October 6th is Mommy's birthday

Today, Mommy would have been 83 years old.  

This summer,  I purchased an airline ticket to go to Philadelphia just so I could place flowers at her graveside.  Daddy used to always take her flowers on their anniversary, her birthday and at least every other month.  After he passed, I was able to go back that first summer and give them both flowers.  Well, the pandemic shut all of that down, so I was excited about having an opportunity to travel again and pay my respects to both Mommy and Daddy.

After purchasing my ticket, something happened with the flight schedule and Southwest changed my airline ticket.  I wouldn't have arrived until late this evening and it would have been too dark to navigate through the City and a cemetery.  I wrestled with it and finally cancelled the flight since the purpose was to be there on her birthday.  So today I can't say that I was sad, but I was disappointed and just felt slightly off.  I just wanted to be quiet and reflective.  I got up and rode 5 miles on my bike this morning,  but outside of that my energy level was not where it usually is.  

The year Mommy transitioned, she would have turned 75 years old.  That year on her birthday, I mourned the fact that I didn't have the chance to celebrate such an important milestone in her life.  I felt like I had waited for the 'big' number to celebrate her, but was heartbroken when I couldn't show her how much I appreciated her. I'd waited too long!  (Don't get me wrong, I loved on her everyday and she knew it, but 75 is just so huge that I wanted to express how I felt in front of everyone. ) I would have wanted her to feel like a queen on her special day.   I believe that's the reason why it was so important to put together a team and plan my own 50th birthday celebration this past August.   I didn't want to miss another milestone or to leave it up to someone else to plan.  I did for myself, what I couldn't do for her.

My Celebration of Sisterhood 50th Birthday Gala was about me, Yes......but it was also about Mommy.  She loved to encourage women and my goal was to make certain that EVERY woman felt special that night in August.  She was a church girl,  but she loved to see others have a good time; so the African dance segment would have made her smile and shake her tail feathers. My mother was pure joy! She would pray with and for you, laugh with you, give you great big hugs,  and call you Shuga.  I am blessed to have been born to the wonderful, Nelda J. Mattison.  These days whenever I pass a mirror, I see her profile.  When I look back at footage of myself leading praise & worship, I get tickled because I notice her mannerisms. (Mommy was smooth with hers though, she could have been a lounge singer.  Daddy used to say that she crooned.). In my encouragement of others, I can hear her whispers in my ear.  That woman was my #1 cheerleader!!!  

If she were here today, she would make sure that I was taking care of myself and not doing too much.  If she were here, she would cry and praise God with every one of my accomplishments.  In fact, she'd probably go crazy every time I went LIVE on a social media platform. "Look at you Baby, you are doing it.  You sound like you know what you're talking about". (I'm sniggling & giggling right now, as I'm typing.)

As I look back at my birthday photos, I see Mommy strutting her stuff (in high heels, of course).  The joy and sense of freedom I felt was a result of years of her pouring into me.  She made certain that I didn't allow my insecurities to keep me fearful and unable to move forward.  In fact, around her I had no insecurities. I was free to be my authentic self! Honey, if she could see my bald head today, she'd kiss it, anoint it with blessed oil and say "get it Girl".  No mother-daughter rivalry here, just love and respect!!!! You may have never met my Mommy, but as I get older, I am meeting her again for the first time.  I am Mommy and she is me!  Happy birthday Mommy!  I didn't make it to Philly to give you flowers, but I can smell the flowers in my garden bed and think of you!

I'm sharing my entire birthday photo album with you so you can see the joy of the women and my own joy as we celebrated one another.  My joy is her joy, which boils down to the joy of the Lord!

So to all of you reading this, don't wait until the 'big" milestones to celebrate, learn that every DAY is BIG and worth celebrating.

Now walk it out....

Click HERE to view my full BD photo album.

I am not my hair! BUT at the same time, I am.

