Message…

The George Zimmerman trial for the murder of Trayvon Martin began 23 days ago. I’ve followed this trial just as closely as I’ve followed the “story” since it broke in 2012. Similarly, I’ve followed the murders of other Black Men around this nation, from my piece Race Matters (June 2010) to the piece covering the murder of Jordan Davis just this past Thanksgiving weekend.

I’ve sat back and watched some interesting conversations be discussed on social media which have revealed to me that our community, THE BLACK COMMUNITY has a large amount of numbness when it comes to young black men dying. I believe this numbness occurs because we see it so much, we choose to ignore it as long as it isn’t happening to us directly.

Yes, cities such as Chicago have seen an extremely alarming murder rate which expands daily as does the rates in many other cities and communities around this nation. But Chicago isn’t on trial. Please stop infusing your frustration over the ills of certain communities into this trial when MANY of you are doing very little with your energy to work to stop those ills. Don’t belittle the battle that the family of Trayvon Martin and the community of Sanford, FL have fought and brought to the front pages of America’s newspapers.

The Martin family could have just buried their son and grieved privately and let this go like so many families do because they feel as though there is nothing they can do to get justice for their loved ones, but they didn’t, and I commend them for it.

There are thousand’s of mothers watching this trial who have buried their sons and daughters like Mrs. Fulton (Trayvon’s mother). Don’t tread on their hope with your bitterness and hopelessness. Be inspired by her fight and her audacity to stand up for her murdered son and begin working in your own community… Yes, be the change you want to see in the world.

 

 

 

 

No Greater Love

Recently while at lunch, I was asked by a friend of mine “what is it that makes you love God the way you do?” Without giving it a second thought, I replied immediately that as a very young child I learned John 3:16 and it was the “clincher” for me. Before I knew it I was walking from the seafood bar to my car quoting the scripture.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

That’s heavy. To give the world that type of protection and promise (GRACE) because it could not save itself… To give the world HOPE… To give the world LOVE… God loved the world so much in-spite of its behavior and dishonor, he chose to give his son as a sacrifice to save us from ourselves.

Not even the power of all our world leaders combined since the beginning of time could create something that could compare to what God did through Jesus Christ.

As a little skinny, sandy brown from head to toe, hazel eyed lil country girl in central Florida all it took was John 3:16 for me to understand that there was no love greater than the Love God gave to us through his son Jesus Christ.

So as we reflect on the purpose of celebrating Holy Week and the Resurrection of Christ let us remember (daily) that he lived and died for us and he is the ONLY WAY to the father. He is LOVE!

Check out this song, No Greater Love by The Georgia Mass Choir

The 18th…

Gosh, I anticipated this day my whole life. To be an adult; “A Grown Man”. I’d be old enough to vote and just months away from graduating high school.

I’m missing all of that now. Pray for my mother and father. This is a day they’d usually be excited about just as much as if not more than me. Pray their strength. They’ve suffered an unthinkable pain for nearly a year.

Pray for my family. They didn’t deserve to see me go out like this. Pray for my community. Pray their strength is unbreakable as they along with my family demand justice in my name.

Pray for the family of Jordan Davis. He and I share a similar story of how a coward can steal the innocence of a child.

Pray for all the young people who like me just want to make it home from the store without being thought of as suspicious because they’re protecting their head from the rain or because of the way we listen to our music while wearing a beautiful dark hue. A hue so strong and powerful it is seen as a threat and despised because its all that many choose to see about a kid.

Jordan and I both had dreams that were stolen from us in 2012 as blood spilled from our bodies and as we took our last breath. So please, while you still have a chance, this Black History Month and for my 18th Birthday decide today to conquer your dreams, live them courageously and unapologetically and share them with the ones you love!

Peace

I remember when I use to pray for strength almost daily. I would always say, “Lord give me the strength to do XYZ.”

Then one day, I met someone who told me to stop that. Who? I honestly don’t remember. I do remember it being at the hair salon though. The woman shared with me how prayer works. Even though I had been praying for myself for over 20 years, until then, I had never considered how it worked besides me telling God what I needed/wanted.

She asked me why I was praying for strength. I told her. She then told me to stop praying for strength and that I was strong. She explained that prayers for strength require weights and lifting weights can grow tiresome and can be difficult.

Just like that, a light when off in my head and a bell rang *ding, ding, ding*

I knew what she was saying was true.

