Do you see what I see?

In college, my roommate often accused me of having body image issues. To her, I “had a nice shape” and didn’t need to be concerned with working out or dieting. To me, I needed to maintain a certain size to feel confident. Fast forward 15 years, and I’m sure she’d say I’m not too far removed from who she’s always known me to be. However, I’d only disagree that my “certain size” has increased by two dress sizes...one for each kid!

In all seriousness, I totally get where she was coming from all those years ago. I get it now more than ever because I’ve befriended women who see themselves so much differently than what I see. My sister-in-law stays talking about all that’s wrong with her frame, but I see a petite woman with 2 children and a great body! My co-worker swears by the fact that her hair will never “grow back like it used to be”, but I see a beautiful crown of newly liberated natural curls. My close friend believes she’s the size of Shamu after her baby (who is only 3 months old), but I see a woman who carried her baby like a boss and is doing a great job getting down after his arrival!

So many of us women have skewed images of ourselves. We think we are too fat or too skinny because right now society tells us all to be some version of “thick”. We think we are too tall or too short because the perfect height matters...only to a man’s ego. We want someone else’s hair, someone else’s butt, lips, breasts, and skin-tone. As a gender, we have the hardest time with self-acceptance, self-love, and self-admiration. As a result, we turn our noses up to one another; hate on each other; envy others; or simply shrink in the presence of one another. How do I know? I’ve been here...I’ve been her.

I have definitely had my bouts with insecurity, jealousy, and self-hate. I looked in the mirror and saw someone ugly. I pulled on my clothing and only saw all the parts of my body that were “imperfect”. I compared myself to celebrities and around the way girls. I’ve been there. And I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t found myself taking short trips back there every now and then.

However, it helps to hear my husband compliment me when I’m all dressed up or randomly smack me on the booty while I’m cooking dinner. There’s nothing more rewarding than my sons or my students telling me I’m pretty. And let's admit ladies, it doesn’t hurt for my homegirls to gas me up on a girls’ night out! But the biggest change has come from seeing what God sees.

To the ladies who are reading this: You may not have the fattest booty or the longest tresses. Your skin may have a few divots and wrinkles. You may wear a one-piece and not a bikini. You may cover your smile because of crooked teeth or hang your head because you feel inferior to the others in the room. STOP IT! My granny used to always say, “God don’t make no mess.” And it’s true. The next time you find yourself feeling down about how you look, use the words below as a reminder that God made you and that alone makes you BEAUTIFUL:

1.  You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

2. You were made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27

3. You are more precious than rubies...nothing can compare to you. Proverbs 3:15

4. God is within you. Psalm 46:5

5. You are God's handiwork. Ephesians 2:10

6. You are who you are by God's grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10

7. You are altogether beautiful. Song of Soloman 4:7

8. God made everything beautiful. Ecclesiastes 3:11

9. Your beauty is not in what you wear or how you look, it comes from the God within. 1 Peter 3:3-4

10. When you feel less than beautiful, remember who you are and to whom you belong. Ephesians 2:19-22

This makes me think back a few months. A friend of mine received a most fitting gift that speaks to this post. Her husband bought her a pocket mirror for Valentine’s Day. The mirror was inscribed with this saying: “ See the love I see” so that when she looks in the mirror she can see what he sees...what God sees. THAT’s where our self-perception is perfected. In seeing ourselves for who we are...beautiful women, hand-crafted, tailor-made by the true and living God. Believe you are beautiful. Be Blessed XOXO

Listen...

Two weeks ago marks what should have been the most terrifying experience of my life. It was the earliest of mornings, as we had to arrive at the hospital by 6 AM. My brother came to our home at 5:00 to hang with my son all the way until his hospital pre-op. We dropped my oldest son off to my sister who took him to school and agreed to pick him up all week. En route, my husband got a bit squeamish. I told him to breathe, and thankfully we made it without incident.

