For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behind on its appointed day. Habakkuk 2: 3
Yesterday our family celebrated “Gotcha Day”, when I tell others’ this, I usually get the silly “what the heck is Gotcha Day” stare. “Gotcha Day” basically is self explanatory, it’s the day we met our daughter and brought her home…the day we “got her”.
Remembering the day we met her, also causes me to reminisce to the time before this happened.
Our adoption journey began with the simple moment that I desired my son to have a playmate. The thought immediately came to my mind that he could have a play mate. Although as far as we knew I could birth more babies, I had always thought of adoption as a miraculous act of God. I quickly shared my thoughts with my husband. After prayer, conversation and thought, his only comment was “no babies, and no girls”. At the time, I said Ok, and was honestly fine with that. However, if you know the end of the story, you can only imagine just how God worked , to get us to a different place.
After going through weeks of training, and learning that there were many expectant African American mothers and not many families ready to adopt. We decided together that a baby was a good fit for our family.
The next months consisted of hope, expectation, excitement,…then heartbreak all in that order more than once. We were matched with an expecting birthmother, she changed her mind. We were matched with another expecting birthmother she all of the sudden stopped communicating with the agency, disconnected her phone and could not be reached. Although all of this was only within a few months time, I began to wonder if I’d heard God wrong, and maybe this wasn’t meant to be. The ring of the phone was torturing. Time continued to pass. Hope was still there, but wavering.
While I was questioning and wondering;God was working behind the scenes to create one of the greatest gifts ever.
On Wednesday September 25th, 2002 the phone rang. This time, it was not the call for a possible birthmother, but a precious little girl born the previous Sunday. She was waiting on us, and we could meet her and bring her home on that Saturday September 28th. We did just that, and seven years later, she has her daddy wrapped around her finger.
God’s promises are real. God’s timing is perfect. Many times we want, what we want, when we want it. When it doesn’t fit into our agenda, or we get impatient, we may begin to question God.
God has the appointed time for our blessings. As you wait, he works to make it right. Like our baby girl, when God’s timing arrives, it brings blessings beyond what you can ever imagine.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Great Tree, Great Men Happy Father's Day
Psalm 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
While walking outside after a storm one day, I noticed a magnificent, very large, tall, beautiful tree. Moments before the tree had swayed and violently shook at the challenge of an agressive storm. The tree at that time stood still and tall.
I thought about my husband and the many times life's storms had threatened to knock him down; but he trusted God and stood tall. I also think about my father and all the things he endured while we were growing up without us ever even knowing.
Who are the great trees in your life? Celebrate them on this Father's Day.
While walking outside after a storm one day, I noticed a magnificent, very large, tall, beautiful tree. Moments before the tree had swayed and violently shook at the challenge of an agressive storm. The tree at that time stood still and tall.
I thought about my husband and the many times life's storms had threatened to knock him down; but he trusted God and stood tall. I also think about my father and all the things he endured while we were growing up without us ever even knowing.
Who are the great trees in your life? Celebrate them on this Father's Day.
The Tree
I saw a great tree today,It reminded me of you,
It stood tall and beautiful, just as you do.
It’s leaves were green at the moment,But as I recalled,
It had just not too long ago, withstood a great storm.
As I watched the storm beat on the tree, it’s branches would shake.
Now looking at the tree, it may have bent, it didn’t break.
As I examined the tree, looking for damage done;
Amazingly instead, because of the storm, the tree had grown.
-Tracey Evans(written for Jody) 2007
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Stay Tuned
Psalm 91:14-15"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
If you are an avid soap opera viewer, or if you have ever watched a soap opera; you've seen more than a few cliff hangers. A person, usually a woman is left, due to some odd circumstance, hanging by a finger from a cliff, the side of a building, or even sometimes a moving car or semi truck. It looks impossible for the victim to survive. They seem destined to die an ugly, tragic death. But stay tuned....For the purpose of a soap opera, the cliff hangers always happen on Fridays, when you're on the edge of your seat, (refusing to miss the moment of the character's demise). Rest assured the music will play, and the credits will roll...out of time...sorry but you have to wait.
