SALT ROCK

My parenting style has really changed over the years.  When my children were little – I felt like they needed to experience and try a number of things and we forged ahead without deep detailed plans.  You know how they say a little knowledge can be dangerous?  Well, you know, I picked up a degree or two; had some continue education and the opportunity to pursue one of my joys which is human development.  I’m fascinated by the whole reproductive process and just how MAGNIFICIENTLY made we are – even from birth!  With all the new child development theories on hand – I’m amazed I can walk, talk and chew bubble gum all at the same time if I so chose – cause I know my people didn’t take none of this stuff into consideration when I was kiddo. 

As a result of all this knowledgy (yep, it’s a new word) or plain ole age, on my second round of parenting and in my grand parenting; I find myself always thinking about safety.  I keep telling the little kiddos to “not do this/don’t do that; be careful; stop running; get off of that; you’re going to hurt yourself; you gonna scar yourself for life;  stop before you bust your head; you gonna put your eye out or slip and fall and hurt someone else!”  I mean the list goes on and on and on….  There have been times when I have twisted and turned myself near personal injury trying to keep them safe – and they glide on laughing all the way – as I crippled on to my bed to recover! 

But, what I’m about to tell you is the truth; the whole truth; nothing but the truth!! 

REALLY NOW!

This is what had happened; now, for over 12 years I have lived down the street from a dear brother/friend.  We were children when we met and over the years he’s been a very good brother to me.  For 12 years, he’s been on his way down to visit me at my home. 

On the evening in question, I had a phone call from him telling me that a “historical moment was about to happen” – he was coming to visit. As we settled in to catch up and enjoy a little visit; my niece came running in the room holding a small white object. 

She ran straight to her grandmother and announced to us that the 3 year old (almost 4 year old) had “lost his tooth” with him running quickly behind her.  Grandma accepted the small white object and examined it. 

Now, Grandma was in the middle of some of her creative joy.  She was cutting out some cute little cards she’d created for one of the bandits and had a pair of scissors in her hands when they ran upon her. 

DANGER! DANGER! DANGER! FLASHED THROUGH MY MIND.

As did the true probability of a 3 year old having lost a tooth by natural means, as I sat next to my brother/friend on the sofa.   I mumbled aloud “and if he knocked the tooth out what are the dental health ramifications of losing a tooth 2 years ahead of schedule?”   

By this time, my brother/friend was laid out laughing.  I mean my whole house was in an uproar!  I was thinking to myself, “What kind of insanity has entered our home – WHAT THE HECK IS REALLY GOING ON?”  I mean, I’m sure we put the keystone cops to shame some days but this was a whole different ridiculous level.   

So grandma, the three year old and the scissors counted the teeth in the boys head.  She announced “this tooth didn’t come out of this mouth.” 

Then I was handed the majestic white “tooth.”  I took one look at the object in the palm of my hand and announced to the 3 year old bandit, “Boy, you will not start up this salt rock mess again!  This isn’t a tooth it is SALT ROCK!” 

See, when the ice and snow had been at its’ height this past winter season, the 3 year old thought he was the little brother to the Morton Salt Girl.  We vacuumed salt rock up three times in one day off the stairs behind him being so industrious!  He also took a spin at sprinkling more salt rock on other days through the house.  

And the 6 year old ran off to her room with her melodious laugh bouncing off the walls.

AND THIS IS OUR TRUE STORY OF SALT ROCK!

BITTERSWEET

I grew up in the church - yep, Missionary Baptist!  I can remember me and my cousins doing a lot of – okay – perhaps - inappropriate laughing at some of the things that would happen during services (I especially remember an event during one Christmas program practice that can still bring tears of laughter to my eyes when I think about how hard we laughed). 

I also remember not being impressed or happy about the part of the service called the Devotion.  I thought it was meant to drag out our time in church (which if you know the Missionary Baptist – it already has the ingredients for a long service without this).  But, at the time, I just didn’t understand the purpose which isn’t to imply that I now do.  I’ve determined over the last several years that this is an area I’d like to do a little studying over.

Anyway, I digress from my point; I remember during the Devotion, the deacons would cut loose with some old hymn and the congregation would join in (usually sounding drug into it), then another deacon would read an old testament scripture and another would read a new testament scripture and then one would say a really looooooong prayer aloud; there were times when a deacon or two would give a testimony or perhaps someone from the congregation.  I remember thinking it seemed to be a time of mourning because everyone seemed so sad to me. 

