She Doesn't Look Like Me

In the world of selfishness we have a tendency to turn our heads and close our eyes to those things that doesn't look and or sound like us. What in the world are we missing when we turn our heads away from those things that doesn't look like us or what we are accustomed to.

Yesterday, Saturday June 22, 2016, my husband and I served our brother and friend at a very important event for him and the community. We had an awesome time, singing, ministering and sharing. Afterwards, we did what most folk in my culture do after church--- eat. Yelp, we ate. But it wasn't a sit down dinner with fine dining and foods we couldn't pronounce. It was outside in the hot sun. As my husband and I stood in line to place our order, a young lady walked over and asked this questions; "Is this food free?" the response was, "no, it's not free." She says, "are you all Christians?" the response was, "no, we're Jehovah's witnesses." and then there was a question about what was in the bag...(not a spirit or a coke may I add)... her response..."I'm not a Christian and I need what's in this bag." Silence.... She then says, "I'm homeless and really hungry, do you have any extra you can give away?" I touched my husband quietly on the leg, he knew what that meant... "I'll take care of you, we'll pay for it." was my husband's response. She was very thankful, saying..."I'll stand right here and mingle while you fix my dinner... does it have to be cooked, is it ready...what can I get..wings, hot dogs and fries... " Yes, you can get what you want..." my husband says. She placed her order, wings and fries. She stepped away from the window and began to mingle..

I stepped back and saw her standing alone. So I walked over and began to have a conversation with her. I first asked her what was her name... "Hello, how are you, my name is Lisa, what is your name?" Hey ma'am, my name is "Louise", (not her real name) please to meet you ma'am." We smiled and began to talk. "You are really pretty Ms. Lisa." Thank you Ms. Louise and so are you", I said. "Are those dimples real?" she asked. I laughed and said, "why yes they are mine and they are real."

As we talked and laughed she began to straighten herself up, as she was feeling a little embarrassed because I was all dressed up and she wasn't. She let me know that her boyfriend is abusive and calls her fat and ugly and when she doesn't do what he wants he puts her out on the streets. She has to do things she doesn't want to do just to have a place to lay her head. Her kids don't love her anymore and is all alone in this world. I let her know that she wasn't alone, that God had her, even on the streets. She said "Yes I know He is taking care of me because I'm still here." I said, "Yes, dear you are still here."

I let her know that she was beautiful and her blue eye shadow was beautiful on her beautiful complexion.  As I listened to her story, I let her know, that if not for the grace of God there goes I...She said, "Ms. Lisa, have you been in church all your life?" "Yes, Ms. Louise, I have, but I haven't always done right all my life.".... she said, "No Way, not you. You are so pretty and your clothes are so pretty." I just smiled, and whispered in her ear... "one day I'll have to tell you my story".. she smiled, laughed and gave me that Okay Gurl Look.... lol.

She shared with me about her sunburn; which was really bad as she spend most of her days outside walking in the hot sun....I gave her the lotion Dermasil, out of my purse. You would have thought I had given her a bottle of expensive perfume.

Our food was then ready for pick-up.

"Ms. Lisa, can you get me some extra napkins as I will need them to go to the bathroom".. I said "sure, I'll get you some extra napkins..".. "oh yell, and some water"...she yelled. "NO problem...I responded.

Before we departed, I prayed with her and gave her a hug... told her to be careful and that Jesus Loves her... she says... "Thank you Ms. Lisa....you don't look like me." I said to her... "Ms. Louise, we're more alike than we are different... she walked off into the sunset..

When the mask if off, we all look alike, just different struggles...if not for the Grace of God.

Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within,
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

As Good as Dirt

I've waited 10 days before publishing this blog. Today, I have been released to share.. As Good as Dirt.

The American people are at war with each other. What do we do as humans when a life is just a piece of dirt on the ground...... needed to cover the earth...yet no good when its all over our clothes and our skin. Dirt is needed to grow vegetation but yet is kicked around with no meaning. Imagine the world without dirt...would earth be earth without it? Would there be life with it? Will oxygen exist without the trees that stand in the dirt in which we kick around without thought. Are we not as good as dirt? As dirty as it may be, dirt matters. As nasty as it taste, dirt matters. As muddy as it can get, dirt still matters. And so does lives. As dirty as we may get, lives still matter. As different as our views may be, lives still matter. As controversial as some of our decisions are our lives still matter.

When will it all change; when we pray for change, but yet reject the One who brings change. We pray for peace, however, don't seek the peacemaker. He will keep us all in perfect peace ONLY if our minds are stayed on Him. Whose on your mind?

My mind maybe dirty, my heart may not be pure, my motives may be wrong and my life maybe different. However, I Am As Good As Dirt.

I am Love, I am peace, I am joy, I am long suffering, I am patient, I am kind... who am I....
I am Love.

Remember to Smile Show Up and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within
Be blessed,

Ms. Lisa

Just Perhaps He Knew

There isn't anything you can't do for me that isn't already done. Perhaps THIS IS - The road you set for me. Perhaps you knew my parents would give me to my grandma at the age of one. Perhaps you knew I would receive the Holy Spirit at the age of five. Perhaps you knew that our house would burn down when I was in the first grade. Perhaps you knew that my brother would say I was his cousin and not his sister. Perhaps you knew that I would be pregnant at 16. Perhaps you knew that I would be a single parent trying to raise a son on my own. Just perhaps you knew that I would fall in love with a man who was on the down low. Perhaps you knew that I would later marry at the age of 23 and separated 3 years later.

Just perhaps you knew that at the age of 27 I would met the man whom I thought would give me the world. Perhaps you knew that, that would be one of the biggest challenges in my life. Perhaps you knew I would be abused ; verbally, emotionally, and psychologically. Just perhaps you knew that I would battle depression and and have thoughts of suicide. Just perhaps you knew there would be affairs within the marriage. Just perhaps you knew I would leave him three years later. Perhaps you knew I would be divorced for the second time by the age of 39.

Just perhaps you knew that would be the time my life would take a turn and what lied ahead of me was so much greater than what was behind me. Perhaps you knew that I would be in my wilderness experience for three years. Searching and seeking Your face even the more. Perhaps you knew that by serving you in the wilderness, my love would find me. Just perhaps you knew I would become a body builder an learn what true discipline and commitment was.

Perhaps you knew that Steven Dalton and Maximillian would be second chance at me having a family of my own. Just perhaps you knew that Steven and I would marry and become an example of your love in our lives. Just perhaps you knew that we would have a music ministry named the Leviticus Singers of Charlotte. Just perhaps you knew that we would produce a CD entitled Address Change, God's Great Relocation Project.  Just perhaps you knew that we would go on to produce another single "I Win"  that would reach the hearts of so many people and that my Love would be known among the elite. Perhaps you knew that one day I would write book sharing the journey of my smile. :).

Just Perhaps you knew that one day.... I would be..

Signed
Just Perhaps