Black Women Have It Going On

Good morning from Colorado, where the peaks are tall and the race is won! Today is Monday, May 11th, and my faith is secured in Christ Jesus! Thanks for stopping by my blog as we lace up our shoes for another week of healing.

Whenever I listen to Whitney Houston’s The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, specifically “Somebody Bigger Than You and I,” I think of my brother. It’s a reminder that God was walking beside both of us in our athletics. Butch was “bad” on that football field—he could turn a single minute into a fast-forward highlight reel with his teammates. But I had my own fire, too. My arena was the track.

As a family historian, I look back at a day when my Uncle Pete decided to race me and my cousins. It eventually came down to just the two of us, and I gave him “hell!” I was running toward something I loved, and Uncle Pete had to eat my dust that day. When I crossed the finish line first, he was all smiles. In that moment, he gave me something my parents never quite mastered: affirmation. He let me know I had done well.

The blue ribbons I brought home from field days never seemed to carry the same weight as Butch’s football trophies. My accomplishments often sat in the shadows of his stadium lights. People might expect me to have been jealous, but I never was—well, maybe once, when Mom beamed with pride because he painted some rooms in Utah. I thought, “I can do that!” and I did, but her silence remained. Yet, between Butch and me, there was no comparison and no rivalry. He knew his sport, I knew mine, and we supported each other with a “twin” understanding that didn’t require a cheering section. We were both running our own races, guided by Someone bigger than us both.

The Takeaway for Us

• The Power of Affirmation: One realizes that a single “well done” from an Uncle Pete can outweigh years of parental silence. Affirmation is the fuel that keeps a young “alpha” running when the home front is quiet.
• Support Over Subjection: There is a beautiful maturity in sibling love that refuses to compete for scraps of attention. When two siblings are “whole” together, they can celebrate each other’s victories without feeling diminished by the oversight of others.
• Running with the Father: A family historian sees that even when earthly parents miss the mark, “Somebody Bigger” is always at the finish line. God watches every lap and counts every ribbon, acknowledging the strength He placed within us.

Community Challenge

Was there someone in your life—an aunt, an uncle, or a coach—who gave you the affirmation your parents couldn’t? How did that one “smile at the finish line” change your trajectory? This week, reach out to someone you know who is working hard in silence and be their “Uncle Pete.” Give them the “well done” they need to hear.

Scripture & Prayer

• Scripture: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)
• Prayer: Father, we thank You for the strength to run the races You set before us. We thank You for the “Uncle Petes” who cheered when others were silent. We ask for healing for the “overlooked” children and for the grace to support our siblings without jealousy. Thank You for being the One who sees us at every finish line. Amen.

The Spiritual Seal

Remember: Your value is not measured by the trophies on the mantel or the silence in the hallway. You are a masterpiece in motion, and the Creator is your greatest fan. The race isn’t against your brother; it’s toward your purpose. Keep running—He’s already waiting at the end. See you tomorrow!