workingthroughit777

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (God has my soul to keep)

When you look upon a starry sky
and see the full moon smiling at Venus,
I hope you can feel my love.

When you think of me in your dreams,
I hope you see fields of diamonds,
meadows with horses,
valleys of pearls,
and in the midst of this landscaped beauty,
there I’ll be.

When you see snowcapped mountains,
think of me.
When you see children playing with joyous rapture,
think of me.
When you see rainbows among cumulus clouds,
think of me.
When you see perfumed roses climbing chimney walls to give God praise,
think of me.
When you see sleigh rides, Santa Clauses, Christmas trees and jingle bells,
think of me.
When you see golden sunrises and ruby sunsets,
think of me.

When you think of me,
I feel you.
When you whisper my name,
I hear you.
When you laugh tears of joy at my little forget-me-nots,
I am laughing right along with you.

I am not gone.
I am still with you.
I still love you.
I am not gone!

It was my time for God to lay me down to sleep,
and now He has my soul to keep.

Remember,
I am not gone.
I am still with you.
I still hear you.
I still love you.
I am not gone.

It was my time for God to lay me down to sleep,
and God now has my soul to keep.

Amen.

Two Mothers

Long time ago, so I have been told,
Two angels once met on streets paved with gold.
“By the stars in your crown,” said the one to the other
“I see that on earth, you too, were a mother.

And by, the blue-tinted halo you wear
“You, too, have known sorrow and deepest despair…”
“Ah yes,” she replied, “I once had a son,
A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun.”

“But tell of your child.” “Oh, I knew I was blessed
From the moment I first held him close to my breast,
And my heart almost burst with the joy of that day.”
“Ah, yes,” said the other, “I felt the same way.”

The former continued: “The first steps he took-
So eager and breathless; the sweet startled look
Which came over his face – he trusted me so.”
“Ah, yes,” said the other, “How well do I know”

“But soon he had grown to a tall handsome boy,
So stalwart and kind – and it gave me so much joy
To have him just walk down the street by my side”
“Ah yes, “said the other mother,
“I felt the same pride.”

“How often I shielded and spared him from pain
And when he for others was so cruelly slain.
When they crucified him – and they spat in his face
How gladly would I have hung there in his place!”

A moment of silence – “Oh then you are she –
The mother of Christ”; and she fell on one knee.
But the Blessed one raised her up, drawing her near,
And kissed from the cheek of the woman, a tear.

“Tell me the name of the son you love so,
That I may share with your grief and your woe.”
She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other,
“He was Judas Iscariot: I am his mother.”

Author Unknown

ROBERT, PART I

It was a weekday in June 1992 when I received that phone call. That was thirty-two years ago. I was taking a nap that late afternoon. Robert’s mama was on the phone. She told me that Robert was in the hospital and that he was asking to see me. I was a new member of the church where Robert’s mama had been a member for years. I had only met Robert but one time when he, his mama, and some other family members gave me a ride to the train station on that Sunday afternoon. That particular Sunday, I was assigned to read New Testament Scripture during morning worship service. While on the phone with Robert’s mama, I told her that I would visit Robert at the hospital before the day was over.

Even though I was struggling with not having a job, trying to find two nickels to make a dollar and, on top of that, I was in seminary, with a keen interest in hospital chaplaincy and, by the grace of God, I scraped up enough change for train fare to go and see Robert. God has a way of providing during the hard times in life (a lesson that I have had to learn over and over again).

After arriving at the hospital and after entering Robert’s room, he was lying in bed. After seeing me, his spirit and soul lit up like a Christmas tree. Robert stood up and hugged me tightly, and I embraced him in my arms with the love of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Robert told me that he had been in the hospital for a few days and that the doctors were running tests to find out what was wrong with him. I listen and allowed him to talk while holding his hand and sometimes holding him. Before leaving him, we prayed. I kissed him on the cheek. I told him that I would visit him again real soon.

I visited Robert a few days later, which was an early Friday evening. I was on my way to the church revival, and I had been assigned to give a reading during worship. Instead of going to the church revival, all I wanted to do was stay with Robert and keep him company.

