We all have joy killers. They can be internal or external. Regardless of how they come to us, we can decide whether or not we allow them to fulfill their purpose. We can choose to cast aside our soul suckers and allow life to reign in our souls even if pain rages in our bodies or we are being buffeted in some other way. This is what Sara chose.
And when I read her story I cried, less for her and more for me daring to choose my joy-killing duo. What do you think of your joy killers in light of Sara’s courageous decision to choose joy? Leave your comments below. I look forward to your perspective.
I got the news and knew just who to call: Some old, some new, all good girlfriends, no one who would shout about their lives or sink—be envious—in the midst of my news. They truly could embrace my news and celebrate with me. This can be rare among strong black women, even those recovering strong black women who seek to follow Christ in all aspects of their lives. For them, it can be the fight to see who can get the most folks to delight in them. The war is for the title of the strongest strong black woman, and as they see it, always being on top is the way to this top title. But some folks, like my circle of friends and the superstars I saw Friday, know differently.
Like good girlfriends, three powerhouse singers, Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo and Lizz Wright, graced the stage on Friday at the Detroit Jazz Festival with their show “Sing the Truth,” a tribute to their songstress foremothers and other revolutionary singers. Each freely gave praise and the stage to each other. These superstar sisters didn’t seek to outshine but frequently and easily deferred to one another. They were all showstoppers but none tried to be a show stealer, seeming to feel quite comfortable in their God-given skin.
Check out their video below and make sure to let me know what your experiences have been like with other strong women. You know I want to know, “What do you think?”
“We formed a new religion: No sins as long as there’s permission and deception is the only felony…” from No Church in the Wild on “Watch the Throne” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Before I married and had children, I never called myself a feminist, though I had many of her ways. Fifty-fifty is how some saw things, but I knew this was unrealistic. I knew I could not cast off my biological or physiological makeup to truly be equal to a man, but in the ways I could I was sure to try. After I got married, I didn’t mind being pregnant, but I was going to work my career, carry my children where I needed to make everything work. I certainly wasn’t going to be made to be “a keeper at home,” but juggling all my balls had me constantly calling on Jesus. The more I studied the word the more I understood my role as a keeper at home (Titus 2:5). And I found out that role is more than just staying at and keeping a home clean; it includes protecting my home from clearly unbiblical influences, like the song lyrics above.
I don’t care how Christians justify letting their children listen to Jay-Z, Kanye West and the like or say it’s unrealistic to tell them not to listen to their music. Anyone who would pen a lyric promoting a new religion to validate their sins is not welcome in my home. …Read the rest at EEW Magazine and let me know what you think.
Tomorrow is bulk pickup day in my neighborhood. We carried out items from our garage, the basement and toy chests on three levels. Items were bent, broken, dusty and outdated. Some were still in good condition, but we hadn’t used them in years. None of them worked for us anymore but only served to clutter our lives. The bulk pickup day forced us to gather up and throw out stuff that was just in the way.
My vacation did the same for me. I was able to unload a lot of activities and processes that weighed me down and kept me from pursuing with a clear mind and stress-free body what God had for me. I came back from vacation refusing to allow that clutter to enter my life again. How about you? What type of personal bulk pickup days do you have or need to have in order to “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensures” you (Hebrews 12:1)? It’s Wednesday, so you know I want to know what you think.
Modesty should be a hallmark of Christian behavior. I’m not talking mammy-made homely dresses. Modesty goes beyond dress (and doesn’t have to include homely dresses, either), but sometimes this can be a challenge for recovering strong black women who want to do what they believe they have the liberty to do in order to standout. Well, see what I have to say about this in my latest parenting column. It’s geared toward parents helping their children, but you know we adults have to learn the lesson before we can teach it. Read my “How to Teach Your Teen Modesty: Fashion from a Kingdom Perspective” in EEW Magazine and tell me what you think.
