I am too old to become disillusioned with life, but I think I have, or at least with some parts of life.

I like it that I have a song in my spirit almost every morning. I have songs in my spirit so often that at one point, whatever song I woke up with on my mind; I would jot it down on the calendar. It’s was amazing to see how often the song of the day would minister to whatever was happening in my life at the time. 99.9% of the time, they were/are gospel songs with a message or something uplifting to my spirit. Yesterday, the only song that played and played in my head all day is “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. Then today on my way to work I had on the Steve Harvey show and they were playing an old, old school song, “It’s All About Love”. Not another love song coming at me! This is not what I intended to write today but I knew I had to write about this and ask you; is it all about love, what’s love got to do with it and does love really conquer all?

I have always told my girlfriend, there are just some things love will not let you do and there are some lines love will not let you cross. Here is my take on that, seeing that I have been a recipient of having the unacceptable and unspeakable done to me and I have been on the other side of that line when it was crossed; either the person/s doesn’t love me or love really has nothing to do with our actions.  And I am not perfect.  I have done my share of unlovable things, I’m just saying…

I grew up in church and know what the word says about love but there are times when life seems to contradict itself and the word doesn’t seem to properly fit situations. I always wait on God’s revelation because I know He is going to either lay it all out for my understanding or give me a nod to let me know, He’s got this one and there is no need for me to know why or what He is doing. Gosh, it’s all too much at times!

So here is my question today: once your boss, or your child, or your significant other, or your best friend, or your neighbor does something that cannot be triggered by love and the pains hurts you at the base of the lowest point of your soul, is there any coming back from that and could they have possibly loved you to do such a thing? You tell me because I don’t know! And one more thing, when you know they are doing it just to hurt you/for revenge, and they know you are a Christian and them saying I’m sorry is what they do best, is there a Christian/human alive that can just say thank you, I accept your apology and move on???

I really want your input on this one. If you love me, holla back.

Today my father turns 75 years old and my son turns 25! What a joy it is having them share their special day! Join me in saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and many more!!!

Here are the facts:
• The review was due in October but wasn’t given until March
• Many requests were made by the employee to have it done (of course, it affects your pay!)
• The supervisor was in the employee’s presence on numerous occasions, thus had ample opportunity to do it at work, in the office, but always had an excuse

In today’s technology driven world, is receiving an annual performance review over the phone acceptable? Does looking directly in someone’s eyes give a clearer picture of what they are really saying and what they really mean? Is conducting an annual review by phone vs. an in person review a sign of laziness on the supervisor’s part? Does doing it this way show a lack of concern for the employee by the supervisor?

Give your thoughts on this matter and let my sister know if you think her feelings are warranted or if she should look at this as a stride in technology and expect more of the same in the future.

Holla back!

Who knew Tweety Bird turned 60 years old last week? Happy birthday!  Hang in there!

So my niece and a car full of teenagers went to a gas station in VA. My niece, who has a chocolate brown complexion, is a size zero, is very articulate and cute as a button, and most of the friends in the car, went inside the gas station. While being closely watched, they walked around and talked about their plans for the evening. My niece broke from the group and went and asked the male attendant if they had a bathroom. Without speaking he shook his head no. As my niece browsed around looking at potato chips and snacks, one of her friends that was in the car and also a part of their group (unbeknownst to the attendant), came inside. Her friend asked the same attendant the same question: do you have a bathroom? However, this time he immediately said yes and directed her to it! As you can probably guess by the title of this post, there was a difference.  My niece and the group she came in with were black and the friend that came in later was white! Proud as I can be of her, my niece immediately spoke up and said, hey, when I asked you, you told me that you didn’t have a bathroom! He ignored her but then stared at her when her white friend came out of the bathroom and began talking to her! OMIGOODNESS!  The bible talks about God winking at ignorance. My eye would be sore from winking repeatedly at that attendant!

Pinch me and wake me up! Aren’t we in the year 2009? Didn’t we just witness the most remarkable occasion, of the highest ranking official position in the United States of America, being voted on by we the people and consequently filled with an African American/black man? Are we still not at the place where little black boys and black girls are able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers? Haven’t we yet been able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood? Are we still not able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we are free this day? Aren’t we, all of God’s children – black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics –able to join hands and sing the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last”? I guess not…

Remember the outdoor game we played as children called “Mother May I”? You got to take some baby steps, normal steps and occasionally you got to take some giant steps! Do you remember? As long as we were taking steps, even if baby steps, we were still moving forward! But the sadness came when we had to take the backwards step and loose momentum on our opponent. We are losing momentum! As pretty as some things might look on the outside of this world, inside many homes and inside many hearts racial hatred is the drug of choice and is embedded deep down in the crevices and stuck to the walls of their being. Just like toxic waste is packed in our body and leaves us feeling tired, bloated and weighed down with pounds of waste and toxins and sitting there for years; the same is true with the deadly toxins associated with racial hatred. And as far as I can tell, the only antioxidants for racial hatred are acceptance and love! That is a whole other post…

Needless to say, the next time my niece goes into a gas station in Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Utah, California, Oklahoma or 123 Anywhere Blvd, in Everywhere, USA; I want her to be given the same privileges, respect, response, reverence, and kindness the cute little white girl in front of her, in back of her or beside her is given. This is just a travesty! As my brother would say, I’m through. Pray my strength in the Lord!

