In spite of it All

Every morning I get up, get my daughter Hallie together, wash her face brush her teeth, get her dressed, comb her hair, and make sure she eats breakfast. Get myself together, and off with our day. It's not always in that order, but some how we get it done. Wednesday we were leaving home, rushing I should say, we get on the elevator,  I have my purse in one hand, my bag of "things" in the other hand, Hallie right by me, and I had just enough time to take a deep breath on the ride down from the 9th floor to the 3rd. We stopped on the 6th floor for someone to get on, the lady steps in and smiles. I smile back, with that uncomfortable elevator smile! Before we get to the 3rd floor, she says, "Busy morning"? I replied yes. She says, " I don't have kids but my girlfriends do, and they always seem to be rushing or busy, but some how they manage." I said that's an understatement.

I got in the car and on the drive I'm listening to 99.1 and the radio personality on there Ebonie is discussing how she was just recognized as one of the top 30 radio/television personalities and she shared the list with women of great influence. She begin crying, and she mentioned how grateful and humbled she was by the recognition. She talked about how hard she works, gives back to the community, allot of times with no recognition or acknowledgement, a simple thank you. The most powerful thing she said though, was, "As long as God sees my hard work, as long as he is pleased when I get to Heaven, then that is what matter's most."

I found myself in the car crying, fighting back the tears as I drove my daughter to school. Reflecting on the many things I juggle and struggle with, being a mother, career women, entrepreneur, and ministry. Wondering if anyone sees or even knows how hard it is, the days when I want to scream, give up, or throw in the towel. But I am reminded of 2 Timothy v:3 as I paraphrase it says, "I thank God whom I serve as my forefathers did with a clear conscience. Timothy who was in jail at the time, was basically saying, I've been through allot, but I have no regrets and I would do it all over again.

When I think of the things I've been through, the days when I  simply didn't want to do the routine, this passage always pops into my mind. Because surely if Timothy who was in jail at the time could still give God the praise in spite of what his circumstances were, surely I can do the same. Daily I remind myself that God has not forgotten about me, that he sees all and knows all, and my work is not in vein. He is a mind regulator, a heart fixer, and he'll give you peace that won't go to pieces. I love him so much. Yes, it gets hard, but I continue to press, I continue to fight the fight of faith, pray without ceasing, and serve, because it's not over until I win!