Monday, here comes the hero, who risks his own life, just in time to throw a life line to the desperate victim. And right when they've slipped from hanging from their finger to hanging from their finger nail; the hero grabs them by their finger nail (or a piece of their very high quality weave) and pulls them to safety, saving the day!In the case of soap operas, cliff hangers keep soap fanatics watching and excited.
In life, cliff hangers keep us praying and depending....depending on God. Cliff hangers often come when God allows our perfectly manufactured agendas to be shaken up to the point that we are in situations that were just not part of our plans. We are left hanging. Sometimes we may even feel that God has left us hanging and we are destined to fall.Life’s cliff hangers come when we have written the script to our perfectly planned out episodes, and realize our planned and memorized script has been replaced with unfamiliar lines. We are suddenly caught off guard, and unsure what to do. Stay tuned… and look to God. He is the director and producer of your life. He knows the next scene, and just the time to catch you before you fall.
If you are an avid soap opera viewer, or if you have ever watched a soap opera; you've seen more than a few cliff hangers. A person, usually a woman is left, due to some odd circumstance, hanging by a finger from a cliff, the side of a building, or even sometimes a moving car or semi truck. It looks impossible for the victim to survive. They seem destined to die an ugly, tragic death. But stay tuned....For the purpose of a soap opera, the cliff hangers always happen on Fridays, when you're on the edge of your seat, (refusing to miss the moment of the character's demise). Rest assured the music will play, and the credits will roll...out of time...sorry but you have to wait.
Monday, here comes the hero, who risks his own life, just in time to throw a life line to the desperate victim. And right when they've slipped from hanging from their finger to hanging from their finger nail; the hero grabs them by their finger nail (or a piece of their very high quality weave) and pulls them to safety, saving the day!In the case of soap operas, cliff hangers keep soap fanatics watching and excited.
In life, cliff hangers keep us praying and depending....depending on God. Cliff hangers often come when God allows our perfectly manufactured agendas to be shaken up to the point that we are in situations that were just not part of our plans. We are left hanging. Sometimes we may even feel that God has left us hanging and we are destined to fall.Life’s cliff hangers come when we have written the script to our perfectly planned out episodes, and realize our planned and memorized script has been replaced with unfamiliar lines. We are suddenly caught off guard, and unsure what to do. Stay tuned… and look to God. He is the director and producer of your life. He knows the next scene, and just the time to catch you before you fall.
Brand New
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)
Sitting in church one Sunday. I was seated behind a family. As I was waiting, I was blessed to observe them. The family consisted of 4 generations. An about 4 year old little boy, his mother, his grandmother and his great-grandmother. The ladies were at different stages in their lives and had no doubt seen their share of “experiences”. The little boy was “new”; any experiences or trials that had come his way had been intercepted and handled by his parents. His parents sheltered him, therefore he remained “new.”
As children often are, the little boy was the center of focus for all the adults. He commanded their attention. Great-grandmother just stared at him, seemingly in awe. Her characteristics and her expressions told the story that she had seen and endured a little more than them all. Her demeanor was somewhat fatigued. She looked at the little boy seemingly remembering a time of more energy. Grandma allowed him to keep her busy, with that “grandma” look on her face. ..the look that says “this is the smartest and most beautiful child on the face of the earth.” Mama reeled him in when grandma allowed him to get too out of hand.
Eventually the service started and the little boy was too restless to sit still. Grandma reached in her purse and pulled out a tiny Bible and said to him, “here this is yours, you take care of it.” It was meant to occupy and quiet him. Instead of quieting down, he began jumping up and down saying, “this is my Bible, all mine!” He repeated this phrase with excitement. “this is my Bible, all mine!” He turned to my husband and I and showed it to us; “this is my Bible, all mine!” The grin on his face was irreplaceable. The excitement in his spirit could not be concealed. He was brand new.He was excited about this special gift. He wanted to tell others about this special gift. It was his. He was brand new.
I remind myself what it was like to be brand new. ..to have something so precious, so exciting I could not keep it to myself. I wanted to be brand new again. Experiences come our way and we allow them to beat us to a tired, fatigued demeanor. We sometimes forget that contained in the Word, that precious gift, is the story of how HIS blood washes us clean and makes us “brand new”. He is available to intercept our issues and handle them. He will shelter us from storms that wipe away our energy. If we allow him to….we too can be “brand new.”I picked up my Bible, renewed my commitment to read it with excitement, as if for the first time. I realized, it was my Bible, and it’s promises were “all mine”. When I treat the Word as if I am a “brand new” creation as it says I am….I can’t conceal my excitement, I have to tell as many as possible that they too can be “brand new.”
Sitting in church one Sunday. I was seated behind a family. As I was waiting, I was blessed to observe them. The family consisted of 4 generations. An about 4 year old little boy, his mother, his grandmother and his great-grandmother. The ladies were at different stages in their lives and had no doubt seen their share of “experiences”. The little boy was “new”; any experiences or trials that had come his way had been intercepted and handled by his parents. His parents sheltered him, therefore he remained “new.”
As children often are, the little boy was the center of focus for all the adults. He commanded their attention. Great-grandmother just stared at him, seemingly in awe. Her characteristics and her expressions told the story that she had seen and endured a little more than them all. Her demeanor was somewhat fatigued. She looked at the little boy seemingly remembering a time of more energy. Grandma allowed him to keep her busy, with that “grandma” look on her face. ..the look that says “this is the smartest and most beautiful child on the face of the earth.” Mama reeled him in when grandma allowed him to get too out of hand.
Eventually the service started and the little boy was too restless to sit still. Grandma reached in her purse and pulled out a tiny Bible and said to him, “here this is yours, you take care of it.” It was meant to occupy and quiet him. Instead of quieting down, he began jumping up and down saying, “this is my Bible, all mine!” He repeated this phrase with excitement. “this is my Bible, all mine!” He turned to my husband and I and showed it to us; “this is my Bible, all mine!” The grin on his face was irreplaceable. The excitement in his spirit could not be concealed. He was brand new.He was excited about this special gift. He wanted to tell others about this special gift. It was his. He was brand new.
I remind myself what it was like to be brand new. ..to have something so precious, so exciting I could not keep it to myself. I wanted to be brand new again. Experiences come our way and we allow them to beat us to a tired, fatigued demeanor. We sometimes forget that contained in the Word, that precious gift, is the story of how HIS blood washes us clean and makes us “brand new”. He is available to intercept our issues and handle them. He will shelter us from storms that wipe away our energy. If we allow him to….we too can be “brand new.”I picked up my Bible, renewed my commitment to read it with excitement, as if for the first time. I realized, it was my Bible, and it’s promises were “all mine”. When I treat the Word as if I am a “brand new” creation as it says I am….I can’t conceal my excitement, I have to tell as many as possible that they too can be “brand new.”
Take a Knee
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
My son has played football a total of four seasons. I am his biggest fan. However, I confess I know very little about the game. I struggle to know the basics. I know there is a lot of pushing, shoving and knocking down. I know Chandler plays offense and defense and he needs to block. The more he puts the opposing team on the ground, the louder we are to cheer for him.
I do find one part of football practice fascinating. In the middle of mass chaos and legal violence among boys(while grown men love every second of it), my husband or one of the other coaches yell “take a knee”. The violence and chaos ceases, helmets come off , peace visits, and the boys are all focused on their leaders. They have a drink of water, hear a word of guidance or direction about the plays they will run. But most importantly… they listen.
