God Speaks

God speaks..

In the quiet moments, in loud moments
He speaks

God speaks in sorrow and in joy
He speaks

Often we hear God speak but are not sure of what he is saying. At other times His message is abundantly clear.

This year God is speaking to me.

What He is saying is sometimes too much to hear.
Sometimes I want Him to be quiet.
But I fear the silence.
I know that I need to hear.

So God speaks.

Heavy Load, Empty Wagon

As I sit here this Sunday Morning, I mourn two people who have greatly impacted my life. This is a day they both loved.... Sunday. Each had their own pattern, ritual of preparing, but both loved to go to church. Both loved to just be in The Presence. How do you grief one without thinking of the other? That I don't know. It was my Mother who helped me when Poppie became ill and he who consoled me when she passed. This next year I expect to be an emotional test that I'm not sure how I will pass but know that I will. Next weekend is what would have been my Mother's 63rd birthday and she will not be here to celebrate it... and he will not be here to console me. Two weeks later will be what would have been his 72nd birthday and he will not be here to celebrate it ...nor she to console me. I'm sure that God has a reason for why my life is in this state but I just don't know why. I pray the outcome will be magnificent. On Friday, my Mother-in-law stopped breathing. My husband administered CPR. God must have known that burden who have been more than I could bare. Right now the wagon is empty...but the load is heavy. Two fewer passengers...by a very heavy heart.

Rhonda V.

His Change Has Come

Today is certainly one for the ages. My Father-in-Law, Rev. Dr. Samuel Varner, passed into the ancestral realm today. There are so many things about him that I will miss. This is the most pivotal year in my life. On July 20th, my Mother, Gloria B. Stanton, died quickly and unexpectedly after having signed my Father-in-Law's will and then visiting on the very day of her death. He took the long hard road and suffered for 2 years. These 2 Superheros, have so much in common and leave a void that only God knows how we will fill. See both of them were born to poor families and had to be adults way too fast. Both knew at early ages that they had to get out of the towns they were born in to flourish. Both believed deeply in God. Both would give you the shirts off their backs, take you in and encourage you no matter who you were. My Mother was a Mother to the World and Sam Varner was a Father to the World. We have been left without our 2 pillars of strength. The Grand Matriarch and the Grand Patriarch, who were indeed friends, are no longer with us. We thank God for them and all that they gave. We ask God to give us the strength to walk taller because of them. I cannot explain the depth of my anguish and I know that my husband cannot explain the depth of his... but I do know that we will go on in a spirit of Love, Hope and at some juncture, Joy. I pray Peace for my Mother-in-Law. Sam Varner....Rest in Heavenly Peace
--- Yetu

Single Parent Now

1:51 AM 09/22/2009. I was notified that my mother became a single parent after over 40 years. 1:52 AM, I'm running down the street in my neighborhood crying trying to escape the pain. 2:03 AM, I realize I need to be there for my mother. I need to be there for my mother. I need to be near my mother.
Seko-Benjamin

Back to Cool Libations

Today the ninos' returned to their government school (Shouts to Neal Bortz). While it's joyous, its also a day of loss for me. I started this blog to allow my ninos' to share parts of their lives in a manner that their grandmothers could easily access and proudly share with others. On (Roman calendar) June 20th, 2009 one of their grandmothers, Gloria Stanton, became a beloved ancestor. As some of my more Churchy folks might say, I won't be able to share these moments with her in the 'natural'. As I exited the house today to check the weather I noted the ever-so-slight drizzle and connected that light rain with the pouring of libation....... In worship of the Almighty, in worship of our Savior, in remembrance of my Mother-In-Law...... As the kiddies left the bus-stop eagerly dancing in their seats with jubilance towards a new school year the rain slowly intensified. "Fresh water keeps me well, fresh water opens the way, fresh water is my sustainer, fresh water comes from above. Thank you Almighty for fresh water in the form of Gloria." As I walked into the house fighting the mosquitoes I became uplifted as I thought to myself how 'Cool' it was for my kids to have so much joy in anticipation of school. Gloria would have laughed and smiled (in the natural) at the coolness of her grandchildren. I'm sure she's laughing, smiling, and worshiping in the 'spiritual'. Gloria, enjoy those heavenly cooling waters from the Living well. You are well kept and well missed.

