring hope.  He’s there to bring power.  He’s there when you walk in your full authority as a child of God!
Dear readers, what I am trying to explain to you today, is this this simple statement:
“He’s always there…”
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington
Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Be. 

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
For the past 3 years, I have chosen a word of the year.  It has been such an incredible experience to watch each word truly come to life, as I have journeyed through each year.  For 2016, I was struggling in a sense of choosing my word.  As I was wrapping up, what was an emotionally messy year of 2015, I began praying and petitioning God, what my word was to be for 2016.

After much prayer, tears, and a ready heart to move forward, my word was birthed directly unto my very soul.  I felt ready now, to conquer a new year of battles, trials and circumstances with a new strength and greater faith.  My word for 2016 is….

Be. 

Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Why in the world would she pick the word ‘Be’?!?” It’s not inspirational, it’s not something that will push her forward with encouragement to press on, it’s not even that nice of a word.  I mean, it’s just a plain old verb.

Well readers, let me share with you…Why it is, that my word is “Be.”  The definition of Be, on the online dictionary is this — to exist. occur or take place.

Psalm 37:7 says…“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently.” 

This verse, reminds us to Be still.  And like this verse in 2016, my desire for the year is to simply stop and be.  Be happy.  Be focused.  Be present.  Be real.  Be ready.  Be.  To be in the moments, where the world says it’s hopeless, my desire is to be hope.  To be in the places, where everyone says she’s just unlovable, my desire is to be love.  To be with the people everyone would classify as ‘misfits’ and ostracize, my desire is to be a friend.

My desire is to….Be.

In conclusion for today, let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for the opportunity of seeing words truly come to life in our busy everyday lives.  Thank you, for being the creator of good things in us.  I come to you, with a full, grateful heart…seeing your creativity flow through me and friends is a wonderful sight to see.  I pray that each reader of this post would be reminded that even in this crazy fast-paced culture we abide in, to simply stop and just be.  I pray this all in your precious name, Jesus! Amen!!!

So readers, friends and family…take up the challenge.  Pick a word of the year and see it truly come to life, right before your very eyes.  Bless you!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

The Authentic Community 

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Hey UYM Friends!! Lots of fun and sweet fellowship happening over at The Authentic Community Face-book group! We’d love to have you join us! UYM Authentic Community was born to provide a beacon of hope for women who are desiring to live an Authentic Life dedicated to Jesus Christ. A place online where women, world-wide can receive support, prayer and encouragement on a daily basis. Come and stay awhile! 💙

  
See you there –> 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423542331188838/
Until Next Time, 

~The Authentic Community Leadership Team