Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 11-23-18

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2018
Readers Take A Moment To Be ‘Thankful’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Dating back to the begin- ning of the holiday, people have been thankful for the many blessings bestowed upon them. Each person has something that he or she is thankful for having received, whether it was a one-time or continual blessing.
Thanksgiving is the one holiday that is not overshad- owed by gifts, parades, or eggs to hunt. It is a personal time to give thanks. Some Sen- tinel readers took a few mo- ments to share what they are thankful for having in their lives.
Mrs. Bonnye Crews
said, “This year, a couple of things happened that might have totally caught me off guard -- if not for my relation- ship with the Lord, who is never surprised or off guard. And because He’s a good Fa- ther, He pre-ordered my steps and insulated me (even when I didn’t realize it). For that, I’m most grateful.”
Mrs. Carolyn Collins
said, “I am thankful for ‘Life, Health and Strength.’ I am blessed by a Mighty GOD to be alive, thus, “Life.” I was given less than a week at birth to live and countless decades
later, I have life and have ex- perienced life abundantly. I am overall healthy, not wealthy, but comfortable and wise.
“Despite the evil and evil- doers lurking among us, I re- main thankful for "Life, Health and Strength" for my- self, my family, my friends/acquaintances, and the many people I have been blessed to serve and positively impact. To GOD be the Glory and to Him I give ‘Thanks!’”
Danny Green said, “I thank God for spending time with my family and friends for the holidays. I did not get a chance to spend too much time serving in the military for 22 years. So, I thank God for spending time with family now. You never know when it might be your last Thanksgiv- ing with family and friends.”
Howard Harris said, “I am thankful that at age 84, I can still give rather than need.
There are those who be- lieve that the "System" pre- dicts the need for future jail cells based on the reading proficiency of 3rd graders in urban schools.. That is why I am instrumental in setting up afterschool tutoring at Sheehy Elementary School.
“Please volunteer at least
one hour of your time to put our children on the Yellow Brick Road to success.”
Rev. Karen Jackson Sims said, “The older I get the more I am daily thankful for the gifts of life, my hus- band, family, love and faith. I don’t take any of these gifts for granted and am amazed to be blessed by these gifts through the simple things of life. Waking up each morning, and hearing a voice say GMa or the feeling of a hug from one of the toddlers at church.
“Most of all, I am thankful for my faith, my Lord and all the believers of Bethel AME that have become a part of our family through the gift of God. Happy blessed thankful Thanksgiving!”
Life Malcolm said, “I'm thankful to be alive at a mo- ment in history when Africans, and other oppressed and disenfranchised people in the U. S., are rising up against the people and the systems that have robbed us of life and liberty, for centuries.
“I'm thankful for all com- rades participating in these struggles to solve our prob- lems, on our terms, in order to transform our communities, into places conducive to pros- perous lives for ourselves, and our children. The Kingdom is coming.”
Michael Dozier said, “I am thankful for my good health, my loving wife of 49 years and my children, grand- children, family, friends, and my relationship with God, who grants all.
“I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve and help others in my fraternal organi- zation and the community, both personally and profes- sionally. Most importantly, I am thankful for living a life of purpose and for all the chal- lenges in my life.”
Mrs. Tonya Lewis said, “I'm thankful for life, strength and health. I'm just so thank- ful to be a servant of the Lord to do His will and not mine. I'm so thankful to being able to truly love people from an open Godly heart.”
Dr. Samuel Wright
said, “I am thankful for life, health and strength. I also am happy that the LORD has spared me to see retirement.
Now that I am 65 years old, I am enjoying life to the fullest. “I praise HIM continually for my children, my family and my friends. I am grateful for my village and often re- mind others of this blessing. I am thankful because I am a blessing to others and enjoy helping others when I can. I never cease to give GOD thanks for the little things, be- cause little becomes MUCH when you place it in the Mas- ter's hands! Thankful I am;
thankful I will be!”
Rev. Willie Dixon said, “I am thankful for salvation, the many blessings God has granted to me by allowing me to assist and minister to thou- sands of inmates and their families during and after their incarceration.
“He has allowed me to live 87 years and have a sound mind, body and spirit (sic). I am thankful for my family, loved ones, friends and living in a country of a Second Chance.”
Mrs. Chloe Coney said, “I am thankful to still have my 92-year-old mother with me and have a family that loves each other. My husband, Pas- tor Ernest, and I are so grateful to be in Tampa with the majority of our family members living here!”
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