I remember Robert escorting me to the visiting area on his ward as he wheeled his intravenous pole. We were standing in front of each other. Robert looked me in the eyes and told me that his doctors had found what was wrong with him. Robert shared, “I’m HIV positive.” After a few seconds of shock, I wrapped him up in my arms with tender love and care, and I whispered, “There’s life after HIV.” Robert cried in my arms. As I wiped his tears with my hand, I comforted him with these words, “You’re not alone. I’m here.”

For weeks, the Holy Spirit has been encouraging my spirit to write this piece and to share some of Robert’s story with you. I hope this reading has been a blessing.

I’M HERE TO TELL YOU

I’m here to tell you,
God is on the side of the righteous.

You might have to climb some tall mountains,
even fall down some deep valleys.
Nevertheless, God is on the side of the righteous.

You might find yourself being persecuted by demons in the workplace,
for simply doing your job,
but, don’t fear or worry,
because God is on the side of the righteous.

A little drop of Jesus changes things.
A little drop of Jesus makes the whole thing plain!
I’m here to tell you,
God is on the side of the righteous.

Now, don’t you dare give up,
And, don’t you dare give in.
Because I’m here to tell you,
God is on the side of the righteous!

Remember, you are never alone,
when God is on your side.

Always look up,
because your help comes from heaven.

Don’t be concerned about evil doers in this here old world.
They persecuted The Christ, so they are going to try and persecute you.

Be of firm faith,
unshakeable and unmovable,
because you have a Savior,
Who loves and Who cares about you.

So, my child, walk in peace,
and in the glory of the Lord!
What The Christ did for others,
He surely will do for you!
Ask Him to surround you,
with His Shekinah glory.
He promises to never leave you nor forsake you.

Claim victory in the name of Jesus Christ!
Because I’m here to tell you,
God is on the side of the righteous!

A little drop of Jesus changes things.
A little drop of Jesus makes the whole thing plain!
A little drop of Jesus is all you need, to keep your enemies on their knees.

Baby, it’s time for me to go,
but I had to stop by,
to tell you that God is on the side of the righteous.
He is on the side of the righteous.
I’m here to tell you, God is on the side of the righteous!

HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE

“Heaven’s Grocery Store” was shared with me back in 1988, during a Sunday afternoon, at church. I don’t know who the original author was, but God bless him or her for the beautiful inspiration. I would like to share “Heaven’s Grocery Store” with you.

I was walking down life’s highway a long time ago,
One day I saw a sign that read, “Heaven’s Grocery Store”,
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide,
And when I came to myself, I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels, they were standing everywhere,
One handed me a basket and said, “My child, shop with care.”
Everything a Christian needed was in that Grocery Store,
And all you couldn’t carry, you could come back the next day for more.

First I got some Patience, and Love was in the same row,
Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go,
I got a box or two of Wisdom, and a bag or two of Faith,
I just couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost, for it was all over the place.

I stopped to get some Strength and Courage to help me run this race,
By then my basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed some Grace.

I didn’t forget Salvation, for Salvation, that was free,
So I tried to get enough of that, to save both you and me.
Then I started up to the counter to pay for my grocery bill.
For I thought I had everything to do my Master’s will.

So I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and just had to put that in.
For I knew just as soon as I stepped outside, I would run right into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful, they were on the last shelf,
Song and Praises were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel, “How much do I owe?”
He just smiled and said, “Just take them wherever you go.”
Again, I smiled at him and said, “Honestly, now, how much do I owe?”
He smiled again and said, “My child, JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG TIME AGO.”

EXPLANATION OF GOD

“Explanation of God” was shared with me six years ago. This beautiful piece was supposedly written by eight year Danny Dutton who lived in Chula Vista, California, when his piece was published. It was said that he wrote “Explanation of God” for his third grade homework assignment, and what a precious piece he wrote! I was so happy that someone shared “Explanation of God” with me, and I want to share it with you. I hope you get as much joy from it, as I did, because as I read it, I couldn’t stop smiling. This is “Explanation of God”:

“One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have.

Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren’t any who come to our church.

Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.

His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn’t have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God!

Don’t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don’t believe in God, besides an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.

But…you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.

