I'mqualified!

At 17 years old, I joined the Army and got married. By my 18th birthday I had my first child. Unfortunately, I lost my baby girl to SIDS only six weeks after having her.

A part of me died the day she did, but what I didn’t know was the life she would also lead me to. I lost hope, and when you do that, you numb it with all sorts of things.

The hopelessness led me to meet Jesus, my comforter, my redeemer, my restorer, my father, my friend, my heart surgeon, my healer, my all. He took every one of my tears and those moments that I thought I was alone. He took the dust left behind from my broken pieces and made me a new creation. He was always there working behind the scenes.

The loss of my daughter led me to change my perspective and life compass. I always wanted to be successful at work; A career may be the first priority until life gives you lemons.

There’s something about pain and loss that makes you take on a new perspective and restructure your priorities in life.

Losing my daughter changed my priorities.

I was a follower of Christ first, then a wife, then a mother before anything else and I would live my life putting my non negotiables first- God, husband, children!

Fast forward 25 years later, after giving the many years of work I could’ve had, the continuous experience, the money, the retirement, the 401 K plan, the travel, the savings, etc... and as I start my own business, I found myself thinking and saying the lies we tend to believe as mothers, “All these years, and I have nothing to show. No accolades or huge accomplishments. All I did was serve my family at the expense of my dreams."

And yet, on this Mother’s Day, it takes my 19,17, 8-year-old boys and husband to remind me of the harvest of the non-negotiables I enforced 25 years ago. The legacy my daughter left behind.

“All I did was serve my family at the expense of my dreams.”

All I did???? I’ve done a whole lot, more than I give credit for.

Was it worth it? Absolutely!

Would I do it again? Without a doubt.

At the expense of my dreams?? I’m just starting!!! It’s never too late to accomplish dreams and the most valuable dreams I have in front of me. And most importantly, they are my greatest cheerleaders and supporters.

This is my harvest as a mother. That I have walked the talk, and my children can see it. That I have spiritually poured into them, I can see the fruit of my labor, my boys are able to thank me for the things they once complained about.

And in the midst of the mundane and the unseen work at times,

I have gained incredible emotional intelligence, utmost project management skills, incredible conflict resolution abilities, massive negotiation techniques, compassion, servant leadership, authentic leadership, adapting and differentiating instruction and communicating according to various personality styles. One more thing, even though I may have titles or degrees which are valuable, they do not give me my true value. They are not my identity, they are roles. I am more than a title, and I am more than the role I am currently fulfilling. My true identity comes from the very one who knitted me in my mother's womb.

I am the proud CEO (chief encouraging officer) of my family and there’s no monetary or promotion that can ever equate to that.

I had no idea that when I said “No” to the things I wanted, I was saying “Yes” to the things that truly mattered while also leaving a legacy. Furthermore, I can be a wife, and a mommy (now a Bruh!) and still be Diana. I can hunt for my dreams and live the purposeful life I was created to have.

I am grateful to my mother for being an example that as a single mother, she made this happen for my sister and I as well.

"[She] who is faithful with little, can be trusted with much!"

Why do we feel like impostors? It's simple, we have not embraced who God has called us to be. What are you believing about yourself?

Subscribe to receive updates on new workshops and get inspiration in your inbox.

With love,

Diana