When Self Fails You, God Will Sustain You

By Winston A. Keene

If you are not happy with the way your life is heading, you need to reroute its direction; to overcome your failure, you need to review your direction for being an overcomerto revalidate your desire for living, and not relive your failure, both inside and outside.

I cannot give you your goal, but I can give you the requirements to reach that goal. That is resonating inside of you. The requirements are to believe in yourself, trust in God, for he will sustain you. I have seen what successful people do, over and over again, after overcoming failure. They forget how they got over. We need to give glory to the one that glorifies.

This book can help you to relive and take charge of your new life. Not only will it display failures of the past, where it is willful, or even the negative approach you may have taken, which may drown the readers ability or their thoughts to survive. It will also direct us to the know-hows to maneuver changes and maximize life now "When Self Fails You, God will sustain You." This book will offer you a reality-based avenue to those seeking to be sustained by God. The author believes that there is nothing more important than your genuine decision for overcoming failures. Life is a series of decisions you make; you make them, and unless you accept the responsibility for where you are right now, you will never overcome failures of the past.

For the years that lie ahead, mixing both sacred and secular insights has a unique blend of practical and pragmatic leads, coupled with good taste of wisdom that scripture has given.

For my readers, this new book is, without question, a transformation for the soul; it gives permission to relive and the know-hows to achieve the greater aspects of living that God grants us.

The author believes that there is nothing more important than your genuine decision. I suggest that the reader (before you make your choice to overcome failure) please, read, and digest the contents of this book.

To God be the glory, for the great things he hath done to this writer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503512054

Winston A. Keene

Rev. Winston A. Keene is a native of St. Andrew, Jamaica. He migrated to the USA some forty-plus years ago and settled in Queens, New York. Rev. W. A. Keene is the proud husband of forty-nine years to his best friend, Elaine; the proud father of six children; proud grandfather of thirteen; a proud great-grandfather of two. Rev. W. A. Keene received his early and higher education both in the island and the USA. He matriculated at the St. Georges College with a degree in architectural drawing, a graduate of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer). He also holds diplomas and certificates from several biblical institutions. Rev. Keene is an ordained deacon. He was licensed and ordained by Rev. Dr. James S. Allen Sr. to the Gospel Ministry. Rev. W. A. Keene Sr. held the position of assistant to the pastor at the Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church under Pastor J. A. Renwick. Rev. Keene now resides in Aberdeen, North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2014 by Rev. Winston A. Keene.

Library of Congress Control Number:    2014919964

ISBN:       Hardcover      978-1-5035-1204-7

                Softcover        978-1-5035-1206-1

                eBook             978-1-5035-1205-4

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 NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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: 11/07/2014

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Entering into Life’s Journey

Chapter 2 Growing Pains

Chapter 3 Struggles of Being a Teenager

Chapter 4 Entering Young Adult-Hood

Chapter 5 Falling in Love

Chapter 6 Pregnancy and Engagement

Chapter 7 Wedding Plans and Raising of a New Baby

Chapter 8 Wedding Day and Days to Follow

Chapter 9 Married life in Jamaica

Chapter 10 life Overseas in The Bahamas

Chapter 11 Life in The United States, New York

Chapter 12 Life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chapter 13 A New Life, A New Walk, With Jesus.

Chapter 14 Medical Dilemma and Near Death

Chapter 15 Words And Works of God’s Sustaing Grace

Prologue

One Of My Many Testimonies

Closing Prayer

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CHAPTER ONE

Entering into Life’s Journey

I, Winston A. Keene, Sr. was born in Jamaica, West Indies. In a little town known as, Jones Town, on Septimus Street. My Mother found herself pregnant in early march of 1943, during the heights of World War 2, known to people, as the dark days, that name was given, because during those dark days of war, People were not allowed to use lights at nights, the only light that was allowed, is the light of the sunlight at day time, and the moonlight at nights, now, some folks would defy the orders and would use flashlights or oil lanterns.

On November the 9th. 1943, my Mother gave birth to me, her fifth child. My Dad and Mom decided to name me Audrey for my first name, they said, they named me after a male Doctor who was highly respected in the neighborhood, he was admired by many for his dedication and his compassion to his calling. I learn’t that my birth took place at Home, as did my four siblings before me. The first child born to the union of Vincent and Muriel Keene, is sister Pat, the second child is sister Peggy, the third child is brother Sash, the fourth child is sister T , the fifth child is me, brother Yougle, now, the next four children were born in the city hospital, the sixth child is brother Royo, the seventh child is sister Sue, the eight child is sister Jeanie, and the ninth child is brother Rolo.

