I recently had an encounter with an Angel. This individual was placed directly in my path at a moment that I needed discernment on decisions, regarding my health. I needed encouragement and most importantly, I needed prayer.

 I didn't know this person, before that day, but they told me right away that they were instructed by God to lay hands on me and pray...and that's exactly what they did!

 It often takes a great deal of faith to walk in obedience and do as God instructs.  I'm so grateful that My Angel did. Their prayers were specific and held a great deal of power.  There are no doubts that My Angel was following the promptings of The Lord.

 The steps that followed, called for me to not base my decisions on what I could see, but to walk in faith and to listen to the promptings of The Holy Spirit. My Angel's prayer planted the seed and set me on the path to victory. ❤  

                   I BELIEVE IN ANGELS

Do I believe in Angels? Oh yes I do you see
I know God placed them in my path to help watch over me.

They're with me when I travel, they hover through the night
just knowing God assigned them to my care, tells me everything's alright.

There are times that life gets rugged and I need to know He's near
so God brings forth specific angels to calm all my doubts and fears.

Sometimes the angels whisper...sometimes they clearly speak
no matter what their method
they're prepared to deliver what I seek.

God's angels appear in different coverings and they take on many forms
They protect us in each season
and carry us through every storm.

Some people don't believe in angels
it's hard to see them in our midst
but when you trust and believe in the Word of God, you will know that they exist.

Copyright © 2017 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.                             

Our nation is in need of healing.  The healing will only happen we fill the gaps of miscommunication, misunderstanding, fear, hurt and unforgiveness...with unity, knowledge, grace, love and most importantly...PRAYER!
We can do this...when we work and pray together! ❤        


                        OH GOD!

Oh God, what are our ears now hearing and what do our eyes now see?
 Our hearts are filled with hurt and anguish from all of this tragedy.

Oh God, how do we begin to recover from this kind of grief and pain?
How long must people endure treatment that is cruel and inhumane?

Will wives and mothers ever rest well...
will children always live in fear?
Will difference continue to divide us and cause us never-ending tears?

Some may find discomfort in what's written... and may in fact, suggest
that having conversations about race and hate...only lead to violence and protests.


Many may find it hard to comprehend the burdens branded on the hearts
of mothers knowing all too well, the kind of fear that hatred still imparts.


Oh God, it's difficult to tell our children, that they have what it takes to change the world
when we must also teach them ways to protect themselves from hateful words and bullets that may be hurled.



Oh God, the world is in a pit of turmoil, chaos can be found at every turn
evil acts attempt to keep us from your  purpose, in hopes that we will crash and burn.


Oh God, I know that even in the midst of trouble, we will ALWAYS find you near
Your Word tells us in Matthew 18:20
that when we pray together, you WILL appear.


  Copyright © 2017 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.                             

                 
April is National Poetry Month and I was given the awesome opportunity of sitting on a Panel with other Poets at an event, sponsored hy and hosted at: St. Louis County Library (Headquarters).  The Panel consisted of both Local and National Artists, who shared several of their creative works. Here is a piece that I wrote, for the event.

                     POETRY IN MOTION

Poetry is an art form that trancends our thoughts, words and our dreams
It can bring people together, to state a purpose, mission or a theme.

Poetry often tells a story of how one has overcome
and delivers inspiring messages of battles being won.

Sometimes poetry decribes heartbreak and depicts images of troubled times
but words can also change the mood...bring hope and elevate the mind.

Some poems BUILD with STRONG emotion
sharing fond memories of the past
while a "play on words" may add some humor
AND can deliver BOLD contrasts.

Poetry has a certain rhythm and can change the way we feel
when words impact our thoughts and hearts..those words have power to soothe and heal.

The Art of Poetry is endless and holds a beauty all its own
it can take us on an awesome journey through the familiar OR unknown.


Copyright © 2017 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.                             

VALENTINE'S DAY 2017

To My David,
A poem to express my love...

MY FUNNY VALENTINE!

Our friendship goes so far back...
I can't recall the day
we discovered we were meant to be ....
we 've sure come a long way.

We began as next door neighbors...
and attended the same schools
I watched you hang out with your friends...
pretending to be cool.

But then I got to know you...
from the porch swing where we talked
we spent hours laughing about many things...
we even shared our dreams and thoughts.

I vividly remember asking God to answer my specific prayer...
it was to place my soulmate in my path...
not realizing then...that YOU WERE already there.

