Transplanted to Thrive (Plus new single It Ain’t Over)

What Do You Think? Wednesday

That is a plant that I had just about given up on. I noticed its bloom today, but its beginning earlier this summer looked nothing like this. It was one of four day lilies that were in my flower beds, droopy, and no amount of water or plant food seemed to make them thrive. I decided to dig them up and check out the roots to see if they were salvageable. Most of the roots were brown, dry, dead, but some were firm, moist and still alive. I transplanted them into three pots, and in the space they left I transplanted six tiger lilies from my backyard. For weeks, about five, all nine plants drooped and the water and plant food just didn’t help any of them. I was thinking about digging them back up but decided to keep them in place until the end of the season. Still looking hopeless, I again was about to change my mind and dig them up. In the few days that I waivered I noticed the leaves on all the plants were no longer brown and frail but bright green and standing tall, firmly rooted and thriving. I was so glad I hadn’t tried to transplant them again. I would never have seen that this indeed was their season to flourish and to bloom.

Sometimes as strong black women we see our situation, don’t like it and immediately seek to make moves, our moves, to get us out of the situation. We are like I was going to be with my plants. But if we know that God has transplanted us, we have to resolve to be with ourselves like I eventually was with my plants. Even if we are floundering, weak and limping, we have to know that if we remain in place, complete the season that we’re in, we will begin to get strong and blossom. This is a promise.

For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58—BBE).

I want you to know that if God has transplanted you, things will get better. They have to. God is a keeper and never leaves us or forgets about us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). If you seek the Lord, digging into His word and allowing it to minister to you, you will be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever (you do) prospers” (Psalm 1:2-3—NIV). To help you remember that, I share with you the new single, It Ain’t Over, by my dear friend and sister in Christ, the anointed and ultra-talented Dianna Hobbs. Listen, be blessed and as always please tell me what you think.

Download It Ain’t Over at DiannaHobbsMusic.com.

Don’t Bow to Baal

God's Army, with Timashion Jones on the far right

For the last week or so the phrase “They don’t bow to Baal” has come to my mind when I read a blog or a tweet, have a conversation or hear a sermon from the relentless, the fierce, the fiery folks who consistently and most recently intensely have fired me up for Jesus. We all need these people in our lives, those, who like one of my friend’s says, “‘makes our baby leap.’ In other words, there should be spirit-filled individuals who activate the presence of God within us and can also speak into our lives.” We need those people who are sold out for Jesus and won’t give up and give in to a false god.

So here are the ones that have just been such a blessing to me and have constantly been on my mind and heart the last few weeks. Connect with them and I’m sure you’ll be able to tell what I mean.

1. Christopher W. Brooks, pastor of Evangel Ministries and host of the radio broadcast Equipped for Life

2. Sharon D. Moore, assistant pastor of Ebenezer AME Church and national preacher

3. Carla P. Yarbrough, blogger at Royalty Revealed

4. Dianna Hobbs, founder and CEO of Empowering Everyday Women Online Magazine and blogger at Your Daily Cup of Inspiration

5. Michelle Johnson, founder of Alabaster Ministries and blogger at One Alabaster Day at a Time

6. Kim Cash Tate, author and blogger at Color Your Perspective

7. Nichole M. Christian, writer and contributor to Dear Dad

8. Timashion Jones, lyricist, Good News Talk Show creator and host and filmmaker (A Love that Hurts)

9. Ajene Gailliard, blogger at Kingdom Mommy

My One Thousand Gifts List

#351-360
An enriching bible study on mercy with Helena
Washing and grooming my hair
Arched eyebrows
An evening of dinner and jazz at Cliff Bell’s celebrating Kim’s birthday
An itinerary for the book party
Cutting yams with Flynn
Flynn lovingly caring for the boys and me by cleaning the kitchen three times and washing clothes while I was at Cliff Bell’s
A great challenging sermon
Worshipful singing
Fellowshipping with family and former church family members