Receiving a blessing or being a blessing at Christmas should not be debatable. Both are quite appropriate during the holiday season.
Many of us are still enjoying the season of giving through the New Year. There is no doubt that we are put on earth to be a blessing to others. After so many activities and parties in December, it was a delight to sit and exhale. It was breathtaking to be blessed by the Men’s Alliance of North Alabama (Men of M.A.N.A.) at their second annual Widow’s Banquet.
The theme for this year’s banquet was “Remember to Smile.” We were told by Diane Rowell of “Something Elegant” that a smile is a very powerful weapon. A genuine smile is a frown turned upside down. There are so many benefits to smiling. You can keep your blood pressure lowered, relieve stress and much more.
The Men of M.A.N.A. is under the leadership of Elder Rickie Cole, president. He referenced the Bible during his welcome statement from I Timothy 5:3 …Honor widows that are widows indeed. Just to think that there are those who care about you when you could be left alone means so much to me.
I received a blessing along with about a hundred other people in attendance. I even reached out to bless another friend to have her share with me because I knew that this holiday season would be so different for her.
The District 16 Order of the Eastern Star Christmas Dinner had Masonic brothers and Eastern Stars sisters from five or more counties that came to share in a Scholarship Banquet. This fundraising event will benefit young students in May who will be graduating and attending various colleges and universities. Glenda Reynolds is the District 16 Grand District Deputy. The speaker emphasized to shoot for the moon and, if you miss it, you will land among the stars.
Continue to be visible in the community and work together to embrace the vision.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. Corey Hawkins Sr. Esq, was the speaker. He is the youngest Grand Master to ever lead the AL Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM. He said he works for excellence each day and has the patience to do the work ahead. His challenge was to continue to teach respect, the value of life, the importance of education and the benefits of working a job to our youth and young adults. He closed with the poem “To Tear Down or Build Up.” We were charged to ask the question: Am I a builder, or am I a wrecker?
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Nu Eta Zeta Chapter, came together to bless their families and friends with dinner and gifts over the holidays! Special uplifting songs were sung as we celebrated the holidays. Joy to the World was the group’s favorite song. After being happy and joyful the sorority looks ahead with anticipation to honor and bless high school seniors at their Academic Excellence Day on January 17, 2016.
Just as others have blessed me during this holiday, I am constantly seeking opportunities to make an unforgettable moment that can happen in the lives of others. Crossing the traditional lines of friendship, I was truly blessed with an unforgettable gift from one of my Hispanic friends. Love knows no boundaries, and we all can be blessed and bless others.
