The Lessons Before the Blessing

By LaRhonda McLemore

The Lessons Before the Blessing is meant to uplift, inspire and encourage you to go after your purpose and dreams regardless of life's trials and tribulations. This book was written to help someone learn that within every disaster there is a chance to grow. LaRhonda McLemore was faced with many challenges and obstacles earlier on in life that she had to overcome. When she was seventeen years old, her father passed away surprisingly from an overdose on cocaine. A year and half later her mother went to prison. At the age of nineteen, LaRhonda was forced to take custody of her two younger siblings. In spite of LaRhonda's circumstances, she didn't let it to define nor discourage her. She believes that season of her life was preparation for the future. This book was written to provide hope, inspire resilience, courage and passion to progress forward in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: True Vine Publishing Inspire, Empower, Produce
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370606665

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LaRhonda McLemore

The Lessons Before the Blessing

LaRhonda McLemore

Copyright © 2017 by LaRhonda McLemore

Printed and bound in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system with the exception of a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper or magazine without permission from the author.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, King James version unless otherwise noted.

Book production by True Vine Publishing Company

P.O. Box 22448

Nashville, TN. 37202

www.TrueVinePublishing.org

615-442-6657

615-44Books

For more information about the author or the book, visit:

www.thelessonsbeforetheblessing.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my mother (Hi, mommy). Although, we bump heads a lot, we are so much alike, hahaaaa—I LOVE YOU! You inspired me to take a different route. I was literally motivated by circumstance to beat the odds, rise above the non-sense and break those generational curses in order to start tapping into those generational blessings. You are a very strong individual to rear six girls and one boy by yourself. I know it was rough and sometimes people don't give you enough credit. You could've taken the easy way out, but you birthed all seven of us. All those times I was being hard on you because I knew you were capable of doing a whole lot more, but I was often reminded by the Man upstairs to extend grace just as He extends to all of us each and every day. You are my heart, and I will forever have an unconditional love for you for giving me life.

To my father, I MISS YOU ohhhhhhhh so much….words couldn't express. I have so many things to say to you, but I’ll save it for my journal. You left way too soon, but God needed you to come home. I appreciate you for instilling in me the hustle, the drive and a heart for others. You always made a way, literally--lol. I was always thankful for whatever you decided to give. If I could give it all back just to spend a day with you, I would. I LOVE YOU POPS! rest in peace!

Granny, RIP. Thank you for the knowledge, the beautiful ring on my 21st birthday and the laughs. I will see you again one day. I love you!!! This book is for you and my pops’ legacy, which was building and breaking generational curses - just like I promised.

To my sister Johnika, my #1 fan, my ride or die, and the first person who introduced me to a Bible scripture. Thank you for always being a listening ear and the calmer version of myself (lol, I wish). I always looked up to you when we were younger; I still do, which is why I always ask for your advice. When I’m ready to make a drastic decision, I always ask, Well, what would you do sis?. I love my nephew. (Hi, Shawn Shawn—TT loves you). Stay beautiful and focused. Stop worrying so much. WE WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD, because God has our back. Seek beyond what you see. It’s waiting on you. Remember that you teach people how to treat you. Thank you for always having my back no matter what. I love you best friend and big sis!

To all of my siblings: Jamiya, Sabin, Makiya, Shalonda and Sherman, I love you all so much as well as my nieces and nephews, because of you all, I will always have a friend. I know you guys didn't always understand why I didn't show up to all the cookouts or all the events, but I was trying to remain focused on finishing school and writing this book. Thanks for understanding and the motivation! I want to encourage you all to go after your dreams and purpose. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not good enough, because you are enough!

To my big brother, Anthony, I love you man. You've always been there for me. I have always looked to you as a father figure, especially when pops passed away. Thanks for taking me to church with you, for listening, kicking my butt when I was not on my stuff and the many conversations we had about life and family. You are one of a kind! Never forget that. Keep striving to be the best father, brother, son and grandson you can be. I love you big brother!

To my oldest sister, Angelica, you are still crazy. I guess certain things never change. My love for you is unconditional. You've always been a hustler; it runs in our veins. Keep pushing and stay focused sis. I see you doing big things in the future. Allow no one to remind you of your past. God is not done with you yet. Love you and my nieces and nephew. Don't give up on them, they need you.

To Raven, Raymond, Kea, Justice (my favorite), Destiny, Kewanna, and Moss, I love you guys. I know life has been hard for all of us, but remember it’s easy to blame our parents for our current problems. I’m not saying they are perfect – no one is. I know it gets really hard at times, but you have to keep God first, take responsibility for your actions, and chase after your dreams and purpose. He’s not done with you all. Stop making excuses and go get what's waiting on you! Love y'all!!

To my significant other, thank you my love. You’ve helped me become a better me with your constant support, encouragement and the many conversations. I’ve learned so much from you.

To the rest of my family and friends, thank you for the encouragement - negative and positive. It was definitely fuel that I needed in order to complete this project. May God bless you all.

LaRhonda

DEDICATION:

This book is dedicated to my younger self with the intent to uplift, inspire and encourage someone who has ever