We arrived to Surgery Admission to find our cousin standing there, bright eyed and smiling, waiting to simply be there for us. We were then admitted by a long-time family friend. The surgeon came in and gave us a 3 on a 1 to 10 scale of concern and complexity for what he was about to do. They gave my baby an iPad and walked us to a certain point where I could no longer be with him. We blew kisses and exchanged our "I love yous", but eventually, I had to let him go. My eyes welled a bit, but oddly no tears fell. After I watched him roll happily down the hall wearing a teddy bear gown and being easily distracted by the new iPad games, I turned to find my mother-in-law and father-in-law waiting right there with Darnell and I as we got on the elevator. We reached our floor and entered a waiting room that began to fill with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and friends...OUR family. 

Our cousin led us in prayer, and within seconds the nurse practitioner came to inform us that the surgery had begun. For some odd reason, I was happy. There was a fleeting fear that subsided quickly as my brother-in-law brought Lamar's donuts, which can take your mind off almost anything. In less than 2 hours, the nurse practitioner came back down to say the surgery was a success and they were "closing him up". Half an hour later, she came with one more report. He was recovering, so we needed to move up to the PICU waiting room. 

No sooner than I was able to enter his room to see my little superhero sprawled out with 1,000 tubes and machines hooked up to him did our cousin, who works at the hospital, come in. She'd been there about 10 minutes when a friend of a friend, also employed by the hospital, came by specifically to pray with my husband and me. As the work day started to come to a close, the waiting room became a revolving door of family and friends until visiting hours ended. 

Micah had a week-long hospital stay with little rest, due in part to discomfort and constant monitoring, yet partly because he was never alone. There were many visitors, day in and day out. There was much kissing and spoiling and many toys and balloons and even more snacks and goodies and love...lots and lots of love. I thought to myself, "This little boy has no idea how much he is loved." Then God whispered to me, "And neither do you."

From the moment we found out about Micah, people cried with us, prayed for us, and extended their help, support, and love. The weeks leading up to the surgery were nothing but texts and calls and water-cooler tidbits of thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words. The day of the surgery our cell phones required constant charging and the hugs seemed endless. In the days since, it hasn't stopped. From surprise visits with dinner and cake and wine (so grateful) to continued check-ups and get-well wishes, it has been amazing to feel God's love through his people. 

I never really knew what it felt like to have a "peace that surpasses all understanding" until the day my son got his superhero heart. And I had never really been open to receiving God's love through so many people during such a touchy time. I'm used to keeping to together, having it together, and not depending on many for much. Micah's surgery actually opened my heart...opened it to receive something that I so freely give...LOVE. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, hugs, and LOVE. Be Blessed. XOXO

The Good, the bad, and the ugly

When you're around someone long enough, they begin to rub off on you. You find yourself saying things they say, viewing things like them, and even doing things they do. When my husband I first started dating, I didn't watch ESPN at all! Now? I can name about 3/4 of the shows and even make some Top Ten calls while watching live sports! He didn't make the bed in the morning, now it looks like hotel room service has stopped by. But, being completely honest, I have to also admit that I've passed some not so great things to him and him to me.

Now, there are those of us who are head-strong and believe that everything we do and say is all on us. You know....the "can't-nobody-tell-me-nothing" type. People see them as leaders and perceive that they blaze their own paths, which is kiiiiinndda true...and kiiiiinnnda not. The truth is, whether good or bad, EVERYONE is a creature of influence. EVERYONE! Our parents, our partners, our peers, all play a role in what we think, do, and say, no matter how head-strong we may be.

Faith is no different. Sometimes, all it takes, is for us to simply witness someone else remain faithful before we find ourselves influenced to hope, to trust, to believe. We all have our own stuff to deal with, but we don't always have the strongest faith. As I look back over my son lying on that operating table, I thought back to the faith I witnessed my mom have when my sister's lung collapsed. I saw the faith my friend Tamisha's mother had when her teenage daughter was oddly diagnosed with cancer. I recalled the faith of my cousin Brandy as she watched her newborn son come in and out of life, only to be walking around and eating up everything now! Knowing that moms around me had been scared and caught off guard, but were able to find strength in simply trusting God rubbed off on me.