The more I would pray for strength the more I endured. Sure I overcame my situations, but I also attracted them to myself.

It’s like God kept sending me “strength training” exercises and instead of being like, “thanks God, I’m strong now”, I just kept chasing him down with prayers for more strength.

I think God put me in the salon that day with that lady as a way for me to hear from him. He used her to tell me I was strong enough. I needed her to tell me that so I would stop bulking up on strength and to prevent me from being so “strong” in myself that I forgot from whence cometh my strength.

I began praying prayers of Peace shortly thereafter. That was about 7 years ago. I still pray for peace today.

Often when people tell me they are praying for strength I tell them to consider praying for Peace instead.

Think about this… Goliath was a giant filled with strength and might. But all it took was a rock to take him down.

I’m not saying don’t be strong. I’m saying be strong and smart enough to seek peace and to properly utilize your strength.

You can be strong as an ox, handling all kinds of complicated and stressful situations and battles, but the smallest thing can cause you to lose it… But you’re strong though! Don’t lose it over something small.

A friend of mine use to always say “Ju I’m praying for the patience of Job.”

JOB… Why on earth would you pray for the patience of Job? I think she heard that somewhere and ran with it. That’s gotta be it!

To understand and know Job’s story, there’s no way you would pray for or say you have the patience of Job. And why would you, unless you really didn’t know his story.

Wheeeeeeew…

But Peace… Peace is the prayer I’ve grown to seek. Peace alleviates pain, provides purpose and removes the negative situations you don’t even know are brewing in your midst.

I encourage my friends, mentee’s, colleagues, social media pals and even strangers to seek Peace; pray for peace; speak peace and share it.

Yesterday, when my Pastor (and I say that LOL since I haven’t formally joined) preached about peace I was so happy. Philippians 4:6-9 was his text.

Peace is what I have learned to seek and to embrace. It keeps me out of trouble and it feels good.

Peace requires you to release unforgiveness. The two can’t coexist.

Besides if the Prince of Peace died by crucifixion for our sins and forgave us how and why would we hold on to unforgiveness? I’m strong enough to forgive and blessed enough to chose it!

Walk in peace my friends.

9 Months…

I’ve read the transcripts and heard the 911 tapes that recorded your voice as you cried out for your life on that rainy Sunday night.

I’ve tried to imagine the the how’s and why’s of the situation which would be your last. I’ve reasoned and wrestled with it over and over in my head, on paper and in conversation with close friends. At times your last moments consumed me for hours, sometimes days at a time. I have been saddened, angered and inspired by your death.

Many young men and women die innocently at the hands of a stranger and sometimes at the hands of people they know. However, you were different. Maybe it’s because we’re both Floridians. Perhaps it’s because you reminded me of former students I taught or mentored. Maybe its the love and gentleness I see in your eyes on all the pictures online… I’m not sure why, but I carry it with me. I carry you with me.

I pray for your family. I couldn’t imagine losing my sister or brother brutally at the hands of a coward. The rage of imagining it is so powerful I shake at just the thought of it.

Each time I see my nephew, I squeeze him just a few seconds longer. He probably thinks I’m babying him, but I’m praying for him and the millions of other young men who are targeted as suspects just for the color of their skin. He’s only a year younger than you were when you left this world.

So here we are 9 months later and I ask myself, “What has been “birthed” from your death?”

For me, it’s to not be complacent with the comforts of suburbia and gated communities. It’s also made me glean more about the criminal code and SYG legislation around the nation. I’m sure this is true for others.

I believe that your death won’t be in vain, despite all the pain it has caused. I hope your murderer is found guilty, and I pray for the safety of youth everywhere.

I’m not sure what you dreamed of being when you grew up. I imagine like most young people it was something cool that would be a gift to the world. You should know, despite the sudden halt of those dreams, even in your death you’ve been a gift and you have changed the world.

Nine months…

A Julicious Birthday

Happy JULY 1st!!!

My birthday!!! Its the most exciting day of the year (DON’T DEBATE ME)…

I wanted to do something different. I always give back on for my birthday. Usually by doing some type of service or making a monetary donation. This year is different though. This year, I collected the mailing addresses of some very important and inspirational people I’ve met to send them a lil something. I have one 1 week to complete this task. I call it 34 for 34.

