Turbulence

Years ago, when my sons were younger (and lighter), we would play a game we called turbulence.  It was really a way to get them out of bed in the morning.  Here is how it worked, I would pick one of them up out of his high platform bunk bed, bounce him around and then "land" him safely on the floor.  Every morning my oldest would say, "Mommy Turbulence, More Turbulence!"   Now, this was a fun morning routine game and I have very fond memories.  On the flip side, everyone knows that turbulence on an airplane, is nothing but a game, nor is it fun.  A few years ago, I had an experience with turbulence that is forever etched in my brain.  I think I actually kissed the ground when I got off that plane.

I was on a flight to Pittsburgh.  For short trips like this; between D.C. and Pittsburgh commuter planes are used.  (not a crop duster with a propeller, but close)   Our flight started off fine, nice and smooth; the fasten seat belt sign was turned off,  flight attendants started serving drinks and snacks,  then BOOM...a loud  rattling sound echoed through the plane.  From that point on, it felt like the pilot, the plane and the air pockets were fighting a revolution!  Glasses were sliding off the trays, the plane was being tossed around,  and I double checked to see where the emergency exits were as I scrambled to get my bible from my purse.   I just KNEW the plane was going down....  I called out to Jesus and started to pray OUT loud.  The passenger next to me grabbed my hand and said, "Are you all right?" I said, "NO, but I will be".  I continued to pray and read my bible as he looked at me in shock.  The flight continued for what seemed like eternity and we finally landed safely in Pittsburgh.  At the end of the flight, passengers were hugging and thanking the pilot.   However, there was one passenger, also a pilot, that confronted the actual pilot of the flight.  He said, "that was awful, you couldn't have prevented that, there was no way around that travel path?"  The pilot said, "No, I had to go through it and I did all in my power to get us through it and get us through safely!"

We all hit turbulent points in our life.  There is no vaccination to provide immunity to challenges, turmoil or life's stressors.  However, with God, nothing is impossible.  The turbulence in our lives comes to provide a lesson and draw us closer to God.  When it hits, we get desperate, we pray more, cry out more, we are trying to get God's attention.   Think about it--sometimes He is trying to get our attention.  We have to go through trials and tribulations to appreciate and realize God's power.   It teaches us to rely on God's word and promises, not just when things are going well, but during the more difficult times too.  Sometimes turbulence cannot be avoided, you have to buckle up, hold on and go through it.  Remember, God is our Pilot and He has the power to get you through.

Reach Out and Touch....

Remember the most popular football player in high school?  Charismatic, good looking, cool clothes.  He had a lot going for him, he was smart, had a lot of friends; everyone wanted to be him or be seen with him. What if you found out he was homeless?  Imagine an adorable baby boy, full of excitement, cooing and babbling, playing with a toy.  Think about a little girl, dressed like a princess, full of excitement, playing with a doll, without a care in the world.  What if you found out these young children were homeless?  Typically when we think of the homeless, we think of the old man standing at the stop light, with a sign that says "will work for food" or "homeless veteran, need work"  We think of beggars.  We think, why don't "you" get a job.   We often see homeless people digging through trash cans, dirty, unkempt, with torn and tattered clothes.  In reality, these are all images of the homeless, but what we do not see, what we can not imagine, or maybe do not realize is that there is a large population of homeless that are under the age of 16.  Yes.  Children under 16 are homeless at an alarmingly increasing rate.        1 in 45 children are homeless.  The economy as well as other factors has struck a devastating blow to families across America, and for a variety of reasons, families are ending up homeless.  Some children remain with their parents, other children are on the street.  

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to serve at a local homeless shelter (it is a residency facility).   I knew that there might be families there, but the reality is, it didn't HIT me, until I actually saw the children.  I talked and interacted with an Ethan - 11 years old,  Juliana - 4 years old and Jordan - her 2 year old brother.   (Yes, the 2 year talked)   I was shocked that Ethan, also has an 8 year old sister, a 4 year old brother and a 8 month old baby brother (Leslie, their mother was there also).  ALL were living in the shelter, Homeless.  Stop for a moment, and imagine, seeing a family, with children, in a shelter.  No permanent home, no privacy - except the room they stay in, with thin walls, they share a bathroom/shower area, a kitchen and common areas.  Imagine being a middle school boy, with no home; he can't have "his boys" come over to play video games, because, he doesn't have a home, or access to video games.  He can not go next door to see if his buddy can play ball, because, he is homeless.   Think about a teenage girl that wants to have a sleepover for her birthday, but can not, because she lives in a homeless shelter.