A few months after Daddy died in January 2019, I noticed that my hair stopped coiling the way I liked.  There seemed to be breakage or damage at one spot.  I have worn a teeny-weeny afro (TWA) for years, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, so my hair has been short for quite some time.  I thought the hair breakage was just due to stress and grief, until I noticed periodic itching and burning of my scalp. After visiting a beautician, who specializes in natural hair, she parted through my hair and discovered little white bumps all over my scalp. It looked like a teenager with bad acne, but on my scalp instead of my face.

She mentioned that it was probably folliculitis brought on by hair products which attract dirt and then styling it with a sponge used to separate into coils. So, I changed hair products and began to finger coil instead.  It offered some relief, but the symptoms eventually came back.  I transitioned into a protective hair style for 6-9 months, which helped me to keep my fingers out of my hair. In April 2020 of the pandemic, when everything was shut down, including all the beauticians, I took the protective hairstyle down myself and dyed it a strawberry blond color.  You could not tell me anything! The lack of hair manipulation had been good for growth, and I loved my new length, but again I noticed a small bald spot smack dab in the middle of my head.  I thought perhaps I had cut my hair by mistake when taking down the hairdo.  After only a few weeks, the strange coil pattern and thinning resumed. Ugh!

In February of this year (2021), I visited a black, female dermatologist who specializes in ethnic hair. She performed two biopsies of my scalp and the results confirmed that I have Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA).  CCCA is a disease characterized by permanent hair loss in the crown region of the scalp, inflammation, and scarring. It occurs almost exclusively in black women aged 30 to 55 years. What the what?!  She mentioned that once a scar forms there is permanent hair loss in that specific area. So, what is a girl to do?  Dr. Allen believed that we caught it in the early stage, so we began treatment immediately. (Please note there are different types of alopecia, so it is best to have a dermatologist diagnose it to begin the appropriate treatment.)

I am currently taking an antibiotic for acne and using a specially formulated prescription strength Minoxidil cream that comes from a pharmacy in Florida. I have also endured two series of steroid injections throughout my scalp and along the hairline. So, now we are just play the waiting game. I became so frustrated recently because it appeared that the initial spot seemed to be filling in, just as another bald spot developed in the front. Even as I type, I can feel my scalp itching in certain areas, due to scalp inflammation.

For the past two weeks, I have wrestled with the idea of getting braids, but that's not the best option right now.  Although braids are another type of protective style, if braided too tightly can cause a totally different problem, namely traction alopecia.  Although I am NOT my hair, I must admit that my coiled hair is a major part of who I am; and when that is not right, feelings of insecurity creep in.

It is the craziest feeling. Insecurity that is!

I do not care how confident you are, when there are issues with your crown, you tend to feel just a little different.  I considered the song by Indie Arie, “I Am Not My Hair”. 

 

She said it like this:

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oh
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
I am expressing my creativity

I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within

But honestly, you do not come to this conclusion and assuredness until AFTER you have dealt with the insecurity that accompanies bald spots or thinning or whatever the hair issue. I decided rather than cover my spots by getting braids or another “protective” style, I would focus on getting my scalp healthy devoid of underlying inflammation. (I told my husband that he might have to get used to seeing his wife bald, if I actual decided to shave it off.)   Well, a sister did it…. I SHAVED MY HEAD TODAY!  My beautician said that the thinning spots actually had hair growth/peach fuzz, but it just looked like a major bald spot because the hair around it was full.  So, I told her to give me a buzz cut and a little bit of color…. And just like that, I decided to start over. No more unnecessary manipulation of my hair; just time to let it rest and grow back evenly.

I could not hide from the reality that my body had given me messages that something was not quite right internally. Rather than run and hide from the signals, my aim is to be consistent at tackling the root cause.  That means that I must increase my water intake, keep taking the acne antibiotic as prescribed, continue using the prescription cream and cut my hair short to cut down on hair manipulation. I think I might even do a 3-day cleanse, beginning Monday, to rid my body of toxins. The body is a magnificent machine that gives you warnings that it wants better. My scalp wanted better, so I decided to respect her needs so my hair can come back stronger and healthier. 

