“GUESS WHAT THE BIG LESSON WAS FOR ME?”

I asked my brother/angel, Kevin, at our Sunday brunch today? I’ve accepted the tough assignment from God to go through some messy personal storms but to come through them with new wisdom from the Almighty God perspective to report back to you guys. Not an easy task, but for this God who is doing so much for me, I say, “No problem! Bring it on!” Kevin told me that he wants me to work on being wise, so, in all the difficulties that come my way, I ask one crucial question: ‘God what are you trying to teach me here?’ In anger, distress, anxieties, frustrations, and humiliations, I ask what I can take from the experience to be better, stronger, and wiser. This time, the big lesson was… (drum roll please!!!):

MERCY

Meaning I can forgive without punishing the parties that have hurt me. I can overlook, ignore, cover the offense as if it never happened. Tough one when the crazy lady wants to show herself feeling she has every reason to make an ugly appearance. But mercy is a significant value God wanted to include in my wisdom guide book. God went as far as explaining why this quality of mercy was so important. One of the kids was watching a show, and I heard a character say, “You sacrifice for the greater good.” I can wisely choose my battles and say this unnecessary and useless one here is not worth fighting so I can wisely use my time and energy to win this bigger one. Knowing the battles that are worth fighting and the ones that are not. That’s wisdom, baby!

And the battles worth fighting are in this picture with me. I will wisely use my time and energy to be the best mom possible. That also includes being the best wife possible to the best husband in the world. He deserves our overwhelming love, appreciation, and respect, is what I tell our kids. God said I should not waste words on people who deserve my silence. I still stick with this song I played for him repeatedly when he came to visit me in the Bahamas for the second time twenty years ago:

“One… you’re like a dream come true
Two… just wanna be with you
Three… it’s plain to see that you’re the only one for me
And four… repeat steps one through three
Five… make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I’ll start back at one” – Back At One, Brian McKnight

Our families are essential to God. Let’s be the wise, merciful, patient, going the extra mile in love, patience, gentleness, and forgiveness, covering the offenses of others, all for the glory of God. Can we do that for Papa God, who is doing so much overlooking of our sins and mistakes? He loves us all unconditionally no matter how many times we fall. Can we do the same for others? As for me… I’m back at one. Ride or die chick, my boo/aka better than best husband.