And…that’s why I believe in God.”

flower6

SHATTERED PIECES

It has been a month since my uncle was killed, and I still can’t wrap my heart and soul around this tragic and tremendous loss. In fact, I’ve not been able to pray to God about my uncle’s death or about the effect my uncle’s death has had on me. I am a person of Christian faith. I don’t blame God for significant losses throughout my life, and I don’t blame God for my uncle’s death. I’m reminded of wise words that my mama taught me as a child: “God’s ways are not your ways, and neither His thoughts, your thoughts. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” What my mama instilled in me many years ago was spiritual wisdom from Bible scripture, Isaiah 55:8-9.

My pieces were shattered at 4:50 a.m., on May 7, 2019, when my cousin called, from 799 miles away, to let me know that her parents’ house was on fire. (My cousin lives adjacent to her parents.) In her next breath, she said that her daddy—who was my uncle—was trapped in the burning house. The phone call lasted thirty-five (35) seconds.

I prayed my uncle survived the fire, and I prayed the fire hadn’t destroyed the house. But my worst fears had become reality. My uncle had been killed in the house fire, and the house was completely destroyed.

My uncle lived in the rural country, which complicates quick response from the fire department. When one lives in a rural farm community, inevitably, there will almost always be loss of life or property or both whenever there’s a house fire.

I don’t know why God allows loved ones, who have died and who have transitioned to the spirit world years ago, to make contact with the living through dreams and visions. I’ve experienced psychic phenomena ever since I was a child.

On the morning of April 17, 2019, between 10:30 a.m. and 10:35 a.m., my mama visited me through a dream, and she told me that someone in the family was coming home, but the identity of the family member was kept hidden behind a veil. Now, my mama died forty (40) years ago. I hadn’t had a spiritual visitation from my mama in a few years. The visit, the dream, the vision—whatever you want to name it or call it—was clear and vivid.

On April 17, 2019, at 10:37 a.m., I sent my cousin a text message, asking how my uncle was doing. On April 23, 2019, I called my cousin, and shared my dream. It was during this phone call that I learned that my uncle had terminal lung cancer and had been given three to six months to live. And, if he underwent chemotherapy, he would live about a year. Exactly two weeks after my phone conversation with my cousin, my uncle is dead at age 79.

I will never understand why bad things happen to good people. It’s a mystery, of which only God has the answer. Although my uncle’s body was completely destroyed in the house fire, I trust and pray that his guardian angel protected him from the flames to where he felt no pain and guided his spirit home to God.

When I reflect on my uncle, I can’t help but reminisce on the time we shared in his vegetable garden, picking string beans at dusk. What a lovely moment in time we shared. Uncle Bo, you shall be truly missed, but you will never be forgotten, and you will always be loved, and I will see you again, in heaven.

flower5

HOW MUCH I LOVE THEE?

Today, February 26, 2019, is the anniversary of my cousin’s Mark’s death. He was killed on February 26, 1995 at the age of 24. I will never forget the day when I was told that he had been killed. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I even asked, “Mark, who?” I thought that I was in a bad dream, which proved to be a nightmare. Even though it has been 24 years since Mark died, still, there are days when I feel as if he died yesterday. When someone in the family dies young, it is a traumatic, shocking, unforgettable experience. Since I am a Christian, I truly believe that after I die, I shall see Mark again, because love never dies. I hope he knows how much he is loved and how much he is missed. I dedicate the poem, “How Much I Love Thee?” in memory of my cousin Mark. I wrote this poem back in 1999 or 2000.

How Much I Love Thee?
As long as the grass is green and the trees with leaves
As long as sweet music sings from piano keys
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

As long as the sky is blue
Me and you
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

As long as the humming birds give song
Always forgiving wrong
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

As long as I can look into your eyes
You the Prize
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

As deep the Pacific, as long the Nile
No matter how long the distance in miles
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

As long as I can get lost in your smile
Just like a child
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee.

God my witness, the angels testify
That’s no lie
ETERNITY
That’s how much I love thee!

ETERNITY.
That’s how much I love thee!

