WEB POSTED 07-30-2002

Sunshine after the clouds

Have you ever made the mistake of declaring that you are "at the end of your rope," or that you have "taken all that you can stand?" If so, you should be very careful not to make such declarations in the future. I know I will. It seems that, as soon as you determine that you have reached your limit, God has a way of saying, "You think so? Then try this." Instead, I have become determined to thank God wholeheartedly for seeing me through whatever the tribulation, and pleading for His support during the next one.

Readers of this column are aware of the rocky road I have been traveling recently, and it seems the journey is not quite over. Although I have been able to produce my column for most of the issues since my recent illness, there have been lapses. I hope that is at an end. I have completed the therapeutic hospital visits, and am carefully following the strict instructions which still govern my activities. I have been forbidden by the doctors to spend time sitting in my plush executive-type chairs. I was instructed to restrict my seating to stiff, wooden chairs. I mentioned this fact to our Director of Education, Sister Shelby Muhammad, and she immediately purchased me the perfect chair for my needs. Believe me, I can tell the difference�especially the after-effects!

As some of the readers know, almost immediately after I was released from being completely bedridden for sixteen weeks, I received notice that my mother had died in St. Louis. My wife and I, without hesitation, hit the highway. It was a road we had traveled much during Mother�s long illness. A nephew of mine, who lives in Texas, stated that he had been informed by many of Mother�s neighbors�especially those who lived in the same apartment building�that my wife and I used to sleep on the floor when we went to care for Mother. The neighbors pooled their resources and bought an inflatable bed for us to use. This may seem somehow not connected with the seriousness of the occasion, but it is very significant. In most of the funerals which I have conducted, I was forced to address the weeping sounds of some of the participants.

My approach is a simple one, given to me by The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who had me fly two thousand miles to attend a funeral conducted by him, so that I would know how. The sobbing usually subsided when it was pointed out that the main feeling that causes us to weep so hard is the realization that we did not do all that we could have done for the deceased, and now it is too late. Sad as I was�and am�to lose my mother, I know that, with the help of my wonderful wife, I did all I possibly could to lengthen Mother�s life and to comfort her as much as possible. Therefore, I feel no guilt pressing me to weep. As Messenger Muhammad pointed out, we had better save our tears for the pain and suffering that we, the living, have yet to face.

So, I am thankful to Allah that I was able to practice what I have preached for so many years. I am also thankful to The Honorable Louis Farrakhan, his immediate staff and other helpers of his who helped to ease the pain of this unavoidable encounter with the Grim Reaper. The beautiful plants and written and verbal encouragements were much appreciated. I can only spend the balance of my life attempting to be worthy of such kindness.