Now, what will I be doing on Election Day? Running all over Cleveland picking up somebody, anybody, hopefully everybody taking them to the polls to VOTE!
I Feel Good... I VOTED!!!
Ooowee!
The Godfather of Soul James Brown sung it and I came out of the Board of Elections this past Monday, around 11:30 a.m., singing it loud and clear, “I FEEL GOOD.” I’m going to go a little further and say, “I not only felt good but I was glad about it.” GLAD ABOUT WHAT?
VOTING!!!
It was so easy and quick going through the process, even at that time in the morning. Ooowee! It was a full house! On a Monday morning that place was poppin’ like popcorn!
As I drove down Euclid, I pulled out money and said to myself, “I know I’ll have to pay for parking” but it was free parking with signs in full view to let you know PARKING IS FREE.
I parked in the church parking lot across the street from the Board of Elections and, as I got out my car, I assisted three senior citizens getting out their car. They were moving slow yet trying to move fast, as they were just as excited as me to be voting. As I assisted these cute senior citizens out the car, one of the women said to me, “Honey, my got-up and went, got up and left me this morning but, when it came back, I made my way down here to VOTE.”
The other two women and myself bust out laughing.
The other senior said to her friend, “Girl, look what the Lord done sent us this morning.” I burst out laughing. “Girl, if I was only nineteen again.”
I guess they were happy with me assisting them as they didn’t know me yet feeling my spirit that I was a good person to even assist them.
When I entered the front door of the Board of Elections, I was greeted by yet another senior citizen as she said, with joy in her voice and a smile on her face, “Y’all here to VOTE?”
We didn’t even have to tell her the answer as she pointed to the direction for us to go. She was so happy to see us and I felt so welcomed to be received. I just know she’s a greeter or usher at somebody’s church. JUST WONDERFUL!
I was not in bishop’s robe or even wearing a minister’s collar so I was experiencing this like everybody else, an ordinary voter. You know how people want to put on a good impression when they meet people of importance. Well, I’m not saying I’m important or all that but they treated me and the women in front of me with great importance. Ooowee!
I was directed to the line and standing there I could see most if not all the booths were filled with individuals voting. I looked around again at the long tables of people sitting in front of the workers who were all smiles and they not only LOOKED like they knew what they were doing but they DID. Taking out my photo ID., I said to myself, “I don’t need to show it. I had my voter card that was just mailed to me telling where I was to vote on Election Day. That’s enough I said to myself. Ooowee!
I was directed to the next open chair and quickly sat down to begin the process. The young looking sistah was all smiles, looking me right in my eyes and going over the paperwork with me.
Okay, after giving her my voter registration card, she looked me up and said, “Your birth date says the 18th on the system, but here it says the 19th. When were you born? She laughed. Laughing back, I responded, “I was born…” as I started hitting my chest and laughing.
Calling over her supervisor, they looked on their system and came to the conclusion that the 7 in the 17th looked more like a 9. Before I could blink my eye, her supervisor hit a button and it was done. I was born November 19th, the same date which is on my driver’s license and birth certificate. I’m glad they fixed that problem cause I knew I was not leaving out that place until I voted.
Heading to the booth, I had my CARD with all the possible individuals I would VOTE for. Right away, I headed to the “president” selection. Okay, where are President Barack Obama and Joe Biden? I’m getting angry already. They are at the bottom of the ballot and the other guys running against him at the top?
Shady already but I took my time and made my choice. Ooowee!
Take your time with that ballot!
I voted for a man that looks like me and reaches out to the same kind of individuals I serve as a pastor and minster. What does the Bible say – and I’m not going to start preaching, but it says, in Matthew 25:45, The King will reply, “I tell you, whenever you refuse to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.”
I VOTED FOR A MAN I KNOW LOOKS OUT FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN’T LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES. WAIT A MINUTE!!! THE BEST WAY FOLKS WHO CAN’T LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES CAN LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES IS TO VOTE. If you didn’t catch what I said, read it over again.
I didn’t want any mistakes on my ballet so I took my time and made sure every circle was colored black, black, and more black. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE ALL MY SELECTIONS WERE FOR SURE!
Looking at my Democratic Card, I enjoyed voting even more so because I could see the faces of all those running. I planted my feet apart, stood tall yet leaned over, and just took my time with joy. WHAT A WONDERFUL experience taking advantage of something that people DIED to give me a right to do. To do what you ask? VOTE!
After completing my selection, I folded up my ballot and put it in the envelope and sealed it with my tongue. That’s what I did!
Poowee! I FEEL GOOD!
Now, what will I be doing on Election Day? Running all over Cleveland picking up somebody, anybody, hopefully everybody taking them to the polls to VOTE!
What’s that saying in the church, “If you pray, don’t worry and, if you worry, don’t pray.” Here’s another one, “If you don’t vote, don’t complain and, if you complain, it’s probably cause you didn’t VOTE.”
YOUR HOPE IS IN YOUR VOTE, SO DO WHAT? GET OUT AND VOTE AND TAKE ANOTHER REGISTERED VOTER WITH YOU.
You can e-mail the bishop at bishopmoultry@aol.com" title="blocked::mailto:bishopmoultry@aol.com">bishopmoultry@aol.com. Call him at (216) 761-7100 or visit the church each Sunday 11 a.m. for Praise and Worship or Wednesday night 6 p.m. Bible Class at 969 E. 140th St. Cleveland, Ohio 44110 in the heart of the Collinwood Community.
