Monthly Archives: July 2012

From Fame to Infamy

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
FROM FAME TO INFAMY
© NaimaLett.com/blog


Imagine’s Jonah Lehrer, Source: The Wrap

“Bestselling young author with thrilling insights falls from fame to infamy”, read one of Sharon Waxman’s headlines for The Wrap today.

Got my attention.
Got yours?

Yesterday, 31-year old Rhodes Scholar and bestselling author of Imagine: How Creativity Works, Jonah Lehrer, resigned from his coveted post at The New Yorker, less than 2 months after joining the staff.

What happened?

Apparently, he lied.
He made up quotes in his Imagine book and attributed them to singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. When reporter Michael C. Moynihan interviewed Jonah and asked him about the quotes, Jonah lied, repeatedly, for weeks, until he could not lie anymore.

Jonah’s statement:
“Three weeks ago, I received an email from journalist Michael Moynihan asking about Bob Dylan quotes in my book ‘Imagine. The quotes in question either did not exist, were unintentional misquotations, or represented improper combinations of previously existing quotes. But I told Mr. Moynihan that they were from archival interview footage provided to me by Dylan’s representatives. This was a lie spoken in a moment of panic. When Mr. Moynihan followed up, I continued to lie, and say things I should not have said…The lies are over now. I understand the gravity of my position. I want to apologize to everyone I have let down, especially my editors and readers. I also owe a sincere apology to Mr. Moynihan. I will do my best to correct the record and ensure that my misquotations and mistakes are fixed. I have resigned my position as staff writer at The New Yorker.”

The literary world is stunned. Because Jonah was one of their wonder-kids.

Jonah graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a degree in neuroscience. He studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He wrote for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Wired and The Boston Globe. Some of you have heard him on National Public Radio’s Radiolab. He published 3 bestselling books including How We Decide (which I almost purchased in line at FedEx Office a month ago) and had an ambitious speaking schedule. To top it off, he bought the famous, historic Shulman House in the Hollywood Hills for $2.25 million at the end of 2010. He’s had a fairy-book decade.

And now, at the age of 31, his career is deemed over. His book has been removed from Amazon.com. E-books and shipments on hard copies have been halted. Like James Frey before him, Jonah is now a marked man.

This is so sad to me.

Why not just do the work and find actual quotes of Bob Dylan if you want to quote Bob Dylan?
Why publish a book with misquotes and non-existent quotes?
Do we not believe that somebody will find out?

When my youngest brother shared with me that he was entering full-time vocational ministry, I gave him the best advice that I could give any minister, advice that I, myself, live by:

1) Sleep with your own spouse only (which he does. He absolutely adores my sister-in-law),
2) Be completely transparent and do right when it comes to finances, and
2) Always do everything in the light. Act like everything that you do will be known.

In other words, live in truth.
Live in the light.

JOHN 3:19-21
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

My brother is a man of integrity. He lives in the light.
Let’s all live like everything that we do will be known, either on this side of heaven or the next.
Let’s not misquote folks and make up stuff and publish lies.

My heart breaks for Jonah. I do hope that there is redemption and a comeback story somewhere in the works for this young writer. Sounds like he got caught up in the hype. May we all learn from his “cautionary tale”.

Light, Fam,
Naima

Walking in the light can be difficult. How do you manage?

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Can’t Dwell on the Fail

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
CAN’T DWELL ON THE FAIL
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© NBC Olympics, Michael Phelps

Shock shook London’s Olympics Saturday.

All-time Olympic gold medal record holder Michael Phelps (14 golds) failed to even make the awards stand in his first event, the 400 individual. Teammate Ryan Lochte won gold. Phelps placed 4th, and there’s no medal for 4th.

But Michael had no time to dwell on the fail.
He had to prepare for his next race.

Michael tweeted, “Not pleased with my race tonight at all… But tom is a new day! And a new race!!”

That new race was the 400-meter freestyle relay on Sunday, which Phelps posted the fasted US time and helped his team pull further ahead in a very healthy lead in the pool. Unfortunately, on the anchor leg, Ryan Lochte seemed to give out of steam and was overtaken by the French. The US finished second with silver, pushing Michael’s all-time medal total to 17, just 1 behind the record held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. Just watched him qualify for the 200m butterfly. He’s back in the water, Fam.

