Reverend Wright worships in the story-telling tradition that my siblings and I grew up in on Sunday morning. The annual convention of churches throughout the US and the world, which included many thousands, is also reminiscent of my childhood. Our church alone had 10,000 members. The gatherings were spiritual, communal and affirming.
Such stories reminded us that no matter the situation that everything was going to be all right. Such stories reminded us that we were not alone. Such stories reminded us that there for the grace of God went each of us. Such stories reminded us of the importance of faith. Keep the faith!
6 comments:
What an inspirational video Judith. Thanks so much for sharing. This song helps us to remember to be grateful for God's many blessings.
Yes! The pleasure was mine, The Write Girl, lovely poet-you.
Very inspirational video Judith. In times of crisis, we all embrace our faiths a little more tightly and surrender to that which is higher than ourselves. I know in times when life has struck me some serious blows, I become calm - never angry, never asking why me. When I lost my third child due to toxemia I made a nurse cry because she couldn't understand why I wasn't bitter and how I could still manage to muster a smile for the other mothers in the ward. Yet I felt that my loss should not burden another mother's moment of happiness. No, that wasn't the place and the time for me to grieve would be in the privacy of my home. But, I was also very emotionally and physically involved in the task of healing because a very scared and very sad 15 year old waited for her mother at home. I needed to be strong. That was never an option. I was a hair shy away from death but was graciously spared and because I was spared and because gratitude and anger cannot occupy the same space, anger never had a chance.
No, in times of crisis we all embrace our beliefs. I never, ever waver and somehow become stronger in the midst of turmoil. I surrender and in the darkness, I always, always, remember that there are still those that are in much more worse situations than I. No, I at least I had my one daughter who was healthy at home. Many cannot say the same. And, when you take yourself and your grief outside of your emotional vortex and view it in respect to other's tragedies, you realize then how truly blessed you have been.
((a loving embrace to you Judith)) and thank you for this....
Rebecca - Your words have filled my heart with love and encouragement. Thank you so very much for your inspiration. It is very difficult for so many to embrace forgiveness and not to blame others in difficult situations.
I'm now remembering a story in the Bible when a man was brought to Christ so that he might regain his sight. The crowd asked if his parents had sinned, Christ, the anointed one who came as an example of our very own power and anointing, said that no one had sinned, rather that the glory of God could be revealed.
My dear sister, my dear friend, the glory of God is revealed in you this day. May the God of peace and joy, forever grant unto you blessings continually. May your family be blessed infinitely. May you, your husband, and your beautiful daughter forever walk in the glory of God.
Thank you, Rebecca, so very much for your words; they have touched my heart deeply and encouraged me to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of things eternal on earth. As He is in the world so are we.
So uplifting and beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Judith! What would we do without faith? There is nothing more comforting than feeling faith's reassuring embrace.
Kelly - Yes, faith is comforting. I am happy that this piece was inspiring too. It was so for me also.
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