The first five children were born at the Jones Town address, my parents relocated to the York Street address in Franklin Town, the birth address of the last four children, we were all raised at the York Street address with the exception of the second child, who was raised by our Maternal Grandmother, we lived a very modest life, my Dad worked two jobs outside the home, while my Mother worked at home as a Seamstress, our Home was a one family House with three bedrooms, with no internal facilities, such as bathroom with Toilet, Kitchen with sink, no Washing machine, washing clothes was done in a large wash tub, the other facilities were known as out-houses, some of the neighbors had the notion, that we were rich folks, because of the things my Parents possess, and the way we were clothed. What, they did not know was, that we the children, had only two bedrooms with queen-size beds, one in each room, one for the girls, and one for the boys, the sleeping area was very small, so we had to sleep head and feet, boys and girls separately, to make it work, sometimes we would awake to find feet in the face or in the mouth, that was all good, for we were a loving family. My parents occupied the third bedroom, the family room was used as a sewing room, where Mom did her clothes designing, it was also used by Dad as a sitting room, where Dad entertained his guests, there was also a small dining area, what we had was a very large veranda where we mostly entertain our family and friends. There was one big problem I had, that was a question as to why, my sister Peggy had to be raised by my Maternal Grandmother, I struggled with that, for years, because I was afraid to ask Mom or Dad, now, there is no way to find the answer, because all the people who were able to give me an answer, has all gone on to be with the Lord. I was raised in an Era where the entire village was involved in my up bringing. A child had to stay in a child’s place, I was never allowed to question the authority of my elders, or that of my Parents. In that era, children were known as children from the old school. my Mother, her siblings, and my Maternal Grand-Parents were Irish descendents, who migrated to the West Indies. My Dad, his siblings, and Paternal Grand-Parents were descendents of East Indians and Spanish, their birthplace was unknown to me. The family was raised up in the Roman Catholic Religion, we the children, attended Catholic Schools, with the exception of my sister Peggy, who attended a city Public School. My Mother was deeply involved with our education, that was a high priority for her, I can now say, thank God, all my siblings have graduated high school, some of us went on to higher education, with College degrees, God has blessed me to attend a Theological Seminary, also attending other Biblical Institutes, graduating with certificates, diplomas. That’s truly a blessing from God. My Dad was also blessed to have graduated college with degrees in Accounting, Imports and Exports Management, also in Business Management. Recently one of my siblings, a younger sister, graduated from Theological Seminary, and is now an ordained Minister.

I remember, while growing up in Franklin Town, my Parents were highly respected, although my Dad was not the friendliest person to deal with, my Mother on the other hand, was the most humble person you would want to be around, she was one who would take the blouse off her back and give it to anyone who needed it, she would make clothing for people and would not charge them, if they could not afford it. My Mother would allow the neighbors to use the Telephone without a charge, if they asked, unfortunately, not everyone in the neighborhood had telephones in their homes, my Mother, when she cooks, she cooks as if she was cooking for the entire neighborhood, I would often ask her, why do you cook like that, her response would be, son, the Bible tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, I was only a child, and did not understand fully what Mother was saying then, she would also tell me, that in the Bible, Jesus said to feed His sheep, and that the neighbors are God’s sheep, and, that we should share what we have with others, if they are less fortunate than us. All these things that Mother was telling me, was truly not registering with me, but I believed her, she was an Honest and Godly Woman. Speaking about her cooking, every morning, noon-time, and evening, there were two young-men who would come to our house, and Mother would feed them, now, that was not all, my Home boys would come over also, especially at dinner time, and Mother would ask them, if they were hungry?, they never would say no, and I know why, they all, loved Moms cooking, and was always bragging about it. In my neighborhood, we all lived very close with each other. My Home boys would sometimes sleep over, even though space was limited, likewise my Brothers and I would do the same at their Homes. That’s, the culture I was raised in. In August of the year 1951, the weather forecaster, reported that Jamaica and the other Caribbean Islands would be hit by a super-storm hurricane, I think the name of the hurricane was Charlie, at about 4:30 P.M. my Dad came home from his daytime job, my Mother told him, that the local meteorological service announced that there was a super-storm approaching, his reply was, that they never knew what they are talking about, and that they are not God. Dad went and took his shower as he normally does, to go to his night-time job, the other neighbors were steadily trying to prepare and protect their Home and families from hurricane Charlie, the neighbors, knowing that Dad worked at nights, came over after he left for work, and offered to help us, but, God also sent my cousin Bunny to our Home, and without hesitation he and the neighbors left and went to the hardware store to get materials that they needed, to prepare and protect us, as much as they could from hurricane Charlie. When, they were finished, my cousin Bunny left to go back to be with his family. At about 7:30 P.M. that evening, we started to have very heavy winds, winds of up to 125 miles, then came the down pour of rain, then, out went the electric power, you, could hear the damages that was taking place outside, in our front yard there was a very large fruit tree, the wind tore through that tree and it came tearing down through our House, which caused the rain to come into the House, there were seven of us children with Moms, Mother got on her knees and started to Pray, she Prayed like she never Prayed before, while Praying, she had us all huddled under her, the furniture started to move around like a boat, knocking down everything in the way, we, the children were crying our little hearts out. My sister Jeanie was the baby, she was about 16 months old, so the older ones had to take control of her, while Mother was Praying and trying to keep us safe. That hurricane Charlie did a lot of damage to whoever and whatever was in his path, well about 6:15 A.M. in the morning the winds started to lose strength, the rain had become a drizzle, the neighbors were coming out to assess the damages, they also came over to see about us. Thank God, none of us were injured, one side of the House was damaged real bad, still, we were able to get out, we all went outside unto the veranda, me with my bad self, along with one of my Home boys, decided to sneak away, to see the other damages around the neighborhood, while doing that, we were gathering fallen fruits, when we got back Home, Moms gave us both a tongue lashing, with promises of punishment, for leaving the House without permission. Dad came Home a few minutes later, he seems upset at the damages, he told Moms that he was wrong and sorry, for leaving his family with no protection, but, like always, Moms forgave him, he then said, thank God, we were all alive, and with no injuries.

