Kirjahaku

Gladys Bostick struggled to close the overly stuffed suitcase. She had cleaned everything out of her armoire, dresser, and vanity, because she would not be coming back. But now the blue and white suitcase she owned since her Claflin College days refused to snap shut. Totally frustrated, Gladys placed the suit case on the floor and sat on it. Only then could she snap it shut. Any other time she and Auntie Nancy would have a good laugh at Gladys sitting on top of the suitcase trying to get it to close, but today was not one of those days. Right now the tension in the room was so thick you could slice it with a knife. Gladys pulled the suitcase over to the door. Her fianc , Willie Mack Holmes, waited outside on the porch. He had not been invited in. Gladys placed her cloche hat on her head, hung her beaded purse on her wrist, and then walked over to hug Aunt Nancy goodbye. Aunt Nancy did not return the hug but sat silently still. Gladys promised to write when she got settled in. As Gladys turned to walk away, Aunt Nancy reached up and grabbed a hold of Gladys' arm and pulled her down to face her. Gladys stared into her aunt's pale face and graying hair. Gladys waited for her aunt to speak. Nothing would make her happier than for her aunt to congratulate her and wish her well. After all, Auntie Nancy was like a mother to her and she did not want them to part angry. "Listen to me," Aunt Nancy said in a quivering voice, fighting back tears, "Girl, you dropping your candy in the sand."

It is 1942, and the world is at war, however, Gladys Bostick Holmes is fighting personal battles of her own. Recently widowed, and a single mother of six children, Gladys has relocated to Calhoun County, South Carolina where she struggles to put her life back together. But, for an African-American woman in the racist, Jim Crow South, that is hard to do. Gladys is working as a domestic for a White woman who shorts her pay. The White landlord is overcharging her for the dilapidated property she rents. To make ends meet, Gladys is literally "robbing from Peter to pay Paul". However, despite the adversities, she is keeping a roof over her head, and food in the ice box. Gladys has resolved stay single but, lo and behold, she meets Cephas Young and falls head over heels in love. Through it all, Gladys keeps the Honey in the Rock scripture close to her heart. Scripture says the honey does not come easy. The rock must be climbed and because the honey is in the deep crevices and clefts of the rock, it takes strength and effort to reach it. But Gladys is determined to taste the honey's sweetness, no matter how long it takes.

Jael's story found in the Book of Judges oozes blood and strength--a story of the enemy blood and feminine strength. In a gruesome but justifiable act in the eyes of God, Jael drives a tent peg through the head of the Captain Sisera of the Canaanite Army. Who was this woman called Jael? Scripture provides few personal details about Jael. According to Judges 4:11, Jael's husband was named Heber and he was a Kenite. Therefore, I assume that Jael was also a Kenite. Jael and Heber is an insignificant gentile couple who have relocated from the town of Arad to Kedesh, located near Galilee. It was there that Jael commits the courageous act that helps to wrestle the Israelites from under the control of an evil king. Afterwards Jael is honored in a victory song by Judge/Prophetess Deborah and Commander Barak. Jael is praised by all and called "blessed above women." Amazingly, this honor would remain Jael's alone until bestowed upon the Virgin Mary centuries later. But, sadly, afterwards, Jael, the village heroine, disappears into eternity, never to be heard from again.In the story I am giving Jael a face, a personality, and resurrecting her from the dark ages of obscurity. I believe Jael possessed a Bathsheba-kind-of-beauty that a king would kill for and a Rachel-kind-of-loveliness that a man toils seven years to possess. I am convinced that Jael had the genius of Rahab and the cunningness of Esther. Jael could have done what any of the biblical women did, but none of these women could have done what Jael did. What Jael did is the most significant factor about her story. Are you a Jael? Are you willing to do God's bidding? Are you ready and faithful to obey? Every assignment won't be as challenging as Jael's, or as sweet as Queen Esther's. Prepare yourself, be ready, and be confident knowing that when God calls you, you will be empowered by his strength.

My life growing up in the Strawberry Mansion community of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My neighbors were a jazz pianist and a banker. I lived next door to a beautiful rose garden. Strawberry Mansion was a thriving, vibrant community of beautiful affordable homes and incredible teachers who went over and above the call of duty.This is coming of age story of a young girl growing up in Strawberry Mansion.