More Than Just Words: A Poetic Journey from Pain to Purpose

By Tara N. Trass

Are you ready to confront the issues of your past that you have tried to cover up?

Its time to shatter the secrecy of sin that has given power to your feelings of guilt and shame. The enemy would have you believe that you are the only one who has experienced what you have gone through; that you are hopeless and helpless; or that God is disappointed in you. That could not be further from the truth!

God loves you unconditionally. You are about to embark upon a journey from hurt to healing, from misery to ministry, and from pain to purpose. As you witness the authors transformation through narration and poetry, you too will discover who you really are and give voice to your silent screams. You will be inspired to dream again and encouraged to fulfill your destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490862262

Tara N. Trass

Tara N. Trass is an ordained minister at New Antioch Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational ministry in Las Vegas, Nevada where Dr. Naida M. Parson is the Senior Pastor. Ms. Trass is the Executive Director over the Fine Arts Department where she has written and produced several plays, skits and community programs. She is also a gifted speaker who is often called upon to bring inspiring messages and conduct workshops on various topics. Ms. Trass is employed with Clark County Nevada and has worked in the social service field for the County and State of Nevada for over 15 years. She has been involved in Youth Ministry for nearly 20 years and has a youth group called Out L.O.U.D. Ministries. Although Ms. Trass has no biological children of her own, she is the proud and active aunt for 16 nieces and nephews.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 Tara N. Trass.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-6228-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-6227-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-6226-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014921593

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/6/2015

Contents

Acknowledgments

My Poimen—His Poiema

Words

The End of the Matter: A Story of Victory

For Shalia, Tevon, Briana, Junior,

Jannette, Tyana, Chennell, Asjana,

Camorin, Tyrese, Ariana, J’na,

Mikal, Tylan, Paxton and McKynlee.

Te-Te loves you all!

Acknowledgments

To God, my Father, thank You for everything!

I’d like to thank all of my family, church family, and friends who were patient and put up with me while I could only express myself through my attitude and behavior. I’m sorry for the pain, and I thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the words you spoke that were sweet to my soul and healing to my bones.

Angela Angie B Martin-Mwiraria, my best, best, best, best friend. Wow! I can’t believe you have continued being my friend for over twenty-seven years. You must be just as crazy as I am. (LOL) Thanks for encouraging me to Never Stop Starting Over. I love you, girl!

Sheila Antionette Coleman, my golden girl, traveling-down-the-road-and-back-again best friend. What a strong woman of God you are! Thanks for your strength. I love you.

Tiffany Trass (Sister!). You are really the first best friend I ever had. I appreciate and love you so much! Now clap those hands together, and say it with me: me and you, us never part….

Stephanie Vaughn and La Tonya Chalmers, okay, now I’m done! (LOL) Thanks, girls, for encouraging me to finish.

I’d like to give a special thanks to the awesome pastors of NACF: Pastor Sonya Cheltenham and Pastor Regina Rhodes. Thank you for your words of faith, encouragement, prayers, and love. You helped me to grow. I love you both!

And to the woman who absolutely changed my life, Pastor Mom. The Greek word for shepherd or pastor is poimen. The Greek word for poetry or a work of art, especially God’s masterpiece, is poiema. You are both my poimen and His poiema! Dr. Parson, you are my hero and everything I would like to be. I love you so much more than just words. I learned so much about who I am and who God is through you. I know my words caused you a lot of pain over the years, and I can’t believe you didn’t throw me away, but thank you! Thank you for affirming me, for teaching me, for counseling me, and for loving me. Everything you’ve ever said or written or preached has been much "more than just words!"

My Poimen—His Poiema

For Pastor Naida M. Parson, PhD

There is an art to being the you that God created you to be;

it’s evidenced by the grace wherewith

you love and deal with me.

The style with which you preach and teach,

the brilliance of your mind;

you’re the product of a masterpiece,

His original design.

No shepherd I have known has ever had a bigger heart;

the way you care for all your flock,

you are indeed a work of art.

I am amazed by who you are.

I am inspired. I’m in awe;

and though I know you have your faults,

I read your poem and see no flaw.

You encourage me to leave behind

what stops me from getting ahead;

I read you and I now long to be

a poem that will be read.

You were written with perfection,

penned by our creative Master;

you are love—you are hope—you are poetry …

you are pastor!

Words

Written on paper, by the hand of a poet,

they are the harmonious sharps and flats

of an accomplished musician—creating

the most beautiful expression of art ever known;

spoken in air, by the mouth of a fool,

they are the sharp and deadly knives

of an evil predator—killing

the hopes and the dreams of a possibility.

I love words. In spite of their great potential to hurt, they possess an even greater power to heal. Think about the last time someone apologized to you or the first time you heard your baby say Mama or Dada. Think about the last real good sermon you heard, the last time someone affirmed you, or the last time someone gave you a compliment, told you that they appreciated you, or told you