Stories of My Life, 'Spring', but 'A Southern 'Negra' in The North', Post 8 F, September 13, 2018

In each and every nation, each and every person must take - 'their respective life journey'. SMQ
​Stories in the 'Seasons of My Life in Jesus'
​A. Birth - August 12, 1956 - Pre-Spring Time of My Life.  [See Posts from April 19, 2018]
B. August 12, 1956 - January 29, 1970 - Springtime of Life [Posts from May 29, 2018- June 19, 2018]
Then, posts from June 21, 2018; June 26, 2018; June 28, 2018; July 3, 2018; July 5, 2018; July 10, 2018; July 12, 2018; July 17, 2018; July 19, 2018; July 24, 2018; July 26, 2018; July 31, 2018; August 2, 2018; August 7, 2018; August 9, 2018; August 14, 2018, concludes 'life in North Carolina, arrival, Massachusetts'.  Holy Bible Passages on Fear, August 16, 21, 23, 2018. Now, 'Life in Massachusetts' from the Summer, 1964 to the Fall, 1967, Post 8 A, 8 B, August 28, 30, 2018; Post 8 c, 8 D, 8 E, 8 F, September 4, 6, 11, 13, 2018, continuing. 
C. January 29, 1970 - February, 2004 - Summer, Fall, Winter Seasons [Married Life Until Death Do Us Part]
D. February, 2004 - Present - Springtime/Summertime with the Lord. ​​​

The 'family' is 'fertile training ground' in 'righteousness'. Thus, 'train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. [Proverbs 22:6]

If you are just joining 'me and Jesus' in 'this Auto-Bio Excerpts Room', the posts are in chronological order.  Therefore, the 'foundation' information for my family's 'exodus' from our 'home' in North Carolina may be found on the posts on Tuesdays/Thursdays from Post 1-Post 7, May 29, 2018 - June 19, 2018. Another section of writing, 'the hand-writing was on the wall, necessitating the 'relocation'.  [July 3, 2018; July 5, 2018].  Of interest to 'history buffs', and on the 'history of the times', are the posts in the section, [July 10, 2018; July 12, 2018; July 17, 2018; July 19, 2018; July 24, 2018]; 'preparing to leave', and, 'arriving in Massachusetts.' [July 26- August 14, 2018.]

From Tuesday/Thursday, August 28-30, 2018, we began and continue the 'testimonial' section, 'Life in Massachusetts' from Summer, 1964 - Fall, 1967', when I left 'home' for college in Ohio. During this period of time, I would 'enjoy' high school, and 'mature spiritually' in ways I could have never imagined.  I would also meet my future husband. 

Truly, a 'change' occurred from 'Spring' 1964 to 'Full Blossoming' in - Summer', 1967.  I would learn, among other things, the meaning of Jeremiah 12:5, to wit: 'If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?' [NIV]

My first summer in the north, was a blend of cultural assimilation and educational reviews, being prepared not only spiritually, but, also psychologically, physically, for 'the Fall'. [See previous posts.]

But, then, two weeks or so before the 'beginning' of school after Labor Day, 1964, I had to go into the 'Board of Education's' location for 'testing'.  After the results, Mother and I had an 'appointment' with 'guidance counselors' and other 'administrators' for 'school placement'. Continuing, from Part 3, September 13, 2018

The Tuesday the week before school was to start, Mother and I got ready for the 'meeting' with the School Administrators, as if, [because we were], we were 'going to meeting'.  Let me explain.

Some of us from the South, had the greatest opportunities to develop our 'skills' at different levels of 'communications', by our various activities in our 'faith communities', as well as in public school. So, we learned 'how to go to a business meeting', including what attire to wear, etc. So, Mother and I were 'professionally dressed', with 'hat, gloves, stockings - suit - the 'works'.  And, she gently reminded me that I would not be on a 'basketball court', and the necessity for crossing my feet at my ankles, placing my 'scarf' over my knees when I sat down.  

For you see, just like 'going to church', all of that was 'all included in - going to meeting'.