The mothers looked just like me.  Loving their children, nurturing, laughing and playing.  The mothers didn't look "homeless".  But they were.  Candace, drives her daughter Juliana across town so that her daughter can get a good pre-school education.  Not any different that what I've done for mine.   Leslie said she has been praying for Ethan, with regards to him and school.  Not any different that what I do for mine.  One common thread--we are all human.    A kind word, a gesture, an extended hand can really make a difference....One thing that really made me go hmmmmmm, was, any of us, can end up in a situation, and be where these families are.   At any time, we all might need help, significant help.  Do not look at others who have fallen on hard times and judge or make assumptions.  Instead, look and them and say, what can I do to make a difference.   I encourage and challenge everyone to look around you.  Look for someone to help.  Look for an organization to volunteer your time.   Take your children - teach them about community service and a world outside of their comfortable bubble.   Look at ways to make someones life and situation better.  Help does not  have to be financial (although if you have it--give it).  Help can be a prayer, it can be spending time with someone, running errands, or a listening ear.   It could be cooking a meal for someone that is elderly or just had surgery.   The possibilities are endless.  In 1970, Diana Ross released a very thought provoking song--Reach Out and Touch.  Take a moment and Google the lyrics.  The words still ring true 42 years later....Reach Out and Touch, Somebody's hand, Make this world a better place, If you can.....       The names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Define Yourself

Just imagine for a minute, that you opened Webster's Dictionary and looked up your name....What would the definition say?  In life we have a lot of definitions.  Here are just a few of my personal ones:  early in life, I was defined by whose daughter I was;  Mrs. Leftwich's or Rev/Dr. Leftwich's daughter.  During high school I was the "only black person" in the school.  In college, I was defined by my major, my friends, who I dated and what sorority I wanted to pledge.  Surprisingly, I was also defined by where I was from.  At Spelman and Morehouse, they had clubs, like the DC Metro Club, the Philly Club, Detroit/Chicago Club, etc.  To this day, I am still defined by which Freshman dorm I stayed in (shout out to those that stayed in Howard Harreld!)   As I moved into later life, I became David's wife....and then I became Myles and Adin's mom (one of my favorite definitions).   As we go through life, a lot of factors "define" us.   People are defined by the type of car they drive, the type of house or neighborhood they live in.  Others are defined by their clothes, their hair, their physical appearance. We all know someone who is defined by their husband or wife.   I am so and so's wife/husband; I am the pastor's wife (the first lady); I am married to a lawyer; my wife or husband is a CEO, you get the picture.  We also know people that define themselves by their career and the burning desire to climb the corporate ladder and make a lot of money.  For those, I would try to encourage them that they are not their career, however, their definition of who they are is so tightly bound to their  "career",  they can't truly see the deeper meaning of who they really are.  I am not knocking careers, climbing the ladder or being successful in a career, it can be an important facet in our lives, but it is not who we are.  At times we allow our spouse/significant other, parents or friends to define who we are and we stray away from our authentic, genuine self.  We all have to fit into some type of definition during our lives, but, I am here to encourage you that we are SO MUCH MORE.  God designed us to be MORE.   If you stripped away other peoples definitions or roles of who you are, what would your definition be?  Once the children move out, you change careers,  retire,  or you sit quietly alone, who are you?  Outside of your outward life- what people see or think, who are you?   When you think of your inner self, deep down on the inside who are you?    What are your dreams, aspirations, likes and dislikes?  What inspires you???  Grab a pen and paper....  Don't let anyone define you.  Write your own definition.

Your Footstool

Read Psalm 110:1

What do you do, when you can't reach something in your kitchen or you need to change a light bulb?  Do you climb on a chair or get a stool? (hopefully a stool, it's safer)  Did you know that stools are made for the purpose of reaching something otherwise unreachable.  Have you ever thought that your enemies have a purpose in your life?  Aside from causing us grief, frustration, anxiety and maybe some tears; think for a minute to the real God given purpose of our enemies.  Our enemies come into our lives in a variety of  forms: friends, families, job, financial and health issues, well, you get the point.  However, ultimately, our enemies job is to help us.  YES our enemies job is to help us.  I heard a sermon the other day, that encouraged  and reminded us to embrace our enemies, pray for our enemies and to thank God for our enemies.  In the flesh, this sounds "crazy" but in the spiritual is makes sense.  The vast majority of people, find it very difficult to pray for their enemies.  I will admit, I do pray for my enemies, but it is a God driven conviction and not one that I ignore, but it "ain't easy".  Those who know me well, know I will face my enemy with a smile and I frequently turn the other cheek; I'm often questioned, why do I do that.  I have learned from personal experience, that God is my protector and the enemy can only do so much to me.  In the flesh and to the "naked" eye  it may seem like I'm being destroyed and defeated, but there is a battle taking place in the spiritual, that will defeat what is taking place in the natural.  God has designed our enemies to become our footstool.   If you think back to the days of battle in biblical or gladiator times, when the battles where over, the victor would go and place one foot on the back of those killed in battle.  This was to show, "I have won the battle, defeated you, and I will step on your back, raise my sword and show myself victorious."    Think back to the stool---a stools job is to help you reach something other wise unreachable.  The parallel, the enemies job is to help you reach something otherwise unreachable--Victory!  When the enemy is attacking, it means that particular situation is preparing you for elevation, and you can't reach the new height, without a stool.  The enemy will become that stool.  Remain strong, steadfast and follow God's wisdom and battle plan.  Remember: "sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Psalm 110:1 NIV.  Be inspired.

