In God's Hands

I was saddened to learn last Thursday, 7/2/09, that one of my young cousins, Tanyetta "Tan" Williams, 21 years old, passed away suddenly at her home in Covington, GA. She was the "B" twin sister of Kenyetta Williams and also the younger sister of Yolanda Williams. They all lived with their parents, Deacon Kenneth and Deaconess Ruby Williams. Kenneth and I are cousins as our grandfathers were brothers. I remember when he returned to Georgia after a career in the military. He was stationed in Washington state and chose not to return to live in his hometown or Eatonton, GA, but rather chose "God's garden spot of the world" (smile), Covington, GA, to buy a home.

I invited Kenneth and his family to visit our home church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Covington. They instead went and enjoined themselves to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. It was a great fit for all. The twins were active in the Youth Department and the choir. I remember going down to a Family and Friends Service and the young folks that sang songs were my little cousins, Kenyetta and Tanyetta. The twins also were not ashamed to lead us in song at their father's home church, the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Eatonton, GA, many times helping us sing a capella hymns.

"Tan" was a third year student at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, majoring in Political Science. She wanted to be and was a political activist and feminist. "Tan" wanted to change the world and make it a better place for all brothers and sisters. While working with my cousins to finish the funeral service program, I learned that she had a favorite pair of shoes, and they were lime green, my favorite also. She'd listed some things on her Facebook page that she wanted to accomplish before she died. Why would a 21 year old mention dying? Could it be because she was and still is in God's hands? Maybe if we walk close enough with the Lord, the Lord will walk with us, right? God was in constant communication with her about her life and living? As I visited the Raleigh Rucker Funeral Home in Decatur, GA on Tuesday night, I met her uncle and aunt there, Clemmie T. and Mamie Williams, along with Kenyetta. I talked with Kenyetta for a few minutes as she told me that she'd been to see her sister three times and that she looked like "she was only sleeping", so peaceful and content.

One of Tan's wishes was to have a lot of white friends. We decided, with emphasis from her grandmother, Mrs. Archie Dell Williams, that we would not put this into her funeral service program. (We had a real laugh about this fact, but didn't tell Cousin Archie Dell). But, how about a bus arrived followed by dozens of cars filled with young white youth that went to school with Tan at Georgia State University? What an amazing sight to see and behold how Tan touched the lives of so many people, of all ages, ethnicities, and religious denominations.

Her high school chorus teacher and three of her friends from high school sang one of her favorite songs, "Falling in Love with Jesus". As they fought back the tears, their singing brought many of us to tears, tears of joy, as they sang so melodiously. One of the deacons at Mt. Olive led us in singing her favorite a capella hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". How could one so young have deep rootage and groundage in such family and church tradition? Most young folks today spend time rapping and listening to other kinds of music. But Tan took solace in the fact that Jesus looks for us to bring everything to Him in prayer. Her life spoke to this fact.

There were many who gave remarks about how Tan touched and impacted their lives in such a positive way. All of us who knew her knew her with a big heart and a smile. Cheerful she was and unashamed she was to let anyone know that she was saved and a child of the King. She knew Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was bold and confident in her spirit. Tan wanted to change the world and make it a better place for everyone. What if in her 21 years she did? According to the witnesses at the funeral service, she did.

One of her college mates remarked that though only knowing Tan for four months, Tan impacted her life in such a remarkable way. Another young man, who walked with crutches because of a chronic illness, came up and read from the Jewish Prayer book. Through continuous tears, he read both in Hebrew and English and remarked that their faith differences had not prevented them from becoming good friends. He shared with us that though he is in constant pain because of his illness, Tan was always able to make him laugh and forget his pain, if only for a few moments. Still another young man remarked that he'd seen Tan the day she died and told her that he missed not seeing her a lot at school. She told him that would change and they'd see each other more in the coming weeks, the next semester. He said that he told her "I love you" and she returned the sentiment.

"In God's Hands", isn't that where we all as believers, want to be? Another young cousin, Zerrick Williams, wrote a song for Tan. It was entitled "In Good Hands". He sung it as he remarked about his cousin and that he would miss her, but that she had to go back to God. How do we know we're in God's hands? Shouldn't we spend our time doing all we can while we can for the Lord? Tan certainly did. Did she know that she'd only get 21 years? Perhaps we all can take a lesson from Tan. Perhaps we should spend our time in God's hands and work while we can, doing God's work God's way.