Life sometimes violently comes to push, shove and at times “knock our block off”(learned that phrase this season). We are often confused and wonder what’s going on.When this happens…take a knee (or two). Drop to your knees, talk to your leader, drink of the living water, and most importantly listen for direction. In football, violence and chaos are expected. In life, God didn’t promise us we would not experience struggle. We will. He did promise he would give us a place of peace. Do not give up; instead take a time out and humble yourself by taking a knee before the father and go to that place. There you will find direction from your life coach and be given your strategy how to push through and endure until you enter the endzone.
My son has played football a total of four seasons. I am his biggest fan. However, I confess I know very little about the game. I struggle to know the basics. I know there is a lot of pushing, shoving and knocking down. I know Chandler plays offense and defense and he needs to block. The more he puts the opposing team on the ground, the louder we are to cheer for him.
I do find one part of football practice fascinating. In the middle of mass chaos and legal violence among boys(while grown men love every second of it), my husband or one of the other coaches yell “take a knee”. The violence and chaos ceases, helmets come off , peace visits, and the boys are all focused on their leaders. They have a drink of water, hear a word of guidance or direction about the plays they will run. But most importantly… they listen.
Life sometimes violently comes to push, shove and at times “knock our block off”(learned that phrase this season). We are often confused and wonder what’s going on.When this happens…take a knee (or two). Drop to your knees, talk to your leader, drink of the living water, and most importantly listen for direction. In football, violence and chaos are expected. In life, God didn’t promise us we would not experience struggle. We will. He did promise he would give us a place of peace. Do not give up; instead take a time out and humble yourself by taking a knee before the father and go to that place. There you will find direction from your life coach and be given your strategy how to push through and endure until you enter the endzone.
Walking Through the Storm
Matthew 8:24-27And behold, there arose a shaking great storm on the sea,And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”He said to them, “Why are you cowardly afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm occurred it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
I arose one Sunday morning to a magnificent storm; complete with: hard, steady rain, an occasional bolt of lightning, and rumbling thunder. It appeared the storm would last for awhile. Like each Saturday night I had made preparations to be in church the next morning. It would have been easier to have slept in. It was just that kind of storm, the kind that says take shelter and avoid at all costs, hide from it, stay in and pray that it will pass, but by all means don't face it.
Even though, I had committed, I wrestled with myself several times about how tired we all were and that God would understand. All the while knowing the few times we had made the decision to skip church, our week had a sort of empty feeling. So, while wanting to crawl back into bed… I continued to prepare.We walked outside to a beautiful morning. The bully of a storm that had taunted us, telling us it was here to put limits on our day had ended much more quickly than we thought it would. We made a decision to walk through it to get to where we were going, rather than sitting still. The blessings of a word from God for us all, the familiar faces and love of fellow church members, and a renewed spirit to assist us in the upcoming week were waiting for us on the other side of the storm.
Our family's experience that morning came like the storms in life. The storms come quickly and threaten to limit our lives and shake up our plans. They are so fierce at times, our very lives feel threatened, and it seems they are here to stay. We want to hide, stay in the bed, and cower away from the storm. We have to keep walking. Our amazing God, doesn't tell us the storms won't come, but he promises He will be present during the storm. When He chooses, He'll step in and command the storm, "Peace, be still!" (Matthew 8:23-27) and put a halt to the storm that seems like it's here to stay.We have to keep walking and allow our spirit of power to kick in, and not lie down and allow the spirit of fear to consume us. (2 Timothy 1:7) Keep walking; it's the only way to get THROUGH the storm. God will always do His thing, and on the other side of the storm will be a blessing and a lesson.
Later the same day, as we were on our way to another destination; another storm popped up out of nowhere. This too mimics life. The storms may come one after another. We have to learn that storms will come…expect them. It doesn’t mean we look forward to them ; but learn to expect them. Many are in fierce storms right now. Keep walking; knowing that you don’t walk alone, and look forward to the blessing waiting on the other side.
