A Praying Baby

I know I mentioned this before but today I have to share with you again that C.J. is a praying baby. As you know on Thursday nights Daddy bathes, prays with and reads to C.J. Today the reading was Roman 6:15-23. Daddy has to prepare a sermon for Sunday and the Lord has led him to work with that scriptural lesson. So when I cracked open the good word CJ began to grab at it. I had to hold her back because I did not want her to tear Daddy's bible. I am going to go with that she was very eager to get into the word. That is my story and I am sticking with it.

The highlight of Daddy bath time used to be when C.J. would kick and splash water all over the place. These days the highlight is when I ask C.J. to pray, she begins to make utterances. Today she even looked up to the Lord which means she is growing in her prayer life.

Daddy enjoys praying with C.J. more and more each time they pause to communicate with God. We pray for an open relationship, respect, a strong bond, love and family. These things will help develop the father/daughter relationship and help each of us to grow. Prayer will take us a long way! So you all continue to pray because prayer changes things, situations and people.

NOTE TO C.J.: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Just a Poem Tonight

Now usually I have a lot to say, but today, nothing too interesting went on other than C.J. sleeping through getting dressed and not drinking her bottle on the car ride to the sitter. C.J. and I were apart more than we were together. We did manage to get some tummy time in together, but then Daddy had to go down to the church for service and it was magnificent! So as I leave you today, always remember to pray because prayer changes things, situation and people. I will also leave a poem for C.J.

A Black Woman, Nothing Else

By Annie Ruth

There used to be a time when
I was ashamed of my skin.
I received tormenting jokes
from all of my friends.

Of course it wasn't done
to make me feel this way
But being black gave me much dismay.

"African, charcoal, Black Baby",
I would hear
But no one even noticed or knew
That I had silent tears.

Those names became nicknames and
I'd hear them everyday at school
‘Cause when I was young and growing up
I'd play by my peers rules.


One day when I was still young
My father left us all
And married a white woman
Who beckoned his every call.

I was really ashamed of my skin then,
I thought it was very bad,
I thought the white woman had something
Which I could never have.

But one day when I was still young
I met a black lady darker than I was,
She cherished and boasted that her
Color was a gift from above.

She told me that I was beautiful -
Something no one had ever done.
She said, "your skin is
So black and smooth-
Which shows the perfecting of the sun".

She said, "To match the pretty black skin
Your teeth are white as snow
And I'm sure that you will show them
Everywhere that you go".

Everyday she would tell me this
And her words began to spread.
They came from other people
I never even met.

The words of my friends changed to,
"Let me feel your face

And let me see you grin"-
For sister, you are beautiful-
Be proud of the color of your skin.

Now, I'm not ashamed of my skin
Though obstacles it may bring.
I proclaim to the world that I am
A Black Woman, the element of spring.

I blossom with happiness
And pride within myself
For I am A Black Woman
And I wish to be nothing else.

Feast of Cakes

Now we do not do the whole Fat Tuesday thing but tonight we had a lot of cake. Daddy's Valentines Day cakes finally got here for his leading ladies and the one we tasted tonight was simply marvelous. The message on C.J.'s cake read, "Daddy Loves Princess C.J.". She is now officially one year in on Valentine's gifts. Now it is time to start thinking about her birthday present...we shall see what the end of that journey brings to C.J.

I had to drop something off to the babysitter today and I love my Princess so much that I did not want to see her. I felt that if I saw her I would want to take her with me and I could not today. So I let her stay with the sitter for the rest of the day.

So now that I have tried a new cake maker I have someone to gauge from. Her cakes for C.J. are great and C.J. smiled when I showed them to her. That means my day was a success! So now as we embark upon the journey of Lenten season I solicit your prayers as during this time we get more intimate with God. We know that when we pray people, things and situations are changed.

NOTE TO C.J.: When you take a trip make sure that you are able to get home. Today Daddy almost got into a situation where he would have been stranded. (OK I got a flat tire on the turnpike and had no spare) BUT GOD, allowed us to safely reach a service station and then they took us to get a tire. GOD is truly worthy of all my PRAISE!

Time Flies

I learned a long time ago that there are 24 hours in a day. I also learned that you work a third of that day and another third should be spent asleep. So if my math is correct (please check me because math is not my strong point) that should leave 8 hours to remain unaccounted for in a day. At least that is for normal people. For C.J.'s Daddy you can split that in half because up to four hours a day are spent commuting from home to work and from work back home. So now four hours what to do with it? How is it spent? I wish I could bank it all up and save it to create an extra day to the week but I can not. So I have to use it as best as I can. No matter what I do it seems that I never have enough time.

Today I left the house late. All because I spent a half hour envying Mommy and C.J. because they did not have to go to work or the sitter today. They actually observed the federal holiday set aside to honor our Presidents. Let me use the strong language I wanted to use...I was straight jealous. I really hate that I could not spend another day with them because I really enjoy their company, no matter how much they fuss and fight with me.

So today because Daddy got to work late he arrived home late. He had no time to play with C.J. but he did get to sit and talk to her for a bit before it was bath time. He much rather his eight-to-three o'clock hours better. This allows him time to play and relax with his Princess.

