Exodus 34:7
Keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.

I have learned an important aspect of living a more fruitful life ¬- that one needs to periodically revisit oneself. One must journey to the deepest part of their being and do some spring cleaning, that ‘grandmamma’ type of cleaning—‘beat them rugs, do some scrubbing and take them curtains and pillows out into the sunshine and fresh air to be refreshed and renewed.’ By this, I mean that appreciating one’s virtues, acknowledging one’s faults and accepting no less from oneself than striving to become the best that “you” can be, comes in different forms at different stages in life. The lyrics to Joe Darian’s “Impossible Dream” sum my sentiments



“And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star”.


I think a vital characteristic of living a more fruitful life is that somewhere along the path of life, we discover a way to guard and protect our innocence of childhood which allows us to believe in and to expect the best of each person we meet. That in our life-long journey we have discovered the blessings of” the boomerang effect” and received wisdom from the Holy Scriptures of the prosperity that God promises. We have discovered that it is only given to those who first believe in God; secondly believe in oneself; and then believe in others. That true prosperity is attained when we learned to cherish hope, love and sharing.

Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

I have learned another important phase of living a more fruitful life. I have also learned that inspiration is an infinite power. It is the stimulation of the spirit brought forth when one comes to the realization that the things that cause chaos in our lives, but by God and His plan do not define us. At this time, I was displaced and feeling of no value. I had already lived abroad and done many things; I had fallen into wanting only to sit and reminisce of what once was. I had hidden my spirit away in a dark and musty cellar; we all have a seed planted deep inside of us—a gift; and that seed can only be cultivated and bloom when we share that gift with others. In the scriptures, we read that God finds favor in those who become conscious and show mercies to those who have no relationship to us. We receive His approval in reaching out to any person who is in need. I am gratified that God sent such people of this character to surround me. Returning to college was an uphill struggle. Along that climb, I was pushed, pulled and cheered on by family, friends and strangers. Some of the strangers have now become friends. Encouragement was as imperative as my health; when it was obvious I was truly disheartened, it ranged from a word of support to life-saving gestures. I had people, full of God’s love and spirit embedded in their hearts and characters. They were instrumental in helping me to refine my skills and facilitated in the re-discovery of my God-given gifts and awoke my dormant spirit. I have come to coin people of such moral fiber as “Cheerleaders for the World”.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

We have the choice to live in generational blessings or generational curses. Let us not underestimate our value to God and let us not underestimate the value of others to God and to their assignment in our lives. On our journey to fulfill our God appointed assignments, God places people to assist in our needs, so that our mission is accomplished. I am a living testimony of my last statement. You see like so many others although I was raised in the church,” The Church” had not yet been raised in me. I still attended and participated in functions in the church where ever I was, but still wasn’t attending to God’s business. But praises to God Almighty, at an elder male cousin’s funeral ‘Cousin Amos’ who had served as a positive father role- model, a generational blessing throughout my life, I connected with one of my younger cousin, Zarion. She was now grown, a wife and mother, preaching the gospel and walking with a glow only a powerful woman of God possesses. This time when I saw her, our bond was reformed. Years before I had been her generational blessing in the construction of her professional life. Now here’s where the Holy Ghost “boomerang effect of generational blessings” came into mandate ! At this same funeral was another much, much older male cousin, who had been a negative role-model, a generational curse to me. In that instant, the Holy Ghost brought to my remembrance his trespass against me and my soul forgave him. Because of that forgiveness, the Holy Ghost brought to my remembrance, at the same moment, the bond and blessing I had experience almost three decades before, while Zarion was still in her mother’s womb. She became my generational blessing in the construction of my spiritual-sanctified life. The generational blessings of a praying family ; praising mothers, pleading grandmothers, bible- living great -grandmothers and generational fathers walking a godly path,uncovered our Jacob’s well.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

Let us remember to never underestimate our value to God. Let us remember not to ever underestimate the value of others to God and to their assignment in our lives. On our journey to fulfill our God appointed assignments. God places people to facilitate in our needs, so that His plan, our mission is accomplished. The little five year old girl, seen only as a performer, who used to love to preach on her grandfather’s back porch was in effect a chosen vessel. Here I am, sisters and brothers, just like you, humbled before our God, walking with humility amoung mankind, grateful to tell everyone who will hear about God and His Grace. Remember to Give God the Glory!
Amen – Sister Sandra Dukes

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