This Elephant Wears 6" Stilettos...

You may be wondering why I titled this post about an elephant and stilettos, given that the two are such an unlikely pair. In many ways, that is how I see myself. Besides being a curvy size 14/16, I am a daughter or the Most High God first, a wife and mother in a blended family second, and an author, preacher, teacher and psalmist after that. I am an elephant in 6" stilettos trying to balance the weight of all that God has purposed for my life with the style of a Diva and a grace that can only come form God, thus making it Divine.

I actually began this blog over a year ago as a single mother, and originally wrote most of it as a post on Facebook and part of it as part of my self reflection for my application to become a foster/adoptive parent to my oldest daughter, Shay. I never formally wrote this as a blog because at the time I didn't want to "blog" about my pachyderm-like tendencies. But the more I share this story with women in workshops and conferences, the more I learned that there is a genuine need for transparency and a voice to tell our story.

Years ago, during a team building workshop at the firm where I worked, we were asked, "If you could describe yourself as any animal, what would it be?" An elephant immediately came to mind. Partly due to my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, partly due to my then self image of being the biggest person in the room and partly due to my tendency to stick my nose into matters that I probably shouldn't. But then I began to research the elephant and found that aside from our shared lack of ankles and knees, we really do have a lot in common.

And so, as a new wife and mother to now 6 children (3 of whom live with us), my stilettos have gotten higher and balancing a bit more difficult at times. But God has given me everything I've ever asked Him for in my husband and children. I love my life. I even love my love life, and hopefully as you journey with me, you will come to love yours even more as well.

This blog is dedicated to the elephants in all of us. Together, let's take a look at this lovely, large pachyderm and unpack her bit by bit as we all strive to become what God has created us to be: Divine Divas.

Until the Divas meet again, may your make up remain flawless, your hair on fleek and your mind in perfect peace.

Sincerely,

Jabaria
The Divine Diva