Give thanks on a daily basis

Opinion

November 26, 2012

Give thanks on a daily basis

Editor and Publisher John H. Walker The Daily Southerner Mon Nov 26, 2012, 01:36 PM EST

TARBORO — Al and Connie Hull were busy showing off grandbaby photos to Bernice and Mears Pitt on Black Friday morning while inside the garden center at Marrow Pitt, a mother and father shopped for a Christmas tree and their children scouted out gifts in the Fawn Shop.

The afternoon before, daughter-in-law Laura had sent us a text message relating 5-year-old Dominick’s latest eye-opening question — “What’s a turkey coma?”

He was told he would know as soon as he woke up from his nap.

Whether it’s kids or grandkids, good friends or good health, we all have something for which to be thankful.

As humans, we always want more. We never have enough or whatever it is we think we need ... but is that really the case?

We complain of a cold floor on a wintry morning, yet fail to think about those who rise to no floor ... or worse still, no heat.

We complain because the meal we were served at a restaurant wasn’t exactly to our liking, but we fail to think about the youngsters in our very community who go to sleep with the pain of hunger in their little stomachs.

There is no end to the list of things we can find to complain about, yet how often do we stop and think about the many undeserved blessings we receive on a daily basis?

I’ll bet you can think of something you take for granted, can’t you?

We aren’t owed anything in life, yet we seem to think we are — whether it be some benefit by an employer or the government or something by a friend or family member.

I’ve found that through the years, despite what I might have felt at the time, the Lord has provided extremely well for me and mine.

I’ll admit to a period where I was put through a trial of faith and it was tougher than any classroom exam I’ve ever experienced.

I had gotten on a high horse after some success in this business and freely talked about what I had done ... when ALL I had done was use the talents and abilities the Lord had given me and take advantage of the talented people He had placed around me to accomplish a goal.

Instead of giving thanks and acknowledgement, I laid claim and the Lord gave me the opportunity to learn the lesson of humility.

Today, I’m thankful for that lesson, as harsh as it was, for I believe I’m a better person because of one more gift given me by my Lord.

What do you have for which to be thankful?

How long has it been since you’ve gone to the Lord and given thanks for the many blessings you and yours have received?

You don’t have to wait until you go to church or to bed to go to the Lord in prayer. I find some of my best talks with Him come as Bridget and I go on one of our daily walks ... as He greets us with the rising sun in the morning and guides us by the light of the moon and twinkling stars at night.

It’s on those days when I find the lyrics of that old, Southern gospel hymn have it oh, so right: “Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.”

And with that, I’ll ask again, “What do you have for which to be thankful?”

From our house to your house, Stephanie, Bridget and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(John H. Walker is editor and publisher of The Daily Southerner. He can be reached at 823-3106 or jwalker@dailysoutherner.com.)

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Opinion

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The next day, a Saturday, Stephanie and I joined one another in marriage under a beautiful little gazebo by Comanche Trail Lake, fed by the historic spring from which the community draws its name.

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The past month has been interesting, to say the least.
As I grew up, my first cousins — a group of us that have simply been referred to as “The Cousins” would often joke that when we died, we knew it would be as the result of a heart attack. That’s the history of the Walker family and my Dad and his seven brothers and sisters, as heir parents had, died of heart-related issues.
But along the way, something else happened, Cousins Joyce, Dudley, Don, Kenneth, Howard and Jimmy all died after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dudley and Don and Jimmy and Howard were brothers. But we were much more than cousins. We were a true Southern family in that no matter how far away we might move, we always wound up back at Granny Walker’s.

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Favoring Immigrants over Citizens
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May 1, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Princeville, the oldest African American community in North America, through the years has had many hurdles and set backs since it was established.Yet with its resilience, it has some how, through some miracles has always bounced back to stay the course of normalcy as best as it could envision. Yet, we must be ever so reminded that our earthly job of being responsible and accountable for and to ourselves shall never cease, until our journey is finished.
This beckoning call for volunteers is being directed to all the local residents who are concerned and aware of the deplorable existing condition of the cemetery on N.C. Highway 111.
This appeal is specifically for churches, community organizations, and all concerned able body men, women and young folks to respond. The purpose of the tentative meeting is to organize a special committee of volunteers within the community, to assumed the responsibilities and duties of maintaining the cemetery. This is where our deceased loved ones are laid to rest and one day for sure some or most of us, if it’s God's will, shall lay rest in this cemetery. It's about pride and cultural respect and decency that we the living owe our beloved ones who's gone over.
Please call or respond to the contact information below and we'll get in touch and arrange a special meeting to start this project. It's no secret that it's an eyesore and a reflection of what we collectively think of ourselves as well as about of our deceased. This mindset can change. With the weather changing, the grass will be growing. Once again we'll be faced with the cosmetic upkeep. There are some simple tasks we as concerned residents can come together as a concerned unit/group to maintain the appearance of our cemetery.
Calling all concerned men and women and children residing in historic Princeville.
Those interested please call (252) 823-3740

Milton Bullock
Native of Princeville

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer all over the United States. I would like to challenge every minister of the gospel to bring a group from his or her church and meet us on the Town Square across from Edgecombe County Courthouse at 11:45 p.m. Thursday for prayer and unity.
After looking through the phonebook and newspaper church page, there appears to be more than 300 churches in Edgecombe County of multiple faiths. Yet each year we barely have 25 people respond to the advertising for National Day of Prayer.
Prayer has no respective person and does not practice segregation, yet the church segregates itself every Sunday morning. As a blood bought believer in Jesus Christ, I ask all who believes that Jesus was born of virgin, died on the cross and rose on the third day to meet me with an expressive tongue of prayer for our local, state and national leaders. Are you up for the challenge.

Viola Harris

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We Salute...
Each Friday, The Daily Southerner will recognize individuals, groups and businesses in Edgecombe County who have gone “above and beyond” in their effort to make this a better place to work, play and raise a family.

April 12, 2013
We Salute...
• ELLIS “BUDDY” HOOKS, on being named to receive the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD.
Hooks will be officially recognized on May 14.
• ALL PARTICIPANTS in the 76th EASTERN CAROLINA 4-H LIVESTOCK SHOW, held this week at the East Carolina Agriculture and Educational Center.
• Members of the TARBORO HIGH BOOSTERS CLUB, employees of the TOWN OF TARBORO, members of the GOLDEN K KIWANIS CLUB and all others involved in the successul staging of the 20th TARBORO EASTER CLASSIC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT, Despite chilly, wet weather on Thursday, today’s weather is forecast to improve to the point of being a perfect day at the ballpark.
• Edgecombe County businesses recognized for their efforts to promote a safe work place, including Keihin Carolina System Technology, Inc., Air System Components, ABB, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas, Tarboro Resource Center and QVC, Rocky Mount , Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corp., Hillshire Brands-Sara Lee Bakery and N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, Tarboro Branch Office.
• LT. FLEMING THOMPSON, a 2005graduate of Tarboro High School, on being named the United States Air Force’s 23rd Bomb Squadron NAVIGATOR OF THE YEAR.

• • •

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April 3, 2013
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