Dear Black Woman,
We live in a society that forces us to have our own backs. We put up a wall to protect ourselves and the ones we love. As a result society refers to us as “masculine” or “mad”.
Battling against a stigma created before our time. Minority of a minority; one of the loneliest and most misunderstood groups of people on this earth. And because we’re not only black, but also women, no one cares to ask why. Why do we feel the need to defend ourselves always? Why do we put up a facade of anger when in fact, we are one of the most, if not the most, nurturing creatures on this earth?
Instead, the world avoids us. Even our own, birthed from our very own wombs, look down upon us, speak against us, and redirects love away from us.
Frustration birth from betrayal; we’re hurt. Unheard because as a woman we are to be “seen and not heard”. Carrying the world on our shoulders, mentally, physically, and spiritually, and in turn, it feels as if the world spits on us, refusing to recognize us, including the ones we fight most for.
Unfortunately as a result, many of us have lost that gentleness God requires of us because we’re hurt; some of us have never even known it. Everyday is a fight. You’re tired. I get it, I am you, so hear me when I say, we don’t have to live and feel this way anymore.
Our expectations of a fallen world and a sinful race is leading us to a devastating end. Our greatest expectations if not met can lead to our greatest disappointments. So, truly is society or the ones who hurt us at fault, or are we? Have we failed ourselves by allowing our joy and peace to be dependent on the ways of the unreliable; the mortal; the temporary?
Yes, we have. We have failed ourselves, because nothing that is of this world nor in this world is the source of true peace and joy. There is only one. The One.
The One who knows us better than we know ourselves, and though imperfect, loves us beyond what any human can exude let alone understand. The One who advocates for us, and fights for us when no one else will. The One who comforts us as tears roll down our cheeks. The One who not only would die for us, but has died for us, and His name is Jesus Christ.
Today, we’re rejecting all stigma associated with us as black women because we are not who society says we are, we are who God says we are. We’re forgiving all those who have hurt us, freeing ourselves from the bondage of unforgiveness. We’re admitting and repenting of where we’ve fallen short, and accepting God’s forgiveness.
Today we’re claiming the joy and peace God has for us and we’re choosing to living as God desires for us to live, not just as black women, but as women of God. Today, we know who we are and Who we belong to. Today, our identity is found in Christ, and Christ alone. Today, our greatest expectation lie in Who God is, all that He can do, and all that He has done throughout our entire lives.
Keep in mind:
They may not be checking for you, that means they’re not meant for you.
Don’t chase who’s walked away from you, if they could walk away, they were never meant for you (See 1 John 2:19)
What’s meant for you, you will never have to chase
Don’t act out of desperation, remember God is in control
Though the world may be against you, God be for you
Trust in God’s plans for your life
Leave the past in the past, keep moving forward
Remain present, don’t wish to be anywhere other than where you currently are
The process may not be enjoyable all the time, but it will darn sure be purposeful
Remember that you are loved beyond your understanding
Steps in the right direction:
Prioritize your relationship with God
Aim to please the Lord over anyone else
Live a life worthy of the call on your life
Learn what God says about you (Read the bible)
Believe what God says about you
Love and respect yourself and others
Discover your God given purpose and lean into it
Create “the happy life” through your obedience to Christ
Don’t cast your pearls amongst swine (See Mathew 7:6)
Remember who you are and Who you belong to
Scripture to reflect on:
Mathew 7:6:
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
1 Corinthians 7:17:
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
1 Timothy 6:11:
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 John 2:19:
They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
