As Ever Changing gets closer and closer to publication (6 May 09) I get so compelled to express how I feel. Ever Changing is a love story. It is an account of God’s love for his children and how he develops us so that we can give that same unconditional love to our neighbors. Who are our neighbors?  Our neighbors are our family, our friends, our co-workers, the man/woman on the elevator, the mail man, your boss, the people next door, etc. The greatest commandment of all is “love”. That love is a love for mankind, period. Deserved or undeserved. Ever Changing is also a story of one woman’s love, but her inability to feel loved. Until she dared to face her past, present and future; she struggled. He loved her enough to nudge her and at other times thrust her into inner change, thus leading her to find her purpose.  He loved her enough to not let her have her way-the way that seemed right to a man-but compelled her into a deeper way-the way to eternal truths. 

Writing this manuscript has been the best thing that has happened to me, aside from my salvation. I had no idea just the gumption to write. Through one little girl’s dream at 6 or 7 years old (He showed me way back then I would make a difference), the courage her Mother gave her to dare to dream and the vision of change; she dares at this appointed time to make that difference. I thank God for his guidance and direction and I marvel at his wondrous works. If I only touch one soul, I know that this journey is worth it.  As you read Ever Changing I hope that you will marvel at a different kind of love story.

I dare to try to describe this love in mere words:

There is a sweetness and a serenity inside me—a place no one can get to, a place where I need to remain all the time, yet I dare to step outside.  It is a place I sometimes forget about and venture out too far, but quickly return to. No matter how far I go away from that secret place, I always return. I wonder; I ponder; I reflect; I dare not tread to far from that place. It is a safe haven for me when the world seems so cold. I cry in that place, I weep, I pray, yet strangely it is the same place that I receive my help, my strength; it is where I lick my wounds; it is a comfortable place and a place of comfort. It is deep within my soul. It is a spiritual place—a place of rest. It is where I talk to God, and God talks to me. It is a place like a river that runs deep. It flows continuously and refreshes like a nice warm shower throughout my soul. It is a cleansing place of repentance, acceptance, renewal, security, restoration and wholeness. It is a place where I seek and search and look for answers. It is where I seek understanding, wisdom, and guidance. It is my roadmap to where I need to go, and when I go in the wrong direction, it navigates me back. It is an encouraging place and a place of victory.

Be encouraged. 

Goldsboro, NC (Goldsboro High School East (Herman Park Area) )

Kick off  Book Event/Signing (home town) with Family, Classmates and Friends!

Time:  12:00pm – 5:00pm

    Over the past weekend I attended both a wedding and a funeral.  I experienced happiness and sorrow, memories from long ago, renewed sorrow over an event that I thought was a dull ache buried by time and a harsh reality-the wedding and the lost of a beloved Aunt-the funeral.

    My Sister-in-Law became a widow in her mid twenties and after being a widow for twenty-six years she remarried on last Saturday.   She was married to my brother who passed away twenty-six years ago.  At the time of his death they had a 3 year old and a 6 year old.  They are now 29 and 32.  My family was so happy for her.   My Sister-in-law wrote a poem to her new husband and I would like to share a few lines…

As the dead have no life my heart was, but the power of your love by Jehovah’s mercy, has made me live and love again.  Something I thought I could never do….

As the words were read she cried; I wondered if the tears would ever stop, hers or mine.  Remembering, but yet once again putting the past behind.  Afterward we celebrated.

Within hours we buried my Mother’s oldest sibling, my Aunt.  My niece gave her tribute to My Aunt, who is her Great Aunt, My niece began by saying, I will miss my Great Aunt  because she was a “Great” Aunt.  I marveled at the play on words and thought to myself what a “Great” Aunt she was, what a wonderful presence she was in my family and how much we would miss her.   As the Pastor gave the eulogy he told of my Aunt and how much her presence would be missed in their church.  But he ended by telling us that My Aunt had gone on to Glory.  He said, Go ahead Ms. Alsop (my Aunt’s name) talk to Jesus, Go ahead Ms. Alsop sing to Jesus (my Aunt loved to sing and play the piano), Go ahead Ms. Alsop tell him all about it… Our hearts were heavy but after such inspiring words we lifted our heads and celebrated her life.  It was an emotional weekend but God proved himself all over again….He gave beauty for ashes!

What does Beauty for Ashes mean to you?