The Truth In Your Heart
What Is Your Heart Saying To You?
Linda Taylor
Copyright © 2012 Linda Taylor. All rights reserved.
The Truth in Your Heart: What is Your Heart Saying to You?
Cover and book photos by Christin McQueen, © Christin McQueen Photography 2008-2011. www.christinshootspeople.com
Cover design by Kim See - [email protected]
Editing support provided by Natalie Johnson, Monique Bruner, and Felicia Piper
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved world-wide.
The Publisher makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any commercial damages.
2012-02-09
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my dear mother and my inspiration, my Ray of Hope, Jneather ‘Jenny’ Ray. Mother, although you are now an Angel in heaven with our heavenly Father, I know you are sending down your blessings for this dream I have embraced. I think of you daily, and even still, you inspire me to challenge my potential, to believe in the impossible, and to work as if I cannot fail. It is because of your life and the example you set that I can be certain that my circumstances do not have to define me - they will not define me. And, through Christ, I know that I am more than a conqueror! Because of your love that is instilled in me, I am assured that my tomorrow will be brighter than my yesterday. You are my hope today. You are my joy forever.
- Love your baby girl
Acknowledgements
The joy I have found in my journey has been made possible by so many:
To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: I marvel at the work that you continue to do in my life. You are indeed a miracle worker! Thank you for the opportunities you have given me to learn and to grow into the person you have called me to be. I pray that you continue to use me to make a difference in the lives of others so that they might experience you and your blessing.
To my husband, my sounding board and #1 supporter, Otis Taylor: Thank you for bringing calm to my life and reminding me of the potential that lies within me. Your willingness to make sacrifices, to step in as mommy and daddy when my days and nights overlapped as I worked on this project, is more than appreciated. More than anything, thank you for joining me on this journey. I love you.
To my beautiful daughters, Kayla and Kimberlyn: You are my heart and my joy! I love you more than words can express and I am blessed to have been chosen to be your mommy. You are my inspiration and my motivation to push the limits of my potential. Thank you for your words of encouragement and for believing in me and my dreams. My prayer for you is that as you read this book you realize what is already in your heart. I want you to know that you can do anything your heart desires! I know without question that you were both made for greatness!
To Jeannie and Dan: My Mother and Father in-law - Your love and overwhelming support is always just what I need. Thank you for the time you spend with us ensuring that we take time to enjoy life and laugh. Your wisdom goes beyond measure and has been inserted where appropriate throughout this book!
To my sisters Geneva and Dorothy, and to my niece Miesha: Thank you for the childhood memories. Our past and the stories we share have made us stronger, more resilient, and has served as the foundation for this book. We have been through a lot together and we are still here and better for it!
To Felicia, Heather, Phyllis,Teri, Sandy, Carol, Sheila, Bridgette, Ava and Aretha: My girlfriends and my sisters - Thank you for the hours of conversation that we have shared and has likely provided inspiration for this book! Thank you for supporting me and my dreams. Your willingness to share your thoughts and your beliefs has encouraged me to go deeper and expand my thinking. Your presence in my life means the world to me, and I am sure you already know!
To Pat and Damon: My brothers - Thank you for taking sincere interest in my dreams. Thank you for always looking for ways to help me and provide me with answers and ideas. Your prayers are welcomed and your encouragement is always right on time. It means more to me than you know.
To Natalie, Kim, and Monique: My girlfriends and book support team - Thank you for your support and your willingness to help me with this very important project. Your guidance and knowledge helped me to deliver a product that I know will change lives. I am grateful for each of you, and I am so glad you accepted my offer to travel this journey with me.
To my Tennis Buddies: Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you weekly to relax and release the stress of life. You have provided me with hours of laughter which is great for the soul! The time we spend together allows me the opportunity to build lifelong friendships, do what I love and maintain balance in my life.
Without all of you, this dream would not be a reality. Thank you and may God bless you and your dreams.
Your Revelation Awaits
The Truth In Your Heart is an inspirational guide that will provide you with renewed hope that you can achieve your life goals. Taylor has opened her heart and shared her life with such transparency, the reader will be compelled to ask themselves the tough questions and get in tune with what God has for them. Taylor leads by example as she carefully listened to God’s word and allowed it to speak into her heart.
I applaud Taylor for her dedication to honoring the Word of God as she follows her passion of helping others find their true purpose. Each chapter will speak directly to your heart and will inspire you to ask yourself the hard-hitting questions of what your God given purpose is and how you can change your life course. Be prepared for the answers your heart is about to reveal to you.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13
Linda - Thank you for encouraging us to recognize the truth in our hearts! -Monique Bruner, Educator and Former Mrs. Plus America
Our Meeting Is Not By Chance
Although my mother is no longer here with me physically, I know her spirit lives within me. I can vividly remember growing up as a poor African American girl in the heart of Houston, Texas where poverty and violence was the norm. It was not unusual to look out of the living room window in the middle of the day to see drug deals gone bad or the woman of the night boldly emerging to walk the streets during the day. While the streets were busy, my mother was careful to bring calm and reassurance into our home. My mom was our rock and our protector.
I grew up in a single parent home where my mother worked as a house keeper for several well to do families. Supporting four children on one small income was not an ideal situation, but she made the best of it. There was no doubt we struggled financially, but we more than made up for it in the way we supported and loved one another. There were many times my mother could be seen deep in thought, I’m sure, wondering how she was going to account for all the family’s expenses for the month. Yes, we lived in the struggle, but the struggle did not define us.
As a young child growing up in this environment,