Tag Archives: Christianity

Inconvenient Children

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Some months ago my friend Renee was telling me that I must watch “La Vie en Rose,” the tragic biopic of French chanteuse Edith Piaf. She went on describe that this heartwrenching tale would grip my soul and make me want to pity and rescue Edith from the brothel, street and circus (literally and figuratively) life she lived throughout her life. I watched the movie this morning. Shuffled from parent to parent and place to place for convenience sake, I found myself crying for Edith, for the millions of abandoned and unwanted children worldwide and even for my own. I say my own because in my own way of not wanting to be inconvenienced (I planned to do this, but the baby demands my attention, and I resent him this moment), I communicate I don’t want him. I don’t want him to bother me right now; I don’t want him to change my plans; I don’t want him to mess up my day; I don’t want him to keep me from my goals; I don’t like that he changed my life.

My sister told me that there were some mothers on Oprah last week who felt a similar way. She said some of them ignored the cries, drank themselves numb and coped in some other ways. I didn’t see it or hear how the show ended, but I know how it ends for me. As a recovering strong black woman, God quickly showed me what my “small” thoughts of my children being an inconvenience can lead to; in my quiet time He led me to watch “La Vie en Rose,” and I know what He wanted me to see: the negative effect of neglect on a child’s life, no matter how small or lengthy, how quiet or loud. He wanted me to understand that the impact could be tragic, and I don’t want to be blamed for that.

Of course I have long understood the negative impact of neglect, but I’m not always aware of how my passing thoughts of discontent land, connect, and create a massive rumbling in my mind that occasionally displays as a cold stare, harsh words or huge huffs and sighs. I cannot love my children and care for them myself; I need the Lord. I have to remember that children are a heritage from the Lord and a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3). Through Him I can love and care for them selflessly and not tragically. I must remember His sacrifice of Jesus Christ and make that sacrifice my own. Lay down my life to perfect the lives of others, my children. God has given me the power through His Holy Spirit. I will tap into that power be the armor bearer God has called me to be. Listen to exactly what I mean.

Armor Bearer

Copyright by Rhonda J. Smith 2009

Test Your Mama

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Someone once said something like this: “If your mama says she loves you, check it out.”

your mama

your mama


This is the reason why I posted the Alice Walker quotation on Monday and will post other poets’ thoughts, too. Alice Walker is considered a mother of black feminism. I want you to check out even what your mothers say. You might not consider Walker a mother, but many in our American and Christian cultures do; she is an icon. Often we take the words of icons as pure gospel just because we love the people. Let’s scrutinize and never be hoodwinked from sweet sounding words that move our hearts. Let’s also scrutinize so we can give credit where credit is due. Someone may not be a Christian, but they can speak truth, and all truth comes from God.

The Alice Walker quotation was provocative to me because at first reading it seemed anti-biblical. I agree that animals exist for reasons apart from for humans; they help to balance the world’s ecosystem, but it’s arguable whether or not animals were created for humans. After God created animals he placed humans (Adam and Eve) in charge of them (Genesis 1:28). Walker was right about black people not being created for white people. God created us all in His image for His good pleasure not for one race to demand pleasure from another (Revelation 4:11).

Finally, Walker was right in one sense about women not being created for men. All women weren’t created for all men; in other words, women weren’t created so men could dominate them, but women were created for men to have as wives. So the woman who becomes a wife was created for the man who becomes her husband, and vice versa (see 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 and 11:11-12). Man was created first but men cannot continue to be created without a woman. There is definite interdependence with a man and woman, the husband and wife. So you can see I didn’t totally disagreed with Walker, but I just wanted to get you to think without inserting my opinion. Thanks to the many of you who read the previous post and the brave one who responded. I always want to hear from you so tell me what you think of this post or any other one. Can’t wait to hear from you.

Woman Created for Man?

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Alice Walker

Alice Walker

    “The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men”–Alice Walker (taken from About.com; emphasis mine).

Many of you may know that April is National Poetry Month. This is the reason behind my posting audios of my poems the last two Fridays. I plan to do the same for the next two Fridays. But I also thought it would be interesting to take quotations from some famous (and not so famous) poets to examine their thoughts in light of what I believe God’s Woman (what I am temporarily calling the recreated strong black woman who is a Christian) should be considering. So consider the above quotation from womanist (black feminist) poet, novelist and essayist Alice Walker, particularly the part I’ve emphasized. What are your personal thoughts about it? What are your thoughts about it when considering Genesis 2:18 and 1 Corinthians 11:8-9. I’ll tell you what I think, but you first.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith

Power to the People

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I spit on Jesus before, just like those who hated and crucified Him more than 2,000 years ago. I didn’t understand who He was and the fact that He came to earth to die for the sins of humanity. Today I, like millions of others around the world, celebrate Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross on Calvary. I celebrate Him today, not just because He was willing to die but that He showed His power over death by being resurrected after three days in the grave. This is the savior, my savior, that I celebrate after rejecting for so many years. Listen to the following poem that tells of my journey.
Power to the People

Silence for Survival

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Silent Voices by Josephine Carson

Silent Voices by Josephine Carson

Silence for survival is a strategy for sickness. Shout to the Right(eous) One; he’ll send you to the right ones to speak.—Luke 12:11-12

Who do you shout to when you want to get something off your chest, when you want something to change? Who has tried to keep you silent for your or their so-called survival? Talk to me. Let me know.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith