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I am writing about my oldest brother because this is the month of his 72nd birthday. He is physical fit, a true vegetarian. He became a vegetarian after visiting a packing house where they slaughter cows and pigs. He dosen't eat chicken either. When we have gatherings, I always order him a special fruit dish.
Often when you watch professional basketball players on television they will give a shout out to their mother; and I have said, where are the fathers? That is why I am giving a shout out to my oldest brother because of the influence he had in my life when I was young.
My dad was a pastor, he traveled to his churches and when he was home he was either praying or reading his bible. He would also conduct family bible study every Wednesday night. At that time I felt it was the worse thing in the world to be in bible class and besides it wasn't cool. What would my friends think of me not being outside playing until the lights came on because I was in bible class. They probably would laugh me to scorn. I was tired of being laughed at because I was different. I was different because we had to live by a different standard than others that went to school because we were preacher kids. Also, there were so many of us, we did not have lots, but what we had was clean. I wanted more. My dad was a disciplinarian. I craved as a youth attention from my dad, but I felt he never had time for me. Yet, one month before he died he came to visit me, as he said the Lord told him to come. I am glad that he did, because when he came I had become a born again Christian and I explained lots of things that were on my heart to my dad. As a matter of fact I hated my dad until we had that talk, then I understood. Today I appreciate those family bible studies and conducted them with my own children. As adults, they appreciate those now, too.
There were questions I had but had no man to ask. I will never forget the day that I was sitting on the back porch looking at the chickens, very sad. My oldest brother, Louis, came out and asked what was I doing, and what was I thinking? He really act concerned and I remembered telling him that I was thinking how I wanted to hurry and grow up so nobody would tell me what to do. I knew what to do at eight years old, so why won't older people leave me alone! My brother was brushing his hair and he took the time to explain to me, that the rest of my life I would have to obey someone body. I would have to obey stop signs, red lights, police, teachers, and when I grew up my husband. He got my attention, and I really heard him. Now I don't remember at that time if I did something about it, but I know ever since I have thought about this and as an adult found out that he told me the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I also remember when I was about 15 years of age, I cried all the time, I was angry, mean, and was very much a agitator in every sense of the word. I belonged to everything I could in the church because I thought that would help, I taught little children, in the choir, secretary of Sunday School, and always a youth delegate. I talked to Louis about this as I did not like ME. He explained that I needed the divine. When I graduated from high school, went to Chicago, I was looking for "The Divine" and once I became born-again, as God has no grand children, just children, I have become a much happier person and I continue to grow in God.
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As a result of my attitude back then, later in life I have had problems with authority, I had to test the boundaries, to some degree, as there were some boundaries I did not even think about testing.
I also remember my oldest brother was a gentle, quiet young men, and when I had questions I would go to him and he would tell me the truth. I would ask him personal questions regarding men and things they used, and he explained that to me on my level. I will never forget the time I was sitting on the floor as a little girl and a piece of coal fell out the stove in my pants and I was screaming, he grabbed me and picked me up and the hot coal fell out my pants. There were others around, but somehow he knew what to do. Also, I remember one day my oldest sister hit him on the head with a thick plate and he did not retaliate, he just dabbed the blood from his head and I went to help him. I was so hurt. My mother was going to whip my sister, but he asked her not to. Now that impressed me so deeply. Later, I went and examined the plate and I became angry with my sister, with her bossy self, hitting my brother and that plate was thick. I couldn't tell her how I felt, but I pinned up that anger inside and it was later in my adult life that I forgave my sister.
My oldest brother performed my wedding ceremony to my first husband, Doug, in Chicago, Illinois in 1967, with my second oldest brother and my dad by his side. Oh yes, did I say that all of them were Pastors?
One of the saddest days of my life was the day I awaked in December, 1957 looking for my brother and my mother told me he had gone to Mississippi to get married. I was so hurt because he did not tell me. I wanted all day for him to return. When he did, they came and awaked me and I cried as I told him he should have told me. He introduced me to his wife Mary and I did not want to shake her hand, and she rolled her eyes at me. (Now she probably don't remember this but I do, and as I remember it I smile). At that point the fight was on, she could not treat me like this and marry my brother. I told Louis that she didn't like me, he said yes she does. As a matter of fact she is going to allow you to go with her to pick out her dress for the wedding reception. "Aren't you Mary?" She answered very slowly, yes. Somehow, I did not go, I think I was satisfied that my brother stood up for me to go, and the game was over.
