"Victory is mine ...

Victory is mine ...Victory today is mine ..." I'm still singing.  It still sounds ugly to the world, in total "disharmony", an ugly screech.  But, it sounds good to me.

And victory is mine!  Got up this morning admiring my beautiful delicious raspberries.  I never knew that one day I would be growing and harvesting my own raspberries, blackberries, Scuppernong and Muscadine grapes.

I had no idea that one day I would enjoy such a beautiful garden. I was just a little girl shadowing my grandfather.  Every where he went, I went.  Everything he did, I did.  That's what children do.  Children emulate their elders.

My grandfather carried some powerful love and compassion for his fellow man in his heart. That's what I want. Granddaddy was a very wise man.  No, he never formally earned a degree.  The truth is he never finished elementary school.  There were no schools for "colored" people in the rural south where he grew up.  He was educated in the tobacco fields of North and South Carolina.

He was self educated though.  He was a ravenous reader to the day he died.  He read the entire newspaper from cover to cover.  He read my textbooks.  My grandfather never saw a book that he didn't like.  He read his Bible every day.

I am also a ravenous reader.  I was blessed to be surrounded by libraries my whole life.  My mother did buy books.  She was a member of "Book of the Month Club".  I will give her that .  She may have made something real out of her life if she could have managed to come to GOD's Truth.  If she could have rid herself of doubt, insecurity and insane jealousy.

It didn't happen, so I'm just warning you.  Always be honest with yourself.  Never lie.  When or if you feel pangs of jealousy swelling up inside of you, pray.  Pray those feeling away.  You are going to meet many people that are smarter than you, or more attractive.  Don't hate them.  Don't wish them bad luck.  Don't send them bad vibes.  Lift them up.   We should all lift each other up in prayer.

You may think the person that you secretly hate or envy doesn't know.  Believe me they know.  I'm sure you've felt when someone was giving you the evil eye.   Most try to mask their true feeling with kind words or phony praise.  GOD gives us the power of discernment.

Love yourself.  Love GOD!  Love GOD with all your heart, mind and soul.  Start there.  Study your Bible!  Know GOD's laws and obey them.  To obey is better than sacrifice.  Don't argue and disagree with GOD.  You can't win.  Don't run from the LORD!  You can't win.  Pray for divine guidance and protection.  Pray for the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.

If you don't want it, you won't have it.  Go ahead and do it your way.  You are going to lose. "Victory is mine ...Victory is mine ...Victory today is mine!"

Still singing!  Still smiling and radiating.  Thank you Father, thank you for my granddaddy!

Stay in His WORD children.  Remember; "Apart from Christ you are nothing."

May GOD's Grace, Mercy and Truth engulf you, cloak you and keep you in Perfect Peace,
Rachel Gwendolyn Doster (the exceedingly proud granddaughter of a great Patriarch, JEROME WALTERS)