Jakie Ridley -26 Amonte Lewis

AMONTEAMONTE LEWISLEWIS

Risk

Everyday, everybody takes a risk. Whether it’s crossing the street or drinking from a water fountain.

I remember I took a big risk.

Coming to the MAAFA was something way new to me forreal. It’s not in the best area, and they really hold you to a standard of bettering myself. That was a risk for me because I was doing something out of my element.

There are good risks and bad risks; I believe I took a good one.

Blessings of a Young Childhood

When you're a child, you're in a rush to grow up, but when you get older, you start to realize the blessings of young childhood. Almost all children used to say, “I can’t wait til I get grown.”

I know I did.

Since I’ve had my son, I’ve been noticing things. Like his innocence, mainly, also getting taken care of isn’t that bad. I just miss the little things about my childhood.

His smile and the glitter in his eyes captivates me when I look at him.

Man, having a little one running around you is a crazy feeling. Just looking at them can fill you with 20 emotions. I never really pictured me being a father, even though I wanted a lot of kids.

Especially at 19, I wasn’t ready for that journey.

Now, I’m starting to feel like that’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

Forreal. On a serious note, he saved my life. 100.

When I’m just in his presence, I feel better.

He made me grow.

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DELSHAUNDELSHAUN WHITMOREWHITMORE

Time Waits

Time waits for no man, so I will not let this time pass me by.

I have missed so many opportunities, letting prosperity fall by the wayside, seeking encouragement on the outside, lacking motivation within.

I struggle with insecurities and the truth escapes me.

I will not tell a lie because what satisfaction would that bring? Only torment.

I will not deceive because what sensation would I satisfy?

I must be the change I wish to see in the world, otherwise what have I become? A hypocrite? God forbid.

I will bless the Lord at the times, inward as well as outward.

I will seek the face of God so that any purpose may be fulfilled through His will in the way that He sees fit.

All things work together for good to them that know God, to them who are the called, according to His purpose.

He will see me through.

New Journey

College, what a drag. You do everything to get there, make your family proud, just so the office of administration can lose my social security number… Twice… Ok cool, no problem. I’ll just get a regular job when I get home…

Get home…There’s a letter on my door telling me I owe $16,000 to a college that claimed to have no confirmation of my social security number or my grades, but claimed I stayed on campus, in a dorm.

How, Sway? Talk about a return on an investment, and I was supposed to have a scholarship, but hey that’s the way the cookie crumbles. I’ll just suck it up, and do what I have to do.

It’s been five years, and all I have to show for it is a car.

I have to be better than this. I must be a better man for myself and those I may have to provide for.

I must dig deeper into myself so that I may be a greater me than I knew I was capable of being.

I must not accept fear. I am more than a conqueror through the Christ Jesus who strengthens me.

A Strong Faith

It’s been a year, and I can’t explain the progress nor the regress.

There is a constant toil mentally, reminding me that I have not done enough.

Should I be more assertive, or is this the time for patience, and to be still?

There is a constant internal battle, but I will not be double minded.

I trust in God, and I believe he did raise Jesus from the ground!

My faith will increase!

My God will sustain me.

I had dreams I have not forgotten, nor has my Father forgotten nor forsaken me.

In the Lord will I put my trust.