30 Day Challenge - Day 12: The person you hate* most/caused you a lot of pain

The 30 Day Letter ChallengeWRITE A LETTER TO: Day 12 — The person you hate* most/caused you a lot of pain

*I don't hate anyone.


I've decided not to share this with the world wide web. #NoRegrets

30 Day Challenge - Day 11: A deceased person you wish you could talk to

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 11 — A deceased person you wish you could talk to

People speak of you as a legend. Everyone who mentions your name holds you in high regard. The stories I hear always leave me pleasantly amazed, proud to be associated with such...esteem, such...grandeur. 

I have so many wishes! I wish I had a back seat memory of a road trip with you. I wish I had a picture of me sitting on your knee, eyes full of glee as you reach behind my ear and find a big shiny quarter. I wish you were at my McDonald's play land birthday party. I wish I had just one memory, but destiny said otherwise.

Dr. B. F. Paxton, my great-grandfather.

You were not Martin Luther King, Jr., but I've seen you stand by him, marching,* so that my education would be integrated AND equal. You were not C. L. Franklin, but I've seen you reach the masses, preaching Jesus, and Him crucified and resurrected, the one and only living God,** You were not Abraham, father of many nations, but I've seen kings among your descendants. 

If I could have a talk with you great-granddaddy, it would be a looooong talk, because I would want to know everything!

*I've seen a pic of my great-grandfather standing next to MLK. They appear to be chanting...probably singing, "Down in my heart I do believe. We shall overcome someday."

**I've seen and read a book of sermons, hand written by my great-grandfather, dating back to 1956.

Pic dates back to '66 or '67. Talk about prophetic!

3 generations of pastors of True Light Church Baptist:

Rev. Dr. B.F. Paxton (1944-1980)

Rev. Dr. A. Harold White (1980-2002)

Rev. Dr. LaRue F. Kidd (2003-Present)

My great grandfather bestowing knowledge and wisdom upon my father at a young age.

Great granddaddy w/all his grandchildren according to age (Theresa, Daphne, Billy, LaRue) 

30 Day Challenge - Day 10: Someone you don't talk to as much as you'd like to

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

It's strange how change can cause so much...change. We use to hang out at least once a week, sometimes twice, but as responsibilities shifted, so did our priorities, and my then good friend has become a simple, "yeah I know him." Still, in the absence of regular fun and fellowship, I consider you a friend, and that's a term I don't take lightly. I'm a firm believer ever thing in life happens with purpose, and while our purposes may or may not have been revealed, know that, from you, I have learned a very important practice: "Don't believe everything you hear." (Lord knows I've heard some stuff. lol). Even though each of us have more missed calls from one another than we have answered, every time we connect is time well spent. Time cherished. So, Friend, thanks for being a friend in spite of it all.

30 Day Challenge - Day 9: Someone you wish you could meet

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

I have always been concerned with White America's perception of Black women. Why? Because in some cases, the most accurate portrayal White America has of Black women comes from reality TV - from shows that depict Black woman as self-proclaimed HBIC (Head B*tch In Charge) Tiffany Pollard, also known as New York, of Flava of Love, I Love New York, and New York Goes to Hollywood, and her mama, Sister Patterson; From shows that illustrate Black women as perpetually engaged but never married baby mama's Tiny and Toya. Where's the rest? 

Where's the working Black woman saving for retirement? Where's the educated Black woman, taking care of home and still maintain her career? Where's the Christian Black woman, making a difference in the lives of others? 

I would like America to see the Black woman in you, Mrs. Obama. I would like America to see how the Black woman in you takes care of her husband, who happens to be the commander in chief of this country. I would like America to see how the Black woman in you raises her husband. I would like America to see how the Black woman in you is more than just the wife or baby mama of a rich man. I would like America to see the Black woman in you.

I would also like to have lunch with you. Everyone says we look alike! At first, it was only White people who said it, and I thought to myself, "They think we ALL look alike." But then Black people started saying it too. lol

So what do you say? Lunch at the White House soon? Let me know :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 8: Your favorite internet friend

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

All of the friends I've met on the internet have become a part of my reality, so I no longer have any internet friends. But shout out to the following people who I met online, and who have each helped me create some life long memories.

RT - great memories, but ultimately, thanks for linking me to Rob. I LOVE that dude! (And Rob, thanks for linking me to Ringo and BK. I love them too!)

RH - you are so judgmental (you say the same about me), but I love you anyway. You opened my eyes to a whole new world of ministry.

AP - I don't believe in accidents or coincidence. We met when we met for a reason, and with a purpose. That's just the way God works. Just don't let your gangster girlfriend try to fight me. Tell her I was just playing. Dang! LMBO.

30 Day Challenge - Day 7: Your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush

DISCLAIMER: Just because I went out with you, however many times, does NOT mean your were my boyfriend and does not now make you my Ex.

Dear Ex-(non)Boyfriend #1: Thank you for showing your true colors early in the relationship. Because of my good common sense, I dodged a major bullet from that pistol personality of yours that seems to inflict pain upon so many people who love you. Amazingly, God later used you to bring a wonderful amount of joy into my life, into my family, and into this world. For that, I will always love you.

Dear Ex-Boyfriend #2: Thank you for dumping me. It was the best thing that could ever happen to me. It opened my eyes, forcing me to find and identify who I really am, and be that person with no holds barred. While I don't feel I learned very much or grew very much during our...2.5 year stint, what I learned in hindsight is priceless and beyond measure. For that, I will always love you.

Dear Ex-Boyfriend #3: Thank you for being an asshole :) I know you absolutely HATE when I call you that, but boy do I appreciate it. From you, I learned the ins and outs of relationships. From you, I learned the importance of sacrifice and compromise. From you, I learned how to deal with being hurt, not understanding, and still being able to love. Ultimately, I learned how to love. For that, I will always love you.

I certainly hope that each of you learned something significant from me, and I pray that those lessons learned lead you to find the GOoD love each of you deserve. BUT IT AINT GONE BE ME! :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 6: A Stranger

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 6 — A stranger

Dear Sir,

It was good to see you the other day. But as I walked passed you on the street, (I smiled, nodded, and shared a general greetings as I do with everyone), you made me feel quite uncomfortable. When I proceeded to walk to my car, I got this really eerie feeling, so I turned to look back, and there you were, staring at my from a distance. I apologize for pulling out my pepper spray, but when I saw you with your phone pointed my way, I thought you might have been taking a picture of me. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your day, and I really hope you didn't take a picture of me.

GodSpeed :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 5: Your Dreams

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

WRITE A LETTER TO: Day 5 — Your dreams

Leigh Harline and Ned Washington wrote a well-known song that says, "If your heart is in your dream no request is too extreme."* My heart wants so badly to believe this, for you show me visions of happiness in a place where love has no guidelines or restrictions. You show me illusions of joy in a place where there are no rules and regulations. You show me fantasies of enchantment in a place where all love is loved and accepted. But then the sun rises, and alarm sounds, and reality's happiness, joy, and enchantment pull you from my desiring embrace.

When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come true.

Pinocchio wished upon a star with all his heart and his dream to be real came real. Well, Dream, I don't believe in wishes, and I certainly don't believe in human ability to make inanimate object because "real." But I do believe that if I trust in the Lord and do good  (Psalm 37:3), and also delight myself in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart (v.4). So, Dream, you and your false sense of hope can kick rocks barefoot. But thanks for the fun and fantasy :)

*Music History - When You Wish Upon A Star from Walt Disney's 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio.