American Tribute - Elvis Presley
I listened to this in the early
hours of the morning today and so many memories flooded my heart that they
spilled over on to the cheeks of my face.
Days of sitting on the carpet in
the living room in Louisiana with my beloved granny good witch and my Aunt
Bobbie watching this concert as it premiered.
I remember how much we all just adored the voice of Elvis Presley.
You know what else? I remember these two Godly women and how they
would always share with me the very heart of God. Not words.
Not idle talk. Rather how each of
them lived the heart of God daily and shared Him with me.
I remember quiet Sunday's when we
would come home after church, take off our Sunday best, sit around a small
brown table together and enjoy lunch, and then "rest" as we waited
for evening services. Afternoons which
were filled with a peace that is unimaginable in today's world.
I don't remember ever once being
bored or wanting to go or do anything.
Rather I was content to stay and revel in the love and presence of
family.
I fondly remember shared laughter
as we would play a prank on my granny, dancing to 45's on the record player
with my aunt, but most of all, I remember the peace and love that reverberates
within my heart still today.
I remember the joys of being
raised in the Deep South. Hot summer
days wandering barefoot along dirt drives, wandering through fields lush with
grass, cattle walking through pastures, birds circling over the pond, the smell
of hay in the barn, and just the joys of lazy days filled with promise.
I distinctly remember the summer
my aunt was going to teach me to drive. Down the dirt back roads we
would go, me all tight gripped on the steering wheel and her asleep in the
passenger seat. Until that fateful day when I managed to straddle
two really large rail ties that somewhat constituted a cross over. I
woke her and she nearly flipped over the predicament. I think she
retired as my driving instructor that day. The peels of laughter that came from
family as we returned home and shared the adventure with the rest.
Do you know what is great about
all these memories? It isn't just the places, the people, or the
situations. It was and is the over riding presence of God in all
things. That God reigned in their lives and His peace and love
flowed through and around them in all that they did. So when any one
would come around, that peace and love flowed freely to you.
And there in that peace and love
was the subtle invitation. The invitation to let go of worry, to let
go of hurt, to allow God in. To welcome El Shaddai, Almighty God,
our all sufficient supply. To partake of the mercy, grace, and
goodness that is God.
It wasn't something shouted at
people, it wasn't pushed upon anyone, they didn't point fingers in judgement,
they quietly lived their lives rooted and grounded in Jehovah M'Kaddesh
(Jehovah who sanctifies / sets us apart unto Himself) and in that, the
invitation was clearly given to join the family.
I will forever be grateful that
in the midst of a time that sought to destroy that our faithful God made the
way according to His promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13
13) There hath no temptation
taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that yea are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way of escape, that ye might be able to bear it.
Praise God for His love, His
provision, His mercy and grace that are fresh and new every morning....
I had to share my walk down the
dusty roads of my memories today with you my friends, because I know there are
those who are feeling forgotten, lost, and buried with no way out and no
hope.
There is a way
out. There is hope. God is faithful. He has
His arms open wide reaching down to you. Will you grab His
hands? Will you run to the arms of pure love?
I am always here to share with
you, the family that is precious to me and has kept me safe and protected
amongst the ill of the day.
I love each of you so very
much...
Be blessed
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