This song by Des’ree speaks to and about many women’s lives. The words share how most navigate the day. All the things that we “gotta be” simply because of who we are can be a lot. Living with purpose on purpose requires us to move forward despite, and sometimes because of, what is happening around us. The first verse and chorus read:
Listen as your day unfolds. Challenge what the future holds. Try to keep your head up to the sky. Lovers, they may cause you tears. Go ahead, release your fears. Stand up and be counted. Don’t be ashamed to cry.
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser. You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger. You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together. All I know, all I know love will save the day.
I am humbled by the people who come to me to be a part of their journey through prayer. The one that stands out in my mind is a prayer request from roughly 18 years ago. I asked the single mother of 3 what she was seeking the Lord for, she responded: “Stuff.” That was all she managed to say, and she waited in expectation. God through me knew what to say back to her. I don’t remember what was said. I only remember how profound that one-word request was. We take on so many random things because we can, or others won’t; because we know how or others don’t; because someone needs to do it or we think it won’t get done. We take on things that may not be ours to take… and it’s draining us. Women (and men) this Mother’s Day, vow to know when you have had your fill of “Stuff” and give it to the God of your understanding. In the course of a day, we “gotta be” a lot of things, but superhuman is not good or realistic. If you are looking for a place to help sort it out, you can join us at Emmanuel UMC is 9 am or 11:15 am. Check us out on our webpage www.eumcbeltsville.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/EUMCBeltsville/. Until next time, I leave you with this:
Wonders and weirdness unfold every day. Only Believe! Is what we are told. Is it that easy? Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t, but we can try. Embrace the new day and its opportunities in moderation. No thing or things should cause us our well-being. Amen