In Darkness There Really is LIGHT

I've been masking. Yes it's true. I've been covering up the darkness that has creeped into my being as times have grown financially dim. I kept telling myself that God IS surely providing. That things will be well. And as creditors went yet another month without payment, I wondered...will it be well? How long do we wait before we make contingency plans? Of course there were many other questions that had the darkness deepening. AND then...there is GOD!!! Lily in the Valley; The WayMaker; the LIGHT in the darkness.

In this place of darkness, I need only OPEN my eyes and there, right before me, is our God. What a marvelous sight to behold. Open your eyes in your darkness. Don't keep your eyes shut due to fear. And right before you will be God. LIGHT for the journey onward.

Peacefulness

Ending to the Beginning

So the end of my first summer as the Associate Director of Continuing Education and Enrichment Programs in the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) at Xavier University of Louisiana came faster than I thought it would. And what a summer it was. As I found my way through, I shared my joy of fun with everyone. #followtheorangeKiaSoul became the tagline for raising scholarship money for the IBCS enabling more students to attend. Now that I'm back home I find that I'm looking for IBCS merchandise in the Kia Soul that I need to be selling. Is that what PTSD is? Well I guess that's a little strong, but the thought is genuine: I'm missing my work in New Orleans. As I continue to transition to the work here in Chicago I find a similar excitement to my work. I still am sharing what it means to be a Black Catholic to me in our world today.

So the end of the 2014 Beginning has come. Stay tuned for what is next on this journey towards peace.

Beginnings

Registration for the 2014 Session of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies is over, signaling another beginning. As I prepared to receive students into the Continuing Education and Enrichment Programs, I received a migraine. I was interested in welcoming a migraine, as it really interfered with my welcoming nature. As I continued to suffer, the IBCS community came to life around me and the village took over the work I was to do.

Beginnings. Though things don't always turn out like we plan, the fact that they start is what matters. I am grateful for the people who stepped into the gap so that I could heal. And healing is what is happening. What else could happen after people laid hands on me and prayed God's healing mercy? I must admit, God is moving at a different pace than what I would like, but God is moving.

At that how it is? We want God to move differently cause we figure we know what is best? Well, Well. Our job is to recognize God's movement when it is different from what we wanted. That way, no matter what, we will have a praise party.

The Institute for Black Catholic Studies is beginning it's 2014 Session. Pray for us as we will be praying for you.

Peacefulness

Me and You

You open me in so many ways.
I am constantly amazed by what You do
           especially to me.
Unworthy I am.
Worthy You make me
           just by loving me.
How can I love as You are teaching me?
How do I move past the hurt and anger
           towards Your peace
                    that I seek?
Moments spent with You help.
Quiet with You
           me not trying to control the flow.
Unworthy I am.
Worthy You make me
           just by loving me.


originally written 12 May 2014

Mother's Day

Our history has seen us birth nations, inspire greatness, scrub floors, build buildings, nurse the sick, endure injustice for justice, hold onto what others would let go, and sacrifice in order to achieve.

Mothers, whether by birth or circumstance, let us not allow despair to take over. May we rise up and nurture our children so they may know LOVE.

Mothers as Aunt, Cousin, Friend, let's take back our children's love of technology and show them how to LOVE humanity, and USE technology.

Mothers, first teachers, co-creators, let us not grow weary, God is our strength.

Happy Mother's Day Mom (gaynell burrell), Love You