When you feel a sense of obligation to someone or something it creates a binding glue. Parents to children or husband to wife, now those bindings are beautiful things and should be encouraged. However, there are times we stay in situations far too long and all they do is rob of us of our joy, our energy and our passion.

After arriving in America I landed myself a job as a part- time crew member in a fast food establishment. Ideal, no. But, I went to work and forced myself to have positive thoughts about a job that I was miserable in. I believe now that the suppressed anxiety I had developed itself into physical ailment. I ignored the nudge of my spirit telling me to let go, trust God and move on. I was too busy trying to see the road ahead that I failed to see the harm I was putting myself in by staying.

My advise today is simple, humble yourself in the Lord so that He may raise you up in His perfect time. Believe God is able to shine light into your dead situation. Don't stay and worry. Don't stay and complain or question. Let God lead and may you follow in obedience.

-February 12, 2018
Chantol Aspinall

Change Title - Dear Little Man

BREAKING NEWS...Jamaica reports 100 murders marking the start of 2018. This news rocks me to the core. A little country with such talent is writing its name in history books as a bloody jungle. Filled with animals who live by the motto 'Kill or be killed.' I'm tapping the squares of my keyboard, typing, deleting and then retyping again in a conscious effort to remain 'politically correct' in my approach.

What about the Little Man, with no voice? The little one in his khaki school uniform whose father or older brother was gunned down in the street and died. What about the Little Man who will grow up to be like the savages who roams the street with blood in their eyes and hatred in their hearts? This Little Man will not swallow his speech when he directs his hatred to the politicians as he cries out for a better Jamaica. There will be no one to silence the Little Man when he spits fire on the Law which declares justice and equality for all, yet in his eyes there is no equality under the Law. For to him the Law seeks to oppress the poor while it elevates the rich.

To you Little Man who feel as though justice will come through your hands, then you stand guilty of corruption. You stand guilty and a hypocrite of the worst kind. As in your quest to rid Jamaica of evil you have become the evil you hate. For how can darkness chase itself? Impossible. It is light you need, it is light that you most shine in order to do away with the darkness.

Little Man, you are more than a statistic. Live above the hatred, live beyond your limit. You have the power to change you and your best self can influence an entire generation to follow a new rhythm. We all want someone to blame when it all starts falling apart. However, let us remember that it is by our combined efforts that we will not only stand, but rise again.

Jamaica, I pray that your people's eyes will be opened to the divine vision of God les they perish. May they stand together, out of many one. One in vision, mission and spirit. One in unity. One in love.

-February 5, 2018
Chantol Aspinall

 I remember at age eleven when I was sentenced to travel over land and sea to my home country; Jamaica. It felt like a death sentence. I could hear the bitter song of sufferation calling me home. How I cried! How I pleaded to remain living the life in which I was accustomed! However, my whines fell on deaf adult ears and on December 7th, 2007 my younger sister, cousin and I arrived in Kingston, Jamaica.

Looking back I knew why I cried, why I begged. Why I even grew 'facety' (feisty). I was afraid that Jamaica would stunt my growth. See I thought i was doing so well in the Bahamas for an eleven year old. I had completed Primary School with honours and found placement in a private High School. Life was great. I was on my way to success and then Jamaica got in the way. Jamaica, the land of my parents, grand and great grand parents. I was told to run from it les it latches on to you striping you of joy, riches and fame. Jamaica as I was thought was where the mountain top people went to suffer. I was living the mountain top life, I wasn't willing to step down and into the valley.

Back then I had no faith in the GOD of the impossible, the controller of past, present and future.  I relied on my limited wisdom, knowledge and strength. When I came to Jamaica I was re-enrolled into Primary School for six months. Didn't sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), but was admitted into High School. The Jonathan Grant High, I will forever sing of your greatness.

I left Jamaica for the United States December 13, 2017 and this time I cried to stay. There I found Christ, a friend closer than any brother, friends and neighbours that became family. In Jamaica I found love, true love. Love that I never want to die. I found me and discovered so much more. I appreciate my Jamaican journey because it thought me this; I can make it anywhere because I serve a God who craves the road of my future. He does it skillfully, masterfully and beautiful.

I know that God is not yet through with me. As my journey continues with Him in this foreign land I humbly wait to appreciate.

-January 29, 2018
Chantol Aspinall