Witnessing people around you endure the toughest of tests, but somehow have the faith to go forth, to trust, to believe...that's  contagious. You've been through some things, and for some of those experiences, you have no idea how you made it. But God. Somebody was watching you. Your faith rubbed off on someone else and gave them the strength to carry on. When the going gets tough, ignite your faith and let it spread like wildfire. Be faithful and Be Blessed XOXO

Pull-up

While Micah was in the hospital, he was on a frequent dose of a diuretic called Lasix to help remove fluid from his heart and lungs. So, the nurses had a diaper on him his entire first night. The following morning, the catheter had been removed, and he was all on his own. Of course he woke up with an urgent need to pee.

Darnell and I escorted him into the restroom, undid the diaper, and let him handle his business. When we went to reapply the diaper, Micah inquired, “Why do I have on a diaper? I’m a big boy.” The nurse just so happened to be within earshot and asked if we’d rather her get him a pull-up instead. We thanked her and thought this would appease the little dude. Even with the most age-appropriate explanation, he walked out of the restroom, sporting his Cars themed pull-up, turned around, looked me dead in my eyeballs and said, “Mama, just so you know this is still a diaper...and I’m still a big boy.”

After laughing hysterically, I thought about how this minor thing was both temporary and necessary. But all he could see was that he had on a pull-up. He thought he was done with that phase of development. He didn’t want to be seen as a kid who needed potty assistance. He had moved past those days. He was on to bigger and better things. It didn't matter to him that he'd just had a successful heart procedure. Despite all that he had endured prior to the pull-up, he could only focus on that...nothing else.

We are often the exact same way. Sometimes, God will bring us through the craziest of storms. However, in the midst, He might have to take us back a few paces. Send us to territory we thought we’d never see again. Reconnect us with people we’d separated from. All in order to fully prepare us for what He has in store. Whether we believe it or not, this too is part of the healing after the storm. The setback is necessary for all that we are to become and all that we are to possess. Sometimes, we can’t appreciate all that God has brought us through because we are too focused on the one thing that we don’t quite get.

Hear me today. Micah needed that pull-up just like we need whatever reversion God has allowed to happen in our lives. Why? I can't say with certainty, but there are plenty of possibilities. God can take us back simply to remind us. He can take us back to cover us or protect us. Sometimes, we have to go back to where we've been to get to where we're going. Sometimes, we have to be placed back into an uncomfortable situation to be prepared to bask in the comfort of God. Sometimes, God does what He wants to do, and we just have to deal with it. Period.

Although we don’t always understand why God would take us backward in order to move us forward, it is all a part of the plan. If God is taking you through a pull-up situation, take a moment to reflect on all you’ve come through. See how far He's brought you? He wouldn't bring you this far to cast you back. So, do what you gotta do; be where you gotta be, so you are prepared to Be Blessed XOXO

The Dressing Room

If there is one stark difference between the way my husband and I shop, it's the fact that he's not going to try on ANYTHING! The man is literally in and out. Meanwhile, I take my time. As the old folks say, I piddle. I sift through sale racks. I calculate discounts. And unless there's an inexplicable press for time, I try on EVERYTHING! Who feels like driving all the way back to the store for a return when you don't even have to buy the garment in the first place?? Hence, I shop alone. Ain't nobody got time to hear the hubs sucking at his teeth like he had prime rib for breakfast, and breathing all hard like he left his inhaler at home, while I try on a slew of items in an effort to maintain my fly!

Faith is very much the same way. Many Christians will disagree with what I'm about to write, and I'm cool with that. Religion is a construct through which some of us find God and develop faith. It's not a one size fits all solution to life's problems. People are going to have to "try on" some things to see if they fit. They'll take the things that do, leave the things that don't, and continue the process of adding and subtracting for their PERSONAL relationship with God as their PERSONAL journey continues. When it comes to growing in God, the main thing is that we believe. That belief will be questioned, it will be challenged, it will be mocked.   That said, not every aspect of ritual and religion are made to fit everyone's faith. 

