Welcome to "With Intention"!

Welcome to “With Intention”, I am Ebony Belt, I wear many hats and through it all I have learned on this journey of life to live intentionally, to do all things with intention and good intention at that.  Everything I do is surrounded by purpose, my God given purpose. So, let’s back up, you know my name but who am I? I am a child of God, Jesus lover, wife, mother, speaker, CEO, podcast host and now blogger.  I have 3 children 21, 14 and 3. Yes! You read that right 3 and what a journey it has been to parent a toddler in my 40’s. I am the CEO of Divine by Design Mentoring Co, a trauma informed organization mentoring youth in the DMV. I built the program after things I’ve experienced in my own life. My life has been filled with many highs and many lows, but they all lead me right here, unapologetically walking in purpose. Without any of those moments in time I would not be able to be the woman I am today. Though there is much growth to be done, I intentionally strive to be a better me every day. If God breaths air in me I know there is something in that day that is requiring me to learn, do better or help someone. Nothing is ever wasted with God, so as we journey through life together keep in mind no mistake or failure is without purpose ( I will be using the words intentionally and purpose a lot ha! That leads me to the purpose of this blog- the purpose of this blog is to take you with me as I journey through life intentionally and purposefully and hope that you will do the same. Every blog post won’t be fun or easy, but my hope is that you will receive inspiration and hope as I share my story and life lessons that have led me to be intentional and purposeful in all things. Again, welcome! I look forward to doing life intentionally with you!

With Intention-Ebony

Overcoming Disappointment in Obedience

To know me is to know this: I will always choose obedience over opinions. Do I value the thoughts of others? Yes. But obedience to God will always outweigh everything else.

Recently, I’ve been walking through a season where obedience has led me straight into disappointment. I’ll be honest—it even left me feeling regret for giving God my “yes.” If you’ve truly walked with God, you know that obedience is rarely easy or fun. In the past, even when it was hard, I still felt it was worth it. But in these last few seasons, I’ve faced hurt, disappointment, and the sting of people’s actions.

God Already Knew the Outcome

One thing I rest in is the truth that God is in our tomorrow. He has written my story. He knew the outcomes before He ever asked me to obey. He knew how people would respond, what would change, and what would stay the same.

As someone called to people, I’ve come to realize something: God loves us so much that He will try to reach us however He can—even if it means His children suffer in the process. Many times, we pray for breakthrough or transformation, and the answer comes through someone else. But if we don’t recognize that God is sending our answer through a person, disappointment sets in.

Learning Dependence Over Self-Sufficiency

For a long time, I took pride in being self-sufficient and independent. But self-sufficiency can blind us—it makes us depend on the work of our hands rather than the hand of God.

In this season, God has me fully dependent on Him for everything—and I mean every little thing. I even told Him once, “I just want to do it myself.”

God’s response? “You don’t get to tell Me how to bless you.”

That hit me hard. I was so used to being the blessing for others that I almost shut out the people God sent to bless me. I had to learn: obedience is not about control. It’s about surrender.

The Power and Weight of Obedience

Have you ever felt God tug on your heart to do something—buy groceries for someone, call a friend with a word of encouragement, or step into a place you weren’t comfortable with—and you didn’t?

Maybe fear held you back. Maybe it felt too big. But on the other side of that act of obedience could be someone who was praying for confirmation, provision, or simply a reminder that God hears them.

Your obedience may be the bridge someone needs to regain their faith. At the same time, there will be moments when obedience leads to unexpected outcomes. You do what God asks, but instead of things getting easier, they get harder. That’s when the questions come: Did I hear God right? Did I miss something? Is obedience really worth it?

Let me remind you—it is. Every single time.

Lessons I’m Holding Onto

Here’s what has kept me encouraged when obedience brought disappointment:

• God will always get His answers to us. He is creative in His pursuit of His children. It’s up to us to see Him and receive.

• People may disappoint us, but God never will. Even in hurt, there are lessons to learn and wisdom to gain.

• God walks with us in everything. He cares about our feelings—even the messy, uncomfortable ones.

• Obedience matters more than outcome. I’d rather be wrong in my steps than disobedient in my heart.

Our lives are not about us. You may very well be the answer to someone’s prayer.

So if you’re walking through disappointment in your obedience, hold on to this truth: God wastes nothing. Your “yes” still matters. Your obedience still matters. And God is still working through it all.

With Intention,

Ebony

Weathering the Storm: Holding On to God's Promises

My life has been full of twists and turns, ups and downs — many, many highs and lows.All of them brought me to this point where I am a girl chasing after God’s own heart, a servant, a wife, a mom, and so much more. One thing I’ve noticed: every storm was attached to a promise.

I’ve been talking with God since I was a young girl. Even then, people would speak into my life, telling me I was an evangelist, that I would help millions of women, and that I would do great things for God.

But my childhood was riddled with trauma — physical and sexual abuse, verbal abuse, and more.The things I endured made it hard to believe any of those words could possibly come true.I spent many days wondering:

• If God was really with me, why was this happening?

• What did I do to deserve this?

As I got older and my relationship with God grew, I started to notice a pattern: Each storm was drawing me closer to Him, exposing spiritual gifts, and making way for His promises.

A Promise Often Comes with a Storm

We often get excited when God gives us a promise — and we should!But we must also remember: testing and storms often follow the promise.

• God tests us to see if we truly believe like we say we do.

• The enemy sends distractions to make us doubt or even forfeit the promise.

Sadly, many give up before they see the promise fulfilled.Why?Because:

• It gets tough.

• Doubt creeps in.

• We listen to the enemy's whispers: "Did God really say that?"

But what if I told you that weathering the storm is simpler than we think?

I'm not saying the storm is easy — adversity causes real pain — but God said:

"In all things, give thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

What if the key to surviving the storm was this: Take your eyes off what you see. Fix them on Jesus and Praise your way through.

Finding Strength in the Middle of the Storm

You might be thinking:"Ebony, you have no idea what I’m facing."And you’re right — I don’t.

But here’s what I do know:

• There is a scripture you can stand on for every situation.

• God is with you in all things.

• The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Even when you feel weak, you can find joy in Jesus.

When facing a storm, it's easy to see the glass as half empty. Ask God for His perspective and wisdom — it can help you push through toward the promise.

Ultimately, every promise leads to the glory of our Father. He cares not only about your needs, but your heart’s desires too.

A Personal Testimony: God's Faithfulness

I’ll leave you with a major promise that took time — but God kept His word!

Before my daughter was born (she’s now 14!), I received a promise that I would have a son.Life hit hard. I got pregnant — but it was a girl!Confused? I was too.

I thought: "This isn't what God said."But then came another word:

"God said you're still going to have your boy."

That renewed my hope! Then life took another turn: I went through a divorce.I thought: "Surely, I must have heard wrong."The promise seemed farther away than ever.

Fast forward to 2021 — I was remarried and gave birth to the promised child — a son! After 17 years, God's promise was fulfilled!

• God never gave me the details of the “in-between.”

• He never showed me the pressing, the stretching, or the pain that would come.

• But through it all, the promise remained.

No matter my mistakes, doubts, or detours — God stayed faithful.

Final Encouragement

I don’t know what promise you’re holding onto, I don’t know how long you’ve been waiting, but I do know this:God is faithful. If He did it for me, He will do it for you.

So today, I encourage you:

• Weather the storm with God.

• Exchange your thoughts for His.

• Press through until you're living in your promise.

This is just one of many testimonies I could share, but I hope this one encourages you today.

Keep pressing. Keep believing. Your promise is closer than you think.

With intention, Ebony