After having a week where my purple gloves where laced up tight, just as I sat down to unloosen the straps the enemy came and sucker punched me in the heart. You ever been in an altercation when you thought it was over so you turned your back to walk away and out of the blue you got a blow to the back of the head? Although I didn’t get a literal blow to the head, I got an emotional and psychological shock that had my head spinning. My feet have been anchored in the Word and I’ve kept my eye on Jesus but I’ll admit this blow hurt below the belt.
Yesterday evening when I got off of work I was so mentally drained I did not want to go to church. I knew I had obligations with Dolly’s House, I knew I wanted to see my Beautiful sisters in Christ, and I definitely wanted to attend Ms. Samuel’s sewing class so I put on my big girl panties and tightened my purple gloves because the enemy was not going to stop what God has begun in my life. Even after getting to church I had decided in my mind I would keep a low profile and work in Dolly’s House until it was time for sewing class but God had another plan. He is an on-time God!
As soon as I walked in Brittney says, “here she goes right here!” She couldn’t think of the person who was trying to get my attention and I saw Robin and Ms. Julia from a distance so I kept walking. In my mind I just wanted to be my myself but again God had a better plan. When I tell you God sent His angels to speak to my heart tonight!!!
After speaking with Robin and Brittney, I was still just going to stay in Dolly’s House for a little while longer just to have more time to “put on my face like I was okay, but inside I knew I was struggling.” God knew this and saw my pain and so He sent Mrs. Margie! If you didn’t know, God has a sense of humor as well. I told a fib and said I would be right up but she saw past my gap and said she was headed that way so we could go up together. And so we did! I tell you I have made some dumb decisions in my life, but the decision to put self aside and get out of feelings to go upstairs and support Annabelle turned out to be one of the BEST decisions I’ve made in a long time!
Not only was I greeted by the most Beautiful faces but I was able to see little Akim, who looks like he should be on the face of a magazine. He and Clarissa should be Gerber babies; they are precious to me! And to top it off I got a sweet hug from my sweet sister and I felt like her warm embrace lifted the sadness hidden deep within.
And so it was time to sit down and get ready for Annabelle’s presentation. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew whatever it was, I would be blessed. Annabelle has such a beautiful spirit just like her mom and her smile is bright, beautiful and contagious. It makes you smile- and so I did! Annabelle had been working on a school project with her best friend, Sophia, and they chose our Women’s Support group to receive the blessing.
In Annabelle’s introduction she handed us a few items to give better context into the book she would be reading along with helpful tips that we could take back to our families and apply.
In addition to the above information sheet, we each received four conversation starter cards and a table booklet that we could customize and use as a guide or tool for our families. I was so excited to see Kyjah begin writing on hers already!
It was time for story time so we all tuned in. Annabelle read Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds. I don’t want to spoil the book so I will not tell you what it is about. To hear someone read the story aloud, please click on the QR code above that Annabelle provided. This is an awesome resource for all ages and it truly told a story deeper than the importance of being screen free and of having family convos and reading time!
Violet, the main character in the story was so wise beyond her years and she had the ability to bring her family closer together with purpose. I was inspired by this story because even though Violet felt lonely and could have been disappointed, she didn’t allow that to stop her from doing what God intended for her to do. In the end Violet was able to bring her family back to the table.
Annabelle illustrated the importance of reducing screen time, active listening, being present and making loved ones feel seen and heard, and so much more not only by reading the book, providing conversation cards, the fact sheet but most importantly by being transparent and providing her own testimony. By Annabelle being open and bold enough to tell her shortcomings when it comes to screen time and the importance of certain family traditions it really helped me do a self inventory (and others in the room) of how we have allowed distractions and being overly busy to minimize the table in our homes.
It is not often that families sit around the table and share a meal, let alone have a conversation these days. Most folks eat carry out in their rooms and the only time they have converse is in passing. Phones, television, social media, and e-books have taken precedence in so many homes it’s ridiculous.
God had aligned Pastor Jackie’s spirit with Annabelle’s presentation so perfectly. Pastor Jackie provided a sheet entitled, “Starve the scroll, feed the spirit.”
We had some time to have a healthy conversation and share our thoughts and questions for Annabelle and that was the “whip cream” on top! To witness the different perspectives from Beautiful ladies from all walks of life and then to hear the testimony from a wise 20 year old college student, it was refreshing! Annabelle didn’t know how much of a blessing she was to me along with Sophia, and a much needed distraction to take me a way from my feelings of despair.
I am so grateful that God sent Brittney, Robin, and Mrs. Margie in my path. I’m so happy that they didn’t leave me alone in my thoughts. I’m so happy that I was able to bear witness to God working in and through sweet Annabelle. I pray that she will have the opportunity to repeat what was done on a larger scale and it is my prayer that Sophia and her could have a panel style discussion on this very topic. Again it was so much more “meat and potatoes” than limiting screen time; Annabelle invited us to the table. And boy did we eat! I left spiritually full and she gave me something I hadn’t been able to encourage myself to have these last two days- hope! Her kind heart and choosing to bless us on this particular night was right on time and exactly what I needed.
After prayer time, it was time to shift gears and go into Ms. Samuels sewing class. I had gotten a chance to talk to a few folks and one person I got the pleasure to speak to was sweet Kami! She wore the brightest smile that would take anyone’s stress away.
