April 1st began a series that will allow me to be transparent about the people that have influenced my personal and professional growth. When I look at where I have achieved success, I can honestly say that I never did it alone. There was always someone there that believed in me, motivated me, encouraged me, or pushed me to continue. This series is dedicated to those people!

“If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them. People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.” ― Kanye West

DAY 15: PASTOR & FIRST LADY ANDERSON

Here I go with another one of those transparent posts, but it’s okay I’m getting used to this! My parents raised my brother and I in church when we were younger, but when I was in high school we didn’t go as often. While in college, I started attending church regularly again, but all I did was attend. I had never taken the time to get to know the pastor or other church leadership. One Sunday, the church recognized the graduating seniors and asked them to stand. I stood up, but I had to introduce myself because the pastor knew my face but not my name. He was able to address the other seniors in the congregation by name, but not me. In this situation, I realized the only one to blame was myself.  It was an extremely  weird feeling that I didn’t want to happen again.

In each city and state that I lived since graduation from college seemed to start a new cycle of attending church but being an invisible member. Some of this was due to the fact that I was attending mega churches with thousands upon thousands of members.  While I felt like I was growing spiritually, I was just a number and I did not like it.  When I moved to Virginia, I was determined to break this cycle. I became active in ministry with the first church that I joined, but due to the size of the church the pastor and first lady “seemed” off limits. Of the many things I had written in my personal journal, one of the things written was that I wanted a relationship with the church’s leadership, but once again I found myself struggling in this area.

In 2011, I shared my frustrations of needing a church home with one of my friends and she invited me to come visit her church.  I attended a few times and before long I decided that this was the place where I belonged.  How did I know?  Well after attending a few of the Bible Study classes, Pastor Aaron asked what my name was when addressing me.  I told him and thought nothing of it.  A few visits later, he still called me by name.  Now, it may not seem like much but this is the environment that I had longed for.  I wanted to join a church family that actively sought to get to know the people that were attending.

Since joining New Vision Kingdom of God Ministries, I have grown so much spiritually and personally.  I finally have a family away from my own family that holds me accountable, checks on me and encourages me.  I love knowing so many people by name and personally.  I love that we want to see each other succeed and that we rally behind anyone that is going through tough times in life. I love that if I need someone to talk to that there is someone there to listen to me or pray with me.  I love that my First Lady encourages me be more transparent and share what I am doing because they want to support me!  I love that there are people from my church that have been actively following Watermarks on my Soul!

Day 15 of Watermarks on my Soul is dedicated to Pastor Aaron and Shaunta’ (and the rest of my church family) because they truly care about us and want to have relationships with the people that belong to their church.  I no longer have to wonder how will I get to know my pastor because they know me, they’ve been to my house, they’ve prayed with me, and they are always encouraging me and everyone else!  Thank you Pastor Aaron and Shaunta’ for all that you have done and all that you continue to do!

• Watermarks on my Soul : The Why
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 1 – My Parents
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 2- Rae Images
• Watermarks on my Soul : Day 3- Quad and Keisha Smith
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 4- Laura Huntley Photography
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 5- Mark Baskin
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 6- Andre Dalton
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 7- Leroy Walker, Jr.
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 8-  The Champions
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 9- The Woolfolks
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 10- Abby Grace
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 11- Lacoya Heggie
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 12- The Gaines Family
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 13- Randi Blakeney
• Watermarks on my Soul: Day 14- Monica, Farrah, Kara and Christie