However, this presents a BIG problem. Why? Because so many of us are focused on the RULES of "godly living" that we completely contradict a "godly lifestyle".  I find it hard to swallow the pill that pastors spew, "Many good people are going to hell." Ummmm...why? Because they aren't "DOING" it right? They don't say the right words, wear the right clothes, or even call God by the "right" name, so therefore, hell will be their eternal home?? Nah bruh. I'm not buying any parts of that. You see, I believe that God is benevolent, all-seeing, all-knowing, yet still all-loving. I know many people who don't set foot in churches for this very reason. Yet, they do more to impact their community and live a life of love than the ones I share pews with Sunday after Sunday (well, to be honest, I got some gaps between my Sundays #realtalk #prayforyagirl).

Here's the gist: be less concerned about the differences in how someone else finds God, praises God, and tries to live for God. Be more concerned about what fits you than others. Truth be told, some of you are much like my husband. You've tried on nothing FOR YOURSELF. You're doing it because your mama did it or someone else told you to do it. But it doesn't look good on you and you should return it to sender STAT! God created you. God created me. We will not all practice the art of loving like Him and living for Him the EXACT same way. Who cares?!? His love, His light, His life is what we are trying to show and share. He made us all differently. So, why would we expect for this act of "godliness" to look the same?  Love others for who He is sculpting them to be, whether you "get it" or not. In the meantime, be your most beautiful self in Him and continue to Be Blessed XOXO

Maybe It's Me?

A few weeks ago, the Big Homie and I met up for breakfast. As we placed our orders, the differences in our culinary tastes couldn't be more pronounced. I ordered my eggs over medium; he ordered his fried hard. When our dishes were served, my eggs were perfect while his looked way too similar to what I requested. Once his fork hit the egg and yolk came oozing out, he raised his brow, tilted his head, and said, "I must have said the wrong thing." I affirmed him immediately, "No you didn't. I heard you say fried hard. You want to send them back or are you cool?" Of course he responds, "Nah it's not that big of a deal," and turns his attention to the other delectable items on his plate.

This seems really small, but I was amazed at how he instantaneously took accountability for the mishap. Instead of looking for someone to blame, or trying to find a way to win, he started with himself. He didn't say, "Why would they bring me the same eggs as you when I specifically said 'fried hard'?" He didn't ask for the server or seek a manager. The FIRST thing out of his mouth was the most humble thing...maybe it's me?

Now, this is NOT a natural trait of mine. Why? Because I don't like to be wrong. I want everyone to recognize this fun-fact: I'M ALWAYS RIGHT! To know me is to know this most fallacious truth about my personality. As I am growing older, gaining more life experiences, and strengthening my spiritual muscles, I'm starting to understand that this type of thinking has many deep-rooted beginnings. First, I'm smart. Part of being smart is getting things "right" all the time. Secondly, I'm the oldest. Being the oldest means the little ones are relying on me for answers, so I have to have them. Lastly, I'm articulate. When I speak, people listen, so I NEED to be right. However, there are other roots as well. To want to be right all the time is to also be selfish. It's to consider your opinions or knowledge greater than another's. It's looking for someone to be wrong. It's trying to find a place to set the blame. It's to be ill-compassioned, inconsiderate, or simply to lack understanding of others.

Now some of you are shaking your heads and thinking to yourselves, "I'm glad I'm not like that." I'd challenge you to really self-reflect. When you enter into a controversial discussion with another person, is your aim to gain a new perspective OR to get them to see that you are right? When you argue with your loved ones, is your goal to better understand them OR to shut them down? When you converse with someone and you have different viewpoints, are you speaking to learn OR are you talking to win? Most people are on the wrong side of the tracks when they TRUTHFULLY respond to these questions. This means that humility is an area where many of us can grow.

