Whitnee's journey with Christ

Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a mother. We would read stories and fairy tales and I said I wanted 2 children- a boy and a little girl. God blessed me above and beyond my hearts desire. He blessed me with 5 sons and 1 daughter. Though I was only able to give birth to 3, the love I have for all is equal.

Growing up I saw the joys, the struggles, the proud moments, and the disappointing moments that my mother experienced. Through it all her smile was never dim. Her prayer never went unheard. Her praise was never void. Though I didn’t realize when I was younger, my mom set an extraordinary example of what motherhood meant.

I am the mother that stepped up for Khamaurie, Tyriq, and Shanya. It wasn’t easy being a stepmother at only 19, but it was easy loving the blessings that Rico and their mother created.

In June of 2008, Rico and I welcomed our first born, Micah. A few years later Emmanuel came and along came William.

If anyone would have told me that motherhood would be one of the greatest joys of my life, I would have probably had a football team. To see them all grow, mature, learn, overcome failure, endure hardships, and turn into the young men and young lady they are today is such a blessing.

To a world that says my sons will end up in jail before they graduate…they will sale drugs before they get a job…they will have joined a gang before singing on a choir…they will be a menace to society verses a modeled citizen I SAY SCREW YOU!!!!

While I have pure delight in assisting my husband in raising our children, I wouldn’t be real if I didn’t say it didn’t come with some fear. My boys are shown hate just because of the color of their skin, the width of their nose, the tone of their voice, the broadness of their shoulders, and simply because they were born to a black man and woman. The world hated them before they were born in a sense.

In return I teach my kids not to hate; I teach them to love. Love ALL PEOPLE no matter the race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual preference, or ethnicity. I teach my kids to learn all they can learn and not to be defined by what society says you are or will be; but by the strength that God has given to each of them. I don’t train my children to hate the cops just because inequalities exist. I don’t train my children to cheat and steal just because they may fit the description of the young brothas and sistas who did. And I don’t train my children to deceive, manipulate, or beg just because folks think they come from nothing.

No I teach them to be their best and do their best at all times. And when they are having a bad day; I’ve explained to them what it means to show themselves Grace. I train my kids to hold their heads up high and defy all odds. I teach them to use their brains over their fists. To use their words to spread love and not hate. I teach them to put God first in all that they do and to always honor Him. I could go down the list but for the sake of time I’ll just say to tie into today’s message, I teach my kids that their BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!

As social media, television, and the magazines try to predominantly put glamour on fair skin and white skin, skinny verses curvy or full figured, make up verses bare skin, permed hair verses natural hair, naked verses clothed; I have the privilege of speaking life into who God created them to be.

Together we have to teach our children. Together we have to raise the bar and silence the negative talk over all of our children NO MATTER THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN. Together we must fight in unity to secure there is a safe place our children can call home. We have to take guns off of the street and help our kids use their voice, talents, and other gifts to have a future.

With mixed emotions I started today’s blog in hopes of writing a letter to my boys but looked at the news this morning and thought of all the parents who will never have a chance to pray life into their children.

Today’s message is not about race. It’s not about entitlement nor is it bragging on my parenting style (trust me I’ve made my share of mistakes and will continue until I can do better and try to get it right). Today’s message is a cry out as a mother. It is a call for peace. It is a plea for justice.

In the Koinonia Womens Support Group (shoutout to you beautiful ladies) we pray Psalm 91 over our children. Right now I’m wondering what other scriptures or prayers do you prayer over your children and the children of our community. I would love for you to share your prayers or reference scripture in the comment section below. It takes a village, share with others and watch how the Lord will bless you.

So many of us have heavy hearts and feel burdened down and our hearts mourn for the community of Texas, California, New York, Chicago, and the list goes on. It’s time for us to get down on our knees and pray without ceasing. It’s past time to be honest.

This message is a follow up to yesterday’s message about never being afraid to be great.

I want to do something a little different. I would like to share with you the prayer scripture I saw online by Brooke McGlothlin, Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Create in my son or daughter a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within them (Psalm 51:10)
May my son or daughter walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he or she serve You and hold fast to you. (Deuteronomy 13:4)
May my son or daughter be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with him. You will never leave them nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6)
May my son or daughter walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded, and keeping Your statutes and rules (1 Kings 9:4)
Like Timothy, may my son or daughter be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity
 (1 Timothy 4:12)

To my children I pray God’s blessings upon your life. I pray that you will learn how to pray fervently over your lives. I ask God to protect your paths, dwell in your hearts, guide your tongue, and equip you with the full body of armor to be ready for spiritual battle and overcome adversity. I speak God’s favor over you and ask Him for your strength and courage to walk in faith. To my boys I say learn God’s purpose for your life and walk in His ways. To my daughter I pray God will give you the gift of discernment to make wise decisions in life. I pray you will each be a positive influence and allow God to use you to bring others to know God as their personal savior. I pray a hedge of protection over each of you mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I pray you seek God when you are weak and weary. I pray you trust God in all your ways. I pray you will find your way back to Christ if you should go astray. Always remember God loves, daddy loves you, and so do I.