Tag: family

Guess Who’s Back?!?!

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Guess Who’s Back? I am, and I’ve been away for way, way, waaaay too long! I haven’t written in this blog since August of 2020, when I was appointed as the pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Md. As a matter of fact, as I’m writing this blog post, I’m thinking to myself, do people still even read blogs? Have blogs given way to social media posts, TikToks, and YouTube videos? I guess I’ll find out soon enough, huh?

It’s been over three years since I’ve written in this blog, and I won’t dare try to detail everything that’s happened in my life over the past three years. I’ll just share a few details, talking about the lowlights and the highlights— stuff that’s truly meaningful to me.

Well, for starters, a major change took place in my life on August 16, 2021—I got divorced. Now, I don’t know anyone who gets married to then get divorced, but unfortunately, my marriage wasn’t working out, and the dissolution of it was for the best. I hope and pray she’s massively happy!

While divorce is no cakewalk, trying to co-parent is definitely no cakewalk—it’s been a journey, to say the least! A rough, bumpy, stressful, at times bitter, tense, vindictive, and rarely cooperative journey. I wish I could say that co-parenting was 100% smooth and easy, but it hasn’t been that way; and because I’m committed to being honest in my writing, I have to tell the truth. It’s been rough!

From 2020 to 2023, my son, Super Mighty Max, was living with his mother in Virginia, and since the last weekend of July 2023, he’s been living with me in Maryland. And since Maxwell has come to live with me, it’s been a beautiful journey! It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been beautiful. Being a single parent to a differently-abled child has taught me a lot. It’s taught me a lot about Maxwell. It’s taught me a lot about myself. It’s taught me a lot about his mother. It’s taught me a lot about people in my life. It’s taught me a lot about the benefits and healthcare system in the state of Maryland. It’s taught me a lot about the education system and Baltimore County Public Schools. Being a single father to a differently-abled child has made me more empathetic to other caregivers in similar circumstances. Suffice it to say, I’ve learned a lot over these past three months. I’ll say more in future blog posts.

Another highlight in my life over the past three years is that I’m still the pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church. In A.M.E. terms, I’ve received four appointments thus far, and I’m loving it! It’s a great church, comprised of great people. God has truly been blessing our time together as pastor and people over these past three years and counting! Reminiscent of the early church in the Book of Acts, St. John is growing, with persons joining and getting saved each weekend—it’s a beautiful sight to witness and see. Not only are we growing numerically, but we’re also growing in faith, finances, and fun! We strive to be a church that makes a wholistic impact, and we’re doing just that. If you haven’t experienced Jesus at St. John—what are you waiting for?

Over these past three years, I’ve done and experienced a lot. I’ve met new friends and grown apart from old friends. I’ve jumped in the dating pool and jumped out; lost someone special in my life, and have learned a lot of valuable lessons—some painful ones! I’ve moved a few times—living in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City (I loved that), PG County, and now in Baltimore County. I’ve attempted to purchase a home, only to learn that the current real estate market is a beast! Sheesh! I’ve traveled near and far and have had amazing experiences on these trips! I’ve gone to more concerts in the past two years than I have in 15 years, and I’ve enjoyed it! I’ve lost weight, gained weight, and have begun losing it again! LOL, I even became an ambassador for a popular African clothing line! Overall, these past three years have been great!

Now, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, will we have to wait another three years to get a blog post? I don’t know. I doubt it! As I journey to 40, I plan on writing more and sharing more. As a single father to a differently-abled child, I plan on writing and sharing more about that experience. As a pastor, I too believe that I have something to share! So yes, I plan on writing more! Perhaps you’d like me to write about something more specific, just let me know! In the meantime, feel free to share this blog, comment, and like! Don’t forget to follow me on social media @pastorbrandonomcafee and @daddyandsupermightymax.

Peace and Blessings,

BOM

Sacrifice: What are YOU Willing to Give Up?

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One thing that the first 18 months of marriage has taught me is the importance of Sacrifice– and sacrifice is not for the faint of heart. When I moved to Charlotte last July, my wife and I were still newly married, expecting a child in November, renting a house (owner wanted to sell it in the fall), she was working alternating shifts and working two weekends a month (7am-7pm/7pm-7am), I was looking for a job, commuting to pastor a church 4 hours away, and did I say newly married? As a result, because my schedule and my wife’s schedule, there were times that we hardly ever saw each other, more like 2 ships passing in the night. So in my mind, something had to be done! Something had to give! Something had to change, because I wanted to spend as much time with my wife as possible. I wanted to continue to cultivate our love, friendship, and marriage. As a man, husband, father, and provider, I had to make sure that my wife was comfortable and that my son would be born into a stable household.

So what did I do? I sacrificed! What is sacrifice? I’m so glad you asked! First, in the words of Kevin Hart, Let Me Explain what inspired this post. While reading the Biblical book of Leviticus, I noticed that subject of sacrifice was brought up a lot, and if you notice–when God required a sacrifice for a sin or wrongdoing, the bar was set high. Whatever animal was brought to God, had to be without spot or blemish! God required the priests to sacrifice the very best animal they had. So In my opinion, sacrifice is when we give up someone or something that is very important and valuable to us, in exchange for someone or something else. In other words, we deplete and shift the energy, focus, time, thoughts, and desire for that thing or person and reallocate it to who and what is most important to you at that time.Its not to say that what you sacrifice is not important or valuable, its just what you want is much more precious and important in your life1So, because I believe that my family is my first ministry, I sacrificed the church I was pastoring, my apartment in Roanoke Rapids, my radio broadcast, the house we were renting, for my wife, my son, our family, the home we purchased, and the commitment I have to them. Was this a difficult sacrifice for me? Yes it was! However, it was more than worth it, and I’d do it again! I’d do it again, because I want my family safe and secure, more than anything else!

In closing, I challenge whoever is reading or watching this, to really think about what you want in life and what’s important to you! If you have dreams, goals, and aspirations; I challenge you to write them down, develop a plan, Go after them with tenacity, cut the TV off, put in the 10,000 hours, read more books, let go of the fear, and Go after what you want! How bad do you want it? Are you willing to sacrifice and do what it takes? I already know the answer, YOU CAN DO IT!! Don’t Quit, Don’t Give Up, and Remember You+God is more than enough!

Be Inspired,

@Revbmack