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What Is the Purpose of the Oscars?
The Oscars were created to recognize and celebrate all aspects of the film industry and the talented, diverse people who make movies come to life. But when I think about it, our lives are movies too. Each of us walks through different scenes, carrying different scripts, and sharing the screen with people who play major and minor roles in our story.
Some of those people, we “cast” ourselves. Others, God handpicks and places in the story for reasons we may not understand until the credits roll.
Denzel Washington said something powerful at the Grammy Awards this year that his mom once taught him. After being nominated nine times before finally winning, he said, “Man gives you an award, but God gives you your reward.”
That hit me deeply because I don’t want man’s award—I want God’s reward. I believe we should honor the people who have played meaningful roles in our life’s movie. So today, I want to take a moment to do just that—to hand out my own “Oscars” to those who helped shape the story of my life.
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Movie 1: “Overcoming on Broken Pieces” (2000–2005)
This was one of the hardest and holiest seasons of my life. I was broken, but I was also becoming.
My mentor, Prophetess Pamela Jones-Kent, you get the Oscar for Best Spiritual Covering. You prayed for me when my heart was shattered in marriage and reminded me of my “yes” to God. You watched over my soul and trusted that I would never die lost.
Dr. Carolyn Champion, you were my anchor. So many times, I sat in your chair and you reminded me of how much God loved me, how pleased He was with me, and how bright my future still was.
To my dear friend Sophie Williams, who sat with me, ate with me, and helped me rebuild when my credit was destroyed—you get Best Friend in a Crisis.
Herbert Poole, my brother, your worship CDs carried me through that storm.
Valerie G. Lowe, thank you for seeing me beyond my pain.
Apostle John Zartuche, you prophetically announced my exodus and declared my crossing.
And Apostle Donald Garner, like the raven that fed Elijah, your prophetic ministry kept me alive when everything around me was falling apart.
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Movie 2: “Forgive and Forget” (2006–2016)
This was my survival story—the season I learned to stand again after my divorce and as my ex-husband was slowly dying.
Kina Miller, you get Best Supporting Actress. You paid my rent for four months and made sure I could stand on my feet again.
Pastor Jamal Miller, you taught me how to blog and supported my first website.
Dr. Matthew Stevenson III, you get another Oscar for Best Prophetic Covering. You taught me consecration and covered me in prayer through countless transitions.
My late mother, Beverly Bares, thank you for walking the longest mile with me to give me emotional support.
And to Dr. Carolyn Champion and Prophetess Pamela Jones-Kent, thank you for reminding me that God hadn’t forgotten me—that one day, people would fly from all over the world to attend my wedding.
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Movie 3: “Broken and Beautiful” (2016–2020)
This was the season of new beginnings—the moment I started believing again.
Monica Coffey, you get the Oscar for Best Supporting Cousin. You were there when I gave birth to my daughter, and you’ve never left my side.
Katina Daher, thank you for my baby shower and celebrating my miracle.
Rikki Ray, you delayed selling your condo just to give me stability and helped me launch Ruth’s Vineyard.
Dr. Carolyn Champion, your encouragement carried me through my pregnancy—you told me God would turn her father’s heart, and I held on to that word.
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Movie 4: “The Dawning: All Things New” (2020–2023)
This was my resurrection season—when God began to make all things new.
Dr. Matthew Stevenson III, you get the Oscar again for prophetically declaring my season in 2020—you said those who didn’t know me would regret it because of where God was taking me. And you were right.
Monica Coffey, you moved in during the pandemic and supported me and my daughter when the world shut down.
Herbert and Janeen Poole, thank you for helping me transition to Houston—fixing cars, watching my daughter, and just being family.
LeRon and Wendy Bennet, my daughter’s godparents, thank you for your endless love and covering.
Kina Miller, thank you for every financial seed and credit card that carried me through unemployment.
To Dr. Kim Mitchell, Audrey Carter, Rena Bryson, and Sophia Williams—thank you for sowing into my life.
And to Kim Cunningham, you get Best Divine Connection. You found a program that paid my mortgage for eight months and gave me extra funds when I needed it most.
Mother Sharon A. Frazier, my spiritual Naomi, thank you for repositioning me like Ruth and pouring into me daily.
Apostle Donald Garner, thank you again for confirming the next chapter of my story.
And Ingrid Dieudonne, my intercessor and former boss—thank you for believing in my dreams and praying me into my next.
To each of you—thank you for your role, your faith, your love, and your obedience.
May the Lord reward you richly—both now and in eternity.