Seko VArner

Raw Emotion

On Monday, July 20, 2009 I experienced a horror and a joy. My mother passed away suddenly that evening and my life has not been the same. You may ask where was the joy... My Mother was a deep believer in Jesus and my joy came from knowing that she was now in his presence...having left quickly, not suffering a long agonizing death. Family and friends have been close as we had just had a family picnic two days prior. An event close to her heart as she wanted all of us to know each other. She worked hard for a full week before the event and for the two days she lived thereafter. She wanted all of her family to feel welcomed and have a good time. God is all knowing and made this year one that we were truly enjoying together. She retired in January, we took a family trip with her, my stepfather, my sister, my husband and my kids in April, she kept the kids for a week in June while Seko and I were on vacation with her brother and sister-in-law, we attended the funeral of one of her 1st cousins and then out of the blue, she was gone. I am grateful for the time we spent together but I am no where near a clear place in my heart and head. I can't think, words escape me and I feel like I can't stay awake for very long. Just reading cards from family friends evoked the following:

In these moments when I feel so empty, lonely and void,
I still breathe.

When it takes more effort that I thought I could muster,
I still breathe.

I breathe the memories of a Mother who was my best friend
Who could tell me when I was right but more importantly when I was wrong.

I breathe the air she once breathe with me

I feel a pain that others have felt, yet no one knows.

I think of her and wonder what I will become without her

I think of what she gave and know that I am equipped but long for her direction.

I think of her smile, her laugh or just the way she said my name and I know that she loved me and I her. I wonder why she was called home without warning and at a time when my life was so happy.

Now I fight to feel the happiness, to go for hours without weeping.

Joy and pain
They are entwined, through the divine nature of life.

We have but a while together and then we are apart for what seems like eternity only to meet in eternity.

It is in these times when the kindness of those who know me, who knew her reminds me of her. It is not always in the quiet moments that I grieve, but in the moments when surrounded by those she loved, deeply loved that remind me of who she was.

The parts I knew and the parts that were not reserved for me but for others. The parts that touched and reached so far and wide
Love is eternal and I pray that Love will heal my broken heart.

Rhonda L. Varner

A Hip-Hop Tribute to Mothers Everywhere from D.J. Bee !Download the mix here: http://www.mediafire.com/?m4umndzgztc

1 Samuel 3: 8b-10: "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, 'Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.' "

Most everyone knows that I am not a person that's big on attending church for many reasons. With that said I have ensured that for the last two years my family and I have attended a service about 90% of the Sundays to provide my Wife and Kids with the service she enjoys and a moral foundation for my Kids. This Sunday past we attended an AME church that my Cousin J.-J. attends as his newest child was being Baptized. I enjoyed the service somewhat, the band that my cousin plays in during service was enjoyable and I always love being near my Kids. Just watching my son look over at me from time to time and meeting eyes with my daughter as she sings is priceless. When ever we attend a service my wife often just looks at me to see if I'm feeling uncomfortable or if I'm getting into the service. I know that she's probably praying that I'll truly enjoy attending church one day as she really seems to enjoy a worship service. Today I began to slowly drift into a flurry of out-of-service thoughts as I began to ignore the energetic sermon of the Pastor. He then begins to speak about how Biblically Eli told Samuel to go back to bed and if he hears voices again to respond in a certain manner. I sat up. I began to listen.

When I was a youth in New York I heard voices and saw ghosts throughout our house. I remained afraid of our home at times scarred each time I saw and heard ghosts. One day I was in my room playing and heard a voice. I nervously ran out and yelled "What did you say Dad?" Mom yelled from downstairs "Your Dad isn't here, he's at the church." I returned to my room. and heard voices again. I again stepped out the room and asked Mom what she was saying. She responded "No one is talking son. Are you hearing voices again ? Next time you hear a voice say out loud "Yes, Lord. Your servant is listening." I returned to me room and later heard a voice calling my name. I replied following Mom's directions and fell into a sleep. From that point I never heard voices again nor saw the apparitions as I used to. Later as a teen this voice returned to me. I replied following Mom's directions and this voice became a constant friend whenever I was stressed out. It's kinda weird but often one can hear their own voice as they hold private thoughts. At certain times my voice is replaced by this other voice. When I hear that voice I try to follow directions. I've found that whenever I don't follow this voice my way in the world becomes a little more difficult. Later in life I've begun to feel the presence of the passed on. Each time that one visits me I repeat the phrase "Yes Lord, Your servant is listening." I never realized that Mom was quoting the Bible when she first guided me. Thanks again Mom, your guidance has allowed me to hear God and to experience my ancestors in a manner that I'll always treasure.

Seko-Benjamin