Hope & Being Pretty

A lesson from my mama

Hope Matters

You are such a pretty little girl to be acting SO ugly!

~My Mama

Oh, the way these words cut as a little girl! My goodness! The only thing worse my mom could say to me during this time of my life was, “I’m so disappointed in you.” These felt worse than a spanking I tell you.

Now, she would say the “acting so ugly” statement when I would get out of order about one thing or another. Your girl was born with a scowl and side-eye that could deter the masses. And my ferocious glare…ooowee!

Hope Buddies, one thing my mom never failed to tell us was that we were pretty girls. She wanted us to know and feel that before some “pissy-tailed” little boy tried to turn our heads. 😆 (My mom’s honesty…on 1000!) However, she also let us know, “It doesn’t matter how pretty you are, your actions can make you ugly.” So, when she said those words, she might as well have spanked me. One thing, I never wanted to be was “ugly.”

Our parents reared us to be kind, loving, and helpful people no matter our looks. You know, to follow Christ’s example. I still practice honoring my parents’ teachings and strive to be Christ-like in my actions. (Some of y’all still gon’ get this side-eye and scowl sometimes, though. I’ll talk to the Lord about it when I’m done. 😆🤦🏾‍♀️ Just keep praying for me.) Although, my upbringing shows up daily, the other day something happened that reminded of these words my mom often spoke in my early days.

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I was getting my driver’s license renewed. So, I tried to be a little cute for it and wore my bright green dress with gold buttons, made sure I was on Day 2 after freshly washed hair, and put on some mascara. I wanted to make a nice picture, because this has to last me another 4 years, y’all. As I climbed the steps of the building, I received a compliment on my dress and graciously responded.

While waiting on my license to be printed, there happened to be two people who needed some assistance I knew I could provide. Well, I accommodated them simply because I could. After I finished, the nice lady gave me my new license with the pretty picture, and I walked out of the building. On the way out of the building on the exact same steps, I got another compliment from a different person on my dress and, again I responded with gratitude. Immediately following the second compliment, my mother’s teachings came flooding back to me.

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Here’s the thing, Hope Buddies. Of the occurrences within that 30 minutes, what made me feel prettiest was what I did for those two people who, like me, carved time out of their day to get some form of identification. Of all the things I’d put on and done to myself, nothing mattered more in that short time span than having the capability to assist someone else.

There’s a distinct difference in looking pretty and being pretty. You can put on all the clothes, makeup, specially designed undergarments, designer shoes, etc. But if your inside doesn’t match your outside, you’re missing out on something special. There’s no better feeling than being pretty. We were designed for this.

Throughout the Bible, we are instructed to do good to others, live in community, and share our gifts and talents. You know, love one another. If we’re not doing that (especially with strangers), I don’t care how moisturized we are or what we do to our faces and bodies, we’re no good to the Kingdom of God.

Hope Buddies, take great care in how you show up in this world and for other people. It matters more than you could ever know.

Hope in being pretty. ☕️

Coffee Matters

Well, Coffee Buddies, once again I’m in somebody’s hotel drinking whatever coffee’s in my room. Now, how they managed to have two decaffeinated coffees in the room is beyond me, and it was too early to bother with getting replacements. So, I drank it. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Surprisingly, it was pretty good. I have no notes about it, but I will show you a picture of it and a couple of packs of Earl Grey tea.

It was hot; it got me through, and now I’m on to see if I can have a coffee adventure before I leave this place.

I welcome any comments you may have. Love to you all! 💜

How are you showing up in the world for other people?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this hopeletter about my life and coffee. Please share with a friend who could use a little hope or coffee recommendation.