I sent my children to Lane College after I had two in college at one time so he could sorta look out for them, as their father had passed away when they were 11 and 12 years of age. I just wanted them to know they would have their uncle near by. They were very please and happy when he visited the college and spoke in the chapel and he would give them money.
My brother was always there for me in any event that was important to me, and for that I am grateful for having Rev. Louis T. Purham as a brother. Yes, I have other brothers, but none have made the impression on my life is this gentle - man.
Recently when I was ill, I heard that he came, and that did my heart so much good, as I know that he is extremely busy. He is a hands on Pastor and they keep him running, and besides he works very hard doing construction work on his properties. He not only came, but everyone told me about a book he read to me while I was in a coma. The title of the book was Get Out the Boat. (see my blog on what I wrote regarding that subject).
Finally, I remembered while in a coma that I was planning my funeral, and even in my comatose state I remembered saying I want my oldest brother to preach my funeral. I also appreciate that when I retired in 2005, he was right there.
If my sibling want something from my brother, they will come to me, I don't know why, as he is so easy to talk to. I guess they feel that he would not deny me. Well, actually he never has, he has always been there for me.
I am very grateful that he married his wife, Mary, as she has been very kind and patient with me, and I know that she loves me too. She has been his rock and support when nothing else could comfort him as she does, and for that I am extremely grateful to her. She is a wife of noble character...Prov. 31:10 NIV).
While I was in the hospital from May 4th, to August 26, 2007 one word stayed on my mind; and that word was FAVOR. I did not know what this was suppose to mean during this time, but it sure brought me comfort. Even one time I said to the Lord, God I know you can heal me, so why I am not healed? The Lord said to me, "until I heal you, you have favor!" I remember cuddling up under the covers, saying I've got favor! That one word brought me so much comfort and joy, even through the time I felt, alone, afraid, anxious or any other adjective that I can't think of right now.
Since I have been home I have seen so much favor, not only of the favor thru my children. My oldest daughter, who is very intelligent, and beautiful have me praying for her so very much, to make the right decision, and to allow God to be first in her life. I know that she accepted the Lord but I want to see more fruit. I do not nag, but I pray, ask questions, etc. I learned while I was hospitalized that she read the bible to me, and she wrote an article about me, that she sent to me, and in the article she said, "My mother is the most mature Christian that I know." (or something like that). Now that humbled me. So many people told me how faithful she was in coming, staying in the hospital and reading to me. During this time was a very busy time in the newspaper where she is an Editor and the "go to person." She also, calls me twice a day to see if I am alright.
Then Carletta moved here to Michigan and did an excellent job in paying my bills and she never paid any one late. She even told me that she was determined to be a good steward of all my monies. It was a joy to see her come visit me, and when she could bring Joshua she did and that brought smiles to my face. Juakemo came and he always looked very well, and that was encouraging. Yes, Carletta was a trooper and I will never ever forget how she would bathe me and was my advocate regarding my care. When I came home how she took care of me and she nor her husband ever complained, or acted like they were bothered.
My son came from Baltimore to visit me and everything he told me he was going to do he did it. Now that went over with me greater than a million dollars. He would just come and sit by my bed, talk to me, and he would bring me things that NOBODY else would bring, i.e. a diet coke. One time I asked him to take me for a ride in the wheelchair and to take me on the first floor. I asked him to get permission, but he said, Naw, that's okay, and he took me down to the first floor, and I was able to look outside. If you think that is nothing, then try staying inside for four months and then look outside. That was an awesome day. I appreciate all the things he bought for me to move about the house easier and with the least amount of difficult as possible.
My neighbor upstairs made me home squeezed juice and lots of good food, then other neighbors did the same thing. Some of my neighbors found out I was home and brought cake, and some came, looked at me and cried, saying I am glad that you did not die I even went to the grocery store, eventually and saw a friend that also worked for the government and when she saw me, she just cried, and so did I, then we started laughing and we could not talk. One of my girlfriends prayed and asked God to allow her to come care for me, and she cleaned my house, mopped, cooked, etc. All my neighbors are available to assist me and when I call, they are here.