When I began twisting my hair many years ago, my grandmother said to me, “Oh baby, I like that…you have such a nice, shaped head”.  Well Granny, everyone will now have the opportunity to see this awesome dome for a while. 

As I approach 50 years of age (August 15), all the words of affirmation that I pour on others, I will bathe in as I allow myself grace to change and grow.  For now, I am bald and beautiful!  If/when my hair fills in, I will still be pulchritudinous.  My beauty does not originate from external factors, but the very core of my existence is light and beauty.  Fifty is coming in like fire, because I have set it ablaze!

So, embrace ALL of you are with or without make up; with or without hair; lean or fluffy; short or tall.  You have such a beauty that beams from the inside and lights the path of everything and everyone around you. Alopecia cannot and will not define me.  I will continue to strut my stuff with a bald head, a good pair of earrings and a bold lip.

Now walk it out…   

It's a Celebration of Sisterhood!

I'd like to invite you to celebrate with me. My 50th birthday is in August and I'd love to share an evening with 100 amazing women. Please enjoy the digital invitation below and then register on the the Sign Up Genius.  It's about to go down!

Please watch and enjoy my Digital invitation to you.

Click HERE to register for Dr. Sharri's 50th Birthday Gala $50forFifty

Spiritual Connections in the Kitchen

When was your last spiritual encounter?

Were you in church? Were you sitting on a park bench? Were you laying in a hammock?  Were you enjoying nature?  Were you on a run? 

My most recent spiritual encounter was in my kitchen!

Today, Byron and I had just returned from Tulsa, Oklahoma commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.  Immediately following church yesterday, we set off with our sons to Tulsa to participate in some of the weekend activities with the Legacy Fest.  To see Black vendors, sample from Black food trucks, sway to Black music, listen to Black spoken word, people watch beautiful Black people as we all thought about the lives of Tulsans that were forever changed in 1921 was enlightening and invigorating.  It took us back to our Lower Manley Fridays at Spelman College, when all the AUC came together.  We were happy to share this experience with our sons and to broadcast LIVE to our church family from Greenwood.

We returned to Oklahoma City early this afternoon to enjoy the rest of the day and prepare for the week.  Byron mentioned a food show on Netflix, and we decided to watch the first episode.  The name of the show is "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America".  The documentary story line is about food, community, culture, and resiliency. It is narrated by Stephen Satterfield, who describes how American food culture has its roots in African culture. 

And when I tell you that I was in tears by the end of the first episode...HONEY!  Even now as I am typing, I am full of emotion.  Earlier this year, I had a DNA test to discover my ancestral origins. I learned that I am 42.5% African: Yoruba People (13.1%), Esan People (11.2%), Gambians (8.9%), Mende People (8.4%) and Luhya People (0.9%).  In the documentary today, they talked a lot about the country of Benin, their culture and food traditions.  I was immediately intrigued because the Yoruba people could have originated from these countries: Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, BENIN, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast or Portugal.  

I was like..."yo, they are talking about MY people".  Satterfield interviewed one of his idols, American culinary historian, professor, cookbook author and journalist, Jessica B. Harris.  Together they walked through the various markets of Benin visiting food stands, clothing stands and talking with the natives about the foods that were traditional to their people.  Okra was mentioned as a staple in Benin cuisine and how it made the journey to the Americas.  She dispelled the myth between the sweet potato and the yam.  (Note to self: we are buying sweet potatoes in the supermarket. If it does not look like a hairy elephant's foot, it is not a yam.)  As I watched them discuss food and sample various delicacies, my stomach started to growl.  

What was intriguing about the show was how they made the connection between the African people and American cuisine.  They talked about Abomey, Benin and the long dirt road that led many of the Africans right into slave ships. Even today, that road is unpaved.  The gentleman being interviewed said that they had no idea that this road would lead them either to their death or their enslavement. He also posited that you cannot erase the past and walking that same road is a reminder of the ancestors who traveled that way before. #goosebumps 

Intermingled throughout the episode was food, culture, and memory.  It was impactful because it demonstrated how African people showed resilience by bringing their food traditions to America.  For example, Byron used to tell me how Friday night dinner was often fried fish and spaghetti in his family; to which I always swore that those 2 things should NEVER go together.  Oddly enough, one of the meals highlighted was fried fish and some type of African dish that was tomato-based.  Satterfield mentioned that growing up in Georgia, Sunday meals were fried fish and spaghetti that fed the community.  

