They are just like you and me...

We live in a world where many have not just enough, but an abundance. The big homes, decent cars, food on the table every day as we enjoy the fare of our choice, designer clothes, vacations, mini-vacations, knick-knacks, patty whacks and give a dog a bone! Do I need to go on? You get my point. We live in abundance! Of this abundance we seldom think of sharing because it’s always about us.

I was driving to work the other day and my heart grieved uncontrollably. I mean, it was an “all of a sudden, completely out of nowhere moment.” I drove the streets of the mainline looking at those big fancy homes, designer cars and petite women sitting behind those SUV’s they could hardly handle. It made me sick. I could not help pulling into my employer’s parking lot with my eyes filled with tears—hoping no one parked next to me and asked what was wrong. I was just sick of those who have nothing and yet those of us who have so much, never think of sharing. We’re all guilty of it so don’t read this and think, “I know she’s not talking about me.” YES….I’m talking about you too.

It doesn’t seem fair and I wanted to stay in my car and just beg God not just for forgiveness for those of us who have been so selfish but for mercy on those who live in the streets. It is a complete misconception to believe that these people want to be homeless. They do not. They are just like you and me. The only difference is that we are one second away from a tragedy or disaster striking ~ completely removing all of our cozy comforts of life. For these people; they’ve met theirs. Are there some who have personality disorders and who are dangerous? Yes, but that does not excuse the behaviors of those who live in abundance and simply refuse to help.

I sat in my car asking God why He would place such a heavy burden on my heart? I did not need this so early in the morning. My make-up was fresh, I was nice and caffeinated from my coffee, had just finished listening to some Old School Funk on Pandora and I was ready to get the work day going, but apparently, God had other plans for me. I could not stop weeping, so I waited for the answer and refused to get out of my car until I received something. I got my answer. He said to me that it was on purpose that he placed this on my heart. He told me explicitly, plainly, boldly and matter of factly that on purpose he gave me a heart for people and that he knew I would do everything within my power to help. He also told me that he knew I would be praying without ceasing for our homeless, underserved, under privileged, disregarded and disrespected population. He told me that he will hear me. I cried some more. Thanks God! I was all jacked up at 8:30 in the morning!

My car was facing train tracks that morning and a train happened to be going by. I recall (as I sat in my car) how the noise of the train drowned out my sobs for these people but immediately calmed myself because God heard me. It is truly a burden when you love people as deeply as I do. You want to help everyone but just don’t have enough and so you find yourself constantly resisting the temptation of becoming angry at those who can help but won’t or never think to. You fight the urge of asking those who brag about what they just bought if they’ve given to someone who have nothing and you wait patiently, wishing, hoping and praying for them to tell you that they made a donation to some organization---any organization that helps someone. They never do.

I have enough. I don’t need anything else. I really do not. If I don’t ever get anything else EVER in this world for the rest of my life, I STILL have more than I need. Help someone yall. Step away from yourselves and help a stranger. Step outside of your world because everyone doesn’t live there and help someone. Stop catering to the ones who you know eat every day and think about those who don’t. We are all a second away from a catastrophe and we don’t know what’s coming around the corner. They could be us. Help them yall. Please. They could be us.

Benefit of the doubt...

Why should I be so naïve as to give you the benefit of doubt? What have you done to earn your way into my not doubting that you will not lie to me, steal from me, or attempt to manipulate me under the guise of befriending me ~ only to gain what you need to satiate the appetite of your sickest desire? The benefit of the doubt is simply NOT free. It comes with a cost. Below is my fee:

Consistent behavior demonstrating characteristics of a moral and upright person, position or institution

Unquestionable Integrity

Fruit ~ minus maggots

Action not empty words

For some, my price tag may be too high, and that is okay because in life, you get what you pay for. If you settle for low standards, low functioning and low expectations that is what you’ll get. If you settle for the benefit of the doubt, you run the risk of being bamboozled and blinded by the self-serving shadiness of someone seeking to use you to their advantage.

I’ve lived long enough to know that if there is a choice in believing something good about what someone says or believing something bad, I’m going to look at my price tag instead. It’s a high price for some but everything ain’t for everybody. Also please note, I do not give discounts, have sales, offer coupons or hold blue light specials.
My price tag stands... even if I stand alone.

I've come to realize ...

