About the Author

Lucretia is a wife, mom of three, and a TEDx and Q Ideas speaker (Charlotte, NC, 2017). As a former college professor, she designed the popular ‘beginners’ course and study guide, What LIES Between Us: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing. She is the creator and director of the Brownicity.com...

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Though the middle is extremely difficult and exhausting, I try to take encouragement from my savior.He was able to endure the cross because of the joy that was before Him.So your middle and my middle will pass and we will experience sweet,sweet,peace once again,on the other side of through.

  2. Lucretia, your post touched me deeply. It took me back to a time when I came to America as an 8 year old from Germany. I spoke very little English, but learned quickly to hide being different. Kids called me a Nazi. School was painful because I had to repeat a grade to catch up from my language barrier. Life was hard. I became a foster child.
    I’m now in my 70’s. There have been many struggles, but I’ve overcome them over, and over again. I thought that God had betrayed me, but he was there all along. I’m so very blessed. God is my strength. I just had to stop, be still and listen.
    It’s been suggested to me to write a book about my story. I was born in East Berlin, and escaped as a child. For many years I couldn’t understand how God could let bad things happen to innocent children. For me, it was all about the journey, which turned me to God.
    Thank you for your post.

  3. Lucretia,
    What truth, born of your own painful experience, you have to pass on to your sweet middle-schooler. Oh, the ugly duckling years — we thought we’d never get past them. Time and wisdom born of walking with the Lord teaches us exactly what you pointed out — the middle is not the end. In fact, it is most likely the beginning of a new trajectory. I love this line: “When we are at the end of a tragedy, we find it almost impossible to see that we may actually be in the middle of a trajectory.” Amen! We are smack in the middle of the most awe-filled and inspiring trajectory — that of our salvation. What a gift worth holding on to and waiting for. The best news is Christ is coming again. This gives me hope to keep hanging on in what can be a tempest-filled middle. Beautiful post. Have a joyous Easter!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Hi Bev!
      Yes! “The middle is NOT the end!” May we have Spirit’s perspective of our lives.
      May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing. And may we continue to reap from the ‘ugly duckling’ years!

      Shalom
      LCB

  4. I attended a funeral memorial service for a 20 year old who took his own life in his college dorm room. He couldn’t get passed the pause of day 2 when all HOPE is gone. Among people age 10 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Every 8 hours, someone takes their own life in the state of Indiana. His parents are devoting their lives to Suicide Prevention programs in schools, churches and youth organizations which teach coping skills, healthy relationships, and the prefrontal cortex not being fully developed until age 27. The program offers apps, text and phone numbers to young people who agree not to harm themselves until help comes. This is time when all HOPE is gone, day 2 as you wrote, and no vision of day 3. So reach out to friends and family to wait on day 2 pause, and see what God has in store for you forthcoming. Easter Sunday teaches us The Best is Yet to come. May we celebrate Easter every moment of our lives.

    • Connie,
      I am so sorry about this tragic loss. Yes, may we be light for those for whom new life seems out of reach.

      May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.

      Shalom
      LCB

  5. Lucretia, you visualized this so beautifully and brought to mind when I miscarried our third child and when my mother passed away, much too young. Thank you for this gift of perspective!

  6. The middle is where I need to really tap into the Holy Spirit and grab tightly to his hope. The Saturday of Easter weekend reminds me Jesus knew what it means to wait.

    • Maura!
      YES! Jesus knew the sacred space of the middle moment. May we be like Jesus. May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.

      Shalom
      LCB

  7. “When we are at the end of a tragedy, we find it almost impossible to see that we may actually be in the middle of a trajectory.” So powerfully said. I learned more about you today, friend, and more about the hope of Jesus. Thank you.

    • Hi Becky!
      I am learning so much about myself through my middle schooler. I feel fortunate to be on this journey with her.

      May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.

      Shalom
      LCB

  8. This is just a beautiful writing. No one ever thinks about the emotions of the second day, I seldom remember anything being written about the second day. I love how you opened my thoughts that this day is the in between time of death and life.
    Wishing you a Blessed Easter

  9. Thank you for this word.. so strong and encouraging. No matter where we are in life, this is the kind of reminder we all need. Bless you!

  10. Lucretia,
    Thank you for your beautiful words this morning. I am sorry for the pain you have been through, and for your painful loss.
    Blessings to you all,
    Penny

    • Hi Penny!
      Happy Resurrection Day!
      Thank you for reading. I appreciate your words of comfort!
      May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.

      Shalom,
      LCB

  11. Thank you Lucretia. I loved the encouraging note you wrote…and shared.. to your middle school self. The middle does feel like we are floating in the in between. I try to always remember and to share with my precious grand babies, 2 of which are approaching “the middle”. that “God knows their name” and now I also get to share your words: “The third day is coming, and you will need both hands to grasp all that it has for you.
    Have a blessed Easter weekend sisters…

    • Hi Janet!
      Happy Resurrection Day!
      Thank you for reading and sharing. Your grandchildren are fortunate to have your encouragement and assurance!
      May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.

      Shalom,
      LCB

  12. Lucretia,

    We are always in a trajectory. God is moving in our lives to bring us closer to Him. This world needs the hope of the third day. It feels like we’re living in second day suspension. Wondering what is coming next. We must remember that God understands our middle frustrations & is willing to help us overcome them. People should read & re-read Psalm 139. It is almost a love note reminder of just how much God loves us. Thank you for sharing your story & wisdom with us.

    Have a blessed Resurrection Day tomorrow@

    Blessings 🙂

    • Hi Beth!
      Happy Resurrection Day!
      Thank you for reading and sharing.
      May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day. May we be encouragement to those who seem suspended in the second day.

      Shalom,
      LCB

  13. Thank you for sharing this with us, I have been through stages of where I thought to be better off to be gone but to come to the point that God got this and not a easy task to do this but having Him by our side, He helps us through, depression, anxiety, overwhelming, stressed and emotional roller coaster, we have to proclaimed to God Our Heavenly Father and to give it to Him and Let go of it and not to be afraid to ask Him for Help! Hugs to you sister and Bless you! Keep sharing the story to help anyone in needed ❤️❤️❤️

    • Hi Sonia!
      Happy Resurrection Day! Because he lives, we can face tomorrow.
      Thank you for reading and sharing.
      May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.

      Shalom,
      LCB

  14. Thank you Lucretia. I shared this on our prayer group. So many of us need to hear that the second day is momentary, the third day is Awakening. Bless you

  15. Amen. This reminds me of the seed being planted in the ground. What it has to go through in order to break the soil. In order to grow. In order to produce fruit. In order to survive. God has all we need to be sustained in this life. My God is good. Continue to encourage others with your words and in your deeds. And continue to give God the glory for all He has done and will do. Mom.

    • Hi mom!
      Happy Resurrection Day!
      Thank you for reading! I sincerely appreciate your words of encouragement and comfort.
      May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.

      I’ll see you soon!

      Shalom,
      LCB