We had our breakfast, and Mother and I walked the approximate 12 blocks up the hills of Worcester  to the Classical High School and the Principle's Office. 

[Oh, no problem, we were not late - as part of the 'etiquette' of 'going to meeting' it included 'arriving at least 20 minutes ahead' of the 'set appointment time', to 'freshen up', and to 'anticipate and to counter' the 'old saying' that Negroes were always on 'colored folks time', 'always late'.  This of course would give the other person the right to refuse to hold the meeting, interview, etc.  It did not matter that the Negro had no means of transportation, and generally had to 'thumb a ride', or, 'bike', or, 'walk'.  However, to under-estimate 'the known travel time', or to 'fail' to take into account 'unknown obstacles', causing any delays  to get to 'important meetings' resulted in 'great loss'.  This was not to occur for Mother and me.  Oh, my, no!]

As I recall, the walk was great!  No stress upon arriving, but, a surprise.  When we arrived around 7:30 for the 8:00 a.m. meeting, all the entrance doors were locked. [That's right, school had not started yet!]  We saw no one around, and, no cars in the parking lock.  What could this possibly mean?  We had 30 minutes to figure this 'obstacle' out for a 'favorable outcome'.

Mother was not daunted.  She had brought a rolled newspaper, just in case there were any loose dogs.   She spied what looked like a little park just across the street from the Main Entrance Gates, but, within eye shot of the parking lot, and, we went to have a seat. 

Amazingly, as we were just talking and waiting, Mother and I looked up at the third floor windows and saw - several people looking down at us.  But, they made no indication that they would be coming down to open the door.  Mother 'calmly' got up and said to me, 'Let's go knock on the doors for someone to come down to let us in.'  From that point on, there was that 'Joshua fought the battle of Jericho' demeanor upon my Mother.  She was discerning - the 'resistance' from the 'hearts', even before she met, anyone.  I could discern 'darkness', but, I was not as mature  'to understand' what was happening.

We were eventually 'let in' by a man in 'coveralls', who I would later learn was the 'Custodian'.  But, it was only when it was 8:15 a.m.  Would that be a 'problem'?   ​

To make a long story short, no.  God does move in mysterious ways,  for you see, during the waiting time, a Catholic Priest had come by, and he had prayed with Mother and for me, and, those 'watching from the windows', saw that the Caucasian Priest had 'seen us there' well in advance of 'the meeting' time.  Further, the 'Father' just so happened to be - one of the Classical High School 'Chaplains'.  How could there be any suggestion that we were 'late'. So, their little 'trick' had no chance to work. 

God was moving in His mysterious way.  I would have the opportunity to - have the appointment for the Admission.  Now, what else did the 'powers to be' have up their sleeves?  I was keenly aware that - 'the little negra girl from the South' - was not welcome to 'the Classical High School'.  And yet --

Lesson Pointer - I also knew that absolutely nothing of value comes without dedication and effort.  There will always be resistance.  The issue is - how determined, how bad did I want to accomplish my God-given purpose in life? How easy could I be - dissuaded?  

If you want something, and for me, it was to accomplish God's purpose for my life, 'hell would freeze over' before I would be 'defeated', for God was with me!  That, I would later come to understand was and is - 'the gift of faith', 'tenacious faith'.  You see, this is the 'faith' that is 'right now', and pleases God, for it is a 'gift from Him' through the Holy Spirit. [Galatians 5; Hebrews 11]  It is 'peaceful'.  

But, another ingredient I possessed helped as well. I did not arrive at the meeting with any 'bitterness of spirit'.  The joy of the Lord was my strength!  I truly did not care about the past, but only that I knew, I was going to the best high school, study hard, do my best to get the scholarship of some type to go to college so that I could one day be prepared to finish by going to law school, 'to stand in the so called halls of justice and represent God'. Period. 

On our next post, 'what was meant by what the devil means for evil, God turns it for good?  Please stay turned to find out how 'opposition' can be turned for good.  Amen. Amen.​​​

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