Before going to bed tonight / this morning I decided to watch Madea Goes to Jail the stage play by Tyler Perry for the first time.

Tyler Perry’s Madea character has a monologue in one of the scenes that I found to be very profound. In this scene he compares people to leaves, branches and roots of a tree… to see it for yourself click the link below, if you would like to purchase the play you may by clicking on the Amazon.com link.

Madea Goes to Jail | Stage Play – Madea giving relationship advice.

I sit here and I ponder our relationship
You used to call on me so we could just talk awhile.
Spend days on end, just you and me.
I had your back even when others didn’t
I pleaded your case against our father,
when you sinned.
I forgave you when you lied.
I encouraged you when you couldn’t do it on your own.
I protected you when you were weak and clothed you with my love before you even knew my name or could even speak.
I sent provisions, but you didn’t give me thanks.
I was ok with it all, because the promise I made and the sacrifices I gave for you.
I remember times when you were bold enough to talk to others about our relationship.
Now when someone asks about you and me you deny that we are even related.
You have let fear of rejection and thoughts of unworthiness creep into your psyche.
I ask the question, do you really know me?
Am I not your friend, your brother… your teacher?
Did I not show you in my words, in my love for you, in my actions that I would never forsake you?
Trust me…. I have your back…even when you don’t think no else does.
I will never give up on you why? Because this we have, this thing… is real… and I am real.
I am love, I am your Father God, your brother Jesus and your teacher the Holy Spirit and in me you can trust.
I AM whatever you need me to be…
Trust me it is not in my DNA to not tell the truth.
I swore to tell you the truth through the shedding of my own blood… not once, but twice.
I am just waiting for you to talk to me again…I have all the time in the world.

5/14/09 12:16 PM

Wednesday May 13th, 2009

Personal Attitude Adjustment Plan Point of the Day: “#2 I will do what is needed even when it is inconvenient to me.” its amazing when you say that you are going back to the basics… that the basics don’t seem so basic when you have all the other junk that surrounds it to contend with too. Like, selfishness, denial, fear, procrastination, pride and doubt. Praise God they are no longer blocking my progression…

Thursday May 14th, 2009

“I no longer just represent myself; I represent the ministry, my Pastors and ultimately Jesus and the Most High God.” Many times you are given opportunities to step out of your comfort zone. I know that I have been prepared for such a time as this however…I no longer just represent me and so I must act accordingly.

I WILL release my past so I can move forward into the perfect will of God for my life…

• 

  A "Door of No Return" from Goree Isle - Senegal, West Africa

  I will be a better steward over my relationships with others professionally, personally and spiritually.

• I am a Proverbs 31 woman.

• I will be more pliable.

• I will review my life one day at a time, so I can make positive changes for the better.

• I will operate as I am directed and not as I am driven, yet still listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say, in regards to timing.

• I will forgive those that used and abused me in the past and move on (including me.)

o    I will not allow myself to allow others to block my blessings.

• I will study my Bible and pray in the spirit at least one (1) hour a day.

• I will operate my attitude adjustment plan daily.

• I will take care of my physical and mental health.

• I will dedicate at least one day out of the week to spend with myself and those I hold dear.

• I will stick to the fundamentals of the January Fasting guidelines throughout the year.

• I will go to the gym at least three (2-3) times or do something physical during the week.

• I will continue to work on leaving at a decent time.

• I will actually schedule a vacation and TAKE IT.

• I will continue to work on my delegation skills.

• I will get out of debt, the biblical way.

• I will be a good steward to my pets’ health.

o    Walk and groom the dog regularly.

o    Reinforce the dog training.

o    Clean the turtles’ tank every two (2) months.

I agree to these I WILL statements,

Lela Jefferson                                                12/31/08

____________________________________________

Signature                                                          Date

A few evenings ago as I was shifting through my files I found my dad’s Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) “African American in Recovery” coin.   This half dollar sized token made of copper and pewter monetarily is not worth a lot however symbolically it meant so much to my father that he kept it in his wallet till the time of his death almost 29 years after receiving it.

My father was awarded the coin after completing his first year of sobriety.  Inscribed on the front of the coin are the words “Hope” and “Light” in between the words is etched a picture of the Statue of Liberty’s torch holding hand.  On the back side of the coin is the “Serenity Prayer” a prayer that has been adopted by most 12-step recovery programs beginning with AA, the father of them all…

The Serenity Prayer – “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Finding my father’s coin now, compelled me to write about its significance to me.

As a child growing up in the meeting and gathering rooms of AA the serenity prayer and its use thereof became a comforting reminder of times of fellowship with my adopted, “Uncles and Aunts”, those men and women that attended the meetings.  Of hearing their stories, of redemption and deliverance from addiction and other bad habits; learning that it took them “one day at a time” to remain sober with the help of their higher power and fellowship.