Defending world champion gymnast Jordyn Wieber is in a similar boat. The individual all-around favorite failed to qualify for the finals. Although Jordyn, an outstanding gymnast, had the 4th highest score out of the 24 girls who competed, the rules state that only 2 gymnasts per country can advance. Unfortunately for her, 2 of her US teammates scored higher than she did and will move forward in the individual competition in her stead.

But Jordyn has no time to dwell on the fail.
She has the team competition tomorrow.

“It’s all very disappointing,” Jordyn is quoted as saying, though everyone saw she was too devastated to talk to press.

But there’s no rest for the weary. The 17-year old is expected to pull it together and be ready to compete again by tomorrow. Team USA is favored to win its first gold medal since 1996, having scored the best in the qualifying rounds yesterday. The girls made the Sports Illustrated cover and are being called the Fab Five. Despite the disappointment, she’s got to get back on the beam.

I’m so reminded of the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 4:8-37. Do you remember this one? The Shunammite woman’s young son became ill and died unexpectedly. So, she went to get the man of God, Elisha to do SOMETHING! This is what happened.

32-35 Elisha entered the house and found the boy stretched out on the bed dead. He went into the room and locked the door—just the two of them in the room—and prayed to God. He then got into bed with the boy and covered him with his body…. As he was stretched out over him like that, the boy’s body became warm. Elisha got up and paced back and forth in the room. Then he went back and stretched himself upon the boy again. The boy started sneezing—seven times he sneezed!—and opened his eyes.

Elisha was not 100% successful on his first pass in healing the boy.
But there was no time to dwell on the fail.

This was life and death.
He paced back and forth, praying no doubt, tried again and this time, the boy opened his eyes.

What’s going on with you, Fam?
Got setbacks? Disappointments?
It’s OK. Fails happen.
But get back in the water. Get back on the beam.

Let’s not dwell on the fail.
Try again.
There are more victories to be won.

If there was a medal for team support from the living room and/or hollering at the screen, I’d get gold for sure! I preached in a sports shirt yesterday. That’s what I’m talking about.
We’re with our teams! Come on!
Try, try again,
Naima

Are you following the Olympics?
Have you had a time when you couldn’t dwell on the fail?

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Let the Games Begin

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Let the Games Begin
© NaimaLett.com/blog




Let the games begin!
Not relationship drama :=)
But the 2012 Olympics!

Hollywood’s in the house. London’s opening ceremony has been staged by Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). The games will run for 2 weeks.

Over 10,000 athletes from 204 delegations will compete in 26 different sports including swimming, track and field, gymnastics, basketball, and soccer/football.

The 500 acre Olympic Park has been built.
The largest McDonalds is in place as the official restaurant.
And the total price tag for the games is projected to run the UK upwards of $14 billion.
Wow!

I’m excited. I love the Olympics.
Nothing quite like great competition amongst the world’s top athletes.

The Apostle Paul mentions the athlete of the ancient games in his letter to Timothy to encourage him to do his best for God.

2 Timothy 2: 1-7
The Message
So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ… When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

Basically Paul says just as an athlete wins the victor’s crown by competing according to the rules; so should Timothy strive to serve Christ. Timothy would’ve been very familiar with this image of the competing athlete, just as we are all very keen to this image today.

Can you imagine serving Christ with the same commitment that Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte train in the pool?! Talk about dedication. What if we strive to be as consistent in our faith as Gabby Douglas is in her gymnastics floor routine? All eyes are on the USA’s basketball dream team. Have you seen these guys train?

There’s a road to winning, just as there is a road to following Jesus. Paul says, let’s follow like they win.

I’m excited, Fam.
Let the games begin!
Naima

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Let Go

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Let Go, Let God
© NaimaLett.com/blog


Pastor Marvin Sapp sings at wife’s funeral

Gospel chart topper, Pastor Marvin Sapp, shared some of his story last night during the opening service of the Greater Allen Cathedral worship conference.

You see, a year and 1/2 ago, September 2010, his wife, MaLinda Sapp, passed from colon cancer.

When my mother passed from cancer when I was in college, I was able to grieve in private. I went through all the ups and downs, tucked away out of the limelight.

Not so much with Pastor Marvin.

