“Let me tell you something about Jesus.” This is a phrase
that I frequently use with friends as I talk about just how good God has been
to little ole me. There is no way that I will ever be able adequately thank God for everything he/she has done in my life, but I want to take some time
during this Thanksgiving season to reflect over my year and how grateful I am.
You know, this time last year I had just found out that I
had been accepted into Teach For America (TFA) as a high school English teacher
in Houston, TX. I had completed my application for the Fulbright program and I was
anxiously waiting to find out if I would be selected as a finalist. I remember
telling the few people that I shared my Fulbright dreams with that in a “perfect
world” I would be accepted into TFA, then the Fulbright program in India. I
would request a one-year deferral from TFA, it would be granted and I would be
placed back in Houston, TX teaching high school English (yeah, it was a lot
that I was asking for lol). Well, praise God because I got it all!!! By the
grace and unmerited favor of God, I received all those things and my humble
requests were granted . . . amen, amen, amen.
Beyond Fulbright and TFA, I am grateful for many other
things. This year, like any other, had ups and downs but God has remained
faithful through it all. In March of this year, I was involved in a car
accident along with two of my friends, which resulted in my car being totaled. That
event revealed to me the art of peace in the midst of a storm . . . after my
initial shock and going a bit crazy because I was more worried about my friends
in the car than anything else, we were able to remain in good spirits following
the accident. We actually ended up laughing and making jokes while waking for
the police to come and everyone, in both cars, walked away unharmed. Ultimately,
as sad as I when I got the news that my car would be totaled out, I was beyond
grateful that we were all okay and the car was the only casualty.
I am also grateful this year for my graduation from law
school. I remember when I was in undergrad hoping to be admitted into a good school . . . the nervousness of 1L year is
still fresh in my mind. . . I was blessed with an awesome study group who
became my family and support system at the HUSL. . . . Law school also gave me the
opportunity to live with my sister on our own for 3 years and we didn’t kill
each other – hahaha. . . . Oh & I remember the sheer joy that I felt when I found out that
I would become a member of the Howard Law Journal.
Man, when I think about law school, I realize that the
3 years I spent there were not just about my professional development, but law
school literally changed my life. In that space and place I was tested –
mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. There, I finally had a chance
to see what I was made of . . . with the extreme competition that can take
place in law school, I had to make sure that I did well, without stepping on
others . . . I had to offer whatever help I could, knowing that there are more
than enough blessings in the store house and my success would not be diminished
by the success of someone else . . . I had to learn that taking care of myself
was to always be my #1 priority . . . I had to trust that I was in the palm of
God’s hands at all times . . . and most importantly, law school taught me the
value and necessity of a positive attitude. God helped me to let my light
shine, no matter the atmosphere and I pray that I was of service to someone
else during my time at the HUSL. All of this to say – I am so very thankful for
my law school experience and excited to see where my life goes now that I have decided
to dedicate myself to the fight for quality education for all children in the
United States.
Now, you all know that I cannot talk about things that I am
grateful for without giving glory to God for my experience here in India. Who
knew that I would be here???? Certainly not me! I am so so so grateful to have
this opportunity. I am lucky to have a supportive family who told me that can
do/be anything. It is because of them that I had the courage to apply for this
program and knowing that I am making them proud is what sustains me during this
time. Lord knows I am missing them this Thanksgiving (see the picture to the
right from last year’s Thanksgiving dinner).
When it comes to India, I am thankful for my students –
they are the light of my life these days and I am honored to teach them. I have
been blessed with a church home here - thanks to one of my students :-) . . . I
am grateful for the beautiful monuments and historical places that I am able to
visit. It amazes me that next month I will also travel to Sri Lanka and Egypt.
At this point, God is simply showing off . . . and I am grateful! I am humbled.
I am so excited to talk to my future students about the importance of going
abroad and I just want God to use me. . .
I have a lot to be thankful for this year and I am
working hard to make sure that I don’t waste any of what God has blessed me
with. I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I am missing my family very
much, so if you are with yours – enjoy and appreciate this time with them :-)
Until next time, I urge you to think of the things you are grateful for . . . .
