Overprotective

Before Darnell and I started dating, we were pretty good friends.  Because we lived around the corner from one another, went to the same school, and worked at the same mall, I was often a third wheel, riding around the city with him and Larnell. Well, one day that all changed, but our way of doing things hadn't...

The Twins picked me up hella times and the routine was always the same. Phone call: "You ready? We on the way," pull up, honk twice, wait at least 2-3 minutes, honk again, I run to the car. Give or take a waiting minute, this was our routine.

However, one particular night, not long after Darnell professed his undying love for me at the Courtwarming Dance (his version of the story has some contradictory details, but this isn't his blog!), my step-father found out that we were a little more than friends. So, during the wait time of our routine, unbeknownst to me, my step-father went outside. When it's time for me to run outside, I see his entire head in the driver's window and hear his boisterous voice. He looks and sounds angry. Needless to say, I'm confused.

As I get closer to the car, I can make out phrases like, "Get yo a$$ out the car" and "my daughter" and something about a door. Then it hits me! He's pissed that Darnell isn't coming to the door to get me now; because, after all, he is officially my boo.

As I reach for the door handle, I see Darnell hunched down in the back seat and Larnell's pleading face with "I give up" hand gestures.

Larnell: *in a higher pitched voice than he'd ever had* "Shanelle will you please tell yo daddy that I'm not Darnell?!"

Me: *with a quick head nod to the left* "He's in the back."

Gerald: *now making eye contact with the right twin* "I don't give a damn that ni@@a heard me too. Don't you bring yo a$$ out here if one of them don't come to the door you hear me!?!"

Me: *head hung with slight embarrassment* "Okay."

My step-dad walked back to the house still mumbling cuss words under his breath about respect and ladies and not wanting to whoop nobody's a$$. He was hot as fish grease honey, but this story has always been a gem. One, because it is funny as hell. Two, because Darnell was the sweetest, most mannerable guy I'd EVER dated, so it's kind of ironic. And last but not least, it is the perfect picture of my over-protective step-dad! I hit puberty and the man (along with all my uncles) lost his mind!

In hindsight, his protection of me was much like God's protection of us. Sometimes, we compromise ourselves.  We go through the motions with people who dont deserve our time. We follow relationship routines that may no longer fit our needs.We forget the value of who we are because of whose we are. God loves his kids and he will do whatever he has to do to make sure that anyone we encounter knows that. Why? Because he wants nothing less than the best for each and every one of us. God could care less about our routines. We are His kids, so whoever we are dealing with better come correct, or they will have to answer to him. In other words, Daddy. Don't. Play. Walk in that. Rest in Him. You're covered. Be Blessed XOXO

Where Is Yo Daddy?

My kids love to come looking for me like they don't have a whole ENTIRE Daddy in the same house! For example, I'm downstairs digging through the dryer for clean uniform shirts. They literally walk out of the dining room through the living room past their father who is enjoying college football on the couch to YELL down the stairs in dire need, "MA-MAAAA?! Can we have some pizza rolls?" Or they awaken late Saturday morning, I'm pulling into the garage from running errands. They come down the steps, into the garage, to ask me what's for breakfast. Why Lord?!? And don't let them not be able to locate something. No lie: there have been times their daddy is in their room, overseeing the "get the kids ready" process while I am, oh I dunno, taking a shower or using the restroom, when there's either a knock or a bursting in (depending on the birth order of the kid).

One of Darnell's kids: "Mama, you know where my cleats are?"
Me: WHERE'S YO DADDY!??!

Sooooo often, their daddy is right there, ready, sometimes willing, but always able to do whatever they need. Yet, they come to me because I'm their comfort. They depend on me when their most immediate help is right there within earshot, within reach.

Like so many of us. We have a Father who is able to supply every single one of our needs and yet we walk right past him. We head toward our "fix". I hate my job. I walk past my Father who can give me any job I want and go to the bar to order a shot (or 5). I don't have enough money in the bank for what I want or need, so I drive past my Father's many mansions to the nearest casino to try to flip what little I do have.

We spend so much of our time looking around for who or what we are comfortable with, that "thing" we've grown to depend on-that person, that place, that activity. We go out of our way to get to it when our real help is ready and waiting to hear our cry, supply our need, mend our hearts, change our lives. As you face the many issues this life will unfold, before you go searching high and low for anything else, ask your Father. He's right there...within reach, within earshot, waiting to be your fixer. Be Blessed XOXO