by Marquetta Smith | Apr 29, 2017 | Prophetic Words
My heart sank once again as I finally made it to the front of the line. I’d been waiting in line for three hours, only to get to the window and this woman tell me that they lost my paperwork again. This was the fifth time the department had lost something that I submitted, and here we go again.
To add to my frustration, the caseworker tells me that her computer just crashed. “Again, Lord, again?” I’m screaming out loud this time in disbelief. She goes on to tell me with a nasty attitude and a sarcastic undertone that everyone who was waiting for their food stamps to be renewed or processed would have to wait until their system was back up and running.
Then suddenly, another lady comes out of a side door of the office and stands in the middle of the already crowded, smelly, stuffy, and suffocating waiting area, and screams at the top of her lungs — as if we could not hear her — and tells us to go home, that the system may be back up within seven days. Yes, seven days is what we were told. The coldness of the lady could not be expressed with words.
I began to look around at the hundreds of faces who were in need of services — immediately. They could not wait for seven days to receive food assistance, nor medical help. Looks of desperation and despair oozed out of some of the people through their cries, rants, and yes, even through their cursing as they began to tell how this system has failed them again and again.
Many of the people around me started to explain the horror and sheer nightmare it had been for them having to apply for assistance with the government. Some were very old, and were living off of a small pension, young and old mothers who had many children, white, black, Hispanic, men and women. Everyone you could imagine was in that line that day, needing assistance.
The point here I am trying to make is that it was not just one set of individuals who were needing help. It was a mixture of all people from all walks of life. You know how society has stereotyped people who need assistance into one set of individuals? No matter what the media has displayed, I saw all walks of life applying for government assistance. It was more people than you could ever imagine. I know that the news is reporting that jobs have increased, and they have, but there are still a large amount of people still needing help in 2017.
Now I know what you are thinking. “Why don’t they just get a job, like every other hardworking American?” Well, guess what? They had jobs. 
Good paying jobs and careers at one time or another. Guess what? They were still looking and applying for jobs. Some of the faces I saw that day were individuals who had been working for companies for 20 years. And one day, their company closed with no warning. Is this person lazy for being in the food assistance line? No.
Some of these individuals were lawyers, managers, high up executives, and for some reason or another, they lost everything. They lost their savings and their retirement plans. What do you tell people who did everything they could to plan for a “rainy day,” and end up losing it all, and now they have to depend on government assistance? No judging here. They are in that place of needing assistance now. There were so many young children with their mothers that day that were in need of help. You could literally see the despair in their eyes as they were turned away again. I began to weep bitterly as I saw their faces.
What do you tell people who have planned all of their lives for hard times, only to end up losing everything? Even their best well laid out plans did not prepare them for this. This was me. I’ve been told many times to get a good education, and you can write your own ticket in life. I even got a master’s degree, and had worked hard on trying to save money and not live an extravagant life. Even my most well laid out plan did not prepare me for what I have been through. I now have a deeper respect for all individuals who are having a hard time and I have learned not to judge them.
But getting back to the reason I was writing this article in the first place, I realized standing in line that day that the very system we set up to help people is causing more harm than we could ever expect. This system is set up to fail the people. It was never designed to help the masses of people who are, and may at one time or another, need help.
Where did we go wrong as a society? What happened to America, the great nation? Why, in 2017, are people from all walks of life standing in food assistance lines only to be told come back another day for help? Is the government able or even equipped to handle such need? Can they literally handle the masses of the individuals needing assistance? No.
Or is there another solution to this problem? Yes. I truly believe that God is equipping our churches to be able to handle the people’s needs. I also believe that God never intended for the government to take on this role or responsibility.
I truly believe that I had an “aha moment,” as I stood in the line that day with the people as tears rolled down my face. I believe that God is going to use the church in this light, and that He is raising up many unknown individuals to help families and communities in need.
So today, I say yes to God using me to be a change agent to help families and communities in need. Today I ask individuals who are reading this article to reexamine their life and calling, and begin to ask God today: what is He calling you to do?
The Cries of the People: Part Two
Article was written by Marquetta Smith, a concerned American Citizen
by Marquetta Smith | Apr 19, 2017 | Prophetic Words
April 19, 2017
Dear Loved One,
On behalf of the church, I want to apologize to all of the individuals who have been deeply wounded and hurt by the church. To those who have been put down, rejected, cast to the side, made to feel inferior, unloved, uncared for and abandoned because of their sexual orientation, I’m sorry. I am sorry we made you feel like you didn’t belong, I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for the way we made you feel. I’m sorry for shaming you in front of the whole world. Today I want to say that I’m sorry. Know that you are truly loved by God.