Why Wait?

What are you waiting for? I always joke that I'm waiting to exhale.... There are times in life when we have to wait--in line at the grocery store, in traffic, in the waiting room at the doctor's office, at a red light, just to name a few. These are examples of times when we have no control over the "wait". There are numerous other things in life that we do have control over and we still wait. One that comes immediately to mind is the majority of women do not use their fine china very often. We WAIT for a special occasion or holiday. We WAIT until our children are gone and grown to pursue our interests; or in some cases we WAIT for our husbands to give us the green light for something. We WAIT until Monday to start a diet or exercise plan. We constantly put things on a "waiting list". A large amount of people don't live to the fullest or live a great and fulfilled life. People focus on what is not working, what is not happening or complain about all the wrongs of life. People WAIT until the sun, the moon and the stars line up and their bank accounts are overflowing to live fully or to be happy! Most people do not show or share their expressions of love until it is to late. We WAIT. I have two childhood friends that I have talked to within the past two days....One had a serious car accident that could have ended his life in the matter of minutes and the other, she needs a heart transplant. Both are in their early forties. Both are looking at life very differently. They are not WAITING to live anymore, they know all too well, that tomorrow is not promised... They have made a command decision to live more, complain less; live fully. I would like to encourage everyone to stop waiting to live and live fully now. Everyone's definition is and will be different of what a full, great or fulfilled life is. Yesterday, I answered this question: What is your definition of a great life? I wrote my definition down and I will reflect on it daily to remind myself and keep me accountable to how I want to live a great life. I recommend you do the same. I want a full life now, no more waiting. I'm dusting off my fine china! I am making a decision that I do not want to live with my goals, dreams, interests and aspirations on the "waiting list". Think about it....What are you waiting for?

Resilience & Power

I had an interesting lesson in resilience and willpower all in the form of getting rid of a reptile from my garage. Yes, reptile seems extreme, but snakes are reptiles right? Have you ever been challenged to the point where you either show resilience & willpower or you retreat? My experience with my slimmy invader was that of resilience and willpower. My strong will for him to leave and find residence elsewhere versus his resilient will to live and not retreat. The "adventures" leading up to the snake adventure and those that followed were nothing short of comical, yes, another Lucy experience!!!!!! Afterwards, when Calgon took me away, I thought about it, and said, wow that snake (Sammy) was resilient and had alot of willpower. I attempted numerous extinquishing techniques and Sammy continued to raise up like, is that all you got? I was like Glambo (Rambo, but glamorous) in my attempts. The only thing that was missing was the Uzi and the combat gear! I just wanted to stun him enough or "drown" him in my extinguishing cocktail, so I could get him OUT OF THE GARAGE!!! (for all of you thinking, grab a shovel...it just wasn't that simple-Sammy was in a bucket; and for those who are saying grab the bucket and dump it, again--it wasn't that simple). Suffice it to say, I ended up, running out of the garage, with a full bucket of my extinquishing cocktail and Sammy, and I HURLED it into the wilderness where it belonged! Needless to say, my cape needs replaced and so does my bucket. All in all, I want to encourage all of you to learn from Sammy--you should rely on (God first) resilience and willpower to get through the journey and challenges of life. Never give up despite people or circumstances trying to extinquish your will, spirit or your mission. You have the resilience and willpower, you just have to use it! The only retreat you should have is at a Spa!

The Ultimate Energy Revitalization System

There are over 150+ types and flavors of "instant energy" drinks and boosts on the market for purchase.  Each one promotes that once you consume their product you will have an increase in your energy level.  There is the #1 morning favorite - coffee, most people can't leave home without it.  There is expresso for an extra boost of energy, there is Red Bull, Monster, Amp, and 5 Hour Energy to name a few and the list goes on and on.  A lot of people are looking for an instant quick fix for low or lack of energy.  There are energy powders you can add to a smoothie as well as a B12 granule packet you can take to boost your energy levels.  I tried an energy drink once--the taste was not palatable and it reminded me of bubble gum I used to chew as a child.   I also tried the B12 granules and another product that boasted Fatigued to Fantastic! Energy Revitalization System.  As you can imagine, I recently had a revelation--there is No Quick Fix for lack of energy, nothing you can buy can help you get a quick boost safely or one that is long-lasting.  Aside from a regular good nights rest, there is someone who can provide the Ultimate Energy Revitalization System... it's God.  He provides a resting place for us in the midst of our traffic jams, challenges and tribulations.  He will provide calm when there is raging storm.  He will give us strength when we are weak.  The stress and strains don't go away, nor can we escape them altogether, but we can find a place of peace in Him.  When we are tired He can provide the ultimate energy boost.  Trust in Him, rest and be rejuvenated!  Read Isaiah 40:31