Who Do You Want To Get Revenge On?

The girls who bullied me in middle school and high school. The guy from the high school football team who humiliated me in front of our class and said I didn’t matter and sucked at life. The girl who was supposed to be my friend and betrayed my trust. The first guy that broke my heart. Or perhaps the ungodly Christians I’ve met who have other people convinced they’re good people? The list could go on. But what good would it benefit me to get revenge on any of the people listed above? Zero. Zilch. Nada. I have the choice to move on with my life. Revenge is an interesting concept. On one hand, the idea of inflicting the same pain towards someone that’s hurt you may bring temporary satisfaction, but at what cost? I don’t believe it’s worth it – even if and when given the opportunity. On the other hand, you can forgive and let go of whatever it was that transpired. That’s easier said than done for some more than others. I’m not a fan of actively seeking revenge. Revenge is God’s job and however He decides to proceed is up to Him. Because the moment myself, or anyone else, takes vengeance into our own hands, we’re inviting unnecessary chaos and drama into our lives. Romans 12:19 reads, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, it is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. Don’t seek revenge. Turn it over to God.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

Making Waves