It Is Just Before Dawn: We're Just Passing Through

By William Moten

"There was this fierce knock at the door, my son came running into the house. All I could hear him saying was...they're all dead!!!"

He murdered my daughters, my grandsons, my granddaughter, and left one grand son as the lone survivor of this horrible tragedy; then he killed himself.

About the Book

Finally, the passion t hat pushes to the next level is here. William Moten must write, to not do so is to steal from the world a very needed message. The message is that we are only passing through, we're not here to stay. The trials that we face should never force us to the point of quitting. If we forget that we are on the journey that God has mapped out, we will not understand how we can make it through.

This book contains poetry and a story of how a little country boy made it through a very tough life. In his adulthood, just when he thought that he was on the winning side, something terrible happened, there was a mass murder. He states in his book, "Fate dealt me an unclear blow. I was confused and hurt, wanting to do something to bring my loved ones back. I wanted to wake up the next day and find that it was all a dream. Finally I came to grips with reality. My refuge is in knowing that I'm just passing through, going somewhere that must be better than here. Everyday I tell myself to hold on to the steering wheel while on this journey and when the road gets rough and bumpy don't try to exit off, just keep repeating to yourself I'm just passing through."

1 Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469171548

William Moten

About the Author William Moten is a humble man, calm in spirit with a love for poetry. Many men would have crumbled underneath the pressure that he has endured during his lifetime. All glory is given to God for gifting him to be able to tell his story with versatility.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by William Moten.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FOREWORD

I UNDERSTAND

LIFE MAY NOT BE CLEAR,

BUT SOMEHOW IT’S FAIR

LET GO, LET GOD

THE BALM FOR YOUR WOUNDS

SURVIVING FATE

THROUGH FAITH

WHILE PASSING THROUGH

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

MEET ME AT THE CROSS

THE LORD IS THE

WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY

IN THE LORD’S HAND ALL ALONG

POETRY FOR

THE SOUL

FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY

A MOMENT OF MINISTRY

FROM THE AUTHOR

FINAL COMMENTS

FROM THE AUTHOR

Away but Not Forgotten

I love you, my dear children, why did you have to go?

I will never be able to figure it out,

Only the Lord in heaven knows.

Mother, Grandmother, give me a hug,

I would always hear you say,

And you would feel so good in my arms;

It would always make my day.

Why did fate steal you from my life

Like a thief in the night?

For only God could give me the heart to forgive

Because to me, it would never seem right.

I thank God for lending you to me

For just a few days as you were passing through,

And then he took you back again,

And there was nothing I could do.

This is the first time we ever parted

And didn’t say good-bye

Maybe because you didn’t want to see me hurt

Or even see me cry.

My arms still reach out, longing for you,

For I miss you so very much,

There is nothing on this earth I wouldn’t give

Just to feel your loving touch.

I hear your voices in the night,

And they sound so very sweet,

Saying, "Mother, Grandma, we are still here with you,

But right now, you cannot see."

Stretch out your arms and hold us now;

This way we can never part.

See now, we are closer than ever before

We are right here in your heart.

Dedication

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In loving memory of my two daughters, Essie and Deleane, and Deleane’s four wonderful children, Torsha, Craig, David, and Antione, who I know I’ll see again someday. The inspiration to complete this project is due to them and the manner in which they changed my life forever.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have made this book a tremendous success. I first want to thank my beautiful wife, Lovie (Dove), who is my friend as well as the best wife any man could have. Thanks for sticking right by my side as a support to this project.

I would also like to thank my pastor, Apostle James S. Prothro for being a great strength to Lovie and me during this extremely difficult time in our lives. Words cannot express the joy we feel, knowing that we have a friend in you.

To my friend Janice, you have not only typed my poems and kept them stored for me, but you always seem to be my angel whenever there is crisis. Thanks for all that you do.

To all who will read this book, I have no doubt that you are about to receive a true blessing as you read these pages. Thanks for supporting my work. May God bless you.

FOREWORD

by Apostle James S. Prothro

When I first considered writing the foreword for this very special book, I saw William Moten’s request as a support aid and a gesture of friendship. It was never in my wildest imagination to perceive this book as a type of medicine for the hospice patient and those who are hurting so badly from the loss or near loss of a loved one. Even in the case of his family, this author has had much loss of loved ones. I have been blessed to have the pleasure of meeting this wonderful man and seeing his passion to minister the message that we are all just passing through. Since our first meeting, our relationship has grown from being mere acquaintances to my becoming his spiritual advisor, friend, and pastor. I have gained a personal passion for this book as if it were my very own story. Many who are hurting so desperately need the intent and meaning of this book.

Just Passing Through is filled with spiritual reasons why all human beings, especially Christians, should read it. It teaches the reality of fate while it calms us in the security of faith. The writings of this author are not exclusively for those who are bereaved. This book focuses on the pain and the hurt experienced through different types of loss. William Moten is most certainly a minister. There is no greater ministry than the one that helps others in the time of need. Not only is the concept of just passing through needed but also the poetry expressed in this book is powerfully soothing.

The sentiment of the author’s heart is expressed when reading the poetry. The book’s content makes you feel a sense of responsibility for your fellowman, something that society has unfortunately lost sight of. All men are vulnerable to thinking we can take care of ourselves; thus, we are quick to forget that we are just passing through and are very much in need of God’s direction. Life is short, and it takes every moment to define the next moment, so we must consider time as a reward from God. He loaned us our lives. Bear in mind as you continue reading that 1 Chronicles 29:14 reads, "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." This book serves to remind us of this and many more valuable truths. The pain that is expressed in these pages is real pain. The laughter is genuine, and the experiences many. The concept of just passing through is the only thing that has been able to ease the burden that this author and his family have endured through unexpected tragedy and extremely difficult times in their lives. I think that this book will serve as a reminder to us all to exercise responsibility in our faith in God, even when life seems to strike with unfair blows of fate.

The author is a very kind and humble man with a very loving wife, Lovie. Their hearts are being healed daily as a result of suffering the recent loss of two children and four grandchildren at the hands of fate. Mrs. Lovie Moten is quoted as saying to me that "it has been the concept of just passing through that has helped me to survive thus far. In these writings, she tells of the pains she has endured. I believe that she has been created as an example to the world of how not to blame God when we are confused. She demonstrates real courage as she says, I’m strong," when, in actuality, she is really