I really don't think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don't mind the failure but I can't imagine that I'd forgive myself if I didn't try."
-Nikki Giovanni , Poet, Author, Extraordinary Human Being, Lecturer, Activist
http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/nikki_giovanni/quotes
The best part of my day, everyday is climbing the stairs to the entrance of our home, turning the doorknob and pushing the door open. Zakiya, Zeruiah and Zeneta all shout "Nana"! They come running from wherever they are, and throw themselves at me. It does not matter what I may be carrying, it does not matter what mood I am in, It does not matter what physical state I am in, they fling themselves at me and hold on to me giggling. They usually ask to carry my purse or briefcase, (the baby dragging a plastic bag of my shoes behind her) as they accompany me to my bedroom. "Let me take your coat, Nana". "Sit down, Nana, I can pull your boots off". "Here, Nana, here is your bottle of water" "Nana, let me give you a kiss"..... These little darlings and I are excited to see each other.
Coming home brings me to them. I open a door and walk into love. And they bring me comfort. They attend to me with joy. And all I did was come home. Come home...Come. Jesus bids us "Come" many times in the New Testament. He says come and He will make us fishers of men, He says let the children come for of such is the Kingdom of God, He said if any man thirst, come.
Finally for all of us that labour and are heavy laden, Jesus says to come, and he will give us rest.
My friend Larniece shared this:
C - Christ
O - Offers
M - Me
E - Everything
I pray that at the end of your day you will come home to HIM for I am sure you will find an excited love, that carries your burdens, comforts and refreshes.
Peace and Love,
Renita Shadwick
Writer, Renita F. Shadwick, is Community Builder @ United Way of Buffalo, New York. Thisveteran actress of Paul Robeson Theatre is also an anointed licensed Children's Pastor of Elim Christian Church of Buffalo, NY. She is currently working on series of children’s books-teaching children how to walk out the word of God in sneakers. She is married to her soul mate of 25 years, Jerome Shadwick, Sr. and is the proud mother of four sons, three grandsons and four grand daughters which are the inspiration of these writings.
You are invited to leave comments about Baby Love Notes-have a great day!!!
PAPA
by Renita F. Shadwick
...You have set your gloryabove the heavens.2 From the lips of children and infantsyou have ordained praise [fn2]because of your enemies,to silence the foe and the avenger.
Psalm 8:1, 2
"Papa" By the time Zakiya was 9 months old, she had a full fledged love affair going on with her paternal grandfather. She would say "Papa" over and over and over. Zakiya would climb up onto his lap and holding his bearded face in her pudgy little hands, she would stroke his whiskers until they both broke out in peals of laughter.When he would repose in his big chair, she would squeeze herself behind him and simply rub his head, sometimes to his distraction. She could often be found on the floor, either between his legs, where she would try to walk, holding on to each limb like a railing, or sitting at his feet, rubbing his toes, or sitting on his feat, resting herself against his legs. She would pat his back. She would rub his chest. She would plant big wet baby kisses all over his face and hands. She would follow him everywhere in the house, reaching up to gain purchase of hand or shirt tail or trouser leg. She would bust into our bedroom in the morning with a big snaggle tooth grin and climb onto Papa.
In the evening, her parents would usually find her curled up in Papa's arms, and from his arms they would put her to bed. With great amusement I watched this baby behave like this with my husband.
Jerome's heart would swell with joy everytime that little tyke came his way. He said "I'll never be able to deny her anything, she loves me so sweetly."
A few days after Jerome made this statement, Zakiya taught me about loving without condition. My daughter-in-law was sitting on the couch in our living room holding an almost asleep Zakiya, who was noisily sucking on a her bottle. The front door of our home announced Jerome's return from work. Zakiya sat up. As his footsteps introduced his entry into the hallway, Zakiya squealed "Papa", and dropping her bottle, squirmed out of her mother's arms and went straightway to meet him. As he entered the room, Zakiya flung herself at his legs.
"Hold on now baby", Jerome said, "Let Papa sit his case down"."Papa!""Can I take off my shoes, little girl?""Papa!""Just let me go to the bathroom, my baby.""Papa!"