Humility means that we are less concerned with ourselves and more concerned with the greater good. A humble person doesn't always have to be right. A humble person doesn't have to flip a table when their order is messed up at a restaurant. No. A humble person starts with self. Philipians tells us to HUMBLY value others above ourselves.  The book of Proverbs says to be humble is to fear the Lord. And Ephesians tells us to bear with one another in love by being BOTH humble and gentle. You see, humility is kind of "up there" on the Most High's list of things for us to do. When we are operating in a space of "rightness" we are typically not moving toward His call to "righteousness". The next time you find yourself on the opposite side of an issue or questioning how to handle the mistakes of another, start with yourself. In the infamous words of MJ, talk with the man in the mirror! Stay humble my friends, and Be Blessed. XOXO

Selective Sinner

I sin. I mean, I knowingly do things that don't align with God's Word. I like, completely and utterly and consistently SIN! Now, I don't mean that, "OMG! I can't believe I did that, let me repent. Father God please forgive me" type of sin. I mean I definitely do that too, but those are a bit different than the sin I'm actually referring to right now. You see, I sin for real. I cuss...especially when I'm upset or passionate about a subject. I don't curse. That's a bit more classy and less frequent. Nah, I cuss...for real. I lie. Did I really "oversleep" and that's why I'm running late? Orrrr did I actually "sleep in" and THAT's why I'm late? I could go on and on, but ya'll don't need to be ALL up in my business like that, so I'll park the car here: I SIN.

However, I find it interesting that even though I sin, I can sometimes have the audacity to look at others differently...because they sin! It's laughable almost. Like who the hell do I think I am?!? (See, there goes the verge of cussing.) And if you are being honest with yourself, many of you are the same way. You sin. Day in and day out, there is something you are consistently doing that you KNOW is not of God. Sometimes we excuse it like, "I mean that's just how I am," or "This is just the way things are 'around here'." Because we are comfortable WITH our sin or we have company IN our sin, we start to believe that it's really not all that bad. Yet, when someone sins in a way that we aren't comfortable with, we have a TOTALLY different perspective!

Case in point: A man walks into a strip club with his homies. They all pay for lap dances and have a great time! If you've EVER been to a strip club, you know that they are indeed having a GREAT time! Not a big deal right? But then, that same man gets word that a friend of his is having an affair. He's upset and disappointed with his friend for cheating on his wife. Interesting...both of these men had lust at the root of their actions. Both of these men were physically involved with a woman they weren't married to. However, because the world tells us that strip clubs aren't a bad thing and that's "just what men do" then he found it easy to accept his behavior, yet condemn his friend. Now I KNOW some people are logging off as we speak...

Here's another one: An unmarried woman has taken contraceptives much of her adult life. Why? Because she has no desire to become pregnant until she has a husband. She sees another unmarried woman at Aldi with 4 children and another on the way. She turns her nose up at this fertile Myrtle, and especially gets irritated when the woman swipes her EBT card! But both women are clearly engaging in pre-marital sex to some degree. Although, one is able to or simply chooses to mask hers a bit more than the other, they are both still sinners.

What's my point? It's definitely not to give off the false idea that I have the answers because I certainly don't! But here is what I do know-too many of us find a way to use other people's seemingly WORSE sins to make us feel better about our own. We look at people who steal like they are the scum of the earth, but we have been guilty of taking people's love and breaking hearts. We look at people who kill like they should rot in hell, but the Word says the power of life and death lie in our tongues and some of us *raises hand SKY HIGH* have said things to people that were DEFINITELY deadly to their souls. WE ALL SIN! EVERYONE! Yes, even the pastor in the pulpit sins (all them big booties walking around church you think he ain't noticed at least one!?! C'mon man!) Sometimes we sin on the surface for everyone to see. Sometimes we sin on the low, and only God knows. Regardless of how you do it, when you do it, where you do it, YOU DO IT! So chill out on coming for other people. Relax your opinions about others' actions. Instead, love people despite their transgressions. We are all at different points in our spiritual journey. We all have different views about right and wrong. At the end of the day, the best thing we can offer one another is love because we are fully aware that as much as ALL of us sin, we could ALL use a little bit more lovin'! Be Blessed. XOXO

