Griffin Speaks
"A REASON TO BE THANKFUL"
Lewis Burk, a Birmingham banker and close friend of mine called and invited
my family to a cookout at his home. I accepted the invitation immediately.
Debra and I had a ball.
We packed the kids up and took them to the home of their Selma, Alabama grandparents, Joe and Wilma Thomas. We called our brother-in-law Lorenzo Harrison and his wife, Debra's sister, Dr. Latanza Harrison and invited ourselves to spend the weekend at their home in Birmingham. Lorenzo, a Birmingham banker quickly told us that we would be welcome. We had a ball driving around Birmingham in their new 430 black Mercedes Benz. We had a ball.
We all arrived at the cookout a few minutes after seven p.m. on Saturday. Lewis and his wife Debbie like my brother and sister-in-law have a beautiful home. You would have thought that you were visiting Atlanta, Georgia. Debbie welcomed us at the front door. Everyone present was having a wonderful time. Lewis was outside at the grill. I convinced Lewis to let me take over the duties of grilling while he mingled with his guest. He reluctantly agreed.
I was at the grill all but ten minutes before I almost burned his house down. We were minutes from calling the fire department. The more I threw water on the gas grill fire, the higher the flames flared. We were eventually able to tame the fire after all of the meat on the grill burned up. Fortunately everyone found it humorous. I was embarrassed beyond belief. At my home Debra is the expert griller. She is originally from Lowndes County and can light a fire striking sticks together.
We all enjoyed the food that was cooked earlier. We also made plans to attend Sixth Avenue Baptist Church the following morning. This is the church that Lorenzo and Latanza, Lewis and Debbie attend.
We arrived promptly at 8:30 am. The church was almost full. The congregation was very spiritual. What happened next is what inspired me to write this article.
When I practiced law in Birmingham I attended Sixth Avenue during the tenure of the legendary Rev. John Porter, Martin Luther King JR's protégé. In fact I recall reading a letter where King confirmed Porter's preaching engagement at Dexter on November 27th 1955. In that letter Martin Luther King tells Rev. Porter that he was looking forward to his preaching on the fourth Sunday morning. He also informed him that Coretta brought into the world a "big" little girl. He told Porter that Yolanda weighed nine pounds and eleven ounces.
I always wondered who could possibly replace Rev. Porter. How could any man fill his giant shoes? We sat and listened to a few songs before Rev. Porter's replacement began to preach.
I could hardly believe what I saw and heard with my very own eyes and ears. First of all the new minister looks like a Rev. John Porter clone. He preached without notes. I declare that if nails had not secured the roof it would have come off of the church. This young man, Reverend Al B. Sutton Jr. could preach!
I was moved when he told us that "IF YOU THINK, YOU WILL THANK!"
"WHEN GOD RESONATES IN YOUR LIFE HE GIVES YOU BOLDNESS. YOU WILL
GO TO WORK WITH YOUR CHEST STUCK OUT." "JOY IS THE PUREST SIGN
OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD." "THERE ARE NO SAD SAINTS." "GLOOMY
CHRISTIAN IS A CONTRADICTION OF TERMS." "THE JOY THAT I HAVE
THE WORLD DIDN'T GIVE ME, AND THE WORLD CAN'T TAKE IT AWAY." "OUR
JOY SHOULD BE CONTAGIOUS."
I left Sixth Avenue Baptist Church a more grateful person. I realized that if I truly stopped and gave thought to what God has done in my life I would have no choice but to give thanks. The preacher was right "If we think we will thank."
We must take time out of our hectic schedules and give thanks to the Lord. I am amazed at how we rush to costly sports and other entertainment events, quicker than we rush to Church to give thanks. Stop what you are doing for at least a few moments and think. Think and I guarantee you that as Rev. Al B. Sutton Jr. proclaimed you are sure to give thanks!
The grapevine has informed me that there are a number of people planning to challenge Incumbent City councilman Terrance Dawson in next year's election. The grapevine also informs me that he will launch a strong re-election campaign possibly with the help of some very prominent national celebrities: P. Diddy, Bow Wow and Usher! Beyounce if necessary!Don't count him out yet!
Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his earlier columns by logging on to his web page at: www.greggriffin.com
Greg Griffin is a freelance writer. He can be contacted at www.greggriffin.com
