“Write the things which you have seen…” (Revelation 1:19 NKJV)
My first venture into writing actually began, so I thought, with a book entitled, “Committed to the Climb (1990).” Then again, perhaps my better attempt was when I moved up from self-publishing to print-on-demand in 2007 with “Special Messages for Specific Times.” I also considered a bilingual, children’s book entitled “Ariel’s Lessons” in English and “Las Lecciones de Ariel,” written by yours truly and published in 2011.
Still contemplating when I ventured into writing, a voice spoke up in my mind and said, “The Fountain,” a tear-jerking composition written in my first college English Composition class for which I received and “A+” and even one of my siblings received a “A” on the same story, as he “re-published” it in high school. Enough! I was done trying to settle on my real, official, first venture into writing when, as I was searching for a blank greeting card in an office drawer, I stumbled upon my real first book, “My Diary,” which was written in 1949. Now close your mouth. Hold your tongue! I am not that old! Actually, however, this book was written on the year of my birth as I described in detail my arrival on this earth, my acknowledgements to those who congratulated me and welcomed me into such a nice world. There are details in this little book that tracked my weight from 4 pounds and 14 ounces to nine months later when I weighed 22 pounds. “My Diary” list the names of many people who seemed interested in me and stopped by to visit me. I shared how I saw the world, “big, wide, and beautiful.” Oh this first book included my first picture, noted the discovery of my first tooth, reveals when I first creeped or crawled around, and how my first birthday party for some unknown reason was delayed until 1951. There are the dates when I first talked, first walked, and first celebrated Christmas. My playmates are listed by name. There is a page with my first prayer that is preceded by a question: “Did you know I have a Heavenly Father who made me and loves me and watches me all day long and all night through?” There is a page left blank with a heading that says, “I Opened A Bank Account.” Nothing was on this page! It remains blank because that did not happen until 1967. Honestly, I still have a lot to learn from Poor Richard’s saying, “For age and want save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.” Yes, I have yet to figure out or learn fully what Poor Richard meant. This book, “My Diary,” took some time to write. I was not completed until February 5, 1951. Now you are asking, “How did an infant write a book.”
Well, I had some helping, loving hands; a literary, loving journalist that wrote “My Diary” and credited it to me as the author. There was no professional fee charged and no promissory note required. Thank God for the unselfish time that my mother, “the loving journalist,” devoted to this project. Her work may not be stored in a museum and her name is not included on a list of the greatest and neatest handwriting composers as it deserves, but her work of love will go back into the double plastic bag protective covering and placed back where I found it.
Are there any lessons for us? Yes, be unselfish and show love to your loved ones, especially the young ones. Also, while it might not relate to the history of your people in a broader sense, such as Black History Month, it will reveal things about their personal history and reinforce that you cared for them and it will also reinforce that God loved them and looked after them through all the days of their lives. Today is one of those days that you have experienced the love of God. Thank Him for waking you up and thank Him for watching over you. And thank Him for those who He put around you to start you on your way and keep you going straight ahead, recognizing your Creator as your ultimate guide. Bless the Lord today! Bless Him for loved ones and for being loved by Him in so many ways! Bless Him for all His benefits’ all His blessings! Be blessed!
“O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!” (Psalm 103:1-2 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King