Some lines of communication were mixed up so I was the only person in the sewing class. I asked Ms. Samuel not to be discouraged and by my surprise she was still happy and still wanted to proceed with class. Not to be selfish but I got first dibs on valuable information and a very thorough step by step process. God allowed the time to slow down in order for me to get a full lesson. I even received a homework assignment?!
Class was adjourned and it was time to go home. On my way home Mrs. Debbie called me- she is so delightful! We had a good talk and it was time to put on my Mommy hat. I wasn’t quite ready to hear leave my “bubble of thoughts” because these thoughts were happy thoughts that drowned out the feelings of anxiety and frustration that I felt before I saw Annabelle!
Just in the nick of time, I got a text from my sweet sister! What happened next had me crying tears of pure joy for over an hour! If I have grammatical errors into today’s message it’s probably because I couldn’t stop crying tears of happiness and gratitude. I don’t know why and I cannot quite understand (but it’s not for me to understand) but I thank God! Kami sung with boldness, with conviction, with grace, and with love in her heart CeCe Winans, Goodness of God.
Have you ever heard an Angel sing? Have you ever had goosebumps and tears that were uncontrollable? If your answer is no, listen to Kami sing Goodness of God by CeCe Winans!
Kami’s offering was the “cherry on top!” It was confirmation that God loves me and that He does not put more on us than we can bear. It provided a sweet release and allowed me to lay my burden at Jesus’ feet. After I listened to Kami sing and cry some more, I was able to put on that armour of God, polish my purple gloves, and put on my shoes of peace.
Kelly always points me back to Scripture Psalm 8:2. Last night was that example and how special it was for it to be Kami and Annabelle! To witness this pure act of love on a night when my heart was so heavy and my soul cried out in silence, to have this offering, to be fed so good, and then to be rocked to sleep listening to Kami’s rendition of Goodness of God- God loved me so tenderly through these beautiful young women.
I dedicate this message to Annabelle Lee and Kami Strum. I thank God for each of them and I pray God richly bless them! I pray they will continue to allow God’s light to shine through them and be a blessing to others. I pray this conversation of limiting screen time will reach more ears and that this book, “Our Table” will be the catalyst to bring families back together. Thank you Kami and Annabelle for giving me hope and encouraging me to remain faithful, focused on God, and never be to busy to spend time with Him and go back to the basics before IPads, social media, cell phones, and other distractions.
Glad that you decided to go to group and it brightened up your day. A lot of the times I too want to be in isolation and alone when I am upset but God will use people to show you that it will be ok. I remember Kelly saying how she did not want to teach when her father passed but, the teaching helped with her grief and mourning. I remembered it’s been quite a few times that I did not want to come to church or I was too myself but when I did come and come to Bible study, it helped me. God has a way of speaking through people to encourage you that things are going to be alright. It’s that waiting season and everything that comes with the waiting season that throws us off, drives us crazy, or want to isolate. And I know for a fact to be left alone with your thoughts is pretty dangerous spiritually if God ain’t in it. We must remember that we have to worship and give God the praise in these moments….I remember growing up in the holiness church and the pastor says it’s two times when you are supposed to praise God…..can you fill in the blank? When you feel like it and when you don’t. And I know it’s hard praising God when you don’t feel like it. And when I don’t feel like it, find you something else to do. Don’t be alone if you can’t help it or write to God if you can’t pray to Hod. Tell him how you feel. Remind God of his promises that he promised you. An angry, sad, or hurt conversation with God is better than no conversation at all. I grew up saying that I was not allowed to question God and that was that. Over the years I’ve learned that it’s ok to question God because the Bible also says ask and he shall receive. I’ve learned that God hears your frustration and will answer you. Remember Jonah in the Bible. Jonah was angry with God because he knew God was merciful and that the wicked city of Nineveh would be spared if they repented, which is exactly what happened. Jonah wanted the Ninevites destroyed, seeing their repentance as a disastrous outcome that made his own prophecy of judgment appear illegitimate. He was so angry that he wanted to take his own life after seeing a plant wither and die. Jonah had a conversation with God and God made him aware that His anger stemmed from hatred of his enemies and a lack of compassion, rather than joy at their salvation. Look at King David, King David was angry with God after Uzzah was struck dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant. This event is detailed in 2 Samuel 6:6–David also felt abandoned by God in Psalms 13, where he pleaded for God to “look at me” and “answer me”. Again, it’s ok to feel angry, sad, hurt, whatever, because we have great prophets in the Bible who felt the same way. God had to let them know that he is a merciful God and His Word is all that matters in the end. We must remember that even when it seems like the world is in chaos, We have a God who is IN Control. He is working our your bad for your GOOD. Our God is INTENTIONAL. And Yes in your waiting season, them feelings of hurt, sorrow, pain, impatience, depression, yes all them feeling that are not of you CHILD OF GOD are going to stir up….But Guess what, We have a God that is never LATE, HE is always on time, Ain’t that right WHITNEE? I know that we are going through what we are going through to build up our character in Christ, to build up our Faith, to show believers encouragement and Non-Believers that they are on the losing side and they need to jump ship to the winning side of JESUS CHRIST. We are vessels for our GOD to use and be followers of HIM. Followers of the I AM. So we must Wait Upon the Lord to Renew Our Strength! Amen.
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