“ If we stand Tall, it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us” __Yoruba proverb
Sometimes I sit and wonder why I am so blessed. I wonder why God is so good to me. I have been in some situations where all the signs indicated that I would fail. And still I come out victorious. And it took a while for me to figure it out but I finally UNDERSTAND and ACCEPT that I am BLESSED and HIGHLY FAVORED. For those of you who are not religious and don’t understand what I am saying, let me explain it a little more for you.
The Bible says when God Blesses someone he is going to bless them even to the seventh generation and even beyond. That means many people are living by blessings that their parents, grandparents, their grandparents parents and grandparents worked hard for. Because if you live your life in service and devotion to God, he promises to bless you, and your children and your children’s children and grandchildren ad infinitum.
Ok so now back to the present
So what I am saying is, if you see me shining, don’t be jealous. If I am shining too much for you, in the words of a popular motivational speaker “go put some shades on”. My ancestors worked hard to give me this opportunity. Someone died, someone cried, someone went hungry, someone had to suffer through slavery, someone fed a starving person even though they themselves were starving, someone reached out a hand to someone else in their time of need.
A little of my family history
My paternal grandmother told me I am the seventh generation descendant of Nanny of the Maroons. My Grandmother was also reknown in Maroon Town , St James, Jamaica for her generosity, and being like a mother to everyone in her community. She died when she was 100 years old.
My maternal grandfather was known as “Sheppy”, short for Shepherd. He was one of the most selfless people I have ever met. He was generous to everyone he met, friendly, caring, compassionate, he would give a stranger the last dollar in his pocket, and do without just to make sure that the other person is not hungry. He went out of his way to make his family and even strangers comfortable. This is why people called him Shepherd. Because that was his nature. He died when he was 96 years old.
Now back again to the present
This is the LEGACY I have inherited. This is what shapes my personality. This is why I too am like a shepherd to all my friends, this is why I am generous and hospitable to everyone I meet. If I can help someone, and I am in the position to help them, I will help them. And then people think I am doing things because I want something in return. But the people who think like this don’t understand the principle of giving. They don’t understand that when you give, you get back ten times what you gave. I have to tell you more about that. But that is another time. And this is why I am always smiling. I cant even explain why I am always smiling. Some people say it’s a gift from God. Some people say I am fake and I am a hypocrite. They say I am not “real” because real people don’t smile all the time. Real people have problems and real struggles. I have problems too. I have struggles too. And my close friends know of the many obstacles I had to overcome. But inspite of this I am still smiling. Some people say I act as if I am rich when I am not.
I used to go around and try to explain to people that even though I wear nice clothes, even though I have met influential people, I am not rich. Even though I have been invited to the nicest restaurants, even though I am always up and about and involved in a lot of activities, sometimes I don’t even have one cent in my pocket. People give me things for no reason at all. I don’t have a problem wearing hand me downs. I bet you didn’t know that either. When people give me things, I accept it with a smile. I am not going to say no. Especially to free food. People like to invite me to places because they like to be around me because of my personality. People feel my ENERGY and are amazed. Some people say they are “blown away” by my personality. People feel my energy and they are drawn to me like a magnet. Strangers have told me they feel an energy about me that they cant explain. What they are feeling is GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT inside me. So now I am tired of trying to explain my lifestyle. I am done. I just accept God’s blessings.
That is my GIFT that God has given me. That is my Gift to the world. So stop trying to figure out what it is about me. Just accept it. Stop trying to tear me down. What you should be doing, is trying to discover your Gift and work on sharing it with the world because if you are focused on sharing your GIFT, you wont have time to sit down and spread negative stories about me. You just wont have the time! No weapons formed against me shall prosper, so anyone who tries to harm me or is planning to harm me or go against me, trying to hurt my reputation, my integrity, all I have worked for, Give up! You are trying to go against a Higher Force that protects me! A force greater than your understanding! Recognize GREATNESS when you see it! I don’t have a million dollars in my pocket (not yet), but I am A CHILD OF GOD ! ! !
Even when I am facing the worst circumstances, I have this smile on my face for no reason at all. I didn’t even understand why. Till now. It’s God’s peace that he has given me. So I know you expect me to cry and complain, but I just don’t know how to do it. Because I have food, I have shelter, I have health and I have LIFE! LIFE ! L- I- F- E-! ! ! And even when I am sad, I cant stay sad for long. There is always something to be happy and to be thankful to God !
What am I supposed to do? Should I walk around depressed all the time so that I can fit into your prejudiced stereotype of how someone from my background is supposed to act?
N E V E R ! ! !
When I walk into a room, I will walk in with a SMILE on my face. I will walk tall with my head held high! I may not have one cent in my pocket, but I am BLESSED, I am a CHILD OF GOD! I am highly FAVORED!!!
Because
“If I stand tall, it is because I stand on the backs of those who have gone before me!”
This is my INHERITANCE ! This is my HERITAGE! This is my PRIDE!
AND I WONT LET YOU TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME ! ! !
