Excerpts
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." Maya Angelou
Excerpts from: "God Knows My Name" Chapter 5 "Becoming"
"What amazes me most of human nature is the fact that two or more people can look at the same things and see something totally different. Another thing that leaves me awe stricken is the fact that one can grow up and live around people for years having being taught the same thing, and each can have their own highly individual concept of what they’ve heard, seen, been taught and how it impacts their outcome on the road to their becomings. I get it! The individuality of human nature is a remarkable thing! The fact of the matter is that the process of teaching is like a buffet, even though the same number of items are available to everyone, it is highly possible that everyone will walk away with something different. You pick and choose what you want on your plate, somewhat like life. Somewhere along the way, the choices you made constituted what’s on your plate, hence the phrase, “my plate is full.”
"God Knows My Name" Chapter 8 "Transitions"
Seems as if life demands you to grow up at every crook and turn. It asks that you trust and have faith. In being a parent, life teaches you that you will truly have to partner with and trust in God to watch over them beyond what you can see.
Parenting teaches you that prayer is not passive, when children are involved, for me it became a physical, frequent activity and an exercise of faith. Pulling up at the baby sitter’s house after work was the highlight of my day!!!! I couldn’t get there fast enough! I couldn’t wait to hold Melissa, see how she was, and to take our baby home.
"God Knows My Name" Chapter 10 "Fresh Start"
God amazes me! Not just in one way but in so many ways. Sometimes what comes our way as a challenge or an obstacle, can actually be His gift to us. Often we don’t recognize that it was a gift until we look back in time. To me this says, when you think that life is too challenging and is handing you the greatest “beat-down” of all times, don’t let fear, defeat and failure block your view from the gift that lies within or beyond your trials. Just as certain as there’s a God somewhere, there is also a gift somewhere, it’s just up to us to believe and see it for what it is.
"When My Heart Speaks"
“Sweet and Gentle Love”
By: Frances Patterson “Ann”
dtbs 9/17/2000
In your eyes, the windows to your soul
I long for a closer look, I yearn to behold.
The passion I know you hide so well,
love’s story you try so hard not to tell.
Indulge me…for one precious moment.
For a moment in the soul lasts infinitely.
I close my eyes so I can see
This sweet, gentle love that beckons me.
Your voice as you speak, turns the flames up higher.
words never meant this much before, they
open the door, unleash my panting
soul and its fire.
Yearning, passions…do you desire
to come and sit before my fire?
To warm your doubts, to question no more.
Come rest your mind upon my heart.
Close your eyes and know we’ll never part.
How does one earn a sweet and gentle love?
How blessed from angels up above.
More precious than gold, this heart I hold
in the palm of my hands.
This heart, this love I offer you
I’ve searched so long as others do.
Tenderly, in the doorway of love I stand.
Reaching out---woman to man.
( additional verses continues in the book)
“My Music Recipe”
By: Frances Patterson Harper “Ann”
Sometimes when my spirit’s low, rain’s on my window panes,
seems I have no where to turn, no where to go. When my soul searches
for a word that means more than alone. I find myself at my lowest
tortured point-my heart aches my soul moans.
It’s when the world becomes much too harsh, too harsh for me to see.
I pull out my favorite recipe the best remedy for me.
½ cup of “Extensions” by Rachell Ferrell
1 cup of her “Waiting”
At the first hint of it, I feel my mood elevating.
Fold in “Going In Circles” of Kirk Whalum’s video
Sprinkle lightly his “Sax In The Garden”
Cover and let it simmer, cook on low.
Let me tell you why this recipe works so well for me. Rachelle sings each perfect tone and then she sets them free. It’s her super melon highs and her rich chocolaty lows, that satisfies my palette. She brings all my favorite ingredients, to my perfect music salad.
Watching Kirk’s “Going In Circles” video, it’s like he’s saying I’m feeling what you feel-I’ve been there too-I know. Then the silky notes from his sax says, I’ve got you-just sit back. Now he brings on Lalah Hathaway with “It’s What I Do,” followed by all my favorite songs from “For You.” After this, I just fold my napkin because, basically, I’m done! Me feeling blue? Not anymore this is just too much fun! (Exhale)
( additional verses continues in the book)