As a pastor, preacher and world-traveling gospel singer, his journey has been quite public. He spoke of airline pilots and stewardesses telling him they were praying for him whenever he’d fly.

“Everyone kept telling me how they were praying for me,” he shared.

He shared most about his journey now as a single father raising teenagers: a son and 2 daughters. We couldn’t help but laugh when he talked of going down store aisles he never had to before and looking at packages with “wings”.

By the time you read this, I’ll be on my way to preach to teenagers in the morning session of the conference. But I wanted to share this video clip I found of Pastor Marvin singing DeWayne Woods’ Let Go, Let God.

The most touching thing is that he song this at MaLinda’s funeral.
He had known her since the 3rd grade.

Be encouraged today, Fam.
Let’s let go and Let God.
Let’s follow the lead of the psalmist in PSALM 55:22

22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
He will never let
the righteous be shaken.

I don’t know what load you may be carrying today, but this is a good time to let it go.

I’m doing the same,
Naima

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Lifesaving Defect, Aurora Survivor

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
LIFESAVING DEFECT, AURORA SURVIVOR
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© CNN

Miracle.
Defect.
Abnormality.

Just a few words that are being used to describe Aurora multiple gunshot survivor Petra Anderson’s brain condition that saved her life.

Thanks a million to actor/designer Brian Lambert for introducing me to Petra’s amazing story.

CNN reports that Petra, 22 years old, sustained multiple wounds, including a shotgun pellet that went through her nose into her brain. From birth, Petra has had a brain abnormality of fluid running through her skull that she never knew about.

Apparently, when the bullet entered Petra’s brain, it followed the fluid, missing her brain and rested at the rear. Just days after the shooting, Petra has been moved from intensive care and is on to physical therapy where she is walking, talking and laughing.

“A miracle,” her pastor Brad Strait commented. “In Christianity we call it prevenient grace: God working ahead of time for a particular event in the future. It’s just like the God I follow to plan the route of a bullet through a brain long before Batman ever rises. Twenty-two years before.”

Some will pose the question, “If God planned for the route of the bullet, could He have not prevented her from being shot in the first place?”

When I preached on Sunday, I brought up the elephant-in-the-room question that inevitably crosses our minds during horrific tragedies: “Why does God allow these awful events to occur? Couldn’t He have stopped the shooter before He even went on the rampage?”

I have walked with the Lord many, many years, and I confess, sometimes, I too can sound just like the criminal being crucified next to Jesus on the cross in LUKE 23:32-43.

Verse 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him (Jesus): “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Have you ever had a situation where you asked that question? Aren’t you the Messiah, Jesus? Aren’t you God?

Inherent in that question is the famous Kimberly Elise plea to Denzel Washington in the John Q film: “Do something!”

But it’s not the “Save us” where we’re asking Him to move on our behalf because we desperately need His intervention. It’s the “Why aren’t you saving us?” accusation!

“Hey, You’re God! Why aren’t you doing something!”

Or in this case in Colorado: “Hey, You’re God! Why did you allow young Petra to sustain a bullet through her brain?”

Here’s where sound biblical theology is so crucial. Biblically, we understand that God could’ve created us as perfect robots with no free will. He didn’t do that. He created us as human beings with choice. We choose between doing good and doing evil. The shooter has free will just like all of us. He chose to do evil with his free will and he will pay that price of murder by losing his freedom, and possibly even his life.

On this side of heaven, we’re all in the boat together. Some choose to help humanity. Some choose to harm humanity. God sees all and knows all and wants very much for each one of us to come to know Him as God and choose to love like He loves. In the meantime, He causes the sun to shine and the rain to pour on both the good and evil, until the time comes where this is all a wrap and we all have to answer for our deeds here, both good and evil.

This is such a small space to try to deal with such a huge theological issue of free will versus sovereignty. If you have questions, post below and I’ll answer as soon as possible… maybe even after the conference this week. It’s full speed ahead now.

I am so happy for Petra.
I am so happy for her family.
I am amazed at God’s sovereignty that planned for a safe avenue for a bullet to go through, but not harm her brain.

What a lifesaving defect!
Maybe we can look at our own abnormalities with a little more hope today. Never know when they might save our lives!
Naima

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Headed to New York

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Headed to New York
© NaimaLett.com/blog


In the airport, Fam.
About to board my flight to New York! So this’ll be fast.

