Someone told me that during the rough times is when your true character comes out. I have a different take on that. Experiencing my own “Valley moment’ as Iyanla Vanzant would dub it; I have found that the rough times have shown me the exact areas where I need to focus on in prayer. I honestly believe that before I can be the divine being the Creator has intended me to be, I have to deal with the ugly or else the ugly will deal with me. If you are reading this, that means that either you can relate to this or you are trying to find yet another reason to hate on me.

Quick sidebar: I know that when everyone loves me, I’m not doing a damn thing with my life. It is only when I am really doin’ me that I get hated on. So, if you are experiencing a little “hateration,” rejoice! You are setting it out, lovely…keep up the good work!!!

In my state of ugly, I have seen every single one of my insecurities. They have come to visit me like ugly, unwanted company…that is asking to borrow something I treasure most. Luckily, I have been blessed with some amazing people who too, have allowed me to experience their lives as they deal with their own ugliness. Family members, my Beloved, my Sista-girls…we have all been there for each other during our times of ugly. I think this has been most important at this point in my life, because it helps me be humble about the times of beauty I experience. I have a tendency to forget just how blessed I really am and I need a nice (or not so nice) reminder of my reality. During this time I have thought quite a bit about the story of Job in the Bible…now that Brotha really went through it. Even after losing it all and being afflicted in his body, the only thing he held onto was his faith.

However, just because he held onto God’s “unchanging hand,” that doesn’t imply that he was the most pleasant person to be around. He did let his humanness show while others surrounded him with their assessment of what should be done. He did what he knew, knew it was the right thing, but there was something that needed to be brought out of him in order for him to truly appreciate not only what he had, but what he was to be granted next.

Long story longer, he received far greater than he began his journey with. He was even blessed with three extremely beautiful daughters, one of which was named Keziah.

So, to honor father Job, I am thankful for the dark days I have had and the ones that are to come. Joy comes in the morning and it is officially 6:00am in my life!

Blessings.