Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Autism Activist and ImpactU Today Contributor, Michelle Love, has passed away.

LaShawnda

This hurts.

Please pray for the family and friends of Michelle Love.

She comes from a loving and close family. She has always been nice and hilarious at the right moment. One of the quotes I use often is “Don’t be deep, be real!” It came from her. I LOVE THAT QUOTE.

She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and made at Tau Chapter (Wayne State University) in 1996.

Please pray that God’s healing strength is given during this time to her family (especially her daughter) and friends. Death is uncertain, but God IS! He never changes.

One thing we know for sure is she’s in Heaven….a place we hope to be when we leave this crazy place… to rest in His arms.

And that right there says a lot!

One thing folks didn’t know, she was a great writer. If you want to read some of her writing contributions to ImpactU Today, check it out here: https://impactutoday.com/author/mdot96/ .

Thank you in advance.

Uncategorized

A Word About Grace

LaShawnda

Here’s another good blog post!

Chaos & Naked Grace

So, I said in my first post I don’t like to talk about politics and religion and that I’d tell you why. So here we are talking about it. But..it’s going to be a one and done as far as I’m concerned.

I looked at my first post and thought, man, that’s just too long. Keep it shorter Michelle. But seriously, I don’t think it’s possible. I’m already distracted by everything I want to cram in here. So I’ll start by saying I find politics boring. I know they’re important. To some people. Just not to me. It doesn’t mean I turn a blind eye to what is going on in the world or in my own country. It doesn’t mean I don’t care or I’m not concerned. But in general, politics put me to sleep and people arguing about them even more so. I’m blown away by people who…

View original post 662 more words

Uncategorized

Are You Living Below Your Potential?

LaShawnda

We are more than we have become!

Live Better with Dr. Willie Jolley

My wife loves theater – particularly the play, The Lion King. She can see that play over and over and over again, each time getting the same thrill. And she also enjoys watching the movie with our grandkids.  And to be honest, I enjoy the experience each time as well…because every time I see the play or watch the movie, I get a new perspective about life.

Be More
On my most recent viewing, I was re-inspired by one specific statement. Mufasa, the father, appears as an apparition to his son, Simba, who by this time is a grown, but playful, adult. Mufasa appears and says, “Simba, you are more than you have become!”  

As I listened to that line, I realized that statement could apply to all of us!  We tend to get comfortable with life and don’t always get serious about the possibilities for our lives…

View original post 191 more words

Uncategorized

Leaders Are Shining Lights

LaShawnda

shine_904737761

Leaders Are Shining Lights by Angeline Lawrence

I remember a time in my life that I eschewed the spotlight. I could sit quietly in meetings and listen to the rhetoric spoken by coworkers.  I would write notes or protest by whispering to my neighbor. However, as I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ, I realized that I could no longer sit quietly allowing issues to remain unresolved.

As a staff member in a municipal department, I was one of the few people that would ask the difficult questions. I could not just accept the norm, but I had to challenge the leadership when I knew we were going down the wrong path.  After many heated staff meetings, my coworkers would come to me and say, “I am glad you spoke up about that issue. I had the same concern.”

I learned how to harness the power of the Holy Spirit to make a difference in the lives of people around me. Yes, as Christians we should always pray, but there is a time when we must speak out. The key is being led by the Holy Spirit to speak with authority to shift the atmosphere of injustice.  Walking in the Spirit is our first priority as Christians. As we walk and are led by Christ others will see our integrity, fairness and passion for justice and will follow. Matthew 5:21 states, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Uncategorized

My Baby You’ll Be

sillybubba

This is a letter to my son, my first born.

Before I go on, I want to say to my daughter, should she be reading this one day, that this is nothing against her.  I love that little girl with every fiber of my being, and her being in my life has made me a better person.  I am more in love with her than she will ever, ever know.

But this isn’t about her.  This is about my boy.

To my son, I ask for your forgiveness.

Last night, you fell asleep on the couch – and for the first time in a long time – I stared at you as you slept.  I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.  You, my first born, have been my “practice kid” – the one I make the most mistakes with, the one that I am still learning with, and the one that is raising me as much as I am raising you.

Son, I am sorry if at times it seems as though I don’t know what I am doing.  For the most part, I don’t.

I am sorry if I get angry at you for little things.  I have to remember that you are only 5 and you are still developing.

I am sorry if I can’t be at some of your school’s functions.  Mommy has to work to provide for the family, but it breaks my heart that I cannot be there everytime you need me.

I am sorry I travel occasionally for my job.  Luckily you have an AMAZING father who doesn’t skip a beat.  But I know there are times when daddy just won’t do.  You miss your mommy’s hugs.  (I miss yours, too when I am gone).

I am sorry that sometimes I have to put your sister’s needs before yours.  She is younger & requires more attention.  But please do not misinterpret my tending to her as loving her more.  Not true.

I am sorry that I do not buy you whatever your heart desires.  I want to – I do.  But you have to learn what its like to earn your money & spend it wisely.

I am sorry I don’t let you eat things that are bad for you.  I, too, would enjoy eating nothing but donuts and sugar all day, every day…..but it’s unhealthy, and you deserve better.

I am sorry if I seem to get annoyed with the things that you do, or I let my day effect my attitude.  This, over anything else, is the thing that makes me not like myself.  It’s not your fault I had a bad day.  You make my day BETTER.

I am sorry for the mistakes I will make in the future.

I apologize, in advance, for crying everytime you “graduate” to another grade.  It’s just a reminder that you are getting older and eventually won’t need me as much.

I apologize, in advance, for yelling at you a little too loud should you take up sports.  I am very competitive, and I like to win.  I don’t expect you to have that same fierce spirit in you; but I do hope you understand that I like to yell at the refs.

I apologize, in advance, for following you when you go out with your friends.

I apologize, in advance, for calling you all of the time when you are not with me.

I apologize, in advance, for sobbing uncontrollably at your high school graduation.

I apologize, in advance, for buying an apartment close to your college.  (And YES – you WILL go to college.  It’s not a choice.  And I would be very happy if you went to Grand Valley State University please).

I apologize, in advance, for NOT sobbing uncontrollably at your college graduation.  That day I will be beaming with pride.  My boy.

I apologize, in advance, to your future spouse.  I would hate having a mother-in-law like I am going to be. 

Lastly, I apologize, in advance, for seeing you become a father but still thinking you are my baby.

“I will love you forever.  I will like you for always.  As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”  Son, seeing you grow up is such a joy and a blessing.  I love you more than you will ever know.  Please forgive the mistakes I have made & understand I am still growing up, too.