All the plug-in stations are full. I literally squeezed into a spot by the pay phones across from the bathrooms. Did you know lots of folks still use payphones? It’s party central over here. Who knew?! :=)

Last month, when I found myself blogging in the airport, my husband left me to board the flight. Can you believe it? I couldn’t either!

I actually finished and hit send – on the plane- just before they told us to shut down all electronic devices. I won’t cut it that close today. Promise!

I’m excited to participate once again in the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York worship conference. This year the theme is “Hear the Sound”, and it’s led once again by my beautiful friend, Rev. Eyesha Marable, founder of the National Liturgical Dance Network.

Over 500 dancers and artists of faith will flood Allen’s megachurch pastored by Drs. Floyd and Elaine Flake over the next week. I’ve been asked to teach classes from teens to seniors. It’s always a blast. There are evening services that are open to the public. If you’re in the area, holler. Would love to see you. We will be making a joyful noise through the arts all week and finishing up with a praise party on Saturday in the park by the church.

And if you’re not in NY this week, don’t fret.
You can get your thanksgiving on right where you are. Seriously.
I know there’s something you’re grateful for today.

Let’s take a second and enjoy this famous song:

Psalm 100
The Message
A Thanksgiving Psalm
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

You on your feet yet?!
OK, that’s my final boarding call.
Got to go!
Naima

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Our Prayer for Aurora

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
OUR PRAYER FOR AURORA
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© photo source

Today, we lift up Aurora, Colorado and all the families who have loved ones who were senselessly murdered and injured early last Friday morning in the movie shooting.

Before Friday, whenever I heard “aurora”, I pictured the beautiful and colorful display of an aurora borealis (northern light) or aurora australis (southern light) dancing against a night sky.

Now, unfortunately, “aurora” will bring up different images.

We’ll see the faces of victims and their loved ones, assault weapons and a booby-trapped apartment. We’ll think movie theaters, tear gas and gun control. We’ll try to figure out what went horribly wrong in the mind of a 24-year old student who recently withdrew from a neuroscience Ph.D. program.

On Friday evening, a CNN anchor commented that he would use the alleged mass murderer’s name as little as possible as not to bring fame to his name. I agreed with that. When I preached yesterday, I merely referred to him as ‘the shooter’. We all know who he is.

Yesterday, I shared some of Paul’s letter, 2 Corinthians 5, in which he talks about our groaning for our heavenly dwelling. When we’ve been given God’s Holy Spirit in Christ as a deposit for the eternal life that we have to come, we yearn for that heavenly place where there is no more death, mourning, pain and sorrow. We instinctively know that this gross display of sin we currently experience has to come to an end.

This ain’t it.
This is not paradise yet.
This is not the new heaven or new earth.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5: 9-10, “So we make it our goal to please him (the Lord), whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Each one of us – the shooter, me, you – will have to give an account one day for the things we have done, good or bad. I am so humbled and grateful that we have an advocate in Jesus on that day of accounting. Our sinless Messiah, who took the penalty of our sins upon Himself, made it possible for each one of us to believe in Him as the only way and have eternal life with our Heavenly Father. I pray for each one of us – the shooter, me, you – to come to know fully our triune God: Father, Son and Spirit, repent for our wrongdoings, and trust Jesus as our advocate.

I don’t know about you, but my heart is still pretty busted for the families. I feel their grief and sorrow. Will you pray with me today?

PRAYER FOR AURORA

Heavenly Father,

Your word says that you are the Father of compassion and the God of all Comfort who comforts us all in our troubles. Will you please saturate Aurora, Colorado right now with your compassion and comfort? Please comfort fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, children, families, friends, theater employees, first responders, hospital workers, city officials, students, all who were present, and all who have been deeply affected by this horrible act of violence. Please be near each person as he/she processes and grieves and tries to make sense out of the senseless.

Please comfort broken hearts and hear the cries of your children. Please give us a glimpse of your broken heart as well, as you so desire for us to turn to you, resist evil and not commit such heinous acts. Please reveal truth to the shooter that he would know the heartache he has caused and ask forgiveness.

Where darkness tried to take the city of Aurora out, please shine your brilliant aurora and heal the land.

