50 things about being 50! #4 High School Diploma

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, I entered a world in high school that was very different than the world in which I grew up. In fact, my claim to fame is that John Elway, hall of fame quarterback for the Denver Broncos, was a senior when I entered the 10th grade. Back then high school started in the 10th grade! The contrast of these two worlds created cultural challenges that I did not know even existed. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it prepared me for college life. 

As I looked around me, there were not a lot of kids in my neighborhood who aspired to get their diploma and I knew all too well that the chances of many of us graduating from high school were not great. But my parents, relatives, teachers and coaches encouraged me to stay in school and now I understand why they did so. On June 18, 1981 I had the dubious distinction of being the first in my family to graduate from high school. It was a day I will never forget! 

50 things about being 50!

#3 Great Friends
One of my favorite quotes from the classic movie, It's A Wonderful Life, is A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town! If you have seen the movie, then you know that he was referring to all of the friends that George did not realize he had. Like George, God has blessed me with many wonderful friends over the years and I cannot imagine life without them. They have contributed to the woman that I am today:

• They care enough to be honest with me and call me out when I am out of line. 
• They spur me on to love and good deeds. 
• They pray with me and for me. 
• They provide timely words of wisdom.
• They are patient with me when I blow it. 
• They have come to my rescue. 
• They listen. They laugh. They cry with me. 
• They give me nicknames...

...and the list goes go on and on. The Bible says A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. I have learned the value of true friendships whether they happen for a season or a lifetime. If great friends come a dime a dozen then I am the richest woman in town!

50 things about being 50!

#2 My Family Ties 

I smile when I think about the fond memories of my family. My mom, biological father, five siblings and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all alive today. That brings a smile to my face because so much of who I am stems from those family connections. Ma did all that she could to keep "young-ins' grounded and my stepfather did his best to help along those lines. My eldest brother, Ricky, was the best athlete. He could juke and move with a football like no other. The second eldest brother, Virgil was the comedian. He kept us laughing until it hurt.

I was the one who loved school and extra curricular activities and lived to excel inside the classroom and outside. My brother after me, Prince, was the fastest runner and a great dancer, but he liked to hang in the background and not show off his skills. My sister, Yvette, is the affectionate and sensitive one. She'll tell you many times a day that she loves you. Shariece, the youngest, is a reader and comedian too. She got jokes!

Although things haven't worked out well for some of family members, every day brings new hope that life will get better and lives will change. We're separated by the miles but our love for each other remains constant. I believe that God has used different circumstances and moments in my family to develop my character and teach me how to love like Him. I love my family and thankful that we still get to make memories! 

50 things about being 50! 

#1: 29 Years of walking with God
I started going to church at a young age. Both my pastor and my uncle explained to me what it meant to be a Christian and led me through a prayer to invite Jesus Christ into my heart. I did that twice, but it was all "lip service" and no true commitment. I continued to do my own thing and as I entered college, my only goals in life were to graduate, get a job, get out of the 'hood, and make a lot of money. Summer following my freshman year in 1982, I went to live with my grandparents. It was there, in my grandmother's living room, that I bowed my knees and decided to make a true commitment to follow Jesus Christ. 

But once classes began again, I left my faith at grandma's house and lived life as if God did not exist. Social life seemed to be my major because I spent more time hanging out than studying for classes. That is, until I got to the point two years later where I realized that there had to more to life than parties and sporting events. A good friend invited me a Bible study small group and my faith started to soar. I learned that I had not just invited Jesus Christ into my heart at grandma's house, but I had established a personal relationship with Him. It was such a foreign concept to me that I could get to know God and talk to Him like I would a friend. But that perspective revolutionized my Christian growth.

I made the decision to put Him first in my life and have not turned back from following Him since that moment. That was in 1984 and the journey has been incredible. I have learned so much about God's Word, His will and His ways and have grown in character, compassion, and conduct. He took an angry, bitter, selfish, sharp-tongued, opinionated sista from the 'hood, and transformed her into the image of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. You know you've changed when family members ask how long can you stay rather than when are you leaving! 

The Bible says in the book of Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10 (Eph. 2:10) "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them". It only gets sweeter in Christ and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I cannot believe that I am 50 years old today. Wow where has the time gone? It has been an incredible journey of gittin' it in with Jesus Christ and growing to be more like Him each day. I can honestly say that life is great with no desire to go back and do anything differently. Things happen for a reason and God is in the midst of it all and He is not surprised by any of it. He is in control even at times when it appears he is silent. I don't know how much longer I have but I want to make the most of my days on earth. Here's to 50 great things about being 50 and the things for which I am most grateful. 

# 1 on the list: 29 years of walking with God. Stay tuned...

Useful

You may have heard about the earthquake, tsunami, nuclear reactors, deaths, and the overall devastation going on in Japan. The world considers this catastrophic event to be an "Act of God". Do you notice that God is the first to get the credit for all of the bad stuff that happens? Ironically, these natural disasters seem to get our attention and serve as a subtle reminder to us that we are not invincible.  

• I cannot imagine the feeling of being in a shelter not knowing if my family members are dead or alive.
• I cannot imagine the anxiety of leaving a loved one behind to increase my chances on foot of getting to higher ground.
• I cannot imagine being told to only buy up to 10 items at a time in the grocery store.
• I cannot imagine watching my home float away with the powerful waves.
• I cannot imagine my life drastically changing in a matter of 20 minutes.
• I cannot imagine everything I own being affected by radiation.
• I cannot imagine feeling like time has stopped.
• I cannot imagine the feelings of hopelessness and despair.

God can imagine because He is there and cares deeply about the people of Japan! I want to be there to provide food, medicine, clothing, grief counseling, warm shelter; to have meaningful conversations about Jesus Christ, to do something because that makes me feel better. Then God reminds me that prayer is the best thing for Japan right now. He's got this! Won't you join me in prayer?

Change

I remember times when my mom reminisced about the "good ole days" and oh how I would laugh at her. After all, I never bought a pickle for a nickle! Now that I'm on the other side of childhood, I reflect too just like mom did! Often times I find myself using terms like "back in the day" or "we used to do this and that..." The younger people laugh at me when I take them down memory lane. We've gone from records to iPods, outdoor games (that required some imagination) to XBOX360 and Wii, typewriters to computers, checks to debit cards, dinner together to eating in shifts, and yelling for someone in the house to texting them!

I suppose reflection is our way of coping with the ebbs and flows of life experiences. As I think about changes in my lifetime, the most significant one for me was my transformation from a girl to a woman. Not just outwardly, but inwardly, the part that no can "see". It's been a journey that's tailor made for me and I love the woman I am today! I pause when I think about all the people God has used to bring about that transformation. The cool thing is God isn't finsished with me yet. Change? Nah, it ain't so bad :) Technological advances? Well that's another story!