Warning: I'm Shouting From My Soap Box

Warning: Today I am speaking from the emotions of my heart on a issue that I find truly despicable and detesting,RACISM.
There are not many things in this world that I just absolutely hate, but there is just this one thing that makes my blood boil and pressure rise and it is racism...... Many of you who frequent my blog have noticed by my pictures that I am an African American woman. I love my race and I love embracing and learning about other races and cultures. As a Christian, I have no room in my heart to dislike or to be unaccepting of any human being that was created by my heavenly father. I just wish the world thought the same.
Yesterday, an event happened with one of my girls that for me was just like pulling a band aid off a open sore- it stung and hurt like the dickens.
I know that many people of my generation believe that the race divide has shrank, and true it has tremendously, but when you grow up in and continue to live in the rural south, you almost forget that it has. You are reminded daily, in subtle, sometimes not so subtle ways. Myself, I can take it. I grew up in a town that was about 30 minutes from the national headquarters of the Klu Klux Klan. I grew up in an area where you were afraid to get stopped on back roads by the local law enforcement. I grew up in an area where the roots of hatred were so deep they seemed to be never ending, and those seeds were forcefully planted in the minds and hearts of the next generations, I am accustomed to the looks and the tobacco spits when you walk by, and the negative connotations that are said under the breath as you walk or drive by. I am used to the Confederate flag in front yards, truck bumpers, belt buckles, tee-shirts, and every where else you can slap it on. I'm used to that, and I used that to motivate myself to become more educated and to embrace all the knowledge that comes with learning about other people.
However, what I can't handle, is explaining this to my children. Every time I have to, it's like someone sucks the breath out of my lungs. How do you shatter the innocent love of a child by explaining the ghost of Jim Crow that lingers around, resurrected by his children's children. I know that this may be a sore topic for some, but for me its a reality. For my children it is becoming a reality. Trying to explain God's love and creation of all people in his likeness and image in one breath, and trying to explain why you are hated for the very distinguishable characteristics that makes us all different can be a task sometimes.
I say all this because I want to caution that just because we see strides in the racial divide, it is not closed completely. Racism is a lingering stench that floats in air in may forms. Please don't hide this ugly truth from your children when and if they see it and ask. They need to know that it's not from God and its a hurtful thing that makes him unhappy. We need to continue to plant seeds of love, teach them about other races, and cultures. Don't limit them to only Black History, there are so many other histories that we can all learn from. A good way to start, is with the Bible.
I know February is legally supposed to be black history month for the majority of this nation, but for me, it is a daily history lesson. History is constantly in motion. History never ends. History is always someones story of yesterday, and yesterday is every day.
Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged- smfg.

My Strong, Single Mama Twin Tribute

You all have probably heard me refer to my blogging buddy Diane/Persuaded over at Tomato Soup Cake as my Single MamaTwin... Today I was reading a post of hers that touched my heart and made me want to cry. Her strength and determination made me proud to be her single mama twin and sister in Christ. Thanks Diane for being such a role model and inspiration to me.

As a single mom sometimes it can be a burden not to have that male presence to take care of household maintenance or " manly stuff". The enemy will use those very times to make you feel burdened or lowly about being single. I will be the first to admit, there have been numerous times when I have had to fight hard and cry out to God in this very battle. God has always been faithful to give me what I needed in this area without me having to compromise my salvation and my standards while being single. I wanted to share Diane's post as another witness of the awesome power that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone to show God that you are not willing to compromise your singleness over those little bumps that the enemy intensifies and exaggerates as detrimental. Below is just a snippet of her post, you can read the rest here. I promise you it will touch your heart.

It's a humbling thing to have to depend on your children at times like
that. When you have to waken them out of a sound sleep and a warm bed.. to bring them into cold and wind and possible unsafety because you just have no other hands to use. It's humbling to have to ask the advice of a nine year old child because he is your best asset at figuring out the stapler. It's hard on a teenage girl to be startled awake and asked to do something new and scary, and then find her cozy little corner of the world isn't so cozy anymore. You know, I really wish that wasn't the reality for my kids.But can I also tell you something that almost makes it all worthwhile?The love of friends. The care of my brothers and sisters in Christ. People who are willing to spend their own precious spare time to help us out, even though it isn't convenient or fun.- Persauaded

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged-smfg

Just Dropping In

graphic from art.com Just dropping in to let everyone know that I am thinking about you all. This has been a very busy season for me and I just have not learned how to balance working, home, and blogging. It is a learning process. But know that when I am unable to blog daily, I have post swirling around in my head and I do wonder what you all are up too. Thanks for all the emails checking on me. I will be back tomorrow Lord willing. Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged!!! smfg