Emma's Sweet Potato Pie

By Belinda Smith

This book is based on similar stories that was told to me around by my grandmother's kitchen table but with a new generational pathway. All of the characters in this book has bits and pieces of true and love flowing from the wisdom of my grandmothers beautiful mind. Prayer is the key that unlocks the door to true wisdom and steadfast faith. This book is not written to judge nor is it written to promote any ill outcome. Only to see the world and the lives of people. In a people's lives we can see ourselves every single time the good us, the bad us and the very ugliness of what we can become. Never the less good will always out shine evil and love will always bring us back home. So we can sit around the kitchen table and have a slice of sweet potato pie.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491816417

Belinda Smith

Odessa has a strong belief in God and never forgets that she is only human and will make mistakes in her life and learn from them. Realizing without God we can do nothing. She is very thankful that she had a God fearing grandmother that taught her about life through stories of her life (Grandmother Ruth Ann Taylor). Putting all trust in God and respecting other people. Mindful not to be judge mental of others. Knowing that we learn from one another and we need one another. She want to come to help others through her writing and praying that it will be a blessing and rescuing people that may be drowning in the sea of life. She is hoping this book will bring encouragement, enlightment and to inspire a unity of wholeness of ones self and of families all over the world. Always giving thanks to God and his goodness to whom all blessing flow.

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Emma’s Sweet Potato Pie

Belinda Smith

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AuthorHouse™ LLC

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© 2013 by Belinda Smith. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/14/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-1707-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-1641-7 (e)

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Contents

Emma’s Sweet Potato Pie

A Virtuous Woman

Tea Cake

My Brother’s Keeper

A Slow Goodbye

Unwanted

The Quiet Man

Welcome

Let the Truth Be Told

A Rose

Enough

The Love of My Life

Emma’s Prayer

My Prayers

My Brother’s Keeper

Let the Truth Be Told

Granny Prayer

Quiet Man Prayer

This book is dedicated to God, (Hebrews 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and set down at the right hand of the throne of God and in honor of my late grandmother (Mrs. Ruth). The person that taught me about God through songs, prayers and stories about life and she took the time and showed me how to be a lady. She was a good example for me to live in a world that can rejected a strong woman regardless of her race. Nevertheless, with God on your side who can stand against you none not one. My grandmothers prayers was and still is the hymns of my life. To my son (Herman) who has encouraged me,believed in me, and supported me from day one and has always encouraged me to DREAM BIG MOMMA AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS and to my friend and teacher (Wilda Chadick) a person that took the time to get to know the real person behind the writing. In honor of the late( Langston Hughes) a man that impact my life in such a way that words can not be found to say. He had the courage not only to write what he felt but in such a way it generated a generation of writers.

Emma’s Sweet Potato Pie

I was six years old that year and we were on the way home from church. Emma Mae Shorter, Big Mama to me, had just one more stop to make before we got to her house, Sister William’s house. Sister William was one of Big Mama’s best friends who, just last month, had suffered a stroke.

It had been raining that Sunday and it began to snow on the way over to Sister William’s house. The roads were so muddy the horses were having somewhat of a hard time pulling along. Big Mama’s horse, Hazel, knew she had to make it because she knew Big Mama needed to see about Sister William.

My six year old mind wandered as we rode along. I could see Sister William’s house sitting on the hill. Every summer I remembered Big Mama and Sister William planting a big garden together on the hillside. They would can all the vegetables and make quilts for all the sick folks in the community. I thought about my Big Mama. She prays so hard for family and friends that tears roll down her face; her voice never breaks though, when she talks to God. But I would be crying. Big Mama’s faith in God is so strong; I feel it every time we pray together.

When we finally got to Sister William’s house Big Mama’s son, Sherman was getting in some wood. Sister William’s niece, Miss Dollie was cooking and I could smell the cornbread. Sister William had never been able to have children, Big Mama had told me, but her sister had a lot of children. I think about fourteen, and Miss Dollie was a baby when Sister William went and got her to raise for herself.

Uncle Sherman stopped getting the wood when we rode up to the house. He asked Big mama, How was church today? as he was helping us get off the buggy. Big Mama replied, Son, the Lord was there and the pastor told me to tell you… Uncle Sherman cut her off He is the devil and I’m the angle! Now what made you say that about the Reverend other than the devil hisself? I don’t know what I am goin’ to do with you, Big Mama said as Uncle Sherman kissed her. Mama, don’t worry… the Lord, he knows. By that time Miss Dollie came to the door. Come on in out of this snowy weather she called out to us.

Big Mama smiled and asked, How is sister feeling today? She’s gonna be feeling wonderful when she sees you and little Emma there. And how are you feeling little Miss Emma? I feel good and fine I answered hanging my head. That’s my girl. I have something for you, something I know you will like very much. Uh oh Uncle Sherman gulped. I ate it and it was yours! Sherman, it’s a wonder your teeth don’t fall out from telling lies!"

Big Mama had already gone into the house and I could hear her calling Sister William. Sister, Sister. I know you hear me calling you. Big Mama and Sister William would play like that all the time, always laughing and singing and praying and loving one another so much until I could even feel it. Sister William was sitting up in the bed, her hair so long it looked like white silk. I could tell that she was happy to see Big Mama. She reached out her left arm to hug Big Mama. Big Mama said ‘that’s my girl" as she bent down to hug and kiss Sister William, who patted the edge of the bed so Big Mama would sit close to her.

Sister I don’t want to mess up your bed. Who knows, your midnight caller might fly by! Sister William laughed and said So what? Big Mama motioned for me to come closer to the bed. Don’t be scared of Sister William. But truth be told, I was scared of her. I was scared of all sick folks. Closest I came to Sister William was at the end of her bed. Big Mama had to come and hold my hand to get me that far. I felt shamed because this was Sister William, but I was so afraid. Sister William nodded her head to let me know that she understood.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Reverend Walker. Uncle Sherman answered it. Pastor Walker, he said nodding his head. Brother Sherman, I missed you at service today. Miss Dollie took over; afraid that Uncle Sherman would began to say to the pastor just what he was thinking. Come on in Pastor, she said as she welcomed him and glared at Uncle Sherman. The way he was looking, she must have thought it would be best for him to stay outside and away from the Reverend but she said Sherman, let the Reverend in.

The Reverend, glad to talk to Miss Dollie instead of Uncle Sherman said Sister Dollie, it is so good to see you. I was doing the Lords work on the Lords day, and I…,  . . . and the Lord led you to this house or did yo’ stomach lead you? Uncle Sherman butted in. Reverend Walker turned and said, The Lord works in mysterious ways. Big Mama had made it into the room by that time. Reverend Walker. Sister Shorter, it is good to see you all the time. Reverend, it is just good to see the man of God.

Uncle Sherman could not hold his tongue, Amen now Pastor. It’s Sister William’s that need some of that holy ghost talking… She is the person you came to see! Still trying to be friendly and since she did live there, Miss Dollie said Let me get your coat Reverend. You know the way to the room. Yes Lord, come on. It’s praying time. Big Mama boomed out in her holiest voice. Uncle Sherman whispered under his breath It’s praying time and then its eating time. Sherman, maybe you would like to pray with us? Emma do most of my praying, he answered. Now Emma, you pray hard because if you don’t the good Reverend might just walk off.

Sherman, now you cut out all this foolishness! This is a man of God. Big Mama took me by the hand and told Reverend Walker to lead the way. Yes ma’am Sister Shorter. Sister William, bless your heart. Don’t you look like an angel with all that white on. Yes Lord, it smells like heaven in this house. I come to pray for you. I come to let the Holy Ghost fill your soul. Now let us pray. Big Mama and I got down on our knees at the foot of Sister William’s bed. The Reverend stood at the head. He asked Sister William if he could lay his hand on her. With tears in her eyes, she reached up her left arm.

Yes Lord, hear our prayer Big Mama started and that’s when the Reverend started to pray along with Big Mama interrupting. Heavenly Father, we come to you this day once again… Yes Lord  . . . asking in Your holy name… Yes Lord, come on down from heaven and heal your good and faithful servant, Sister Ruth William. Heal her Lord, heal her, heal her.

Lord, we know you are able to heal the whole world if we ask you…

Lord you are able

Sister William is asking in your name…

Lord in your sweet name

Lord, touch her body and make her brand new…

Touch her Lord, touch her

Lord, I would not ask you if I did not know you…

We know you Lord, we know you

Now Lord…

Now

Now Lord, in your name…

In your name

Bless this house…

Bless it. Bless it.

Bless Sister Shorter and her family…

Yes Lord, yes

Give her strength to keep running on…

I’m running Lord

Bless Lil’ Emma on her knees praying for herself and bless her uncle Lord…

Bless her Lord, bless her.

Lord, you said in your word that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess…

You said Lord, you said in your word.

I’m praying you won’t wait too late Lord…

Lord, don’t let it be too late.

Bless Sister Dollie Lord, bless her…

Bless her Lord, bless her.

Lord, you know she needs a good husband to help her…

Yes Lord, a good husband.

And Lord, you know I’m looking for a good wife…

And at this, Uncle Sherman dropped the huge load of wood he had in his arms. Big Mama paid no attention to the noise and kept on helping the Reverend pray. Lord, send him a good wife. The Reverend responded, All this we ask in your holy name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Just as always, Big Mama was crying and so was I. The Reverend helped Big Mama up. I got up and went back into the front room. Miss Dollie was crying too. Uncle Sherman was standing beside her at the wood stove. Miss Dollie looked over and saw me. At first, it was hard for her to talk. Fighting back tears, she reached for my hand and said Emma, do you want your surprise now? I said yes.

If you don’t want it now you won’t get it. Uncle Sherman mumbled. Don’t pay your uncle no mind. Just go in the kitchen and look on the table. Go on." I did just that. I