On last night I had the opportunity to hang out my my sisters and friends like we normally do every month. We sat around, laughed, ate, had a few glasses of wine and talked. (Yes, christians drink too, the sin is getting drunk.) But every chance we get to spend together, I cherish. Why? Because the next minute isn’t promised. It can be any one of us, gone, at any moment. I’m thankful that out of the group, no one has been diagnosed with cancer or had a life changing car wreck. We are there for each other through marriages, breakups, illnesses, surgeries and death of loved ones because that’s what we are supposed to do. So just in case they don’t know, make sure your folk know that you love them.
I sit and I think about the fact that my momma has 4 girls and neither one of us has been diagnosed with cancer or been killed at the hands of an abusive boyfriend, because it’s usually like 1 in 4 or something close. (God is good and we are beyond blessed.) When I look into their faces, I think that it could possibly be one of them and they are probably thinking the same thing when they look at me. But God! I’m not worried about cancer no more than I worry about the arguments that we have because you can be mad at me for a few days but afterwards it’s over and let’s move on. The world is changing so fast around us and we are dealing with so much more stress, the last thing I want is strife between my sisters. So just in case I haven’t told them lately I’ll be sure to tell them today that I love them, no matter what.
We have to stop taking time for granted. Yes, time can be taken for granted just like husbands, wives and friends can. We think that we’ll have time to fix relationships and right the wrongs but what happens when you don’t? You will probably become a bitter and angry person who no one wants to be around. Well there’s no sense in that. Swallow your pride and apologize for the things you’ve done and move on. Stop being mad at daddy because he wasn’t there, let it go. Stop being mad at momma because she made you cook and clean when you were young and while she worked because you should appreciate it now. Stop being mad at your friend who stopped giving you their last because it should make you get off your lazy butt and work. Stop being mad at the job for firing you when you barely showed up and when you did, you were late and half worked. Just in case you haven’t realized the world doesn’t have a burger king mentality, you can’t always have it your way. Get over it!
The bible promises you all that you need and it is a phone call away. Not a physical phone call because that line would always be busy but a spiritual phone call. All you have to do is talk to God just like you’re having a normal conversation. He has promised all that you need but you’ve got to ask. Now, this isn’t a genie type thing and just because you wish for it, it won’t magically appear. But God will show up right when you need him, when you trust him. So, just in case you don’t know, let me tell you. The world will tear you down, chew you up, spit you out and drag you to hell and back daily, this was promised. So stop acting like you’re the only one struggling because you’re not. Stop acting like you’re the only one with a broken heart because you’re not. Stop acting like you’re the only one with cancer or a disease because you’re not. People face life changing news everyday but most take it, stand firm and handle the situation. Yea, I know that you think I got it all together but baby I live in the same world like you. I face day to day struggles every day just like you, I’m not exempt because I’m a child of God using a gift that he has given me. If anything, it makes my struggles harder because the devil is even more busy in my life. But I’m strong and I can handle it. So just in case you didn’t know, I feel pain and I hurt just like you but I won’t let it stop me. Just in case you don’t know pity is by itself and if you got pity in your mouth all the time you’ll be by yourself. Just in case you don’t know let me tell you, you’re not alone so stop acting like it.
Lakisha, the Author 