Careless Crossing

 

On May 11, 1965, I was in the ninth grade at Hamlet, N.C. High School. Mother would wake me up for school. I would get up, dress, eat breakfast, milk the cow, and catch the bus. I hated to milk our cow. She would usually slap me with her wet tail as I was milking. Since I was already dressed, the muddy tail usually got my shirt dirty. When this happened, I had to change and run to catch the bus.

That morning I got to school at 7:45, so I had fifteen minutes before school started. David, my friend, met me when I got off the bus. He suggested we go to the store across from the school. A bus student wasn’t suppose to leave the school grounds. I was fifteen and a typical teenager, rebellious and hated rules. My parents believed in corporal punishment, which kept my rebellion in check most of the time. Not this morning, I was already mad with having chores before school. I wanted some control over my own life, and was tired of obeying rules.

David and I took off for the store. I saw the crossing guard and didn’t want to get hasseled for leaving school grounds. There was a gate where we exited in the middle of the block. I looked both ways and then back to my left watching the x-ing guard with his back to us. I took off heading for the store. Bam! I was hit by a car. I never saw it.

My next memory was waking up, thinking I had to get up and go milk the cow. Then, I heard people talking and asking me questions. I was in shock in a hospital with a compound fracture and head injuries. Because of my injuries I had to be transported to Columbia, S.C. to a specialist.

It was a long painful ride. My mother rode in the back of the ambulance with me. I know it was her prayers and those of my family that spared my life. Thank God for a praying family and His mercy. One of my favorite verses is,” The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”~ 2 Peter 3:9

You might get by with rebellion for a season, but remember your sins will find you out.

~Ricky Robinson

Image Credit ©Tammy Sanders

Who said Being a Parent is Easy?

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs that God gave us. Just when I think that everything is going great, the school system rips a rug out from under me and many other people in our county. I stressed and prayed about my children’s education. Education is one of the most important things in a child’s life. I feel that our community felt that our county didn’t respect us; yielding hostile thoughts, people being upset and a lot of tears shed. We had prayer walks at our community elementary school. Many people came out to pray.

Finally, the decision was made by the Board of Education. Our school was closing. I felt disbelief at first, but once reality set in, much heartbreak was ahead. Our children’s education, in our minds, was at stake. Many pulled their kids out of the county to attend school in another county and some chose to home school their children. I lost much sleep agonizing so much over the decision of where my children should attend school.

Sometimes, it seems easier to try to solve these types of issues with our own mind because we feel as if we are fully aware of the circumstances and our emotions get the best of us. Barry and I discussed and prayed so much, but we never fully gave the decision to God. We were so overwhelmed with the rest of the community that we forgot who, ultimately, would take care of our children. We never found the peace of taking them out of the county and didn’t have peace in leaving them in the county; therefore, we decided to just save the money and keep them in the county in which we lived.

I was reading my Bible and meditating one night and it hit me. We, as Christians, have all the authority to pray covering over our children. With this Godly covering, our children are protected by anything that comes against them. I realized that I should let them attend our county and cover them in prayer. We had no control over this situation, but God knew it was coming and He promised to take care of our children. “Seek ye first the Kingdom…and all things will be added unto you.” If I seek first the Kingdom, all the things I need will be given to me.

Fiinally, I found peace with our decision. A few days later, the principals were announced. Our principal and assistant principal were named principals over both schools that my children will be attending next year. Not only that but other structures will be implemented that will absolutely be to my children’s advantage in the long run. I am now so excited about our upcoming school year. No longer am I overwhelmed, worried, or question whether or not my children will receive top-notch education. As long as God is on our side, we can’t fail.

~ Christi Duncan

Light Your Fire

When I was in high school, I played basketball a few years. I remember playing this team that was really good.  Everybody was pumped up and ready for action. The first half we held our own. Second half started and it was like someone had let the air out of our tire. Needless to say they were whooping us really bad and our team was deflating fast. Have you ever watched a slow motion film and just wanted to help them out so bad? That’s the way I was as I sat on the bench I wanted to get out there and play so bad. Lots of our team members were getting fouled out and, all I of a sudden I heard my name come up. Could you imagine the excitement as I went out to represent the team? My chest felt like it was bullet proof.

Up and down the court we go. The bulldogs were getting beat bad.  All of the team really just gave up because of us being so behind.  I didn’t care what the score was I just wanted to do my best and make the team proud.  The ball was passed by me so many times. Finally, I got the ball passed to me.  I was right at the half court and went up for a shoot. It was a long shot let me tell you. I let the ball go and I could tell that all the players thought the ball would not go in but it did. I scored! Everyone started yelling in excitement.

My team members were astonished and from that point on that one goal lit a fire and our team came together as never before.  We may not have won the game but our team came back with a zeal because I did the impossible. Even though I didn’t get to play much, I had one moment that changed my team’s attitude when all hope seems lost. Have you let the circumstances in your life extinguish your fire? Don’t! Know that God is greater than anything you may face!

~Tammy Sanders