Sheree - What are you bringing to the table

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What Are You Bringing to the Table 2013Sheree

What Are You Bringing to the Table 2013Sheree. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, ortransmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior writtenpermission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher ofthis book.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution ofthis book via the Internet or via any other means without thepermission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do notparticipate or encourage electronic piracy of copyrightedmaterials. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICANSTANDARD BIBLE. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used bypermission. www.Lockman.org

Lord, there is no way I could have writtenanything of substance if you had not chosen to put your words in myear and given me a spirit of obedience to allow those words to flowon paper. I cant imagine where I would be had I not surrendered mywill in exchange for yours. There arent enough words in thedictionary to tell of your goodness and mercy towards me. Day byday, I stand in awe of you.

To the best mother in the whole wide world,you are my inspiration. I could not have been provided with abetter example of what it means to be a woman of God. I will neverforget the sacrifices you made and the unconditional love youbestowed upon us. Every success I have is our success and I loveyou with all my heart. To my father, thank you for listening to me,offering advice (and parables!), as well as making me laugh when Ifelt like crying. Oftentimes, your words reached through thetelephone wires and gave me the strength I needed to put my feet onthe floor.

To my stepparents, brothers, sisters,cousins, uncles, aunts, extended family and in-laws, I dare not tryto list all of your names. Instead, just put your arms around yourshoulders and receive this great, big, giant hug from me.

Joylynn, throughout this process you havebeen more than an editor. You have been a cheerleader. Quiteliterally, there were times in which I felt as if you were standingin the first row of a choir stand, waving a handkerchief andyelling at me to go forth. As writers, seldom do we meet peoplejust as excited about our work as we are. It was indeed my pleasureto have the God in you tugging at the God in me.

To my mentors: Ilinda Reese and YvonnePointer, thank you for opening the door for me to be who I am(flaws and all!). In a whirlwind of uncertainty, God used you toencourage me to bring my dreams into fruition and I thank you fromthe bottom of my heart. Clarence (CJ) Miller, thank you for takingtime out of your busy schedule to give me advice and inspiration. Idont know very many people that would do what youve done for meand it will never be forgotten.

Ailene Rodriguez, you had to listen to mythoughts and struggles on a daily basis. Not once did you complainor tell me to go back to my own office (lol!). I want you to knowyou are appreciated. Andre Weir, I can listen to you talk non-stop.One day Im going to learn to keep a pen and paper handy whenever Iam near you. Rekha Tailor, words can never express the extent of mygratitude for what you have done. Years ago, God showed yousomething in me that was greater than my environment. Yourencouragement and faith in my ability spoke volumes and I am trulygrateful to have you in my life.

To my special team: Talin Arakelian, ShanaGaither, Teresa Mosesley, Cecelia Pritchett, Latisha Watson, andChris Jones; you took on the challenge of being in the corner ofTeam Q. Letting me bounce around my ideas (sometimes all in onebreath!) has not gone unnoticed. While we each endeavor to pursueour dreams, Im looking forward to being in your respective cornersas well.

Hugs and kisses to the Arakelians for givingme a home away from home. A very special thank you to Mr. AlonzaPrice, for being a second father to me. I never would have guessedour loss would bring us together. Nevertheless, I am extremelyprivileged to have your words of wisdom ringing in my ears. A grouphug goes out to: Tanquetta Weatherspoon, Veronica Pope, SabrinaWilliams, Eugene McGrew, Regina McGrew, Jonathan Robertson, HopeWilliams, Mary Williams, and Priscilla Williams. You allowed me tovent and didnt shy away when I needed a wake up call.

To the people that hung in there while I wasunder construction: Sandray Manley, Brandy Shuterra and The Fam,Sister Gwen Andrews, Rayn Newson, Ivoe Nicholson, Ricardo Crosby,Garden of Prayer Church of God in Christ, Pastor Teresa Tyus,Mother Moore and The World Conquerors through Jesus Christ familyfor letting me hide. Leander Nicholson,thank you for believing in me from day one. Your words ofencouragement were never forgotten and I love you dearly.

Monique Goings, you have done a spectacularjob with everything from book covers to announcements. Yourundeniable talent and artistic eye at times seems surreal. To allmy coworkers that gave me enough writing material for at least twomore books, thank you. To my fellow Author, Tracy Darity, JuanitaWilliams and Tamela Gray, of whom allowed me to catch a ride thatnever ended...

This book is a testament to people likeAmanda Harris, Victoria Coleman, Maurica Peoples, as well as mynieces and nephews, that God can do the impossible.

I pray that you begin to break free from yourpast. I pray that the pain will only surface to heal and not harmyou. I pray for deliverance from bad childhood memories, rejection,abuse and abandonment.

In this moment, I pray that you will nolonger be at a standstill. We are living in the present because itis indeed a gift. I pray that you utilize this gift to move forwardand not backward.

I pray for the days ahead. I pray that youreyes be opened to the enemies disguised as friends and the roadblocks disguised as soul mates. From henceforth, may you bestrengthened and encouraged in your faith that God can deliver youout of anything.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Lets face it; at one time or another, we allhave listed what we desire in a mate. Rather in the company ofothers or reflected in a mental catalog of attributes, we havecertainly made our requests known. For some of us, our lists may betoo shallow or unrealistically high. For others, the list maydiminish your true potential while you settle for whatever lookslike stability. In What Are You Bringing to the Table, it ismy endeavor to steer you away from pointing out what someone elseneeds to have when they approach you. On the contrary, the focus ison you. Believe it or not, your flaws may be showing up morethan you think.

This book was written because so many of usspend considerable amounts of time with our list of demands, neverconsidering what we, ourselves, are bringing to the table. How darewe expect our mate to be responsible, physically fit, have a greatsense of humor, and be financially stable if we ourselves areirresponsible, unhealthy, bitter, and wouldnt know stability if itsat on our lap?

What if your ideal mate is around the corner,waiting for you to get it together? What if God will notallow you to meet him until you meet his requested criteria?The areas where you need improvement may appear to be minor in youreyes, however, your mate may have asked God to send him someonethat is near perfect in that particular area.

No relationship would be successful orhealthy if the balance is always asymmetrical. For those of youthat are already in a commitment of some sort, I want you topicture a seesaw on a playground. It was designed to hold at leasttwo people and is only fun if both sides are physicallyparticipating. When the seesaw becomes stationary, the excitementof the activity diminishes. Sound familiar? There is no enjoymentwhile being in a relationship with someone that has left you on theseesaw alone.