Love, the Church
by Marquetta Smith | Mar 2, 2017 | Family Violence, Featured Post, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking
With her sister’s blanket in one hand and a flashlight in the other, Anna made her way to her family’s little shed behind their house. Kneeling down on the hard, rough shed floor, Anna began to pray. “Okay, big guy up in the sky, here I am again; it’s me asking for help. I brought my sister’s blanket so you can remember her, because this is her favorite blanket. Please keep my sister safe as you return her home. Mama and Pop are worried sick about her. I don’t know if you can do this, but God, can you just make the person who has my sister so uncomfortable with my sister being around them, and don’t let them get any rest until they give me my sister back. Thanks for listening, and oh yeah, I need some new thread, ’cause I’m working on a new quilt for my sister, because her old one is all torn up. Thanks, big guy.”
Several weeks ago, Anna’s 12 year old sister Kelly went missing in a little town in the Ozark Mountains. The town was shaken again by the horror of another child gone missing. The sad part about her sister’s disappearance was that everyone in the town knew who was involved in the taking of her sister. No one dares to talk about the town’s 30 year old secret that held many captive to their worst fears, their children being taken. But Anna heard a preacher on TV say one night that “God hears the silent prayers, the whispers, and cries of the broken heart, and all of those who are lost.”
Knowing absolutely nothing about prayer, nor how to begin to ask God to help her sister, 7 year old Anna did just what the preacher on TV said. She prayed for her sister’s safe return night after night, stumbling and stuttering trying to find the words to pray for her sister.
Nine months passed and still no sign of Anna’s sister. But Anna continued to pray for her sister’s return night after night. One night while praying Anna asked God a question. “Are you there, God, are you listening? Well, the preacher on TV says you’re real, so I believe you’re real. Can you just give me some kind of sign to let me know you’re listening to me? Thanks, God. Anna.”
After finishing her nightly prayer, while Anna was walking back to the house, she heard a noise. She noticed a little blue jay perched on the porch railing. She thought to herself why a blue jay would be out this late at night. Then she remembered that she had asked God for a sign in prayer tonight. Anna smiled as she quietly walked past the bird, into the house. “Thanks, God,” Anna said out loud. She knew then that her prayers had been heard by God and that her sister would return home.
Three weeks later, a miracle happened. A strange car pulled up to Anna’s house. The passenger’s side car door swung open, and out came Anna’s sister. The strange man in the car pulled off and drove away, never to be seen again. The family rejoiced as they hugged and kissed Kelly. It was truly a miracle.
Anna ran into her room, and grabbed her sister’s old blanket, and wrapped it around Kelly. Anna whispered in her sister’s ear and said, “I prayed for you, and took your old blanket with me when I prayed. You can have it back, and when you pray to the big guy in the sky, He will remember you, because He knows this is your favorite blanket. You should try talking to the big guy. He’s alright and really cool to talk to. I also made you a new one, because I know you get cold at night, and yours has a lot of holes in it. Here, this one will keep you warm.”
Months later, when Kelly was asked why the man who took her brought her back, she simply said that “He started feeling real uncomfortable with me being around, and that he could not sleep.” To many people, Kelly’s answer made no sense at all, but to little Anna, it made perfect sense. She knew that God was at work, and He had answered her heartfelt, simple little prayers. God didn’t forget about Anna and her prayer request as she lay before God with her sister’s blanket.
For more information about Kelly’s Blanket, visit our site at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FromMamasGarden
Facts: Globally, the International Labor Organization estimates that there are 4.5 million people trapped in forced sexual exploitation globally. Each year, thousands of children are kidnapped, put in sex trafficking rings, and exploited. Getting closer to home, Atlanta has been named one of the top sex trafficking destinations in the United States. 5,000 girls are at-risk of being sex trafficked in Georgia. Approximately 374 girls are commercially sexually exploited monthly in Georgia. Polaris Project. (2010). “Human Trafficking Statistics.” http://www.polarisproject.org/resources/resources-by-topic/human-trafficking
Safe Harbor office: 404-692-3245
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
by Marquetta Smith | Jan 27, 2017 | Abuse, Emotional abuse, Family Life, Family Violence, Featured Post
Emotional abuse from a teenager’s point of view:
“Once again, I’m at the stupid doctor’s office on my birthday, and I bet you this one can’t tell me what’s wrong with me. Happy 17th birthday to me. Maybe I’m making this stuff up in my head,” Crystal thought to herself. “Darn, dad’s calling me again.”
“Yeah, dad, I’m here… I’m getting ready to go in now.”
“I got a call from one of your teachers today,” her dad explained, “and Mrs. Bea told me that you are failing chemistry. How many times do I have to tell your stupid ass to study? Do you want to be like your mom, a bitch who died with no education? You’re gonna have to get your shit together, Crystal…call me when you leave the doctor’s office. I am so tired of your sick ass wasting my money on those doctors.”
…click. He hung up. Crystal’s stomach started hurting worse, but she managed to drag herself into the doctor’s office, and once again, the doctor could not tell her why she was in pain. They had run test after test after test.
Crystal was always wondering why she had so many stomach aches. She had gone to many doctors since she was 6 years old. No one could tell her why she had stomach pains. Crystal was hospitalized 4 times over the last 6 months due to doctors ordering numerous tests. This continued on until one day her doctor asked her to go home and keep a journal for one month documenting each time she felt the pain — the days, times, and events that took place when she started to hurt.
