HE LED ME ALWAYS

In the midst of the memories I recall Your Faithfulness Lord.

Throughout my Life’s journey I have seen the way in ehxich you have led. Me.

I was the child that loved to hear mommy sing. Her melodious voice and her way of holding that high note was something that drew many. But for mw, it was my confort zone.

Daddy would play the guitar and together their harmonies would fill the air like no other sound. He was a tenor. She was a whistle soprano. Honestly, the term seems obscure to many. Mostly we hear mezzo soprano.But mom’s comfortable place was in the hugh registers.

As a child her voice enveloped me. It comfroted me. It made me feel secure. She gave us voice lessons and would teaxh us harmonies. She would sownd time having us memorize two types of written form.

We memorized scripture and we memorized songs. We leafned the power of music and how lyrics could teach? Preach and tell a story. They xould also bring the hurting comfort and consolation. Music and how it touched our lives is something one cannot fully comprehend unless one is fully engaged.

Our Daddy would be the example of the written word. He preached the gospel. He taught us that we were the light and the salt. No he dis not sit and tell us. He took us with him as he evangelized. He preached as a New York State Chaplain, in many prisons. We had the privilege to go with him and hear how much God loved us. We heard him tell the broken and the hurting, the criminal and the wayward, how much God loved them. How Jesus had been sent to save the lost.

Mom had us memorize John 3:16 – 17,

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

She had us learn lines of plays she would write for church. We learned how servong God was more than just going to church. It was more than cleaning thw temple. It was more than doing things. It was a lifestyle.

We learned to be honest and truthful. We learned rhat every person has a purpose and value regardless of their ethnic background or the color of their skin. All people were made by the Same Almighty God. She taught us that all nature reveals who God is and his mercy and love.

Mom taught us the written word. Psalm 19 verse 1 was one I recall she had me memorize…

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psalm 19:1

She showed us that every living things was created for the same purpose, to bring glory to God.

Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 150:6

She taught us that since the very day we were created we were loved by God.

My substance was not hid from thee, When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, When as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.
Psalm 139:15‭-‬18

Tbroughout the coursd of my 55 years I can count the times my mom failed me. I cant consider the times she may not have been to rash or too forceful. I can recall the times she was unlearned and afraid and unable to grasp what I may have been going through at a particular time. Yet, the bulk of my memory registers a woman who soent time with God. A woman who was not perfect. But one who decoded to give her weaknesses and her shortcomings to God. She gave him her talents, her abilities, her sorrows and her regrets. She was not perfect. But she was like David. She knew how to run to the Father. She knew how to humble herself and depend on the mercies of God.

She taught me that God is not imptessed eith our abilities or gifts. He gave them to us. He is however impressdd by a heart of somwone who xan admit their frailty and their weakness and humbly come before the Lord in repentance. She taught me to surrender all things to thw one who is able to turn those vrry weaknesses in to strengths.

You see, She taught me that it is more important to serve than to be served. She can dress a table like no one else. She can clean like no else. She takes care to make others feel welcome and loved and cherished.

She has a ready word for the needy. She prays in secret. She holds up the arms of God’s servants quietly, with no acclaim. She bows the head and the heart and comes before God as a vesseñ that stand sin thw gap. She does not like words being said of her. She is a doer of the Word.

When she sees a need she quietly prays. If she has the opportunity, she gives monetarily. Or she will cook a meal for somwone needy. She takes it upon herself to care for thise in need as she is able. Whether sewing a hem, providing a meal. And of late, sitting and praying and spending time with those who are hurting.

Dad was always a good example until he became ill. But Mom, she is still a good example. She does not see it in herself. She sees herself as a servant only doing what seving Cbrist requires, nothing more.

If she hears tbat someonw needs prayer, she puts them on her list. She says she will pray. She prays. She prays for the needs of people, for the nations and for her children. She names each one before rhe Lord.

I saw this forst hand when my dad was ill. When Dad had cancer and was terminal. I thought all her focus would be on him. Yet, she tended to him daily. And she also tended to her time of Devotion and prayer. If Dad was not needong anything for a while. She woumd say, okay, please, do not interrupt this time. I need to pray snd have my Devotion. Her prayefs were but a whisper and tears ran down her face as she interceded for others.

I lived this journey thus far and have learned that her voice and her words and her spngs and her tears are a sweet smelling incemse before God.

I have journeyed life learnk g that my Best examples have been these two huam beings. They taught me how to love God. To serve him and to honor him is my objective.

I have learned to conti ue as was the lesson when I was very small, to bring my needs and the needs of others before God. I have learned to shout to rhe Lord with a voice of triumph. I have learned to Sing un to the Lord a new song. To make every effort to please the one who has been faithful.

Lord, I thank you for my story. I thank you for my failures. And for the ti.es I wandered off, I thank you too. I thank you for the prayers of my Mom and Dad. Thise saintly people who praydd through when all their children went astray. I thank you that they never wavered, even when they fell, you lifted up their head. These imperfect humans were perfect for me.

Thank ypu for your faithfulness. Ypu btought me back to them just in time. I was present in the end of Daddy’s life. I saw him love you most. I heard him tell me, I am at peace and ready to go with thw Lord.

I heard Mom say, not my will be done but your will God. As she relinquished her hold on the love of her life.

I pray I cnn be to her a blessing and one she can rejoice in in her last days. I pray that the time she has left would be full of joy and not of pain. I pray healing on her bones and on her physical frame. I pray that we, her children would value her worth in God. I pray we would be able to see the treasure we have in her and never forget we too can live a life that pleases God.

As the days conti ue we know you Father are able to carry us through. Help us to see life as what it is, a gift for you. For you continue to write our story. You alone are the Author of our Days.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23:6