Whitnee's journey with Christ

A few years after college I held down three jobs at once. I worked seven days a week, in which two of the days I pulled double shifts. I did that for a few years and fell in love and got married. It’s almost nineteen years later and I’m still working multiple jobs. Back then I did it to keep up with my love of shoes, clothes, belts, pocketbooks, and matching undergarments now I do it because working multiple jobs is necessary to keep the lights on and food on the table. Not to mention it’s needed to keep my boys involved in extra circular activities and not in the street, jail, or worse. I’ve often been called the Bionic Woman, but in my mind I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do or I’m bat 💩 crazy! You take your pick but at the end of the day; I’m just Whitnee’!

Above is a picture of what came in the mail this afternoon and after the day that was full of emotions, I truly needed to see and read that. D’Etta is one of the angels God placed in my life. She is a woman of faith with many talents and her laugh, her love, her spirit, and just her in general will make you love her at first sight- she is contagious in the best way possible. Reading her note really made me slow down after cooking dinner to just think about her message. It was simple but full of wisdom and God allowed me to decipher the meaning of it in such a beautiful way! Be WILD for sharing God’s Love. Here’s the back story: D’Etta came in on Wednesday and was dropping off donations to Dolly’s House on her way to volunteer at Koinonia to a few hours. After I gave her a hug, I noticed her beautiful earrings. She had told me she got them off of Amazon, we had small talk, and then she was off and on her way. So today when I came home and had a package in the mail and saw it was the earrings I burst out into happy tears! I couldn’t believe she actually remembered and took the time to order me a pair. That act of kindness reminded me so much of Willia Davis but for those of you who know D’Etta you know her heart is just as big as my mom’s! Always doing, thinking, breathing, praying and living for God.

Living in survival mode teaches you a lot of things. It is not for the faint in heart; it teaches you grit. The most important thing it has taught me was to rely on God and trust Him with my whole heart. I’ve always admitted that I used to read my Bible only when I was in a bind or felt like I “needed” the Lord. Like some folks, it’s like I put Him on the shelf until I needed Him. There was a time in my life where finances failed, my health was failing, my marriage was failing, my job was failing, everything was just going south. Truth be told that’s when I found Jesus for myself in the most tangible way possible. I knew it was God who held my hand and got me out of the place I was in. A place where I felt like I drowning. While folks looked at me and thought I had it all together, they didn’t know if it had not been for God, I don’t know where I would have been.

I have no super powers, I don’t have good stamina, I’m not very strong or durable and I don’t have any artificial enhancements so there is nothing bionic about me. I am perfectly okay with that. But I worship a God who is strong, mighty, powerful, and so much more and I find strength in Him. I make it my point daily to try and send a word of encouragement, concern, love, or just a note to let folks know I’m thinking about them. Being around folks like D’Etta that are on 🔥 for the Lord; makes you want to do and be more. She makes you want to BE WILD for sharing God’s love!

In what ways are you wild for sharing God’s love? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

Briefly I would like to highlight a few ways I experienced people being WILD for sharing God’s love while I was at church today:

• Wesley came in while we were preparing for Dolly’s House and showed concern for the burning smell. He could have ignored it and kept going but he came down to investigate. Once he saw things were in the clear- he took time out of his schedule to talk. Even as he processes life in the midst of his grief, he is being WILD by continuing the bus ministry that allows many families to come to worship on Wednesdays and Sundays. He and his family have done and are doing so much for the Body of Christ.
• Malachi (Kelly’s son) came down to speak and give his hug like he always does and saw there was work to do. He got in line like one of the Spry boys and got straight to work at Dolly’s House. I didn’t ask him because he was with his friends BUT he felt compelled to help and do a phenomenal job! He and Emmanuel were my “customer service representatives” and they greeted folks as they entered and exited Dolly’s House and even took the time to fold and bag their items. Malachi even took the initiative to get extra bags together and put the hangers up without being asked.

• Kami (Kelly’s sweet daughter) and Nygel saw a need and pulled up their sleeves and helped. They were in the “right place at the right time” and helped to bring in donations from Mrs. Debbie from CBF (always helping Koinonia and Dolly’s House making donations, offering support, volunteering, bringing awareness, etc.). Even though they were surrounded by friends and could have used that time to chit chat or go taste the various soups and chilis they were WILD and stepped in to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Even sweet Zahvea came in and helped.

• Mrs. Edna took time to help find us a table so we could use at our “checkout counter” and saw the abundance of donations. Like before she offered her time and talents to come sort and help distribute items to areas where there is much need. She touched my heart when she said she wanted to “help me to feel overwhelmed, but to be in control.” Transparent moment: Mrs. Edna wears many hats and is a woman of order and integrity but she has not for one second allowed her many hats to take away from lending a helping hand. Her along with more of the Moore’s have helped Dolly’s House on several occasions and I think it is WILD how they find time in the midst of all they do in and around the church. I don’t think she saw the look on my face but after a previous encounter, I had to go outside and “cry it out” in the car because I had gotten overwhelmed and briefly discouraged. BUT GOD!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏽🙌🏻🙌🏽
• Terri came with Kennedi and some of her nieces and said Kennedi was looking for volunteer hours.
• There were several other encounters I had with folks today in Dolly’s House where the gift of love, caring, and sharing God’s love was so powerful (Tyesha- donating to the mission of Dolly’s House and always thinking of other people bringing items and souvenirs, Ms. Samuel- supporting and speaking words of wisdom and encouragement, Mrs. Doris- spreading the word, showing love, and showing up when it matters, Ms. Marcella- thinking of others and their needs and seeing things that would put a smile on others faces, my Spry guys, and many others).
• The ones that put the cherry on the top were the dynamic mommy/daughter duo: Kelly and Mrs. Rita! Kelly had come down a time or two to make sure we had all the help we needed, make sure we were nourished, and just to give a hug and spread love like only she can. Mrs. Rita had gone to her car and brought in donations that was evidence of God’s perfect timing! Brittney had come in earlier but didn’t find all the sizes she was looking for but the items that Mrs. Rita brought in were an absolute answer to prayer! Not only for Brittney but for Mrs. Marcella’s grandbaby. She had not known how much her timing and thinking of others helped in such a magical way. She spreads the Good News everywhere she goes and she got the ladies from Kathwood to bless these precious little girls at just the right moment.

At exactly 7:15 a text came in from a “gentle giant” and he shared with me today’s message from our pastor, Pastor Steven. I was downstairs preparing for Dolly’s House opening so I missed the message, but was filled by the words of this kind man so I could only imagine how powerful today’s message was. I don’t think he knows how timely his words were just like how timely receiving the earrings and note from D’Etta was. Dave is my last example of how folks around me are WILD for sharing God’s love but if I had more time I could go down my list at just how WILD each of us are and can be!

I’m so blessed and grateful to be amongst so many angels and people who are WILD for Jesus!

As you go throughout this week, take time to Be WILD for sharing God’s Love. Don’t hesitate to make someone’s day by offering a smile, a hug, a kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, a hot meal, a jacket, a prayer, a scripture, or a Word from the Lord.

Be blessed and stay safe.