Book Introduction

Embracing Your Divine Purpose

Do not be afraid of who or what God has created in you. Even when the weight of the world seems unbearable and you feel utterly defeated, remember this fundamental truth: God is closer to us than we dare to realize. In our darkest moments, when hope seems like a distant memory, His presence surrounds us, waiting patiently for us to recognize the strength He has placed within our hearts.

A Testament to Resilience

Being Patient With Yourself stands as Linda Jackson's powerful testament to the indomitable human spirit, chronicling her extraordinary journey from the depths of adversity to the heights of peace, love, joy, integrity, and profound fulfillment. This remarkable memoir doesn't simply tell a story—it illuminates a path forward for anyone who has ever questioned their worth, struggled with their identity, or wondered if their dreams were worth pursuing.

Confronting Early Challenges

As a young child growing up in the predominantly white, middle-class neighborhood of Alameda, California, Linda encountered the harsh and unforgiving reality of racial prejudice at an age when most children should be focused on playground games and bedtime stories. The sting of judgment based solely on the color of her skin could have easily planted seeds of bitterness, resentment, and self-doubt that would grow to define her entire life's trajectory.

Yet Linda made a conscious choice—one that would shape every subsequent chapter of her story. Rather than allowing these painful experiences to become the lens through which she viewed herself and the world around her, she chose to maintain her integrity with unwavering determination. This decision became the foundation upon which she would build remarkable resilience, turning what could have been life's greatest weakness into her most defining strength.

A Journey of Unwavering Faith

Throughout the various seasons of her life—as a dedicated single mother navigating the complexities of raising children alone, as a devoted wife learning the intricate dance of partnership and compromise, as a model breaking barriers in an industry not always welcoming to women who looked like her, and as a strong Black woman of faith standing firm in her beliefs—Linda remained steadfast in her commitment to positivity and hope.

Her life story serves as a beacon of inspiration, not because it was without struggle, but because it demonstrates how struggle can be transformed into strength. Through every trial, every setback, and every moment of doubt, Linda's faith became her anchor, keeping her grounded while simultaneously lifting her toward her highest potential.

The Power of Divine Patience

The core lesson that Linda wishes to impart through these pages goes far beyond mere survival or even success. It centers on three transformative principles that have the power to revolutionize any life: the healing balm of unconditional love, the sustaining power of heartfelt prayer, and perhaps most importantly, the life-changing practice of being genuinely patient with oneself.

In a world that demands instant results and perfect performance, Linda's message offers a radical alternative. She teaches us that growth takes time, that healing cannot be rushed, and that the journey toward wholeness requires us to extend to ourselves the same grace and compassion we would offer to our dearest friend in their moment of need.

An Invitation to Transformation

Through the pages of this book, Linda extends a heartfelt invitation to readers from all walks of life. She hopes to inspire others not merely to survive their challenges, but to rise above them with dignity and grace. Her story is a roadmap for cultivating deep, abiding self-love—not the superficial kind that ignores flaws, but the profound acceptance that sees our imperfections as part of our unique beauty.

More than anything, Linda wants her readers to understand that they too can thrive. Not despite their struggles, but because of how they choose to respond to them. Her life is living proof that with patience, faith, and unwavering commitment to one's values, any person can transform their circumstances and step boldly into the fullness of who they were created to be.

A Message of Hope

This book is for every person who has ever felt like giving up, every soul who has questioned whether they have what it takes to overcome their circumstances, and every heart that yearns to believe that better days are not just possible, but inevitable. Linda Jackson's story reminds us that our greatest victories often emerge from our deepest valleys, and that the very experiences that seem designed to break us can become the foundation for our most beautiful breakthroughs.

Being Patient With Yourself is more than a memoir—it is a masterclass in resilience, a love letter to the human spirit, and ultimately, a powerful reminder that no matter where you find yourself today, your story is still being written, and the best chapters may very well be yet to come.