The Day I Stopped Being a Perfectionist

I don't know if it's an oldest child thing, a black girl thing, a desire to "make it" thing, or just who I was born to escape being, but for as long as I can remember, I've aimed for perfection. This led to virtually uninterrupted straight A report cards from Kindergarten to college, extreme workouts, and a hellacious house-cleaning regimen. To strive for perfection in all things definitely has its perks. It allows one to shine above the rest in terms of school and career. It helps one to continue to push in athletics and physical training. It develops grit and perseverance. However, it also has it's drawbacks. It creates division between self and others. It places unnecessary pressure on ones mental and physical being. It takes time away from the ones we love as we try so hard to make sure they come home to a comfortably clean and perfect home (that they will undoubtedly ruin within minutes of its completion!). 

I vividly remember the day I stopped being a perfectionist. I had been grappling with feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Having had the second SmithBoy and still working tirelessly to climb the ladder at my new school, all while trying to maintain a spotless home and a body that would still make my husband drool. I was tired. One night, after getting both boys down, I walked back toward the kitchen, only to be greeted by a sink full of dishes. I thought, "It won't take long to throw those in the dishwasher. Power through girl!" I opened the dishwasher only to find that it was full of CLEAN dishes that needed to be put away. I looked around the kitchen for an available sub to tag in and take my place, but it was juuuussttt me, solo dolo, facing a critical life decision. After pondering for what seemed like an eternity, I looked across to the opposite side of the kitchen. There sat a bottle of unopened Cabernet. I picked option 3) Close the dishwasher, pop the cork, pour a glass, turn out the light, and go sip and sit on the couch for 30 minutes of TV before bed. I said to myself, "The dishes will clearly be there tomorrow. I'm done son!"

To know me is to know how abnormal that was then. Me? Go to bed with a dirty kitchen? Never! That was over 4 years ago. Now? Shoot, you best believe if ya girl is exhausted the dishes will be there. When I haven't ironed a week's worth of uniforms, I'll get to them day by day or maybe even a few days at a time when life permits. If we are out of Lunchables or small bags of chips, we create a new lunch idea because sometimes the store is too much of a hassle at the time. You see the day I decided I was done chasing perfection was the day I learned to love my truest self.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 

-2 Corinthians 12:9

God isn't concerned with us being perfect. Instead, He is concerned with our efforts to live for Him and love like Him. Trying our best to do our best every single day. He knows we'll fall short. He created us all to be a perfectly HOT MESS! He knew from the jump all that we would master, all that we would fail, and how much joy, tragedy, and triumph we would endure. That day in my kitchen, I accepted the permission God gave me to not have to have it all together ALL the time. Take a break. Sometimes, we have to just accept that it won't all get done. It might not happen EVER (like organizing my garage). But at the end of the day, having our health and strength gives us the proof that God's grace is sufficient for our lives....not our flawed efforts to appear or even become perfect. Cut. It. Out. Live life. Love the mess. Dig your clothes out of the laundry basket for a few days. Don't stress that the meat is still in the freezer, eat a grilled cheese sandwich! Leave that job, what didn't get done today will be waiting for you tomorrow. The quest for perfection is literally a waste of time. God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses, so let Him flex! Accept the fact that your life will be perfectly imperfect for as long you are blessed to live it, so enjoy the chance to be a Blessed Mess! XOXO

GODfather

One Sunday, while gathering for our weekly ritual of all-day football, the boys took unopened birthday gifts to the Ross's home to play. As we read the instructions and begged for batteries, my nephew Braydon warned Kaleb and I that he probably wouldn't be able to play with his drone at the house. His mother came out later and said that after her attempt with Braydon's drone , she decided to take him to the park instead. Hearing their words, we set the dial in the center from expert to beginner and the boys decided to give it a try in the backyard. Unable to get it to work, they opted for something different to do until it could reach a full charge.

