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