Sharing in a Blessing

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15


Happy Monday!

So often, it can be difficult to rejoice with those we love when we experiencing personal struggles. Recent weeks have been challenging for me; however, on Sunday I was elated to hear a friend’s good report. A new professional opportunity was on the horizon and the other “yes’s were lining up”!

“It just happened,” he interjected as I fussed about my delayed notification. This moment was consistent with our normal exchanges, so he knew he had to provide details. As he outlined each facet of the ventures, I began to smile and get excited as if I had won the prize. At no time was I jealous, rather, I rejoiced with a friend who has prayed and worked hard. When you are aware of someone’s storms, it makes it easier to celebrate when the clouds disappear. Thankfully, our relationship is reciprocal and he is one of my graduate school cheerleaders. “Hang in there, Le Le,” are the kinds of one-line emails I get at just the right moment.

After our conversation, I thanked God for the blessings and thought, “I am so happy for him.” It would have been easy to think that the same things should be happening for me, but for a few minutes, I took the time to consider the gift of someone else’s blessings. I rejoiced!

This week, thank God for the people who will authentically rejoice with you. Haters are a dime a dozen, but a true friend is priceless. “Hi Hater!” Even if your blessings are delayed, thank God for what He is doing in the lives of those you love. As I considered the transitions soon to take place in my friend’s life, I remembered that God is still in the blessing business and I am still on His mind. His testimony was just the little faith “boost” I needed. Is it possible that God allows us to share in someone else’s blessings just to see how we will respond? I am not sure, but it is something to consider the next time we consider a taste of haterade.

As always, continue to walk in your blessings and rejoice!


P.S. This week’s photo was taken in Kalona, Iowa, which is located about 15 miles outside of Iowa City. On Saturday, I attended the Kalona Fall Festival with some sister friends who make me smile. I am still amazed that corn is always at arm’s length!

People first, then money, then things

One of my favorite television personalities is financial guru, Suze Orman. She appears weekly on MSNBC, monthly in O Magazine, and you can find her books in any local bookstore. Suze has one of the best mantras that we should all embrace, “people first, then money, then things.”

As we look at the financial crises in America and approach the holiday season, I would like you to consider embracing Suze’s mantra. During the recent floods and hurricanes, thousands of people lost cars, homes and land. At the end of the day, most of those people walked away holding the hands of their loved ones and clutching their children. During Hurricane Hugo, I will never forget how my extended family sat around the dinner table eating these massive feasts, as we were blessed to have a gas stove. In the dark, we ate buffet style meals for days as we attempted to empty the deep freezer. Those memories could never be replaced by money. The little house was in the hood, we were in the dark, but we were safe, well fed and together.

This week, instead of lamenting over our individual financial issues and that of our world, consider the people in our lives that we could not put a price on. With this entry, I have included a photo taken five years ago with most of my maternal family members: the Union Heights Crew. Here we are celebrating the retirement of an extended family member. Numerous cameras were snapping at one time, thus, the facial expressions are priceless.

P.S. I trust that you are all aware of the devastation left by Hurricane Ike and the recovery efforts still underway from Hurricane Gustav. While these are trying times financially for all of us, please consider a donation to the American Red Cross.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, I volunteered at my church and saw firsthand how ARC funds are distributed to affected communities. Yes, I know we are all a little skeptical about how our money is used by these large organizations. Yet, we all know that government funds alone cannot do what is needed.

Last week, CNN showed one of the most disturbing videos showing Haitians, who were also affected by recent storms, fighting for food and oil. CNN.com has info on how to donate to that recovery effort.

Lest We Forget

Scriptural meditation: 2 Chronicles 7:14

September 11, 2001, is a date that very few of us will forget. I was living in Charlotte, N.C., at the time and my routine was reversed that morning. While I normally watched the morning news shows to get an update on what had taken place over night, on that morning, I woke up early so I could finish grading writing assignments I would return to the students in my 9:30 a.m. class. I wrapped up the grading and prepared for work. I was listening to the urban radio station on my drive to work, and I recall hearing the report of the first airplane. The initial report was that seven or eight people were hurt or wounded.

For some reason, that report didn’t make much sense. By the time I reached the building and got in the elevator, students were frantic and everyone was talking about what had just happened. It would not be business as usual. We initially tried to piece together what each of us had heard but nothing made sense. The students tried to get online to see if they could locate reports, but the system was jammed. I left the students and went to my department’s office where other faculty and staff members were huddled around a television. By then, the Pentagon had been struck and details were slowly emerging.

I returned to my students and told them what I learned, and we did the best we could to go on with business as usual. However, as we all know, life would not be business as usual. Our lives, as well as the lives of thousands of others who lost fathers, mothers, spouses, and children, would never be the same.

In December 2005, I visited Ground Zero on a cold New York day. Without the memorial panels and the placards detailing the events, one would think it was just another construction site surrounded by fences. Yet, we all know it is not just an ordinary site; rather, it is a site that marks the day our lives as Americans began to change.

The Sunday following the attacks, the news media visited local churches where there was record attendance across the board. People needed answers and we sought them in our faith communities.

However, since September 11, 2001, the answers have not arrived. We are no closer to the truth about the attacks of that day or those that have followed.

This week, I implore you to pray for our country, its leaders, our troops, and the family and friends of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and in wars ignited since.

When we do not know what to do or say, we can rely on God’s words:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

14If 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.

Stay encouraged and on the King’s Highway!

You Need an Evacuation Plan

Scriptural Meditation; Proverbs 14


This time of year, people living on the East Coast are on high alert as weather conditions are of the utmost concern. Thankfully, Hurricane Gustav didn’t show-out as expected on the Gulf Coast; however, there are other storms out on the ocean. My family members in Charleston, S.C., are already preparing for weekend storms, as they may need to move to higher ground. If you have never had to run from a hurricane, you cannot understand the anxiety, fear, frustration, and uncertainty.

In many cases, local and state governments will require those in harm’s way to take cover or simply evacuate. Even after hurricane season has passed, having an evacuation plan for our own lives isn’t such a bad idea.

Proverbs 14:7 suggests, “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”

How many times a week do you simply run into fools speaking foolishness? Do you believe everything you hear, or can you discern when you are in the presence of a foolish man or woman?

This week, consider an evacuation plan when what you are hearing does not edify you.

Your plan could include turning off your phone, the TV, or simply having lunch alone instead of with co-workers who speak death and not life.

For the next 60 days or so, you will become engaged in many conversations about Election 08. Some of these conversations and news reports will distract us, while others will impart knowledge.

Ask God to help you discern when you are hearing knowledge or when you are in the presence of a fool.

Stay blessed, safe, and continue to walk in your blessings!

P.S. Today, I was reminded of the old call and response spiritual, “Can You Feel God Moving.” It is 58 degrees in Iowa City and I just heard about a big chunk of ice melting due to global warming.