In our adversities, good qualities and morals are often reduced. I grew up on the south-side of Cape Girardeau, MO and it seemed like a sectioned off cubicle on it’s own island. In this segregated community, I saw and heard a lot of things that were far from quality. Because the struggle was real, everyone was just trying to survive and live life the best way they knew how. Therefore, as much as I wanted to be a good person with qualities and morals, I became the opposite. I was another replica of the environment I lived in because it was all I knew.
Living in this community gave me a personal invitation into hardship beyond my control. The hurt began as a child when I witnessed a divorce with no explanation. More hurt piled on top of this when I was robbed of my innocence. Hurt told me to shut up; it told me I was promiscuous. The hurt thundered in my head, telling me I was only a poor little south-side girl who was a minority and didn’t matter to anyone. Hurt told me I was ugly, stupid and alone. Hurt told me I wasn’t capable of being successful so I just had to settle. So I listened and agreed, and Hurt continued to teach me to blame, to be angry and unforgiving. Hurt taught me to gossip and to be a party animal, to live as a single parent while relying only on government assistance. Hurt taught me procrastinating on bills and living in debt. Hurt went against my own DNA and brought out anxiety and feelings of neglect.
The hurt consistently lied to me, making everything I was feeling and experiencing a part of my “new normal.”
So, when hope told me I was enough in Jesus Christ, I didn’t understand or believe it. I was only familiar with my island view of normal where “hurt” was my really good friend. Everything I had experienced while living in the south side of Cape Girardeau convinced me to keep making excuses and disqualify myself from any thoughts of success or ways to better my life. From my point of view, everything on the outside of my segregated island filled with hurt seemed like a life full of wealthy, happy people. Therefore I was jealous and envious of those who had what seemed like a better family or life. Plus, living in a world that portrays being “good” as “uncool” and being bad as what’s “it” allowed me to continue to settle for mediocre in my own life.
God, from the beginning, said “Let there be light,” NOT let there be segregation, stupid people, unforgiveness, single parents, debt, and hurt. God is a jealous God and wants His children to be still and listen, so even in the middle of my own troubles, God showed me value could be had and success could triumph. He divinely connected me with some amazing people who revealed His heart by mentoring me with their own caring heart. These people just so happen to be wealthy. By spending time with them, relationships were made and I was blessed to see they had issues too, just like me. Yet, they still woke up and put one foot in front of the other as they chose to keep on going. This way of living later helped me realize no one is exempt from hurt. We all have some stinky stuff going on and a testimony to tell, and it will actually bring God glory when we tell it.
With this brings said, I had a decision to make; be my own worst enemy and let my life’s issues hinder me from success, or stop making excuses and choose to unfriend hurt so my authentic DNA could be unleashed. Then I could get in the game and succeed in my own life. Praise God because after He said let there be light, there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. My situation shows that what the Devil meant for evil, God was able to turn it into my own good. And this is what getting in the game looks like to me.
GENESIS 1:3-4
3 And God said, “Let there be light,“ and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
JOHN 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
MATTHEW 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
LaKeisha has 3 amazing kiddos who bring her
daily joy and laughter. Her family has a spoiled Yorkie name Ben, a Guinea pig name Mold, & 4 fish. She enjoys encouraging others, making desserts, listening to music, & lounging around the house in her PJs. She's a professional house cleaner with a desire to be a counselor.
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