ETERNITY.
That’s how much I love thee.

flower53

Everyone Can Do Little Things

It’s just the little homely things,
The unobtrusive, friendly things,
The “won’t-you-let-me-help-you” things
That make our pathway light—
And it’s just the jolly, joking things,
The “never-mind-the-trouble” things,
The “laugh-with-me, it’s funny” things
That make the world seem bright.

For all the countless famous things,
The wondrous, record-breaking things,
Those “never-can-be-equalled” things
That all the papers cite,
Aren’t like the little human things,
The everyday-encountered things
The “just-because-I-like-you” things
That make us happy quite.

So here’s to all the simple things,
The dear “all-in-a-day’s-work” things,
The “smile-and-face-your-troubles” things,
Trust God to put them right!
The “done-and-then-forgotten” things,
The “can’t-you-see-I-love-you” things,
The hearty “I-am-with-you” things
That make life worth the fight.

Father Calek

flower84

A Mother’s Love

When God created mothers, He knew exactly what He was doing, because He knew the world needed mothers and the world needed love. I’m telling you, there isn’t anything in this world that can compare to a mother’s love. A mother’s love goes the distance.

When I think about a mother’s love, I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. As she witnessed the crucifixion and the execution of her son on a Cross, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and the hurt that pierced her heart. Mary’s love for Jesus Christ of Nazareth was faithfully with Him when He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, and her love was faithfully with Him as He died on a Cross at Calvary. Mary’s love went the distance.

When I think about a mother’s love, I think about my own mama. I remember as a child, on a particular night, I had a toothache, and I was in pain. I can still remember my mama rubbing my gums down in toothache medicine and rocking me to sleep as she held me in her arms, while humming a tune. Because of my mama’s love for me, her love medicated my pain, and her voice and her love soothed me to sleep. When my mama died during my childhood, her love for me has never been replaced after all these years. My mama’s love went the distance.

When I think about a mother’s love, I think about my spiritual mom who was a bridge over troubled waters during critical times in my adult life. My mama introduced me to Jesus Christ and taught me to love Him, trust Him, and believe in Him. But it was my spiritual mom who taught me how to be and become a Christian by her selfless example. There was a time in my life when I was homeless, and my spiritual mom demanded me to move from 500 miles away to live with her in her home. Such unconditional love had never been shown me not since before my mama and daddy were alive. I will never forget the spiritual and life lessons that my spiritual mom taught me. My spiritual mom’s love went the distance.

When I think about a mother’s love, I think about the love that many mothers have for their incarcerated sons and daughters. These mothers pray for their incarcerated children, not only for their safety, but with the hope they will make the choice to make the necessary changes to better their lives. Having a loved one incarcerated is stressful and painful, and many mothers make the spiritual choice to put their incarcerated children in the hands of God. As I always say, “You do your best, and God will do the rest.” And God can bring about positive change in our lives, if we let Him. So, mothers of incarcerated children, keep praying for them, with the blessed hope that they will one day decide to make positive and construction changes in their lives.

A mother’s love is a powerful force on this earth, as well as in heaven. A mother’s love cannot be replaced. When you are loved by your mama, a mama’s love is one of the sweetest blessings you will ever experience in your life.

In conclusion, I’m sharing the poem, “Two Mothers,” with you. This poem illustrates a heavenly conversation between the mother of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the mother of Judas Iscariot. When I first read the poem, I was deeply, emotionally affected. Even still when I read the poem, I find myself crying. I thank God for choosing Mary to bring the blessing of the Savior—Jesus Christ of Nazareth—into the world. And I truly thank God for Jesus Christ of Nazareth who demonstrated through His life, His death, and His resurrection the meaning of true love.

Two Mothers

Long time ago, so I have been told,
Two angels once met on streets paved with gold.
“By the stars in your crown,” said the one to the other
“I see that on earth, you too, were a mother.

And by, the blue-tinted halo you wear
“You, too, have known sorrow and deepest despair…”
“Ah yes,” she replied, “I once had a son,
A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun.”

“How often I shielded and spared him from pain
And when he for others was so cruelly slain.
When they crucified him – and they spat in his face
How gladly would I have hung there in his place!”

“Tell me the name of the son you love so,
That I may share with your grief and your woe.”
She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other,
“He was Judas Iscariot: I am his mother.”

Author Unknown