Erykah Badu Erykah Badu Sermon Sermon

( This is pretty deep( This is pretty deep :):)

Sit Back And Sit Back And Enjoy!Enjoy!

The AME church Women's Missionary Society had a Sister's Summit in February at Bethel AME, in San

Diego. The Speaker was Pastor Joann Browning from Ebenezer AME in Fort Washington, Maryland. When she stepped to the podium to speak, she told the

women of the need to let go of their baggage. (i.e., grown children still in the home, abusive husbands,

etc.)

Her speech referenced Erykah Badu's song Her speech referenced Erykah Badu's song "Bag Lady", and then she played the song in "Bag Lady", and then she played the song in

its entirety and was groovin' to it. (900 its entirety and was groovin' to it. (900 women in attendance) said the place was "On women in attendance) said the place was "On

Fire!!!!".Fire!!!!".

Reverend Joann then preached her sermon from the song. 

Here's the gist of the sermon....

By now, we've all heard Erykah Badu's "Bag  Lady". This

song is a prime example of the healing powers of music,

lessons in lyrics, and a message in the music. It serves as a

wake-up call to women everywhere. And none of us are

exempt. From the very first verse to  fade out, the words

resonate.

"Bag Lady, you gon' hurt your back, draggin' all them Bags like

that...."

Holding on to pain, hurt, anger, and disappointment

manifests itself in our bodies. The end result runs

the gamut from chronic illnesses to life threatening diseases. Sooner or later, our baggage causes our

bodies to give out.

Sermon

"Bag Lady, you gon' miss your bus. You can't hurry up "cause you've got too much stuff..."

When we spend our time focusing on negative people and negative

experiences, we end up missing opportunities and blocking our blessings. We can't see the future because we're too

busy living in the past. Meanwhile our perpetrators go on living their lives; oblivious to the hurt they've caused.

Sermon

So why are we really hurting? "When they see you comin', {they

just} Take off runnin...."

How many relationships have come together on crutches? Most women know they have no business getting involved when there are unresolved

issues within. Still, due to fear of being alone, or of 'missing out' on a

good man, we cover our wounds with tight hairdos, beautiful clothes,

and a fake smile. For going ahead into an alliance with someone who has no idea we're still hurting over

what that so-and-so did to us in 1995, or over the father that never

came home.

Sermon

As time passes, the wounds get harder and harder to hide. When they're finally exposed,

he's history! In the grand scheme of things, the only thing that is stopping us....

is...US! True, we have no control over what others do or say to us,

but we can control our reactions. And as for the

baggage, it's nothing to be ashamed of. We all have

issues. The shame is not in having baggage, it's KEEPING

it.

So to all my Bag Ladies, search yourself. Be honest. Ask yourself

what's in your bag, then do whatever you gotta do.

PRAY!PRAY!

CRY!

SCREAM!

GO TO CHURCH!

GO TO THERAPY!

Do whatever it takes!

Just let it go! Let It go! Let it go! Stay strong.... Rock on! I am

your Salvation; trust in Me and do not be afraid. I am your

Strength and your Song. [Isaiah 12:2]

If we recognize that GOD is in all of us, then we can start to

treat ourselves and our brothers and sisters with

respect.

We are quick to spot the devil in us, why not the DIVINE?

PASS ON IF YOU WANT TO!

I JUST FOUND THIS INTERESTING!