In every church, there are pillars—quiet yet powerful women whose lives speak louder than words.They are the praying mothers, the guiding voices, and the steady hands that help shape generations. In this special Mother’s Day feature,The Community News Flash honors one such woman, Patricia Morrison, whose life has been rooted in faith, family, and unwavering devotion to God.
Patricia Morrison’s journey with Christ began at an early age on a Thursday night during a revival atMt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Kossuth, Mississippi. She recalls the sacred tradition of the mourners’bench, where children seeking salvation would kneel as the mothers of the church gathered around them in prayer.That moment not only marked the beginning of her relationship with God but also planted the seeds for the woman of faith she would become.
As a mother, Patricia leaned heavily on her faith, especially during the early years. “Being a new mother, I had to believe that God was with me,” she shared. Over time, that belief grew into an unshakable foundation.Today, she confidently declares that she can do nothing without God. Standing firmly on the 27th Psalm, she finds strength in knowing that the Lord is her light and salvation—her protector in every season of life.
To Patricia, motherhood is defined by unconditional love, guidance, and support. Her proudest moments come from watching her children and grandchildren grow and accept Christ.While her journey wasn’t without challenges— times of exhaustion and financial strain—her faith carried her through. She balanced family and church life by raising her children to be active in ministry, teaching them to pray and trust God.
For 66 years, Patricia has remained a faithful member of her church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, missionary, BTU leader, usher, and choir member. Her love for people and fellowship has been at the heart of her service. Through it all, she has gathered wisdom thatshe now shares with others. Her advice to young mothers is simple yet powerful: “Put God first and love your children.” She emphasizes that motherhood has taught her a vital lesson—she cannotmake it without God. During difficult times, she turns to prayer and the Word, finding strength and encouragement in both. Patricia’s influence extends far beyond her biological children.To her, being a mother means showing love and care to all children, whether related or not.This mindset reflects the example set by her own mother, who raised fourteen children with unwavering love and compassion, teaching them to love God and serve others.
As Patricia Morrison reflects on her life, her greatest joy comes from her relationship with God and the love of her family. Her desired legacy is clear—to be remembered as someone who loved God and people, a dependable presence in the lives of those around her.
This Mother’s Day, her message to the community is both heartfelt and timeless: “Thank God for mothers because they are a blessing from God.”
Patricia Morrison
JerryW.Porter
CEO/Publisher POBox1292, Corinth,MS38835-1292
Cell:662-643-6842
Email:read.newsflash@gmail.com
It’sMother’s Day, and like many of you,I find myself reflecting on the countless rolesa mother plays.She is a nurturer, a provider, a protector, a teacher, a counselor,and sometimeseven a referee. From the moment her children enter this world, a mother begins a lifelongjourneyof pouring intotheir lives—guiding, correcting, encouraging, and loving them through every season.
But amongall the responsibilities a mothercarries, one of the greatest—and perhaps most challenging—is the task of getting her children to listen.
Now, on the surface, that might sound simple.After all, how hard can it be to listen? But anyone who has ever triedto guide a child—or even anadult— knows thatlisteningis not as easy as it seems. Hearing and listening are two very different things. Hearing is automatic;listeningis intentional. Hearing is passive; listeningis active.And intoday’s world, where distractions are
everywhere and attention spans are short, true listening has become something of a lost art.
We sendour children to school to learn how to read,write, and speakeffectively.We celebrate those who canarticulate their thoughts clearly and confidently. But rarelydo we place the same emphasis on teaching the skill of listening.Yet, listening is just as important—if not more so—than speaking.
I was reminded of this the other daywhile havinga conversation with someone. I wasoffering whatI believed to be sound advice—words meant to help, to guide, andtopossiblyprevent unnecessary trouble. But as I spoke, it became clear that althoughthe person couldhear me, they weren’t really listening. Their mind waselsewhere,their attentiondivided, and their response disconnected fromwhat was beingsaid.
In that moment,something dawnedon me.
The One whodesignedthe humanbody knew exactly what He wasdoing.Think about it— we were given two eyes, two ears, two lungs,two kidneys, two arms,and twolegs,but onlyone mouth.Thatdesign is not by accident. It speaks volumeswithout saying a word. It suggests that we should observe more, listen more, and speak less.
Imagine how different our lives would be if we truly embraced that principle.
Children would avoidmany pitfalls if they took the time to listento the wisdom of their parents.Youngadultswouldmake better decisions if theyslowed down long enough to hear the voices of experience around them. Evenasadults, we would strengthen our relationships if we listened—not just torespond, but to understand.
For mothers, the desire for their children to listen is not about control—it’s about care. Every instruction, everywarning, everypiece of advice is rooted in love.Amother sees what a child cannot yet see. She understands consequences thata child may not yet comprehend.And more often than not,her wordsare meant to shield her children from harm and steer themtoward success.
