This is deep, so take your time.

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord ....
Lord .... Why did you make me black?
Why did you make someone
the world would hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes,
of grimy hands and feet...
Black is the color of darkness,
of tired beaten streets...






Why did you give me thick lips,
a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you create someone
who receives the hated stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye
when someone gets hurt...
Black is the color of darkness,
black is the color of dirt.

Why is my bone structure so thick,
my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,
and not the color of the sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin
and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand...
What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate me
and not know the person within?

Black is what people are "Labeled"
when others want to keep them away...
Black is the color of shadows cast...
Black is the end of the day.

Lord you know my own people mistreat me,
and you know this just ain't right...
They don't like my hair, they don't like my
skin, as they say I'm too dark or too light!

Lord, don't you think
it's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation
and make everyone the same?

God's Reply:

Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?

I made you in the color of coal
from which beautiful diamonds are formed...
I made you in the color of oil,
the black gold which keeps people warm.

Your color is the same as the rich dark soil
that grows the food you need...
Your color is the same as the black stallion and
panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed!

All colors of the heavenly rainbow
can be found throughout every nation...
When all these colors are blended,
you become my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,
such a beautiful creature is he...
I am the shepherd who watches them,
I will ALWAYS watch over thee!

You are the color of the ! midnight sky,
I put star glitter in your eyes...
There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...
That's why your cheeks are so high!

You are the color of dark clouds
from the hurricanes I create in September...
I made your lips so full and thick,
so when you kiss...they will remember!

Your stature is strong,
your bone structure thick to withstand the
burden of time...
The reflection you see in the mirror,
that image that looks back, that is MINE!

So get off your knees,
look in the mirror and tell me what you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness...
I made you! in the image of ME!

NEED WASHING??

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.

"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry.

Take the time to live!!!

Keep in touch with your family and friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!

Who's the Man?

With Much love and Appreciation

Hey Fam,Although "thank you" cards are in process, Muriel and I want to take the time out to thank our families who did everything possible to attend our wedding. Some of ya’ll traveled from long distances to and from your homes in a short period of time, (Rob, Robin, Carol & Tikka) we and we know most of your time was spent in travel and preparation during that weekend and we want you to know we appreciate all you did to attend our wedding.We hope we fulfilled our part in making you all feel comfortable and a part of the event and not just attendees and we pray that your spirit was moved during the ceremony and reception, as it was our intention. I want to personally thank my siblings in attendance that evening, TONY (your presence does make a difference) RONALD (Thanks for your recent advice and throughout the years (I told you I listen) and thank you for always expecting the BEST from me and excepting nothing less, I hope I’ve done you proud, and I didn't know you still had the moves on the dance floor..YESSS SIRR!!) ROBERT (my brother, my ear, my spiritual mentor, God allowed me to stand next to you and just watch and now I know it's true when they say, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DO, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO’S WATCHING YOU, so I thank you for always being the shining example of a truly righteous man. MAURICE (Thanks for always telling me how much you love me it means everything in the world when I hear those words come out of your mouth and just know the feelings are mutual PLUS 100%) DAVEEN (my advocate and confidant, there aren't even enough words in the dictionary to tell you what you mean to me. I've learned you never know who God will place in your life and for what reasons they will be there, all I know is you’re always there even when I don't ask you to be) DWAYNE (My best man, my brother and my friend, I want you to know I appreciate all your effort and help in preparation for the wedding, I tried and hope I succeeded in keeping your physical tasks including running "POP" around and picking up lill Tommy from the airport and financial burden to a minimum. I know in our early and mid 20's we didn't always see eye to eye but as we know, no family is perfect and we grew up and through those rough times. That's why when it came time for me to choose a BEST MAN, that's just who I chose, the BEST MAN for the job and that was without hesitation.I want you to know for many years I envied you as I saw how your daughters simply adore you. I always wished for a little girl, just so I could show her the same love I saw you give your daughters and God has seen to make it so. I love you brother and again I appreciate all you did for Muriel and I during this wedding preparations.) Love you Fam, Peace n Blessings Unc….

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. TEF Jr.

If you missed the event you should kick yourself.

It was amazing .

Lots of fun.

............................Show them lots of LOVE...........

Joke of the Month...........JULY

An old man was critically ill. Feeling that death was near, he called his lawyer. "I want to become a lawyer. How much is it for the express degree you told me about?""It's $50,000 "the lawyer said. "But why? You'll be dead soon, why do you want to become a lawyer? "The old man said, "I have my reasons, please get me the course!"
Four days later, the old man got his law degree. His lawyer was at his bedside, making sure his bill would be paid. Suddenly the old man was racked with fits of coughing and it was clear that this would be the end.
Still curious, the lawyer leaned over and said, "Please, before it's too late, tell me why you wanted to get a law degree so badly before you died?"In a faint whisper, the old man said, "So when I die, there will be one less lawyer . . ."

OUCH!!!!!!

Monthly Best Wishes....July

Family it's time for June's Monthly Best Wishes. Family Members with something happening in this month POST it and let the family know about it. I know there is at least 1 birthday...

Jackson Habib Fields...."west sideeeeee"....July 17th....
Carolyn Allen Glass (Muriel's Mom) July 10th......
Robin Fields....."what it do pimpin"........July 5th......

WOW how time flies, I remember when Pippi brought Jackson home from the Hospital, the day before I had just bought a new camcorder and Jackson was the first person I ever recorded on that camcorder, and all if remember thinking was "WOW, Pippi had a baby". What a blessing you have been to the family.....


Peace,
Unc......

Air Tran is Currently having a Sale

Tickets as low as 89 one way
go check it out

http://www.airtran.com/Home.aspx

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY

Joy is not in things; it is in you.




Todays reading: Proverbs 1

6 More Days

Hi Family,

With six days left until the big celebration, I hope that you had an opportunity to be a blessing to Eddie and Muriel. Please e-mail them this week and give your best wishes (blessings) for their up coming day.