HE made me dark, like the dirt…

It wasn’t until I was older that I realized the truth of my skin. It was until I was older that I knew many thought it a sin. To be dark, considered to be cursed or somehow wrong. However, my own studies have proven them to be wrong. My color is my strength and resembles Christ the most. It is the color of the soil out of which all creation grows. Though trampled under foot, overlooked, and unappreciated, in the hands of the right tiller beautiful items are created. From roses that we smell, to corn that does the body well, the dirt you see is capable of creating anything. The dirt that is brown colored and muddy when it rains, is the same color my Lord and Savior saw fit to work rightly in conjunction with my name. Shaniqua, a name that others have given a negative stigma and/or title. A name I hid for years due to the pressure to imitate my idols. The name I told my mom I would pay to have replaced. Is the name my sweet Jesus allowed a teenage girl to name upon seeing my face. No longer ashamed of the story I bare. I accept my brown skin, and my dark curly hair. You see dirt, you and I, we got a lot in common. We come from the earth, and Ms. Eve is our Mama. We were founded by the creator of the universe, an artist in HIS own right. And though many may overlook our value, we have skeptics and they doubt. One thing is for certain it is they cannot do without. So if you’re reading dark skinned girl or boy with your beautiful brown skin. Wear it as a badge knowing whose image you’re created in. You are marvelously and fearfully made, right down to your toes. And don’t worry about the naysayers because even they know… Pass it along… 🌹Serenity