And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.-Acts 20:40-44
I dedicate this post to: Dr. J.K. Haynes, Aaron A. M. Hargrove, Rosalind Sutton, Carmel Simmons, Frank and Bonnie Johnson, Carmel Simmons, Dr. Louis and Jea Delsarte, Travis Andrews and Dana Ward-Robinson.
I too have been shipwrecked and made it across the stage today with broken pieces. I have lost people who made tremendous contributions into my character development and leadership experiences; Carmel Simmons, Mother Pryor, Elder Walker and Deacon Anthony Dowell. My emotions learned to be checked and balanced and I learned the true meaning of perseverance and patience.
I have been stranded in France, by the hands of people who didn’t’ have my best interest at heart and this holy ghost filled, God fearing minister knows what it means to be depressed, bitter and angry at God.
I have watched brothers at Morehouse leave or get evicted from their housing because they didn’t have enough money to cover the rising cost of tuition and fees.
I truly know how it feels to have it and loose it. I lost my apartment, and my right to provide for myself. Along with those loses went my self-confidence, tenacity, willingness, silence, and my heart was broken into pieces. I know what it means to try to put the pieces back together.
This year, the weekend of my birthday, I was struck with pneumonia, had salmonella and meningitis in my blood. I should’ve died, and wanted to die as I was hospitalized.
But God, woke me up the next morning after I pleaded to Him to end the suffering. He saw fit to let me live. I’m eternally grateful.
My father had cancer and that weighed heavy on me. Sometimes you can be as strong as you know how to be, but when danger strikes you so close, you realize where your strength really lies and how you’ve made it all these years. I am only 23 and to loose my father was unthinkable. It was so unthinkable I think I almost failed all my classes the semester he told me, because I was in class, but I wasn’t IN class. My mind was on “What if he’s gone? “ “How will I take care of my siblings?” “Where will I work when I get home?” And things of that nature.
I didn’t think I was going to graduate Morehouse College today. But through the help of staff at Morehouse and my sister Lashaun and my best friend Aaron, I did.
I am not fully recovered but I will get there! I am thankful because I have learned to enjoy every moment in life. I was sitting on the lawn at graduation and there was a moment of silence between the Glee Club and the Provost taking the stage and you could hear the birds chirping beautifully.
I’ve done a lot here in Atlanta and learned a lot here in Atlanta and the South. But there is no place like home! I am excited about the next chapter in my life.
God has once again made me anew. I have a new outlook on life and how I can better serve my fellow man in the community, region, nation, and globe.
Paul eloquently describes his journey in this passage of scripture, I like it because the unusual happened and so many times It has happened to me, the centurion offered to let his prisoner go and live! God time and time again has shown favor in my life. A few examples, the 130th Commencement at Morehouse College, they told me on Tuesday I couldn’t participate in it.
The International Women's Convention/Crusade of the Church of God in Christ has allowed me to serve them in the Security Ministry since 2012 and someway somehow these women know how to take care of me. I worry for nothing…
And them Paul adds that they escaped some on boards and some on broken pieces. It amazes me how much I’ve grown introspectively [broken boards] and have risen to the occasion every time even when it hurt [broken pieces]. Dr. David B. Cooke said, “Ride one mule till you fall off, and get on the next mule passing by.” I will reach my destination no matter what!
From the Ashes I Rise
it dances
it flickers
in the cool spring morning
it burns blue
through many toils and strife…ashes
it remains
almost extinguished…ash
it remains
it spreads like wildfire
it consumes everything in its path
they want to kill it…ash
in the cool spring morning
they seek to destroy it…ash
they want to suffocate it…ash
remove courage…ash
remove hope…ash
remove joy…ash
…
the Ashes bury It
it grows stronger
it shines brighter
it dances gracefully
it rises from the ashes
it remains
they are removed
-Jesse Andrews
As I close this chapter of my life I thank God He knew me from the beginning, cause at times I really surprise myself! To God be the Glory!!!
