Black History Month 2016

I once toiled in delta fields of cotton, knowing that such toil would not always be my LOT. When filled, the cotton sacks were so heavy that I wanted to DROP. Cotton roes were long, grasses and weeds were tall; even the dust was HOT. In the ovens of the sun, from sunrise to setting sun, I wanted to but did not STOP. I often wanted to rebel and call it quits, but I thought it best that I NOT. Work was hard with little gain, and I was God-forbidden childhood LABOR. I never ceased to believe that, ‘this too would pass ‘, and soon God would grant us FAVOR. Amid poverty, there was trust in our God, and help from a NEIGHBOR. One had to decide early in life that he would learn more than drive a tractor. I dreamed and believed, always realizing my best move was, “The Education FACTOR”. Every Black History Month reminds me of those ‘not so Good Old Days’ I am reminded to keep praying and never forget, ‘Lest we be condemned to repeat them’. Man’s inhumane treatment of one another eventually crosses every barrier, color, or culture. There’s a deep-rooted hurt and wounds inside of mankind that seem to force us to inflict hurt. The noblest laws and highest of courts, though helpful, can never cure our deepest ails. I was inspired by Black History Month to write these few lines as my personal contribution. The longings and aspirations of any people demand the primary focus be one of prayer. This prayer is just as real and relevant for not only Black America but for all of America and the world. Dear God: May this generation of Black Americans never lose the knowledge of their father’s God. May they ever believe, retain, and refer to the two great documents of the Bible and the U.S. Constitution. May they determine to keep focus on their sacred teachings about God, family, church, and country. May they never submit to a mentality of dependency upon their government. May they ever strive to contribute their talents and challenge their country to Excellency. Let them never lose sight of the dreams and aspirations of their forefathers. Let them never forget the price paid for their present freedom and prosperity. Let them remember that their deceased loved ones are like a cloud of witnesses. Let them always believe, like prior generations, that they too can overcome anything. And let them, like prior generations, pick their peek and climb, ever-ascending, never quitting. In Our Lord's name. Amen.