Zakiya would not stop calling him or following him until he stopped and gave all of his attention to her. Just her. Him and her. In that moment, love would abound.I pray that you develop such a desire for God, for the things of God, for the smell of God, for the Word of God, for the person of God, for the presence of God, that you would move with all abandon to get to Him.I pray that when you have your meeting with God, that you would fill the time just loving Him. Holding His beard, kissing His face, sitting at His feet.
I pray that just like Zakiya, you would chase him, calling on that Great Name, making your desire for him so personal, so intimate, so desperate, regardless of who may be holding you, regardless of what you may be consuming, in spite of what ever level of comfort you may have,I pray that you would chase Him hard. Until He would turn to you - in the middle of holding this world together, turn to you - as he processes the prayers of the Saints, turn to you, set aside time for you, catch you up in His arms, just you.
You and Him.... Papa!
LOVE SCRIPTURE:
Writer, Renita F. Shadwick, is Community Builder @ United Way of Buffalo, New York. Thisveteran actress of Paul Robeson Theatre is also an anointed licensed Children's Pastor of Elim Christian Church of Buffalo, NY. She is currently working on series of children’s books-teaching children how to walk out the word of God in sneakers. She is married to her soul mate of 25 years, Jerome Shadwick, Sr. and is the proud mother of four sons, three grandsons and four grand daughters which are the inspiration of these writings.
You are invited to leave comments about Baby Love Notes-have a great day!!!
All rights reserved. No part of these writings may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written consent of the Publisher.
You are invited to leave comments about Baby Love Notes-have a great day!!!
All rights reserved. No part of these writings may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written consent of the Publisher.
John 14:21
Ephesians 2:4-6
I John 4:12
Matthew 5:44-45
Colossians 3:12-14
I Colossians 13:4-8
Romans 8:38-39
I John 4:7
John 14:23
I John 4:18
Jeremiah 31:3
Psalm 146:8-9
Do you agree that the best lessons of love that we give to each other are memorable/soothing thoughts that can’t escape us? And the kind expressions and let us not forget the very acts of love-demonstrations of love which carry us, comfort us and warm our hearts. During these lean days we as believers must grab hold of loving scriptures like Charley Brown’s Linus held on to his security blanket.
I remember visiting the Executive Director’s office of a huge human services organization on many occasions, I can’t tell you much about the many meetings to discuss client concerns, but what I most enjoyed about stepping into Mr. Johnson’s office was the art work he had acquired from a country in Africa. No, this art work wasn’t your typical palate of color and movement; it simply had a bird on a limb and with the words inscribed: Love Is an Action Word! Of all the pieces that hung throughout his office, the bird piece always seemed to grab me! I concur today, talk and sing all you wish about love, but if love seldom comes to take a seat in our lives-it’s a very bleak existence.
That brings me to this news.
My dear sister and friend Renita Shadwick is quite poignant in sharing how her loving granddaughters demonstrate God’s love for us. Renita and her family have done a remarkable job instilling the love of Jesus in those babies. I receive wonderfully written exposes’ about Zakiya and her siblings and have received Renita’s permission to share them with you. I wish to feature and entitle on my blog: The Blessedness of Believing several uplifting and inspiring family stories written by Renita as Baby Love Stories! I pray she’ll soon publish her writings which always, always hit me smack dab in my heart and causes me to never forget how special God’s love is towards us.
Hibiscus II Photography by Taylor Meadows 2008
Often the week preceding a book signing I have mixed emotions, I am nervous, excited and really thrilled! I intentionally begin to redirect that energy and begin to block those feelings with thoughts of more immediate tasks with of course,a long to-do-list. Really, I don't mind that I am s then often too preoccupied with work and home obligations to think about another opportunity too live out my heart' s desire. But it does happen! Oh friends, Saturday does come and then as the afternoon approaches joy and nervousness are dualing head-on. The best medicine I know is prayer, prayer for guidance, and prayer that this moment is just how God would have it. And prayer that I'll meet some folks that will benefit from my journey and be blessed by what God has created me for!
One of my favorite songs is: “You’ve Got A Friend (originally by Carole King with Roberta Flack ) This song came rushing to my mind as I ...
