Feeling Sentimental And Thought I'd Share

Good morning SWV (Sisters With Vision) ,

We are getting ready to go into what some people call the Passion Week, or week of Passion.  Of course you immediately think of the Mel Gibson's movie, but people were calling it that long before it was put on film.  This week from this Friday to Good Friday represents the last week of Jesus' life on earth before His resurrection.  Selah (pause and reflect on that).  He was getting ready to fulfill His purpose for coming to us in the flesh-all God and all man, our perfect example.  That faithful night in when He sweated blood in prayer (that must be where we get the saying, "Blood, sweat and tears"), He even asked if the Father willed to let that cup pass from Him, but still acquiesced by praying that God's will would be done over His own.

So, here we stand in all of righteousness' glory; once lost, now found, once blind, now seeing all because of His passion.  So, I ask you, powerful women of God, Sisters in the Faith, what's your passion?  Maybe you're thinking what is Sis. Mel talking about?  Well, your passion is the central theme of your life, your purpose, the main thing.  Why are you here?  That question is on me strong this morning.  Why am I here?  Now I can think of things God has told me to do, but what's my purpose? What lights my fire?  What can get me out of the bed at 2 in the morning with a smile on my face and a mind to work?  What is it that if I died today, and one of you called me back (I am so sure one of you would!), that I would have to tell Heaven, "I'll be back.  I still have work to do."?

I consider myself to be One Passion-ate woman.  And I believe now that I am called to encourage, edify and enrich the body of Christ with the Word and with love (because most of us don't get enough love from each other on a daily basis to keep a kitten alive-but thank God for Jesus, 'cause I'm still here), especially women.  And I am passionate about it.  Its what made me join a sorority and the anointing on my life works where ever I am.  So much so that in one year I was appointed to be over the whole state of Alabama.  God told me to resign all positions because I'm called to women in the body of Christ first and He wasn't about to let me squander my anointing on some kind of club.  That's what I get for trying to fulfill my call without fulfilling my call and that's how you get Ismael, my sisters.

What's your passion?  Does it scare you?  Bishop Jakes says what God calls you to do ought to turn you on and scare you all at the same time (Melody paraphrase).  I know I ran from my calling upwards of 15 years, but I'm here today!  I'd like to challenge you to tell some trusted person about your passion this week.  It doesn't mean that you have to become a missionary to Africa week after next.  It is just a way of giving voice to your passion-Jesus always spoke about His purpose.  Giving voice to your passion propels you forward to living it out, if you're not already, and re-firing your passion if you are.

Love you Much!

Epiphany

Hey SIS,
I have often come across many women who were either unwilling, or unable to give the kind of friendship that supports, respects and nourishes, but claimed that that was the only kind of friendship they desired.  I'm sure that's true.  This blog is for the rest of us.

Blogging about Strength in Sisterhood was actually inspired by a statement made by my church's first lady, Dr. Jevonnah Ellison (Lady J), that went a little something like, 'We are strong, we are sisters.' in a Bible study (shout out to "Wise Women Build"!) and it stuck.  I thought about how strongly I feel about my two biological sisters that get on my third to last nerve, individually and collectively (my second to last nerve is for my daughter and my last nerve is ALWAYS in reserve for myself), but the bond is unbreakable.  I KNOW I can count on them and they know they can expect the same.

I woke up this morning and my sisters were on my heart - ALL of my sisters were on my heart.  As stated, I have biological sisters, but I have other sisters, too.  I have church sisters, sorority sisters and even 'play, play' sisters.  I am challenging myself and other women to love, support and nurture all of ourr sisters, and hopefully find a stronger self along the way. 

The epiphany was not just to challenge myself, but to be transparent and write about it and share whatever I write.  The most difficult part is not to show off the 'trophies', but to show my scars, those self-inflicted and those inflicted by others.  Light dispels darkness and I don't just want to rebuke the darkness brought on by dysfunctional and/or toxic encounters, but to light a candle of hope, that friendship shared between women, or sisterhood, can be the haven its supposed to be.

One thing I know from being a sister is, there is Strength in Sisterhood.  I will share my testimonies of triumphs, failures and frustrations on this quest to multiply the 'shared ' strength of sisterhood, maybe coax some of my sisters to share their sisterhood testimonies, and hopefully as you share your sister thoughts, get to learn from readers who can relate.

Love and respect,


Sister Mel