Choosing 34 people was HARD! Not because I couldn’t think of 34, but because I couldn’t stop crying, smiling and laughing as I created my list, and because there are a few who are no longer here who should be on the list. Their deaths make it even more imperative to reach out to the 34. You see, ya gotta learn to “give people their flowers while they’re still living and able to smell them.”  So I guess losing a few people has inspired me to share with several who have shaped my heart through their gift of friendship.

These folks are the ones who remind me of, “Our Deepest Fear…”, they inspire, motivate, straighten me and most importantly they are people I love and cherish!

On this birthday, I celebrate the gift of friendship!! I love ya… Now go show love to those you love as a gift in my honor. Let’em know you care while ya can!!

Oh and if you want to buy me something, donate $4 dollars to my “favorite campaign” this year Happy Birthday Jules DONATE, and then let me know you did. (insert cheesy smile)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~  Marianne Williamson

A Father’s JULE… Happy Father’s Day 2012

I AM MY FATHER’S JULi

When I imagine father’s of course I imagine my own. Though he left this earth 14 years ago, he buried so many golden nuggets in the treasure chest of my heart. Funny how you don’t recognize a jewel is a jewel because that’s all you know… that is until the person giving them to you isn’t there anymore and you realize that you are holding jewels just not the bearer of them anymore.

My father gave me so many jewels even while he battled Leukemia in his last days, he still garnered up the energy to give me one last jewel… *yes, insert a face full of tears here*

WHEW… So on this Father’s Day I salute father’s. I love my father so much. If your father is still on this earth, despite your disdain for him, his absence or whatever, don’t let a day come in the future where you live to regret not giving him a chance even if he never gave you one. TOUGH, huh? I know, but I’m so sincere… Don’t hold off ever telling anyone in your life that you love them, because tomorrow is simply “A Pending Transaction.”

Here are 3 very beautiful stories about fathers from 3 friends. A Fathers Day Tribute

Whitney’s Gone Y’all

It’s been a month since she passed away, yet it seems like only yesterday.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012… The Voice.

I have attempted to write this post several times since the passing of “Auntie Whitney” but I couldn’t. I know she wasn’t a friend, a relative or an associate however she was very much a part of my life.

My earliest memory of her took place on a weekend trip with my mother and sister from our home in central Florida to Jacksonville, Florida. I was belting out every word of “Greatest Love of All” and my older sister turned around and stared at me in backseat of my mothers 78 Thunderbird and said “how do you know all the words?” and then she laughed. I remember thinking to myself as I sang the rest of the song, “God is love, and he’s in me.”

Clearly this wasn’t a “gospel/religious” song however God is too big to fit in a simple “musical genre”, and Whitney’s voice was too big to not be an instrument specifically designed by God to touch lives.

Through the years I’d ask for or buy every album Whitney made including her movie soundtracks. No other artists’ voice could make me cry and feel the way Whitney’s did… NONE! Her voice made me believe in myself, in love, in overcoming, in sisterhood and more.

So Why Is She Auntie Whitney?

Aunties are the women we emulate, rely on, seek out, adore and believe in. Aunties are almost like superheroes to little girls. Even your “bad” Auntie probably had/has some “superpower” that made you love her stronger or harder despite her pitfalls.

For Auntie Whitney, her superpowers were her tenacity and her voice.

She never blamed others for her drug use, she owned it as did she with her battles. Despite her chemical demons she still believed in something greater than herself and when she spoke of that greater being, it’s almost as if you could see the sound of one of her beautiful “hmmm’s” in the smiles of her eyes… (you may have to read that aloud to understand what I’m saying)

I don’t know, maybe you’ve never had a loved one with an addiction or condition… But I have and despite the ugliness that comes with that, there’s still this glimmer of hope that resonates from them… It’s love.

But She’s A Stranger

When iconic figures pass, people often ask why do strangers grieve the way they do… I’ll attempt to explain.

People say music is an universal language which unites all nations, tribes and races. If this is true, and I believe it is; perhaps that explains why God chose the skinny and shy young girl from Newark to blow the world away with songs of hope, faith and love.

This isn’t really coming together the way I want it to, probably because I want to believe that this is all just a bad dream although I know it is very much real.

Lastly, before I go I’d like to leave you with a post I wrote here on TSS February 13, 2011, “When The Pipes Go Out”.