Dad left, and about one hour later he returned with four men to clean up the House and to make repairs to the damaged side of the House, as best as they could, they worked very hard at putting the House back to a safe condition, that allowed us to re-enter the House, it was about 5:00 P.M. thank God, the out House Toilet and the Kitchen was slightly damaged. Mother was able to fix us a meal, we were able to take showers. Several weeks went by, Dad had the same men to come back and really do the right job in restoring the damaged House. In a few days those men had the House and everything back to normal. My cousin Bunny came by several times, to see about us, that’s the kind of person he is, a real family man.

Mother would always tell us the children, especially me, the bad one, that, that’s the way we should live, be kind, and loving, not to live for ourselves only, she always reminds us that God says, that we should always be loving and kind to everyone, even, to our enemies. Some of Mother’s teaching was foreign to me, I was just a hard headed, lonely, and confused child, who only knew how to fight. I must tell you, sometimes when my Mother is telling me all the right things to do, I would hear her, but I wasn’t listening, it came in one ear, and out the other. I was truly an unfocused child sometimes. I said, sometimes, because I would sometimes pay attention to what I think is good for me, and disregarded what I think was not necessary, Mother would always let me know that I have to straighten up and do what’s right, because God, does not like unruly children, that He would punish me, I would listen, but truly it did not faze me, I just did not know why I was like that, I would ask myself sometimes, Winston, are you crazy? But I never got an answer. I must tell you, it was not only my Mother, that I would do that to, my Home boys got the same or worse treatment, I hear what I want to hear from them, and do what I wanted to do to them, and I still could not understand why, my Home boys still loved me, even when I was not lovable. I was so mean to them sometimes, and other times I was the nicest person to them, then a few days later I was like the devil’s own child; there again, I would hear my Mother’s words to me, Son, you are not going to live to see your next birthday, at times I wondered if she meant, that God is going to take me out; but, now, I am aware of what she was saying to me, as I move onto the next chapter. To my readers, as I continue to share my inner dark deeds and devastating behavior of a troubled young-man named Winston, the author, the one who knew how to do evil, than to do or be good in his actions. I want to share this caption with you, something I read from a religious tract a few weeks ago, I found it in the doctor’s office, I know that the writer was sending a message pertaining to my life’s sinful journey. It may seem early in my message through this book, but, I feel led by the Holy Spirit to include it in this chapter.

The caption stated, that we ought to let the Bible, the word of God, to be our firm foundation, we, ought to let it be, the staff of life that nourishes our soul, yes, we, ought to let it be, the Sword of the Holy Spirit that cuts away sin. Many years ago, I heard those same words coming from my Mother’s mouth, before saying these words, she would say to me, son, you may not live to see your next birthday, if you continue to fight, when there is no need for it, then came those same words written in the caption. Moms, would say, son, sin, will keep you away from God’s word – or, God’s word will keep you away from sin, it did not resonate in me then, when, Mother was saying it, but, in that doctor’s office as I read those same words, something moved within my heart. There and then I knew what it meant when Moms spoke them. Now, I can tell you, to let those words from the Bible resonate in your heart, this advice is from a repented sinner. As a boy even into adulthood, my life was filled with turmoil due to my father’s lack of parental love and the ability to guide me through a productive life. I often wonder if my father really loved me, or if even cared for me, if he did he surely did not show it. I believe that, that although my father did not care for me, I am confident today that God cares for me, if he did not, He would not send His Son into the world to die for me. I also believe that, God had put me through my situations, so I could be where I am today", which enables me to write this book, telling the readers, what God