a brave and startling truth

We, this people, on a small and lonely planet

Traveling through casual space

Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns

To a destination where all signs tell us

It is possible and imperative that we learn

A brave and startling truth

And when we come to it

To the day of peacemaking

When we release our fingers

From fists of hostility

And allow the pure air to cool our palms

When we come to it

When the curtain falls on the minstrel show of hate

And faces sooted with scorn are scrubbed clean

When battlefields and coliseum

No longer rake our unique and particular sons and daughters

Up with the bruised and bloody grass

To lie in identical plots in foreign soil

When the rapacious storming of the churches

The screaming racket in the temples have ceased

When the pennants are waving gaily

When the banners of the world tremble

Stoutly in the good, clean breeze

When we come to it

When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders

And children dress their dolls in flags of truce

When land mines of death have been removed

And the aged can walk into evenings of peace

When religious ritual is not perfumed

By the incense of burning flesh

And childhood dreams are not kicked awake

By nightmares of abuse

When we come to it

Then we will confess that not the Pyramids

With their stones set in mysterious perfection

Nor the Gardens of Babylon

Hanging as eternal beauty

In our collective memory

Not the Grand Canyon

Kindled into delicious color

By Western sunsets

Nor the Danube, flowing its blue soul into Europe

Not the sacred peak of Mount Fuji

Stretching to the Rising Sun

Neither Father Amazon nor Mother Mississippi who, without favor,

Nurture all creatures in the depths and on the shores

These are not the only wonders of the world

via

When we come to it

We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe

Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger

Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace

We, this people on this mote of matter

In whose mouths abide cankerous words

Which challenge our very existence

Yet out of those same mouths

Come songs of such exquisite sweetness

That the heart falters in its labor

And the body is quieted into awe

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet

Whose hands can strike with such abandon

That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living

Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness

That the haughty neck is happy to bow

And the proud back is glad to bend

Out of such chaos, of such contradiction

We learn that we are neither devils nor divines

When we come to it

We, this people, on this wayward, floating body

Created on this earth, of this earth

Have the power to fashion for this earth

A climate where every man and every woman

Can live freely without sanctimonious piety

Without crippling fear

via

When we come to it

We must confess that we are the possible

We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world

That is when, and only when

We come to it.

*in loving memory of Maya Angelou who passed away yesterday.*

linking up here

Still I Rise

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. And their righteousness is from Me. Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

Have you had one of those moments where God is evidently trying to tell or warn you of something? The other day I went for praying meeting with a number of my fellow missionaries, and my sweet God didn’t fail to speak to a number of us. I was happy for His Word... It shows He was definitely in our midst and He heard our prayers. 

After the meeting, we were all happy and chatty when a good friend of mine drew near and started speaking words of life to me, inspiring, encouraging words about never allowing anyone to belittle me or steal my joy. I was like okaayyy. It was getting a teensy awkward, the way he was stressing it. Lol I was wondering why all of a sudden he was telling me such things, cause nothing had happened and like I said, the atmosphere was all happy and chatty. I wanted to ask why but I was like nah, lemme just take it in. 

O, how God works! The next day, the devil struck and it all began to make sense. You see, God knew way ahead that the enemy was going to try to disturb me. But I had a heads up from my God and had on His full armor. I always do, ready for any attacks. Sometimes God’s care for me leaves me speechless. There are a billion people who call to Him, but He still makes time for me and warns me ahead of battle. Isn’t He an amazing God! He knew the enemy was ready to get at me with meaningless, useless, empty words so He spoke to me through my friend before that. 

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:10,11,16

There are two forces behind words. One is good and the other, evil. God speaks to us through people, people who have made themselves available for the Holy Spirit to use them, just like my friend. But then again the devil also speaks and he also uses people who invite him in to use them for malicious purposes. And it’s so obvious the differences between the two. As the Spirit-led folk speak life-giving words, the ones who allow the devil to freely use them speak lies and detestable words... What have you been saying lately? Don’t allow the devil to use you. You were made for something greater, I promise.

The devil knows how precious the children of God are because of our great inheritance! Eternal Life! Plus we get to see and be with Jesus! Yes, that super cute, gentle Lover of my soul. :) Ahh, that day will be glorious! Anyways, as I was saying, the enemy who has been kicked out of Heaven is so jealous of our inheritance in Christ, so he roams this earth, searching for someone to devour. You know how the saying goes- misery loves company. This low life goes about using people to spread hatred and lies to eventually lead them off the path of God. Do you ever wonder why some people lose it and commit suicide or become alcoholics or do drugs? They allowed the devil to lie to them that they are not worthy. But hear me, YOU ARE WORTHY! You are so important to God, it’s mind-blowing. If only you opened your eyes to see and be attentive to listen. He whispers gently to your heart. You need only to tune out the devil and his accomplices by feeding your Spirit with God’s Word. Yeah, sometimes it’s not ‘fun’ to read His Word because it convicts you, but truth be told, that’s the best thing you need. And surround yourself with positive, godly people. You do not have to put up with negative people/lukewarm ‘Christians’ who do not support your growth in Christ! 

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you of My mouth.” Revelations 3:16

 I’m not perfect and I don’t intend to be but I know who I am in Christ and I can’t allow negative people slow my walk down with HIM. Yes, it’s that serious. This is my eternity we’re talking ‘bout here. And I can’t care how ‘odd’ this may sound to people. God tells us to flee from temptation. Acting on temptation leads to sin. So anyone who tries to tempt me to say things I shouldn’t say or listen/watch things I have no business with, I flee from them. Simple.

