What
a daybreak it would be for Liberia. What if, collectively, we continued to
build on the great legacies of the past! We could cement the future with
positivity and endless hope. What if we could learn to like one another! We could
show love for God and love for country. We could take pride in offering sacrificial
service! What a glorious day it would be for the Republic if we made our
beloved Country a priority. Liberia will outlast you and me, and anyone else.
Maybe,
we could begin with healthy dialogue. I believe this is how national unity can
be forged. It begins, continues, and ends, with good healthy dialogue. It
begins, continues, and ends, with respect for what each person has to contribute
to the conversation. We can accomplish the task of nation building if we open ourselves
up to listen and hear one another. What if we made it a national lesson to
learn that we can, nationally, respectfully agree to disagree!
“Carefully determine what pleases the
Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose
them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in
secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on
them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, Awake, O
sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:1-14
Holy Bible NLT)
Liberians,
we have a vast divide to bridge. We have deep seated emotions to attend to. We have
open wounds to bandage. There are hearts to balm. There are tears to dry. There
is much anger to assuage. We must find a way to replace bitterness with
kindness. We must restore the easy laughter Liberians are known for. Yes. The
divide must be bridged; the gap can be closed. All the Liberian stories must be
told. What is meaningful to me might not be meaningful to you. Nevertheless, it
is my story. It is your story. It is my memory. It is your memory. It is our
collective narrative. We must tell those stories over and over. Over and Over
and Over.
As
a people, we must understand that no amount of naysay can undo history nor
rewrite the History books. We must get it into our system (head, mind, body,
spirit, gut) that true progress happens by building on foundations that others
have laid through their sweat, sacrifices and toil—their collective labor. As a
national lesson, we must learn that it is acceptable to continue legacies; it
takes nothing away from you when one builds on the groundwork of another. It is
perfectly normal to continue the legacy of another person who has made great
accomplishments.
The
one who takes up where another leaves off, and builds up from there, indeed,
has made a laudable attempt. The fact is the fact is the fact. I cannot stress
this enough: Heroes and Heroines (SHeroes) have left their marks. When we
acknowledge and celebrate those who were before us we tread a path to greatness.
We benefit from their wisdom, insight and knowledge. We profit from their
experiences. We reap the rewards of their labor. Liberia has benefited from the
greatest statesmen and women to have graced the African continent. Liberia has
been an integral part of monumental achievements in the global sphere. Liberia
was once a trailblazer on the African continent. Liberia has participated,
favorably and respectably, in movements and causes and struggles throughout the
African continent. Those who took the country into these arenas must be
remembered and celebrated. Many Liberian dignitaries were respected and revered
by their colleagues and associates, all over the world. Liberia had a face globally.
I believe
this is a Liberian conversation that is desperately poking its head to be
heard. All our history must be passed down to generations. Truth has a way of
forcing its way out of hiding. The truth will see the light of day. At the
appointed time. My prayer is that we keep talking until we get it, even if at
least, half way right for our country and ourselves. The more we talk, the more
we understand one another. The more we understand one another, the more we
break down the barriers that keep us from celebrating one another. The more we
break down those barriers, the more we emphasize the extraordinary group of
Africans that Liberian were created by God to be.
“It is the Lord who provides the sun to
light the day and the moon and starts to light the night, and who stirs the sea
into roaring waves. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what
he says: I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws
of nature! This is what the Lord says: Just as the heavens cannot be measured
and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider
casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the Lord have spoken!” (Jeremiah 31:35-37 Holy Bible NLT)
My
purpose with “HortenseInspiration Changing the Narratives” is to help wake up the
nation’s consciousness. We, Liberians, are often a complacent people. We move
when there is crisis. We are loud when there is calamity. We break down the
altars of Heaven when troubles assail our nation. We are on our holiest behavior
when disaster lurks. God Almighty always intervenes and releases Liberia.
Albeit, in his time. God continues to be our deliverer. When it seem like the
crisis has passed we resort to blasé—same ole same ole. We are quick to lose
our passion and our commitment to see things through. It’s a national flaw. We
must remedy this type of behavior. A beautiful republic is depending on us. This
unique little haven, located by the sea, that beacon called the Republic of
Liberia, is depending on us. For posterity sake we must preserve this, our one glorious
land of liberty. One sure way is to make all our voices heard.
I
admonish each of us to do our part. Each one must do your part, and do it
grandly. As a devoted and committed Christian and servant of the Living God, I believe
in the remarkable, dynamic power of prayer. I believe when prayers accompany
our actions and advocacy, Jesus Christ will bring redemption. The Lord is God; with
God nothing is impossible. All things are possible with God. As
a woman born and raised Liberian, I believe in Liberia. I believe in a day
coming when our Country will rise from the shameful ashes of today. I foresee a
time when the world will take notice of Liberia in an astounding way. I believe
Liberians have it them to change their own narratives. If only we could see
beyond the dark cloud of hate and division. If only we could give the forgotten
past a chance to shape the future. Maybe, what we need to do is look a little deeper
into the buried treasures from yesterday. God Almighty, help us and be our
guide. Jehovah Sabaoth—God of Heaven Armies—The Lord of Hosts! Help us, Lord.
#RaisetheBar ~HortenseInspiration
Svrt.
Hortense D. Grimes (DOITFORCHRIST)
Blessings and Peace,
Hortense Duarma
Grimes
Servant of the
Living God
Founder, Do It
For Christ Ministries
Creator,
HortenseInspiration Media
Dreambearer &
Dreamcarrier, Solace Africa
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