When I first acquired the coin, I kept it on me at all times similarly like my father did.  I considered it my security token.  Like Linus from the Peanuts cartoon with his security blanket.  Whenever I would catch myself acting a little out of character I would pull it out and read the prayer.  If I couldn’t read it, I would just hold it within my pocket for a second or two till I calmed down.

Somewhere down the line I stopped carrying it and I noticed my attitude changed.  I no longer was checking my emotions.  Instead of calming down I was increasingly getting more irritated and allowing people places and things to dictate my reactions.

Before I knew if I would stop for a moment to pray and confess my serenity I would have it, however now because I had allowed myself to get comfortable had forgotten what had been the key to me achieving my peace… which was checking my emotions and confessing and believing I had serenity.

I believe many of us fail in this area, sticking to the formula of our success.  Once we have achieved our desired goal we forget at times what got us there in the first place.  Thinking we are greater than our foundational teachings.  However we are not.  We must always go back to the basics, to refresh ourselves and make sure that we have not gone off target.

So, when I think back at the coin and its symbolism to me, I realize that it was not so much the coin itself that helped me it was the fact that I stopped and checked my emotions, confessed and believed that I did have the courage to change the things I could and the wisdom to know the difference, while at the same time granting God the access in my life to help me achieve it all…

Ten Questions to Uncover Your Destiny

Introduction:

The following 10 questions are based on Dr. Creflo Dollar’s October 23rd, 2005 7:30 AM WCCI sermon entitled “Ten Questions to Uncover Your Destiny”.

Every six months I go back and review the study notes that accompanied the sermon and ask these questions of myself.

It has always been a good exercise for me to go through.  I was amazed at how easy recently after having some time to really honestly and candidly answer the questions for me to answer them.

What is your heart’s deepest desire?

My heart’s deepest desire is to use all the skills I have learned and my natural talents to make the world a better place.  I enjoy writing and reading, singing, imparting into others and helping them become the best they can be.

What ignites your passion?

What ignites my passion is good dialogue; opportunities to share what I have learned with others.

Helping others to improve how they do things organizationally.

What naturally flows out of you?

What naturally flows out of me is the ability to come up with creative concepts that show people how they can use materials and other things that they already have in their arsenal; to better market themselves and their products/services.  Finding the best in others and inspiring/encouraging them to make it happen.

Where do you produce good results?

I produce good results in those I have selected or have been given charge over to mentor. I also produce good results when I am handling projects or tasks that others consider impossible or challenging.  I love a good challenge and being able to say I have found the solution to someone else’s problem.

What is the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit?

The witness of the Holy Spirit in my spirit is when I am working on a project, or when someone asks me a question pertaining to something I have either worked on or have knowledge of.   I can actually feel the wheels of my brain begin to turn before almost effortlessly answering the question I feel a sense of peace.

What do mature Christians see in you?

What mature Christians see in me is that I have the tendency (if left unchecked) to have a controlling spirit and have to work on staying in my lane, when I am trying to help.  These are two of the things I have been working on in my quiet time with God to show me how I can improve on being a better help.  At times I can take myself too seriously and things too much to heart.  On a positive note, I have been told that I am loyal, loving and faithful; and that I am very efficient when put to task.   I have also been told that my moods are intense, that I have passion and a sweet spirit with the heart to serve without hidden motives or agendas.

What career/ministry do you feel the peace of God about pursuing?

The career/ministry I feel the peace of God about pursuing is project management in the public relations and marketing industries specifically online.

What ideas, visions or dreams are impossible to get out of your mind?

The vision or dream I seem to not be able to get out of my mind is starting my own company to help others market their passions.  The other passions I have not been able to get out of my mind are for writing and teaching.  I have always been very expressive in my speech, writing and when I impart into others.

To what can you give 100% of your life?

What I can give 100% of my life to is helping others to pursue their passions and/or discover them.

What is it that you do so well that people are drawn to support your efforts?

What I do well that people seem to be drawn to support my efforts in is project management and team creation and leading.

Father God by the blood of Jesus continue to show me how not to operate with the spirit of fear and/or rejection.  I know that you supply all my needs and desires and you have shown yourself true and faithfully.  As I sow friendship and love in the natural and in the spirit.  You will bring me godly connections that will strengthen and edify me.

I release my cares to you in Jesus name.  With your help I will become debt free this year, be employed by the summer and my company will turn a profit, allowing me to sow even more into the kingdom.

Father God use me where and how you need to. Show me and guide me to my true destiny.

In Jesus mighty name I pray this Amen.