1. I've come to realize that...you can't lose what truly belongs to you.

2. I've come to realize that...when my brother died, my world would change forever.

3. I've come to realize that...no matter how hard you love, you can't make someone love you back.

4. I've come to realize that...there are only 24 hours in a day and 8 of them I NEED to sleep.

5. I've come to realize that...time really does fly when you are raising your children.

6. I've come to realize that...if I want to see change; I have to be that change.

7. I've come to realize that...the world will go on without you so are you making the most of your world?

8. I've come to realize that...summer goes way too fast and winter lasts way too long.

9. I've come to realize that...I just will never appreciate winter time, snow or any temperature below 60 degrees.

10. I've come to realize that...your children will one day grow up and WANT to do things without you around.

11. I've come to realize that...I really do cherish a glass of red wine...daily!

12. I've come to realize that...the best snack is a huge bowl of sunflower seeds mixed with barbeque potato chips.

13. I've come to realize that...appreciation is more powerful than love.

14. I've come to realize that...rude people exist everywhere.

15. I've come to realize that...Dr. Phil may be full of crap.

16. I've come to realize that...I am addicted to good drama movies.

17. I've come to realize that...I may be a big-time dreamer.

18. I've come to realize that...I have many associates but few friends and I like it like that.

19. I've come to realize that...I can usually tell a person's character as soon as they open their mouths.

20. I've come to realize that...I do not like snobs...in fact, I pity them.

22. I've come to realize that...I had to personally fight through some issues to grow up spiritually.

23. I've come to realize that...children learn what they live.

24. I've come to realize that...all mothers think their children are cute; just disregard that third eye near the nose.

25. I've come to realize that...not all overweight people are overweight because of poor eating.

26. I've come to realize that...a corn on your baby toe never goes away.

27. I've come to realize that... I've got more blessings than not.

28. I've come to realize that...money can buy me some happiness.

29. I've come to realize that...GOD is the ONLY way!

30. I've come to realize that...gay people are people so LEAVE them ALONE and focus on your own stuff!!!

31. I've come to realize that...being selfish is not always selfish.

32. I've come to realize that...crying really does relieve some kind of mental pressure.

33. I've come to realize that...I'll never be a size 4 again, no matter how hard I try, so please pass the chips!

34. I've come to realize that...giving to the Goodwill makes me feel good.

35. I've come to realize that...my friend Carol Price-Cook looks like she is always walking on air. I want some of that.

36. I've come to realize that...when I die, I will be leaving behind many people who love me.

Bow Down ...

We live in such an egocentric society ~ you know, www.itsallaboutme.com. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that sometimes it’s not about you or me at all. Sometimes it really is about helping someone else whose gifts aren’t as sharp or who needs a hand or a push. Sometimes it is simple encouragement ~ offering your own gifts, strength, stamina and experience. As I look at my own life, I am reminded of some of my friends, co-workers, family members and even strangers at how a seemingly random, intentional or unintentional act may have helped them. I’ve watch people go from zero to 100, A to Z and being quiet in their spirit to now speaking with a boldness that they are still trying to become accustomed to. It is actually quite encouraging when you know that you were the person being used to help someone else--- even if it does not appear to anyone that you are moving. It’s okay folks, because again, sometimes it's just not about you or me.

Sometimes the only role you were meant to play was to be used. Don’t like that word “used” do you? Well, I didn’t like it either until I fully understood what it means in the spiritual realm. Being used is to be “of service.” It is to “Bow Down” (Bless someone else). It is to be self-less and not selfish. Being used says, “I love you just as I love myself: which is by the way, what the bible calls us to do. So, being used it is not a bad thing. It is a good thing and you have to know that by allowing yourself to be used, you will too be blessed.

Let me just give you a word of caution though. Don’t look for the blessings necessarily from people. Don’t even look for the “thank-you’s from those you’ve helped or encouraged along the way. If you look for that, you will be disappointed; furthermore, you will have missed what it means to be used. Secondly, people bless you when you’re on top and curse you when you’re on the bottom. We’re flaky, bandwagon jumpers and some of us just blow wherever the wind takes us. Now, if people do bless you, GREAT, but please don’t hang your hat on people.

The kind of blessing I’m referring to would be from the Almighty Himself. You see, His 2nd greatest command is to love your neighbor and loving your neighbor definitely blesses God. Do all that you do for His glory and not for the glory of man. You will be sorry, lost, confused and dismayed over time. Man and their accolades are not permanent. They are fleeting, temporary and inconsistent.

So, the next time you have an opportunity to Bow Down (Bless someone) and be used, do it. It may not be about you at all today ~ but in the END ~ when it really, really matters, it will be all ABOUT YOU!