I arose one Sunday morning to a magnificent storm; complete with: hard, steady rain, an occasional bolt of lightning, and rumbling thunder. It appeared the storm would last for awhile. Like each Saturday night I had made preparations to be in church the next morning. It would have been easier to have slept in. It was just that kind of storm, the kind that says take shelter and avoid at all costs, hide from it, stay in and pray that it will pass, but by all means don't face it.
Even though, I had committed, I wrestled with myself several times about how tired we all were and that God would understand. All the while knowing the few times we had made the decision to skip church, our week had a sort of empty feeling. So, while wanting to crawl back into bed… I continued to prepare.We walked outside to a beautiful morning. The bully of a storm that had taunted us, telling us it was here to put limits on our day had ended much more quickly than we thought it would. We made a decision to walk through it to get to where we were going, rather than sitting still. The blessings of a word from God for us all, the familiar faces and love of fellow church members, and a renewed spirit to assist us in the upcoming week were waiting for us on the other side of the storm.
Our family's experience that morning came like the storms in life. The storms come quickly and threaten to limit our lives and shake up our plans. They are so fierce at times, our very lives feel threatened, and it seems they are here to stay. We want to hide, stay in the bed, and cower away from the storm. We have to keep walking. Our amazing God, doesn't tell us the storms won't come, but he promises He will be present during the storm. When He chooses, He'll step in and command the storm, "Peace, be still!" (Matthew 8:23-27) and put a halt to the storm that seems like it's here to stay.We have to keep walking and allow our spirit of power to kick in, and not lie down and allow the spirit of fear to consume us. (2 Timothy 1:7) Keep walking; it's the only way to get THROUGH the storm. God will always do His thing, and on the other side of the storm will be a blessing and a lesson.
Later the same day, as we were on our way to another destination; another storm popped up out of nowhere. This too mimics life. The storms may come one after another. We have to learn that storms will come…expect them. It doesn’t mean we look forward to them ; but learn to expect them. Many are in fierce storms right now. Keep walking; knowing that you don’t walk alone, and look forward to the blessing waiting on the other side.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Resembling Him
Genesis 1:27 So God created humans in his image
Everywhere we go as a family, someone is bound to comment on the fact that my son Chandler is the spitting image of his daddy . This happens frequently, however every time, my husband beams with pride.
As good as this makes him feel, it could not possibly compare to what I feel when a stranger tells me my daughter Cai, looks like or even acts like me. I cannot hide how proud I feel. I am reminded of the miraculous works of God.
My daughter is adopted. She was carried in another precious woman's belly, chosen by God and delivered straight to our heart. When someone says she looks like her mama, it is a miracle; a reminder that before she was created in her birthmother's womb, God destined her to be ours.
In preparation for the adoption, we participated in small group discussions through an adoption agency. We often heard people say, "if you feed children long enough, and spend enough time with them, they will look like you.” We all giggled at such comments, but time and time again, newly formed families would come into the agency. The new babies would have their mama's eyes, or their daddy's nose. The similarities grow as time goes on.
How could this be? We look like others in our family due to shared genes, right? Could it really be, "if you feed them, they will look like you?"
Isn’t our walk with God the same? When others see us, we should want them to see someone who resembles Him. We should act like Him, go places that represent Him; the words that escape our mouth should be pleasing to Him. When we interact with others, they should know that we belong to the family of God.
How do we begin to resemble Him? We get fed. We eat the spiritual food that is contained in the Word of God. We spend time with Him daily that we might mimic His ways. The more we partake of Him, the more we become our daddy’s children; and when we are out in a crowd, and someone can recognize us as His; we too will beam with pride.
Everywhere we go as a family, someone is bound to comment on the fact that my son Chandler is the spitting image of his daddy . This happens frequently, however every time, my husband beams with pride.
As good as this makes him feel, it could not possibly compare to what I feel when a stranger tells me my daughter Cai, looks like or even acts like me. I cannot hide how proud I feel. I am reminded of the miraculous works of God.
