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Ode To Lori: A Story of a Virtuous Woman
In one summer, I learned how to be a Mother
My life was forever changed when I boarded that plane
Everything was new when I stepped into
This atmosphere, where the sun shone brightly and the air was clear
I could finally breathe
There she stood, smiling
Arms open wide
My first instinct was to run and hide
Her eyes…
They told stories beyond vision
Pools of virtuosity and undeniable wisdom
Piercing through to my soul, calling out to the little girl in me-
How could she see...how did she see, me?
She pulled me in close, as if to say
“You’re welcome here, I want you here, get comfortable for your stay”
She met me with kindness that bellowed from her core
And since being honored with her presence, who I once was exists no more
I’ve been transformed
I’ve seen in her all of what love can be
God made loving her so easy
Watching her taught me how to breathe, & how to be
How to thrive, and how to love fiercely
Even without words, I learned from her
The compassion, the steadfastness, gentleness and faith
This experience was a gift greater than words ever could say
She was musical, witty, supremely kind
Outgoing, hilarious, finer than wine
Her laughter filled rooms and shifted the winds
No one who entered stayed the same from when they first entered in
Her fluorescence, her warmth, the cadence of her stride
I knew my heart was safe there to confide
She was fearless, honest, put forth her best
Never backed down from a challenge, expertly intelligent
She shared her heart, her space
Taught me discipline, and spoke only life
Under her wings I learned how to fly
She walked in her authentic beauty
Never dimming her light
With creativity, spunk, and zeal
She inspired broken souls to rise up and take flight
She prayed with us, she danced, she joined in with our crazy
She sang from her heart, what a remarkable lady
She radiated originality and confidence with elegance and class
Her greatness could fill stadiums, breaking through ceilings of glass
She gave of herself
She offered her time
She cared for people expensively, beyond what money could buy
She encouraged curiosity and nurtured my dreams
She gave me a model of what it means to live free
She encouraged us to know God
Created an environment of safety
She fostered our gifts
And brought us into rooms that ignited us creatively
She took care of herself and walked in integrity
She loved on her husband and son
And protected her family
She never used her voice to speak evil
But always from the heart
Full of passion and dignity
She is the artist, and the art
She is courageous and bold
With humility and strength
She always claps for others, but I applaud her-today
Who knew that in just one summer such an impact would be made
My children have her to thank for who their Mommy is today
I’m grateful and blessed to have experienced measures of love in this way
My life is all the better
My heart is full and forever changed
This virtuous woman in one summer taught me more about womanhood and life
Than a myriad of experiences ever could in a lifetime
I’ve been graced to witness beauty in all of its glory
Simply because God gave me & the world His special daughter, (Auntie)
Lori
…“No more business as usual.” That’s what my Father said to me. He’s been speaking & leading-pruning & moment by moment rebuilding me. The very framework of my life, heart, motivation, family & artistry. All of it’s changing into how He desires & wills for it to be. “No more business as usual.” My outlook & perception. The way I think, the way I move… The way I internalize life’s lessons. The urgency to rest has become the catalyst to purpose in my view. Peeling away from gadgets & devices in order to experience His new. It’s a here & it’s a now thing. A command. A must. Blades of grass here today, quickly returning to the dust. “If My people who are called by My name…” What a shame. There has come a day for an intense & radical change. No more superficiality, vanity, & pride. A time to lay every weight, sin, & insignificant thing aside. A time to let the flesh die. Rumors, gossip, idle words, grievances, unforgiveness & lies. There’s a major shift on the horizon, a Heavenly insistence. A divine resistance. “No more business as usual.” These words were released to revive. To remind. To awaken, to shake up. Calling forth the sleeping giants to arise. Now is the time. ✍🏽 From Erica, with love 💕
You don’t need permission to be who God says you are. Boundaries may be uncomfortable for you and others, but you are worthy of balanced relationships-& you can’t ever achieve them without valuing yourself first, and honoring your need for reciprocity. You are no one’s savior; only Jesus can be that. Resting in God’s promises will save you much stress, worry, & strife. Overthinking is not of God. Hear His instructions, believe Him, take action on what He said, then rest-without worry. Life isn’t slowing down for you, but there is no rush. Stop and smell the roses, or in your case (iced coffee). You are no one’s tragedy, neither are you responsible for anyone’s success, or their failures. You have your own path, stay there & maintain. Don’t be busy for busy’s sake. Produce & be profitable. Take the pressure off, relax & laugh more. You’re safe now. Breathe. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Let them think whatever they will. Keep your peace at all costs. Be patient with yourself, you’re still learning. Loving you is not hard; a lot of people just don’t have the capacity. Honor God with your life, be your whole self, and let the chips fall where they may. God knew who He made, trust His design. He loved you and chose you, that means you’re valued and valuable. Be kind to yourself & don’t force yourself out of your growth process. All of it is necessary to who you are becoming. Embrace it, and love yourself through it. You are worthy of that. This is literally only the beginning; stay with God & dream with Him. Your latter days will be much greater than the former. Celebrate all of your successes. Just because you’ve seen the vision, doesn’t mean where you are doesn’t deserve to be celebrated, also. Honor the journey. “I Love You” is cheap. Believe their actions more than their words. Some people will get close to you, only to use you & steal your time. That is a priceless investment, & it doesn’t come cheap. Your wisdom & gifts are expensive, charge accordingly. You are never “too much” of anything. As you are, you are enough. The enemy’s lies are designed to eat away at your time. Don’t give in to his tricks and schemes, he be lying. Keep doing what God told you to do. Forgiving yourself is a form of self-care and self-love. Practice that more often. You were born to be the chain breaker for your bloodline. So trust God in you, He has great plans for your now, your future, & for everyone coming after you. Growing pains don’t hurt forever, glory is on the other side. You can and will make it through this, just like everything else. Leaders need love too. Leaders need hugs too. Leaders need prayer, too. Leaders need therapy, too. God will take you as far as you’re willing to go, so get ready. There’s no stopping the momentum of a spirit of “Yes”. Don’t pick up other people’s “stuff”. If you didn’t walk in there with it, don’t take it with you when you leave. They may have put your name on it, but it doesn’t belong to you. Your imagination is your currency. Your faith is your wealth. The world is yours, dominate.
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