We've been through a lot together...we vowed "In sickness and in health"
you've stood beside me through health challenges...
your love is valued more than wealth.

I call you, "My Knight in Shining Armor"
you STILL warm my heart and make me smile...
you will forever be "My Funny Valentine"...
you've made the journey SO worthwhile!
I LOVE YOU DAVID!! ❤

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL!! ❤

Each one of us were created with a purpose and God designed us with specific gifts, talents and passions. Some of us instictively know what we want to do or were purposed to do early on...some of us are still seeking direction on finding our true purpose.

 I was blessed to reconnect with a high school classmate last year. During our visit, we talked about our God-Given gifts and passions...Julie paints....I write. Julie shared this particular piece with me and gave me the opportunity to name it and put words to it and we are now sharing it with you! 

We pray that you enjoy our collaboration and that you use your gifts for the glory of God!

1 Peter 4:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

                                         JUBILATION

In Genesis 1 God laid the foundation
He molded and shaped the earth the world and the nation

He added the sun, the moon and the stars
and designed planets, like Jupiter, Venus and Mars.

God gave meaning to darkness as well as to light
and declared ALL things precious in His pure sight.

God brightened the world with vivid colors and hues
He began with the reds and greens...yellows and blues. 

God brought life to the world and so it began
and He formed in His own image and likeness...a man.

Man was created to love and God truly loved him
God wanted man's light to shine and to never go dim.

God's plan for His children is to flourish and grow
and to tell others about Him, wherever they go.

We must study His Word and protect His creation
and do so with love, peace and JUBILATION!!

Copyright © 2015 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.

 I had the honor and the pleasure of being asked to present at the 19th Missouri Institute on Minority Aging Conference, this week.

 I prepared and performed a monologue about a woman who sees her reflection in the mirror and faces the reality of not always recognizing the person who is staring back at her. 

This year's theme for the conference was:
 “I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC: CELEBRATING THE ME YET TO COME”
I was inspired by another guest speaker during an evening session, and was led to write an additional piece to share, here it is.....


I sing the body electric, regardless of my age
and I celebrate this life I've lived, with the turn of every page.

For I know that I was chosen to encourage and to love
and everyday, I strive to be more like my Heavenly Father up above.

I am grateful for God's promise that is woven in my heart
and He designed a plan and purpose for me, right from the very start.

Whatever time that I've been given...whatever goals that I've achieved
I know that I must tell the world, that God is Good and I believe.

I plan to celebrate my journey...I want to live life without fear
I will sing the body electric, throughout the rest of my blessed years.

July 2016

Life is a gift and none of us have the authority to decide to end a person's life.  Only God has the say so, over our time here on earth.  Every one of us has been burdened by the news of lives being cut short or critically wounded, by the hands of other human beings.  I am both devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of life and none of the circumstances are understandable.  While many attempt to search for answers to the resolve issues of racial tension, I  choose to express myself through poetry....

DEAR WORLD,

Do you know just who I am ....this person that you see?

Please Note: I did not choose my own skin color, it was chosen by God just for me.

When you see me, please don't anticipate that I intend to bring you harm

you should never fear my presence or find cause for an alarm.

When you encounter or see someone acting out that you think looks like me

Please don't decide that I'll behave that way OR assume that I agree.

Please understand, that if you look at me and hate me for my skin,

that I was created for the world to love and in God's eyes, hate is a sin.

Why do some give their eyes authority to judge my worth and the purpose for my life;

while allowing the fear and anger others hold, to help erect the walls of strife?

Do I feel the hurt, pain and mistrust fueled by the issues over race?

Yes I'm human...but I look to God for strength to put those feelings in their place.

Will life change for the better?...I guess that's really up to you

because I'm committed to love my brother

as God commands us ALL to do

I write this, with no ill-intent; not to stand out in deep protest, 

 but my hope is to be treated with respect...

that is my sincere request.

God placed me on earth, with the right 

to live and love my fellow man

and to accomplish this with dignity

in this beautiful skin I'm in!!

The scriptures below speak to me right now, because, it is vital that we know and understand that hate is a sin and we must guard our hearts to make sure that love is always present, in our lives!! 

Psalm 97:10 (NIV)

10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,

    for he guards the lives of his faithful ones

    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

23 Above all else, guard your heart,

    for everything you do flows from it.