Category: Humor

Valerie Castile

February 15

A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

Mitch Albom
Valerie Castile | Chris Juhn – MSR News

Valerie Castile’s unfortunate life change is every parent’s concern and every parent’s potential nightmare, especially for Black parents. Her son Philando was “denied the right to live” in a state she felt was safe to raise him. After his life was quickly taken during what should have been a minor traffic stop, she’s been on a mission to ensure interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve work together for public safety. To make certain police accountability continues and children are fed lunches daily, Valerie created the Philando Castile Relief Foundation.

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa

February 2

“I’m very interested in the life of racism, how racism works, how racism is felt and experienced by people,”

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa
Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa, Lecturer in Sociology | Photo taken from University Of Cambridge website

Dr Monica Moreno Figueroa is Black-Mestiza and Mexican. She was born and raised in a middle class family in Mexico. She’s a co-founder of Collective to Eliminate Racism in Mexico (COPERA). Currently, she’s an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow in Social Sciences at Downing College. Her determination to shed light on racism in Mexico has aided in Mexicans of African descent being counted in a historic 2020 Census.

Isabella Baumfree: Sojourner Truth

February 1

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.”

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), 1860’s Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Isabella aka Sojourner Truth was born a slave 1797 in Swartekill, New York. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Baumfree. It appears Sojourner was a strong voice for women’s rights, an abolitionist and author. Years after the death of the only man she loved, she was forced to marry an older slave named Thomas, also owned by her master. To their union four of the five children born belonged to them as her daughter Diana was fathered by John Dumont. One of her greatest challenges was suing her youngest son’s master. Once she’d learned he’d sold her child to someone in Alabama she became concerned. The sale would prevent Peter from being freed under New York law once he turned 21 years old. It took faith in God and determination but she won her case. Peter was returned to New York and eventually given to her, as she was the only one that could claim him legally. Sojourner moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to be with at least one of her daughters. She died November 26, 1883 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 28

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,

Deuteronomy 1:30 NIV

Sometimes people lose sight of their main goal(s) when they become distracted by fear. Goals are awesome dreams waiting to be born that are sometimes aborted because of conflict supported by self-doubt. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father God, we come to you seeking refuge. Refuge for our souls and our aspirations. Give our hearts peace concerning the fate of goals that are seemingly in jeopardy because of enemies. Block their efforts and never let us be afraid of their weapons as we take hold of your promises. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 3, 2022

And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it–only those who walk in the Way–and fools will not stray onto it.

Isaiah 35:8

Wow! When I discovered this scripture I had no clue it would minister to me. Mainly, because it was a random scripture I found and enjoyed. However, according to Michael J. Chan, “Isaiah 35 is a powerful poetic word of comfort for the mourning Judahite exiles, who lost their temple, land, and sovereignty.”

I felt I’ve lost everything I worked so hard to gain trying to help foolish people I thought needed saving. In the end I realized after my sacrifices all they needed were firm black and white choices. A revelation that came years after my soul began to cry loudly about the losses in my life.

In retrospect I was the foolish one. My good hearted nature leaves me with complex feelings of failure and mourning the wonderful life I no longer live. And the funny thing about my wounds is, I’m not alone. There are countless others feeling the same for many reasons of their own. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Photo by Henry Lee Battle

Father God, it’s a new year with endless possibilities. Walk with us on our Earthly journey keeping our feet from straying onto a fools highway. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

Thursday, December 31, 2021

to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:2 NIV

There are times in life when we must say farewell to the old and accept the new. For me it was saying good-bye to my mom and accepting the new norm of truly living life without her. Everyday since her death she’s in my thoughts. Some are fleeting and others linger; but, living without her has its challenges and strangely enough its rewards. With the coming new year I give myself high hopes as her personal representative to give her a strong finish. Her life demands that! As my life beckons me to return and continue to move forwards in all that I started before her life needs interrupted my journey. Let’s pray!

Artwork by Henry Lee Battle

Prayer

Father God the newest year is hours away. Let us walk into the year of our Lord 2022 with your favor and live abundant lives. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

October 17

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.

Deuteronomy 31:6

While I studied for my Masters In Divinity I learned a very helpful tool. How to apply knowledge centuries old to a current situation. It seems in Deuteronomy Israel had gotten scared again. Once before they became full of fear and refused to fight for the land God said belonged to them. As a result, they spent years wandering in the wilderness. OMG! That sounds familiar! Well anywho, the land that was promised to them was occupied by mean and horrible people. And adding to Israel’s fear was the large army. I’ve had to face a few giants and found myself shaking in me boots! But! God, being God, gave Israel and Joshua another chance to claim what He freely gave them. So to ensure they didn’t run scared again God gave them a pep talk. He assured them several times He would be with them. A practice He continues today. Let’s Pray!

PRAYER

Lord, forgive me. I’m only human. As I read the above scripture I thought about all my missed opportunities because of fear. Then I thought about the opportunities that returned. My life is richly blessed because I entered into the land you reserved for me and my family. I thank you for those blessings each and everyday. I pray you continue to be with me and never forsake me. Always giving me your courage to secure and keep the blessings you said were mine. Asking you to continually do the same for my children, their children and our descendants. Amen

The Prayers of Black Women – Bad Company

Thursday, April 23, 2020

takeittothelord2
Artist: Henry Lee Battle

1st Corinthians 15:13 states:  Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day.  Your word says “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.”  Please help those that continue hanging out with people that aren’t good for them.  Put your loving arms around them.  Whisper in their ears that you love them and you want better for them.  Open their eyes so they can see the true character of their so called friend(s).  Give them your courage to leave and never look back.  Amen

 

My Prayer Was Answered: April 7, 2018

swarming locustNo sooner than publishing my post “I Need A Life Sustaining Nugget from God” my phone ranged. It was my middle son. He was returning my call from a few days ago.

Seeing his number on caller ID made my day. As I viewed who was calling I deliberated should I tell him about my painful decision.

He lives hundreds of miles away. He’s happy with his relationship choice. He enjoys his job. He views life as it should be lived. One day at a time. He dislikes drama and avoid making comments when I’m in-raged about his older brother. So I wanted to stay clear of upsetting him.

He could tell something was wrong. I told him what happened. He was disappointed it came to the decision I made. He said something like this: “Well, mom, my brother must live his life. The loaning of this money is a lesson to everyone. If my brother doesn’t get the lesson, the lesson will continue to visit him until he gets it.”

Nugget from God:

It’s a good thing to help others that are in need. If they abuse the resources God sends or sent their way then life lessons will continue until they learn whatever they need to learn.

Prayer:

Lord each time I write or speak of the money that my son’s girlfriend refuses to repay I become upset. Today, Lord, I’m asking for God’s peace on a good deed that went bad. I want to move on. Help me find ways to replace what the locust have eaten. Amen