Find Rest as you Embrace the Climb

This picture represents the patience & timing of God. Notice the dates at the tops of the pages.  The picture on the left was colored on 8/25/23 and its companion page has today’s date, 7/31/25. Uh ma’am…these are nearly 2 years apart!!! What have you been up to?

Allow me to take you back to July 2023…

I was invited to speak at the G2G Women’s conference in Cancun Mexico.  The entire conference was designed around ”Embracing the Sabbath as Sacred”. I preached the opening worship service and talked about finding your Sabbath Songs. Remembering those songs that carried you back to the feet of Jesus and allowed you to rest and linger there.  This coloring book was one of the thoughtful items in the conference gift bag.  I can recall sitting in the room during the conference and coloring one or two pages, but lost track of it when I returned back to the States.

A few months ago, I began therapy.  Not for any particular reason but to have someone to check in with from time to time.  I go, go, go and rarely pause to consider what I truly need in this season.  Byron and I are technically “empty-nesters”, except for the 8-month-old puppy in our home. (That’s an entirely different story. Ha!)  She encouraged me to find something that I liked to do for fun that totally relaxed me; but It couldn’t be tied to any type of outcome other than it brings me calm and pleasure.  I REMEMBERED that coloring was one of those things that allowed me to lose myself with every stroke of the colored pencil, as I followed the curvature of the lines on the page. I scoured my home looking for the mandala coloring books that I used to own, but when I lifted a book, I ran across this miniature, yet powerful coloring book from the conference, two years ago.  So for the past couple of months, I periodically flip through the pages and find one that speaks to my mood at the moment. Each page has a different phrase or saying and I choose which page to color, based on my head space at the time.  Now if the page on the left was colored in 2023, what prevented me from coloring the adjacent page? Hmm?

As I sat up in bed coloring the right side of the page this morning, I chuckled upon noticing the 2 year gap between the dates.  I think I had been intimidated upon first glance.  

If you look closely, you’ll recognize the various patterns and geometric shapes, which meant that I would have to pause long enough to consider every pattern and choose the correct color.  I had to completely focus and settle into what I was doing.  The page on the left, “I am embracing the journey” was lighthearted and carefree.  Notice how there are larger patterns and more open space. All I had to do was trace the outline and then color the interior. The woman in the picture was whimsical and carefree, she acknowledged that she can embrace the journey, but that was only the first step.

When you embrace the journey, you are saying yes to more. Yes to freedom. Yes to revelation. Yes to Sabbath. Yes to the cross. Yes to blocking out naysayers because all she did was put on her shades.  Notice how her neck scarf is blowing in the wind.  She is embracing the journey.  Let’s go get it God!  Looking at the picture on the left, you can imagine her sitting in the passenger seat of a convertible about to take to the winding roads on an even terrain.  Carefree!

But in the right picture, there is no woman. The carefree nature has seemingly disappeared because the shapes and patterns have overtaken the page and the entire thing seems rather intimidating at first glance.  I probably passed this page for such a long time because I was unwilling to pause and consider what it was going to take to complete it.  I wear  transition bifocals, so sometimes my eyes don’t adjust as quickly as I’d like and I find myself taking my glasses off to see up close.  As I began to color this page, I noticed that I was spending more time with my glasses off than on.  This page required total concentration and up close interpretation.  I shifted the book ever so slightly to reach different aspects and angles of the page.  Then I picked a color and allowed it to determine where it needed to be placed.  Something about that dark blue started to hit differently.  The more I colored, the more boldly I embraced the assignment!  I, in fact, was “Embracing the Climb”. 

That woman on the left reminds me of the joy, rest, and the freedom in resting in the journey, but the picture on the right reminds me that there are ebbs and flows, ups and downs in life.  There is no straight path to this climb, but when you rest and enjoy the winding road there is joy and brightness along the way.  None of our paths look the same, but we’re still climbing. The patterns might be similar, but we each have our destiny.

Rest has been unfolding for me for the last 2 years and I think I’m finally beginning to grasp it fully.

This past Sunday, I preached and talked about a recent train ride that I took from OKC to Fort Worth and how God spoke to me through my times of stillness and reflection.  Now ya’ll know that I sho’  wanted to yank that Sermon and kill the house, but I was in a different head space.  I was more reflective and taught in the midst of my rebirth.  If I hold on to God’s promise, change my perspective, and praise God for the provision of the Spirit, I will find Sabbath rest. Rest lives in the silent spaces between my heartbeat and my breath. Rest is in the wisdom of those who walked before, speaking through my instincts, guiding my steps before I even think to ask for direction. Rest is not panicking during the climb, but embracing every straight or curvy, light or dark, simple or difficult path that is set before me.  It took 2 years to arrive here, BUT I AM HERE!

I invite you to Embrace the Journey, but also learn how to Embrace the Climb gracefully.   As you settle into the embrace, you will definitely get bolder.

Now walk it out…

TAKE UP SPACE!

    I was reading a post last night that mentioned the upcoming nationwide silent protests.  I have also seen various media outlets where the hosts discussed next strategic steps for Black people.  Then I was reminded of what many Black women decided after the election. We are resting!  For centuries, Black women have had to figure out how to “make a way out of no way”.  We had to find ways to not only survive through the cruelties of life, but to thrive so that future generations could be guided by our light.

