Remembering Drema Robertson

This is a blog that I have been putting off for some time; because it is extremely difficult to write. On November 11, 2016 a friend, co-laborer in the gospel got her promotion. Drema Robertson went home to be with the Lord. The minister side of me is rejoicing, because she is not dealing with cancer, and the side effects of medication, she is in the presence of the Lord. The human side of me misses her encouragement and zeal. God puts people in our lives at various times to help guides us along. Sometimes they are there at different stages of our life. This was the case with Drema. I know she is missed by many.

I met Drema in the summer of 1977, while during an internship at WWNR. I think back then she writing copy and working in the office, she later would work selling radio advertising.  I knew Derma’s sister Jami and Sharon went to school with Debbie, who I would meet later and work in ministry with. Drema was well dressed, sophisticated, and mature. I was young in many ways. I was nineteen, but still younger in my mental age. I admired her mannerisms, the way she dressed and her confidence. Over the years I worked with her in the business world. Mainly when she was manager of the Raleigh Mall and our radio station was working on a new event we called “The Heavenly Harvest”. This was an alternative to the traditional Halloween celebration. We encouraged dressing up in either Biblical characters or non-threatening characters. When Drema first heard it, she thought it was a good idea, but a little skeptical about it. Then she had suggestions which included a puppet show. The event was an overwhelming success. For a number of years we collaborated with Drema to host this event/ One day, I received a call from Drema, she told me she had been saved and requested a song. I was excited that she was listening to me. From that time on she would call and let me know about events going on at church and invite me. We started running into each other at Christian events. When Drema got saved, she began to really work for the Lord, becoming involved in many ministries. I often wondered how she did everything. She carried it off with the same race and poise she always did.

Drema was a big encouragement to me. Especially in 2010 when I lost my job through company downsizing. In 2011, I started helping with the Lets Have Church” broadcast on WWNR on Sunday mornings. Here are some on the words she shared with me in a private message on Facebook. During an evening service at church she had preached an encouraging message and afterward she had prayed for me. I sent a message thanking her and letting her know what a blessing she was to me. Hi Sandy, God bless you...Hadn't been on FB for a few days...Thanks for the encouraging words...The awesomeness of our God never ceases to amaze me!!! I will be in prayer with you during this time of seeking God...Didn't know you were in school full time...that's great.... .....He has purposed so many wonderful things for your life. I feel compelled to share this with you.....The anointing has a sound Sandy...and You have that sound in your voice...it is a voice that releases peace....and teaches ....and teaches the simplicity of the Gospel. That causes souls to be saved.......That's why the enemy got busy and thought that by removing you from the airways...he would shut up the sound...but we know the devil is a liar. He may have shut you down for a season...but he can never shut you up!!!!I don't know if you have been thinking on this...but your own radio program is within your future.."Them that hath ears...let them HEAR"...(that's radio) Your audience awaits!.....Love ya.....Blessings to you!  October 6, 2011  This was amazing and I will never forget this. Also in 2012 she shared this Praise the Lord my sister! I wanted to send you this message this morning right after the broadcast; but I had to minister out of town today and time got away from me...But I Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed you on the broadcast.. You might have had 10 other things that you needed to do; but the effortless way the program flowed is an absolute indicator of the "anointing of God" being upon your life for this ministry...The songs, that you play.. Your voice, when you speak.....and the Word that you proclaim.....all release ...a Sound!...There is a sound to the anointing!...Acts 2:1- And Suddenly there came a Sound from heaven! I pray the blessings of the Lord upon you and the ministry gift of God that you are to the body of Christ and I thank God for every soul that comes to Christ thru the ministry that God has laid before you!!!! I pray new Windows of Opportunity be opened to you...as you walk thru the Doors of Destiny!!!! Love you Sandy, Blessings to you always, Drema  July 29, 2012

These words are special to me as I walk through another time of seeking and transition. There are days when I don’t feel good enough; Drema wouldn’t let me wallow in self-debt or self-pity as I do from time to time.  This wound  happened in the same place the other one did and it was like a tender place, it has healed but you know it was injured and if it is hit in the same place it hurts. This one hurt so deeply I wanted to walk away from radio completely and I did. I don’t listen to radio anymore. I couldn’t imagine how something that I wanted to do since age 10 or 11 could be so cruel and make me for so unimportant, but it did. It wasn’t the change, as much as the fact that they would not see me as capable of fitting into the change somehow.  I went back to school to retrain at age 51, which shows I am more than capable of learning and expanding my horizons. That should have been something, but it wasn’t.  I put 38 years of my life into that profession and to be told it didn’t matter really hurt. Like Jeremiah, I went home and started doing other stuff, and like fire shut up in my bones, people began to suggest other ways of broadcasting. Some mentioned the internet, other mentioned getting back on the “Let’s Have Church “broadcast on Sundays on WWNR, and others had other ideas. Derma’s words came back to me. I have put them in a document and saved them. I read them from time to time and I will go forth.  I do have a name “Moving Forward” will be the name of my endeavor and I am not sure how or when. I have to have provision for the new venture. Not going back, I’m moving ahead, I’m here to declare to you the past is over, In you all things are made new, surrender my life to Christ, I’m moving forward. So Drema is having an impact on me still from her words. I appreciate this.