In elementary school, I was taught March enters like a lion and exits like a lamb. Quite frankly, until recently that saying never made too much sense to me as fierce meat-eating predators don’t willingly become docile vegetarians however when I think of different events in my life, the lion to lamb analogy makes perfect sense. Have you ever started out confident, certain and full of energy but by the time it was over, were drained and felt like giving up? If you’re lioness lost a few sharp teeth, her roar isn’t as powerful as it used to be and maybe once or twice, she backed down from a fight.
But the thing about a lioness is, no matter where you place her or how seemingly docile she’s become, eventually a lioness will rise to be who she was created to be. Same thing for us, we are born with incredible potential and queenly dignity. Sometimes we allow things to distract us from our path; we listen to the voices who entice us to remove our crowns and place a jester’s hat on our head so we can be accepted by others or we simply become tired of saying no and decide to accept the smooth lie from a convenient person. But even crown-less, a queen is still a queen and even if you remove her from her natural element, a lioness is still a lioness. Even in your worst moments, you are still beautiful, strong, intelligent, kind, worthy of respect and you still have purpose (Psalm 119:73; Hebrews 2:7: Proverbs 31:5; ). Who is that walking down the street? How, despite everything she’s been through can she still be strong? Why does she still hold onto hope? Because she’s a lioness and a lioness has to do what a lioness has to do (Psalm 46:5; 1 Cor. 15:10). Rev. Antoinette
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As I shared in the prior post, I’m a history nerd, especially regarding the history of African Americans but what I failed to share is I love to study the story of women, herstory. Throughout the pages of time, women have played a pivotal role in forging this country, shaping our traditions and sharing our faith. Unfortunately, for far too long, their accomplishments were overlooked but thankfully, herstory is slowly coming to the forefront. Herstory – seeing the value each woman has and celebrating the creativity, ingenuity, dignity and beauty every woman carries in and with her. Whether its recognized or not, women have shaped a part of everything we hold dear. There cannot be a true understanding of trusting in the Divine without hearing Esther’s stand of “if I perish, let me perish”. There cannot be a discussion surrendering one’s will without seeing Mary telling the angel, yes. Herstory – hearing the stories of life and understanding traditions through the eyes of one who was created as a woman and who walks through life as a woman. Seeing hope for the educating young people through the eyes of Mary McLeod Bethune. Working to ensure seniors continue to have a strong voice in the community and world like AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. Herstory – valuing the contributions and sacrifices of the women in your family. The grandmother who was everyone’s grandmother, whether biologically or not. The librarian who encouraged everyone about the greatness in them by reading about great people who achieved much despite being born during the darkest times of this country’s history. The minister who taught we are not our mistakes but intentional creations of the Divine. All of them impacted us, imparted into us and helped us become people whose story shape others. What about you? How are you sharing the lessons of herstory? Rev. Antoinette I’m a history nerd, especially regarding the history of African Americans and not only am I a history nerd, so is my husband – needless to say, our daughter learned: Black history was to be studied 365/366 days of the year; that the history of her people was not limited to the 6 or 7 people highlighted during the month of February and history is still being made so why not by her. Not only do I believe in studying history; I believe in applying the lessons of history. History teaches me that people cried, fought, bled and died for the privileges I enjoy; I apply the lessons of history by being wise in my enjoyment and helping others to be able to participate in those privileges. My spirit-woman understands the application of my spiritual history is forged together with my ancestral heritage. The same One who spoke to my ancestors, speaks to me and the same One who provided for them during times when unspeakable atrocity was an everyday occurrence, provides for me when I face an increasingly hostile climate. We can apply the lessons of history by following the principles of the ancestors; by telling our children our story (Exodus 13:14 and Psalm 78:4); by building (and rebuilding) our communities and by caring for the marginalized and disenfranchised (James 1:27, Hebrews 13:2, Zechariah 7:10 and Deuteronomy 27:19). A community is only as strong as her citizens; history forgotten is history that will be repeated and, quite frankly, I refuse to be the weak link in our chain. What about you? How are you applying the lessons of history? Rev. Antoinette When I worked at a University, one of the funniest games we played during a holiday party was Simon Says. Now, you’d think a group of adults would remember the rules of a game most of us played as a child, but not so. Our group’s director was one of the shrewdest Simon Says leaders I’d ever seen. He knew how to say intertwine completely normal parts of conversation into the game and before