You all know that I learn a lot from the students I work with on a daily basis and today was no exception. Today I witnessed a father learn from his daughter information that really broke his heart. I saw a daughter broken into pieces because she felt she had let her dad down. I also saw how a father reassured his daughter that he always loves her and that nothing she does could stop that. He gave her words of wisdom and lessons on life today that he had once told her but needed to reiterate. As I sat in my seat I could not say a word. All I could hear was C.J., all I saw was C.J. The dad did say he would pray for me and I appreciate it. Immediately when I came home I asked C.J. not to take me through so much pain. The reality is that life will be part of her educational process. So with that will come ups and downs, good times and bad times. Heartaches, headaches and pain but the beauty is that there will be smiles, laughs and love to outweigh it all.

So tonight as I pray for strength and an open and honest relationship with my daughter, you all continue to pray too. We all know that prayer changes things, situations and people.

CJ's 1st Love

Today around the world people celebrated Valentine's Day. This is no exception in the Johnson household. The only difference was that because it was Sunday we had to celebrate our love for God before we could each other and that is what we did. Just so you all know, daddy really does not celebrate Valentines Day. he does honor it but he believes that you should not need a commercialized holiday to dictate when you show signs of affection towards the ones you love.

So when CJ was born I quickly realized that I would have to make sure she knew what love was. I had to make sure that I was the number one man in her life. That if anyone was to come after me they would have a tough act to follow. So of course CJ was given a card and a cute cuddly little monkey from her first valentine, Daddy. She has another part to her gift coming tomorrow. Due to the inclement weather this past week the shipping was altered. That is OK because like I mentioned earlier no matter what day of the year Daddy loves his Princess CJ.

I wanted to watch the NBA All-Star game with her but she had to go to sleep. So maybe next year we will be able to watch the game together. She did try to sneak a peek while I was taking her to the crib but a peek is not watching the game with her Daddy. So tonight was filled with worship and adoration for Daddy. The highlight of my day was when I prayed with CJ and she uttered something to God! I lit up because I know whatever it was, God understood.

I have to leave you with theses lyrics tonight. The choir at my second service song this as we left worship. This is what LOVE is all about. So as I go, use CJ as an example. Always remember to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.

'Time In Praise (All Day Long)
(recorded by Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Women of Worship)


All day long I've been with Jesus All day long my lips have uttered praise All day long my heart, my soul's been
lifted in worship
All day long I have been with Him
(Repeat as directed)
No way could I ever honor You enough
For all you have done for me
So I will offer up thanksgiving
from my heart
And praise continually
(Repeat as directed)
ALLELUIA Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
I will praise Him, ....
I will serve Him, ....
He's my Savior, ....
He is worthy, ....
Lord, we love you

Real Quick

Today I do not have much. I was on the go. I will let you know that C.J. and I watched the Dunk Contest for the All-Star game and it was really boring. So boring that C.J. even yawned once. Now I am fighting the want to go get her from her crib. Daddy hates when she whines but I have to be strong so she can learn that she does not get what she wants by whining.

So as I get ready to turn in, you all pray for me and pray for C.J. You all know that prayer changes things, and with prayer Daddy and C.J. will both learn their lessons.

Temper, Temper!

Today I had to leave home in the wee hours of the morning to get to work. The only thing different about today was that Daddy was the only person up and getting dressed. My girl C.J. got up with Daddy, but instead of getting dressed she remained in her crib with her thumb in her mouth as she watched Good Day New York through the bars. I hated that we could not have day three of Maury Povich and fun, but someone had to go out and earn some money.

So when I called home today to check in on my ladies, Mommy told me that C.J. had a rough morning. Her gums are beginning to hurt her as a tooth begins to press through. C.J. wanted to put everything in her mouth. From toes, to her thumb, to her blankets and teething rings. C.J. just wanted to get comfortable. So on the ride home, I decided to pick up some tablets Mommy had mentioned that could possibly help her a little.

Now to the little one's temper. When C.J. wants something she sets her mind to it and does not settle until she gets it. Tonight she was not interested in her toys, she wanted to play with the remote control for the television. You all know Daddy had an issue with that. She stretched and reach and wiggled to get that remote. When she realized she could not get it she tried another angle. If I can not get what I want then I will get feisty and act out. First she whined, then yelled, then screamed, then refused to sit, then wanted to be walked around. Now, of course Mommy does not deal with it and she puts C.J. in her place. Daddy, on the other hand, is a little more soft. He wants to cater to C.J. Why? She is his Princess. Now I believe in discipline but there comes a point when I would rather see her get her way versus hearing her shriek and whine. I just have to develop a longer threshold for her loudness. Mommy swears I let her get away with murder but it is simply a Dad loving his baby girl.

So as the evening turns to night and I try to get her back to sleep, I hope you have a great weekend. Please remember this, Valentine's Day is only a day. One created to make someone millions of dollars, tell those you love that you love them daily and you will not have to worry about running around looking for presents and chocolate. (OK, the chocolate is good, especially DARK!) Also remember to pray because prayer changes things, people and situations.

NOTE TO C.J.: I LOVE YOU 365 or 366 days of the year. Not just when the media has developed a day for me to say so.