The Lady Is A Leader's Anniversary and She Celebrates With Grace and Respect!

[Pastor BJ Relefourd]

The Lady Is A Leader Monthly Blog is celebrating 3 years of consistent entries to provoke you into your special position of honor, respect ,grace and power.  Since February 2011, The LIAD Blog has grown tremendously, now reaching over 5,000 monthly, listed on Amazon and available on numerous mobile devices.  I want to personally thank you, your support and sharing has caused a tremendous impact, and again, I along with Lady LaKesia Scott, -Editorial Proof Editor thank you and I also thank Evangelist Denise Jackson, who began as our Editorial Proof Editor and served for over 2 years!

The month of February is filled with expressions of love, and celebrating the history of so many whom have paved the way for so many of us; it is a month of relational awareness.  What I have noticed is that expressing and developing leadership skills in relationships can be quite interesting.  Numerous manuals are written on workplace interaction, and the challenges faced.  There are handbooks which detail the manner in which we are to relate to others in social settings.  Etiquette taught in primary years are skills which we instill in our children, our grands, and to those whom we have an influence.  These skills are welcomed on our journey from childhood to adulthood.

We lead by example, we unfold our napkin and place it in our lap, we speak in tones which are acceptable in an enclosed environment and slightly raise our voice when we find ourselves out in the midst of this beautiful landscape we call earth.  Yet, with all of the above critiqued activity, why are we not as careful with the arena of respect we allow in our relationships?

As a Lady Leader, we must be mindful, that we "teach others how to treat us".   We earn respect by the manner in which we acknowledge, accept or deny "treatment".  This is the season to embrace the element of "respect".  Gracing ourselves with an aura of respect is an accessory which we each should wear with honor.  Just as we are diligent in the lessons in our social networks, and our work place relationships, we should also maintain an atmosphere of respect in our personal relationships.

Once we have handed over the keys to our lives to others it is most difficult to retrieve and re-gain the position of ownership.  We are commissioned to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Ahhhh, we must learn how to love ourselves.  Let's practice stating this very small word - No....say it again...No.  The word no is an adverb, it describes...No, at time I am unable to comply.  No, I am unavailable at this time.  No, because I love you...I just can't.   Did you know the word "no" is one of the most difficult words to state in relationships?  Unfortunately society has caused us to align the word no with; not being concerned; or not demonstrating love.  When given the statement of "No", a toddler may pout, an adolescent may scowl,  also an adult may become silent or withdrawn.

We should never allow our integrity to be intimated by the emotions of others which may attempt to diminish our royalty or our premier presence.  Stating no, may be the most valuable word you may speak.  No places the responsibility on the other party in the relationship; it causes them to make decisions, no causes the other person in the relationship to hopefully view your stance and respect your actions.

Reminder:  WE TEACH OTHERS HOW TO TREAT US: Always enter a relationship or environment with a presence which commands with grace, character, integrity and your honor.  It is with those qualities that relationships flourish and grow.

The scriptures are impartial to our relational situations, because as we all know circumstances and situations change.  However what does not change is our command to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul;  and the second is to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Isn't it amazing that we are instructed to love the Lord before we are given the instruction to love our neighbors?  Our vertical relationship musts be in tact, before we can attempt to bring others into the arena.  Once I love the Lord with all...He will teach me how to love myself, honor my life, my commitments, my decisions, then and only then can I present  pure love my neighbor  for I am now whole!

So celebrate this milestone as a Lady Leader, you my dear have earned the respect and you can and shall walk therefore with power....

Walk In Power,

Dr. BJ Relefourd

Proofreader/Blog Post Editor

Lady LaKesia Barker-Scott

Meet myself, Lady LaKesia Barker-Scott and the Women of Power

Team at  the Women of Power 16th Annual Women's Weekend-Join Us For The Annual Lady Is A Leader Breakfast-Women of Power 2014 Women's Weekend Windows of Worship