It’s that time of year again.  On the one clock hand, I must admit that as the princess of pajamas I usually dread losing yet another hour of sleep.  Benjamin Franklin, the originator of the “bright” idea of daylight savings time, can keep his effort to save energy and instead allow more time for power naps thank you very much.  Then again, springing forward reminds me of just that, spring–and all of the wonderful things I like that come with the pending season.

First there are the flowers, most notably the tulip, my favorite.  Their cup-like shape reaching up to the sun reminds me of hands lifted in praise.  You can’t help but smile when you see the choir of color: cherry blossoms, daffodils, hollyhocks, impatiens, lilacs etc.  And yet not even King Solomon, as sharply dressed as he was, could compare to them (Luke 12:27).   This brings me to the next best thing about spring, fashion!

It started a couple of weeks ago with the Oscars.  “What are you wearing?” was the question of the day and the answer will dictate our manner of dress in the coming months.  While I prefer simply looking at red carpet photos over sacrificing slumber for a late night of repeated “and the winner is…,” there are shows I wouldn’t dare miss.  The newest one, Fashion Star, consists of designers competing for millions of dollars and the opportunity to have their clothes carried in retail powerhouses such as Macy’s, Saks, H&M and Express.  Likewise, I’m eagerly awaiting the summer return of America’s Next Top Model, which for the first time will feature male contestants.

For this self-proclaimed girly girl, perhaps the greatest time to be had this spring is perusing the fashion magazines.  It’s as if Calvin Klein himself was thinking of me this year as the color combo black and white, bold stripes, sporty dresses, and low heels (thank you Jesus) make their return on the vogue merry go round.  Yet Paul acts as the fashion police when he reminds us in Ephesians 6:11 that we’re as good as naked if we dare to leave out in Armani, and not God’s armor.  Without heavenly accessories, Satan and all of his baggage will surely weigh us down.  So in the midst of spring break and Easter shopping don’t forget to take with you these must haves: the belt of truth, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of God’s Word.  These are top model essentials; and a seeking, pleasing, beautiful “covered” girl is always in style.

Blessings,

 

 

Before our beloved first family added color to the White House there was another family we looked to for political guidance and spiritual leadership–the Jacksons.  Not the ones of Motown fame, but the ones who instead insisted mo’ brown be considered and represented…from low income neighborhoods to lofty places such as Congress and the aforementioned Capitol.

I’m talking about the two generations of Jesses, a lineage so royal that one marched with a King while the other was no doubt set to inherit a throne of greatness.  But faster than a bid wiz-playin’ aunt at a family reunion, cards were slammed face up on the table for all of us to see; a bad hand had been dealt.  A spade had unwittingly been called a spade.  Jesse Jr. and wife Sandi pled guilty to a “massive misuse of campaign money.”

As is always the case, the negativity made fodder for the headline story both on television and in print news alike.   I will therefore not go into detail as to what the money was spent on.  In Jesse’s own words, it was “not a proud day.”  We shared a collective guilt and embarrassment, but it was just that to most of us–a day; whereas the prince and princess of policy have five long months to think about what they have done before their sentencing begins.

It is for this reason that I don’t think they need our judgement.  Haven’t we all done things or made decisions that we wouldn’t necessarily want TMZ’d?  I know if life offered it, I would definitely accept some do overs.   Let anyone who hasn’t sinned, point out the faults of every brother who walks down Stony Island Ave. in Chicago.  You get the point.  Not a wise thing to do.  Matthew 7 of the Bible goes on to remind us that we have enough of our own stuff to tend to.

Now I am by no means condoning or excusing what they did.  It was wrong, period.  I am simply saying that although I’m not a gambling woman, I bet Jesse isn’t the only “joker” who has made a mistake.  As a result, however, he and his wife aren’t planning barbecues or picnics with the kids this summer.  Guilt does not diminish the need for prayers on behalf of yet another broken family.  So before we cast them into the fire, we need to stop.  The love we save may one day be our own.

Blessings,

“A coward dies a thousand deaths, but the valiant taste death but once.”  This is a quote from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a play about the conflicting demands of the things that mean most to a man.

“A coward dies a thousand deaths, a soldier dies but once.”  In Tupac Shakur’s song If I Die 2Nite, he similarly describes being fully aware yet totally ignorant at the same time.  He knows that he’s living recklessly, investing in people and activities that will return on his investment temporally if at all, but he gives them his all anyway.  He is dying a slow death for the sake of living a fast life.

I love quotes; I like to study who said them first, their meaning to people over time, as well as learn from and apply them to my own life.  I can’t help but wonder if a coward has a thousand funerals, he must also have at least as many birthdays, or chances to come back again and try to get things right.  And yet his fear buries him everytime.

Faith, which requires courage–produces life.  Matthew 16:25 says that if you try to hang on to your life you will lose it, but if you give up your life for Him, you will save it.  I have learned that this is true; if you struggle to hold on to someone or something, you can instead end up suffocating it or having it squeeze right between your fingers.  Let go, and let God.  This in fact is bravery at its best.

Are you planning a birthday party or a funeral?  Are you fearlessly pushing forward and giving birth to your dreams, or laying them to rest by allowing people (including yourself) to throw dirt (doubt) on them?  Today is another chance to rise up and celebrate the life you’ve been given.  Just don’t forget to invite Him to your party.