To Be Woman: A Collection of Poetry & Prose

By La Vern Thomas Pettis

It is my prayerful desire that in this book you will find joy, hope, and above all, courage to live life to its fullness in spite of challenges you may face. Several years ago on the wall of my grandsons school (Springfield Elementary in Michigan City, IN) I found an awesome definition of courage ...the quality of mind that enables one to face danger or hardship with confidence. I bid to all of you who explore these pages, the inspiration for that quality of mind. I present this work from my heart to yours.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503519008

La Vern Thomas Pettis

LA VERN THOMAS-PETTIS is a mother of two and grandmother of 7. Her education background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Professional Writing from Calumet College of St. Joseph and a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. After 30 years in Corporate America, La Vern took an early retirement at age 50 with the plan to vigilantly pursue her passion for writing. However, many other opportunities availed themselves and she spent her time embracing those. None-the-less, nothing was lost. From entrepreneurship to bankruptcy, to graduate school, La Vern has acquired a culmination of experiences through the years which have added many meaningful miles to her writing journey. Currently a mental health counselor as well as a middle and high school teacher, La Vern enjoys working with children, encouraging them to live life with a determination to achieve their highest goals; seeing challenges as opportunities for success only, never defeat. She proclaims, “It is my prayerful desire that from the messages which God has inspired through me within these pages, every woman who reads them, regardless of age, race, creed or color, will find an empowering peace, along with the determination to confidently withstand the vicissitudes of life.” Currently residing in Indiana, La Vern was born in Memphis, Tennessee and plans to return to that vicinity one day in the near future.

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Copyright © 2015 by La Vern Thomas Pettis.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014920732

ISBN:  Hardcover  978-1-5035-1901-5

            Softcover    978-1-5035-1902-2

            eBook         978-1-5035-1900-8

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.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

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.

Rev. date: 04/22/2016

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Her Courage

TO BE WOMAN

I AM WOMAN, DON’T DEFILE ME

WHEN WOMEN PRAY

WOMAN NEEDS A JUBILEE

WOMAN’S JUBILEE

METAMORPHOSIS

IMAGE OF REAL MAN

LIFE’S STORM

LIFE’S TREASURE CHEST

WOMAN’S BEAUTY RUNS DEEP

LIKE A TREE

LIFE MOVES ON

EXCELLENCE

IN TIME

PRAYER FOR ENDURANCE

THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY

A WOMAN’S STRENGTH

I CHOOSE LOVE

I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Her Love

A TEENAGER’S FREEDOM CRY

THE ONLY GOD SOME MAY KNOW

SWEET AND PRECIOUS MEMORIES

MOTHER TO SON

MOTHER’S JOY

LOVING YOU MORE

Introduction to Poem, TRAIN UP A CHILD

TRAIN UP A CHILD

WHEN MARVA WANTED CATFISH

WOMAN, LET THAT MAN BE

YOU HAVEN’T THE RIGHT TO JUDGE

YOU HAVEN’T THE RIGHT TO JUDGE

THE WONDERS OF SKY AND SEA

DAD, I NEED YOU…

A Young Boy’s Tribute to God

The Wonder of You

Her Spirituality

THE LORD HAS BEEN MINDFUL OF US

HE IS MINDFUL OF ME

IN FAITH

REALITY CHECK

SATAN IS ALIVE AND WELL

THE CRUCIFIXION

CHRIST IS KING

CHRISTIANS, GET OFF THE BENCH!

CONTENTMENT

BRUISED TO BE BLESSED

Not All About Me, But I’m Just Asking,

What’s Next?

Dedication

To my daughter, Anisa Chandrea, I am so very proud of you and the strong woman you have come to be, in spite of the challenges which life has brought your way.

To my son, Theras Earl, I thank God for you and your determination to face each day with courage. Remember, however, that we cannot always avoid life’s provocations, but we can choose wisely the ways in which we deal with them.

To my deceased brother, Theras, I still miss you very much and your advice to always be the best that I can be.

To Keondre´, Devin, Journey, Dharius, Chloe, Kyle and Adrian, my darling grandchildren, may you always strive to reach ultimate excellence in all that you do.

To my siblings; Lizette (LLC), Bonnie and Lamar; my nieces – Shatonia, Shandrea and Sheros, and my nephew, Trevis. Also, to my godchildren, Letoya and Bryanne. Thank you all for the positive ways in which you have impacted my life.

I love you

To Debbie, thank