And the Dove Award goes to....

And the DOVE Award goes to...

...I sincerely hope - Kevin LeVar for his truly powerful song, "A Heart That Forgives". I have to admit, although I love Jesus, I still have my struggles. And many know that during the fall of 2009, I was being tested and tried to the fullest.

I had so many encounters with negativity: attacks by evil people being used by Satan, people close to me let me down or hurt me, thieves, and the list goes on and on. I didn't say much, but you could feel the pain in many of my status posts. So, one day as I was driving and listening to the radio, Kevin's song came on. I affected me to the CORE OF MY SOUL.

I will be honest, the first time I heard it, I struggled to let the words sink in. I tried to keep driving the car and let the song become elevator music in the background. I wanted to ignore it. I tried to build a wall so that I didn't have to deal with the message.

"He is not singing about my life. He doesn't know my situation. He has no idea what folk are putting me through... I mean, I am dealing with some diabolical folk!!! Why should I be the one to forgive??" I listened all of the way through and felt a tear trying to fall but I shook it off.

Have you ever heard a message that you KNOW was for you, but you fought it?? It is almost like you can feel a tightness in your chest as you harden your heart. It was a clear indication that I was wrong, but I wasn't ready to face it. I still wanted to do like Jill Scott and "take my earrings off" and call Pookie n 'em from Cleveland. Oh Yes! That is where I was in the midst of releasing a new CD.

ummm hmmm... keeping it real today.

My trials continued. Disappointments abounded, and evil continued to rear it's ugly head. But the next time I heard the song, I softened my heart. And this time, I CRIED UNCONTROLLABLY... just bawling and crying to the Lord. Help me to forgive over and over... seventy times seven... Yes... HELP ME, because I can't do it... but I don't like being angry and ready to beat somebody down every day.

In my situation, I had already gone to the people regarding the offense to no avail. So for me, Kevin's song helped in the following way: I choose to forgive and move on.

To move higher.

This means, no matter what happens, I choose to keep moving. No matter how many attacks, challenges or hurts come my way, I will take the high road. The narrow road. I won't drop my cross anymore. I will pick it up and follow Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14)

Since this time, so many challenges remain, yet so many doors have begun to swing open! I can't talk about it yet, but stay tuned. I have really tried to focus on giving back, and just to speak a positive word of encouragement to my friends, and my fans. It has not been easy, but I can tell the difference in how my reaction affects my blessings.

And every time I have to bite my tongue, I feel the prayers of those in my life who are warring in the spirit on my behalf, and praying that I will remain focused on God's purpose for my life: to be salt and light in this dark world. Sure, I wish I could have skipped this chapter as I feel like I am back in high school. I mean, haven't I been through enough in my xx years?? But nope, God still is refining me and this is part of the work.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

If you are going through something right now, I encourage you to listen to Kevin LeVar's song "A Heart that Forgives". Click on the link below to hear the version that blessed me.

Kevin - you ARE the DOVE Award winnner - period!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=indCvnD4Ji4