Michael Jackson

Do you really mean that there are things beyond my control?

As we neared the anniversary of his death, some things came to mind. In particular, I thought about the poems I wrote when I was in the eighth grade. There were two about Michael Jackson. That was nearly a lifetime ago.

I celebrate his life. As a musician, I find awe in his creations. As an artist, I find inspiration. As humanitarian, I find that one individual can make a difference. As a person, I find that we all have ups and downs. As a famous entertainer, I see that we can momentarily make people happy. As a human being, I see that we all are people who have feelings, desires, and a spirit of life in common.

Yet, I still grieve his death. It was then that I realized that all things are not in my control. I had promised my nieces for years (more than 15) that I would take them to see MJ. I even had them writing the fan club and belonging to an automatic email site of his. I had them so Michael Jackson engrossed that watching him (videos, concerts, tv presentations, interviews) is a time we would become completely silent. We planned to somehow, someway get to the concerts last year and in addition, when we knew that we couldn't get tickets we were planning to just sit in the area. I had to make my promise come true and I knew that last year was the year that I was going to do it, even if it meant staging a youtube presentation or a Neverland starve out. If I had to take the three of them with my siblings and mother out of the country, I would do it. They were going to meet MJ.

This came to a crashing halt when he died. I was saddened for him, his family, and the world. As a matter of fact, my family, sisters and especially my brother, check in on me whenever there is something mentioned about Michael. My brother often says, "Well, I was going to call you yesterday, with all that MJ stuff on tv.I know how you are about him...How are you doing?" You see, there were a few things that I knew to be true. One is that I always kept my word to my nieces. So, I am upset that this was one promise I could not keep. In addition, I knew that by being his friend, he would be free....Also, I knew that he would still be alive if..(we had a special message from an Apostle for him).

However, as said, all things are not in my control. And, although I cannot bring all of my promises to fruition, there is someone who can. There is someone who is greater than you and I who is in control of everything. I am glad that that is someone to whom my nieces were introduced. They follow His lead and through him, all of their dreams are possible.

To get next to Him, they have to study, read, meditate, pray, live righteous lives, serve, and follow Him. I let them know that God is in control of everything and through Him everything is possible.

So, I have learned. Place Him first and all things will come. Although there may seem to come an end to a dream, remember you are not in control of "everything," and that some things will come when you least expect them.

Just When

Have you ever heard the saying that "Just when you are about to give up, that is when your breakthough comes"? Let me share a couple of examples with you.

There are a couple of great examples that I have heard my parents refer to plenty of times. Of course, there are the Biblical ones. Abraham, who chose to follow an order, was at the point to sacrifice his son. He gave up but just when he thought that he was going to lose one, his breakthrough came. He saw the real sacrifice tied to a bush. How about the Noah and the family in the ark? Just when they were about to give up, the dove found a leaf and they saw a rainbow - breakthrough.

Let's take a look at our lives. For the children, during the school year, just when the year is dragging on and they are about to get tired, a day off is scheduled. Just when they need refreshers, reassurance comes.

For adults, just when we thought we couldn't survive, the telephone rings and someone gives us a kind word. Just when we are about to throw in the towel, a compliment comes. Just when we are at the end of our rope, the rope grows and morphs.

The next time you think, "I am not going to make it," just remember that your breakthrough comes just when you think you won't. Someone or something is set in your path to help. It may be a kind word, a song, or a prayer.