 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Be friendly to all but friends with few. Those you call ‘friend’, must also be on a journey living for God. And if people try to make you feel guilty for weeding them out of your space, let ‘em know 1 Corinthians 15:33. They cannot call you judgemental if you are quoting the JUDGE! Yurp, that’s right, HE set the standards, not you or me.

Note that I was busy seeking God’s face in prayer with friends when His Word came to me. God can’t speak to you if you keep shutting Him out and not making time for Him. Tune out the wrong crowd and seek Him like a thirsty, panting deer. You must desire to grow deeper in Christ. No lukewarmness. Remember, this battle is not a physical one. We contend not with flesh and blood so prayer is a very powerful weapon. 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 

So as the devil tried pathetically to speak negativity to me that day, I simply laughed like always and thanked God for His Word. I do not speak that messy language. I speak positivity! Victory was and is already mine. I thought of how God never speaks in vain. His Word is Life itself. Was He not the one who called the whole world into being with words? O, I serve a living, mighty God! The God who walks with me through fire, the God who intricately formed me in my mother’s womb, my sweet Jesus who calls me Friend. Yes, He calls me friend. John 15:15 How cool is that! :D His ways are higher than the thoughts of man and the wicked plans of the enemy. I’m more than thankful to be serving such an awesome Father.

Do not entertain the devil at all. Sure, he’ll always try to work his way to you but be ready and alert. And like I say, there’re some battles you don’t even bother fighting, cause the armor of God shields you from them plus your level of overcoming is way above it cos you keep growing Spiritually...so the devil’s tricks become petty and old news, more like a broken record. LOL

Hear me, you matter. This world needs you. God needs you to fulfil so many wonderful purposes. Believe it or not, that is why you are alive right now. While you’re still finding your way around your purpose, the devil will try to lead you astray and knock you out. He will use people against you. Don’t let him have it easy. Don’t put up with the devil! Fight him off with God’s Word. Never believe a word the enemy utters against you. Allow God to work in you and wait patiently for the day when God will prepare a table for you before your enemies, the day when they become a footstool for you! Know that the people who continually plan bad things against you will have no choice that day than to praise you. The people who are seeking your downfall, waiting for the fallout, the ones who are desperately waiting for you to breakdown... trust me, these people will have no choice than to celebrate you very soon! As painful as that will be for them, they will. Why? Because God will make them! Psalm 23:5 says so! They should know better than to be messing around with HIS beloved children.

I’ve gone past the point of having petty fights and exchanges with the devil and his partners in crime. Nah, they’re just not worth my time! When the enemy struck that day, I had joy in my heart and kept singing praises to my Jesus. HIS Word about my life is the ONLY thing that ever matters to me. Bits of this poem from Maya Angelou came to mind as I joyfully relished in the beauty of that day. 

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still, I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops

Weakened by my soulful cries?

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise...

The next time the enemy tries to disturb you, let ‘em know that aint nobody got time for that! The devil is attacking you because you have a super high value and he hates it. He’s jealous of it. Seriously, think about this. The devil wouldn’t bother attacking someone he’s already got pinned down. He’s after you with his hateful words and evil actions because you are still out of his reach! Boom! Be glad. In fact, you should be a worried if the world doesn’t hate you. Cos it’s a given, part of the deal. Jesus made it clear that as children of God, the world will hate us because it does not know Him/us.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18,19

So, is the devil screaming lies into your eyes? Tell him, aint nobody got time for that! Is he struggling to make you feel guilty and belittled? Let him know, aint nobody got time for that! No thwarted word of the enemy can prevail against the mighty, wonderful Word of God concerning your life. I’m not letting any insignificant nobodies dull my shine, and so should you! Like my dear friend spoke life to me that evening, I encourage you to never allow anyone to belittle you. You are a child of God, live accordingly. No one can compete with that.

No matter what the devil says, I’m an incredible wonder, a child of the KING of kings and the Lord above ALL. If this disgusts anyone, ha! Tough luck. This is who I am and nothing and no one can change this! I will continually be loved by my sweet Jesus into eternity!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38.39

 Still, I RISE. xoxo

Delali.

Alone

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

-Maya Angelou

MEN

When I was young, I used to
Watch behind the curtains
As men walked up and down the street. Wino men, old men.
Young men sharp as mustard.
See them. Men are always
Going somewhere.
They knew I was there. Fifteen
Years old and starving for them.
Under my window, they would pause,
Their shoulders high like the
Breasts of a young girl,
Jacket tails slapping over
Those behinds,
Men.

One day they hold you in the
Palms of their hands, gentle, as if you
Were the last raw egg in the world. Then
They tighten up. Just a little. The
First squeeze is nice. A quick hug.
Soft into your defenselessness. A little
More. The hurt begins. Wrench out a
Smile that slides around the fear. When the
Air disappears,
Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, briefly,
Like the head of a kitchen match. Shattered.
It is your juice
That runs down their legs. Staining their shoes.
When the earth rights itself again,
And taste tries to return to the tongue,
Your body has slammed shut. Forever.
No keys exist.

Then the window draws full upon
Your mind. There, just beyond
The sway of curtains, men walk.
Knowing something.
Going someplace.
But this time, I will simply
Stand and watch.

Maybe.

-Maya Angelou

 

MAYA ANGELOU QUOTE

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”

-Maya Angelou

Phenomenal woman

 Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

-Maya Angelou