My daughter is adopted. She was carried in another precious woman's belly, chosen by God and delivered straight to our heart. When someone says she looks like her mama, it is a miracle; a reminder that before she was created in her birthmother's womb, God destined her to be ours.
In preparation for the adoption, we participated in small group discussions through an adoption agency. We often heard people say, "if you feed children long enough, and spend enough time with them, they will look like you.” We all giggled at such comments, but time and time again, newly formed families would come into the agency. The new babies would have their mama's eyes, or their daddy's nose. The similarities grow as time goes on.
How could this be? We look like others in our family due to shared genes, right? Could it really be, "if you feed them, they will look like you?"
Isn’t our walk with God the same? When others see us, we should want them to see someone who resembles Him. We should act like Him, go places that represent Him; the words that escape our mouth should be pleasing to Him. When we interact with others, they should know that we belong to the family of God.
How do we begin to resemble Him? We get fed. We eat the spiritual food that is contained in the Word of God. We spend time with Him daily that we might mimic His ways. The more we partake of Him, the more we become our daddy’s children; and when we are out in a crowd, and someone can recognize us as His; we too will beam with pride.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Experience
Have you ever had an experience that gave you chills?
That ranks right up there, with the greatest of thrills....
Brought on both flashbacks and visions of the future to come;
made you think of where you're going; at the same time from whence you've come from.
Made you think the world you live inreally might be ready for change;
some said it could NEVER happen;God said..."I can arrange."
Had folks spitting out opinions, all kinds of chatter
realizing profoundly, their voice really did matter.
I had to just be still in the moment and not take for granted a thing.
I heard a faint whisper...Martin,"Let Freedom Ring!"
Others held conversations all around me; they had so much to discuss;
but I stood in Rosa's stilled footsteps;as she sat steadfast at the front of the bus.
It was as if the screen before me,was a TV rolling highlights through the years.
They stood, as they were stoned and beaten;allowing courage to overshadow their fears.
As simple a matter as it seemed;some may treat it as a joke.
But I knew a prodigious price was paid;for my right to vote.
This time it was different. At times a little difficult to believe.
Among the names that were listed;was the making of history.
This was bigger than just a super Tuesday;and much bigger than a headline on the news;
more than a source of argument, for those ladies on The View.
This brilliant man running for chief; his ancestors forced to call someone master;
Here he was laying out his plan; leading our nation from it's present state of national disaster.
Race is a tiny fraction of his character. It doesn't by far define the man;
He represents the rainbow of our country and it's issues,
so I pushed the button, cast my vote and agreed Yes We Can!
That ranks right up there, with the greatest of thrills....
Brought on both flashbacks and visions of the future to come;
made you think of where you're going; at the same time from whence you've come from.
Made you think the world you live inreally might be ready for change;
some said it could NEVER happen;God said..."I can arrange."
Had folks spitting out opinions, all kinds of chatter
realizing profoundly, their voice really did matter.
I had to just be still in the moment and not take for granted a thing.
I heard a faint whisper...Martin,"Let Freedom Ring!"
Others held conversations all around me; they had so much to discuss;
but I stood in Rosa's stilled footsteps;as she sat steadfast at the front of the bus.
It was as if the screen before me,was a TV rolling highlights through the years.
They stood, as they were stoned and beaten;allowing courage to overshadow their fears.
As simple a matter as it seemed;some may treat it as a joke.
But I knew a prodigious price was paid;for my right to vote.
This time it was different. At times a little difficult to believe.
Among the names that were listed;was the making of history.
This was bigger than just a super Tuesday;and much bigger than a headline on the news;
more than a source of argument, for those ladies on The View.
This brilliant man running for chief; his ancestors forced to call someone master;
Here he was laying out his plan; leading our nation from it's present state of national disaster.
