Diva Zone ™ Magazine 2019 Holiday Issue - The DIVA Zone Magazine | Page 4

4 Diva Zone Magazine Publisher’s Note Check On Your STRONG FRIENDS During the Holidays I         Photographed: Najiyyah Brooks, Publisher and her beautiful Mom, Monica Brooks. have always loved the holidays. Th e festive sounds, beautiful decorations, delicious and savory meals and the blessing of to residing in; all the while insisting that, “I am fi ne!” being surrounded by family and friends. Beloved, we should always consider that the strong people in our Th ere was a time when I would even reserve my vacation days to lives have needs too. Th ey need a shoulder to cry on. A listening ear. combine them with my holiday days just to open my home for A hug. A meal. Perhaps fi nancial assistance. Life is not meant to be anyone who wanted to come by and share in some holiday cheer. I’d lived without relationships. We need to allow people in to help and go all out with the décor and cooking; and I adored every minute of we need to turn the focus off ourselves and seek to serve those who it. Th en life happened… may need us. In one year’s time my most anticipated time of the year became the During this holiday season I strongly encourage you to check on your most loathed time of the year. I went from being the “hostess with the strong friends and perhaps off er your company and service to those mostess” to literally hiding under the covers on both Th anksgiving who do so much for so many. Strong doesn’t mean without weakness and Christmas Day alone. I was beyond depressed; and the scary and fragile seasons, it just means we’ve learned to smile through the thing is that I became a genius at hiding it. I would tell my family pain. Be intentional and SHOW LOVE, it’s the JESUS way. and loved ones that “I’m okay, just working a lot.” I got away with this untruth because I do work a lot and my schedule is always busy. In closing, I challenge you even if you DO have an overfl ow of money However, I know the reason I could go on like this for more than one for gift s to focus on God centering activities and show your loved holiday season is that everyone looked at me as the “strong” friend. ones what Christ looks like here in the earth. LOVE, PEACE, JOY Th e one who always has an encouraging word, a lunch invitation or is the very character of Christ…He made Himself who was rich to baked goods to help others feel better and during the holidays, more become poor and dwell among us! Th is Holiday issue Th e DIVA Zone™ Magazine focuses on the simple festive. What happens when the “strong” ones reach the ends of their things that make our lives and our holidays beautiful; things that rope? When the encourager needs encouragement? When the cup money cannot buy like Peace, Joy, Love and Family. So beautiful fi ller needs their cup fi lled? Sadly, the answer to these questions go people of God, let’s focus our attention on all the beauty of Th e Lord and marvel at His goodness and declare to the high heavens… unanswered too oft en. THANK YOU LORD…IT IS INDEED A WONDERFUL LIFE! It took a few really close discerning friends and family members who noticed my change of behavioral patterns “around the holidays” Blessings and Love, to begin to take notice of me and surround me with the love and Najiyyah Brooks resources needed to pull me out of “the funk” I had come accustomed Brooks Media Group / DIVA Zone Magazine