jennifer-roberts I am Christian, African American woman. I am an unconventional educator, writer, children’s book author and blogger. I am the wife of a loving and wise man and the mother of two amazing children. I have been blessed with several “stages” during my lifetime and I am grateful for each of them.
I do not have Beyonce’s star power or Michelle Obama’s global reach, but I was invited to speak in front of an auditorium filled with incoming freshman when I was a high school junior. I have emceed an usher’s day program at a dear friend’s church. I have led a ministry, spoken at women’s ministry events, taught Vacation Bible School as well as Sunday School at my church. I’ve taught fourth grade and co-founded two elementary school enrichment programs. I’ve written articles for two local publications and authored a children’s book. I manage a Facebook group, write this blog and mentor young ladies. I also mother two children daily.
All of these life experiences have served and continue to serve as my “stages.” These are platforms from which I share my personal experiences and impart wisdom to those within my sphere of influence. I take these precious opportunities seriously and work hard to maximize each interaction no matter the size of the stage or the size of the audience.
Often, my stage is my kitchen or as I like to call it my multi-purpose room. My family and I spend countless hours discussing, disagreeing, and creating on that stage. It is in my kitchen that I share almost daily about the importance of living for God, developing healthy work habits and black history. It is my hope that my children will recall the lessons that I have imparted during these seemingly ordinary moments. I pray that when they need it most, they will remember something that I have shared that will help them navigate a challenge that they may be experiencing.
I encourage you to identify the “stages” with which God has blessed you and treat them with the respect and importance they deserve. Maybe your stage is your family room or your virtual prayer group. Maybe it’s your classroom or your boardroom. If you take inventory of your life you will probably identify several “stages.”
Your stage is not going to look like someone else’s stage. In 2020, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira performed at the Super Bowl’s half-time show. Their performance drew 104 million viewers according to an Associated Press report. Oprah Winfrey’s farewell show in 20ll boasted 16.4 million viewers. That’s great for them but what about you? The reality is that most people will not experience high levels of fame or viewership but that doesn’t mean that no one’s watching or that your influence doesn’t have impact. What value are you giving the audience that you have?
I implore you not to bemoan the fact that your “stage” doesn’t look or feel like the people you follow on Instagram or your next-door neighbor’s or that your message doesn’t have value just because you don’t get paid to share it. God has given you a message and you are going to be accountable for what you did with the message that he gave you not the message He gave someone else. What are you doing with the stage you have?
Timothy Ferriss is credited with saying in part, “Money doesn’t change you; it reveals who you are…” I think this part of his quote can be applied to how we use the “stages” of our lives.” If you are using the excuse that you will contribute more to humanity once you have a bigger “stage,” stop fooling yourself. A bigger stage will simply give you more room to do whatever you are currently doing.
Fear not, if you have wasted time. It is not too late to start using your “stage. Begin by adjusting the way that you view interactions with your spouse, your family, your children, your friends, and your co-workers. Are you doing your best to leave your immediate atmosphere better than you found it? Are you using these opportunities to share information that can help someone else on their journey?
I am an excellent mom, homemaker, and teacher. However, I do not have an Instagram following, a formal classroom or a television show on HGTV but that does not mean that my contributions do not have meaning. I am using my “stages” like the whole world is watching.
How are you using the “stage” that you have? How are you encouraging your family and friends? How are you spreading the message God has given you? How are you positively impacting those in your sphere of influence?
