Hearing from Those Who Talk to God

The Post Office Triflin' Though

So… I missed posting on my Big Sis

Sharifa

’s publication date cuz I didn’t have my pre-ordered book to show for it. As my subtitle suggests, the post office ain’t get that joint to me on time, and I’m still healing from the delay. But I must rectify my silence by sharing my delight that Big Sis’ words are available to the public.

Sharifa Stevens has been one of my favorite writers for the past few years, and my love for her prose started long before I had the privilege of calling her a friend. Her work When We Talk to God: Poems and Prayers for Black Women is here now, with its beautiful cover and sacred contents within, and I can’t help but ponder the vulnerability this all comes with. As one who tries to bring meaning out of putting words I find beautiful together, I can only praise those who risk offering that meaning to others, even if the intended audience is not universal.

As one who has experienced Sharifa’s hospitable words toward me and what I carry, the joy I have in seeing her speak to her beloved, fellow Black women, is inestimable. Reading her love letter to the people she knows best hits me as a privilege, not an act of exclusion. It strikes me as a prophetic witness, and it’s only right for us to intently hear the dear Ones who talk to God, who have often been excluded from and ridiculed for doing so.

Sharifa’s God-talk is exquisite and flows from her in natural conversation. You can see this truth in action by watching this lovely interview on Three Black Men’s Patreon here (for a small fee) or listen to it for free here. I cried throughout the majority of this conversation because of the love shared among siblings, but also because of the heart of When We Talk to God’s author and the hopeful world she is actively creating through profound poetry and prayer.

This obviously ain’t a review of the book cuz like I said (the post office triflin’). But it is a celebration. It is an unrestrained nod to the potency of this book’s presence because of Sharifa’s character and vision.

I can’t wait to dig into this blessing, knowing that eavesdropping on this conversation with Black women is an opportunity for people who are not Black women to hear without control, to listen without the need to insert, to be content with what is not our’s to claim. Sharifa, I’m so proud of you 🥹, and I am so thankful to know the blessing of sharing stories, jokes, and thoughts with you. Thank you for modeling God-talk for us with ingenuity and compassion. Can’t wait to hear the stories of freedom that comes from others’ engagement with this book.

With Love,

Ru.