“Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair...” Langston Hughes
Well day three of boot camp is over and it was the bomb! Not only was it physically challenging but it was also mentally stimulating. As I was exercising with arm bands, the instructor told me to lean back to gain more resistance. It was at this time that I had an “Aha moment” for I realized an important truth; it’s the resistance that makes one stronger. As we examine our personal experiences the same holds true for our lives. As a matter of fact, many of the greatest people we know are great not because they were isolated or insulated from pressures, pain or problematic predicaments. Instead, these were the ingredients that have made them who they are! I believe that this is one of the lessons that we can learn from one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. In his poem entitled, “Mother to Son”. Hughes uses vivid metaphors to relay a moving message from a mother to her son. A complete copy of the poem can be found below at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mother-to-son/
As we eavesdrop on this conversation, there is an important lesson for us to learn as well.
The Presence of problems doesn’t have to prevent Personal Progress.
The simplistic statement, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” clearly conveys that life is not always easy. The mother explains that her stairway in life has been filled with tacks, splinters, torn up boards, and bareness. However, instead of allowing hardships to hinder, or hold her hostage she proudly proclaims, “I’se still goin, I’se still climbin.” Like the mother, we can agree that there are seasons in our lives that do not always portray the elegance and extravagance a crystal stairway. However these are the moments when God can instill within us a spirit of determination that allows us to climb to higher and go further than we would have ever initially climbed. Can I show you some examples? Joseph wouldn’t have become Prime Minister of Egypt had he not been thrown in prison. Nehemiah never would have become governor of his hometown had it not been destroyed. Peter never would have walked on water if he hadn’t faced a storm. In addition you wouldn’t have the skills, sagacity and sensitivity that you have now if you had not experienced some setbacks along the way.
In closing I want to share the story of a young man who as a teenager aspired to be an Olympic swimmer. Sadly, one year a hurricane came through his island and destroyed the local swimming pools. It looked as if his dreams had been dashed and deferred. However, someone noticed that his height and asked if he ever thought about playing basketball. It was then that he began to play and now he is one of the greatest NBA players of all-time. Tim Duncan didn’t allow his problems to paralyze him but instead used them to help him make progress. That’s the message for someone today, though problems may be prevalent, remember the marvelous mother’s words, “Keep climbing, and keep going, for life is no crystal stair.”
PEACE!
Well day three of boot camp is over and it was the bomb! Not only was it physically challenging but it was also mentally stimulating. As I was exercising with arm bands, the instructor told me to lean back to gain more resistance. It was at this time that I had an “Aha moment” for I realized an important truth; it’s the resistance that makes one stronger. As we examine our personal experiences the same holds true for our lives. As a matter of fact, many of the greatest people we know are great not because they were isolated or insulated from pressures, pain or problematic predicaments. Instead, these were the ingredients that have made them who they are! I believe that this is one of the lessons that we can learn from one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. In his poem entitled, “Mother to Son”. Hughes uses vivid metaphors to relay a moving message from a mother to her son. A complete copy of the poem can be found below at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mother-to-son/
As we eavesdrop on this conversation, there is an important lesson for us to learn as well.
The Presence of problems doesn’t have to prevent Personal Progress.
The simplistic statement, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” clearly conveys that life is not always easy. The mother explains that her stairway in life has been filled with tacks, splinters, torn up boards, and bareness. However, instead of allowing hardships to hinder, or hold her hostage she proudly proclaims, “I’se still goin, I’se still climbin.” Like the mother, we can agree that there are seasons in our lives that do not always portray the elegance and extravagance a crystal stairway. However these are the moments when God can instill within us a spirit of determination that allows us to climb to higher and go further than we would have ever initially climbed. Can I show you some examples? Joseph wouldn’t have become Prime Minister of Egypt had he not been thrown in prison. Nehemiah never would have become governor of his hometown had it not been destroyed. Peter never would have walked on water if he hadn’t faced a storm. In addition you wouldn’t have the skills, sagacity and sensitivity that you have now if you had not experienced some setbacks along the way.
In closing I want to share the story of a young man who as a teenager aspired to be an Olympic swimmer. Sadly, one year a hurricane came through his island and destroyed the local swimming pools. It looked as if his dreams had been dashed and deferred. However, someone noticed that his height and asked if he ever thought about playing basketball. It was then that he began to play and now he is one of the greatest NBA players of all-time. Tim Duncan didn’t allow his problems to paralyze him but instead used them to help him make progress. That’s the message for someone today, though problems may be prevalent, remember the marvelous mother’s words, “Keep climbing, and keep going, for life is no crystal stair.”
PEACE!
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