Unperfected Love

Have you ever taken some time out to think about where you would be if no one loved you through your mess? The hardest time...you know, when you weren't exactly likable, let alone loveable?

If you have, then you realize how much forgiveness coincides with love.  Love is used so loosely these days.  So much, that I’m confident that most people have no clue what all it entails.  Considering,  Merriam-Webster has so many definitions of loveit is no surprise that we all have our own personal definitions:

1.      Attraction based on sexual desire

2.      Affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interest

3.      A person’s adoration of God

4.      Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for good of another

Thing is, we often hear about how we wish Big Momma/Mema was still living and how great the family was when she was around.  How you ever sat and pondered why this was?  I have, let me submit my theory:

See Big Momma wasn’t chasing the American dream (all about me and mine).  She wasn’t trying to create a family; while the “family” grew (cause we had those play brothers/sisters/cousins) it was only because everyone she came in contact with she treated with the upmost respect and love.  She repeatedly told us, “We family. We all we got.” (Can’t you hear it?)  But here’s the biggest difference, she was able to see beyond the person to see the need.  See, while she didn’t accept the mess (cause she was definitely going to set you straight) you never felt like an outcast, that she didn't have time, or worse, that you weren't apart of the family.

Yeah, she displayed that 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 love.  I, in no way am saying that you allow any and everything.  That’s not the point.  The point is, compassion goes a long way.  Somebody has to love you beyond your mess!

 

 

Are you throwing in the towel AGAIN?

When I think about my ancestors one word immediately comes to mind:  Perseverance.  Despite all of their circumstances, they always kept going; kept praying; kept expecting a change.  Life rarely dictated their mood.  I mean, I can literally visualize my grandmother sitting in the window, rubbing her knee, and hymning praises.  Regardless of the circumstances, she always had a song, even if that song had no words.

Somewhere along the way this has been lost even for those who had constant images of this strength.  Weak, faithless, and hopeless are what most of us have become...When did we become a people who lacked perseverance?  

I know we are often called the microwave generation and there is some truth to that.  If it doesn't happen now then hands are thrown up and towels are thrown in.  There's this sense of entitlement; as though working for something is the ultimate sin.  

If this is you, you need a serious reality check! You see, even when our ancestors didn't have a brother, sister, mother, father to pull greatness out of them they eventually figured out that there was something within themselves that helped them endure.  They understood what it meant to encourage themselves.  They understood that life wasn't simply about what you had and didn't have.  AND they knew that throwing in the towel wasn't an option because it was about more than just them!

Just like living by faith isn't an option, neither is perseverance.  Things won't always go your way and you might experience a few pity parties along the way--what matters most is that you don't stay in that pit!  And because God is never trying to teach us to be dependent on anyone other than Him, there won't always be someone there to throw you a rope.  

Find your inner strength.  Make sure if you are throwing in the towel it is only to because you have a new one to carry; not just for you but also for the generation coming behind you.  


"I have observed something else under the sun.  The fastest runner doesn't always win the race and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle". (Ecclesiates 9:11 NLT).


 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". (Isaiah 40:31)

Family Matters

Yesterday as I watched the memorial service, I was over stricken with grief. My mind went in one hundred directions, especially when Paris Jackson spoke. For me, that made it as real as it could get. While we may have felt like we knew Michael, it reminded you that this is NOT just TV, that he is NOT just an entertainer, but that a family lost one of its members. The majority of us will never know what it feels like to loss a father and have to grieve in front of the entire world. So my heart goes out to the Jackson family but more importantly the children. I believe that their are many life lessons to gain from all of this. What we know (or think we know) is that the Jackson family had it woes--that they may not have been thick as thieves, but what family doesn't have its issues to work through. While success and the things of this world may have tried to kill their family what they did in the midst of everything is come together when it mattered most! They understood support. They understood that blood is thicker than water--a concept that we most have lost and don't care to rekindle. But the reality is, no matter what we feel about our families, family has its place in our live (even if we don't totally understand why). It is important because God doesn't create anything without purpose.

So as wonderful as the memorial was (Jennifer's pregnant glow and strong vocals, Queen Latifah's poem 'We had him' written by Dr. Maya Angelou, Berry Gordy's "he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived", Usher's emotional moment, etc.) for me it symbolized how important family really is because as the world moves on and carries out their daily activities, the Jackson family has a void, those children's father is still gone and their lives will NEVER be the same....BUT as the past has dictated, the strength of their family will get them through.

Have you shown love today?