DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
REAL PROSPERITY



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One of the wonderful things about vacation is the down time to rest, relax and reflect.

This morning I woke up thinking about how blessed I am:
Surrounded by family, love, peace – it’s beautiful…
and not based on my bank account.

I am surrounded by people who genuinely care for me and who could care less about how many numbers fill out my paychecks. I am valued just because I’m me. I wish this for everybody, and especially for the artists I do life with in Hollywood.

If we could value and love one another just because of who we are – family made in the image of God – not because of how much we earn – I think we could revolutionize our world.

When I meet an actor/actress new to LA, her first question of me wouldn’t be, “Who is your agent? How can I meet him?” which actually translates into: “I care nothing about you. I just want to use you to further my own career.” Instead, she might ask “Hey, how’s it going? Your production company? The ministry? How are you?” See the difference?

Paparazzi wouldn’t jump out of bushes to snag the “money” picture of a celeb just trying to get her morning jog on. I saw this happen recently and wanted to say, “HEY! STOP THE MADNESS! That’s a fellow human being you’re harassing.” Instead, the photographer could call the actor’s manager and see what he could work out for a mutual setting. Celebs set up photo ops all the time. There are certain restaurants and stores that celebs frequent just to be photographed. There is no need to jump out of bushes or run people off the road.

And I’m not even sure when our family of God jumped on the prosperity train and started dishing out value based on wardrobes, jets and the size of people’s cribs. When someone decides what church to go to or not go to based on the kind of cars the congregants drive, we are headed down the wrong path. Fam, we’ve got to find another way.

I’ve been soaking up the proverbs recently.
One that struck me this morning had to do with the very idea of prosperity.

PROVERBS 11:25
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Solomon, King David’s son, and arguably the wisest man that ever lived, recorded this proverb which basically says the one who blesses will be blessed and the one who helps will be helped.

How do we prosper?
Give.
Generously.
With no expectation of return.

This is NOT “Give God $100 and He’ll give you back $1000.” That’s playing the lottery. Let’s not do that.

This IS “Give. Give. Give.” Refresh others. Help others.
We don’t have to worry. We won’t miss out. We’ll be refreshed back. But that’s not the goal. It’ll happen because that’s what happens.

Regardless of what people believe Oprah believes, they respect her because she is so generous. And the more she gives, the more is given back.

What if we recognized the most prosperous people as those who gave the most away?
Bill Gates.
Mother Theresa.
Jesus.
He gave His life.

As we meet folks, let’s ask ourselves, “How can I help?” instead of “How can they help me?
Let’s attempt to add value instead of judging based on how much ‘value’ we think people have.
Let’s see people as family, not ladders.

I’m in a beautiful place today, surrounded by family, love and peace.

Nobody cares what brand sneakers I have on or what rental car I drive.
Nobody cares what shorts I wear and what length is appropriate for a minister.
Nobody cares if my hair is curly or straight, if I have on makeup or not.
My heart is fully known and accepted.
I truly wish this for each and every one of you.

‘Cause real prosperity boils down to what I give.
Not what I have.

Something to ponder.
Lots of love from the va-cay,
Naima

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