What, the what?! Byron was not crazy after all. Ha!

Though the specific tomato-based dish was not an American food tradition, the African palate survived the journey. (We simply used an American substitute, but the sentiment in the pairing was the same.)  Another piece of African culture survived!  The final story was told where the Satterfield and Harris stood on hallowed ground to venerate the ancestors. Below their feet, underneath a statue were the remains of those Africans who never made it to the ships.  They died right there at that port because they REFUSED to give in.  Many Africans were brought to the port to await transfer and they were given specific foods that were from their villages. The goal was to keep them eating and full so they could maintain their energy to survive the journey.  Rather than giving in to the slave masters, many of them refused to eat. So, they died right there...  They practiced resistance even unto death! #goosebumpsagain

I was moved to tears and got up immediately to cook.  I had no idea what I wanted, but I felt the urge to connect to my heritage.  Byron began to ask questions of what I was going to cook and I simply informed him that I did not know, and could not take suggestions.  I just went to the pantry and refrigerator and was moved by the spirit as I pulled out the onions, peppers, cabbage, okra, and pigeon peas.  I was having a spiritual encounter connecting my present to my past.  When I saw the frozen okra in the freezer, I immediately thought of Mommy and how she would make okra patties for Daddy.  (It was never for the kids; it was only for Daddy; his own special treat.)  But today, I was determined to feed my husband with this meal.  In complete silence, I created a meal that took elements from my African heritage mixed with my own American traditions. I tasted and seasoned until I was satisfied with each dish, as the flavors burst in my mouth.

·       Sautéed cabbage with onions, garlic, red, yellow, and orange peppers

·       Pigeon peas with tomatoes, seasoned with a medium yellow curry powder

·       Lightly fried okra patties 

The flavor profile was treacherous, and I felt like I had grabbed my Benin ancestors and my own parents tradition to make the perfect meal.  No bread and no meat, yet I was completely satisfied! (Byron liked it too.)

Today was a spiritual moment of connection for me....

My past informed my present and will ultimately influence my future.  I learned to always be proud of where I come from.  I learned that refusing to give in is a sign of resilience and resistance.  I also learned that I could control the narrative that will lead to better health decisions and a more sustainable life.  

Today, I met God in the kitchen!

Be mindful and open to each day's powerful lessons...

                                                                                            ~Now walk it out!

The church vs. God? Who wins?

 Who told you women should be silent in the church?

Who told you pants were unacceptable attire in the sanctuary, but wearing skirts and dresses somehow meant you were holy?

Who told you that women were not allowed or should not have equal footing in the pulpit?

Who told you how a "good girl" should conduct herself?

Who told you that living right was better than living well?

Who told you that sacrifice down here would get you a reward up there?

Who told you that position squashes passion?

THE CHURCH.

Who is telling you that your inner voice is piercing to the status quo, if only you are brave enough to allow it to be heard?

Who is telling you that your attire is not an indicator of your worth, but simply an expression of your beauty and personality?

Who is telling you that the passion, the cries, and the groans of a woman cannot be contained in a pulpit, classroom or any other space?

Who is telling you that being chaste does not a good girl make; but a woman who is in touch with all of her being: mind, emotions and sexuality, is powerfully boundless?

Who is telling you that entrepreneurship, forward thinking and independence are tools to living well in the here and now?

Who is telling you that every day you can experience a little bit of heaven as you walk along the earth?

GOD IS.  In all of her splendor.

Ponder that!

  

Now walk it out...

Give yourself a little grace: the best form of #selfcare

Give yourself a little grace: the best form of #selfcare.

