Thank You, Mr. President.

Maya Angelou got it right, "When people show you who they are, believe them." Yesterday, the President took off the mask- and I believe him.  When he repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I turned the other cheek toward economic issues.  When his administration refused to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, I chalked it up to Presidential prerogative.  But yesterday, he removed all doubt that he supports the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex couples.  My first reaction to the news was an audible gasp.  Then anger.  Then sadness.  Then grief over the fact that I can no longer support his re-election campaign.    

I was one of those "Independent Voters" who helped Obama get over the hump the first time around.   Back then, I was willing to compromise my adamant opposition to abortion-on-demand to support a pro-abortion candidate like Obama, because I thought he was clearly the better choice to lead, and the thought of Sarah Palin anywhere NEAR the White House was both hilarious and terrifying.  As an African-American, the Martin Luther King--Barack Obama narrative was also hard to resist when I watched him accept the Democratic Nomination on the forty fifth anniversary of the famous "I Have a Dream Speech."  It was "Eyes on the Prize" meets "We Shall Overcome" meets "Young Gifted and Black" meets "The Cosby Show" - a spectacular evolution of perseverance and black excellence on display for the World.   Just thinking about how I felt in that moment still gives me chills.  I volunteered as a poll-worker for his campaign during the 2008 election and felt the weight of history on my side when we realized that he'd won our polling location.  I remember the feeling of ecstatic disbelief when the networks announced his victory.  Pure joy. 

This time around, I was already gearing up to go the distance.  I've been sporting my "Obama 2012" tee-shirt for months, making plans to volunteer for the campaign and scheming to get a ticket to the 2012 Democratic convention in North Carolina.   That's all behind me now.

I believe in marriage between one man and one woman.  Period.    Despite what activists in the other camp would have you believe about the demographics of this issue, my opinion remains unchanged even when viewed through the lens of a law degree and law licenses in two states.  Access to an expensive and completely liberally-biased education and the so-called knowledge that accompanies it haven't succeeded in dampening my fervor for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my duty to stand for Biblical principles.  I think any honest person who has actually read the Bible will acknowledge that it doesn't mince words on the issue of homosexual behavior.  It is condemned. No matter how people try to twist the Scripture or ignore its authority, on this issue the Bible is clear.  To think that people who name the name of Christ would completely ignore what the Bible has to say to not only endorse homosexual behavior, but to try to redefine the definition of marriage to affirm it is sickening.   That said, I can't support a Presidential Candidate -even the "great" Barack Obama, with whom I so vehemently disagree.

I suspect there are tough times ahead (politically) for our President.  He will continue to be in my prayers, but from a greater distance. I wish him well (personally).  As for me, there are also some tough decisions ahead- can I stomach a vote for Mitt Romney?  Highly doubtful, but time will tell.

See Obama's comments below.

 

A New Deliverance.

For those of us that love Gospel music, Helen Baylor is a legend. Her voice is the truth.  Her singing testimonial, "Praying Grandmother" is a master class in using music to enhance the effect of spoken words.  Today  CBN aired a feature about her storied career and recent struggle with prescription drugs in the wake of a health issues and painful divorce from her husband of over 30 years.  " I wanted the marriage to work, but you know what, if somebody doesn't want you, maybe you ought to see that they don't want you!" That's deep. Her story reminded me that we should never stop praying for each other because we never know what a person is going through or what they are struggling to overcome.  Baylor also shared her thoughts on the prevalence of drug addiction in the Church.

The Church is in the same shape as the World, they just don't look at us as closely. If there's something that you're dealing with, I know the Man.  I know the Man.  His name is Jesus.

She's right.  What an amazing testimony.  See the full interview below and read the CBN article here.

Get in the Game.

Timing is everything.  Last week, I had my first encounter with a life coach.  I was nervous.  Talking to a life coach is like going to counseling, without the option of blaming your parents or your husband for your personal hangups.  It was paid for by a leadership program that I'm participating in, so we only had 30 minutes.  In this scenario, the past and the present become irrelevant.  It's all about the future.

She encouraged me to write down where I want to be professionally and personally in 20 years and work my way back to 2012.  That kind of freedom to shape the future is completely liberating.  I've always known that I want to do more than practice law.  This exercise helped me to articulate my goals and begin to think through my current situation through the eyes of my future self.  Thanks life coach- for the first time in months, I am back in the game.

Just Do It.

Have you ever heard of Angela Burgin Logan?  She was interviewed today on the Tom Joyner Morning Show about her new movie, "Breathe."  The most fascinating part of her story is the fact that she and her husband spent their life savings to create a film depicting her actual near-death experience with preeclampsia and cardiomyopathy during pregnancy.  She took this horrible experience and made it her life's work to share her story with others.  I think that is an incredible example of excellence in action.  You can find her blog here. The trailer for the movie is here.  Ms. Logan, I salute you and can't wait to see your film.

Carrying the Load.

Hello Dear Readers,
Stress sucks.  But you already knew that. The last few months of my life have been full of it.  So much so that I found myself sitting in my office close to tears the other day just listening to Anna Nalick's melancholy masterpiece, "Breathe," and literally trying to follow her instructions. Innn and outtt. Innnn and outtt.   Marriage. Children. Health. Workload.  Finances. Life is suffocating sometimes.  Just... breathe.  I found myself in the lyric:

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

There I sat- fighting back the tears.  After a few unwelcome interruptions from phone calls, emails, text messages and an illtimed question from my secretary, I took my burdens on the road.  To the bathroom.  You know you're stressed when you find yourself standing in a stall at work at least twice a day doing breathing exercises.  If your workplace is anything like mine, standing in the bathroom taking deep breaths can be is deeply unpleasant. At times like this,  I am thankful for seasonal allergies.  I can cry in the bathroom and then blame pollen for the red eyes.  But that's not the point of this post. 

Like I said, stress sucks.  Extreme stress can be crushing.  But perspective can make the difference between a breakdown and a breakthrough (forgive that last Oprahism-  I'm tired and need to bring this post home before I go to bed).  I found a quote that was a turning point for me.  Somewhere on some inspirational website I stumbled upon while searching the Internet, I found it: According to random sources, the great Lena Horne once said, "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."  Thanks Lena--Well said (if she actually said it) .  Just looking at stress this way has helped tremendously. Stress will always be present, but  we can't just breathe our way through it.  At some point, we have to shift the weight of it all from our own shoulders and trust God to bear the load as he instructs us in Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7.  So much easier said than done.  

This is an ongoing process for me.  I'll keep you posted.

Two Strides Forward, Coldstone Back.

Today I went running for the second day in a row!  Then we took the kids to Coldstone and I ordered this salted caramel--Reese's cup--graham cracker--hot fudge--workout eraser.  What started as a simple trip to McDonalds for vanilla cones turned into a detour to Coldstone for the fancy stuff.   DELICIOUS. I've already got my running shoes ready for tomorrow.

Hello!

Hello Dear Readers! This is my first post from my new iPad. I continue to break the cardinal rule of blogging-write!! I am fast approaching another point of transition in my life and I hope to tell you more soon. Really.