Some of my neighbors came to just have bible class or we would read inspirational books. Then one day my old Intrigue was parked in front of the house, as my BMW was parked in the garage, and the Intrigue needs some work.
The police came to tow it away. I called Southfield police department told them about the matter and I was told by one of the superiors, that they would come to my house to move my car or they would find out who was going to have it towed and tell them not to touch my car. To this date my car has not been towed.
I go to business establishments and managers says they miss me and they want to give me all kinds of "stuff." I caught the flu and the same sister that got me to the hospital that morning of May 4th, was there to care for me again.
My church brought food over until I asked them to stop. My Pastor told them to come over and clean my house, etc.
I now have a new appreciation for handicap parking spaces, now that I have a sticker, I am so grateful, as on cold days going to church, stores, hospitals and doctor offices I get a place right up front. I am oh so grateful for that.
There are so many thing I can't even remember, but as I think of the word favor I think of kindness, approval, warm regard from a superior, well that is exactly what the Lord has provided for me. I even told my Honey that as a very ill person, he did not have to feel obligated to stay in my life, as he could have the cream of the crop. His response floored me, "Even the cream of the crop has cuddles." I appreciate my Honey so much as my food falls out my mouth when I eat as I do not have feelings in my lips - yet; so I did not want to eat in public, he told me it didn't bother him so we went to breakfast. Every since when he wants to take me out, I go. He run errands for me, takes me to doctors when I could not drive myself, and he comes over and remind me to get my rest daily.
All I can say, who am I that God is so mindful of me; then I think of what the angel said to Mary - the mother of Jesus in Luke 1:28 "...Hail, thou that are highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Who am I that God is so mindful of me?!?
Yes I live in Southfield, conversely I own property and pay extremely high taxes for that property and yes every time I turn around they are sending me a new bill. Mayor Kilpatrick is acting like a typical young man with a big bank account. Except the fact that he is spending our money to finance his shenanigans. Yes, I heard that downtown is 'off the hook', but as I drive in the neighborhoods in Detroit it looks like a war torn area.
The Mayor could have come into this position bringing with him some good home training, strong character, integrity and he could have taken a page from my son's book. My son's dad passed away when he was eleven years old, one year younger than the Mayor's twin sons. One day Tim told me, Ma, there are lots of things I could get involved in, but I don't and I won't, because I do not want to hurt my mother. Now that sound like a responsible young man, and I must say a wonderful, productive young man. If the Mayor would consider his mother and even his dad and decide not to hurt them would help him a long way.
The Mayor contradicts many of his statements, as he said he and his wife had worked thru problems long ago, well, if they worked thru it, then why was she is so much pain when she came on television recently? My heart goes out to her.
I understand being a public figure, you can't just get up and leave because you want to, like the typical woman, we don't know what kinds of threats hang over this woman head. I believe she is a wonderful woman, wife, mother and she need our prayers. However, I believe the Mayor knows the right church lingo, as it remind me of the homeless people that stand on the corner with a God 'bless you sign', hoping this will weigh on the hearts of the people to give, give and give.
When the Mayor went to the church to speak, was strategy as the church is still the strongest institution in the Black community. However, when the Mayor was going into the church and the way he shoved the reporters showed that he is not broken.
Now for the Church of God in Christ where he sort haven, is an embarrassment to me personally, as when I was growing up, my dad was a Pastor of this church, and back in the day this church stood on fasting and prayer and they preached holiness. Bishop Mason was a praying man, but I really don't know what the name of this. I believe pastors look at some of the "stuff" they do in private and based on their on conduct they want to embrace unrighteousness. Remember, righteousness exhalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Mayor Kilpatrick, come clean or stay away dirty. Go into your private prayer closet and you ask God for forgiveness, and allow your children and wife see you crying out to God, that way you won't have to get on the television saying I'm sorry over and over again. You are indeed an arrogant man, and we all know that power corrupt, but absolute power corrupt absolutely.