A little later, the other Smithboyz show up, and now it was time to show off. Kaleb and Braydon go back in to grab their drones so they can show Jaden. No sooner than Kaleb is able to get his off the ground, it gets stuck in a tree...where? In the friggin' front yard! I go outside and see that it is WAAAAYYY UP *in my Big Sean voice*. The drone is stuck in the branches of heaven, so I simply tell my wonderful offspring: That's what happens when you try to show off and don't follow directions. He'd turned the dial to expert and had flown the device in the FRONT yard instead of the BACK as we discussed. I went back in the house unbothered. Kaleb sat on the steps feeling defeated.

Braydon reminded him, "I told you that was gonna happen."
"Well, you just shouldn't flew it up there. That's yo fault," said Jaden.
"Rub it in why don't ya," Kaleb sighed.
"It's okay Kaleb," said Micah. "The wind gonna blow it down okay?"
"No it's not..."

Meanwhile, in the house, Darnell asked me what was going on. I told him. He and TJ, the host, upset that the 49ers were taking a beating, felt that half-time was the best opportunity to go assess the situation. Soon after, all the men were outside squinting to see the small toy dangling from the highest branch imaginable. Then, the contest begans. They all started taking turns, throwing a football into the tree, trying to knock the thing loose. They all failed...time and time again. Although the level of entertainment was unforgettable, the men soon returned to the house to enjoy "real" football.

When the afternoon games ended, TJ, who also happens to be Kaleb's godfather, went back outside to give it another try. He was relentless. I couldn't understand why he cared so much. I'm sure part of it was ego; he wanted to be the hero and THE guy to say he had the best arm and the best aim. But another part of it was just the love he has for the kids; his godson's toy was stuck in a tree, and he was gonna get it down...even if it might have meant icy hot on his shoulder the next few days. His efforts were not in vain. He said, "Okay this my last time, if it don't come down this time, I'm done." He launched the football one last time and down came the drone.

Isn't that like God? When we put ourselves in situations that He warned us to stay away from, he is always there to bail us out. When we find ourselves stuck in the trees of life, unable to break free from the strongholds of low self-esteem, sexual deviance, financial woes, depression, or substance abuse, he fights to get us down. When other people remind us of our sin, He forigves. When everyone else abandons us, He is ever-present. He is relentless to get us down, to set us free, to be the hero. He is God...our Father, and no matter what we do, or how high up we find ourselves, He will always bring us back to Him. Be Blessed. XOXO

Missed Opportunity

Yesterday, while sitting at a stop sign, I slightly drifted. Not sure where my mind went, but when I looked both ways, I saw that I could have gone a hair sooner. Now, a car had turned out on my left, followed by a steady stream of cars as the light at the intersection down the road had turned green. "Dammit!" was my exact word. I sat back in my seat, palmed my forehead, and waited for the car caravan to pass, shifting my head back and forth, waiting for a second chance. When the opportunity came, I pulled out to quickly make my turn and be on my merry little way.

God spoke to me. First, He was like, how you gone get mad at the other cars for going where they need to go? You the one that sat there daydreaming! Yo Bad! AHA! Many of us see the metaphor in our lives. God gives us opportunities. He clears our paths. He makes a way for us. But often times, we are too busy with our heads in the clouds (or up some other unmentionable body part) that we miss it! So many of us are wandering around, waiting for a blessing that God already tried to give us once, but the gift of our own free will trumped our better sense.

Someone had the chance with the woman that could have been your wife, but you were too busy chasing around all the other scattered skirts. Someone could have had a promotion, but you were too busy looking for a new job and missed the internal posting. Someone could have had a new home, but you were so focused on the "must haves" that you missed the "must see." And some of us could have had salvation, but we were too busy worrying about what others would think and how we'd be percieved.

But here is the good news! What God intends for us will always be for us. Once we miss it, we might have to wait awhile. He might have to grow us some more. He might have to teach us some things. He might have to check us a few more times, But once we know that we've missed it, we wait for it. We seek it. We sit up and look both ways to see when our time is coming. That is God's intention for us as we live, move, and breath in Him. We have all missed opportunities, but all glory to the Most High that we serve a God of many chances. If you blew it, don't trip. Your time is coming. Just be sure not to miss it the next time around. Be Blessed. XOXO