For This I Am Thankful . . .

“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 . . . .