“The world can chip away at you, I mean the world can really attack and try to steal you from you but GOD said… “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Sometimes we get so busy with life and living we lose track of how to live. I’m a living testament of this, as are many who will read and share this post. The beauty of all this is GOD loves us despite us. It’s easy to see people in the spot light living their lives and see them rise and fall through the years. As we watch them, we shake our heads often in disappointment and with doubtful thoughts that they will ever rise again… But GOD!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Whitney Houston. And anyone who has ever heard her voice can probably understand why. I look at her as an example of God at work loving us in spite of us.

This morning my pastor shared the story about a virtuoso who played the organ. He was loved around the world. Sold out performances with standing ovations and cheers for encores at every show. The organ he played was very special. It was the kind of organ that required air to be blown into the pipes.

After one of his performances, a brother covered in sweat and exhaustion said to him, “we did great tonight didn’t we.” The virtuoso said, “I did great.” The virtuoso went on and on about how awesome he was and how the people all loved him. The brother was a bit hurt by this, afterall he had nearly blown his lungs out to give air to those pipes. As they stood behind the stage, the audience began to cheer for an encore. They wanted more of the virtuoso and so he returned to the stage, sat as his organ and began to play the organ but there was no sound. The audience grew silent, he touched the key’s again. Still no sound…

At that moment, he stood up and called the brother out and shared that they both were responsible for the beautiful music. He realized he had to give credit where credit was due, for without the air being blown by the brother, there would be no music!

That’s how life is for many of us. We build up these great positions, roles, accomplishments, careers, families, ventures and lives but we forget from which all of it comes. But God…

When we get so great that we forget, ignore and/or fail to recognize the GREAT I AM because we are so busy saying I am Great, we lose our air.

Whitney Houston became great. She rose to the top and none has ever gone higher than her. No one compares Whitney to anyone, but we all compare other’s to Whitney. When she hit rock bottom, it was as if she lost her air. She was a lot like the virtuoso, basking in the glory of herself and being the greatest. Just like the virtuoso, she lost her air. But GOD…

Sure, Whitney Houston of 2011 is nothing like the Whitney of 1986 when we first heard her sing THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. Her voice isn’t as strong as it was then, but to hear her voice today is to see God blowing air into the organ… Its a sweet sound to hear God’s love pour through her voice. The cracks or slight distorted notes serve as a reminder, that although life may batter us, God keeps us from being broken.

I don’t know if Whitney will ever get back the air she had, but the air that she has today shows me that with God and through God, all things are possible. He has plans for us, each of us…”

About Fathers… I’m Just Saying

I’m Just Saying

If your daddy wasn’t around, or your child’s father isn’t around… Don’t dwell on that. For you have a father who has been with you since day one, even on the day the other guy walked out/away. He’s there daily loving you better than any man could ever love you. If we emulate and focus on his love, perhaps the disdain so many have towards “fathers” would decrease and relationships between father’s and children would increase… It really is easy, we just make it hard. #ijs

2011 Bracketology: March MADNESS

HOUSTON, TX – April 2nd-4th

Are you MAD about the brackets for the 2011 NCAA National Championship Tournament? I am, matter of fact I’m excitedly mad (LOL)! My team did not make it to March MADness last year, but we’re in it this year and of course my money is on them!!!

Of all the four regional brackets, I find the Southwest Bracket to be the most likely to have HUGE upsets and surprises . If you’ve never completed a bracket before, I’d suggest you don’t make the common beginners mistake of selecting the four No.1 seeds for the Final Four. Its a cute notion, but not very realistic.

As usual I’m hoping that Gonzanga does something spectacularly amazing this year. I’ve had a strange little crush on them since 2001, not sure what it is but I like them. They are the team I “crush” on every season. We’ll see.

President Obama (my homie) correctly predicted that my UNC Tarheels would win the 2009 NCAA Championship. But this year, I’m going to have to go against him. I predict that highly favored Ohio State will not make it to the FINAL FOUR. Of Obama’s four picks, I had 3 last year. We both failed last year at picking the winner!

This year we only agree about Duke. My bracket is full of suspected upsets. Each of my Final Four picks have all been to the big dance and won at least twice.

Obama’s Picks: Duke, Kansas, Ohio State and Pittsburgh

Southern Socialite’s Picks: North Carolina, Duke, Florida and Louisville