We have all shown kindness to someone and told them how things will turn out fine.  We have helped to quash their fears and anxieties. Many of us have become the biggest cheerleaders for other people.  However, when it comes to forgiving ourselves for mistakes or misjudgments, we tend to speak self-doubt. As kids we used to make mistakes and keep on playing, quickly moving on to the next thing.  However, as adults, we have developed an amazing sound system in our heads that continuously repeats the same soundtrack. The track replays words like, “You should not have done that.” ;“You know better.”; and  “What will THEY think?” We repeat our sorrows, our mishaps, our missteps, our troubles only to end up back where we started, in regret.

Today, I invite you to learn a different mechanism and play a different soundtrack.  Trust me, you deserve it.  My mother-in-law used to always tell me that “you can’t give from an empty cup”, which was always my signal that I was running too much or being too hard on myself and just needed to sit down for a moment to catch my breath.  On the last day of January, here are five easy steps to continue the year and jumpstart your latest “self-care” regimen. 

#1 – PAUSE

When you notice that you have lost your center, simply pause.  Sometimes we are so busy helping others that we fail to realize that we have reached our limit and need help.  Ask yourself some questions:

• v How do I feel?
• v What are my thought patterns?
• v Why am I snapping at people?

Pause for a moment to place yourself at the center of YOUR world.  Be concerned about what is troubling you. Just PAUSE for a moment to prepare yourself to learn something new about yourself and your current situation.

#2 - BREATHE

Deep breathing resets your internal system and triggers your body to act differently.  Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Breathe in for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 8.  The goal is to rid the body of any negative feelings and thought patterns that have invaded your body.

• v Inhale peace, exhale pain
• v Inhale serenity, exhale sorrow
• v Inhale calm, exhale chaos

You have the power to shift the perception of any situation simply by taking a deep breath.  Every morning and evening, I pause to listen to my “Shine” app, which was created by a group of multicultural women.  There is a soothing calmness about their insights and one of the main features is learning to BREATHE.  When you place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly and focus on how your body feels as your chest cavity and diaphragm rises and falls with each inhalation and exhalation.  When your focus is there, your cares melt away for that moment in time.  I have found that now that I practice deep breathing daily, I am able to calm myself at any point throughout the day.

#3 – RECENTER

People who talk to themselves are oftentimes seen as crazy or delusional.  I would like to change the narrative in this instance.  Sometimes it is absolutely necessary to encourage yourself by speaking out loud.  Negative thoughts are usually the things that run around in our heads and keep us in silent pain.  Positive self-talk shifts the atmosphere.  The air changes around you when you speak encouraging words aloud.  As the atmosphere shifts, your body shifts simultaneously and you begin to regain your center.

Come on, give it a try…

• v I am beautiful.  #shiftandrecenter
• v I am powerful. #shiftandrecenter
• v Everything that I need already lies within me. #shiftandrecenter
• v I am worthy to put myself first. I am a priority! #shiftandrecenter

Do you feel it? The shift is happening right there in your at the cellular level.

#4-INVITE

Only invite people to be into your space who understand that your peace is paramount.  Invite only those things that feed your soul.  Fill your space with positivity and do not feel bad if you must leave some family or friends behind.  The pandemic has shown us so much.  The fact that we have been isolated and away from many of our friends as actually been liberating for so many.  Even as we recently went through the holiday season, if we followed CDC recommendations, we could not have those big family gatherings.  If you are to be honest, you have allowed too many individuals to sit at your table and you all have outgrown the space.  Still good people, but no longer in your circle and THAT HAS GOT TO BE OKAY WITH YOU.  Now you have the leisure and pleasure of inviting ONLY those individuals back into your circle who feed your soul.  I am reminded of the scripture that many quote out of Genesis, “May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent from one another”.  Well Ma’am and Sir, the Lord will continue to watch between us while we are absent, which will be forever.  Love you, but no longer invited into my space. Say it with me people, “I have grown”.