Race is a tiny fraction of his character. It doesn't by far define the man;
He represents the rainbow of our country and it's issues,
so I pushed the button, cast my vote and agreed Yes We Can!
Representation of Tears
I cried a bucket...
Went back and pulled out each tear...
Some represented joy, some memories of sadness and fear .
This one for each time I heard the words.."I have a dream"
A dream that at times was a fantasy it would seem.
This one for the rocks that were thrown, simply because of their skin.
I cry even more for unnecessary use of that word that begins with n.
I cried a tear for a little girl passed over for a birthday party invite...
Her mommy said I couldn't come, because I wasn't white.
I cried 10 tears for each mile my grandmother walked to work.
The ten were also for what they thought the week's chores were worth.
I cried for Medgar, Martin, and others who endured strife...
I cried for their sacrifice, for purpose they traded life.
..for the rainbow of people who came to be a part of history
a true family photo, of my country tis of thee.
I cried for the 98 year old man who didn't walk through life seeking wealth.
But felt rich, crying in Washington, 'cause he'd seen it for himself.
I cry at the times I've had doubts and dreamed small.
And declined to remember that all things are possible with God.
Now the tears trickle from the joy of something beautiful and real.
And I cry because words could not possibly express how I feel.
Now I cry for the preparation …the making of a man.
In the womb God whispered, "can you do it" at birth his cry echoed "yes I can".
I cry out in joy for the new song, my own son can sing,
there are no limits, reach beyond they sky...spread wings.
So here he is in a time that does not catch God by surprise,
And he serves our country inspired by the dreams he sees in his own daughters' eyes.
The tears I cry represent, emotions from so many places in my heart,
As now I cried for truly I saw a new start.
In the reflection, what I saw was not a bucket of bitter regret.
But tears that watered the way to a moment I would not forget.
And I realized for a time of such awe, and evidence of a new day to begin.
That I would gladly cry each and every tear once again.
Went back and pulled out each tear...
Some represented joy, some memories of sadness and fear .
This one for each time I heard the words.."I have a dream"
A dream that at times was a fantasy it would seem.
This one for the rocks that were thrown, simply because of their skin.
I cry even more for unnecessary use of that word that begins with n.
I cried a tear for a little girl passed over for a birthday party invite...
Her mommy said I couldn't come, because I wasn't white.
I cried 10 tears for each mile my grandmother walked to work.
The ten were also for what they thought the week's chores were worth.
I cried for Medgar, Martin, and others who endured strife...
I cried for their sacrifice, for purpose they traded life.
..for the rainbow of people who came to be a part of history
a true family photo, of my country tis of thee.
I cried for the 98 year old man who didn't walk through life seeking wealth.
But felt rich, crying in Washington, 'cause he'd seen it for himself.
I cry at the times I've had doubts and dreamed small.
And declined to remember that all things are possible with God.
Now the tears trickle from the joy of something beautiful and real.
And I cry because words could not possibly express how I feel.
Now I cry for the preparation …the making of a man.
In the womb God whispered, "can you do it" at birth his cry echoed "yes I can".
I cry out in joy for the new song, my own son can sing,
there are no limits, reach beyond they sky...spread wings.
So here he is in a time that does not catch God by surprise,
And he serves our country inspired by the dreams he sees in his own daughters' eyes.
The tears I cry represent, emotions from so many places in my heart,
As now I cried for truly I saw a new start.
In the reflection, what I saw was not a bucket of bitter regret.
But tears that watered the way to a moment I would not forget.
And I realized for a time of such awe, and evidence of a new day to begin.
That I would gladly cry each and every tear once again.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Dream
Today is the national observance of the birthday of one of the great leaders of our time.
Birthday celebrations are a way to come together and celebrate life. Even in my corporate America job, our birthdays gatherings are fun and full of laughter. We sit down, eat and fellowship together and can expect to laugh every single time. Our topics of conversation vary, but allow us to take a break from the chaotic economy, a growing stressful workload and a constantly ringing phone.
