A Note I Found In My Old iPhone

This past weekend when I was decluttering some items I no longer needed, I came across a basket of some of my old electronics -- one of which happened to be an old iPhone I had. I turned it on to see what was on it and to my surprise, I found an old note I’d written that contained prayer requests. Some of the requests were mine, and a few others were from different people I’d been lifting up. It was cool and refreshing to come across the note, especially with the year 2020 has been.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I had a tough time. I was coping with tremendous amounts of stress, anxiety, doubt, depression, isolation, and restlessness. There were also a handful of times when I got so angry and disappointed with God that I got rid of different prayer request lists I had on my phone and some that I’d written out in my notebooks. When I was feeling my lowest, I didn’t see the point in praying anymore if things weren’t going to change. Eventually, some things changed, some didn’t, and some things still haven’t, but you know what? God is still good. I’m in a much better and healthier spiritual, mental, and physical space than I was before, and I’ve eased back into my prayer closet with greater intention, consistency, and focus.

I'm glad I stumbled across a note that reminded me to keep going, keep praying, and to keep pursuing God. I hope that as we all approach the end of this year, you're motivated to do the same no matter what your circumstances, challenges, or obstacles are. And I hope that you will embrace a peace and contentment that carries you through. If you're reading this right now, I'll be lifting you up in prayer too. Keep going and take care.

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

A Taste At Colattao Coffee House

I love checking out new coffee spots. It’s nice to take in a space I haven’t been to before that’s so chill, it makes me want to go back and visit again and again. This is exactly how I felt when I stepped into Colattao Coffee House. The kind customer service, the amazing options, and the aesthetically pleasing décor were everything. The aroma of the freshly grounded coffee beans, along with the sight of their mouth-watering pastries didn’t hurt either. I’ve visited this spot just a few times, and always enjoyed myself, my drinks, and my food. It’s definitely worth the trip. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a cool and cozy spot for a solo outing or to meet up with a friend, I highly recommend checking out Colattao Coffee House sometime. You’ll enjoy it!

Making Waves