#5- RESET & Move Forward

Oftentimes, we have situations that keep us bound. We focus on the wrong things in the past and simply cannot seem to start over.  It is alright to begin anew.  Even as we have entered the year 2021, we can reset as we leave some of those hurts, fears, and pains behind us in 2020.

• v New mindset
• v New determination
• v New outlook
• v New goals
• v New dreams
• v New peace
• v New joy

Self-care is what is needed today.  Give yourself a little grace for what you did or did not do or for what you may have missed. You deserve the same grace that you freely give others. So, as we continue to move throughout this year, practice #selfcare by showing yourself a little grace. It is time to hit the reset button and begin anew.  Extend grace to yourself and keep it moving.

 

~PAUSE-BREATHE-RECENTER-INVITE-RESET~

 

Now walk it out…

 

Blanketed by snow, Covered by God

 Today is January 1, 2021.  New Year's Day.

This day signals a day of new beginnings.  One finally gets a fresh start.  The time is yours to seize, with the latest resolutions in hand.

    We can all attest that 2020 has been a doozy!  The year began as a normal new year: people planned trips, began diets, promised to exercise, determined to make better grades, planned to save/ invest more money, desired to start businesses, and so much more.  New year...fresh start!  All seemed to be going well until we heard a scattering of news stories mentioning a virus that was sweeping across the world and taking people out of here.  Here, in the United States, we weren't initially alarmed due to a false sense of security, a belief that nothing could really hurt us and the bumbling idiot in government.  The beginnings of a coverup that would soon be uncovered by thousands in New York becoming ill.  When the lies could no longer be swept under a rug, the government finally began shutting States down, in order to save lives and get a handle on this virus.  It finally had a name the corona virus or COVID-19 and we were all warned to "shelter in place", stay home, wear masks, hand sanitize and clean surfaces.  Day by day, week by week, month after month we learned more and developed more safety precautions to keep our families safe.  Schools went online, Zoom became the formal meeting place and hang out spot, drive-by birthday celebrations were all the rage, and we noticed more people walking and exercising in nature.  Unfortunately, many people lost wages and more disturbingly, lost loved ones. Yes, 2020 has indeed been a doozy!

    At another glance, 2020 has taught us so much about ourselves and how to determine what is truly necessary to survive.  Churches realized that the building was ONLY a building and that most of the things that had taken place there previously were unnecessary. Many of the individuals who held these coveted positions of leadership, were actually there for the title, not for the people. The quarantine forced churches to take the saying "beyond the 4 walls" and put it into action.  My husband and I, along with our team, were determined to stay connected to our members and gained virtual members along the way.  Ministry became international in an instant.  Those churches who made the shift and focused on the virtual space are doing strong ministry today, still mostly virtual.

    Schools were exposed during this time.  Those schools who truly embraced the virtual platform continue to thrive today.  Those who were focused on returning to buildings, which were not safe, teeter back and forth between brick & mortar and virtual, due to increasing COVID cases.  On a personal note, we had to make a family decision for our 16-year-old not to play basketball this season. #heartbreaking This was most devastating to have to tell him that he could not experience the camaraderie with the team this season, because there were so many uncertainties about the virus. He was disappointed, but quickly realized that all we aim to do is to keep him safe.  I am so glad that we made that decision because every sport has been interrupted this season, due to exposure and infection cases on the team or in their families.

    This time has taught us to look at society and recognize the real MVPs. The healthcare workers never stopped sacrificing their time to care for so many sick individuals.  They had to also become social workers and counselors, as families were separated from their loved ones.  But this time has also shown us another group of real MVPs:  grocery store employees, who NEVER stopped working and stocking shelves to keep our families fed and those truck drivers who supplied those markets.   We can honestly say that many of us increased our online shopping, whether we need to or not, so big shout outs to the shipping companies and their drivers who delivered all of those packages.  Postal workers continued to walk the neighborhoods delivering mail, as well.  Whether you are the head of a company, in a position of power or in a high paying job, you still need essentials and that only comes through many of these individuals.  Even the CEOs use toilet paper!  So, ALL of us are necessary. #eyeopening

