Sermon for Sunday October 3, 2010: Remember Me

When Mike Wallace asked Sister Thea Bowman how she would like to be remembered, she replied, “I want them to say: She tried.”

How do you want to be remembered?

It is your last testament; the way you are remembered, if you are remembered.

If you are not then the silence will be your testament.

Will you be remembered?  How will you be remembered?

Remember Me: Sermon for Sunday October 3, 2010

I want to be remembered.

I want my name said.

Remember I was the daughter of Ernestine,

who was the daughter of Nettie,

who was the daughter of Connie,

whose mother I do not know,

but still remember to remember.

I want to be remembered for remembering.

I want to be remembered as a bridge.

Remember I tried to help us get there.

I want to be remembered for being a shelter.

Remember me for building and sharing.

I want to be remembered for being a loyal friend.

Remember I loved you

even when you were an imperfect vessel.

I want to be remembered for my loving black heart.

Remember how I loved unconditionally

until it was impossible.

I want to be remembered for saying the words whispered in my ear.

Remember me swinging nouns and verbs like swords.

I want to be remembered for my courage.

Remember me standing in the valley of the shadow

with truth in one hand

a desert eagle in the other.

I want to be remembered as being a part of the paradigm shift.

Remember me as a mother of lions.

I want to be remembered as a warrior.

Remember me as a guerilla in your midst.

I want to be remembered as a fierce enemy.

Remember I am Nzinga,  born again,

Nat Turner & Harriet, used to be me.

I want to be remembered for acting up.

Remember me setting fires on stages.

I want to be remembered for the words.

Remember me crying over the news.

I want to be remembered like Garvey.

Remember to forgive my sins

look for me in the whirlwind.

I want to be remembered for my love of nation.

Remember us from doors of no return

spread like ocean seed from shore to shore.

I want to be remembered for my determination.

Remember that if I can

I’ll come again

a warrior still

rising again and again

my love won’t sleep.

Remember me.

WordSlanger October 2010

One World, One Struggle, One mission wake the sheep.  Don’t sleep.