Please heal the families in the years to come. Please heal Aurora in the years to come. Please heal our land in the years to come. We know that the blood of the innocent cries out to you for justice. We know that you are a God of justice, and justice will occur in this case. We also ask you for mercy, because all sin is unacceptable to you, including our own. We all need an advocate in your son, Jesus. So, please help us, Lord.

Help us.
Heal us.
In Jesus’ name,
Naima

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J.Lo’s $2 Million Misstep

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
J.LO’S $2 MILLION MISSTEP
© NaimaLett.com/blog


photo source

How much is too much when asking for a raise in this economy?
$2 million, apparently.

Reports say that’s what Jennifer Lopez asked of Fox’s American Idol before being told to exit stage left.

The headline by journalist Sharon Waxman, founder of The Wrap News, put it this way, “Jennifer Lopez Dumped From Idol After Seeking Raise to $17M”.

So, hold up.
You’re making $15 million a year to “judge” a reality show.
You just got a raise of $3 million last year from $12 million to $15.
And you ask for another $2 million this year…. for what, exactly?

Is it me, or does this all seem a bit ridiculous?

I am all for artists asking to be compensated for their talent and all that they bring to the table, but I wonder if we go overboard sometimes.

Reuters, the business journal, speculated, “While JLo may be no ordinary employee, her case of asking too much, too soon can be a valuable lesson for what to do (and what not to do) when looking for a pay raise… Do you deserve a raise? Did you just receive a raise? You should ask yourself these questions… you should use some common sense before asking.”

No doubt, Jenny from the Block figured A.I. still does great in the ratings, which garners advertising and tour date dollars. Therefore, maybe she figured she deserves another raise. Maybe she could leverage Steven Tyler’s exit and work the “If you want to keep me…” angle.

But A.I.‘s numbers have been slipping. Other similar shows have entered the competition i.e. The Voice, X Factor, Sing Off, Duets, on and on. A.I. has been on for 11 seasons and its numbers have been steadily declining. Honestly, I haven’t really watched since Simon Cowell left.

I do try to put myself in the artist’s shoes, even if these particular stilettos don’t fit so well. I don’t know Jennifer personally and/or why this article grabbed me this morning. I don’t even know why I’m all up in this sister’s finances. She can ask for whatever she wants to ask for.

And who knows what Jennifer was thinking? Perhaps she doesn’t really need Idol as much as Idol needs her.

After all, in the first year that she did A.I., she earned $52 million on all her worldwide endeavors and climbed from #50 to #1 on the 2012 Forbes Celebrity 100 List , beating out Oprah, Bieber and Gaga. Listen to this quote from Forbes.com:

“The Latina triple threat parlayed her position as a judge on American Idol into hit singles, increased album sales, an upcoming world tour, three new movies and a growing portfolio of endorsements… In the last year, Lopez racked up over 23,000 press mentions, graced 46 major magazine covers, topped People’s 2011 Most Beautiful list and became a Glamour Woman of the Year. She didn’t waste the (American Idol) exposure for a second. In May 2011, she released her first album in four years… She also used the Idol platform to premiere music videos and perform singles. Last year’s “On The Floor” went multi-platinum, according to RIAA, and the music video amassed over 530 million YouTube views. She also became the new face of L’Oreal and signed deals with Gillette, Fiat and TOUS jewelry. In September, she launched a clothing collection for Kohl’s…”

Perspective is everything.

Dancing away from a $15 million contract doesn’t really seem like a whole lot when you earn $52 million, right? But leaving a $15 million contract in a bum economy where I meet artists who are living out of cars and can’t find apartments and can’t pay rent and can’t even eat… it seems absurd.

I don’t understand it; so that’s all the more reason I have to remind myself not to judge.
I remember Jesus’ instructions to His disciples:
MATTHEW 7:1-5 NIV
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

THE MESSAGE translates the same verses as:
1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

I’m a’wiping.
And I’m a’wrestling with ways to help artists who have $15 million contracts and those who don’t. At the end of the day, we can’t take the millions with us. Life is more than the money we have. I’ve found that true life comes from the One who created life and who is Life. And I’ve had to learn to be content in this life with Him whether I have or have not.

Jennifer’s career will likely be just fine without American Idol. I wish her the best.

But note to self:
I might think twice, if ever I’m on a show and have an inclination to ask for an extra $2 million when the ratings are on the way down.