One month later, Crystal returned to the doctor with her journal. Her journal was an eye opener to her and to the doctor. It was documented that each time Crystal experienced pain was when she had an argument with her father. She even documented everything her father said to her when they argued. Things like: you are so stupid, dumbass, useless bitch, slut, etc. This list went on and on. But he had also called her “daddy’s little girl.” These were the words Crystal held on to through all of the terrible arguments.
Crystal loved her dad very much, and thought she had a good relationship with him — or at least a normal one, if there was such a thing. Her mom died when she was 8, and that is when she became closer to her dad.
Her dad had always called her daddy’s little girl. That made Crystal feel safe and very close to him.
Needless to say, the doctor helped Crystal find the source of the pain. Her father’s verbal abuse had taken a toll on her physical body.
Her doctor knew that he would have to send her to a therapist to help Crystal recognize and heal from the verbal abuse that she suffered from for so many years. Those negative words spoken by her father caused a lot of physical health problems for Crystal, even though she clung to the words “daddy’s little girl.”
By Marquetta Smith, MSSW
by Marquetta Smith | Oct 31, 2016 | Abuse, Family Life, Family Violence, Featured Post, Stories of Hope
A young lady named Sandra bravely shares her mother’s story of how her mother overcame her painful past through the art of sewing…
It was the week of my mother’s birthday. She was turning 56 years old. I could tell she wasn’t feeling good that week. She had worked so many long hours at work and had been complaining of severe back pain. And the phone calls…so many prank phone calls.
My dad had come home one night and demanded that mom and I come downstairs. He had this crazy look in his eyes. I knew something was not right. He began to tell us that he knew that we had been prying into his private life and that we should stay out of his business. He was talking about the phone calls his mistresses were making to momma. He was yelling, and screaming, and making threats to us that if we did not stay out of his private life, that he would have to put an end to it. Mom was sitting down listening to all of this while trying to tell him that the women had been calling her — or stalking her.
Suddenly, my dad jumped on momma while she was sitting and began to choke the life out of her. Her eyes began to bulge out and then they started to close. I knew she could not breathe any longer. She was slowly dying in front of me. I tried pleading with my father to get off of her and tell him that she was not breathing anymore. I knew if I tried to fight him that things would get worse for my mom. I was frozen with fear and I could not move. He was not listening. So I began to pray and ask God to save my momma.
All of a sudden he let go of her neck and she let out this loud gasping sound, as if to trying to breathe again. She began coughing forcefully and finally she was breathing on her own. I looked up and saw my father standing over my mother, and he said these words I would never forget: “You better not get into my business again, or next time it will be worse.” He also warned us that we better not call the police as he walked off laughing.
My mom was left with burst blood vessels in both eyes, a swollen face, and hand prints around her neck, indicating how brutal the attack was. Keeping that horrible nightmare a secret, we told no one because of fear of what could happen to momma. We feared the worse. My father knew a lot of powerful people in our town, and telling someone could be worse for both of us. That night a part of momma had died. She stopped doing the one thing she loved…sewing.
Several years had passed, and my father jumped on my mom again. This time, the attack was much more lethal and momma feared for her life. She told me that she believed that he would try to kill her if she stayed another night. Quickly, we began to make plans for her to escape that same day. We got her out!! Finally, my mom was safe. 38 years of abuse, and it was finally over. But the emotional scars were noticeable. She had stopped sewing completely. Momma withdrew from life and all the things she used to love to do.
In 2012, I convinced mom to start sewing again. I told her that it would be very therapeutic for her. So she decided to pick up her needle and thread once again. I noticed the strangest thing happening to momma when she started sewing again. Tears started flowing, and all the pain of the past and abuse surfaced. Even though she had gone through counseling, the pain of the abuse was still there. Only when she began to sew again did we learn of how much she had suppressed and kept inside of her. The more she sewed, the more the tears fell.
It became so clear to me. Momma was “sewing through the pain.” All of the pain that she endured, the emotional abuse as well as the physical came to the surface. Momma came face to face with her pain of the past through sewing. The more she sewed quilts, the more she dealt with the things from her past. She has learned how to sew through her pain.
Momma told me that sewing has turned her pain of the past into hope and love for the future. Every quilt she sews, momma sews from a place of love now, not of the pain from the past. No more pain, but love and hope. It shows up in every one of her one-of-a-kind, unique quilts.
What was momma’s secret? How did she move from sewing in pain to sewing in love? She told me that she started praying for women who were going through abuse each time she quilts. Each stitch was a prayer sent to our Heavenly Father from momma for the millions of women who have been abused, or who are going through abuse. Her hope is that these women are free from abuse, and that God will heal them from their past.
You see, every quilt that momma sews is from the heart. And what is made from the heart reaches the heart. God healed my mom through the art of sewing.
Sandra’s prayer today is that the abuse stops for everyone who is being abused, and that each one is healed from their past. She prays that there is a bright, glorious future ahead for them.
By Marquetta Smith, MSSW