Pastor Ashley Dobbs, the new pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, had a stirring and provocative eulogy, dealing with death as a "wake-up call" for us all. He likened it to receiving a call as a hotel guest so that you would not be late for your daily appointments. As Tan sent text messages to her sister that Thursday, speaking of a headache and the need to lie down, who knew that she would not get up her anymore? Who knew as the day began that it would be Tan's last day with us here on earth? If anyone knew, would things have been different? Maybe because Tan lived her life in God's hands, she worked Thursday as she did each and every day of her life, giving life all that she had. Maybe Tan looked at last Thursday as she did every other day, working while it was still day and there was life in her body. She didn't waste time wasting time. Tan spoke up and she spoke out against injustice and unrighteousness. So did Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Perhaps a most stiking and needed lesson is to be learned from our young cousin. As we spend our lives in God's hands, we shoud work always because always it is game time. We have a finish line to cross and we do not know how close or far we are to the finish lines of our lives. But, Tan worked and left for us a model. She followed Jesus. We too must follow Jesus. Because we are in God's hands, we find safety and refuge. Tan lived until she died. She did not take a break from living because conditions were not always as she liked or hoped them to be. She tried to make changes. She knew the power of the Holy Spirit was with her and she was eager and anxious to do God's work. She lived her life in God's hands, modelling for us how to live the same way. I don't think that persons came to Tan's funeral because she died. I think they came to celebrate the fact that Tan lived!!

Tan's legacy will live on and I am so proud that I'm a member of the larger family of God, but a member of the Williams family locally. I do thank the Lord that as Tan lived her life in His hands, the Lord took care of her while she was with us and now He is taking care of as her soul rests with Him.

Thank you Tan for showing us how to be good and obedient children of God! Thank you Tan for showing us how to live in God's hands.

Ministry and Food Distribution

Welcome to my new blog "Kingdom Works." Through this forum, I hope we'll be able to share reflections on the Lord's Kingdom Mandate to serve through active ministry participation. Together, we'll continue learning about interactive approaches to service and Ministry, all resulting in giving God the glory.

Today, we held a food distribution in Eatonton, Georgia.

It was extremely hot and one lady passed out. She was taken to the hospital and is doing fine. Our next distribution is July 25th. We need volunteers. As Lake Oconee Community Church's (LOCC) Pastor of Community Transformation, it is on days like these where I truly see the Lord's hand helping us come closer to becoming a beloved and united community. The Lord has given us a wonderful and humbling opportunity to participate in active ministry with all of our brothers and sisters in the community, regardless of age, race, or socio-economic status. In the last few months since being invited by Commissioner Janie Reid, Mayor John Reid and Former Commissioner Bob Landau to work with the Putnam Food Resource Group, my life has been transformed. Pastor Michael Brown from God of Peace Ministries has been wonderful, hosting two events and committing men from their church to help folks take boxes to their cars. We're now being able to assist over 250 to 300 persons with their food needs each month. We have enough monies to take us through the end of the year, so we are not actively seeking financial donations at this time. We just need people resources.

I thank the LOCC community for investing in me as the Lord allows us to provide pastoral leadership during the week in Putnam and Greene Counties. The Lord has knitted our Monday Bible Study group into a family/community that loves and cares for each other. The core of our Putnam Food Resource Group is growing in the same way. Our monthly community prayer group is growing as are our children at Tender Care. Sure, we all have busy schedules, especially Saturday mornings from 8 until 1 or 2, when we might have been in the community working M-F. Some of us leave the distribution site and deliver boxes to some of our sick and shut-in brothers in the community.

As Jesus called His first disciples, some followed and asked questions. They wanted to know where He lived, where did He spend His time? In John 1:39, Jesus said unto them, “Come and see.” They went with Jesus, saw where He dwelt, and spent some time with Him. Today, I understand again that the call to pastoral ministry from God to me has summoned and sent me to this community. Yes, we need other disciples and all from LOCC are invited to come out into the greater Greene/Putnam community to “come and see” the great divine work the Lord has for those of us willing to work, walk, and witness for the kingdom. Thanks always for your prayers of support.