So today, as we celebrate mothers, I offer a simple but powerful piece of advice to children of all ages: learn to listen more and speak less. Listening can keep youout of trouble. Listeningcan opendoors of wisdom. Listening can strengthen your relationshipsand
help you growinto the person you are meant to be.And perhaps most importantly, listening is one of the greatest ways toshow respect and appreciation tothe one who has given you so much. Flowers are beautiful. Cards are thoughtful. Gifts are appreciated. But an obedient and attentive child—that is a gift that continuestogive longafter Mother’s Day has passed.
So today,and every day, let’s make a conscious effort to “listen up.”
Because sometimes, the greatest lessons inlife are not foundin what we say but in whatwe are willing to hear.
Whoo!Whoo! Until next time! All aboard!
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
— Phil Jackson
Stop by our new location at 712 S. Tate St., Corinth, Mississippi, or contact me, Jerry W. Porter, at (662) 643-6842, or visit us on Facebook to get more information on this ministry. If you wish to make a donation to this ministry, it would be greatly appreciated. Please use the Cash App at $SuitsYouToo or mail your donation to PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835.
Suits You Too Men’s Clothing Ministry is here to help men step into life’s important moments with confidence and dignity.
Whether it’s a job interview, wedding, funeral, or special occasion, we provide the attire you need for a fresh start. We don’t just offer clothing—we offer a hand up.
For more information, contact Jerry W. Porter at (662) 643-6842 or visit 712 S. Tate St., Corinth, MS 38834.
asparagus.While asparagusis available year-round, it's much betterwhen purchased locally.
Asparagus is easy to select and prepare, and comes ina variety of vibrant colors including green, violet, purple andwhite. It also grows wild and is commercially available fresh,frozenand canned.The stalks range in size from colossalto small. Various types and colorsof asparagus can be used without any noticeable difference in the taste, somix and match colors and sizesfor visual interest.
Asparagus should be crispand firm, not limp or wrinkled,with tightly closedtips. Dull colors
AsparagusIsPerfectforSpringRecipes
and ridges in the stems are an indication of a lack of freshness. The stalks should not be limpor dry atthe cut andof uniform thickness.
If you're planning to use the asparagus on the same day, rinse it under cool water andpat the stalks dry witha paper towel. Smallerstalkscan be broken or
cut atthe point where the stem naturally snaps. Peelingthe end of thicker stalks with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler removes any woodystemsand can be done up to 2hours before cooking. Place the prepared asparagus in a plastic bag in the refrigerator tostay crisp until ready to cook.
4chicken breasts,about 3 pounds, washedand fat trimmed and removed
11/2 tablespoonsolive oil
4garlic cloves,chopped 1red bell pepper, chopped 1/2 pound asparagus, stalks trimmed andcut into 1 inch
pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon lemonzest
1/2 cup chicken stock
3 cups cookedrice
Ina large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Seasonthe chicken pieces with the salt,pepper and poultry seasoning. Place the chicken, skin-side down,andcook for 5 to 7minutes.Turnthe pieces skinside up, and cookuntil golden brown and done, about 5minutes. Stir in the garlic and redbell pepper.Add the asparagus and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the zest and the chicken stock and bring toa simmer. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.Serve immediately over hot rice.
LEMON CHICKENWITH ASPARAGUS
Prioritize Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms DuringYour Spring Clean
(StatePoint)The beginning of the year is a natural time for a reset, especially when it comesto budgets and better-for-you habits. With cold and flu season still infull swing, it’s also a time when many people startthinking about how to stay healthy without spending more thanthey planned.
With a few tips and tricks, staying healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s what you can do:
Shopahead. Most people don’t thinkabout cold and flu productsuntil they actually need them.
Stocking up ahead of time can help ensure quick accesstorelief while making it easiertotake advantage of savings.Using coupons, price-saving apps and shopping for store promotions can help bring down the cost ofeveryday health essentials.
Choose generic and save. Store brand over-thecounter (OTC) products
offer a more affordable option for common needs, includingpain relief and cough and cold care.
Perrigo,a leading provider of store brand OTC products, makes trusted alternatives toname brands across keyself-care categories, including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cough suppressants, decongestants and multi-symptom relief.These store brand OTCproducts contain the same active ingredients and meet the same FDAstandards as national name brands, but at a lower cost.
As health care costs continue to rise, consumers can opt for these store brand OTCproducts to save money without compromisingon quality. Stayactive. Staying active doesn’t have to mean joining a luxurygym membership or having a complicated routine.
Researchpublished inthe National Libraryof Medicine suggests that
moderate amounts of exercise canhelp reduce stress and support immune function.Walking, running, free online workout classes or bodyweight exercisesat home are all accessible ways to stay active throughout the season.
Adopt healthy habits. Small, everyday habits can also make a difference during cold and flu season.
Washing your hands, staying hydratedand getting plenty of sleep are simple stepsthat support overall wellness and help reduce the risk of getting sick.
As consumerssettle into their routines, combining smartshopping choices with healthy habits can help themfeel prepared and more in control throughout coldand flu season.
To stock up onaffordable store brand self-care and OTCproducts, stop by your local retailer.
