The Art of Waiting

It has been a long time since I have taken the time to write and share something from my heart.  Writing is food to my soul and given the hustle and bustle of life, my soul has been starving.  But...all of those things are changing because of my renewed commitment to myself.

2012...new year, new resolutions, new you. We hear it all the time, but I am not into making resolutions because they are often broken by January 4th.  Instead, I try to make commitments. I ask myself this question, "What are some things (very small list; no more than three) that I want to work on in this upcoming year that will benefit me holistically?"

After answering that question, my overwhelming (this year) response was my spiritual walk with God.  So I have been trying to make gains in that area through daily reading, meditation and prayer. Yesterday, I read Psalm 27:14, which states, "Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart." In the 21st century, waiting is the HARDEST thing we have to do.  In a world where we get everything in three minutes and thirty seconds or less, waiting seems like the worst thing in the world. We are so used to online ordering, fast food restaurants, and express shipping that we miss out on valuable lessons associated with the ability to patiently wait.

Although it is a pain, I was encouraged by an anecdote that went with this passage of scripture.  Bishop T.D. Jakes used an analogy of riding a plane.  Sometimes when an Air Traffic Controller or weather prevents a plane from landing, the pilot has to assume the holding pattern position.  In this position, the plane has everything it needs, it just has to wait until the landing is clear.

This also happens in our spiritual life.  Sometimes we have to assume a holding pattern until what God has promised manifests into reality. Sometimes our faith is tested on not if we believe God's Word, but if we can wait on the Word to materialize.

There are some things that I have been waiting on God to confirm in my life and I am so glad the scripture states to be of good courage, meaning, be brave...it is going to be okay.  God's promises are reality; we just have to wait until our purpose match His promises, so that we are able to do OUR BEST WORK.

Woman in the Mirror

On an insane 20 hour trip to Chicago, I was riding the “L” to the airport and had the privilege of overhearing a conversation between two homeless men.  Now for those of you who know me, you know that me “overhearing” a conversation is not unusual, but very common because I am very “observant.”  As I sat on the blue line, I witnessed a one way conversation between the two men.  One guy was belligerently and intentionally loud.  He began to tell his friend and our entire train car that being in America sucks because Americans don’t help each other.  Upon hearing that statement, my antenna shot up and I was immediately intrigued.  He continued his rant with these exact words: “In America, people give you $20 when they have a bank account full of money and they know that I haven’t eaten in 2 weeks.  You can tell I haven’t eaten because I have had on the same clothes for the past 2 weeks, without a shower. So they should give me some money.  Then they wonder why I rob houses and sell drugs. You should be given me money.”

After hearing the spiel, I copped an internal “tude.”  Even though I am unsure of his specific situation, his comments were laced with a sense of entitlement as if his fellow brothers and sisters had a responsibility, even when he didn’t want to help himself.  I continued to have an internal conversation with the guy, complete with the neckroll and the words, “mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are? Why aren’t you helping yourself? Why do you think you are entitled to receive anything without helping yourself first?” 

But as I am writing, I am reminded that the way he responds to his fellow Americans is the way I respond to God.  Sometimes, I appear entitled saying, “Well God you kinda have to bless me because I am your child.” Right, wrong.  So, the same neck roll and attitude check I just performed in my mind towards the man became the neck roll and attitude check for me.    

#beast

MIRACLES-Not just on 34th Street

In a world that is filled with despair, it is hard for us to believe that unfortunate, tragic events can transform into extraordinary triumphs.   But I firmly believe God does this unexpected thing to strengthen our faith in Him and remind us that no matter what, He is still listening to our prayers and He sees our situation.  Last month, the country witnessed the tragic shootings in Tucson, Arizona.  People died and were injured, most notably Arizona representative, Gabrielle Giffords.  Throughout the days after the shooting and now weeks as she enters into recovery, every news anchorman/woman, doctor, and family friend gives credence to God’s miraculous power.  Not only has Rep. Giffords’ family experienced the true manifestation of God’s power, but mine has also.

Last April, my uncle was diagnosed with Stage FOUR throat cancer. (Currently, Actor Michael Douglas is battling this same type of cancer.) This cancer is extremely aggressive and we found the cancer was in his throat, jaw, tip of his spine and even the brain stem.  The doctors were not hopeful; they told my aunt to prepare for the worst…that he would not be with her much longer.  Immediately, I shout out an email to my prayer warrior friends and told them to pray for my uncle’s treatment, healing and the team of doctors. I gave my aunt a long list of healing scriptures to pray over my uncle and their situation.  Family and friends all over the world lifted my uncle in prayer.  After six months of aggressive treatment, both chemo and radiation, which left his face discolored and stole his appetite, the doctors reevaluated and concluded the tumors had shrank (this was in November.)  Two weeks ago, my uncle went for another checkup.  The team of doctors took biopsies in four different places and the diagnosis CHANGED! The cancer didn’t just shrink, but they couldn’t find it at all!!! Now if this isn’t miraculous, I don’t know what miraculous means.  Just like Rep. Giffords family, we had the faith that God could do it and put that out in the atmosphere and He superseded our expectations.  God constantly reminds us that in a world of complete and utter chaos, he still performs miracles and not just on 34^th street.

I'm praying that Michael Douglas shares the same testimony as my uncle.

My advice is, remember God answers prayers; if you need a miracle, physically, emotionally, financially, or spiritually, God can and will do just that! “He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ever ask or think according to the power that works within us.”-Ephesians 3:20

Lagniappe 101

Lagniappe, derived from Louisiana French, is a small gift given at the time of purchase.  Simply put, it is something extra.  Born and raised in New Orleans, lagniappe is deeply embedded within our culture.  No matter where you are, in New Orleans, the concept is ever-present.  Even if you are in the store, you see it and feel it, when someone says, “Have a good day, baby.”   It even asserts itself in the friendly smiles of the local people.  Lagniappe is apparent in the generosity of Saints and Hornets players, whose foundations aid local people and communities.   The Photo Group, “Dear New Orleans,” put an extra spin on love when they photographed heartfelt feelings on hands.

When making the decision to start blogging, lagniappe was definitely the first and only choice.  It not only symbolizes my adulthood transition, but it also represents my beginnings.  This blog provides something extra regarding sports, entertainment, politics, education, love, God and life.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing. 

I believe my hometown saying captures the moment:
Laissez le bon ton roulet-“Let the Good times roll.”