What Do You Think? Wednesday
Some definite things move me: the depth and beauty of God’s word, His creation, my husband’s sweet talk and words that dance off a page begging me to embrace them. Oh, how I love words so good writers presenting a good message make me sit back, curl up and smile. This is what author Patricia Raybon, a strong writer, master storyteller and, above all, a Christian unashamed of her faith, does for me.
Author Patricia Raybon
You may recall that I wrote a bit about how her memoir My First White Friend: Confessions on Race, Love, and Forgiveness prepared me to meet my first white friend, again. Today I am pleased to be a stop on Raybon’s virtual book tour for her latest book, The One Year® daily devotional God’s Great Blessings that is encouraging, yet challenging, me. I believe the following excerpt will challenge you to let go of your strong black woman persona and long for God’s strength instead. Please, tell me what you think.
Fight Back With Joy
By Patricia Raybon
She’s laughing. Even though her home is a wreck. She’s laughing. Even though her kitchen looks lousy. Paint colors all wrong. Fabric choices breaking her budget. When the wood cabinets finally arrive—several weeks late—both the size and grain completely miss the mark.
“But I’m laughing,” says the TV host of the home renovation show, giggling into the camera. “It’s how I deal with setbacks,” she explains. “I mean, you have to laugh. It gets me back on track.”
It’s a timely philosophy. Joy imparts strength. For wise Black women, however, joy in the Lord activates His strength. In our lives. In our circumstances. Even in our kitchens. Both big and small.
Speaking to His disciples, Jesus put it this way: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart”—be of good cheer—“because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We love that promise, indeed.
But why would joy in Him—and not courage or bravery or boldness—deliver the strength of almighty God? Could it be the illogic of the principle? That the beauty of joy is so winsome and unexpected that it’s disarming?
No enemy expects a foe to fight back with joy.
Yet there’s something strangely powerful about joy. About laughing in the face of a storm. About sizing up your enemy but knowing that, compared to God, your enemy is powerless. About staring up at a mountain and accessing its peaks, crags and valleys, but knowing—as you laugh—the mountain can’t overcome God’s power. Is this rationalizing? Or denial? Or is it wisdom?
“I have told you this so you will be filled with my joy,” Jesus told His disciples in the upper room (John 15:11). “Yes, your joy will overflow!” Then as His joy flows, your enemies flee. Can you laugh at that? Try it today. Then don’t be surprised when your victory follows.
Award-winning author Patricia Raybon’s newest book is the One Year® daily devotional God’s Great Blessings, which includes this reflection on strength in joy. She is also author of two acclaimed memoirs, My First White Friend and I Told the Mountain to Move. She also collaborated with calligrapher Timothy Botts in his upcoming gift book honoring African American spirituals, Bound for Glory. Learn more at her website: PatriciaRaybon.Com.
This was very enlightening. I am one to use “The Joy of the Lord is my strength”, however I am one not to remember this during the valley moments in my life. I am realizing that God wants to be my everything and not just when I think I need Him. I am learning to laugh more at situations and remembering the Serenity Prayer. This is due to the help of my 14 year old daughter because this is her favorite prayer. To God Be The Glory!~Blessings always:) LaDonna
I’m so glad you received help to remember that the joy of the Lord is to be your strength at ALL times. Your daughter’s example is so awesome. God will use even babes to help us. Thanks for sharing, Cousin.
I love words also- how they empower, inform, make you smile, enlighten ,etc. Your write up about the book tour was intriguing and made me smile. Good use of words-crisp, elegant but down to earth. I t is a good thing for us to remember to have joy in the challenging moments of our lives. I will have to go to her website as I also do book review on virtual book tours.
Awesome! Rhonda, thank you so much for introducing your readers to Patricia Raybon this week on your blog. Much appreciation!
Blessings,
Ty
Thanks so much, Linda, for your kind words and for taking the time to read this post. Please check out Raybon’s site. I’m sure you will find her work a blessing.
Thanks Ty. It was my pleasure.
Dear Rhonda: Thank you–for sharing my words. Thank you–for living them even better. Your blog is beautiful and so are your readers and you. You have real compassion for women and their struggles and it really shows. Thank you for giving me space to recommend the power of joy–even in the face of our storms. The result? God’s strength. May God help us to believe in this amazing promise. With His joy! Love and thanks, Patricia
Patricia,
You were more than generous with your words. Thank you so much for them. I praise God that He didn’t leave me to try to work things out in my own strength. He has ministered to me in so many ways, including through blessed people like you. You are such an inspiration for me and it was an host to feature you here.