Light

If there has ever been a time for your light to shine, it is now. Now is when the world needs your gift. It needs your hope. It needs your faith. It needs your God. It needs your profession. It needs your testimony. It needs you. It needs your light. So, shine.

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Unpredictable

We are twenty-seven days into the new year, and there has been a lot of death. Some have been prepared for the losses that occurred, while others have been completely taken aback. Life is unpredictable. It is fragile. It is full of unknowns. Just like we don’t know the day or the hour for Christ’s return, we don’t know when we will be called home or how. We need to live every day to the fullest. Apologize. Forgive. Let go. Kiss and Hug your loved ones. You don’t know what day will be your last. Prepare. Plan. Make sure your affairs are in order. Have the difficult conversations while you still have time.

Matthew 24:36 NIV “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

Heal

I remember when ET brought a dying flower back to life. ET was one of my favorite movies growing up. It was my first introduction to sickness and healing. I remember Elliot and ET being quarantined. ET was turning white and all he wanted to do was go home. Interesting enough, ET had the ability to heal those around him, but not himself. We all have the ability to heal. Our bodies were created to heal themselves. We can heal emotional scars by releasing that anger, pain, and disappointment. We can heal relationships with apologies. Healing does take time. Healing does require change, and healing requires rest. Make it a point to heal before the new year.

Appointed Time

Three years ago, I wrote a check to business. I put the picture of that check in my closet. Everyday I got dressed, I saw that check. Everyday, I was working towards receiving that check. Today, I received a check in the exact same amount written to my business. I have vision boards filled with things that have not come to pass yet. I have vision boards filled with things that have come to pass. Our timing is not God's timing. We just have to write the vision, and trust that God will do the rest. Work the vision. Trust the vision. It will come to pass at the appointed time. 

Jewels

I grew up in barbershops and salons. In the African American community, this is where uncensored conversations about sex, money, politics, current events and religion occurred. As a child, I knew better than to join the conversation, but I did learn how to listen and digest what I was hearing. I learned to see things from a variety of perspectives whether I agreed or not. I learned about consequences from foolish behavior. I learned about successes from hard work. I learned that relationships are complicated. I learned that marriage takes work. I learned what men want and what women desire.

I learned to respect these "jewels" that were given. I learned that everything did not have to be experienced, and that I could learn vicariously. These men and women gave me "jewels" I still carry. They gave me wisdom and insight. I thank God for all the lessons and all the love given to this "young buck." I thank God for the men who stood in the place of my father and all the "mothers" who raised me.

I was blessed to have a host of strong women around me. My grandmother dropped domestic jewels and was my first example of a wife and mother. My mother is an enduring example of strength and perseverance. My godmother is an example of what fortitude looks like and one of my earliest examples of what it meant to truly blend a family. I have a host of mentors, "aunties", play cousins and friends who constantly shower me with "jewels" from their joy, their pain, and their triumphs.

Thank you for your time, your tenth, and your talent. Thank you for showing me that marriage and motherhood doesn't look the same for everyone. Thank you for your jewels. Happy Mother's Day.

Fruitful

"But life at its best is a creative synthesis of opposites in fruitful harmony."-MLK

What does fruitful harmony among opposites look like? Is it the "American Dream" of a melting pot? Is it religious and political freedoms? Is it gun control? Is it stricter immigration laws? Is it police reform? Is it bridging the wealth gap?

MLK was assassinated 50 years ago, and I can't help but think that his America mirrors mine with very little progress. Yes, we have had some significant historical accomplishments, but we've suffered major setbacks. What does America's fruit look like? Have strange fruit on Southern trees become bullet-riddled bodies in backyards? Have we been fruitful or are we like cursed fig trees that bear no fruit? Have we been fruitful with our passions and dreams or have we buried our time, our tenth, and our talent? Have we been fruitful or are we barren?