The Obamas: The Love & Decency We Needed to See

It was 2008 at the DNC Convention when I first "met" Michelle ... I was at my grandfather's house watching intently because I wanted to hear the Senator's wife. 

Barack Obama was his name -

I wanted to know what she was like. 

In a sea foam colored dress - with sophistication, compassion & soft wit, Mrs. Obama shared the importance of education, hard work, her father's commitment to her family and the strength of middle class America. She spoke of her "two heartbeats," her daughters, and she captured mine - first go 'round.

Michelle could've run in 2008.

As she wrapped up her first major twenty-minute hello, I ran to the guest room door and yelled down the stairs --- ok. Maybe I screamed.

"POP POP!!!!!!!! POP POP! Did you see her?!! ...Did you hear her?! She's BEAUTIFUL! ...That's our First Lady! They're gonna win!!" 

With tears in my eyes & a certain elation, it didn't take long before the secret was out.

#NotAfraid

As if the past year and a half wasn’t preparation enough, these past 9 days have taken many Americans on quite an interesting ride (and that’s -- to say the least). We’ve faced unwelcome surprises. Daily, political developments grow more & more bizarre. We’re either witnessing overt and sick behavior we haven’t seen before, or, overt and sick behavior we haven’t seen in decades... We’re greeting old friends and wondering who they voted for… failing to make eye contact with strangers at Shop Rite, signing out of social media because it’s just too much, or signing on because we’re info-addicts. We’re watching the news all day or shutting off the TV in protest for peace. We're living in a new kind of day, but perhaps without the cheer that newness typically brings.. 

It's true.

 Because - the biggest misstep, I believe, is that some have tied their entire futures to the successful or failing fate of this country. Now - whether this past week was a victory or a loss for you, if you’ve paid enough attention to anything that’s taken place – ANYTHING -- you may have felt a new kind of fear, faced different doubts, drummed up new concerns, or at the very least, found that you had new questions... And it's true.

It’s clearer now more than ever before that times are changing and this world needs more than a “good man” in a seat -  it needs God, and He's on a throne..

On Friends, Loyalty, Loss and Your Best One Ever..

I'm not perfect, one, because I hate driving and will likely wiggle out of volunteering for my rightful turn on any given road trip..., and two, there's more, I'm sure : ) but when you ask my friends what they prize most about me - it's usually something along the lines of how I am trustworthy and cray - stopping at nothing to make them laugh. I do prize loyalty and I am one to keep secrets..  so naturally, I assume everyone has the same morality system. A heart share is obviously confidential.. I thought. 



Have you ever been too trusting at times? 

Featured Blogger #2: "Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?" by Dr. RayPritchard

I'm sharing this article because I've always wondered. Always had this question.
Because people around me are facing loss and I want to be of sure and sound heart when I open my mouth to comfort them..

When my Nana passed, my great grandmother, and even one of my schoolmates at age 9...
I needed to know... Do we really get to see them again? Will we even recognize them? How would I cope with the devastation of even thinking that the last time I saw this person was indeed, the LAST time? ... I loved them too much. That would hurt most.

Divine Valentine

Valentine's Day is experienced in so many ways. There are couples who go out of their way to celebrate and others who do not. There are singles who make the day about self-pampering, singles who take heart and love on their relatives, singles who insist the day bares no significance, and singles that go into hiding, admitting it brings pain. Some people are new to the grief that the day could bring because of death, divorce, or breakup. Some others find it to be a joyous occasion because they've recently embarked upon a new season of love, engagement, or marriage.

Whatever the situation,  I spoke to a friend who spoke to an ex-boyfriend.. . She said he still loved her & he missed her -- but he's newly engaged, to someone else.

Ray Rice and Other Thoughts on the Golden Rule: A Response

I have to be honest -- I was a little bothered after reading responses to the Ray Rice scandal on Facebook.

As soon as Janay indicated she would stand by Rice in the light of what really happened on that elevator (which, in my opinion, was obvious without the new video leak).. FB blew up again - NOT withholding unfiltered ridicule and name-calling. I don't know what the commentary was to accomplish, but it seemed as though the general public was unconcerned, and maybe even hoping that the Rices would stumble across their taunts.

I must preface this writing by admitting that perhaps because I've seen this guy a few times on campus, held a conversation or 2, went to football games and threw rice on the field.. he's not just a face on the TV screen. I preface this by saying, I DO NOT, in any way agree with or intend to minimize what he did, BUT, I do consider him human, and so is Janay. I do consider them to have hearts, and wills, and emotions. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in the public eye at your darkest moment, but it was a lot for me -- to wake up to a newsfeed full of  popular consensus to throw them away.

I resolved to pray for them, but meanwhile on FB...

"Dear Church Baby..." Part 4

My pastor has been teaching recently on the Word of God as a seed, ready to produce -  that God is a purposeful Sower.. sowing Himself into His children and His word into our hearts. We learned that our hearts are like soil, only capable of  producing if tilled well and ready for receiving. 

Are our hearts fertile? Are they good ground?  
Are we open for growth? Are we surrendered to the planting?