you knew it, you were out. Leadership is not for the faint of heart. A good leader must have a servant’s heart; without that kind of heart, persons wind up being subjected to the whims of arrogant, selfish, self-centered, manipulative liar. There are tons of seminars, workshops, books and classes on being a good leader. If I attempted to quote all of them, this blog would become a book. So, instead of attempting to cite everyone’s insightful principles about being a leader, I elect to look at the life of someone I consider to be the strongest model for providing leadership lessons. This individual was: honest (1 Peter 2:22), caring (John 13:34-35), willing to sacrifice to benefit others (John 15:13), brilliant (Romans 16:27), humble (Mark 10:45), generous (John 3:16 – 17), treated all with dignity and respect (Gal. 3:28) and was a master teacher (Mark 4:23). How about you? What leadership lessons are you providing for others to follow and whose principles are you following? Blessings, Rev. Antoinette I know I’m dating myself, but growing up, I used to love the tv show Kojak. Surely someone else remembers the actor Telly Savalas’ character, Theo Kojack (who had an unending supply of wisdom to catch criminals and lollipops). As I was a child (no, really I was very young at the time), I thought every police officer had Kojack-like insight and at the end of the day, justice would always prevail because we all had someone who’d remind us we are loved. Fast forward a few decades (I told you I was a child back then). I have quite a few friends who protect and serve (at various levels). I admit to being a little biased (while sometimes conflicted) because of the amount of respect for them as well as my desire to see all in our community treated with dignity, so no, I stopped thinking every police officer has Kojack-like insight (I now think we all have at least one opportunity to have Kojack-ish moments but sometimes may not chose to act on those opportunities). But the 1 thing I believe we all still need, is someone who will remind us we are loved. Love is an interesting thing. It isn’t always an overly romantic expression (although those are very, very much appreciated {especially on 2/14, birthdays and anniversaries}). Love is patient, kind, gentle and self-less (1 Cor. 13:4- 8). Love says I don’t merely want you (because suppose my wants change); I need you as you and I are linked with something stronger than steel reinforced with cement. How about you? Who loves you (baby)? The One who knew you before you knew yourself (Jer. 1:5). The One who knew you’d turn your back on your relationship and entered into it anyway (1 John 4:10). The One who forgives, heals and restores. This One can love you and make you see yourself in a different light and through a different, Divine lens. Do you want real love and to know the one who loves you? It isn’t difficult and all you have to do is ask the One to be your One. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette Women’s heart issues are very personal to me. I’m a survivor of a mini-stroke (one of the most frightening experiences of my life) and of open heart surgery so sharing with other women the importance of listening to the signals our bodies send to us is a message I often share. A question, from my heart to yours. . . how healthy is your heart? No, I’m not going to ask you your body mass index numbers (and please never ask me mine) nor will I ask if you’re exercising on a daily basis. My question is about your spiritual heart. Why is your spiritual heart important? Because it reflects our priorities (Proverbs 4:23 & Matthew 6:21). Whatever we truly believe (not merely what we say but what we show in our actions) is what has our heart. While there’s nothing wrong with being financially secure, finances cannot be our sole priority; when the stock market has an extended time with negative returns and our heart is wrapped up in finances, we may feel as though we’re on an emotional roller coaster. Other people cannot be our sole priority; anyone whose had a broken heart can testify, if you lose yourself in someone else, they may not always appreciate your love like the One who loves you with an everlasting love (Psalm 34:18 & Jeremiah 31:3). Our own loveliness, brilliance and beauty cannot be our priority because life has a way of happening and what once stood at attention in the north may decide to take a permanent vacation in our southern regions and I’ve yet to meet someone who after walking from downstairs upstairs (or from upstairs downward) who has never forgotten why they made the journey. How about you? How is your spiritual heart? If it is not being regulated by the One who created it, you may be cheating yourself of a relationship with a Wonderful Counselor. My suggestion? This February, enter a perfect loving relationship and allow THE heart to touch your heart. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette I mentioned to one of my mentees that growing up, I think every house in our neighborhood had the following decorative items: a giant family Bible with flowers in the pages and a record of who was born when written in it; a big wooden fork and spoon on a wall in the kitchen; paneling in the basement and near the front door was a photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was always the same photo of Dr. King: a side profile with him in a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie. Although I’m sure someone had another photo framed and displayed, in my neighborhood, everyone had that 1 photo.
