Just a Thought
My Daddy (the late Robert Jefferson) and me (Lela at age 14.)
Totally random thoughts this morning or maybe not; this past week I have been in self examination mode yet again. I purposely put in my schedule time to check my actions to see if they were lining up with the WORD of God or were beginning to be based in fear and just plain selfishness. Whenever I feel this happening it is a clear sign that I need to stop and recharge my spirit and body. Basically I needed to check my spiritual thermostat to see if I was running on empty, versus my overflow.
Areas I needed to examine were my volunteerism (spiritual employment), my relationships with people and my finances. Ultimately was I being moved or lead?
There is something most folks don’t get when they accept God’s call in serving HIS people. There is a heighten level of accountability and responsibility that goes along with it. That means you need to make sure that your actions are lining up to HIS Word.
It is not okay just to agree with the WORD of God or anything you purpose your mind to study you must engage it. Allow it to speak to you and change you from the inside out. Every leader (that means you) has responsibilities and is accountable to someone. You don’t believe me do something and watch what happens…
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This past Sunday, I was called in to worship as an alternate singer at one of satellite church’s my local church supports. I woke up that morning with a pressure headache that made me want to stay home.
I had planned out my trip ahead of time, but the train I was to take was pulled from the schedule. During the Praise and Worship section of service I felt actually at some points I was going to fall out.
BUT and yes I do know but cancels out all that I just said. I rejoiced all the way through the pressure. My point in all this is to say…many times we allowed the pressures of our days to move us from our God given purposes.
More and more I am learning how to take my SELF out of the way so HE meaning God can use me the way he intended to.
My job is just to obey, and when I am not sure maintain an attitude of gratitude and praise.
My question to you this morning is… Are you rejoicing through the pressure? Or are you staying in your Sinai Dessert only a praise away from your destiny?
Destiny is not a destination its a journey to be enjoyed!
Lately folks have been telling me they believe and see that I am slimming down and have a new found glow. Some have asked “Girl what is your secret?” To tell you the truth… I believe the biggest change I have made to help me lose weight is increasing my Praise and Worship time.
I am an energetic Praise Warrior. I feel truly blessed and honored to have the opportunity to serve as a member of my local church’s Music Ministry and as part of an awesome team that ministers/sings at our local area satellite churches.
Hey folks, I have a new web-series that a sister-friend of mine Christina Faison co-produced and directed called “Web-Locked”. It’s a show about the ins and outs of marriage. Follow a young couple as they experience the first hysterical year of being “Web-Locked”.
The series officially premieres on Sunday, November 1st, 2009. It stars Lawrence Saint-Victor and Karla Mosley from the Guiding Light. Lawrence is also one of my brother’s in Christ and is the writer of the series! This is the first collaborative effort between Christina’s production company Chain Reaction Productions and Lawrence’s company Saint-Victor Productions and from the sneak peek does not look like it will be the last.
To find out more about “Web-Locked” friend the series on Facebook, subscribe to the YouTube channel or follow them on Twitter.
“Spread the news like wild-fire, and watch it be a chain reaction. Tell everyone you know. It’s time for positive programming to hit the airways!” – Christina Faison
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One of my passions in life is reading; it has been for as long as I can remember. As a little girl my parents fostered it in me with weekly trips to the library and introducing animated storytelling into our nightly bedtime routine. Though my parents separated when I was young; their joint nurturing of my love of reading did not cease. No matter where my father lived after their separation and even still in my mother’s home, he had milk crates and shelves spilling over with books. He was an avid reader and collector. Come to think about it…I don’t think I can ever recall my dad telling me, he was reading just one book! We would have weekly discussions catching each other up on what new book we had discovered…that the other just had to read. |
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Like him, I generally have 3-5 books on my coffee table that I am working on completing and have a growing library. Recently, as I am learning how to slow down and enjoy the lulls of life. I have begun again to read for enjoyment. Of course this means since I LOVE sharing what good finds I discovered, I want to share them with you my readers a listing of the books that I am either reading or plan to read. From the realms of history, poetry, spirituality, how-to/self improvement, fantasy, and even romance… I bring to you titles straight from my own collections. See through the windows of my soul; the current year reading schedule of author/poet and performance artist, Lela Jefferson. |
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When I was a little girl I used to love blowing bubbles. Just to imagine getting my little hands on a tube of soapy water and a bubble making wand would put a smile on my face. I would run as the trail of bubbles followed me. Attempt to beat my own biggest bubble record before having it burst gently on my nose.
Now, I am well passed my elementary school years, however I do still like to keep a tube of bubbles close by. Why? Simply because I always want to remember those simpler times, when my only concerns were that I remembered to take a bath, brushing my teeth, and making my bed. And oh yes not having my Mama figure out, that I had hidden another book underneath my bed to read after lights out.
So with my bubble making wand in my hand…I am taking a pause. Remembering those simpler times again.
One of the “I WILL” statements I listed for 2009 was to basically be a better steward over my relationships. For those that do not know what an, “I WILL” statement is… well think of them as New Year’s resolutions that you actually plan on doing. For the past two years I have compiled a list of things I want to do / develop in and actually go into contract with myself, witnessed by God and my friend/support base to keep me accountable.
Well, top of this year’s listing was for me to be a better steward over all of my relationships as I mentioned above. Letting those that I love and care about really know how I feel about them and what they mean to me. Reconnect with my family members, old friends and get to really know newer ones.
I am striving to be a better friend and support to those that have made any kind of impact on my life. For so many years I focused on work, and work some more and my career that I lost sight kind of what was really important. Enjoying this life I was given and those I was blessed to experience it with.
I believe I did this more so as a defense mechanism after first my dad, god father and one of my uncles passing in less than a year of each other. Then my mother five years later which put a strain on my relationships with my siblings on both sides of my family also my relationship with my former beau. Toss in there a few job changes and physical changes (cutting off my dreadlocks after 15 years of growing them and losing about 26 pounds.) If I did not have God, I don’t know how I would have been able to cope.
Getting back to me being a good steward over my relationships “I Will” statement, with making this commitment and really working being more pliable I have learned more about myself in these last six months for both the good and the bad compared to in the last three years. The bad are areas where I need more development and the good… are areas that I want to work on expanding. So in an essence, I am still learning and I am still developing. I know I have only begun to scratch the surface…However I can only honestly say that the seeds that I sow now are more so good seeds than bad ones…
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
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The Writings and Experiences of Lela Jefferson.