Knowing When

The word when is an adverb and a conjunction. As an adverb when refers to a time or a circumstance. Right now we have all the time we will ever have in our lives which are full of circumstances. When we are born we think we have plenty of time. The truth is our days are already numbered.

When we were babies we knew what to do when we wanted to eat as well as what to do when we had had enough to eat. We cried and cooed to ask for what we wanted and to get our needs met. When we were sleepy we went to sleep. So why is it that now that we are older we often act as if we don’t when to do the things we know we should do. If we don’t know when, when will we ever learn?

How do you know when it’s time to say you have had enough of something? Too much of a thing even if it’s a good thing can result in bad consequences. Or for that matter, how do you know when it’s time to do something different? We often wait until we are sick and tired of being sick and tired to take action.

When it rains, it pours. Many of us put things off while hoping for circumstances to get better. After I was healed from being raped, stabbed and left for dead, I received instructions from the Great Spirit to write about my gift of healing which has kept me thriving. Since then I have shared my testimonies while preaching and coaching. I have also written much in my journals over the years. However, I have not written one of the books I was told to write. Every time the subject comes up my response has been “I’m waiting for my story to have a happy ending”.  I was waiting for God to heal my relationships with the men in my life so that my story could have the happy ending that I thought it should have. I was so confused. My story is not about my relationships with men. My relationships with men have really been a distraction. My story is about my walk with the Great Spirit that never leaves me nor forsakes me and keeps me as I go through it all. That same Spirit has been with me since I took my first breath and will be with me until I take my last. The Spirit keeps healing me and pouring out a song of love through me that doesn’t stop.  So no matter who or what comes my way I just keep on healing my way through life.

A few months after the assault on my life my mother, who was nursing me back to health, died. She had heart disease which was exacerbated by obesity, the stress she experienced fearing that I would die as well as the anger she felt about what happened to me. Thirteen years prior, Mommy almost lost her life in a car crash she had while she was drunk. That’s what it took for her to know when to say when. When she got sober her latter days were greater than before.

How well do you know when? Sometimes when is now. Right now I know when I’m thinking about it is probably the best time for me to do it. There’s no time like the present. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never be mine. Which leads me to encourage you not to put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  Know when is now. If you are struggling with knowing when to say when, you can reach Rev. Salia at revolds@verizon.net or (202) 440-8004.