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

You Betta Recognize

Greatness cannot be hidden. People see it and one of two things happen: 1. they help it along or 2. they work to bury it.

It is easy to bury someone's greatness when they don't recognize  that they have it. So many people fail to recognize their own greatness because they're too busy trying to imitate someone else's greatness.  Quite often, relationships that are unbalanced, even abusive are the result of one person burying another's greatness.

You Betta Recognize your own greatness. You cannot rely solely on others to recognize your greatness and do what should be done. The days should be over when we allow someone else to do what they will with our greatness.

You Betta Recognize and in doing so, you commit to do the work necessary to allow your greatness to burst onto the scene and God be glorified.

You Betta Recognize your own greatness so that you can take notice and act when another is seeking to keep you from rising.

All of Us, made in the image and likeness of God, Betta Recognize.

Peacefulness

LOST BOOK

I feel like the woman in the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-9) as I have been looking for a book of mine all day. I have even looked in places where a book should not be: under couch cushions; in paper boxes; in shoe boxes; in suitcases in the closet; behind other books on the shelves and even in cabinets. As of this writing, I have NOT found the book. Now that it is about 3pm you would think I would stop looking. I haven't. Now I'm going over the same places I looked earlier today.

I think Jesus searches for us like that. He looks everywhere. Even in the most unlikely places...Searching for us until we are found. That type of intense searching should be comforting to us. To have in our heart a sense that we are called to something beyond us; something great. Each of us who are lost are searched for by God. Like the woman, God will turn over everything to reach us.

Can you feel something pulling at you? Drawing you like a magnet? Then say yes to the Holy Spirit and give in to the pull.  Unlike my lost book, there is much to rejoice over when you are found by God.

Peacefulness