Carry the Load

"He's not heavy, he's my brother." "Let go and let God." "He won't give you more than you can handle." Puh-lease! This sista is tired. Like for real. I deserve a nap, a vacation, a mani-pedi, some flowers, a high five, a massage, a retreat, some me time. Better than me deserving it, I need it.

Yes, I understand. I am a black woman. We are stronger than most. We can carry the load. We can do it all. As Zora Neale Hurston said, "The Black woman is the mule of the world." As Chaka Khan said "I'm everywoman, it's all in me." But damn, can I get a break from time to time? Can I get someone to comfort me?

I know, I know. I bring much of it upon myself. I do to much. But it's hard not to. I mean I have kids, a husband, friends, a social circle, a job. But beyond that I am a member of this community and have a responsbility to it as well. So that is where my other hats come from: youth leader and volunteer. But then there are personal goals that I want to attain as well: businesswoman and writer. So yes, that hats I wear are ones I pick up, but they are also ones I was taught to wear. Taught? Yes, taught. I was conditioned to be a mom and wife. I was raised to be social conscious and to take an active part in the community. (Isn't it funny? Senior saints swear we don't do enough, but then in their next breath say we run the streets to much!) And the feminism of the 60's and capitalism of the 80's taught me to go for mine. Maybe I am the fool for believing all of those voices, but I did. Heck, I do.

And I do it all with a smile until I break down. Sick. Ill. Stressed. Depressed. Tired. Cranky. So I clear my plate for a few moments, then start back up again. It is a vicious cycle. I feel like Puffy, "Can't stop, won't stop.." but dang, I am sleepy.

While black women can do it all - maybe - sometimes we look for comfort. And it seems that no one knows how to comfort the black woman anymore. Maybe we've made it look to easy. I constantly have to remind folks that just because I can carry it, doesn't mean that I would mind sharing the load. I would love a comforting touch. A warm caress. A kind word. A "rest child I got it." Or a "baby don't worry about it." I would love to have someone cover me. To take care of me. If they can't carry the load, at least share it.

Do Something

What are you doing to make the world a better place? I mean really, take a moment and stop to answer that question. What do you do that counts as community service/volunteerism/giving of yourself?

Pick a cause. Any cause. They all need some help.

You love animals? Volunteer at the human association, zoo, animal shelter.

You love kids? Church nursery, coach a little league sport, read to kids at your local library or school, etc..

You love the elderly? Meals on wheels or volunteer at a nursing home.

You love the environment? Volunteer with the park board, or greenway project in your city.

Find what pulls at your heartstrings and then be an advocate for it. I used to get so mad when people would be all fired up over animal rights but neglect human rights. But then I realized that God gave each of us different gifts and desires. What God has for you is for you. And what God has for me is for me. I am a youth worker at heart. That is where my passion lies. Where does your passion lead you?

Already Here

"Already Here" is an amazing song by Brian Courtney Wilson. In it he sings, "We watch and to wait Lord we anticipate…the moment, you choose to appear. We worship we praise until there’s no debate, and we recognize you already here." I love this song because it constantly reminds me that God is with me at all times. God isn't some concierge that comes when you call Him or answers to your beck and call. Too often folks in church sit and wait for the Holy Spirit to come in. Or we have to be "worked up" with vocal crescendos to get us in God's presence. But none of that is necessary.

In Deuteronomy 31:6, the Word says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Where I go, God goes. Everywhere I go, God goes with me. Everywhere. So as I sit here and type this, God is with me. When I had an attitude at work, God was with me. I didn't act like He was with me, but He was right there. He is with us at all times. Matter of fact, let me speak to myself for a moment. God is with me at all times. Every moment of every day. I don't have to go searching for God, I just need to be still and acknowledge that He's been here all along.

He was waiting on me.

Silence

I've been really quiet recently. I guess you know that because I haven't posted anything recently. But it isn't from lack of things to talk about.. I have plenty to say. The reality is I was talking too much. I can't constantly talk about God and what He is doing in my life unless I take time daily to listen to Him. And recently, i've been talking up a storm and wondering why the storms have been raging in my life. Well, duh.. I've been talking but I haven't shut up long enough to listen to GOD. So I have to take a moment to get back on track. Step one: acknowledge that I have to be quiet sometimes. Step 2: Invite Him back into my every day life, my every moment life. So I am back...kinda.. we'll see what He says first.

Yolanda Adams - Open My Heart (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Yolanda Adams