Count Your Blessings
Hate him or love him, Tyler Perry is a twinkle in many an Atlantan’s eye these days. He’s doing big things in the community and making movies all at the same time. TP sends out personal email blasts to thousands of people with motivational stories and often photos of his personal life. In one of his recent blasts, Perry dropped pictures of his former living situation and detailed his dispair and disappointment during that time.
It touched me more so than ever and made me think of fellow blogger BlogXilla’s situation. He and I have had conversations about this very thing and I recall telling him yesterday that “you are exactly where God wants you to be.” Tyler Perry shared similar experiences in his email:
I was dealing with some foolishness, as we all do from time to time, and I was about to get frustrated and start to complain–but before I could get a negative word out, I caught it. It’s always better to bless than to curse. So I decided to think about all of the blessings in my life. I went for a ride over to 47 Twenty Fifth Street, Apartment 8 here in Atlanta. This was my last apartment; right after being homeless. I lived in it just 10 short years ago.
When I got there I saw that they were going to be tearing it down soon. I asked the new developer if I could get in and take some pictures (I have to show you these pictures). I wasn’t prepared for what happened when I went in. I opened the door and a flood of memories came back to me. The apartment is one room, a bathroom and a wall of cabinets that was the kitchen. I so remember sitting in this place and being so hungry and so unhappy and wondering what my life was worth. Asking questions like, “Should I go on living?” Mad at the world and still behind in the rent. To think that it was only 10 years ago blew my mind. Needless to say, I couldn’t hold it any longer. I sat on the edge of the tub and the tears would not stop.
I remember back then reaching out and nobody would help me. No friend, no family–nobody. I called and asked one friend of mine for $20 so that I could have food for the week. He told me that he was coming to bring it, but it took him six days. I had all of these hopes and dreams but all I could see were those four walls. All I could see was what was right in front of me. Sometimes you start looking at your immediate and forget about the inevitable (if you believe).
I didn’t know how I was going to get there, but something in me would keep telling me, “You’re going to make it. . . hold on!” If you’re hearing that voice then listen to it. THAT’S GOD. Remembering all of this really shook me up. I got so sad but right away I realized where God has brought me from and then I got so happy. And the thing that touched me the most was that in all of that despair and hopelessness, I thought that I was alone, but it was clear to me that GOD WAS THERE EVEN THEN!!! I wish that you could feel what I’m feeling right now. I didn’t know it at the time but now, looking back, I see that He was there all the time.
I know that some of you are tired of hearing this stuff from me, but there are others who need it like they’ve never needed it before. So please, bear with me (smile). Listen to me. Every person that I thought would help me turned their back on me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not mad or bitter. I’m grateful. I have learned since then that sometimes God will close every door around you so that you will have to look at Him and Him alone to supply all of your needs. I wish that I could bring every one of you into this apartment and show you the miracles that God can and is willing to do for anyone who believes.
God does not require us to be perfect for him to bless us. He rains [blessings] on the just as well as the unjust. But He does require faith for everything from salvation to miracles. I know that these are trying times, but LOOK to GOD–Oh my, LOOK to GOD!! And HOLD ON!!! HOLD ON!! KEEP MOVING. . . just keep moving.
Here are the pictures:
zillz
July 16, 2008 @ 12:03 pmthat’s some real talk right there.
leea
July 16, 2008 @ 3:31 pmI do love our TP he does grate things
BlogXilla.com//Tougher Than Oprah’s Feet// » Blog Archive » We’ll Be Back After These Messages
July 23, 2008 @ 9:27 am[...] The Reason why I count my blessings [...]
Cherith F. Villanueva
July 30, 2008 @ 11:28 pmDear Tyler,
I am really glad i happen to see you at Oprah, and am glad now i know you must be a Christian..Remember, it is only Jesus can satisfy our souls…And it is not the greatness or the hugeness of what we have on earth that matter, but it is doing something and be content of what we have and recognising we need to help the most needy before God can actully bless us, with real peace..in the midst of a troubled world/situation. Great wealth am sure helps one to get closer to God, that is, if he does not make wealth as His god. In your case, as of the moment, you must have put your feet back to the ground inspite of the success you are experiencing,that’s good; always bear in mind that as a Christian, tribulation in the world will always be a part of us, no matter what our situation is, we will always be tried, thus eventually we can come out as “gold” being able to experience a part of Christ’s suffering is just nothing compared to what Christ did for us, just to save us from hell. Am sure you know what am talking about and this is just a reminder to you and to all your readers, that life is just but a vapor, according to the proverbs of King Solomon from the bible. We are just transient in this world, and what we have is just a journey, a preparation to the great beyond, and with what you have, am glad you are a blessing to a great multitude who are experiencing hardship right now, and just reading at your life, can have a great feeling of ease.. to mirror, and that great riches as you may be having now, are just given to people that are trustworthy, good stewards of His blessing, and able to share it with people that are more in need. But before that, i just hope that as you bless people, you first lead them to Christ, as the greatest blessing, the salvation of souls from hell.
I may not know all that you do, as playwrights, for not all have same choice as to their routine, but rest assured from now on, i will include you in my daily prayers, and that you will always be a blessing to people be in thought, word or deed, regardless of any situation and that you be conscious also with your tithing to your local church, where Christ is really preached and honored.
I do not know how come i have written this much and have gone this far…for you. But it is my desire to have a communication with you today and so here it is. May this help you be encouraged daily as you review this comment of mine even in the future. i hope you will also give me some of your spiritual insights that are coming to you, that we may be able to compare notes, that is if you are happy to do that inspite of your busy schedule. I am also availabel for a clean chat, if you so desire to have someone to talk to when you are tired and seemingly feeling alone, whatever. . but just for a clean chat only.
Am a 51 yr old, married with 3 grown ups. Am not saying i dont have problems, but God has His own way of answering and comforting each one of us in this world.
Ok and hope you are able to read this among your thousands probably of emails. You may send a reply to my email ad and the other alternate ad is brookecherith443b@yahoo.com. Thanks again, Babes Villanueva of my real name is Cherith Villanueva, from Davao City, Philippines..Am a Baptist.. Right now i am lookin for a job outside my country.. i want a job that wont in anyway contradict my stand for God, although am sure it may be a humble job, i wont mind so long as the pay is well, and i can also worship God without hesitation. I used to be a training officer in pre need and life insurance in my place but that was long ago.
Now, any job will do even just a simple one provided it is worth the pain of goin away from home. I have had some college though. And i had some good rewards when i was schooling.
Please pray that i get a new job for i know and believe the blessings of God through sacrifice is greater.