    In the last few days, I have spoken with Black women who are just trying to make sense of the current political climate. We KNEW what saying yes to this current administration would cost us and this country, yet so many people chose not to listen.  The religious right got so caught up on the issue of abortion rights, which we know was a foil to distract us from the real issue…human rights for people of color.  I listened and watched in horror as Black preachers endorsed this administration solely on the basis of abortion and the discussion of whether or not it was moral.  They cheered as legislation was overturned that gave women a choice to handle their own bodies. They quoted the 10 commandments “thou shall not kill”, trying to determine when a fetus was considered a human, but easily overlook the grown ass men and women who have been gunned down in the streets or are currently sitting on death row waiting to be killed.  Y’all were duped and now we’re here!!!  The last time I checked, God gave us free will and Jesus never isolated anyone because of their choices.  Jesus loved them through their individual choices and then went to die in our place.  Jesus sacrificed himself; he didn’t sacrifice others so he could gain power or get glory. So “what would Jesus do?”....not this!

But I didn’t come here to argue the various political points or comb through scripture, I came to encourage you to TAKE UP SPACE. 

I admit that I have not been watching the cable and TV outlets that I used to watch because I am deliberately protecting my peace.  I do, however, listen to Urbanview on Sirius XM, catch highlights of The View, Roland Martin, and the Scholarship College Mama just to stay slightly aware of what’s going on in the world. I refuse to be swallowed up in the minutiae of idiocy from this administration.  Yet, I am keenly aware that so many, especially government workers, must stay on top of the news because their livelihood is at stake.  But just like I told a dear sister two days ago, turn that damn laptop off at 5pm.  There is no need to continue working until 7 or 8 o’clock at night, missing dinner and time with your family, just to respond to one more email. That email will be there at 8 am and you probably won’t have all of the information to answer the questions that need to be addressed anyway, so log off now.  I am glad to report that yesterday, she clocked out and decided to TAKE UP SPACE by the fireplace with her husband by 5:30pm.  One tiny step towards protecting her peace. (Girl, you made Mama proud!) 

So, I was lying awake in the bed in the middle of the night, after letting our new puppy outside for a potty break and I decided to find an audiobook that would uplift and enlighten me.  I ran across the book “The Abolitionists” with Kellie Carter Jackson. The book opens by highlighting the various roles of abolitionists.  They were not all the same!  Yes, we know the familiar names like Harriett and Douglas, but there were so many other individuals who lent their voice, expertise, and their particular slant towards freedom.  Abolitionists were working before Africans were even brought to the Americas.  Any act of #resistance was the work of an abolitionist!  This got me thinking back to what I heard Tamika Mallory mention on the Karen Hunter show the other day.  When she was forced into the spotlight, due to tragedy,  Rev. Al Sharpton cheered her on and encouraged her to do HER work, while he continued with his own work.  He encouraged her to act on behalf of the people according to her slant and perspective.  In both of these instances, I was reminded that I, too, have a perspective that is specifically mine to share.  I too am an abolitionist, lending my ear towards resistance and freedom.  When I choose JOY, I have decided to TAKE UP SPACE in the world to be a light to someone overcome by darkness. Whether I decide to boycott or participate in silent protests, this Black woman has decided to share my Joy. I used to always say, “don’t play small”, but today my spirit wants to encourage you to TAKE UP SPACE in your individual communities.

    Taking up space is a form of abolition work and resistance because it catapults you into action. Taking up space does not allow you to wallow in the fear of the uncontrollable, but rather forces you to handle that which is under your control…your actions and emotions.

Let me break it down for you.

If you like to write, TAKE UP SPACE and write a blog or an article to educate readers.

If you like to write, TAKE UP SPACE  and write a grant that will help fund projects in your community.

If you like to write, TAKE UP SPACE  and contribute to the local newspaper in the opinion column.

If you like to cook, TAKE UP SPACE and cook a meal for your family and take a leftover container to the unhoused person that you pass on the corner everyday. 

If you like to bake, TAKE UP SPACE and bake little treats for the Seniors in your apartment complex or neighborhood.

If you like to talk, TAKE UP SPACE and encourage someone by preaching or teaching, not just how to get to heaven but how to live & love abundantly while here on Earth.

If you like to talk, TAKE UP SPACE by calling someone to give them a word of encouragement.

If you like to talk, TAKE UP SPACE and record informative shorts or reels on social media.

If you like to sing, TAKE UP SPACE and learn the Black National Anthem, along with songs of freedom and sing them to your children or grandchildren.

If you like to read, TAKE UP SPACE and read to students at the local school or church.

If you like to read, TAKE UP SPACE so you can educate and advocate.

If you like to dance, TAKE UP SPACE and choreograph a song to abolitionists’ words.

If you like to dance, TAKE UP SPACE by turning the music up loud and dancing in your living room.

If you like accounting, TAKE UP SPACE  and offer a budgeting course at your local church or organization.

If you like to plan, TAKE UP SPACE and plan an event centered around Black joy.

If you like to solve things, TAKE UP SPACE and volunteer your services to a school, church or organization who might need assistance. (No more complaining about them, it’s time to help.)

If you like to take pictures, TAKE UP SPACE and photograph things that bring you joy, then share it with a friend to make them smile.

    We each have a gift to be shared with the world, so TAKE UP SPACE  and claim your spot in the field of abolitionists.   We are not monolithic, so each of us has a voice to lend towards freedom. It’s time to break free from the negative thoughts that have kept us bound.  It’s time to break free from the self-limiting mantras that prevent us from advancing. It’s time to break free from generational curses of lack. It’s time to TAKE UP SPACE and share your joy!

Now walk it out...