DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
“Celebrate”, Whitney’s Swan Song

“Celebrate” music video with Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks ©2012 RCA Records

It’s Friday, Fam. Let’s ‘celebrate’!

And what better way than enjoying Whitney’s swan song, “Celebrate” with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

“Celebrate” debuted yesterday as the push for “Sparkle” ramps up. “Sparkle” is a remake of the 1976 musical film which starred Irene Cara and Phillip Michael Thomas. Whitney executive-produced “Sparkle” and stars as the mother of three daughters who form a Motown-esque girl group (think The Supremes) and navigate the rise and pitfalls of the industry.

Jordin Sparks is Sparkle.
The name couldn’t be more perfect.
And “Celebrate” is fitting for Whitney’s last song.

While discussing the video in a recent interview, Jordin says, “We planned on it being Whitney and me, but she’s not here, so we wanted to make it a tribute to her… It was so cool because you could just hear the smile in Whitney’s voice when she was singing it…”

Whitney recorded her verses on the track just days before the eve of the Grammy Awards when she was found deceased by her bodyguard here in Beverly Hills. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning with complications from cocaine use and cardiac arrest. Whitney struggled. More than anything, I pray that our young artists are encouraged to steer clear of drugs. Our artists are dropping left and right and so young. Whitney was only 48. Michael was barely 50. Amy Winehouse was what, 27?

Jordin, 22, seems to be on a path of light. The youngest American Idol winner and Grammy Award nominee has been very outspoken about her faith in Christ, very much how Whitney was at her age. She’s got a strong support system and she’s enjoying a musical career that has sold millions of songs and landed her on Broadway, television and now film. I’m happy for Jordin. Let’s continue praying for her.

What do you have to celebrate this Friday?
– Wonderful Family
– Great friends
– Good Health
– A job in this economy
– A safe place to call home
– Peace of mind
– Life
– Eternal life

Got a reason to shout?
The psalmist does… and does so in one of the shortest songs in scripture.

PSALM 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord. (Hallelu Yah)

If nothing else, today, we can celebrate God’s great love toward us and His faithfulness that endures forever. That’s right, you are loved greatly by the One who is faithful forever.

The amazing thing is that, even as much as Whitney struggled down here with addiction, our faithful God still honored her faith in His Son. She’s home now. No more struggles. No more pain. I wish she had more time with her daughter, but God is faithful, and can take care of Bobbi Christina too, if she allows Him.

It’s Friday, Fam. Let’s celebrate!
Ladies, let’s get our sparkle on.
Gents, let’s shine.
So much to be grateful for,
Naima

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