    Many of us have truly learned the meaning of #selfcare.  What small things can you do consistently each day to pour into your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being?  We have all begun to figure that out.  When my husband and I contracted COVID-19 after the City ice storm in October, we had to sit back and reevaluate what we truly needed for ourselves and our family to thrive.  Half of the things we used to worry about were a waste of time.  We are learning daily to appreciate each other's company and conversation more and more.  He makes me laugh, between the times where I want to choke him (ha), but I love every minute of it.  Even in close quarters for the last 10 months, we appreciate together time and  know the importance of quiet, individual time.  After 23 years of marriage, almost 30 years of being in relationship, we still give each other grace to grow.  

    Our sons, make us so proud!  Watching how they have both pivoted during this time and are truly becoming young leaders, who are embracing their passions makes me anticipate the future.  They will be fine! Yes, the pandemic has forced them to stop some things, but I believe this time has forced them to wrestle some questions about what they want to do with their lives.  My 16-year-old still has time to find his passion and we will give him space to do that.  Our goal is to make sure that he is getting a good education and to keep exposing him to different things, although much of it is still virtual.  My 20-year-old, who was already "Mr. Hospitality" has walked into what makes him happy.  He has developed his company website and is building relationships through photography, videography, and production.  We recognized a long time ago that he was not a 9 to 5, cubicle type of dude; he needed to move around and make his own way.  Quarantine showed him what he was really good at and what passions drive him.  God is faithful and has blessed our boys! #grateful

    Last night was the first time in my entire life that I was not physically in the church house for Watchnight service.  Growing up, I spent every New Year's Eve in worship and that only continued when Byron and I moved to OKC.  Our church was the Watchnight service hub, where anyone who came (before or after the party) ended the old year and began the new year praising God with church members, which usually ended with a full breakfast in the fellowship hall.  Again, due to the pandemic, virtual worship has become our method of ministry.  We prerecorded the service on Tuesday, people sent in their video clips and our production team performed a miracle which we presented to the people with excellence.  To God be the glory!  Well, when it started raining and icing after 10 pm, I was so glad that we were not in the building.  Had we been there, our people would have been traveling in rainy conditions and icy roadways.  By the time the clock struck midnight, I was lying in bed and knew that the rain had quickly turned to snow.

    Well praise be to God, when I opened my eyes this morning EVERYTHING outside was covered by snow.  There was a beautiful blanket of fluffy snow in my backyard. Wow!  I opened the blinds in the mancave and enjoyed my hot water, with lemon, watching the flurries still blowing through the sky.  What a beautiful sight! The thing that kept resonating in my spirit was "I've got you covered".  (On our thanksgiving Zoom call, my eldest brother shared with us that God had our backs. #greatreminder) But as the snow blanketed the ground this morning, my heart sensed God's covering over every area of my life.  Last night, there were stormy conditions that could have been dangerous to traverse.  Those of us who were affected by October's ice storm were a little scared when the meteorologist mentioned icy conditions.  The cold weather prompted many of us to turn the heat up in our homes.  I am reminded of the scripture, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning".  My joy this morning was seeing the snow and experiencing nature.  Again, I felt completely surrounded and covered by God.

So regardless of the heartache of last year, recognize that you are "covered by God".

• Fears and anxieties, "covered by God"
• Depression and isolation, "covered by God"
• Lots of money or no money, "covered by God"
• Sickness and even death, still "covered by God"
• A break in the normal, "covered by God"
• Stretched to the limit, "covered by God"
• Friends lost and true friends found, "covered by God"
• Ups & downs, twists & turns, "covered by God"
• Haven't figured everything out yet, "covered by God"
• Losses & gains, "covered by God"

    No matter what we have all experienced in 2020, we are yet "covered by God".  I am grateful for every hard lesson learned this past year and for every new way forged. I rest in the knowledge that whatever may come my way in 2021, I am covered by God.

If you believe you, too, are covered, put on some snow boots and ..........................walk it out.

Happy New Year 2021, you are already covered by God!