Holla back…

My good friend Leah Lee had an experience that she thought might be a good topic for discussion here at kleverkathy.com. In her words, here’s what happened.

Monday I was running errands around Indy (Indianapolis, IN) and I had a “Big Mac attack.” I get in the drive thru line and in between the ordering monitor and the first window to pay; a man walks up to my car window and asks for money. He says he hasn’t eaten in 3 days. He’s dirty. He’s shaking. He asks for $3. Right away, I do not believe any of this. Plainly, I’m thinking, this man needs some drugs. So, I told him to meet me inside and I’d buy him something to eat. Meanwhile, I pay for my food and ask the cashier to add a $10 gift card to my order. I park to go inside and another man asks me for $.50! By now I’m wondering what’s going on? What can you buy for $.50?? It’s $.75 to ride the bus and the same for a newspaper!! Someone else gave him the change and I gave the first guy the gift card. He didn’t seem very thankful for it either!

My brother told me I shouldn’t have given anything. Truth is, I have a hard time passing up anyone who says they’re hungry. If it were my son out begging in need, I would want someone to respond. And besides, I want all my blessings. I don’t know when nor how that act of kindness might be returned to me someday!!  Anyway, beware of Mickey D’s at lunch time. Take extra money or keep your windows up!!

P.S. – I forgot one “shining” detail of my story at McDonald’s….the guy’s nose was running too!!!!! No kiddin’! lol.

So here’s the question. In today’s economy, are the numbers of the homeless and hungry increasing? How does one trip to McDonald’s warrant two requests for money from hungry people? I’m reminded of a song Yolanda Adams sings that says: “Save the world, feed the hungry people”. Is that task up to us as individuals or is it up to our government or both? Didn’t President Obama put money in the stimulus package for homelessness? Does anybody know how that will work? If you know the answer to that question, please let us know and tell us:  how have you reacted when a homeless/hungry person asks you for money?  Did you give it to them?  Did you ignore them?  Did you think of them as less than or lower class?  Did you stay focused on the fact that we are all God’s children and but for the grace of God there go I?  Do you know anyone, up close and personal, that is or has been homeless and hungry? Holla back!

Just last evening my husband and I returned from Biloxi, MS. We were there to celebrate my brother retiring from the Air Force. Even after arriving in Biloxi, MS early Friday morning; I nor my husband, my sister, my cousin, her husband and my other young cousin, realized the ceremony we were about to witness, was just for Master Sergeant Sawyer. We thought it was an event similar to a graduating ceremony where many would be honored. Imagine our surprise and unsurpassed pride when we realized 600 airmen, the Air Force band and a host of other officials were all there just for my brother!

Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer retired with 20 years of service to the United States Air Force. Master Sergeant Sawyer began his illustrious career serving at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, AL and continued on to Luke AFB in Phoenix, AR; Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV; Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC and ending at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS.

Never attending a military retirement ceremony, I really didn’t know what to expect. It was beautiful! I had to send him a text to ask how many awards he received. Even he lost count. I assure you, it was many! The professionalism and militant fashion combined with the obvious love, respect and admiration by colleague after colleague was phenomenal! The rituals that go along with these types of formal celebrations were impressive. And the icing on the cake was hearing Master Sergeant Sawyer giving his departing speech filled with thanksgiving to those who held him up along the way, appreciation for those he worked with side by side his last years at Keesler and finally, guidance and encouragement for the young airmen he was leaving behind. There were several times I became emotional myself. I don’t know how he made it through it without a complete breakdown, but he made it! He made it through the speech and he made it through 20 years of selfless service for our United States of America!

With his wife by his side, new baby in his arms, a few college degrees and a lot of experience under his belt, Master Sergeant Sawyer will shed the military titles and move to the next phase of life as just Thomas. It’s been a journey, the kind only Uncle Sam can take you on… but now it’s over!

Help me in saying congratulations to the newly retired Master Sergeant Thomas E. Sawyer! We love you and we are so very proud of you! God bless you on your new journey! We know part two will be just as successful as part one! Enjoy!  Holla back!

