This past Saturday's message was this:

"Most of us, I believe, admire strength. It's something we tend to respect in others, desire for ourselves, and wish for our children. Sometimes, though, I wonder if we confuse strength with other words -- like aggression and even violence.

Real strength is neither make nor female; but it is, quite simply, one of the finest characteristics that any human being can possess." ~ Fred Rogers

If I know strength, I know it in my mother. She taught me that no matter what...you be strong. You get knocked down and scrape your knees...it's ok. Pull that gravel out of your knee. Brush it off. It's going to hurt; oh yes it will. But eventually it will heal. That knee will never look as it did before you hurt it...or it hurt you...however you choose to see it. As you look at it in its painful beginning you may not see how it's going to heal properly...or at all. But then before you know, it begins to scab...then the scab flakes off...healing...then new flesh comes in...new beginning. 

Eventually that old scar will be a reminder of how far you've come, and how there is always a chance for renewal...when you allow there to be. 

Without always saying things in these specific words, my mother has taught me that YES!...life will knock you down...over and over again. But you have a choice. Will you stay down? Or will you grit your teeth and get your ass up ready to face a new day...Stronger. Wiser?

Falling down is a part of life. Getting up is living.

Thank you, Mom...for all the lessons. I love you.

Yes, I was paying attention.

I choose strength.

Thanks for stopping by...

Keisha