Heart
In the midst of global chaos, I have seen our humanity shine. I have seen consideration for the less fortunate. I have seen food banks open in light of school closures. I have seen attention given to the elderly. I’ve seen courage in the face of despair. I’ve seen our heart. It doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would. We still have hope. We still have joy. We still have fight. We still believe. We still have love. It is a heart filled with love that cares for the needy, and feeds the homeless, and nurtures the sick.
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller
Home
“Home is where the heart is.” We have all heard these words, and there is some truth to them. Home is not just a building. It’s where you feel loved. It’s where memories are made. It’s where you feel safe. It’s not just a city. It’s where your people reside. Where is your village? Where do you feel secure? Where do you feel protected emotionally and physically? That’s your home. Home is where you can heal. Home is where you are free. Home is where your heart can reside without fear. Home is where your heart is…
Braveheart
1 John 4:18 NIV There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I think the hardest thing to recover from is heartbreak. After you’ve been hurt, its hard to love again because fear is present. Fear brings back memories of past pain. Fear reminds you. Fear encourages isolation. Fear discourages you. Fear fuels doubt. To love again, requires you to push back your emotions. To love again, requires you to trust again. To love again, requires you to believe again. To love again, requires you to have a braveheart. You do have a braveheart. You have been given the ability to forgive and forget, and to love again. You have a braveheart that heals itself. You have a braveheart that’s waiting on you.
Vulnerable
Self-preservation is a natural instinct. It keeps us out of harm's way. It is our own internal "spidey sense." If you've ever had your heart broken, love can make you a little gun shy. You become protective of your emotions. You don't want to fall in love too quick or too fast. You want to take things slow. Falling in love can be terrifying. Vulnerability is seen as weakness. You isolate yourself and your heart from the very thing you say you want. You find fault in everything and everyone. Being vulnerable is the only way to get what you truly desire.
"What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful." - Dr. Brené Brown
Understanding
I knew I was officially in Atlanta when I saw the So So Def billboard on 85. So So Def crept into my life through Cross Colours, backward jeans, and Kriss Kross. Da Brat would take me back to my summers in the Chi. Jagged Edge would be the soundtrack of my life. Xscape taught me how to kick it, who I could run to and understanding.
Music has a way of infiltrating our psyche. It can influence us in many ways. We all have a need to be understood. Understanding is achieved through communication. Listening. Digesting. Try to see someone else's point of view. Try to hear their heart. Try to see their intentions. Try to understand.
What I need from you is understanding
How can we communicate
If you don't hear what I say
What I need from you is understanding
So simple as 1, 2,3
Understanding is what I need
Unsung Heroes
They walk among us. They work alongside us. They live with us. Every day we encounter unsung heroes. Grandmothers raising grandkids. Surrogate mothers and fathers who stepped up when no one else would. Stepparents who embrace their spouse's children. Teachers who take the extra time to pay attention to the little things. Nurses who give a little more TLC. Customer Service Reps who go the extra mile. Strangers who smile in your direction. These are just a few of the unsung heroes who add to our lives on a daily basis. Acknowledge their sacrifice. Acknowledge their generosity. Appreciate them.
Pull the Weeds Up!!
I never thought a Saturday morning of yard work would be so profound. Let's get this straight. I have allergies. I don't do outside. I don't do bugs. I don't do dirt, and I'm not a fan of heat.
I'm not completely new to yard work, but let's just say it's been a while. I used to help my grandfather in his garden in exchange for playing in the sprinklers afterward.
So, here I am with my face mask, gloves, and hoe... and God starts to speak.
My grandfather always told me:
1. Pull the weeds up straight.
2. Make sure you pull the roots up.
3. Use the hoe to help you.
4. Repeat.
Pull the weeds up straight.
Lesson: So, you have to get the whole weed not just what's visible. Weeds have strong roots. What you see on the surface is only a tiny bit of what's happening underground. If you just pick what you see, you're not really dealing with the issue only what's visible. Go deep!
Make sure you pull the roots up.
Lesson: Get to the root. Take the time. Do the work. Put in the sweat equity. Don't let those roots stay in the ground. They will produce and multiply and overrun your garden. They will choke out your plants and whatever else you are trying to grow.
Sidenote: Some weeds look like grass and you can't tell the difference until you pull it out and see the root.
Sidenote 2: Be careful about who you keep close. Some of them are weeds. Their sole purpose is to grow with you to ultimately hinder you. All weeds don't stifle growth, some just stifle your maturity.
Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Use the hoe to help you.
My Native New Orleanian is screaming, "there are some hoes in your life who can help you." Cue my organ.
See Joshua 2 Rahab and the Spies. (Rahab was instrumental in God's plan for the Battle of Jericho)
Lesson: There are people in your life who have learned the lesson....the hard way so, you don't have to!!! Glean from their experience and understanding.
Sidenote: A hoe is a garden tool. Its sole purpose is to be used. I'll stop right there.
Repeat
Lesson: You can't just stop because you pulled up one weed. There's more. Gardening is messy work. Your hands will get dirty. It requires strength. It's uncomfortable. It's a process, but the results are worth it.
Pull the weeds up from the garden of your heart. Get to the root. Use the tools that God has given you and ask for help if you need it. Pull the weeds up!!!