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Yes... I WANNA THANK YOU...Mr. Frankie Beverly!
Sometimes God places a musical genius on the earth. It's almost as if no one knows the genius spirit until they die. Well, at the ripe age of 10, I took my first trip to Milledgeville Ga, with my Uncle Willie Murray. He (my uncle) was a good family man. Between driving trucks, he was the catalyst of family trips. Definitely the reason why I prided myself in taking my children on road trips every year. Another thing, he taught me more about making sure my body was clean than anyone besides my mother. I know that seems strange that a uncle will teach a girl about hygiene but he did it by waiting until you got out the tube and then scrubbing your ankle. He use this to show me that I was made of dirt but that I could clean the dirt just right to prevent it from caking, but never enough to erase the fact that I am still dirt. (So prophetic and I get it...from the spiritual now more than ever.) However, this man has me at 50 still scrubbing my ankles. (HaHa) But my uncle taught me something else. He taught me about GOOD MUSIC and finding the genius in the sound and lyrics of music. He caused me to listen closely to WORDS to the fact that they come to life with more than man's meaning but keeping in mind the creator of WORDS take them seriously. And my uncle caused me to see that GOD has a way of speaking to the hearts of man by using the surrendered heart who will listen deeply to their spirit and decode the sentiments of life, death, purpose, pain, priviledge, and promise, and place it with a melody that causes you to sometimes get so caught up until even your own soul is stirred and moved to DO SOMETHING...just because of what you heard. I know, that was a mouthful and I didn't even take a breath. (Yeah...deep.) Well, one of the first finds was in the Legendary Frankie Beverly & Maze. My Uncle made me listen to the words so deeply that I thought I could be someone's sunshine to brighten their life. Then he caused me to understand that as a human we must be one with God, one with each other, and one with the music, but all showing love. So, basically, for over ten hours, the ten year old girl listen to the WE ARE ONE cassette tape until I knew every word, to every song, and even to this day...when me and Scroggins are traveling Maze-We Are One is the first thing I hit on my playlist. One of my first concerts, was a Maze concert. My momma knew my uncle had created a super fan. In my 50 years of living, I've been to see Maze more times than any other artist. So today, my heart is saddened. I feel like the world has lost a musical genius that cannot ever be replaced. I want to thank my uncle Willie Murray for introducing me to a musical genius... And thank Mr. Frankie for all the Happy Feelings he has given to people wise enough to know who he truly was and smart enough to share it with little girls who would one day understand the importance of being a voice to the world. I will never stop reminding myself of LOVE....and spreading it from deep in my soul. Forever a fan... And forever in my memories, Danyelle Thank you Uncle Willie Murray...for teaching a black girl about good music! I love you always.
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In my house, conversations aren't just small talk—they cut deep, opening up the kind of truths that linger long after the words have been spoken.
Today, my daughter, now a medical student, turned to me with a serious look on her face. Her voice was steady, but I could sense the weight behind her words. "Mom, I want you to donate my body to science when I die." I almost dropped my mouse. "Girl, you must be out of your mind. I’m burying you, and that’s final." But she wasn’t done. She leaned in, her eyes never leaving mine. "No, Mom, listen. After they’re done with their research, tell them to send my body home, and you can bury whatever scraps are left." I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "Girl, you are completely crazy," I repeated, shaking my head. But then her tone shifted. She became more earnest, more intense. "Mom, the reason we’re struggling to find cures for diseases like sickle cell and hypertension, especially in our community, is because we don’t have the right bodies to study. All the cadavers we've worked on in school—none of them were African American. We’re trying to solve Black health issues by studying white bodies. It’s like trying to fix a car with the wrong manual—it just doesn’t work." Her words struck a chord deep within me. The truth in them was undeniable. "Duly noted," I said quietly, the enormity of her point sinking in. As the conversation faded, something profound stirred in my spirit. A revelation, if you will. Beyond the Shell: A Spiritual Reflection Most of us never get the chance to separate the earthly shell from the spirit. When we look down at the remains of our loved ones, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by grief, believing that their entire essence is confined to that lifeless body in the casket. But what if we saw things differently? What if we viewed the body as a temporary home, a shell that once housed a vibrant spirit, much like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly? Once our earthly assignment is complete, we leave that shell behind and ascend to something greater. I know this is deep, and it might go over some heads. After all, it’s hard to think this way when you're staring down at the body of someone you loved so dearly. But the Lord showed me something powerful. The day before my uncle passed, I went to the hospital to see him. The anointing was still fresh in my hands, and every time I touched him, his body moved—not in a strange way, but in a way that everyone in the room noticed. I said, "He’s moving because Spirit recognizes Spirit." Deep down, I knew he was transitioning. As a hospital chaplain, I’ve seen it far too many times. Yet, this time, God showed me something new. The spirit is so attuned that it recognizes itself, even as it prepares to leave its earthly vessel. This understanding made me see the importance of timing—the precise call time of death, just as accurately noted as the moment of birth. God has a set time for everything. As I patted his frail hand, I silently thanked him for housing such a wonderful spirit. The Detachment We Struggle With When we don’t understand the power of God’s creation, we find ourselves clinging to what’s already gone. The body that held our loved one may no longer house their spirit, but we struggle to let go. Yet, sometimes, in their care for us, they may make a stop by our way, just to remind us, "I may have left my flesh, but my spirit is alive and well." This brings me back to the medical field, where science can only go as far as its research allows. Without research, there can be no cure, except through Jesus. And that’s where faith steps in. As a pastor, I believe our job is to study the Word so deeply that we know exactly what to speak over every sickness and disease. If God chooses to use us to heal, we must be prepared. But that’s another conversation altogether. The Importance of Donation If you’re not fully convinced in the healing power of Jesus, consider lending your body to science so the Holy Spirit can guide researchers to discoveries that may help others. But here’s the catch: You can’t donate your body after you’ve passed. This is a conscious decision you need to make while you’re still of sound mind. Donating your body isn’t a quick fix to avoid funeral costs. It’s a thoughtful, informed decision made with the understanding that you’ll be helping future doctors and researchers find answers that could save lives. If this resonates with you, contact your local hospital—especially if it’s a medical science center like Ochsner LSU—and ask to be connected to the appropriate department. They’ll guide you through the process and paperwork. The Need for Deep Conversations Finally, let’s talk about the need for these deep conversations within families. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Discuss your final wishes with your loved ones now, so they know exactly what you want when the time comes. Without these conversations, someone who feels entitled might make decisions that go against what you would have wanted. You have the power to control your legacy—but only before you leave this world. So, take a moment, have those conversations, and make those decisions while you still can. Be Blessed, Pastor, Chaplain, & Author Danyelle Scroggins🌸🍃 |
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