In the last week, I’ve heard of sixteen (16) critical circumstances folks are in the midst of working their way through.  When I say a week, I mean seven (7) days.  When I say critical circumstances, I mean life altering losses that have the potential to forever change the color/depth/texture of their very being; the kind of experiences that have the foreboding power to create great grief and rent the soul.  The kinds of experiences that can set a person afloat and leave them feeling like they can’t see or make it to solid ground; to lose hope.     

See, I don’t know how the mothers and fathers of those young ladies that have moved over to glory will manage; I don’t know how the best friend will ease the void of the loss of her sister/friend; I don’t know how that granddaughter will assuage the loss of her beloved grandfather; I don’t know how that auntie will find the strength to see her niece through the illness that has moved into her body; I don’t know how that nephew will reconcile the uncle that was to the uncle that now is; I don’t know how that family will mend from the loss of their soldier; I don’t know how that wife will attune her family to the new reality of their life since her husband received a brain injury while balancing the needs of her husband, her children and herself with the demands of an insensitive work environment; I don’t know how that family will find the strength to fight for custody of their sweet little five year old grandchild – who thought it best “to call mommie” because all her friends were at the memorial and just knew mommie would want to see them; and I don’t know who will stand in as advocate and supreme support of the parents of the new grandbaby whose grandmother moved to glory. 

I wanted to pray.  I’d heard about a great many folks in need and I wanted to approach God Almighty and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to comfort and keep all those impacted.  My mind’s eye flipped between all of the situations I’d heard about in the last seven days and I found that I was completely unable to utter one word and a chill began to run up and down my limbs.  I was so choked up with unshed tears that even moaning was complicated and painful and I was left with little grunts which soon grew to moans.

As I moaned and paced in my room, I heard the Spirit say: 

…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. PS 30:5b (KJV)

And

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:26-28 (KJV)

 When I was a child, I didn’t realize those folks leading the Devotion were humbling themselves; centering themselves; pushing life’s hurts and insults over – within - just a little - to make room for the Holy Spirit down in their souls and into the service.  Healing...     

As I moaned and paced in my room, my mind’s ear began to hear those old deacons during Devotion. 

I heard:  Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. 

                                         And I sung:  Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.      

                             I heard:  I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.

                                         And I sung:  I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.         

                             I heard:  Bread of heaven, bread of heaven; feed me till I want no more.

                                         And I sung:   Bread of heaven, bread of heaven; feed me till I want no more.

Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTu6oVyphc8&feature=related

 Then…

I heard:  Tis the old ship of Zion, tis the ol’ ship of Zion; Tis the old ship of Zion, git on board, git on board.
                    And I sung:  Tis the old ship of Zion, tis the ol’ ship of Zion; Tis the old ship of Zion, git on board, git on board            

I heard:  King Jesus is the captain; King Jesus is the captain; King Jesus is the captain; git on board, git on board

                    And I sung:  King Jesus is the captain; King Jesus is the captain; King Jesus is the captain; git on board, git on board 

I heard:  Aint no danger in the water; aint no danger in the water; aint no danger in the water; git on board, git on board
                    And I sung:   Aint no danger in the water; aint no danger in the water; aint no danger in the water; git on board, git on board

Tis the Old Ship of Zion:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHU6LF2NanA&feature=related

But the Spirit wasn’t done…

I heard:  Father, I stretch my hands to Thee; No other help I know

                    And I sung:  Father, I stretch my hands to Thee; No other help I know 

I heard:  If Thou withdraw Thyself from me; Ah! Whither shall I go

                    And I sung:  If Thou withdraw Thyself from me; Ah! Whither shall I go 

Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee/Precious Lord/God Will Take Care of You:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSG4VrxGsaA&feature=related

Which rolled right into Precious Lord, Take My Hand and God Will Take Care Of You

By this time, my Spirit was full and I was having a very difficult time keeping my feet on the floor; I just wanted to run in place a little bit and I found that my arms felt better raised high with my hands open – ready to receive. 

I wonder if you can forgive the arrogance of my youth and allow me to give this testimony:

“No, I don’t know how these folks will endure what must feel too heavy to withstand, but I do know that God is so Able; I know God will neither leave or forsake us and even when we don’t know what to say, the Spirit does - no matter how sweet or how bitter life may be at this time.”

Eph 3:20