Through It All: A Compilation of Short Stories Based on Lived Experiences

By Gloria Watkins Brown PhD

A faith journey is shared, and testimonials are provided on how the author overcame a plethora of social ills, sickness, and hard times in general. Riveting stories are told of overcoming illness, miracles, dire poverty, domestic violence, jealousy, grief, and racism by having faith and depending on his grace and mercy.

Each chapter begins with a scripture; a story is told, followed by a prayer; and each story ends with Questions to Ponder. The reader can envision how the author persevered through it all.

The stories are meant to reach audiences that are personally interested in overcoming social ills and helping others overcome social ills and finding hope through stories of the authors phenomenological (lived) experiences, scripture, prayer, and examining questions related to how the author overcame some very difficult circumstances. This book is ideal for a Bible study or other Christian curricula devoted to faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524674007

Gloria Watkins Brown PhD

Dr. Brown is a native of St. Louis, MO. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi, a Master of Music from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH, and a PhD in K-12 Educational Leadership from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has retired from positions of high school principal and director of racial-ethnic ministries and currently works as an online adjunct professor in graduate studies. She scores grant proposals for the OH Department of Education and serves as AdvancED Lead Evaluator for school accreditation. She serves as chaplain for Lambda Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She serves on the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Design Team and is a collaborative coach who works to assist African American Churches with developing strategic plans. She has done peace advocacy and mission work on Asian and African Continents.

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Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

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: 03/16/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7401-4 (sc)ISBN: 978-1-5246-7399-4 (hc)ISBN: 978-1-5246-7400-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017903067

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Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Ups And Downs Of Childhood

Poverty Lurks

Poverty And Hunger: Finding Hope

Poverty And Suicidal Thoughts

God’s Plans Are Not My Plans

Pain Among The Least Of These

Discrimination Within The Family

Discrimination In Religious Circles

At The Swimming Pool

They Think We Steal

Stereotypical Thinking

School Desegregation

United Methodist Women

Race, Gender, And Disability

His Miracles

Stroke, Rehabilitation, And Aftershock

Breast Cancer

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Vengeance Is The Lord’s

Gatekeepers

Pastoral Rejection

Announcement Of Terminal Degree

Family Rejection

On Grieving: Wounds Reopened

When Daddy Died

When Valarie Died

When Bug Died

When Mama Died

References

Dedication

For My children, Victoria and Cassandra,

My dear friend, Kevin, and

My grandson, DeJuan

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, King James Version).

Introduction

Because much of the language in this book was inspired by true events with real places and real characters, pseudonyms have been used in some instances. Life has not always been carefree and fancy free. Intermittently, I have had some extremely difficult experiences. There were times when I felt like giving up but my faith in God and His amazing grace made it possible for me to keep moving forward. My mother often said, Stand for something or fall for anything (Malcolm X, p. 1). She was strong, had lots of stick-to-it-tive-ness, and in that way, I wanted to be just like her.

In the stories that lie ahead, I share my faith journey and provide testimonials on how I overcame a plethora of social ills and hard times through His grace and mercy. Riveting stories are told of illness, miracles, dire poverty, grief, racism, and more.

Each chapter begins with a scriptural association with a short story. The story is told, followed by a prayer, and each chapter ends with Questions to Ponder. As the chapters unfold, readers will be able to envision persistence, defiance of defeat, and reliance on Jesus when it would have been easy to give up. I persevered, "through it all".

The stories are meant to reach audiences that are personally interested in overcoming social ills, helping others overcome social ills, and finding hope through stories of the author’s phenomenological (lived) experiences. The scriptures, stories, prayers, and questions to ponder make for ideal content for Bible studies and other faith-based curricula.

The stories will be beneficial to pastors, counselors, teachers, church leaders, those who must care for sick and elderly parents, those who are living below poverty guidelines, anyone experiencing hard times, and anyone simply interested or who needs to know more about the kinds of miracles He can work.

Why do I share these stories when they are so personal and, sometimes, embarrassing? I want others to know that no matter how difficult times become, there is a God who is omnipotent and omnipresent. He can turn dark clouds into rainbows and He can help you endure the greatest pain. All it takes is a little faith.

Ups and Downs

of Childhood

When my mother married a second time, I am told that I was 2 years old. My grandparents, allegedly, wanted to adopt me but my mother was not having that. She took me to live with her husband and her. I never liked being there and can remember studying very hard while in school just to keep my mind off my living situation.

I didn’t feel good about my looks because I could always overhear adults asking why I didn’t look like the rest of the children in the family. Children would tease me about my color, the texture of my hair, and would call me ugly. The only way I knew how to feel good about myself was to be smart so I always aspired to succeed academically.

I learned things easily and the old people in the community thought I never did anything wrong. My cousin, Ed, could always talk me into doing something crazy. One Saturday while visiting my grandparents, Ed convinced me that we should figure out how not to go to church on Sunday. We plotted to play sick so we could cook in the woods. We made up coughs and lied saying we both had headaches. My grandmother said, There must be something going around. She gave us medicine and pampered us the way she knew how to do so well. Ed and I were careful not to be too active or she would figure out we were not sick. She asked our grandfather (Daddy) if he would agree for her to go to church while he watched the sick children. He agreed.

Daddy had a habit of nodding by the fireplace so we knew he would sleep long enough for us to cook in the woods the next day. On that Saturday, Ed found an empty 5-gallon can and a wire rack to use for the grill. We went into the woods that Saturday to set up our kitchen. Ed built the stove, took matches from the mantel, stole a mason jar of kerosene, put twigs in the 5-gallon can, and covered it with the grill. I sneaked in the kitchen and took