Laughter is universal. We laugh as we share our experiences…experiences that come due to our diverse lives and backgrounds. Because we are all different, we bring a variety of "colorful" experiences to the table and it makes for interesting conversation. Take a moment to imagine your gatherings among co-workers or other groups you are involved in. If everyone looked just like you, acted just like you and had the exact same experiences you've had…it would not be much for the imagination.
Author, M. Scott Peck said, Share our similarities, celebrate our differences.”
Today, celebrate the life of Dr. King by appreciating, embracing and celebrating that we live and work in a beautiful, diverse environment. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King specified that he wanted people of all races to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. Take a look around the next time you gather with those who make up your world...there you will see a glimpse of the dream come true!
Birthday celebrations are a way to come together and celebrate life. Even in my corporate America job, our birthdays gatherings are fun and full of laughter. We sit down, eat and fellowship together and can expect to laugh every single time. Our topics of conversation vary, but allow us to take a break from the chaotic economy, a growing stressful workload and a constantly ringing phone.
Laughter is universal. We laugh as we share our experiences…experiences that come due to our diverse lives and backgrounds. Because we are all different, we bring a variety of "colorful" experiences to the table and it makes for interesting conversation. Take a moment to imagine your gatherings among co-workers or other groups you are involved in. If everyone looked just like you, acted just like you and had the exact same experiences you've had…it would not be much for the imagination.
Author, M. Scott Peck said, Share our similarities, celebrate our differences.”
Today, celebrate the life of Dr. King by appreciating, embracing and celebrating that we live and work in a beautiful, diverse environment. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King specified that he wanted people of all races to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. Take a look around the next time you gather with those who make up your world...there you will see a glimpse of the dream come true!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Revolving Doors
Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
The company I work for just installed revolving doors. The revolving doors have been, to say the least something we have had to get used to. Although we know they were installed to make the building a safe place; what we notice most and hear chatter about is the hassle. It is sometimes a little funny to watch co-workers scan their employee badge and cross their fingers, shuffling their feet quickly hoping to get through...only to hear the security alert and have to start over again.
There is one thing that is sure to deter one from walking through the door. Overload. A very large item or too many items, makes the invisible man sing" get back...you can't go through the door with all that stuff!"
Many times we are looking to make a change in our life. We search for an open door, and may find one, but life quickly displays the red light. The reason may be we are trying to enter into this new thing with too much baggage and take too much of our old "stuff" into the new opportunity.
If life seems hectic, crazy, and complicated; simplify and let go of some of the old "stuff" that weighs you down. When your door of opportunity comes, you'll get a green light and be ready to walk through with ease!
The company I work for just installed revolving doors. The revolving doors have been, to say the least something we have had to get used to. Although we know they were installed to make the building a safe place; what we notice most and hear chatter about is the hassle. It is sometimes a little funny to watch co-workers scan their employee badge and cross their fingers, shuffling their feet quickly hoping to get through...only to hear the security alert and have to start over again.
There is one thing that is sure to deter one from walking through the door. Overload. A very large item or too many items, makes the invisible man sing" get back...you can't go through the door with all that stuff!"
Many times we are looking to make a change in our life. We search for an open door, and may find one, but life quickly displays the red light. The reason may be we are trying to enter into this new thing with too much baggage and take too much of our old "stuff" into the new opportunity.
If life seems hectic, crazy, and complicated; simplify and let go of some of the old "stuff" that weighs you down. When your door of opportunity comes, you'll get a green light and be ready to walk through with ease!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Shake It Up!
Fresh starts come in the pretty wrapped gift called tomorrow.- Author unknown.
"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine Own sake, and will not remember thy sins" (Isaiah 43: 25).
Jesus allowed himself to hang on a cross, that we might "shake it up", erase our sins and begin again.
Seek God, try something new and be willing to shake your life up every now and then. Keep shaking things up…until you get it right!
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