Just saying,
Naima

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America’s Next Top Mommy

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MOMMY
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© Glamour Magazine, photo by Brigitte Lacombe

Meet America’s Next Top Mommy: Marissa Mayer

Monday’s headlines read that Google’s “IT” Girl VP jumped cyberspace to be Yahoo’s new CEO.
Tuesday’s headlines read that she’s pregnant. Really pregnant. Like due in October.

Marissa Mayer, 37, has had many titles including:
Google Employee #20 & first female engineer (starting when Google was an upstart in 1999)
Glamour Magazine’s 2009 Woman of the Year
Fortune Magazine’s youngest on America’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, 2008-2011
Walmart Board of Directors new member
Stanford University alumnus, B.S. and M.S. specializing in Artificial Intelligence
And wife to venture capitalist Zachary Bogue.

But her role now as first-time mommy is taking center-stage in the blogosphere because she’s one of the first-time ever pregnant women hired to lead a Fortune 500 company.

One working mom blogger in Boston asked “Is there a right time to have a baby?” and named it the Marissa Mayer Dilemma. She expressed support that “It’s fantastic that Yahoo hired a pregnant CEO,” but lamented, “for all her success, she’s clearly unprepared for the reality of caring for a newborn. After pregnancy, you’re emotionally drained, you’re tired, you’re wrung out. Parenthood has a way of leveling even the grandest ambitions.”

This was in response to Marissa’s comments to Fortune that “My maternity leave will be a few weeks long and I’ll work throughout it.”

Another writer in New York asked, “What Does Marissa Mayer’s Pregnancy Mean for Other Pregnant Women?” She questioned if Mayer’s plan goes the way she wants it to, “will employers be even less accommodating to women who need more than a few weeks of maternity leave and can’t work immediately after giving birth? Will employers point to Mayer saying, she did it, why can’t you?”

I’m not a mommy yet, so mommies please feel free to comment.

Can the woman, who is responsible for approving and overseeing the creation of GMAIL, Google Maps, Google Earth and the design of the simplistic Google page that is seen at least 7 billion times a month, not figure out a way to have a child and assemble a support team to help her through her first months of mommyhood and CEO-dom?

It sounds like Marissa is going with a best-case-scenario here, but shouldn’t we wait to start weighing in on whether the company she just took over will tank because she’s juggling nighttime feedings with daytime jet-setting?

Shouldn’t we give her the benefit of the doubt before we pass the conclusion that she can’t handle bottles and board meetings?

Is she being unrealistic?
She’ll be the first to know.

And Yahoo must’ve agreed with whatever defense she gave because they’ve put their $1.22 billion revenue in her hands.

Again, I’m not a mommy yet, but I, for one, think mommies make incredible CEOs. Do you know how many balls we can juggle? My mom ran an entire unit as a full-time nursing administrator while earning a Masters degree, running several church ministries, being a phenomenal wife AND keeping her four children from burning down her house (well, one child in particular, but we won’t name any names… though it wasn’t me :=) It may not have been running a billion dollar company, but she may as well have. She did what needed to be done, family first, then her other responsibilities.

At the end of the day, don’t mommies do whatever mommies have to do for their children?

Remember Moses’ mom, Jochebed in EXODUS 2.

Against Pharaoh’s murder decree, she gave birth to Moses and hid him for 3 months. When she could keep him hidden no longer, she put her baby in a basket destined for the Nile, trusting that God would take care of him. In God’s sovereignty, He arranged for Pharaoh’s daughter to find Moses. And she ended up paying Jochebed to nurse Moses and care for him for years in preparation for his time in the palace.

I’m always inspired by Jochebed’s story and her faith.
She did whatever she had to do for her children.

I don’t know Marissa. But I hope, like all other mommies I know, when her son makes his divine entrance on this earth, she’ll do whatever she has to do for him, not just Yahoo. And based on all the roles she’s already juggled, I think she’s got a pretty good start so far.

Let’s take a second today and pray for Marissa, ourselves (if we’re mommies), our own mothers, and the other mommies we know. That God will give each one what you need for today. And that you can rest in a Heavenly Father, who is not just a Father to you, but a Father to your child as well. His provision is always on time.

Go mommies!
Naima

What do you think? How has mommyhood been for you?
How was your mommy? Did she work and raise you?

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