My friend, Micha asked me to guest post on what King’s response may be how his dream is (or isn’t) playing out as a part of a larger Patheos project to address the American Church in lieu of Black History Month. For whatever reason, I don’t love addressing the Church directly -I feel too fallen myself- however if there’s one issue I’ve ever felt uniquely suited to address it’s racial equality amongst white & black Americans. This post is my... Read more
I’m reading a great book right now. Great writing, great story, great woman. (I’ll eventually review her book so I don’t want to mention who it is at this time. I’ve been a fangirl for 5+ years. Leaving her identity out because it’s not the point). She’s white. She’s a stay-at-home Mommy. She’s a writer. A good writer. Like so many of the blogs I read, she bears those three traits. I have no problems with white, writer, stay-at-home Mommies. ... Read more
There’s much to say…therefore I’ll keep this short. There’s much heavy. So heavy I don’t even if know if I can organize my thoughts properly under the weight of it. It’s still Winter. Always Winter. Meshell, who loves me deeply -whom I love and trust deeply- says that the Devil has been trying to take me out of the game since birth. She’s right. When I was in utero, a Pastor told my Mother to abort me. How shameful for... Read more
When an international magazine editor sits down on a chair called “the black woman chair,” for an editorial magazine… …heads are scratched. Pearls are actually clutched. Swear words are articulated. Anger is not just in the head or heart, it is felt in the body. From anger to sadness to despair. Then you remember this IS our reality. You forgot…since yesterday. You post it on Facebook and every one feels ALL THE RAGE. And you feel confirmed that it IS... Read more
I’ve been thinking about this idea of bravery for the past few days. It’s interesting isn’t it, that you can be very, very brave in one minute and in the next minute inhale the deepest breath of fear you’ve ever had. My emotions, regrets, longings for healing, epic battles they are all woven together like an intricate blanket. They are simultaneous. I tried to explain this last night to someone as I talked through making a mistake of gargantuan proportions. ... Read more
I am super quick to dog myself out. It’s not brilliant humility -so I’ve learned- but actually an unhealthy form of narcissism in which one focuses intensely on their downfalls. Seriously? Yesssssss, Chile. You can’t win for losin’. Years ago, I remember the look on my mentor’s face when I told him I created lists of infractions to read off to God in repentance time. I was young & a fairly new Christian. After all, I had to be sure... Read more
I’ve been praying for a couple of weeks for the Lord to give me a word to focus on for 2014. All right, womp womp womp I’ll admit it: I picked the word Establish for 2013 & tapered off about 1/2 way through the year. Would it make you feel any better if I told you my 2013 one word HAUNTED ME? No? Well, it should. Even when I wasn’t actively blogging my #oneword progress the questions lurked in my brain... Read more
Last week a friend died. She wasn’t someone I’d known for a long time, in fact, I’d only known her a week. One week. But she made an impression. She was sweet, very kind, very honest with herself. Even though she’d just met me she’d been vulnerable in front of me about a few things. Yes, likely it was because she was with her family in her cousin’s home and I was the only non-family member around. Her realness was... Read more
Today, I am 37. How woefully late thirties of me. Last year I wrote 36 Birthday Pearls. This year I decided to repost & add one new pearl of wisdom I’ve picked up along the way. 1. People are hurting, err on the side of kindness. If they aren’t now, they will be soon. So many of us, so often in misery taken out by life’s brutal curve balls. Your kindness can make all the difference in the world. Be... Read more
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