Is there anything that could make you kick your child out of the house?  If your child isn’t being arrested or addicted to drugs or beating anyone up or participating in anything that physically harms you or any family member living in the home, is there anything that would warrant kicking out your child when they reach age 18 years old even if they haven’t graduated from high school?  Is the metamorphose your teenager goes through – that seems to have totally changed their mind into a foreign object physically resembling the person you birthed and nurtured and enabled – really a transformation or just an older, stronger, more outspoken version of the child you brought home from the hospital feeling proud as a peacock? At what point and to what extent should they be allowed to be themselves vs. existing within the confines of your rules while still in your house? Do you let them express themselves in every aspect of life or is asking them to be who you want them to be stifling their growth and their personality? WHAT could make you invoke tough love and say, you are no longer welcome here and your time is up? Help all the parents living with a teenager about to erupt into adulthood! Holla back!

This is the first of our Christianity 101 series.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.  Psalm 101:7 (King James Version)

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.  Psalm 101:7 (New Living Translation)
 
… and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…  Revelation 21:8 (King James Version)

Recently I was asked the question, what would make me tell a lie? I was a bit taken aback, I mean, being a Christian, is there any reasonable answer for that question other than: nothing? More than once I have been considered prudish because I view lying as detrimental to a Christian’s walk with God. I am not saying I am perfect nor am I saying I have never lied, but I do work very hard at telling the truth! Lying is still considered wrong, isn’t it?

The other day somebody told me that they fear God when it came to adultery and fornication but He understands lying! Kid you not!!! Why does lying come so easy to Christians? Let me ask you. Is it wrong to be at work and a caller to be told I am in a meeting just because I don’t want to talk? Is it wrong for a bill collector to be told I am not home because I don’t want to deal with them? Is it wrong for me to tell someone I haven’t seen in years that they look 10 years younger than they are; when in reality they look like the last rose of summer just to make them feel good? Does it not matter what the scripture/s (there are many) says about lying? Is it one of those things we see in the bible and ignore because certainly God could not have meant for us to tell the truth when lying comes so easy?

Here’s the thing, most of the time for me, when I have a personal relationship or daily contact with a person who lies, I get to the place where one of two things happen, #1. I can tell when they are lying and it makes me mad that they do it so often, FOR NO REASON or #2. I don’t know when to believe them because they do lie so often, therefore I have no trust in anything they say and that becomes a hard relationship to maintain. Once any relationship becomes contaminated with lies, for me, it is not really a relationship. And if they are a liar, I have found, no one is exempt from their dishonesty.

Apparently for many, heaven is not predicated on truth and honesty. A dear sweet woman I have known my entire life, that recently passed, would declare: if you’ll lie, you’ll steal and if you’ll steal, you’ll lie! Why are so many Christians liars and thieves!

One more thing, is deceit the same as a lie? I grew up witnessing, and in essence being taught, the art of deceiving. It was literally part of the course on “How To Be a Christian and Lie Without Actually Lying”. Is letting a person walk away believing something different than what is actually the truth deceit or a lie or both?

Can you tell I am troubled today? The magnitude of lying that goes on around me on a daily basis is monumental! What can I say? Isn’t telling the truth Christianity 101???

Holla back and tell me your TRUE feelings on this subject! Please don’t lie to me…

Happy Marvelous Monday to you! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

How was your weekend? I don’t have anything deep to discuss today, or not right now at least. Tomorrow we can talk about Obama reversing Bush’s stem cell research bill or the fact that a tornado touched down in Indiana where many of my loved ones are or the fact that Circuit City is about to lay off 34,000 people (in case you think I made a mistake let me spell it out, thirty four thousand!).  Nah, let’s not talk about any of those things this morning. I’m still sleepy. Why you may ask?  COULD IT BE THIS TIME CHANGE!

Forgive me for getting so bent out of shape but check this out. Last week I was wearing sunglasses to work! The babies (well, teenagers) that were standing on the corner waiting on the school bus looked safe. I could see all the soldiers running in the street beside my car doing their morning PT as I drove by. All was good! Today, I kid you not; it was pitch black! There was no way I could wear my sunglasses, the babies didn’t seem safe out there waiting on the school bus and I got right upon a running soldier before I could see him! I fretted about that one. He happened to be on the other side of the street but what if he had been on my side?

Here’s the thing, I’m not a farmer and I don’t rely on daylight to help me make a living.  For them, I’m glad they have that hour.  All that extra hour of daylight is going to do for me is keep me outside with my flowers until 10:00 pm instead of 9:00 pm and cut down on my “good for my health” sleep time! Ocassionally, I am sleepy by eight o’clock at night. And when I am, I go to sleep. Now I will be going to sleep when it is still light outside?!

Before long it will be daylight at 5:30 am and stay light until 9:30 pm. I don’t know about you but once it is light outside, I am awake. So I’m going to have to learn to sleep within the parameters of those dark eight hours and live life the other sixteen!

Holla back and tell me how you did with the time change and if you are little sleepy today! Still…it is a Marvelous Monday!