A Shutdown to Show Out

Right now, our country is bleeding from the inside out. We are in the midst of the longest governmental shutdown in history. That means over 800 thousand families have not been paid what they are owed. Their first pay day of the year was non-existent. And this is all over an idea from a man who doesn’t give a damn about anybody else but himself. I am just flabbergasted at the lack of respect for human decency this president continues to exhibit.

He has put so many lives at stake over a wall that he knows will not give the American what he promises. A wall will not stop drugs from coming in people. You know why, because it is big business here even though most of it is illegal. A wall will not stop refugees from trying to cross over to find solace in a land that offers hope. You know why, because the audacity to hope is more powerful than fear. I could go on and on but bottom line there ain’t gon be no damn wall. (Got me cussing)

What do you think will happen to those families who are going hungry right now? Eventually somebody somewhere is going to panic and there will be crimes committed just to feed their hungry children. But you know what, there is still hope. Yes, there is. Now is the opportune time for the people of God, true believers to step out of the shadows, come out of the closet, and get to work. We need to make sure not a day goes by that our neighbors and friends are not lacking. The Bible says that If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. That puts us, Christians, on notice.

We have the power of the tongue to bring down the stronghold that this president’s menacing ways have been killing the soul of our country. I’m not going to argue with anyone about this. We have a monster at the helm and his antics are a disgrace to our nation. But we who are believers and understand that we must got to God in prayer over this situation and state of the union have the power to change the atmosphere and allow God to show up and show out. I am just that confident that when we pick up the slack for our brothers and sisters, the nature of the beast will be defeated and God will be glorified.

2018 Behind, 2019 Ahead

We made it, it’s 2019. But what did we learn in 2018 that will help us to get through 2019? For me, it would have to be that forgiveness is for both you and the person who has wronged you. I finally came face to face, through social media, with an issue from my past that I thought I was totally over and healed of. My biological father reached out to me and wanted to begin a relationship with me and my siblings. That didn’t go to well, to say the least. However, by the end of the year, on Christmas Eve actually, I decided to call him and finally give up the harshness in my heart and be open to hear what he had to say. We didn’t talk about the abuse, but we did talk about the future which was most important. I felt good after the end of the conversation because I was finally free of that cloud of unforgiveness that had been holding me captive for many years.

In 2018 I also finished and published my second full length novel. It was a project I had been working on for over 7 years, however when I hit publish on KDP I was ecstatic. I had finally finished something that had taken the core of me to finish. During the development of the book I had to face so many of my demons and come to terms with one thing: I suffered from low self-esteem which had catapulted me into various relationships that were not healthy, including those with family members. By the time I typed the end, I was a healthier woman of God who knows her worth and married to a wonderful man from Nigeria.

In 2019 I know the sky is the limit. I will be stepping out of my comfort zone more often and talking more about my testimony and gift as a writer. I don’t make new year’s resolutions anymore, I just show up for myself and my family then do what it is that needs to be done to reach my goals. Last year I lost 47 pounds and this year my goal is to lose another 40 to get down to my goal weight. I have other plans and aspirations, but I will keep those to myself and be surprised with everyone else once they are accomplished. My wish for everyone this year is to have blessings upon blessings as God continues to grant each of us His abundant grace and mercy. He knows the plans he has for each of us and will work it in us until the end. So, Happy New Year, and may the peace of God go with you throughout the year.