As an impressionable female African American teenager I clocked many hours watching Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey, and Ricki Lake and a host of other talk shows. I loved the drama of it all, especially when the dramatic truth is revealed. I also love the well developed questions that caused the audience to pause and lean in closely to hear the response.
Jerry Springer showed us that family situations are full of complexity and yes, drama. I have realized that no matter whether you pick your own family like in the movie "Blind Side" or whether you are born into it like the movies, "The Big Fat Greek Wedding and Soul Food" family relationships are always full of drama, self sacrifice, and lots of social anxiety and complexities. That's why we love our families and watching action packed movies no matter the genre.
I love the psychology of the self care movement. It teaches us to take care of ourselves first so that we have energy for everyone else. I completely support that. However, the dangers of that is prevalent in our Western Society. We can all recognize that moms have the constant and demanding burden of holding family relationships and the structure of the family together with little to show for it sometimes. That's why I am so happy that Mother's Day is a National holiday. To remind all of us of how hard moms work everyday and even when they are gone we are still reminded of their tremendous sacrifice. Mothers like Mary the mother of Jesus walked with Jesus through his life. She was there at the beginning and she was there at the end. She showed us how to be a loving mother. She's showed us how to allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to dwell in our lives. She showed us the true meaning of humility and grace as well as what it truly means to practice forbearance.
Jerry Springer showed us the ups and downs of womanhood and motherhood. Moms who got treated badly by the ones they love and by the ones who claim to love them. He closed out his show each time by telling us to take care of ourselves and each other. I agree with his closing statement because it remind all of us that we are in this together. No matter what challenges we face, we can overcome them. The Bible tells us that in this life we will have trouble, but we can overcome them. Why? Because Jesus has overcome the world. That is the best news today.
Thank you Jesus, thank you Mary, and thank you Jerry for showing the world a better way to love. Through their good works we can clearly recognize that there is more work for us to do. By using Christian meditation practices we can allow the power of the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives forever more.
May the love and the peace of the Lord dwell within you and bind you and your family in perfect harmony. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
From the desk of Esther Kamoche Robinson 4/29/23. EST 4:40 am.
(wix pic)
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