Whitnee's journey with Christ

Sitting down minding my own business yesterday I saw a notification go across my screen. It read: Traci Braxton has died at the age of 50. When I clicked on it to read the article in it’s entirety, I see that she had been quietly battling esophageal cancer for the last year. Although her family was saddened; they were at peace because their mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend were no longer in pain.

Although some folks may have known Traci Braxton was battling cancer, it wasn’t revealed publicly until her passing. Did you know someone who was battling something but it wasn’t until they passed away that what they were dealing with surfaced and was front and center?

In life we are all battling something. It could be finances, health, depression, child care, transportation, relationship problems, trusting God, you name it?!!! One way or another each of us are going through something, and sometimes it’s those secret battles we go through alone that are the most devastating.

God placed it on my heart to tell you this morning if someone has been on your mind, God put them on your heart for a reason. It only takes two seconds to send a text message, dial a number, knock on a neighbors door (yes even though gas is high as I don’t know what), write a letter, or do something to reach out to that person.

Some of us are so stubborn and have the attitude: the phone works both ways, I’m always being the bigger person, that person never answers when I call, etc. Whatever the EXCUSE is, it’s time to bury the hatchet. I’ve seen one too many people loose loved ones in the last week or two. I’ve seen too many people leave this earth before people were able to “make peace with them.”

Depression is taking over our young folks. Instead of picking up the phone to vent to a friend, they think folks are too busy. So they suffer emotionally and mentally in silence and some turn to drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous living. All don’t end with a happy ending. Many are ending in death.

Are we too busy, too prideful, too stressed, or just too blind to see WE NEED EACH OTHER AND WE NEED GOD! God did not create us to go at life alone- he gave us companionship, friendship, fellowship, and prayer to keep us connected.

Now I don’t know what you or someone you know might be facing. I don’t know what secret battles you are fighting alone BUT I do know who can help. I know whose line is available 24/7/365! I know who will never hang up on you or you will never get a busy signal. I know someone who will never dismiss your feelings and make you feel small or less than. I know someone who will love you and stick by your side closer than your brother. Oh yes that person is seeking to gain access to your heart today. Do you know who I’m talking about? If you know drop His name in the comment section below.

Don’t worry never left a message or comment, well today is your lucky day. Don’t leave today’s post without writing the name of the One who cares and knows all of us like the back of His hand. With Him, there is nothing that is done in the dark, that will not come to the light.

In closing I want to encourage you to be more alert, responsible, and aware of your friends, loved ones, and neighbors. We can all use a shoulder, an ear, an open heart, a hot meal, a warm bed, a glass of water, a ride to work, a study partner, prayer partner, exercise buddy, encourager, kind word, hug, and list goes on. Out of this list, which one(s) are you willing to give TODAY to be a blessing to someone else.

DO NOT LET THE SECOND SLIP AWAY BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO CHECK ON YOUR SISTER, BROTHER, COUSIN, AUNT, OR UNCLE. People are leaving this Earth like flies. Tomorrow is not promised, the next breath is not promised. Stress, depression, anger, fear….it is killing our communities. Let’s pray for our neighbors, pray for Ukraine, ask for God’s mercy on Russia, sound leadership for our country, and lend a helping hand. No matter what we face (spoken or unspoken), we can get through it together. Let’s stand United in Christ!