Whitnee's journey with Christ

I went back “home” to my old stumping grounds and to my surprise the beautiful woman of God who puts the “R” in resilience delivered a Word from God. Her message was entitled “Stay Focused” and the scripture reading came from Matthew 8:23-27 read from the King James Version. She spoke with such charisma, spunk, tenacity, boldness, courage, and Godly wisdom. I often admire the way she speaks, her beauty, her Godly glow, and her wisdom. And though she was the highlight of my day, God was showing off when He put some of these folks under the same roof again.

We had all come together under one roof in God’s house to celebrate God. It was a wonderful reunion filled with love, hugs, and well wishes. Since the pandemic struck our city we often catch up over Zoom, text, or phone calls but it’s nothing like being able to see and touch the person you have longed for and missed. To reach out and touch a hand was like a dream come true!

After listening to a powerful message we all gathered in the Fellowship Hall that had been beautifully decorated, freshly painted, with an amazing floor and trim work. The Pastor is a “Jack of all trades” full of amazing talents that motivate the talents within his congregation to work together in love. I always cherished the love shared whether part of or away- the love never changed. The love never died!

While in the Fellowship Hall the church had dedicated the Fellowship Hall in my moms honor. The Pastor said they didn’t do anything extravagant because my mom was such a humble person and that was the first time I could recall he lied to his congregation. It was extravagant. It was timely, it was sincere, and it was simply beautiful. The legacy of love, service, commitment, and honor that my mom left behind filled the walls of the church. It even made my brother full as he held back tears. Looking back at Rico I could tell he was full as well.

My family had traveled up from the country for this joyous occasion and it felt like old times and although my mom wasn’t there physically boy did I sense her presence ever so clearly. It’s like I saw her smile radiantly on everyone’s face and it made my heart glad that this little lady I call mom was so loved and cherished by many.

Two beautiful ladies who had just laid their mothers to rest a few days ago were present. Though you could see the sorrow in their eye from the void that has been left from the lost of their mothers, they still allowed God’s love to shine so brightly through the tenderness of their hands, the softness of their voice, and the smile beneath their masks. And the beautiful woman who brought the message, lost her sister days earlier. I found out from attending her Sunday school lesson.

God placed her on my heart so heavily and when the reminder came out about Sunday school I was eager to tune in. Talk about an on time God. At the end of Sunday school we had all learned her sister passed away the morning she prepared God to use her to teach us. I would have never known. It’s like God had given her the strength of an ox to get through the lesson without breaking down, shedding one tear, and turning the lesson into a time of sadness. And that’s folks is one reason why I said this particular lady puts the “R” is resilience.

Grief and resilience live together.

Michelle Obama

God is so good to us to provide so many beautiful women, men, boys and girls who take life by the horns and ride the waves of life with such RESILIENCE. I know I have said the world resilience a few times but I believe in giving people “their flowers” while they are breathing and as long as I have breath I will praise God for His wonderful creations here on Earth. I love people and I thank God every day for the people in my life. They inspire me. YOU INSPIRE ME!

It’s people like Cherise that make me smile and help turn my darkness into a sun shiny day. When she smiles it warms my heart and makes my heart glad. It’s people like Anissa that make what a person may have gone through look like a piece of pie or an easy walk in the park. Her strut, her glow, her voice will make a man sing like a canary. Or look at Ms. Fran or Mrs. Hamilton as an example, their warmth, care, and love bring joy and hope to people like me. I’m a motherless and fatherless child physically, but mentally and spiritually it’s people like them who guide you and help you see that God can be your mother, your father, your sister, and your brother as said by Ms. Rembert.

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.

Maya Angelou

I’ll probably get in trouble for using their names on this blog but it’s 4:18 in the morning and I wired up on coffee and the Word of God and I just have to use the people in my life (just a few) to show you how God reigns in and through YOU!

Pat, Ojetta, Sarah, Stacey they put the “fine in wine.”

My daddy always said, “it’s better to be seen than to be heard.” I guess he was talking about Val when he taught me that growing up because though she doesn’t speak much, her present is vastly known and welcomed.

Faith my sweet sister Faith wears the breastplate of the Lord and is clothed with grace. She “wears the weight of the world” on her shoulders and she has gone through so much in her life and has suffered great loss, but thank God it has never broke her. Raising three kids on your own would drive the average person up the wall but she does so day in and day out effortlessly. Sure I’m sure she gets tired, heck we all do, but she doesn’t give up. She keeps pressing towards the call and allows God to fulfill His purpose for her life.

Let’s not get started on the men that were in the house. Though one in particular body might have been rocking with pain, he didn’t allow that to stop him from coming to praise the Lord. It never stops him from lending a helping hand or just being gentle and noble. Or another “Jack of all trades” who has recently had a dear loss of his own, he is a great example of being the head of the household and like his pastor is a “Jack of all trades.”

And purposely I saved the “best” for last, my husband. I can say many things about my peanut head husband but I don’t want his head to turn into a balloon-and our 14 wedding anniversary is coming up so I’ll save the “mush” for then. But Rico is one of the most resilient men that I have ever met. He overcomes SO MANY obstacles and makes the sweetest lemonade out of the lemons that he has been thrown, and he one of the most determined, humble people I know. He doesn’t allow the manure dished out or the wicked words people say stop him, he prevails. He is definitely BUILT DIFFERENT.

Only those who dare to fail greatly, can achieve greatly.

Robert F. Kennedy

My family was in the house. Woop! Woop!!! My two aunts, my two cousins, and my brother are my thoughts behind today’s scripture. You see in life we all will suffer and we all will have difficulties, but it is the love of God, our hope, faith, and the love of FAMILY that will help us through day by day. I cannot begin to tell you how loosing my mom has rocked my world. Although I made peace before my mom passed the day the doctor told me her cancer had come back yet again and it came back with vengeance I can honestly say I still wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

My family helped me not be selfish. They helped me “let her go.” They played a big role in my healing in the early stages of grief. They guided me (sometimes with force) and they helped me navigate. They stepped up in areas that they didn’t have to in the past because my mom filled those roles. They loved me in spite of my failure to communicate, in spite of my hiding behind my tears, and they loved me in spite of my shortcomings.

Like we learn in Romans 8:18 though we suffer, it does not compare to where God is taking us. Where we come from will only make us stronger as God molds us into His image. But where we are going will be worth it all in the end.

Shout out to everyone in today’s message for putting the “R” In resilient. Shout out to each of you reading today’s message that encompass resilience in your very being. So like the kids say, “I’m built different!” That EACH OF YOU ARE. I thank God for His people and all the inspiration you bring to my life.

Tune in to the next blog once God places it on my heart, in the mean time like Uncle Kent says “be a blessing to someone in need” and like Dr Neal says “God loves you and so do I.” Blessings upon your day!