As the MLK holiday approaches, I not only think about his work and sacrifice but what we can do to continue carrying the torch of justice and freedom. Justice, for me, includes voting rights (including the reinstatement of voting rights for those who have paid their debt to society), access to quality health care, receipt of a living wage and combating racial profiling. What does justice have to do with faith? The One who created us all, created us with worth (Romans 12:10), charges us to pay people fairly and timely (Deuteronomy 24:14 – 15) and requires us to welcome “stranger” (Leviticus 19: 34). What about you? How are you carrying the torch? Blessings, I wish I could tell you I always “get it” the 1st time, but I have quite a few friends (and family members) who can attest otherwise; aha moments are very real for me. As we begin a new year, I look forward to a lot of aha’s since I’m looking forward to being amazed and surprised. Why are aha’s spiritual? Because they force us to admit we are not in complete control of things and we don’t know it all (in the words of my late grandmother, what we don’t know can sink a ship). I find one of the best things about not being in control is knowing who is in control. I can trust the One who is in control to keep revealing things to me (including things I don’t know about myself). Every day has the potential to be filled with wonder and opportunity (Lamentations 3:22 – 23). This year, I encourage you to grow, intentionally, carefully, wisely and purposefully. Let the Aha’s begin! Blessings, Rev. Antoinette This may surprise you but, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Is it because I think they are unspiritual, etc.? Not at all; I simply grew tired of telling myself the same lie year after year. The 15 pounds I’d vowed to lose 10 years ago wait to greet me in the morning (and I’m pretty sure they have sublet parts of me to their in-laws).
So, in my preacher voice, what do you do when you sincerely desire to do better but refuse to keep jumping on the resolution train? Pray, plan and proceed. Why pray, because if our desires are not in line with the perfect will for our life, our plans will bring us harm. What good is it to have the riches of the world but lose our spiritual core (Matthew 16:26)? Some of us, on a daily basis, watch an unending drama played out by financially strong but morally bankrupt people and wonder what is wrong with them; wealth without honor is as beneficial as pearls on a pit bull. Why plan? Because at some point, we have to come out of our prayer closet (or from a posture of prayer) and develop a strategy for what we’ve been praying about. If we want to be debt free, it may help to open the mail and see how much debt we’re in. Why proceed? Because faith-filled word without faith empowered actions are useless (my paraphrase of James 2:17). If we want a new job, its good to pray about it but at some point we will need to apply for the job. Proceed in confidence because we’ve already prayed about it and developed a plan. What about you? What are you praying, planning and proceeding in this year? Blessings, Rev. Antoinette I was a typical child who looked forward to opening all of the perfectly wrapped gifts under my family’s tree and playing with whatever was the latest creation in Barbie’s universe (and trust me, for me, it wasn’t a world, it was a universe). But as should all children, there came the time when Barbie no longer dominated my gift list; I wanted a phone and not just any phone, a princess phone that would be in my room (please remember, this was prior to everyone having a cell phone, so having a phone in your room was a major thing). Years later, my Mom gave a photo she took that morning so, so many years ago. I was in my bathrobe, screaming with delight while hugging my princess phone. What was your favorite gift? Was it clothes, a bike, boom box or were you, like me, desiring something you thought would signal your transition from being a child to being a teen? I still love this season. Do I still enjoy opening gifts, of course (I mean who doesn’t)? But the thing I enjoy most is the gift of love that we share. More than who gave what to whom, I treasure: waiting until midnight with my husband; the warmth of the embrace from my parents; kissing my daughter on the forehead and telling her she is loved more than she can ever imagine; waiting for my Aunt to arrive so I could hear her infectious laugh and remembering those who’ve transitioned. The gift I look forward to opening everyday is love. Please, don’t wait to open the gift of love. Genuine love is patient, kind, unselfish and gentle (1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7). Genuine love makes a hut into a home and wraps itself around you like a blanket on a cold night. Open the gift of perfect, unselfish, boundary-less love. I’m not talking about emotionally or physically manifested love (which both have their proper time and place); I’m talking about a love that reaches the core of your being; that sees your mistakes and stays with you anyway; that transforms your view of the world and yourself. This kind of love is there for you as it is there for me and it is not tied to a date on the calendar. How do you obtain it? Ask and it shall be given; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7). Blessings, Rev. Antoinette |
AuthorRev. Antoinette Gatewood-Sykes, Inspirational Speaker Archives
May 2019
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