with Gloria Holiday
Hello to my family and friends. It is good to be with you on another day that the Lord has allowed us to see. Not only has He allowed us to see a new day, He has allowed us to see another month. Remember that this is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it. You can cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you! He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
February has made its arrival. In the United States, the month of February begins with a very odd ritual that started in the late 1800s by German settlers in Pennsylvania. On Feb. 2, some look to see if a groundhog sees his shadow. If he sees the shadow, the legend holds that winter weather will last another six weeks (roughly until the first day of spring); however, if the groundhog does not see his shadow, then spring weather will come sooner. This is Groundhog Day.
Before I continue on with this column, let us pray for the families of Tyre Nichols. I have heard of so many bad things that have happened in our U.S.A. (land of the free?), but as I watched the video and listened to that young man crying out for his mother, it broke my heart, and I began to sob as well! You know, family and friends, that could have been one of our children! So help me to continue praying for our U.S.A.
Please forgive me for not having my column in last week’s edition. I had so much going on with all of the deaths in our family. Thank you for your prays, texts and phone calls. The family of Mrs. Betty Bass William and Mr. Marles Flowers would like to say thank you to everyone and to Essary’s Flowers and Gifts for all of the beautiful flowers arrangements that you made for the family. Continue to keep Pastor Marles Flowers and Ms. Sylvia Flowers in your prayers as well. On Sunday morning they received a phone call that his baby brother Jerald Flowers was found deceased; however, the Lord will not put more on us then we can bear. He will never put more on you than you and Him can carry together.
Well, let us welcome the month of February. February is Black History month when the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history. This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Black Resistance,” which takes a look at how African-Americans have fought repression from America’s earliest days. From escaping the plantation, to the rise out of poverty and the struggle for equal housing and education to the struggle for voting rights, the resistance lives on even into the 21st century. Black History needs to be taught in our schools. “There is no American history without African American history,” according to Sara Clarke Kaplan, executive director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University in Washington, D.C. The Black experience, she says, is embedded in “everything we think of as ‘American history.” Yes, it does!
February is also a celebration of love. We call it Valentine’s Day. The root of Valentine’s Day goes back to ancient times when people paid honor to the Roman God of Fertility. This was known as the Feast of Lupercalia and was celebrated even then on Feb. 14. It is a time to exchange cards or small gifts. Chocolates, flowers, jewelry and romantic dinners are the big hits of this holiday. It is also a fun event for kids and family. We have 13 days to make sure everything is ready for the people we love.
Back to the groundhog! No matter what that little furry animal does, February is a frigid month across most of the country. It is the last month of winter after all; however, signs of spring do tend to emerge by the end of the month in most parts of the country. I do not know if he saw his shadow or not. One thing I do know is that I am ready for Spring!
Happy belated birthday to the following for the month of January: Mr. Clarence Harris celebrated his 92nd birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 24. To God be the Glory! Mr. Harris, we love you, and we pray the Lord will bless you with health and strength for many more birthdays! Chris Ross and Jamarius Croom celebrated their birthday on Jan. 7, Zachary Wilson celebrated on Jan. 9 and Charleston Croom’s birthday was Jan. 25. Sierra Croom celebrated on Jan. 26, Michael Joyner, Jan. 27; Lesa Croom, Jan. 28; and Alyssa Joyner, Jan. 29.
Happy birthday to Mr. Robert Bass, Feb. 1; we pray the Lord will bless you with many more!
The city would like to take this time to wish all of our loved ones in the Nursing Home who had a birthday this week a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
On the prayer list this week: our children in school, teachers and our men and women that are serving our country. Remember to patronize with our local businesses here in town; let us try to support our own as much as we can.
If you live in the City of Henderson and have news about your family, birthday, anniversary, announcements, and things happening in the City, I need to hear from you; call me at 608-6132 cell and leave your message, or you may email me at gloria__holiday@msn.com.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
